Cheaper & Cheaper

[Kiltboys]

Currently the QM2 feels about 2/3 full. The grills seem a bit empty- no one sitting on the banquettes and waiters with nothing to do. This is despite deep discounting and amazing speakers like Stephen Payne onboard. Another interesting speaker is Bill Martin- in the music business with great stories about the Beatles, Bond songs etc. He started the Bay City Rollers in the '70's.

 

 

People on the whole are dressing nicely. The ship empties out tomorrow as we reach Southampton.

 

A heads up- next May the QM2 is celebrating its 10th anniversary and Stephen Payne will be back onboard. His lectures are excellent- today was on HMY Britannia. He has been very accessible at cocktails and dinners for ship enthusiasts. Just a lovely guy- and I recommend thinking about the upcoming Qm2 crossings.

[david,Mississauga]

...

A heads up- next May the QM2 is celebrating its 10th anniversary and Stephen Payne will be back onboard. His lectures are excellent- today was on HMY Britannia. He has been very accessible at cocktails and dinners for ship enthusiasts. Just a lovely guy- and I recommend thinking about the upcoming Qm2 crossings.

 

Both the westbound crossing of 9 May and the eastbound of 16 May are being advertised as 10th anniversary crossings. I hope Mr Payne will be on both of those voyages. I am only on the 16 May crossing.

[Kiltboys]

Both the westbound crossing of 9 May and the eastbound of 16 May are being advertised as 10th anniversary crossings. I hope Mr Payne will be on both of those voyages. I am only on the 16 May crossing.

 

He didn't specify which ones he'd be on, but he has been promoting them a lot whilst onboard this present voyage. The last cocktail party was last evening unfortunately so I can't even ask him on your behalf. Sorry.

 

Also, he is pre-selling his book onboard with delivery early next year.

[Jim Avery]

Both the westbound crossing of 9 May and the eastbound of 16 May are being advertised as 10th anniversary crossings. I hope Mr Payne will be on both of those voyages. I am only on the 16 May crossing.

 

I guess I am just clueless but we were on board in January 2004. Would that not make the 10th Anniversary be January 2014??:D Sort of like celebrating Christmas in July because the weather is nicer?:eek::D

[Host Hattie]

According to this website, the first west and eastbound crossings were in April 2004.

Are the May dates the first (non World cruise) crossings of the year ?

[capnpugwash]

I guess I am just clueless but we were on board in January 2004. Would that not make the 10th Anniversary be January 2014??:D Sort of like celebrating Christmas in July because the weather is nicer?:eek::D

 

Isn't it like having a maiden voyage, after a pre maiden voyage. It seems that the Three Queens event on 9 May 2014 in Southampton will open the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 followed by 18 crossings between Southampton and New York during 2014. I guess that it just a matter of interpretation of "anniversary or birthday", not to mention marketing hype!!

[fantasy51]

Remember that the queen started celebrating her 'jubilee year', a whole year before the actual event. Cunard can choose when they want to celebrate, I guess.

 

To return to the original thread, with cheap cruises. QV has two cruises in November where there is no single supplement, so it's £600 for a balcony room. I've booked!

[Jim Avery]

Isn't it like having a maiden voyage, after a pre maiden voyage. It seems that the Three Queens event on 9 May 2014 in Southampton will open the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 followed by 18 crossin:Dgs between Southampton and New York during 2014. I guess that it just a matter of interpretation of "anniversary or birthday", not to mention marketing hype!!

 

Yes, the big "M", Marketing hype. There was a time that ships were transport and advertised speed and safety. Then they added emphasis on service. Now it seems that you can, on Cunard, expect to sail with the Glitterati and Royalty and should expect English service similar to what you see on Downton Abbey.:eek: And all for a bargain rate! :D:D

[maitai999]

All the UK money saving websites are advertising this ridiculously low fare med cruise £499 for a balcony 10 nights. I have read a lot of posts, on another website which specialises in hotdeals in the UK and many people who have booked have never been on a cruise before, and have no expectations other than going on a "cheap" trip. Many do not realise the weather may not be hot enough to swim outside or even sit on the outdoor decks, perhaps even sunbathe on your balcony, many do not realise that you might not be able to open your balcony door due to wind, many do not realise that the sea could be rough, and many do not even realise there are formal nights and a tux/long dress is the normal attire. All they see is the price :eek:

But then it may be very pleasant temperatures and calm as a millpond!

 

 

I have mentioned this deal to some regular cruiser friends who have the time and can be flexible with travel dates, they have all been put off by the price and what it may attract!

[BlueRiband]

...many people who have booked have never been on a cruise before, and have no expectations other than going on a "cheap" trip. ..

 

That's for sure as many won't bother to read their itineraries. Like the loud passenger on a Caribbean trip who used all possible venues to whine that "nobody told" him of three sea days between New York and St. Thomas V.I.

[fantasy51]

Oops, I'm on one of those cruises. I didn't think about it attracting a different type of passenger.

 

It will be fine! The ship is big enough that I can get away from whiners.

[Pennbank]

All the UK money saving websites are advertising this ridiculously low fare med cruise £499 for a balcony 10 nights. I have read a lot of posts, on another website which specialises in hotdeals in the UK and many people who have booked have never been on a cruise before, and have no expectations other than going on a "cheap" trip. Many do not realise the weather may not be hot enough to swim outside or even sit on the outdoor decks, perhaps even sunbathe on your balcony, many do not realise that you might not be able to open your balcony door due to wind, many do not realise that the sea could be rough, and many do not even realise there are formal nights and a tux/long dress is the normal attire. All they see is the price :eek:

But then it may be very pleasant temperatures and calm as a millpond!

 

 

I have mentioned this deal to some regular cruiser friends who have the time and can be flexible with travel dates, they have all been put off by the price and what it may attract!

 

How very snobbish ! Margot from the Good Life springs into mind. I thought Cunard are trying to dispel that sort of customer anyway.

 

For us regular passengers, we know that the ship is big enough to accommodate all.

One has to dip ones toes in the water to see if you can swim after all.

Perhaps the Lido may get packed then, but that is no problem really.

[babine]

Booked balcony class BC on Jan 3 TA back in September for $2100. Now it is $800. These are single occupancy. All I can say is OUCH.

[bobg529]

Can it also be there are slowly getting to be far too many ships competing for 'x' number of passengers?

 

Will we see a continual cut-throat competitive market and if so with this cutting of costs, will this see a cutting of standards in both service, ship maintenance and dare I say the cruising speed of these ships? (speed equates to using more fuel) and then more time in port and fewer ports per cruise?

 

I think this is an excellent observation. Most cruise prices are down, regardless of the line being used. Eventually however I believe that this will all even out. It's the simple theory of supply and demand, being lived out before our eyes. Once a few lines go belly up,:eek:, so will prices rise.

 

I hate to say this, but I must also observe that much of the luxury aspect of traveling has gone down the drain. Look at the airlines for example. It used to be a treat to fly. Now the planes have turned into cattle cars. :mad:...

[Salacia]

Booked balcony class BC on Jan 3 TA back in September for $2100. Now it is $800. These are single occupancy. All I can say is OUCH.

 

 

I hear that!

[Salacia]

Can it also be there are slowly getting to be far too many ships competing for 'x' number of passengers?

 

Will we see a continual cut-throat competitive market and if so with this cutting of costs, will this see a cutting of standards in both service, ship maintenance and dare I say the cruising speed of these ships? (speed equates to using more fuel) and then more time in port and fewer ports per cruise?

 

 

More time in ports? No, I don't think so, based on what I have read regarding profit margins. More time spent in ports means the ships' stores and casino* are closed. The idea is to keep passengers on board at sea, spending, while the ship goes at slower speed to economize on fuel - with fewer port stops per voyage, as you mentioned.

 

Less time in ports means that more of the maintenance on ships will need to be carried out when the ship is at sea. What is most convenient to passengers or safer for the crew becomes secondary. Speaking of the crew, less time in port also means less time ashore for them, not that they have much time off anyway.

 

Regarding the cruise line market being "cut throat" - well, I'm not too sure about that either. Seems to me that the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is able to present a unified front for their industry. (CLIA website: http://www.cruising.org/ )

 

Salacia

 

*Bermuda recently passed legislation to allow cruise ships to open their casino while the ship is docked http://bernews.com/2013/10/senators-to-debate-casinos-fuel-municipalities/

[Cats2010]

I think this is an excellent observation. Most cruise prices are down, regardless of the line being used. Eventually however I believe that this will all even out. It's the simple theory of supply and demand, being lived out before our eyes. Once a few lines go belly up,:eek:, so will prices rise.

 

I hate to say this, but I must also observe that much of the luxury aspect of traveling has gone down the drain. Look at the airlines for example. It used to be a treat to fly. Now the planes have turned into cattle cars. :mad:...

 

The reason is the 'economy of scale', so 'everybody' can afford it.

[Salacia]

The reason is the 'economy of scale', so 'everybody' can afford it.

 

Yes, I remember reading that Micky Arison's plan when he took the helm of CCL, was to make cruising affordable to more people. And that he did - but at what price?

[Cats2010]

Yes, I remember reading that Micky Arison's plan when he took the helm of CCL, was to make cruising affordable to more people. And that he did - but at what price?

 

Yes, the price is less quality ..., but can high quality be maintained when quantity is increased? Don't think so, this seems to be the sacrifice :mad:.

[Whitemarsh]

The good news is that everything is just fine. There are cheap fares yes, but provided the Cunard experience remains as is, then there isn't a problem - not one that I can see.

 

Hopefully anyone booking with Cunard (whether they're paying top dollar or have nabbed a great deal) is booking because they want what Cunard's offering. It seems to me it would be unintelligent to book a cruise with a cruise line you knew nothing about just because the fare was cheap; I'd like to think there aren't too many people like that (for their sake).

[maitai999]

Pennbank - made me chuckle, will pass that on! Now you mention it, they are very typical of Margot from the Good Life, I have seen repeats of that programme looks like it was a hoot in its day!

[balf]

[/color]

 

How very snobbish ! Margot from the Good Life springs into mind. I thought Cunard are trying to dispel that sort of customer anyway.

 

 

Well, there is a multiple poster on another thread stating he would only do a crossing depending on "who was going"

 

David.

[balf]

, but provided the Cunard experience remains as is, then there isn't a problem - not one that I can see.

 

 

But as is is not the same as as was, that's the problem.

 

David.

[balf]

. Once a few lines go belly up,:eek:, so will prices rise.

 

..

 

The only lines likely to we don't need to consider: the rusting hulks we saw at ports in the Med last month won't make much difference and none of the major cruise lines are likely to fail. No, what would happen if cruise sales diminished is that ships would be laid up. There is certainly no sight of this yet.

 

And I don't think many have bee scrapped this century.

 

David.

[Cats2010]

But as is is not the same as as was, that's the problem.

 

David.

 

Right, at least this was the impression I had on my last cruise in February. Anyway, it did not prevent me from booking two more legs of QM2's world cruise 2015, so let's see .... ;)