More Cunard Cruises out of New York

[Cruise Liner Fan]

I remember that just over decade ago when the QE2 was still doing transatlantic crossings and the QM2 was being built, Cunard both in 2002 & 2003 did offer the following cruises out of New York aboard QE2 to Bermuda, a Spring cruise to the Caribbean, the Christmas cruise to the Caribbean, the July 4th cruise, and the New England/Canada cruise in the Autumn. Now about decade later Cunard offers these cruises out of New York aboard QM2 both this year 2013 and next year 2014 which is the July 4th cruise, a 12 night New England/Canada cruise in September & October and the Christmas Caribbean cruise and that's it. I know that the QM2 is on a tight schedule but I think that Cunard at least should schedule a Spring QM2 cruise to the Caribbean out of New York and I do understand that cruises to Bermuda are not possible because of the QM2 being too big for the ports in Bermuda. Does anyone else here agree with me and think that Cunard should schedule a Spring QM2 cruise to the Caribbean and still keep the other QM2 cruises out of New York? Regards,Jerry

[newjoisey]

we like to go away when it is cold here and warm there [anywhere]. not warm here hotter there. imo. so a spring southern cruise would not be for us:)

[glojo]

When would you like this cruise as the three ships all have a world cruise from January with QM2 not returning until the second week of May. At least one and maybe two of the Cunard ships have completely sold every full World cruise cabin without the need to offer any type of discount and I am guessing that if it ain't broke, why meddle?

 

How many ships are sailing to the West Indies during that period and would cunard have to compete with them?

Edited November 8, 2013 by glojo

[Cruise Liner Fan]

When would you like this cruise as the three ships all have a world cruise from January with QM2 not returning until the second week of May. At least one and maybe two of the Cunard ships have completely sold every full World cruise cabin without the need to offer any type of discount and I am guessing that if it ain't broke, why meddle?

 

How many ships are sailing to the West Indies during that period and would cunard have to compete with them?

Well Cunard could have scheduled the QM2 Spring Caribbean cruise in May and discontinue the May cruise to Norway and I do think that the QM2 is spending too much time in the Norwegian waters during the Spring & Summer months anyway. Regards,Jerry

[Cruise Liner Fan]

we like to go away when it is cold here and warm there [anywhere]. not warm here hotter there. imo. so a spring southern cruise would not be for us:)

Well the only time Cunard schedules a Caribbean cruise aboard the QM2 is at Christmas and maybe there are other people that can't go at that time because of it being the Christmas holidays such as they have to spend the Christmas holidays with their families and can't schedule a Caribbean cruise at that time. Please understand that I am not suggesting that the QM2 Christmas Caribbean cruise be discontinued. Regards,Jerry Edited November 8, 2013 by Cruise Liner Fan

[cruiserking]

I had posted on a similar thread recently recalling fondly the 8-night Caribbean cruises QM2 sailed from NY in 2005. There were four of them I believe from late February through April with port stops in St. Thomas, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.

 

I wish they would bring these back again. It would be so wonderful to sail this wonderful liner from New York again.

 

Jonathan

Edited November 8, 2013 by cruiserking

[BlueRiband]

...Does anyone else here agree with me and think that Cunard should schedule a Spring QM2 cruise to the Caribbean and still keep the other QM2 cruises out of New York? Regards,Jerry

 

I would like that a lot especially in the January-March time frame when one is getting sick of a New York winter. However there's not enough interest to make this financially viable. First, QM2 would have to make a WB TA to get to New York during the off, off season. Afterwards she'd have to go EB under the same off season fares. Second, a claimed industry insider who frequents the boards says that the on board spend tends to be lower in the Caribbean compared to Northern routes.

 

I last made a QM2 Caribbean trip (not Christmas) in December 2010. Some passengers were bragging about late great deals. It also attracted loud complainers who whined: "Nobody told us there would be sea days!" (Yeah right - it's Cunard's fault if one won't read their itinerary or consult a map.)

So it appears there are not enough of us who want to do this.

[Cruise Liner Fan]

I had posted on a similar thread recently recalling fondly the 8-night Caribbean cruises QM2 sailed from NY in 2005. There were four of them I believe from late February through April with port stops in St. Thomas, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.

 

I wish they would bring these back again. It would be so wonderful to sail this wonderful liner from New York again.

 

Jonathan

Jonathan I know what you are talking about because my first 2 times aboard QM2 in June 2004 and March of 2005 were 8 night Caribbean cruises. But now with the QM2 doing the World Cruise during those months of February thru April those 8 night Caribbean cruises are out. Concerning the QM2 isn't she maybe too large to fill up certain segments of the World Cruise and Cunard has to heavily discount these segments to sell out the QM2? Because of maybe both the Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth are smaller than the QM2 those 2 ships are easier to sell out all of the World Cruise segments than the QM2? Regards,Jerry

[eatsallinsects]

I will vote for this as many times as is legal!

[Cruise Liner Fan]

I would like that a lot especially in the January-March time frame when one is getting sick of a New York winter. However there's not enough interest to make this financially viable. First, QM2 would have to make a WB TA to get to New York during the off, off season. Afterwards she'd have to go EB under the same off season fares. Second, a claimed industry insider who frequents the boards says that the on board spend tends to be lower in the Caribbean compared to Northern routes.

 

I last made a QM2 Caribbean trip (not Christmas) in December 2010. Some passengers were bragging about late great deals. It also attracted loud complainers who whined: "Nobody told us there would be sea days!" (Yeah right - it's Cunard's fault if one won't read their itinerary or consult a map.)

So it appears there are not enough of us who want to do this.

I suggested that the QM2 Caribbean cruise be in May when the World Cruise is over. Regards,Jerry

[turquoise 6]

When would you like this cruise as the three ships all have a world cruise from January with QM2 not returning until the second week of May. At least one and maybe two of the Cunard ships have completely sold every full World cruise cabin without the need to offer any type of discount and I am guessing that if it ain't broke, why meddle?

 

How many ships are sailing to the West Indies during that period and would cunard have to compete with them?

Hi glojo, The Cunard ships have become world cruise ships during the winter

months, as you know. Cunard gave up on New York. I thought that the QM2 was to be assigned to NY and do winter cruises. Not so.

There are cruises from NY to the Caribbean during the winter: NCL,Carnival,

Celebrity.

Not All Is Lost.* There is a New Cruise Ship Made For New York!

BREAKAWAY, from NCL

I sailed to Bermuda on a 7 day cruise and I enjoyed the cruise.

it sails from NY every Sunday. November -December to Bahamas &

Florida. Then it does two 12 day cruises to West Indies in January.

I heard that its fully booked.

[Cruise Liner Fan]

Hi glojo, The Cunard ships have become world cruise ships during the winter

months, as you know. Cunard gave up on New York. I thought that the QM2 was to be assigned to NY and do winter cruises. Not so.

There are cruises from NY to the Caribbean during the winter: NCL,Carnival,

Celebrity.

Not All Is Lost.* There is a New Cruise Ship Made For New York!

BREAKAWAY, from NCL

I sailed to Bermuda on a 7 day cruise and I enjoyed the cruise.

it sails from NY every Sunday. November -December to Bahamas &

Florida. Then it does two 12 day cruises to West Indies in January.

I heard that its fully booked.

But as I wrote in my last post because the World Cruise ends in May that would be the time to schedule the Caribbean cruise. Maybe another idea would be scheduling not the QM2 for the Spring Caribbean cruise in either late April or into May but to schedule the Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth for this Spring Caribbean cruise out of New York when the Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth is done with their World Cruises and Cunard could market this cruise to Americans & Canadians who would like to go aboard Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth but don't want to fly across the Atlantic to get to either ship and don't have the time to cross the Atlantic aboard QM2 to get to either the other 2 Queens and then sail back to New York aboard QM2. Regards,Jerry Edited November 8, 2013 by Cruise Liner Fan

[glojo]

Well Cunard could have scheduled the QM2 Spring Caribbean cruise in May and discontinue the May cruise to Norway and I do think that the QM2 is spending too much time in the Norwegian waters during the Spring & Summer months anyway. Regards,Jerry

;) Excellent point and that location reminds me of our Norfolk Broads!! :eek: (A busy, but very nice part of our country)

 

[Underwatr]

Hi glojo, The Cunard ships have become world cruise ships during the winter months, as you know.

As recently as 2012 this was not the case (QV did Panama Canal and Hawaii voyages) so maybe there's a possibility for another change.

[keithm]

I would like that a lot especially in the January-March time frame when one is getting sick of a New York winter. However there's not enough interest to make this financially viable. First, QM2 would have to make a WB TA to get to New York during the off, off season. Afterwards she'd have to go EB under the same off season fares. Second, a claimed industry insider who frequents the boards says that the on board spend tends to be lower in the Caribbean compared to Northern routes.

 

I last made a QM2 Caribbean trip (not Christmas) in December 2010. Some passengers were bragging about late great deals. It also attracted loud complainers who whined: "Nobody told us there would be sea days!" (Yeah right - it's Cunard's fault if one won't read their itinerary or consult a map.)

So it appears there are not enough of us who want to do this.

We were on that voyage. Had a great time. We were surprised how empty the ship seemed. I gather it was over 60% full, but we enjoyed the "extra" room of not bumping into fellow pax. I do remember the flooring issues that were due for repair in the next drydock. Our next trip was on QV. in 2012. We'd love more Caribbean trips ,but they seem to be either the holiday or part of the world cruise.

[glojo]

I have just checked all three Cunard ships to see how popular the full World Cruise is and the only cabins still available for the FULL World Cruise are on the two ships that are not actually circumnavigating the globe. Having said that the only cabins they have left on both the QM2 and the Queen Victoria are inside cabins. All other accommodation is completely sold out at the full, advertised fare and yes, a thousand times yes.... these ships are still advertising sectors at discounted prices which makes me wonder if they have got the best value out of how they have allocated the accommodation?

 

Folks are talking about going down to the West Indies from May onward and at first I thought that a good idea, but when is the hurricane season for that location? I bow to you more experienced cruisers but would this period need to be taken into account? Would Cunard be better off cruising the Mediterranean during this period and possibly look at the West Indies\Panama later in the year? I may be talking a lot of tosh and the West Indies might be an option for the months of May, and June.

 

Does it look like Cunard have decided the long cruises are the best option for the winter months but should they consider offering a few more cabins for the full cruise at the expense of doing away with a few cabins that are dedicated to sectors of those cruises?

 

Just me thinking aloud and DEFINITELY not expressing an opinion.

[Salacia]

partial quote

...

Just me thinking aloud and DEFINITELY not expressing an opinion.

 

Mr.Glojo - Speaking only for myself - I would be pleased to see you express your personal opinion rather than just thinking aloud, which of course you aren't doing - you are typing your thoughts, and expressing them to all of us (you do know we can hear you when you are thinking aloud?) :) Regards, -S.

[Austcruiser84]

Glojo, I think discounting is pretty normal for most cruise lines post GFC, especially since many Europeans, Brits and Americans (which make up most of the world's cruise passengers) are a little more frugal than they once were.

 

The same has happened at the pointy end of planes. Prices for flights, cruises and hotels have come down a lot to lure more clientele.

 

It's great for travellers with spare cash to burn, but I wonder what it will mean for the quality of services long term.

 

A lot of people complain about standards slipping. Yes, to cost cutting, but without cuts to keep fares lower they wouldn't be filling the ships to even 60-70% full.

 

As for the destinations on offer, I must say that the QE 2014 world voyage looks incredible. In my view it is the best itinerary out of the three ships. If only I had the time!

 

Cunard obviously have crunched the numbers and worked out that more voyages out of NYC isn't viable.

 

As a business, they need to think of profit (which, regardless of what we'd prefer, comes before service...always). Clearly Norway, the Baltic, the Med, Australia (for QM2 world voyage) are the most popular as Cunard keeps putting their ships in these places.

 

That said, they seem to be experimenting with new places. Iceland looks interesting. I'd also like to see some Japan-China voyages outside the world cruise period. However, there is some stiff competition in that region from Princess, which is planning to base two ships in the Asia Pacific region year round from next year.

[glojo]

Glojo, I think discounting is pretty normal for most cruise lines post GFC, especially since many Europeans, Brits and Americans (which make up most of the world's cruise passengers) are a little more frugal than they once were.

 

The same has happened at the pointy end of planes. Prices for flights, cruises and hotels have come down a lot to lure more clientele.

 

It's great for travellers with spare cash to burn, but I wonder what it will mean for the quality of services long term.

 

A lot of people complain about standards slipping. Yes, to cost cutting, but without cuts to keep fares lower they wouldn't be filling the ships to even 60-70% full.

 

As for the destinations on offer, I must say that the QE 2014 world voyage looks incredible. In my view it is the best itinerary out of the three ships. If only I had the time!

 

Cunard obviously have crunched the numbers and worked out that more voyages out of NYC isn't viable.

 

As a business, they need to think of profit (which, regardless of what we'd prefer, comes before service...always). Clearly Norway, the Baltic, the Med, Australia (for QM2 world voyage) are the most popular as Cunard keeps putting their ships in these places.

 

That said, they seem to be experimenting with new places. Iceland looks interesting. I'd also like to see some Japan-China voyages outside the world cruise period. However, there is some stiff competition in that region from Princess, which is planning to base two ships in the Asia Pacific region year round from next year.

Hi Austcruiser,

You make lots of very good points and I agree about the itinerary of the Queen Elizabeth, I fear it was the main reason we both chose her over all the opposition from all the other lines that were offering circum-navigations.

 

I also agree with you regarding cruise lines offering discounts on fares but Cunard completely sold out the full World cruise cabins before they even had to consider this course of action. (As did P&O) but the sectors are a different story. someone has already said doing the Trans Atlantic sector was so cheap, it was nearly cheaper to go on the cruise as opposed to staying at home! Strangely enough the first cabins to sell out were the most expensive grades with the cheaper ones bringing up the rear :)

 

I do however see a possible issue about having cruises that sail to Japan, would that mean having two World cruises per year, but if it makes a profit, then so what? I had suggested that Cunard might consider one or two trips to Cape Town, is this an option? I must confess to possibly being slightly bias as I loved that country although when I was there it was at the height of the Apartheid period. :eek::o

 

I have never been to Norway but it does look a really beautiful country that is ideally suited for cruise ships to visit but is it becoming too commercialised? What about Russia which I am guessing you might be including in the Baltic area?

 

I confess that I hate seeing cruise lines offering 80% discounts as it leaves me asking how long can this go on for? Will cruise lines look again at their itineraries and attempt to fill their ships at prices that offer a better return, or can they afford to carry on offering these massive discounts especially as even more cruise ships are being introduced?

Norwegian Getaway 146,600 ton 4028 passengers January 2014

Yui cruises Mein Schiff 3 99,300 2500 Spring 2014

Regal Princess 141,000 3600 June 2014

Costa Diameda 132,500 3724 Oct 2014

Quantum of the Seas 167,800 4180 Nov 2014

With just those new ships we are looking at a further 18,000 passengers berths and in 2015 we will see in excess of another availability for over 20,000 more passengers!! Is this growth sustainable, will we see cruise ships going off to that big dockyard in the sky and finally will we see more cruises in the crowded Caribbean?

 

Salacia..

You ask the same question as my wife!!!

 

you do know we can hear you when you are thinking aloud?

 

Although she says it with a scowl on her face especially when she is either reading or watching TV :)

[Austcruiser84]

Glojo,

 

You also make a good point regarding new ship construction. So many big cruise ships are under construction or are on the drawing board (including a third Oasis monstrosity).

 

However, economies go through peaks and troughs. It's a cycle. After the depression and the war, transatlantic travel boomed. The two Queens made massive profits for Cunard during that time (after lean years in the late 30s).

 

Things will improve and another boom era will be in full swing before long. Meanwhile, during the lean years the cruise lines have been building bigger and better ships to compete when things turn good. Airlines are in a similar situation. In reality, new construction and upgrading facilities now is probably cheaper than it would have been pre GFC.

 

Cunard has been wise to stick with three ships. I honestly dont think there is room for more at this end of the cruise spectrum.

 

As for the problem of needing two world cruises to run several Asia voyages throughout the year:

 

Given the Arctic ice is melting, it's widely predicted that the sea will be navigable during summer within 10 years. That would be a huge boon for Cunard if it were able to take advantage of the new passage to the East.

 

Granted, that's a while off.

[Underwatr]

I have just checked all three Cunard ships to see how popular the full World Cruise is and the only cabins still available for the FULL World Cruise are on the two ships that are not actually circumnavigating the globe. Having said that the only cabins they have left on both the QM2 and the Queen Victoria are inside cabins. All other accommodation is completely sold out at the full, advertised fare and yes, a thousand times yes.... these ships are still advertising sectors at discounted prices which makes me wonder if they have got the best value out of how they have allocated the accommodation?

Another interpretation would be that Cunard has shifted available inventory to segments as opposed to the full cruise and selling the segments at a discount (as you've observed) but keeping the FULL (bold underline) world cruise priced high in order to maintain the element of exclusivity there (which probably is part of the appeal of the full world cruise cruise to some).

[glojo]

Another interpretation would be that Cunard has shifted available inventory to segments as opposed to the full cruise and selling the segments at a discount (as you've observed) but keeping the FULL (bold underline) world cruise priced high in order to maintain the element of exclusivity there (which probably is part of the appeal of the full world cruise cruise to some).

Hi Underwatr,

Many apologies for being on the slowside but I do not understand what you are saying. The full cruise on the Queen Elizabeth has been sold out for a number of weeks as has the high end cabion on the other two ships.

 

Would it be fair to suggest that selling a cruise out in October and not sailing until January might mean that if there were more high end cabins available, they could have possibly sold them at the full price?

 

I have no idea but I do know that I was lucky to get my grade of cabin way back in August 2012 for this cruise!!

[turquoise 6]

Another interpretation would be that Cunard has shifted available inventory to segments as opposed to the full cruise and selling the segments at a discount (as you've observed) but keeping the FULL (bold underline) world cruise priced high in order to maintain the element of exclusivity there (which probably is part of the appeal of the full world cruise cruise to some).

Yes ,you got it! it al about marketing strategies. I sailed on the last segment of world cruise

in April 2013 from NY to Southampton. I got a great deal with Balcony ,8 days.

[flag fan]

I wonder if Carnival Corp. has some say in this as well, perhaps assigning its various cruise lines to specialize to limit competing with each other. Cunard has world cruises, and the British market for the Mediterranean, Carnival and Princess and Holland America have the Caribbean, Holland America and Princess have Alaska, etc.

[turquoise 6]

I wonder if Carnival Corp. has some say in this as well, perhaps assigning its various cruise lines to specialize to limit competing with each other. Cunard has world cruises, and the British market for the Mediterranean, Carnival and Princess and Holland America have the Caribbean, Holland America and Princess have Alaska, etc.

Yes , most likely Carnival Corp has top marketing people . NCL which is not

Carnival ,as you know, is giving them competition .