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QM2 not up to the standards presented

Nclbella

By Nclbella,
in Cunard Line

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pepperrn

pepperrn

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi Mr. Toad of Toad Hall

Hi Pepper

As ever you can see what I was referring to with my comment about having my meal delivered on the back of a horse by a knight in shining armour because, just having it brought to my table was, as Mrs Richards would say "not good enough" !!

Yes, I do so agree. And Mrs. Richards (or her very close relative) pops up here on occasions, and can be seen conversing with Mrs. Bucket, on some Cunard trips (they are, I believe, on first-name terms).
I think of Mrs Richards now that my mother-in-law has a hearing aid. She doesn't always wear it and as Mrs Richards says "I don't use it because it wears the battery down" ! Take Care Toad
My father has a pair of hearing aids. He almost never wears them, and spends most 'phone conversations shouting "can you speak up, your line is very bad".

When he does have them "in" (rarely) he has them turned down (or off). I asked (shouted) "why?" He replied (glancing at my mother) "for a quiet life" ;) .

 

All best wishes to you :)

Edited by pepperrn
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brigittetom

brigittetom

Posted
Posted
Mrs. Richards (or her very close relative) pops up here on occasions, and can be seen conversing with Mrs. Bucket, on some Cunard trips (they are, I believe, on first-name terms).

 

 

 

I'm still adjusting to the fact that someone might view me as a "pig with lipstick" :)

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bananavan

bananavan

Posted
Posted (edited)

We were on the last 28 day Grand Voyage. We were in Princess Grills. For the most part we had a wonderful trip, and if anyone thinks I will mention what went wrong here, think again.

I find it sad that instead of listening(reading and thinking about the comments) so many come in and parse the comments with which they disagree.

David's comment about the method used in TE to serve the dish is easily understood if you have been in Grills. David had both experiences on his voyage as he was in PG for the EB, and in Britannia for the WB. Flambéed rack of lamb is served and the assistant waiter then brings the vegetables from which to chose when you are in Grills. As for the statement that in Grills you are informed of the vegetables via the menu, I can assure you that was not the case on our voyage and our souvenir menu is proof. The main course was described but there is no mention of vegetables, but if you want to know what will be in the corning serving dish I will tell you. You will get asparagus, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. Did I mention asparagus? IF there is ever a shortage of asparagus, look on a cruise ship.

Why do people shout over those who come in to express their opinions? It is as if a poster comes in to share their experience and if it does not suit you you simply put your fingers in your ears and sing lalalalalalala.

Edited by bananavan
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brigittetom

brigittetom

Posted
Posted
The company or driver, as it's represented, is indeed breaking regulations. Transportation industry here is well-regulated, and while you're welcome to charge whatever you like (cabs excepted), if you want to keep your licence you must charge everyone the same. And all commercial transport must be licensed.

 

(And no, you can't nominally charge everyone double and give out "50% discounts" willy-nilly. That's been to court too.)

 

I'm very much a Libertarian by nature and have no problem pricing-the-customer or being so priced in my own life, but these rules were brought in to try to protect travellers--minority travellers in particular. So I can understand the motivation.

 

I truly have no problem with different prices...say...charging one tour group differently than the next. But to have two women on the sidewalk, literally 10 ft apart, and charge one $60. and the other $30. doesn't sit well.....especially since I'm the one who got the $60. price. :)

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cunardaddict

cunardaddict

Posted
Posted

The flood of asparagus may have reason. From end of april to end of june it's asparagus season in northwestern Europe. As QM2 was going to Hamburg frequently during that time (white) asparagus was a must on the menu.

 

You cannot expect to live from carrots, peas and broccoli only ;)

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Victoria2 Great Review Rare

Victoria2

Posted
Posted
We were on the last 28 day Grand Voyage. We were in Princess Grills. For the most part we had a wonderful trip, and if anyone thinks I will mention what went wrong here, think again.

I find it sad that instead of listening(reading and thinking about the comments) so many come in and parse the comments with which they disagree.

David's comment about the method used in TE to serve the dish is easily understood if you have been in Grills. David had both experiences on his voyage as he was in PG for the EB, and in Britannia for the WB. Flambéed rack of lamb is served and the assistant waiter then brings the vegetables from which to chose when you are in Grills. As for the statement that in Grills you are informed of the vegetables via the menu, I can assure you that was not the case on our voyage and our souvenir menu is proof. The main course was described but there is no mention of vegetableyou. You will get asparagus, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. Did I mention asparagus? IF there is ever a shortage of asparagus, look on a cruise ship. s, but if you want to know what will be in the corning serving dish I will tell

Why do people shout over those who come in to express their opinions? It is as if a poster comes in to share their experience and if it does not suit you you simply put your fingers in your ears and sing lalalalalalala.

 

'Why do people shout over those who come in to express their opinions? It is as if a poster comes in to share their experience and if it does not suit you you simply put your fingers in your ears and sing lalalalalalala'

 

 

The beauty of a forum should be members, even insignificant ones like me, CAN come on and express opinions, politely/objectively, especially if any comment seems to be at odds with personal experience, or has censorship by a longstanding member become the order of the day?

 

Assuming from your whole post, my comments were the ones you referred to [where did I shout?], I could turn your comment [above] back to you, but that would be unkind and not very polite. So I won't.

 

 

My reply was to David, who said you had no control over what went on your plated meals in the Grills veg wise [note he said Grills and not QG/PG specific] as you didn't know what was going to appear via the menu. Please note I said QG in my reply and reasoned [incorrectly I now acknowledge from you] PG was the same.

 

Unlike yourself, I don't keep menus, souvenir or regular. We'd have too many of them if I did and so I don't have one to hand to refer to but as we've spent over four weeks on Victoria so far this year [stepping off her a few days ago] on separate cruises I suppose you could say I have a bit of experience. Of course a few bits and bobs of veg are on a plated meal but that's what they are, bits and bobs. Garnish. A spear of asparagus [yes Cunard must have an asparagus franchise somewhere], a few pieces of different peppers, you get the drift. Anything major and 'different' is named on the menu, ie sprouts with the turkey, aubergines, fennel and more.

Other than that, unless requested with the order, the vegetables [rather more of a selection than you named] are served . Well they always are on our dining table in QG, be they menu or specific requests. As I also said, quite objectively I thought, you always have total control as you have a tongue in your head to ask.

 

 

This is rather long winded but from one who has extensive knowledge of QG, in a nutshell, you do have a choice what goes on your plate AND the amount, kitchen plated or table served, in one part of the Grills and I thought, the other part too but as bananavan so kindly pointed out, I was wrong there.

Apologies.

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bananavan

bananavan

Posted
Posted
Asparagus makes your wee smell:D

Was there not a thread about the strange smell on QM2? Perhaps we have the answer....................asparagus!!!:D

I was not singling anyone out in my comments but I do feel a Carol King song coming on. :rolleyes:

My point is that when someone comes on this board and expresses his/her EXPERIENCE one is told that they are wrong, and this is WHY!!!!!

Perhaps we could learn more if we listen.

I was in Britannia in 2012. It was not something that pleased me. By comparison to other major lines, that 'class' of passengers are not given a wonderful experience. I spend at least 6 weeks a year on cruise ships, in 2012 I was on 3 different lines for a total of 50 days. All of my experiences were in balcony cabins. Cunard gave me the least value for my dollar.

I decided to go in PG for the 28 day Grand Norwegian adventure.

There were many who had booked the cruises segments individually and they did not get the experience of being in Grills for the entire trip . I spoke to a few of these people and I can assure you, the Britannia experience is not as good as it once was. I can also state that Princess Grills is a wonderful way to travel.

Why can a person not come on here and simply state how they felt? Of course others can express their opinions but attacking the other posters is unnecessary.

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scifisteve

scifisteve

Posted
Posted
Was there not a thread about the strange smell on QM2? Perhaps we have the answer....................asparagus!!!:D

 

Funny because I had not known this about the Vegetable before hand, and was on the verge of calling someone thinking I had the dreaded dry drain issue that I had read about on the Forum. :)

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turquoise 6

turquoise 6

Posted
Posted
Yes, you are right, especially the Kings Court's lunches in 2013 were lamentable. At times, all of the self services offered the same, and this on a very low level.

And I agree about the mediocre food in Kings court and Britannia .

I have been trying other cruise lines, and they are superior

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travelberlin "Live from...." Rare

travelberlin

Posted
Posted
She entered service in 2004.

 

As for Kings Court, a member who had been on the Inside Tour quoted the Hotel Director: "He said that he cannot wait for the ship to go into dry dock for it’s next refit, .. specifically, that big changes are coming on deck 7. He said that 'The Kings Court Buffet lets the ship down and is a source of frustration for the food and beverage team. The Kings Court Buffet area will be gutted and reworked completely during the refit.' ”

 

Given the source, I'd consider that pretty credible. Even those of us who love QM2 find this area to be an embarrassment. To me it's like an employee cafeteria only without the cash register.

 

I really hope that they will rethink the concept of the Kings Court. I have also tought that it does not fit at all in the atmosphere of the Queen Mary. We were grateful, that there was an alternative to the main restaurants in the evening, but the Kings Court gave us too much the impression of an airport buffet.

We do like the QM2 and it would be great to see an improvement in an area, which almost every body seems not to like.

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English Voyager

English Voyager

Posted
Posted

I was on the Queen Elizabeth in December of last year, and was impressed with both the food and service in the Britannia Restaurant.

 

Subsequently, two negative Member Reviews were published which made me wonder if I had been on the same cruise, and eating in the same restaurant.

 

An individual's views have to be respected, but not necessarily followed in reaching a decision on a course of action.

 

I have recently returned from the MS Europa 2, which I thought was superb, and yet a Couple I met on board said they would never return to the ship as they considered Crystal to be far superior.

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Oarsman55

Oarsman55

Posted
Posted

Love just about everything about QM2 (and all the Cunard ships), but the one thing across the fleet I hate are the casinos with their awful machines. For me they jar far more than King's Court (easily avoided) - just tacky.

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pepperrn

pepperrn

Posted
Posted (edited)
... Subsequently, two negative Member Reviews were published which made me wonder if I had been on the same cruise, and eating in the same restaurant. ...
I have often noticed this puzzling issue :confused: .

 

I sometimes wonder if there are two Cunard liners called Queen Mary 2 and I've always been allocated the good one :) .

 

Or is it that some people only truly enjoy themselves, or know they are still alive, if they can make a huge fuss on board and then have a good old moan about the trip after it is over, "and another thing"...

 

If everything is perfect, they invent an issue or three, just to make the cruise complete. Then they know they're having a good time.

 

Some people are never happier than when they are complaining. You could give them $1,000,000 in $50 bills and they'd moan because they'd have preferred it in $20s "and then we had all these $50 bills to use up"...

Edited by pepperrn
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brigittetom

brigittetom

Posted
Posted
I have come to the conclusion I must have very low standards.:D

 

Me too. And because of it....I always have a terrific time. I even manage to overlook the imperfections of KC. I don't find the KC people to be all that friendly but I have found that if I make an effort to be extra polite and friendly, they respond . Which pretty much tells me that they are just tired of dealing with rude passengers. It goes both ways. :)

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