Best Way To Book Cunard?

[planetcadillac]

Unlike most other cruise lines, it is almost impossible to find any pricing information for Cunard outside of their own website. People say they get deals, debates, etc. Obviously without naming individual sources, in general what has been the best avenue for booking Cunard? For room selection, pricing, and service? Alot of TAs are unfamiliar with Cunard. We went twice on Cunard both times booking directly with Cunard. :confused:

[guernseyguy]

Unlike most other cruise lines, it is almost impossible to find any pricing information for Cunard outside of their own website. People say they get deals, debates, etc. Obviously without naming individual sources, in general what has been the best avenue for booking Cunard? For room selection, pricing, and service? Alot of TAs are unfamiliar with Cunard. We went twice on Cunard both times booking directly with Cunard. :confused:

 

I agree with your analysis - its unusual to find a combination of good price AND a knowledgeable TA - I've searched on price and armed myself with information from this board. Unlike most of the TAs I've spoken to I have sailed on Cunard. There is probably much more collective wisdom here than any TA could ever hope to have.

 

Peter

[Jeanne S]

If you can, keep trying to find a TA who has actually sailed on the ship you are interested in booking and is very familiar with it. If you are considering QE2 the TA needs to have the deck plan going back at least to 1986 to get the correct configuration of certain cabins which you will not be able to tell from the brochure deck plan. Also, ask what class/catagories the TA has sailed in. For example, when considering C class, it is helpful to have a TA who actually has sailed in this and not just M class which is very different, especially as far as dining goes.

 

If you book on line you take your chances with Cunard. When speaking with say 5 of their reps, you may get five differing answers to the same query.

[DanZ]

I know we are guided not to give specific recommendations for TAs. However, if you look at the paid ads that run on this board there are several that have a good knowledge of Cunard. I am 75% certain ;) you'll find a reasonable deal. There are even deals offering onboard credits of up to $350.

 

Good luck.

[kevinsac]

If you are not needing a TA in your home city, maybe take a look at the recent listing of "World's Best TAs" in either CN's Traveller or Travel and Leisure. They broke it down into subspecialties, and there was at least one, if not two, TAs who were listed as Cunard-knowledgeable. that's a start.

[susan1234]

Please, if you could help it, DO NOT book directly with Cunard. I made a mistake in doing so, and have paid for it heftily. Had no choice, they had me by the neck. Long story, but they are not customer friendly, and their phone agents have different versions of the 'rules'. When it's their words against yours, it's theirs, you take it or leave it, with $$$ penalty. They do not deal with logic and reasonable expectations when comes to misunderstandings or their own agents' errors. My experience with Cunard's customer service is: no service.

 

No use arguing or talk senses with them. Just pay and get it over with. A worthy lesson learned in a hard way.

 

However, this does not dampen our excitement and looking forward to our QM2 crossing in the Fall. If I do sail Cunard again, I will definitely book with an agency sepecialised in cruises and preferably a TA that has sailed on said ship.

[planetcadillac]

We are going on this Norwegian cruise this fall out of Charleston, SC because it is very close and we were able to book suites for a great price. Plus it will be nice to have a more laid back cruise and fun without the stuffiness associated with Cunard. With that said we are very torn here, we want to cruise the QE2 before she is retired or put into an out of the way place and desparate salivation to take the QM2. We have friends that have taken the QM2 in Queen's Grill and couldn't say more. Queen's Grill is a bit rich for our blood but the ship will be nice no matter what. At this point we are leaning towards going with QE2 next because the QM2 is new and will be around for a while - the QE2 will likely be retired or severely relocated once the Victoria debuts. We are definately thinking about a segment of the World Cruise (NYC to LA) and would like to try and book a Caronia room. It is a step up from Mauretania where we were for the last two cruises on QE2 and well Princess and Queen's is just too expensive. Pricing from Cunard directly is high even with the EBS (Early Booking Savings) so we are thinking of trying our hand at the TAs and consolidators.

 

Also I am planning on obtaining some old deck plans of the QE2 so I can strategize over room location and such. This way whomever I go with for booking I can tell them what I want.