frequent cruiser - new to Cunard/PG - advice?

[fann1sh]

Hello all! Please forgive any stupidity on my part. I did do reading of the stickies and somewhat on the Cunard website and elsewhere :o.

 

My 93/soon 94 year old father wants to continue cruising while he still can. He walks with a cane, but on cruises I also bring a wheelchair and a rolling walking frame with seat.

 

We're interested in QM2 - Dad for the romance of her predecessor's history - and prefer a level of service where we can get help from concierges with wrinkles, and Dad's needs. I'm used to booking the cheapest Neptune suite on Holland America Line = HAL = stern corner wrap.

 

We don't want a cruise longer than 10 to 14 night, max. A simple 6 night TA might scratch this itch for a first Cunard cruise. Or, we may be hopelessly hooked.

 

We are North American: Dad and I live in Canada, my sister in United States of America, all on the border, 2 hours from each other. I mention this because I'm flexible about what currency we book in, always looking for the best deal on exchange.

 

That's the first question: while opinions on this alwas vary, what's the best way to book Cunard? With the line itself? Through a travel agency? I know we can't mention specific choices, but in what country/currency? Any non UK cruisers with experience on exchange issues?

 

Second: What are your favourite value cabins? It's humbling to have to ask that. On another board, I'm a HAL cabin choice "expert". :eek: As I said above, I'm leaning to Princess Grill, which seems closest to our usual choice on HAL. Are the best values (in your opinions) in Britannia or Britannia Club? Or, are there cogent reasons to upgrade to Queen's Grill?

 

I'm clueless regarding Cunard, so ALL advice is valuable. We've cruised in every type of cabin on a variety of lines. But: see question 3.

 

Third: is three people in a cabin, all with lower beds, "difficult" on Cunard? Last time I tried to book a QM2 cruise + pre/post package we stubbed our toe on this issue (long story, TMI).

 

Four: medical and cancellation insurance. I'm familiar with lots of third party retailers, due to my father and I being Canadian with our own version of NHS. Insurance can be ruinously expensive. HAL had a "coverage" (not actual insurance) that allows us to cancel up to the minute of sailing for any reason and get a 90% refund, and after sailing includes modest US$50,000 medical coverage, with evacuation. I'll wade through the Cunard coverage line by line if I need to but - is it at all like HAL's? Not?

 

Last: we never try to "get away with" dress code minimums. I don't want to open a can of worms. Dad no longer owns Black Tie which fits. Should I rent through Cunard? His Burberry blazer and Burberry khakis a good choice for other nights? I think it only courteous to our fellow cruisers to comply with Cunard dress requests, and fit in. Just want information on the best way to do that. My sister designs bespoke costumes and couture, so she always invents something. Should I get her to tone down the whimsy and aim at more traditional?

 

Many thanks in advance for anyone who takes the time to help. I'm so grateful.

Edited September 15, 2016 by fann1sh

[fann1sh]

I ask about dressing for dinner here because the HAL website does NOT help with what to wear to fit in. Apologies if the Cunard website does indeed reflect reality.

[david,Mississauga]

I recommend you book through a cruise specialist travel agent. An expert can be of great assistance. I could give two examples of voyages I could not have taken without my TA’s knowledge and connections. Cunard offers Canadian dollar rates which, at least at the present time, are advantageous. A year ago when we booked our voyage for next month the Canadian fares were a mere 10% above the US fares. They were soon raised to 20% (for new bookings) and I believe they are still at that level, although I have not checked for anything in the far future.

 

The equivalent to a HAL Neptune suite is a basic Queen’s Grill stateroom. Our Neptune suite on an Alaska cruise was identical in size and almost identical in layout to the Queen’s Grill staterooms we have travelled in on the QM2. The Neptune suite had a better bathroom in that it had two sinks and a separate shower stall, which the basic Queen’s Grill does not offer. I preferred the décor on Cunard by far.

 

Cunard’s Grills offer more benefits than HAL’s Neptunes, most importantly a single-sitting restaurant for all meals. On the QM2 there is a Grills lounge in addition to the Concierge Lounge, which is similar to HAL’s Neptune. There is also some Grills deck space, not much on the QM2 but quite a large amount on the QE and QV. One disappointment you might experience with Cunard: they do not offer in the Grills the complimentary laundry and dry cleaning service that HAL does for Neptune passengers.

 

 

The equivalent to Cunard’s Princess Grill staterooms on the QM2 is HAL’s Signature suites. Most of the Princess staterooms can accommodate a third person on a chesterfield which folds down into a bed – Pullman style I call it. So if you want the larger stateroom, Queen’s Grill is the way to go, but if you want a reasonably large stateroom with Grills amenities then Princess is excellent. The differences between Queen’s and Princess have been discussed at great length on here, but Cunard’s site has helpful information.

 

I can’t help much with insurance information as we are lucky to have an annual plan which renews every year without a questionnaire. I would advise to make sure that any coverage includes emergency “air evacuation” as many policies provide only “land evacuation” which of course is of no use at sea.

 

A man does not need black tie as Cunard makes it clear that a suit and tie is considered formal. Cunard is much dressier than HAL (which isn’t saying much) :D. From my experience, black tie in the Britannia restaurant is about 50% but 95% in the Grills. It would be cheaper to buy a tuxedo at a sale price than to rent. In a mall near me in Mississauga, Ontario, it is easy to get one for $100.

[fann1sh]

David, thank you for taking the time and trouble to give me such a comprehensive answer. Absolutely invaluable.

 

I will take a closer look at the distinctions between PG and QG, thanks to your helpful response.

[MeredithFairfax]

I would just add one more thing. With regards to having three people in a room, you might find this more tricky on QM2 as they only have a limited number of suites that will accommodate 3. I'm not sure why, because from what I could see, the rooms are all similar sized within a particular grade, but they won't allow you to book 3 in a room that isn't designated to take 3 on the deck plan.

 

P1s and P2s that take 3 are either more forward or aft and even some of the Q grades won't take 3 even though they are huge!

 

This doesn't seem to be the case on QV or QE but I don't know the reason behind it, other than to make more money :rolleyes:

[david,Mississauga]

I would just add one more thing. With regards to having three people in a room, you might find this more tricky on QM2 as they only have a limited number of suites that will accommodate 3. I'm not sure why, because from what I could see, the rooms are all similar sized within a particular grade, but they won't allow you to book 3 in a room that isn't designated to take 3 on the deck plan.

 

P1s and P2s that take 3 are either more forward or aft and even some of the Q grades won't take 3 even though they are huge!

 

This doesn't seem to be the case on QV or QE but I don't know the reason behind it, other than to make more money :rolleyes:

 

I'm not sure of all the reasons why similar-sized staterooms can or cannot take a third person, but I know of one reason. Those staterooms that have a communicating door between them have a shorter chesterfield/sofa than those that don't because the door is adjacent to the sofa. It is the long sofa which converts to a bed. I have had both types of these staterooms in both Princess and Queen's.

[fann1sh]

Thanks again David, and also Meredith.

 

I believe all cruise ships/lines have a policy on number of allowed 3rd and 4th berths sold.

 

IME, that number is always significantly less than the number of 3rd and 4th berths actually available.

[MeredithFairfax]

I'm not sure of all the reasons why similar-sized staterooms can or cannot take a third person, but I know of one reason. Those staterooms that have a communicating door between them have a shorter chesterfield/sofa than those that don't because the door is adjacent to the sofa. It is the long sofa which converts to a bed. I have had both types of these staterooms in both Princess and Queen's.

 

Ah yes, I see. Thanks for helping to solve the mystery :D

[JTor]

Hi Patricia, since you mentioned that you are also interested in deals, if your timing is flexible you could ask the TA to find out for you if they are still offering free upgrades (or when they are likely to). We are about to take our first QM2 in October but when we booked it about 9 mo ago we were able to take advantage of both "book PG and get a free upgrade to QG" and "beverage package included". I'm told the free beverages includes alcohol and any drink in any bar up to $15 in price so it seems that if we're not insisting on champagne, single-malts or vintage Cognac, we should be able to avoid a bar bill. Those both seem like very good value offers!

[Ab Ovo]

Fann1sh, good on dad! Does he fly? You might want to go over and take a westbound TA. On all three Cunard Queens I've always felt a P2 booking is the best value on the ship, so for QM2, yes. But Princess cabins are very tight for three no matter how close the family. However, in Queens Grill, cabins are roomier, you're on Nine Deck and cabins 9025 and 9034 are wheelchair accessible. This might come in handy with the equipment you travel with. However, only two to a cabin, not three. I'd still think Cunard could do something.

 

I'd only deal with a travel agent that actually knows the ship, has been on, not an agency that just says they do good cruise deals and work only off screens. They all go to Cunard. You can do that. You might source information directly from Cunard via an 800 number Ask for an agent experienced with handicapped cabins. It just seems odd to me Queens Grill doesn't have handicapped cabins for three or are unable to put a nightly bed in 9034.

 

As for formal nights, dad could rent, yes, just go in to the shop first thing for best fit. Probably $400 for the voyage. or could just wear a dark suit. Let sis dazzle in the dinning room, you'll have great fun!

[fann1sh]

Thanks so much for the expert advice!

 

I think a westbound TA is a brilliant idea. First started looking at other options, but QM2 is the star of this voyage, not the ports. It makes sense to book a voyage with successive longer days, not shorter ones.

 

As for "3 to a cabin": my reason is it's safer for Dad. He's mentally sharp, but a vivid dreamer. Experience has taught us we need to stay together. I hate to give up the space we're used to, but there seems a real shortage of QG cabins for 3. Another reason to book far, far ahead.

 

My local travel agent *is not* well enough acquainted with Cunard. Am scouring internet for Toronto vicinity TA's, looking ones to chat with. I'm reasonably confident I can sort out the poseurs from The Real Deal.

[pepperrn]

The following Queen Mary 2, Queens Grill cabins ("Q5" or "Q6" grade), can sleep three people

(using a sofa bed for one of the passengers, located at the foot of the main bed):

 

"Q5"...

11128, 11130, 11151, 11153.

10024, 10043, 10074, 10101.

 

"Q6"

10005, 10006.

 

(The two "Q6" grade cabins are the same as the "Q5" grades, but are situated far forward)

 

In addition, the "Q1" and "Q2" cabins can sleep three (again using a sofa bed). In these grades the bedroom is separate from the lounge where the sofa bed is located.

 

"Q1"

9078, 9069.

 

"Q2"

9080, 9082, 9071, 10004, 10003.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Have a wonderful crossing :)

Edited September 17, 2016 by pepperrn