Cunard... first time and last time

[DonRobertoSanJuan]

We prepaid our gratuities because we were not aware gratuities were optional. If the service personnel is salaried and not, like in the US, dependent on tips, there would be no need for daily gratuities and the cruise line should make that clear when booking. We still tipped our room steward and some restaurant staff at the end of the cruise.

 

The purser's desk personnel were mostly very professional and they do have a sign, stating that the ship is fully booked and "no upgrades available". We saw it when we wanted to change rooms due to septic system failures.

 

The mid ship bars on deck 2 and 3 don't make much sense: One bar (deck 3) only serves gin and the two on deck 2 don't serve the same kind of drinks, leaving one completely empty and the other full. The theater did not have any waiter service, so we had to bring our own drinks from the room.

 

Looking back, we had the least positive impressions at the Britannia and Lido restaurants. Our initial waiter in Britannia kept on pushing certain dishes and seemed to be disapproving when we ordered something else. In the Lido, especially during the second half of the cruise, the service slowed down a lot. Tables were not cleaned on time, leaving passengers scrambling for tables and coffee service so slow at breakfast, that we had to get it ourselves.

[Shuffleboard Dude]

Occasionally there has been waiter service in the theatre, but only before performances. The Midships bar is a place you wouldn't meet me, whilst I'm perfectly happy one deck below at the Chart Room. The Lido, however, has indeed some issues with clean tables at rush hour.

 

About the MDR: Provisions and cuisine are adjusted to the tastes of the passengers' nationality. That means, if they run a TA to Southampton they stock for Brits and Americans. But if they go to Hamburg and have a famous German artist on board, they will face a totally different demand. In other words: On one run the ship might be all British, on the next one all German. This also affects the bars. On one run the consumption gin by the guests equals the consumption of MDO by the engines, whilst on another a single bottle of Gordon's will cover all needs.

So whenever there's a difference between forecasted demand and reality, they have to adapt. Whether this task is passed on to the waiters or done by adjusting the menu, is out of my knowledge.

 

That said: Yes the atmosphere onboard a Cunard ship is traditional, although they have modernized greatly in comparison to the RMS St. Helena, which was the last functioning, true passenger ship. But I do like it this way and the quiet ship in the evening is one of the reasons why I keep traveling with them.

[Vera123]

Never has the saying 'horses for courses' seemed more apt. We LOVE the formal atmosphere, the smart attire, the demographic of almost zero young families and children and mainly older travellers. The staff have been excellent, smiles and conversation if wanted, nothing to find fault with and Cunard is our only choice for cruises.

[Solent Richard]

Good luck with "banter" with the officers... the ones on our QE trip last August were as distant and disengaged as you could get. Indeed, I find this now quite typical on most ships. Back in the day, especially on P&O and BI, socialising with the officers, the private cocktail parties (including the famous one in CANBERRA's morgue usually sailing from Gib) and deck barbeques were part of the wonderful appeal of those lines. I still remember the names of most of the officers back then. Today, it's all very clinical and sealed off like the totally enclosed bridges on new ships. They even avoid eye contact if passed in the passageways.

 

But I found the crew on QE to be mostly very engaging and friendly, except for the deck crew. The bar staff throughout were wonderful and yes, the quality of the banter resulted in a stronger, larger measure, too....although I don't think Cunard stock Navy Strength Plymouth gin except in the Wardroom and that's of course now off limits to mere mortals.

 

Banter at any cocktail party is a two way affair whether it be with the Ship's officers or fellow guests.

 

Obviously judging by the numbers that prefer to be seated there is a high proportion in the 'not interested' camp. Making the effort is all important and fortunately some of us just have the knack of being a natural raconteur.

 

:evilsmile::evilsmile:

[ace2542]

We prepaid our gratuities because we were not aware gratuities were optional. If the service personnel is salaried and not, like in the US, dependent on tips, there would be no need for daily gratuities and the cruise line should make that clear when booking. We still tipped our room steward and some restaurant staff at the end of the cruise.

 

The purser's desk personnel were mostly very professional and they do have a sign, stating that the ship is fully booked and "no upgrades available". We saw it when we wanted to change rooms due to septic system failures.

 

The mid ship bars on deck 2 and 3 don't make much sense: One bar (deck 3) only serves gin and the two on deck 2 don't serve the same kind of drinks, leaving one completely empty and the other full. The theater did not have any waiter service, so we had to bring our own drinks from the room.

 

Looking back, we had the least positive impressions at the Britannia and Lido restaurants. Our initial waiter in Britannia kept on pushing certain dishes and seemed to be disapproving when we ordered something else. In the Lido, especially during the second half of the cruise, the service slowed down a lot. Tables were not cleaned on time, leaving passengers scrambling for tables and coffee service so slow at breakfast, that we had to get it ourselves.

 

If service personnel were earning a minimum UK or U.S wage you could not afford to go on board the ship few people could to be fair. Ticket prices would be at least 3 times higher than they are now.

[ace2542]

My dad likes cunard I like NCL because they have bliss/spinnaker the club and o'sheenans for late night food.

 

We have done 4 t/a on the mary and one sailing fijords on the elizabeth. Crowd gets into dressing up perhaps some of the people are like Mrs Bucket from keeping up appearances do you that tv show? Entertainment is very good the speakers usually excellent.

 

The last transatlantic crossing we did the crowd was not my sort of crowd on the westbound crossing . Things were going on in the toilets of the G32 and security did nothing about it despite complaints. On the return crossing the water failed and the main toilet for the queen room was blocked up and had almost overflowed and it was disgusting and I saw someone steal a bottle of champagne from the clique bar using their feet and putting it in her handbag. Hardly behaviour you would associate with stereotypical person you think goes on cunard. Yes the brand is losing something I think.

 

We have another crossing booked in august we shall see what happens this time.

[Germancruiser]

Reading this thread I found the OP did just choose the wrong ship, the wrong line. If you are in for partynights Cunard is not the thing for you. Exactly that is what - to name just one- attracts me to Cunard.

 

oh my ace - things were going oin in the toiletts of G32- well THAT can be a bit embarassing, when wanting to use the facility for the purpose its installed for. But would I complain- no definatley not- i would just say- " have fun"! LOL! Shoking!

[Germancruiser]

Ah- I forgot- I thing not the brand is losing something- it´s the people who are " losing something"- esp. that one who stole the Champagne- what an utterly stupid thing to do!

[roscoe39]

My dad likes cunard I like NCL because they have bliss/spinnaker the club and o'sheenans for late night food.

 

We have done 4 t/a on the mary and one sailing fijords on the elizabeth. Crowd gets into dressing up perhaps some of the people are like Mrs Bucket from keeping up appearances do you that tv show? Entertainment is very good the speakers usually excellent.

 

The last transatlantic crossing we did the crowd was not my sort of crowd on the westbound crossing . Things were going on in the toilets of the G32 and security did nothing about it despite complaints. On the return crossing the water failed and the main toilet for the queen room was blocked up and had almost overflowed and it was disgusting and I saw someone steal a bottle of champagne from the clique bar using their feet and putting it in her handbag. Hardly behaviour you would associate with stereotypical person you think goes on cunard. Yes the brand is losing something I think.

 

We have another crossing booked in august we shall see what happens this time.

 

I don't think you can blame Cunard for low class bahaviour, I would blame that particular passenger.

Edited June 7, 2018 by roscoe39
grammer

[ace2542]

I don't think you can blame Cunard for low class bahaviour, I would blame that particular passenger.

 

It was most of the passengers who where part of a group. I have never seen that group behave that way on any NCL OR RCI or Marella ship I have been on. The days of cunard being for the so called hoity-toity's like the real housewives of new york or people who went Eton and take high tea with the queen or whatever are long gone. Rightly or wrongly.

Edited June 7, 2018 by ace2542

[brian1]

I'd love to see the woman nick the champers with her feet.They should have put her in the theatre as a novelty act,lol.

[ace2542]

I'd love to see the woman nick the champers with her feet.They should have put her in the theatre as a novelty act,lol.

 

They have bottles under the table in a bucket in the clique lounge. Whilst sitting at the table on the last night. She got hold of one with her feet and put in her large handbag which was by her chair and walked off and no one saw her do it but me I think I was sitting in a chair by the window but I saw what she did. I called the southampton call centre to report it after leaving the ship. It was a very easy move to pull off.

Edited June 7, 2018 by ace2542

[brian1]

Mrs Bucket nicking the bucket,lol.

[ace2542]

Mrs Bucket nicking the bucket,lol.

 

Mrs bucket never would have approved. :D:D

[frantic36]

I have been reading the Cunard board for insight as we have a booking in 2020. I have sailed with Seabourn for many cruises over the years. Usually the passengers are very well behaved but there have been a couple of times I have seen passengers behaving badly. In one case the person ended up being disembarked. I would never blame the cruise line for passengers bad behaviour.

 

The old saying "money doesn't buy class" is definitely true.

 

Julie

Edited June 7, 2018 by frantic36

[ToadOfToadHall]

I'd love to see the woman nick the champers with her feet.They should have put her in the theatre as a novelty act,lol.

 

You want to see how she gets the cork out !

[ace2542]

I have been reading the Cunard board for insight as we have a booking in 2020. I have with Seabourn for many cruises over the years. Usually the passengers are very well behaved but there have been a couple of times I have seen passengers behaving badly. I would never blame the cruise line for passengers bad behaviour.

 

The old saying "money doesn't buy class" is definitely true.

 

Julie

 

Cunard did nothing to discourage the more extreme behaviour though. People would never have behaved that way in the old days of the brand.

[Slugsta]

You want to see how she gets the cork out !

 

Nearly sprayed coffee over my screen when I read that :D

[brian1]

You want to see how she gets the cork out !

Classic,LOL.

[Germancruiser]

Even though I missed the glorious time of Cunard in the former years- I am pretty certain that some poeple lacked manners even back then! Maybe I am getting on in years but i see bad manners all over the place.

[Germancruiser]

Oh I think the ones who took tea with her Majesty AND sail Cunard will always be in the minority. LOL