Cunard - Celebrity comparison - just one more persepective

[Wiltonian]

Hi!

 

I'm posting this on both boards - the same text - and it may be interesting to compare responses. . . . 

After four very good cruises with Celebrity (3 Med, 1 Norway), we tried Cunard (Queen Elizabeth) to the Canaries, 14 days, balcony cabin, largely because Cunard was coming in several hundred pounds cheaper, and we wanted to test the waters.

The cabin was slightly larger, having no "bulge" round the bottom of the bed, with a sofa, and a little more hanging space. Bathroom fine, apart from clingy curtain. Room steward was low-key, but very efficient and effective. Bottle of "bubbly" on arrival. No problems there.

Dining in the MDR (Britannia) was fine, early eating, although 2 people on our table for 6 never appeared. Waiting staff excellent and comparable with Celebrity. We thought the food quality marginally better, and on several nights I could have happily have chosen at least four of the main course options. Apart from one night, meat quality was excellent. 

Dining in Buffet (Lido), OTOH, was nowhere near as good; the linear serving stations make getting the choices you want difficult, as some Brits (it was 90% Brit) seem to think you should join the queue 20 feet back to get one item! Celebrity's "duck and weave" island service stations work better. Food quality was good, but less cosmopolitan than Celebrity. Staff very attentive and helpful.

The Garden Lounge offered a wonderful day-time lounging space.

Afternoon tea with scones, jam and clotted cream had to be timetabled carefully with early eating at dinner, let the reader understand.

Ambience was more restrained. No loud contemporary music intended to attract a younger clientele, but alienating the existing ones. Lots of live music - e.g. pianists, harpist, string trio. Decor is also far more restrained - less "bling" - but perhaps rather too muted for some. Note QE is about to have a refurb. Generally a more gentle, refined feel.

Dress standards seem to be enforced - men were turned away from the MDR on the first non-formal (technically non-Gala) night for not having a jacket - and for the Gala nights, you cannot be over-dressed. Like it, or loathe it, that's Cunard's USP, so avoid if it's too onerous for you!

Clientele were definitely "mature" - but a cruise out and back from Southampton to "the" winter sun destination for retired Brits may not be typical of all Cunard, and especially trans-Atlantics and those starting outside the UK.

Theatre productions were very good; apart from a very weak magician. We thought the resident dancers/singers were slightly better than on Celebrity, but have been impressed on both lines - apart from some of Celebrity's recent "in house" productions. Excellent theatre band.

We enjoyed the promenade deck, with a 0.3 mile circuit, and the ability to be close to the sea. Pools were much smaller than on Celebrity.
"Enrichment talks" were very good, and port talks were far more than advertising shopping outlets!

Having had drinks packages on Celebrity, we were hit by Cunard's very high drink prices - we eeked out 6 bottles over 14 nights!  Adding a service charge and THEN having a space on the "chit" for gratuity is really taking the mick. And the Lido ran out of Sharp's Doombar beer- not good!

Overall, it took us a while to adjust to the more laid-back feel, but we enjoyed it. $830 OBC for the two of us for booking on-board, at a price a bit less than Cunard web-site, meant that we booked for the Baltic on Queen Victoria in 2020. 

Would we book again with Celebrity? Of course, but they need to get their Med offer a bit more competitive again.

 

Stuart

 

Edited October 23, 2018 by Wiltonian

[Luvcrusn]

Thanks for the review. Good to hear a fair and balanced perspective. What was the smoking policy on QE? Was there indoor smoking allowed in the casino?

[BosoxI]

I am caught 'twixt and 'tween.  I love the QM2 and the formality of Cunard, but I am tired of lugging a tux and my size 13 dress shoes, so my days on Cunard are probably numbered.

[Denny01]

As many, I’ve looked at Cunard, especailly the TransAtlatnic Trips. Good to see the comparison and the overall similarities. Will have to take another look. The pricing comparison of Celebrity/Cunard for the 2-week TA’s indicate Celebrity is cheaper, but the 7N Cunard look like a great way of going to or from Euro to do other tours, and maybe one over and one back! And ending in NYC instead of Bayonne is a great plus.

 

Den

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I've looked at Cunard as well, but having to dress for dinner every night is a deal killer for me.  Especially when going to Europe and wanting to do other things, that stuff is just excess baggage.

[portofrome]

Thank you for the comparison!

[bigbeergut]

What is the smoking policy on Cunard?

[PTC DAWG]

Good review,  note to self, scratch Cunard from the list...

[Host Hattie]

2 hours ago, Luvcrusn said:

Thanks for the review. Good to hear a fair and balanced perspective. What was the smoking policy on QE? Was there indoor smoking allowed in the casino?

 

45 minutes ago, bigbeergut said:

What is the smoking policy on Cunard?

 

"For the safety, comfort and enjoyment of our guests, smoking (including Electronic alternatives) is not permitted in staterooms, on stateroom balconies or in public rooms. You will find designated areas on the open decks, where smoking is permitted. The only exception to this is Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, which is reserved for cigar and pipe smokers only. This policy is designed through direct feedback from our guests and is for the safety and comfort of all guests.

All restaurants are non-smoking, and this includes outdoor dining alternatives.

Smoking is not permitted in your stateroom/suite or on your balcony. "

[bigbeergut]

3 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

 

 

"For the safety, comfort and enjoyment of our guests, smoking (including Electronic alternatives) is not permitted in staterooms, on stateroom balconies or in public rooms. You will find designated areas on the open decks, where smoking is permitted. The only exception to this is Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, which is reserved for cigar and pipe smokers only. This policy is designed through direct feedback from our guests and is for the safety and comfort of all guests.

All restaurants are non-smoking, and this includes outdoor dining alternatives.

Smoking is not permitted in your stateroom/suite or on your balcony. "

Thanks

[Luvcrusn]

Am I correct in assuming that includes the casino?

[Host Hattie]

Yes, no smoking allowed in the casino, they are open areas so smoke would drift through all the public areas.

[Luvcrusn]

Thanks so much for this info. We've avoided Cunard until now because of severe smoke related issues. It's nice to know we now have another option.

[davekathy]

Thanks for posting your opinion. 

[TeaBag]

Does the harpist play in the dining room?

[Covepointcruiser]

We have also enjoyed Cunard and don’t mind the dressing up.   We have been visited by the upgrade fairy for every cruise except for the two week portion of the world cruise.

note, that when the upgrade fairy visits, there is no extra charge.   We found the drink prices, except for the champagne bar, was $12 or under.   Cunard is very smart.  On our first trip on the QM2 we were upgraded from a regular balcony to a Queens Grill Suite.   Since that time we always spring for the lowest Grill Suite.   They handle the Suites much better than Celebrity.   There are no in-your-face displays of the passengers in the Grill Suites.   On initial embarkation, you are sent to a separate room.   If you have one of the higher suites G-4 and above, there is an additional room within that room.   We notice no other overt shows of the Suite class.    There are separate restaurants for Princess and Queens Grill.   There is also a bar.   We have often invited folks in the other cabins to that bar and it is nothing special.   In fact neither of the restaurants or the bar have a view on the QM2.    In the US, most of the offers we receive include drinks up to $12 if you book a suite.   Some also include gratuities and Internet.   We found the speakers on Cunard to be more interesting.   We especially enjoyed the guest entertainers, James Taylor being my favorite!    You can go online and find out who your speakers are by cruise.   The last time on the QM2 we went through the remnants of a hurricane with Force 10 winds and waves over 35 feet.    The ship handily handled the storm with very little motion or discomfort on board.   As for dress, the women at my table wore a long black skirt and alternated dressy tops so no packing problems.   There is a self service laundry on board with irons so my husband only needed a few shirts.  He doesn’t mind the tux as it is as easy to pack as a sport coat and slacks.

 

[Wiltonian]

26 minutes ago, TeaBag said:

Does the harpist play in the dining room?

Not on our cruise, but the string trio did occasionally.

Stuart

[Denny01]

I’ll disagree with the note that smoke drifts through all the public areas from outside designated smoking locations. Almost all ships have at least some outside area for smoking as does Celebrity, and I’ve never noticed it wrafting in, and certainly not through ‘all’ public areas. Could be right at some entry area opening out to the outside smoking area, but very limited spread if any, in my experience. In fact the last Celebrity cruise, I noted the outside smoking was well down the way from the exit doors on deck 5. And the smoking area on the pool deck was limited to 2 tables on the port side right up against the sliding windows. 

 

I have experienced major smoke residue when passing the various inside smoking-allowed lounges/cigar bars/etc on ships that have inside smoking, and any casino that has smoking in some portion, you can smell the smoke pretty much anywhere in it. You’d need an A/C system about the level of Hurricane force to suck it out and not allow it to drift throughout the casino. 

 

So I agree that Lines/Ships that have inside smoking will have issues near those areas, but since each of us have differing sensitivities to smoke, I’d not say someone was wrong, just disagree especailly when stating things such as ‘all’ public areas are impacted. 

 

Den

[Host Hattie]

9 minutes ago, Denny01 said:

I’ll disagree with the note that smoke drifts through all the public areas from outside designated smoking locations. Almost all ships have at least some outside area for smoking as does Celebrity, and I’ve never noticed it wrafting in, and certainly not through ‘all’ public areas. Could be right at some entry area opening out to the outside smoking area, but very limited spread if any, in my experience. In fact the last Celebrity cruise, I noted the outside smoking was well down the way from the exit doors on deck 5. And the smoking area on the pool deck was limited to 2 tables on the port side right up against the sliding windows. 

 

I have experienced major smoke residue when passing the various inside smoking-allowed lounges/cigar bars/etc on ships that have inside smoking, and any casino that has smoking in some portion, you can smell the smoke pretty much anywhere in it. You’d need an A/C system about the level of Hurricane force to suck it out and not allow it to drift throughout the casino. 

 

So I agree that Lines/Ships that have inside smoking will have issues near those areas, but since each of us have differing sensitivities to smoke, I’d not say someone was wrong, just disagree especailly when stating things such as ‘all’ public areas are impacted. 

 

Den

If that comment was aimed at me, I was answering a question about smoking inside on Cunard ships.

I have never been on a Celebrity ship so I have no idea what happens there.

[Denny01]

As to not taking Cunard due to dress up for dining, my wife dresses up using what I call ‘Sparkly Chicos’ outfits. Pants outfit with sparkly tops and so on. Uses jewelry to dress it up more. Me, a sports coat suffices, and I usually take one on many cruises. I enjoy wearing a coat and do on non-dress ups!  Neither take up that much room and putting a jacket on isn’t really that much of a major issue, is it???

 

I use to get a real kick out of the many formal night threads we had on Celebrity forum back when. Some guy would say how he had to wear a suit or a tie at work and wouldn’t on vacation even if his wife wanted to dress up to go on a cruise. My response was, ‘So you’d wear your suit/tie when paid, but not for your wife.......got it. Can’t handle making your wife happy for One or Two Nights???’  I marvel when at a restaurant and some young lady is dressed to the ‘Nines’ and her date is in his jeans and t-shirt. 

 

Den

 

[Denny01]

6 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

If that comment was aimed at me, I was answering a question about smoking inside on Cunard ships.

I have never been on a Celebrity ship so I have no idea what happens there.

It was, and glad you clarified. I thought you meant that even with just outside smoking areas that the smoke would drift into all the public areas, not that if smoking was allowed in the Casino in a specific area that it would drift throughout. I agree! I should read closer. 

 

Den

[hcat]

We are Celeb regulars but tried a short cruise to Canada on QM 2 which  we  enjoyed very much. We followed a big storm north,  but travel on this sturdy ocean liner was smooth.

 

Cabin and ship decor was lovely . Staff all around was reserved but attentive.  They had a self guided tour for the art work.  The theater was beautiful with superior talent.  Loved the Planetarium, library, lounges, nightclub etc. Music was top notch from party band to classical. DH could enjoy his cigar in an indoor upscale lounge while I   sat nearby at a smoke free venue, The Canyon Ranch  spa, genuine T pool and thermal suitrs were awesome.

 

I enjoyed the  MDR food , dh said too much fish on menu. The included lunch  tavern  was really great..we don't like buffets, and this  venue with table service  was perfect for lunch.

 

We enjoyed dressing for the amazing tea, formal nights etc   Cunard sent a dress guide so no one  is confused. All very classy  but  to us not stuffy. Met very interesting , friendly and fun  people.  And staff did not push upsells which is awful on X.

 

 It was  easy to book excursions and communicate with the on shore cruise staff pre cruise.

 

We did find the ship to be more interior focused than X ships.. but it was.perfect for our itin.  We were out on the pool deck which was ok but not great compared to X. For a Carib itin we would prefer X but enjoyed being pampered on QM2...  .and we were not Suite or Grill guests

 

It cost more than X at the time...but with EDGE pricing now, probably on par.

Edited October 24, 2018 by hcat