What makes Cunard different from other lines?

[Lanky Lad]

I am watching a programme about MSC Bellissima

 

She is 171,598 gross tones but has 4,500 passengers. 

She crawls along at 21.8 knots

 

QM2 is only slightly smaller, but has almost 2,000 less passengers. 

 

Or smaller than QE and QV put together but with a lot more passengers.

 

 

[PORT ROYAL]

1 hour ago, Lanky Lad said:

I am watching a programme about MSC Bellissima

 

She is 171,598 gross tones but has 4,500 passengers. 

She crawls along at 21.8 knots

 

QM2 is only slightly smaller, but has almost 2,000 less passengers. 

 

Or smaller than QE and QV put together but with a lot more passengers.

 

 

Also consider the crew differentials and space ratios.  Think Cunard excels.

[canoncruiser]

It’s a matter of style-Cunard has it -most others do not.

[Canuker]

Afloat: in a word: elegant.

Website: notoriously poor.

They seem wolds apart (and may well be in reality).

[bazzaw]

Cunard = formal and elegant. But food (in Britannia Restaurant) is inferior compared to many other lines - especially considering that Cunard considers and promotes itself as something "special" 

[bazzaw]

21 minutes ago, Canuker said:

Website: notoriously poor.

 

Worse than any other cruiseline that I have sailed with -- somebody definitely needs dismissal at the Cunard Head Office. 

[pully8]

Cunard is different in many ways.

Depends which cruise lines are being considered for comparison.

The fare is not fully inclusive of drinks, including bottled water, tips or excursions.

Fixed dining times and table at dinner in the MDR unless in club or grills?

Probably more as said depends which line is being considered. 

Dress codes after 6pm in public places except the Lido dining areas. 

[Germancruiser]

In one word EVERYTHING!

[tv24]

For me, the big differences are the dress code (no one else is so restrictive and formal) and the ballroom dance culture.  Oh and the fact that the QM2 is the world's only ocean liner.

[exlondoner]

All the things mentioned, but especially the feeling of space and calm serenity.

 

i am surprised Cunard's food might be considered inferior to many lines. I think it is generally very good, sometimes delicious. If many other lines are considerably better, they must be quite superb.

[simonpjd]

It depends

Good.

more space

elegant

if you enjoy dressing up, most women do, then yes

i think food is good

my wife loves it

we are booked on QE next year

 

Bad

i hate dressing up

cost of wine extortionate 

cost of all extras stupid money , short top and sides for a 60 year old bloke 70 USD.

if you get American entertainment staff they were worst ever bellowing down the mic. If you get Brits much better

QM2 brilliant in a sea. Proper liner.

 

 

 

[siforest65]

I watched the MSC Bellissima programme last night. Very interesting and didn’t realise MSC invented stabilisers. 

[canoncruiser]

One of the things which make make Cunard wine and liquor pricier than others - there are MORE wine waiters and bar staff on Cunard.

On RCL and Celebrity the wine waiters in the restaurants are fewer in number and  career around holding multiple bottles for different tables -absolutely no style-nice folks but no style! Despite high demand at certain hours often there are too few bartenders-not good. Finally, the Cunard wine lists are far fuller that the other two which I have experienced. Once on Caribbean

Princess the best wine on the card was $25.00 !!!!! We also had a table mate who came to dinner in a black “T” shirt with a white bow tie painted on-and sneaks!!!! Whoa!🙄

[backbiter]

After many cruises - mainly with Carnival but also RCCL - we finally got to experience Cunard on the QV last month. It was just a short cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, but it was a nice taster.

The ship was beautiful and the cruise did not disappoint in any way. It was nice to be on a ship that wasn't dominated by the casino. The ship has an elegance and atmosphere that is totally different to Carnival and RCCL. 

The food was excellent but I would not say it was on a different level to Carnival and RCCL.

Drinks prices were in line with those cruise lines.

The service was excellent, but again it was no better than we have received with the other lines.

Our cabin was very nice but again I do not think it was notably better than the other lines, but I did appreciate the kettle and tea-making facilities.

We would definitely cruise with Cunard again.

[eroller]

Tradition.  Formality.  Structure.  

 

The three main differences with Cunard.  

 

Tradition.  Cunard prides itself on its history and truly embraces it.  It's one of the oldest lines sailing today and you will see traces of its history throughout the ship.

 

Formality.  Jackets required every night and the vast majority of men wear tuxes on formal nights.  This level of formality simply doesn't exist on any other line.

 

Structure.  Cunard still is very structured, with two set sittings for dinner and few other options.  You dine at the same table with the same tables mates your entire cruise.  Typically the show follows dinner.  Very old school.  They have not gone to an open concept option dining option in the MDR like pretty much every other line.  There are far fewer speciality restaurants (really only one) and the only other option is the buffet.  So with that structure comes fewer choices, but it helps create a camaraderie onboard that is difficult to duplicate on open concept cruise lines.  

 

Those three main differences all combine to create an ambiance and atmosphere onboard that is quite splendid.  Civility reigns supreme and the experience is refined and elegant without being stuffy.  

[LittleFish1976]

I love the fact that Cunard ships actually still look and feel like ships and not floating chain hotels. I worry that the style of the new ship is going to be the non-traditional look which is ubiquitous and quite unattractive, in my opinion. For now, that traditional style is what makes me a happy Cunard customer; the woody look of the decor and traditional fittings; the fixed dinner times; the dress code/formality; the food being more British in style and not American-style (not like another line which will remain nameless where all the desserts were inedible to me).

[ExArkie]

On 2/15/2020 at 7:26 PM, siforest65 said:

I watched the MSC Bellissima programme last night. Very interesting and didn’t realise MSC invented stabilisers. 

I didn't see the program, so don't know the context of this statement. However, I believe that  the first use of fin stabilizers was on a Japanese passenger ship in 1933. Since MSC was founded in 1960, it is doubtful that they invented stabilizers. Perhaps they pioneered one specific type of stabilizer?

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, ExArkie said:

I didn't see the program, so don't know the context of this statement. However, I believe that  the first use of fin stabilizers was on a Japanese passenger ship in 1933. Since MSC was founded in 1960, it is doubtful that they invented stabilizers. Perhaps they pioneered one specific type of stabilizer?

 

Or the Conte di Savoia in 1932. While this was an Italian ship, it was clearly nothing to do with MSC.

[navybankerteacher]

17 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

I love the fact that Cunard ships actually still look and feel like ships and not floating chain hotels. I worry that the style of the new ship is going to be the non-traditional look which is ubiquitous and quite unattractive, in my opinion. For now, that traditional style is what makes me a happy Cunard customer; the woody look of the decor and traditional fittings; the fixed dinner times; the dress code/formality; the food being more British in style and not American-style (not like another line which will remain nameless where all the desserts were inedible to me).

Aside from the ship, there is a tangential difference:  the passenger mix.  If you are attracted to what sets Cunard apart, you will find yourself with other passengers having, at least in that respect, similar interests ;  while on NCL, for example, you will find yourself in a very different environment - with others who prefer that environment. I happen to enjoy the assigned dining, at a large table, with others who also to enjoy the experience , while on NCL it is virtually impossible to even have a shared table.

Edited February 18, 2020 by navybankerteacher

[schattenfell71]

For me it is this:

 

Cunard

 

against this

 

AIDA

 

It is the elegance. It is the style. It is the legend.

 

I still remember standing on deck the QM2 for the first time last year going out the Hamburg harbour. I will never forget that.

You may not compare both ships but Cunard is the way to travel in style not the party, fun and all inclusive ships of today. where you need 3 water slides and a rollercoaster on deck. I hate this way to travel.

 

[Underwatr]

2 hours ago, schattenfell71 said:

I still remember standing on deck the QM2 for the first time last year going out the Hamburg harbour. I will never forget that.

A Hamburg departure on QM2 is unique.

[ExArkie]

On 2/18/2020 at 4:00 AM, ExArkie said:

I didn't see the program, so don't know the context of this statement. However, I believe that  the first use of fin stabilizers was on a Japanese passenger ship in 1933. Since MSC was founded in 1960, it is doubtful that they invented stabilizers. Perhaps they pioneered one specific type of stabilizer?

 

On 2/18/2020 at 5:07 AM, exlondoner said:

 

Or the Conte di Savoia in 1932. While this was an Italian ship, it was clearly nothing to do with MSC.

 

That ship used anti-rolling gyro stabilizers, rather than fins (or that is what I read...I never sailed any of these), which had first been installed on a large ship on the USS Henderson in 1917. Evidently, the Conte di Savoia had the most impressive flywheel system afloat.

 

Still not MSC...

 

 

[siforest65]

1 hour ago, Underwatr said:

A Hamburg departure on QM2 is unique.

I’ve only done 1 trip on QM2 and that was out of Hamburg last June. The send off and amount of people who turned up to see her off was brilliant.

[shipgeeks]

On 2/18/2020 at 4:00 AM, ExArkie said:

I didn't see the program, so don't know the context of this statement. However, I believe that  the first use of fin stabilizers was on a Japanese passenger ship in 1933. Since MSC was founded in 1960, it is doubtful that they invented stabilizers. Perhaps they pioneered one specific type of stabilizer?

MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) was founded about 300 years ago.

[naturelovergirl]

For me... Cunard has such a wonderful sense of serene beauty and history.

 

I felt so calm and happy on our voyage because of the atmosphere and the excellent ports of our Cunard itinerary.

 

The fact is, we have had a great time on vacation with other cruise lines- but Cunard is special and unique.

It is a beautiful chance to enjoy traditional cruising! (Trust all of of who love it- there is a market for this type of cruising.)
 

We are hard working professionals in our mid 40s, and we have lots of hustle and bustle in our everyday... Honestly, having the opportunity to relax on a gorgeous cruise was amazing- so amazing, we booked another for this year!

 

I will also add we liked the lectures very much- we are both voracious about discovering and learning... so the atmosphere on Cunard about learning new things was right up our alley!