Charters during regular crossing?

[neeuqdrazil]

I saw an ad on YouTube over the weekend for a 'Vintage' event happening on the 24 April 2022 crossing. I took a look at the website, and it looks as though there are going to be special events for folks who booked through the particular TA who is organizing this, including Vintage events in the Queen's Room in the early evenings. 

 

I'm curious as to what other people's experiences have been while on crossings that included this type of event. Have you noticed certain venues being restricted, or fewer full-ship events happening? 

[bluemarble]

@neeuqdrazil, those "Vintage themed Transatlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2" were the subject of discussion on one of the dress code threads about a month ago. You might be interested in what was discussed there.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2801877-im-pretty-sure-the-dress-code-has-changed/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-61861131

 

Perhaps there have been other voyages like these, but I'm not aware of similar previous crossings where a group that was not a full charter had exclusive access to a venue such as the Queens Room for a couple hours on at least five of the seven evenings during those crossings.

Edited October 26, 2021 by bluemarble

[MCC retired]

These are not charter sailings but a large group could affect your onboard experience on any cruise ship.

Depending on just how large , it will involve private events daily that may close off some public areas . Most onboard activities will still go on as usual .

Forewarned about a large group booking your sailing ,is forearmed .

Feel grateful that you know in advance .Accept or choose another sailing.

[bluemarble]

To get an idea of the group size and private events planned for these three "vintage" crossings, it's being advertised as follows:

 

"Our vintage group will be an intimate private party of approximately 300 people so that everyone can fit comfortably in the Queen’s Room to enjoy the private events."

and

"Throughout the voyage, there will be five private performances plus a cocktail party along with the option of additional daytime meetups. Our main events will usually take place in the Queen’s Room between 6pm and 8pm."

 

The departure dates of these "vintage" crossings are April 24, May 8 and October 18, 2022. All three are westbound crossings.

[neeuqdrazil]

 

4 hours ago, bluemarble said:

@neeuqdrazil, those "Vintage themed Transatlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2" were the subject of discussion on one of the dress code threads about a month ago. You might be interested in what was discussed there.

 

 

Thanks for the reference! I've given up on the dress code threads, to be honest. 

 

And I'm debating. To be honest, at this point, I'm not even sure that the crossing will happen, so we'll see what develops over the next couple of months. (Final payment due in late December, and a fully refundable deposit.) 

[david,Mississauga]

We have not had this inconvenience on Cunard, but a few years ago we were on Holland America. A group, not too large, commandeered major parts of the ship daily - sometimes more than once a day.

 

We innocently entered the theatre on the first day when a talk about the cruise was on-going. The doors were open and there was no sign, so we wouldn't know. After a while the presenter sternly announced that there were some people in the theatre who were not part of the group and we should "leave right now." Several of us quietly left.  Many times when we went to the equivalent of the Commodore Club it was closed for this group.

 

Fortunately there are postings on the Holland America forum about groups, and there are many of them. If we should ever go again on HAL we will check into this before making final payment.

[majortom10]

Problem is when it is possible to book TAs up to 2 years in advance and Cunard dont release that early their own themed cruises never mind "private group cruises". We had booked a roundtrip TA and some time later Cunard announced that the return trip from New York to Southampton was a Literature Festival cruise and there were many complaints to reception about those who did not know when they booked and they took over large parts of the ship during the day and evenings. We would never have booked if we had known in advance.

Edited October 26, 2021 by majortom10

[neeuqdrazil]

Brief update here. Just heard back from Cunard after sending them a query. They have assured me that this is a 'small group event', and all regular crossing activities will occur as usual (dancing in the Queen's Room, afternoon tea, Insights talks...)  

 

So, fingers crossed!