Captain's and Senior Officers' Cocktail parties

[roving5893]

November 2022 we sailed on the QM2 and the Captain's and Senior officers' parties were not on the program.  We always enjoyed, in particular, the Senior officers' party and wonder if they have been reinstated.  Does anybody know?

[Host Hattie]

The World Club and Senior Officers' have restarted but nobody has mentioned the Captain's (Welcome Aboard) yet.

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, roving5893 said:

November 2022 we sailed on the QM2 and the Captain's and Senior officers' parties were not on the program.  We always enjoyed, in particular, the Senior officers' party and wonder if they have been reinstated.  Does anybody know?

 

We were on the June 30th Sailing on the QM2 and we did have the Captain's & Senior Officers Party.

 

But it was so crowded that we didn't even bother to attend. The attendance to the World Club Gathering was even more crowded than the Officers Party. Since we have been to those in the past, we opt out to enjoy the other activities. 

[deck chair]

Hello:  I am currently sailing on the QM2 for England.   I will be sharing my thoughts when I return from this 28 days voyage round trip from NYC.  In the meantime, in addition to other cutbacks, the captain's reception is no longer.   There is no credible explanation for this except the inept Cunard senior management must think its a brilliant idea to take away a longstanding traditional very enjoyable  event that has been going on for many many decades. Of course, some passengers don't care but 95% of passengers do and does not go  unnoticed. (Unless  you are a first  time passenger) Why is this management taking away a meaningful affair that brought passengers together to meet, share, mingle and make new friends?  Its a further steep degradation of the Cunard experience. No doubt these mindless managers think its all made up up with a warm glass of sparkling line left at  your table in the dining room.    Let me clue you in, Cunard mangers:  I t does NOT and is an insult.   Don't even want to get into the horrible scheduling of the CWC  and senior Officer's parties. Its like, lets have these at most inconvenient time possible so fewer people show up.   Except for crossings I will be looking elsewhere for cruises long and short such as Oceania, Saga, Celebrity or Princess among other lines. Curious what others think.  

 

On the bright side,  the weather has been very nice except for some patchy fog early on yesterday.   Lots of passengers out on deck! Be well.

Deck Chair.

Edited July 23, 2023 by deck chair
Additional comments.

[foodsvcmgr]

Generally attended Captain’s Party as I liked to put a face to them and hear what they had to say.

I’m sure this was a casualty of Covid but it is now time to return to it.

To be honest though it’s not a big concern either way.

What is very annoying I’ll agree are the ridiculous timings of the CWC party but these have been held 11 in the morning and such for quite a few years.

[transatlantic fan]

How many voyages or Nights do you need to have done before you are recognised as one of the most sailed passengers at the World Club Party ?

I have seen it before but its been a while.

Thanks

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, deck chair said:

Hello:  I am currently sailing on the QM2 for England.   I will be sharing my thoughts when I return from this 28 days voyage round trip from NYC.  In the meantime, in addition to other cutbacks, the captain's reception is no longer.   There is no credible explanation for this except the inept Cunard senior management must think its a brilliant idea to take away a longstanding traditional very enjoyable  event that has been going on for many many decades. Of course, some passengers don't care but 95% of passengers do and does not go  unnoticed. (Unless  you are a first  time passenger) Why is this management taking away a meaningful affair that brought passengers together to meet, share, mingle and make new friends?  Its a further steep degradation of the Cunard experience. No doubt these mindless managers think its all made up up with a warm glass of sparkling line left at  your table in the dining room.    Let me clue you in, Cunard mangers:  I t does NOT and is an insult.   Don't even want to get into the horrible scheduling of the CWC  and senior Officer's parties. Its like, lets have these at most inconvenient time possible so fewer people show up.   Except for crossings I will be looking elsewhere for cruises long and short such as Oceania, Saga, Celebrity or Princess among other lines. Curious what others think.  

 

On the bright side,  the weather has been very nice except for some patchy fog early on yesterday.   Lots of passengers out on deck! Be well.

Deck Chair.

My main reaction is amazement that anyone should feel strongly enough about these events that they are a factor in booking or not booking Cunard.

[exlondoner]

51 minutes ago, foodsvcmgr said:

Generally attended Captain’s Party as I liked to put a face to them and hear what they had to say.

I’m sure this was a casualty of Covid but it is now time to return to it.

To be honest though it’s not a big concern either way.

What is very annoying I’ll agree are the ridiculous timings of the CWC party but these have been held 11 in the morning and such for quite a few years.

I think 11am is rather early, but I enjoy having a pre-lunch drinks party.

[Host Hattie]

3 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

My main reaction is amazement that anyone should feel strongly enough about these events that they are a factor in booking or not booking Cunard.

Me too, I doubt 95% of passengers are that bothered. 

Give me a window table in the Commodore Club anytime!

[ballroom-cruisers]

It is nice to chat and mingle, but the drinks are not a major factor for me. But as already stated these events are not a make or break deciding factor when choosing a cruise.

[exlondoner]

16 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Me too, I doubt 95% of passengers are that bothered. 

Give me a window table in the Commodore Club anytime!

I would say that in the last view voyages before Covid, these events, such as they are, were spoilt for me by the surprisingly large number of passengers who continued to talk quite loudly during the Captain’s address. This seemed very rude.

[ovccruiser]

Agree with most, we have done 2 cruises on QE last year and although not a make or break deal, nice to have something given by Carnival instead of take, hope they reinstate them all soon when the profits return after covid.

[exlondoner]

It’s not given by Carnival. It is included in what you pay.

[Winifred 22]

I can take them or leave them. I am not bothered. I didn’t attend the  last one as it clashed with something else. I am not convinced that 95% passengers still want them. I doubt 95% of the people onboard if that is what the OP meant were eligible to attend. On my last sailing in June I was surprised how many red cards were about. So lots of new to Cunard onboard. 

[BklynBoy8]

Interestingly to those of us that go back as far as the QE2, the Captains and Senior Officers Cocktail Parties use to beheld in the Officers Ward Room below the Ship's Bridge.

 

You use to be personally invited by the Ship's Social Hostess by delivered Invitation to you Cabin. Only a certain amount of people were invited due to the amount available space. With extraordinary cocktails, wine and a lovely spread supplied by the Queens Grill Kitchen.

 

We met many officers and were invited to visit the Bridge and Engine Control Room.

 

That was the olden days. We were very lucky to always be invited to such gathering. 

Edited July 23, 2023 by BklynBoy8

[NE John]

I remember how important we felt when we went to the Captain’s reception on our first voyage. Afterward the reception, I saw the Captain escort a lady to the nearest women’s room. I was impressed. I think the lady thought the Captain was just another member of the crew. 
However, not having Captain’s receptions will not break my Cunard experience. The WC party is a zoo anyway.

Plus, there are major cutbacks on every line right now. The grass isn’t always greener…

[majortom10]

2 hours ago, deck chair said:

Hello:  I am currently sailing on the QM2 for England.   I will be sharing my thoughts when I return from this 28 days voyage round trip from NYC.  In the meantime, in addition to other cutbacks, the captain's reception is no longer.   There is no credible explanation for this except the inept Cunard senior management must think its a brilliant idea to take away a longstanding traditional very enjoyable  event that has been going on for many many decades. Of course, some passengers don't care but 95% of passengers do and does not go  unnoticed. (Unless  you are a first  time passenger) Why is this management taking away a meaningful affair that brought passengers together to meet, share, mingle and make new friends?  Its a further steep degradation of the Cunard experience. No doubt these mindless managers think its all made up up with a warm glass of sparkling line left at  your table in the dining room.    Let me clue you in, Cunard mangers:  I t does NOT and is an insult.   Don't even want to get into the horrible scheduling of the CWC  and senior Officer's parties. Its like, lets have these at most inconvenient time possible so fewer people show up.   Except for crossings I will be looking elsewhere for cruises long and short such as Oceania, Saga, Celebrity or Princess among other lines. Curious what others think.  

 

On the bright side,  the weather has been very nice except for some patchy fog early on yesterday.   Lots of passengers out on deck! Be well.

Deck Chair.

Dont you think Senior Managers on alternative cruise lines have made cutbacks since COVID. Cunard are not the only cruise company to do it.

[BklynBoy8]

 

Speaking about the CWC Cocktail also, that too is very crowded to attend on our last sailing in September.

 

Typically in the past one session would be held on the Second Day after sailing for Grill Passengers and the following day would be for all other Passengers in the CWC.

 

But because the increasing number of those in Platinum and Diamond, these gatherings are becoming overly crowded.

 

I spoken to the Travel/CWC office near the Royal Court Theater and they have agreed for the last few sailings, Cunard should consider a initiating a new level above Diamond to even out the number passengers at these gatherings. We were even thinking what should be the name of the new level.  

Edited July 23, 2023 by BklynBoy8

[PORT ROYAL]

New levels above Diamond?  - 150 nights
just a thought……

 

Red - up to 24 nights - current Silver benefits

Silver - 25 nights

Gold - 50 nights

Platinum- 100 nights 

Diamond - 150 nights 

Next Level above Diamond - Countess - 250 nights

Above - Carinthia - 350 nights 

Then - Caronia - 500 nights - Receiving the current full Diamond benefits, with a stretched sliding scale (downwards) to Silver level benefits 

 

 

 

[Winifred 22]

I agree possibly adding another tier but so I don’t think the current tiers need to be altered. 

[NE John]

An easy fix for WC is keep the present WC levels but pax lose a grade for every five years they don’t sail on Cunard. No bookings for 10 years and you start all over again. 
That policy should thin the ranks and identify more loyal pax to the brand who deserve WC benefits. Frequency of travel should be a part of WC benefits. 

Edited July 23, 2023 by NE John

[david,Mississauga]

Without making any comment, I will answer the original question based on my recent experience. On the 20th June Alaska cruise on the QE there was only one CWC party -  for members at the gold level and above. It was announced that there were 424 members at those levels. It was held at 7:30 p.m. on a gala night.

[PORT ROYAL]

16 minutes ago, NE John said:

An easy fix for WC is keep the present WC levels but pax lose a grade for every five years they don’t sail on Cunard. No bookings for 10 years and you start all over again. 
That policy should thin the ranks and identify more loyal pax to the brand who deserve WC benefits. Frequency of travel should be a part of WC benefits. 

Or even better.  Loss of one level for every year missed.

[NE John]

4 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Or even better.  Loss of one level for every year missed.

That move will really thin out the crowd! 
But WC should have a ratio of both nights sailed and frequency between bookings to reward truly loyal pax. 

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, NE John said:

That move will really thin out the crowd! 
But WC should have a ratio of both nights sailed and frequency between bookings to reward truly loyal pax. 

Or, any rate, those who are healthy and wealthy.