2025 TA sailings

[tfred]

never too early to start planning .......

 

I see that they 2025 TAs are up for sale on October 5. We are planning on two cabins in Queen's Grille NY-UK 

 

Any thoughts on when to book?  I doubt they go on sale but I am wondering how fast they really sell out

 

Thoughts on what month to go or is it just personal preference ? June July or August 

 

It would seem that drinks packages are included - is that true on reservations that far ahead?

 

any other ideas or concerns?

[Victoria2]

My advice, for what it's worth, time to book depends on two main criteria.

 

 Cunard have a process called fluid pricing and if a particular cruise/cabin category is selling well, they will up the price without notice.

 

Also, if there aren't many cabins in the level of your choice, or the position is important [eg two cabins adjacent]  don't leave it too long, to book.

 

As to timing, our crossings have been on April and May. April was a Northern route and it was a bit rocky at times and May was a Southern route and it was quite calm apart from the Azores where it was a bit windy and a challenge for the Bridge to edge in and out.

[Minnie29]

We are going to book our first TA from NY to Southampton 2025. Probably going to go for the June sailing.

My question would be should we go for the deck 5 sheltered balcony cabin or a standard balcony on deck 11.

we did consider club balcony too but would prefer to spend the extra cash on booking the Steakhouse speciality restaurant a few nights. 
Any thoughts would be very welcome 

[exlondoner]

The lower you are the less movement, particularly rolling. However, the QM2 is extremely stable, which makes this less important. I like to be high up so I can see a distant horizon.

[Minnie29]

I think deck 5 sounds good then. In reality how much time would you spend out on your balcony on a June TA crossing?

[exlondoner]

17 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

I think deck 5 sounds good then. In reality how much time would you spend out on your balcony on a June TA crossing?

Depends, but you don’t have to be on the balc to enjoy the view. With a south facing cabin, I spent some of every day on the balcony, and, going east, the wind should be less strong. I  really wouldn’t worry about the ship moving.

 

 

[Minnie29]

So if we are travelling from NYC to Southampton (Eastbound) would port or starboard be the best option? 

[exlondoner]

19 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

So if we are travelling from NYC to Southampton (Eastbound) would port or starboard be the best option? 

Starboard will get the sun, if any.

[s.s.France]

The Grills cabin in the summer crossings sell out quickly, I would book as early as possible.

[NE John]

3 hours ago, Minnie29 said:

I think deck 5 sounds good then. In reality how much time would you spend out on your balcony on a June TA crossing?

We spent minimal time in our PG balcony during our June Crossing. Foggy one day and too windy most others. We had the port side/sunny side for NY bound voyage and made little difference. 
Even when on sheltered balcony, we didn’t spent much time. We enjoyed balconies in the Med and warmer climates. 
A TA is more of an “inside” experience, unless you’re really lucky with light winds. 
Given that, being in the “Grills” was great!

[Winifred 22]

I loved my sheltered balcony in August this year . It was very windy and decks were not possible to be on but very cosy in my balcony and would book again for a T A . At times could even catch the sun. I had deck four near stairwell lifts C brilliant spot. 

[jimdee3636]

13 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

My advice, for what it's worth, time to book depends on two main criteria.

 

 Cunard have a process called fluid pricing and if a particular cruise/cabin category is selling well, they will up the price without notice.

 

Also, if there aren't many cabins in the level of your choice, or the position is important [eg two cabins adjacent]  don't leave it too long, to book.

 

As to timing, our crossings have been on April and May. April was a Northern route and it was a bit rocky at times and May was a Southern route and it was quite calm apart from the Azores where it was a bit windy and a challenge for the Bridge to edge in and out.

@Victoria2

Does the "fluid pricing" also work the other way? In other words, if the initial demand for a just-announced cruise is weaker than Cunard had anticipated, is it likely that the price will drop?

[Victoria2]

39 minutes ago, jimdee3636 said:

@Victoria2

Does the "fluid pricing" also work the other way? In other words, if the initial demand for a just-announced cruise is weaker than Cunard had anticipated, is it likely that the price will drop?

Our cabins are usually nearly or are all sold out within a day or two so couldn't say, so if this is a genuine question,  my gut would say probably not initially, or at least for a while but not having followed other  cabin pricing, I really don't know for definite. I have seen a remaining one cabin of four shoot up though and remain at that price until booked.

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Victoria2

[Pushpit]

40 minutes ago, jimdee3636 said:

@Victoria2

Does the "fluid pricing" also work the other way? In other words, if the initial demand for a just-announced cruise is weaker than Cunard had anticipated, is it likely that the price will drop?

Prices can and do fall quite markedly, depending on stateroom. So for example the 7 night Quebec to New York sailing on 6 October is currently £899 per person for Inside has fallen about £300 in the last 2 weeks.  Singapore to Freemantle, QE a positioning cruise is £479 for 8 nights, down about £200 on 3 weeks ago, The 2 night QV Southampton on 7 January 2024 is £169 in Balcony, down from £220 a few weeks back. I could give you another list of sailings where fares have crept up by similar sums over the last 2 weeks. I think the lowest fare I've seen recently was £99 for 2 nights to SOU-HAM, or £170 for a single person. 

 

Ultimately every empty stateroom is a failure by Cunard. Even if they give the room away they are still getting money from drinks, the casino, spa, excursions......

[david,Mississauga]

47 minutes ago, jimdee3636 said:

@Victoria2

Does the "fluid pricing" also work the other way? In other words, if the initial demand for a just-announced cruise is weaker than Cunard had anticipated, is it likely that the price will drop?

 

Indeed it does.  Over the years I have had our booking "re-priced" when the fare drops.  The last time I did that we had to cancel and re-book, so it was a bit of work for our agent.  From my observations most - but certainly not all -  fare drops occur after the final payment date.  There is a seven-night voyage coming up soon where the fare for a sheltered balcony dropped from about $2600 to $935 (Canadian funds).  We aren't taking that, but I couldn't help but notice it when looking at other trips.

[Victoria2]

Yes,david,Mississaug and Pushpit, of course  prices drop, especially nearer the time of sailing, but not initially on just announced cruises, which was the question posed by jimdee3636.

[exlondoner]

10 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

@Victoria2

Does the "fluid pricing" also work the other way? In other words, if the initial demand for a just-announced cruise is weaker than Cunard had anticipated, is it likely that the price will drop?

Definitely can happen - unless you are waiting for it, of course, when Murphy dictates it will rise.

[Victoria2]

17 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Definitely can happen - unless you are waiting for it, of course, when Murphy dictates it will rise.

Literally on just released cruises? A little time later, maybe but at the time of release? I haven't followed pricing apart from to see how the cabins we have booked 'go' but I am amazed prices will drop on initial release.

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

Literally on just released cruises? A little time later, maybe but at the time of release? I haven't followed pricing apart from to see how the cabins we have booked 'go' but I am amazed prices will drop on initial release.

Yes, sorry, you are quite right, not now, not for a little while. of course.