Being escorted to cabin

[Kindlychap]

I've a friend who is looking for a first time cruise.

 

One of the nice things about QE2 is being taken to your cabin when you board. Only I can't say that happens to everyone, as I've only done Grill class.

 

I'm wondering if this is something that everyone gets?

 

And how does it work on the Mary?

 

(I think he's unlikely to splash out on Grill Class - and don't want to make the moment he steps on board to be a disappointment!)

[pnhmrk]

There's always someone there if you want them. You don't have to use them either for the grills, Caronia or Mauritania but there's always help if you want it.

[Paul NH]

One of the nice things about QE2 is being taken to your cabin when you board. And how does it work on the Mary?

We were in Britannia category on the QM2 and we were asked as we came on board if we needed assistance finding our cabin, and since we were on board the prior year and knew our way about, we declined their offer. I believe this is improved service from when we were on board last year, where they simply greeted you upon boarding.

 

Paul

[carlmm]

As I understand on the QE2 it is standard procedure to be escorted to the cabin regardless of cabin class. I never met anybody from Mauretania to Queens Grill who was not taken to the cabin unless he explicitely stated he did not want to.

 

On the QM2 it is standard procedure not to be escorted. Upon embarkation (in January) and asking for assistance I was just told where the elevators were. Some people seem to have been taken to their cabins, probably more of those grill passengers, who embarked early, but most people I talked to were not. Very poor service.

[NorthernNeighbour]

I guess these days on the QM2, it is not very different than an airline in terms of being escorted aboard.

 

If you are in FIRST (so to speak although they no longer call it that on CUNARD), you get escorted.

 

If you are in ECONOMY (STEERAGE), you make your own way.

 

Too bad -- being escorted to your cabin is a nice touch and shows "class".

 

Since I have never been on a cruise line that did not escort the passengers and have not been on CUNARD in more than 30 years (in those days they definitely escorted everyone, even the lowest paid fare), this will be a new experience for me.

 

However, not a big problem -- I can still manage to navigate my own way to the cabin. I'll treat it as an adventure in getting to know the ship.

[pnhmrk]

Too bad -- being escorted to your cabin is a nice touch and shows "class".

 

No - It just shows that the steward wants a tip! When you've been on the ship once you will know where your cabin is, you don't need a steward to take your hand baggage and show you the way. Equally, if you travel with a lot of hand baggage, it can be useful:D If you don't know the ship I would think it very useful, especially if you're not on deck 2 and have to get a lift.

[NorthernNeighbour]

No - It just shows that the steward wants a tip! When you've been on the ship once you will know where your cabin is, you don't need a steward to take your hand baggage and show you the way. Equally, if you travel with a lot of hand baggage, it can be useful:D If you don't know the ship I would think it very useful, especially if you're not on deck 2 and have to get a lift.

 

Just to clarify, I have been going on cruises for over thirty years, rarely go on the same ship twice and have never tipped a steward for showing us to our cabin.

 

In addition, my wife walks with difficulty, so being shown to one's cabin, I respectfully still submit, shows the cruise line at least cares for its passengers if as you says it does not show class.

 

However, I take your point -- the steward may in fact want a tip. I would like to win the lottery, but my chances (like his) are slim. LOL

[Paul NH]

I guess these days on the QM2, it is not very different than an airline in terms of being escorted aboard.

 

If you are in FIRST (so to speak although they no longer call it that on CUNARD), you get escorted.

 

If you are in ECONOMY (STEERAGE), you make your own way.

 

Too bad -- being escorted to your cabin is a nice touch and shows "class".

 

Since I have never been on a cruise line that did not escort the passengers and have not been on CUNARD in more than 30 years (in those days they definitely escorted everyone, even the lowest paid fare), this will be a new experience for me.

 

However, not a big problem -- I can still manage to navigate my own way to the cabin. I'll treat it as an adventure in getting to know the ship.

NorthernNeighbor,

 

Your statements are contrary to my experience as I posted above. We were in Britannia and we were offered assistance this year upon entering the lobby of the ship.

 

Paul

[Kindlychap]

My first time I was on QE2 I was in 2070.

 

I can't remember whether we went there via deck one or three, but it was definitely one of them!

[dougnewmanatsea]

I can't speak for QM2 but aboard QE2 this service is certainly offered to everyone.

 

Personally I politely decline as a) I know where I am going and b) I carry little hand baggage but it is still a very nice touch and one that is seen on very few large ships these days.

[dtwtraveler]

We were on the QM2's 12/8/05 Caribbean cruise, and we were automatically welcomed and escorted to our room by our assigned steward! Perhaps they are busy escorting their assigned rooms' occupants when their other assigned occupants enter the ship?

[NorthernNeighbour]

NorthernNeighbor,

 

Your statements are contrary to my experience as I posted above. We were in Britannia and we were offered assistance this year upon entering the lobby of the ship.

 

Paul

 

Thanks for this information -- I am most glad to know this. If my wife has difficulty walking that day, she will be most grateful.

[mariaemp675@hotmail.com]

While waiting on the check in line at the Manhattan pier in January, I was offered a chair (I walk with a cane because of Multiple Sclerosis). I declined the chair because the line was short and moving quite well.

 

After walking through the photo line, I was offered a wheel chair to board the ship by someone from the terminal crew. I gratefully accepted the offer as the ramp looked a little steep for me. I did tip this person because I personally felt I wanted to do so. My cousin and I were taken to our cabin where our steward took our hand luggage and pointed out our room features (as they do in hotels).

 

I would imagine this same service (wheel chair assistance) is offered at the Brooklyn pier also or can be arranged in advance by calling Cunard.

 

Maria

[DreemCruiser]

When boarding QM2 last February we were asked no fewer than three times if we would like to be shown to our cabin. "Can I help you to your cabin?" was over-heard several times, offered to others as well. The first time, at the end of the welcome reception line (see previous post with picture), and twice as we stood aside admiring the Grand Lobby (and "people-watching"). There was no indication of what "class" we might have been in, and I don't think we looked as if we needed help, but we were well dressed (not wearing jeans! LOL!). Since we knew exactly how to get to our cabin, we politely refused this service, but if one needs a point in the right direction or help with hand luggage, its certainly there! During our 11 days on board we received nothing but the finest service in every regard; there was no overt indication that anyone wanted a tip, but knowing that many of the crew (on almost all ships) live on extremely low base-wages, a tip was always offered for exemplary service. QM2 is truly a magnificent ship with wonderful crew and officers.

 

John

[Bollinge]

I think on most cruise ships they offer this "escort service" (that can have a quite different meaning in English English!), and certainly on QM2.

 

The waiters are happy to show you the way and are definitely expecting a dollar or two tip. We never bother with them.

[Mickb]

We have crossed twice on QM2. Last year no one offered any help at all - this year a steward took the hand luggage and showed us to our cabin. I don't think there's a policy - it depends when you board - it was 2pm for us on both occasions. The rush had died down a bit. Apparentty on the recent westbound crossing 600 world cruise passengers transferring from QE2 all arrrived at the same time so things were a bit strained.

[pnhmrk]

In addition, my wife walks with difficulty, so being shown to one's cabin, I respectfully still submit, shows the cruise line at least cares for its passengers if as you says it does not show class.

 

I didn't make any reference (or at least no reference was intended) to being escorted showing "class":confused: My comment about hand baggage was with my mother in mind - she has great difficulty walking and always travels with three or four pieces of hand luggage. If we are not there to help her then she's very grateful to Cunard for their help.

[KenC]

As I understand on the QE2 it is standard procedure to be escorted to the cabin regardless of cabin class. I never met anybody from Mauretania to Queens Grill who was not taken to the cabin unless he explicitely stated he did not want to.

 

Perhaps this is due more to the tortuous circulation and rabbit warren of cabins on QE2???

 

On the QM2 it is standard procedure not to be escorted. Upon embarkation (in January) and asking for assistance I was just told where the elevators were. Some people seem to have been taken to their cabins, probably more of those grill passengers, who embarked early, but most people I talked to were not. Very poor service.

 

There may be a more relaxed proceedure (especially when it is so easy to find your way around) but unless they are mind readers - how could the crew know who is from which class????

[pepperrn]

If one has trouble with mobility, or is very elderly, or carrying many or very heavy bags, looking lost or confused, has young children, asks for or stands still looking for assistance, then I cannot believe that someone on QM2 wouldn't offer help in finding one's cabin. That's my experience (many tears ago mind you).

 

However, for the rest of us, do we really need assistance in finding the right deck from our cabin number? Reading signs outside elevators pointing the way to the cabin? I for one, have already worked out my route from Grand Lobby to cabin, from there to Britannia Resturant (after checking table location in my room) in case I wish to change, from there to Todd English to make reservations (if unable to do so on the quay), to King's Court for lunch and up on deck for sailaway. If I was offered assistance (maybe because I look very elderly!) then I would decline. Maybe I'm too organised!

 

Of course I recognise that being escorted is, for some, part of the experience.

 

Pepper.

[travel-to-go]

If one has trouble with mobility, or is very elderly, or carrying many or very heavy bags, looking lost or confused, has young children, asks for or stands still looking for assistance, then I cannot believe that someone on QM2 wouldn't offer help in finding one's cabin. That's my experience (many tears ago mind you).

Pepper.

 

Many tears ago <LOL>

Sometimes typos can be quite revealing. But, to paraphrase Mr. Freud, Sometimes a typo is just a typo!

 

I think I have figured it out.

I have been escorted to my cabin on every ship I have ever been on, including the lowly Carnival and the bankrupt Premier Cruises, save one: The QM2 this past January. I never suspected the stewards had their hand out for a tip, and knowing that passengers are not expected to carry cash while on board, (even though just boarding) and that tipping is handled at the end of the cruise, Iit never occured to me to tip for this service. I simply assumed it was part of the ambiance, part of the luxury service one was paying for. In a fine hotel, a bellhop would perform this service. One would expect to tip at that time, not knowing if you might see him again during your stay. On a cruise ship, your steward (and everyone else's) is there for the duration. Although you might be escorted by a steward other than your own, they will get tipped in the end. I find when I get on board, I am so pleased to finally be unladen (yes, I carry a lot of handluggage) and am usually exhausted from the rushing and worrying and just getting everything done, that it truly never occurred to me to tip then. For, now, I am in Wonderland. Once I cross that portal, my world has been transformed to that magical place, so different from life's normal existance.

 

My guess as to why we were not escorted in January? It was an icy, cold windy miserable day. The crowds were in long lines, queuing to get into queues, then queuing again. There was a mad rush of passengers up the gangplank. I suspect at the time we boarded, there were simply not enough stewards to go around. Truly, there was not a crowd of available personnel at the time, to my memory. Most ships, I find confusing at first, never knowing whether to turn left or right, or which elevator to go to. At embarkation and disembarkation, there are often elevators which are taken out of service to passenger use, due to the need to deliver bags. I suspect we simply arrived at a time that there were not enough stewards to handle the crowds, and they probably have to reserve a few for those truly needing assistance. On our way out, the day of disembarkation, there was frequent and cheery wheelchair service, with careful transferring of passengers from onboard to shoreside wheelchairs.

 

In the main, I suspect that the propensity for cruiselines to reduce personnel, as Mr. Arison seems wont to do, might have as much to do with the lessening of that availability when boarding as anything.

 

Just my .02 (plus 15%) worth

Karie,

who found the QM2 the easiest ship to navigate that she has EVER been on!

[Kindlychap]

Perhaps this is due more to the tortuous circulation and rabbit warren of cabins on QE2???

 

I think you meant that the ship has more character than any other, didn't you Ken? ;)

[travel-to-go]

I think you meant that the ship has more character than any other, didn't you Ken? ;)

 

And some of its wildest characters are right here on this board!

 

Karie,

who isn't in the running, as she has not yet had the opportunity to become a QE2 character- Is that like being Mickey or Goofy on the Disney ships? <G>

[KenC]

I think you meant that the ship has more character than any other, didn't you Ken? ;)

 

That's right Kindlychap - more 'character' than the Ark !!!! (Noah's that is).

[KenC]

And some of its wildest characters are right here on this board!

 

Karie,

who isn't in the running, as she has not yet had the opportunity to become a QE2 character- Is that like being Mickey or Goofy on the Disney ships? <G>

 

 

Hey Karie ..... didn't you know, QE2 is more Mickey Mouse than Disney?????

 

Ken

who is in a distinctly disrespectful Sunday afternoon mood ....

[travel-to-go]

Hey Karie ..... didn't you know, QE2 is more Mickey Mouse than Disney?????

 

Ken

who is in a distinctly disrespectful Sunday afternoon mood ....

 

Oooh! Ken! That was a serious case of Trolling !<G> and she's no fishing boat you know!

You're about to get TRASHED! Seriously flamed!

Why, about the only thing you could do to make it worse was declare you planned to where your new DENIM tuxedo for formal night... With a ratter hat with Derby-style feathers on it! Oh, and either sneakers or flipflops for your feet! (Seasonal, of course.) And mention that you always thought the sail down the Hudson was over-rated, and anyway, the statue was a gift from FRANCE, and, well, you know how everyone feels about France. Nothing right about them except their food is better than British. And while were on about the Brits, why do they drink their beer warm, and QE2, QE II, QE TWO- who cares. the monarchy is dead- yesterday's news! Oh, and did I mention you will be wearing this claptrap whilst looking down your aquiline nose at those awful STEERAGE folks!

 

There now, who didn't I skewer, what favored hot buttons did I... I mean Ken C, of course.... forget to push! <G>

 

Karie,

Who is equally feeling mischeivous and evil this morning!