Is there a more perfect cruise company for us?

[Dorchester]

I was appalled when my wife was taken from my arm by the waiter while I was left to trail behind the pair to our table. It later became apparent that this bizarre affectation (at dinner only – not breakfast or lunch) is meant in some way to convey "luxury," though in what era and in what civilization I am unaware.

 

Many thanks CruiserTed for your full and enlightening review of your 'Crystalisation' experience.

 

After a number of totally excellent 'Grill Class' experiences on Cunard vessels, I too was appalled by a similar experience on our first voyage on QM2. Upon entering the restaurant on the first 'formal' evening, my Wife was virtually snatched from me by the Maitre d', who escorted her to our assigned table at an indecently rapid pace, leaving me to falter in their turbulent wake!

 

In my opinion, this is not the ideal prelude to the perfect relaxed dining experience. Granted it is most pleasant to be greeted by the Maitre d' or the Assistant Maitre d' upon entering the dining room in the evening, who should then show us to our assigned table, as opposed to frog marching us there at an indecent pace.

 

Regards,

David

[heywood]

David and Cruiser Ted,

this reminds me of my friend's experience, who, whilst dining in the Speciality restaurant on a Celebrity cruise, was accompanied to the bathroom by a waiter. Thankfully he left her at the door but it was totally unnecessary and caused embarrassment. A bit too much attention to service.

[heywood]

David and Cruiser Ted,

this reminds me of my friend's experience, who, whilst dining in the Speciality restaurant on a Celebrity cruise, was accompanied to the bathroom by a waiter. Thankfully he left her at the door but it was totally unnecessary and caused embarrassment. A bit too much attention to service.

[CruiserTed]

Thank you both for alerting me that the bizarre affectation of "snatching the lady away" from her husband is spreading - even to Cunard. I am aghast.

[CruiserTed]

Regarding a review of the Queen Victoria: I posted one but the best written is by one Kari Reinikainen. You can find it under the "Reviews" tab. It is a passenger review.

[david,Mississauga]

Thank you both for alerting me that the bizarre affectation of "snatching the lady away" from her husband is spreading - even to Cunard. I am aghast.

 

This affectation did not occur to us, nor to anyone else as far as we could see, on our recent crossing in Princess Grill. Regarding Queens Grill, I couldn't possibly comment.

[JTor]

Thanks for giving us your perspective. I could not feel the tone of your post was entirely unbiased, however. Whether or not the captain has an Eton accent has rarely played an important role in my enjoyment of a ship. Having cruised previously on the Crystal Symphony (not the Serenity, but I gather they are sister ships), my experience was very different - I felt the ship epitomized "service with a smile", and speaking off-record to many of the staff, I felt that they were some of the happiest at sea. Many of my fellow passengers were from New York City; perhaps the large Floridian party you encountered was a booking fluke. However, I think in many ways Regent might suit the OP. There is not too much in the way of an organized kids' program but they do allow children, and the OP has older kids, not toddlers. On our Scandinavian sailing there were perhaps about 20 teenagers on board, who seemed to enjoy themselves both with their families and in groups, once they had made friends aboard. I felt the service and formality was a notch lower on Regent than on Crystal, but the passengers were younger and more active. Certainly I found the food and wine selections superb on both ships.

[safarigal]

Princess Grill (P3 guarantee) on QV already booked! Really looking forward to it. Agree - I would not be inclined to book QM2 Grills - Brittania staterooms and restaurant are fine - I did not particularly like the look of the Grills restaurants on QM2 and am very happy in a deck 6 sheltetred balcony cabin. Any review of QV much appreciated.

 

Clare

 

As previously stated, there are some good reviews of the QV in the review section of the Board. Our phots from our QV trip are at:

 

http://gallery.me.com/lesleyblake#100381&bgcolor=black&view=grid

 

I thought she was a beautiful ship, and loved every minute of being on board!

 

Enjoy!:)

 

Lesley

[Chelsea1]

As previously stated, there are some good reviews of the QV in the review section of the Board. Our phots from our QV trip are at:

 

http://gallery.me.com/lesleyblake#100381&bgcolor=black&view=grid

 

I thought she was a beautiful ship, and loved every minute of being on board!

 

Enjoy!:)

 

Lesley

 

Thanks for the photos's - they are great, she looks lovely!

[FortWorthGuy]

Cruiser Ted, your disdain for Crystal is obvious. Thousand of people love that line and write of many wonderful experiences. It's too bad that you seemed determined to find fault at every opportunity on that cruise.

[southland rob]

Cruiser Ted

 

Let me say at the start that I am neither "provincial nor vulgar" and neither is Crystal.

 

I am a Queens Grill cruiser on Cunard because it is the level which best matches the Crystal experience.

I have cruised eight times on Crystal mainly on cruises in excess of 15 days each.

 

As distinct from your experience, what distinguishes Crystal from others is the consistently high level of friendly helpful service at all levels - it is outstanding and most reviewers, both professional and on the cruise critic Crystal review pages, agree.

As well, the dining is superb both in the main dining room and the specialty restaurants. As with the Grills, with a little notice, one can have any food which one may desire.

 

The Crystal ships are lovely - spacious and impeccably kept.

 

The experience is different from the Cunard experience, which I very much enjoy as well. The only fault that I ever comment about, in feedback to Crystal, is that programs are too biased and geared towards the American

culture. I doubt that is your concern Cruiser Ted.

 

Rob

[William Dean]

Cruiser Ted, your disdain for Crystal is obvious. Thousand of people love that line and write of many wonderful experiences. It's too bad that you seemed determined to find fault at every opportunity on that cruise.

 

I did not pick up on this. There were some really strong concerns, yes, but also some very strong and firm praise.

 

It read as a fair review to me.

 

I have not sailed on Crystal.

[keithm]

We are devoted lovers of the Cunard Line and asked ourselves the OP's question: "might there be something even better?" In our quest, we tried a Med cruise on Crystal. We have only one word: "don't." Where Cunard (passengers, officers and crew) is cosmopolitan and gracious, Crystal is provincial and vulgar.

 

Very best to you!

Really?? I've had many friends who loved Crystal. I love Cunard mostly because of their(not as good as it used to be, however)Proper British way of seamanship.

[Jimsgirl]

There are three kinds of "groups" One is that where TA reserve a number of rooms at advantagous prices The participants do not know each other so never congregate.

 

The second is that where a large group from a club/ condo complex , get together and go as a "herd"

 

It is this second group which tends to cause problems, they gather in flocks in public rooms, the laughter is often loud. and on shore tours can make up %85 of the passengers.

 

The third group comprises a special group such as World Cruisers, who receive special treatment, take over Commodore Room, have special tables etc, which results in bad feeling among those doing the segments.

 

Groups One passes un -noticed, Group Three, annoys but what can other passengers do?

Group Two are the ones that really upset other passengers, and personally I would never join such a group if one was being made up locally.

 

This past week I was at the local Centre, and there saw ads for such a group, it was clear from the tone of the ads, that the passengers attracted to such a group would be as mentioned above.

[William Dean]

The third group comprises a special group such as World Cruisers, who receive special treatment, take over Commodore Room, have special tables etc, which results in bad feeling among those doing the segments.

 

I've been on many world cruise segments, and have never seen any evidence of this. If one pays for a world cruise, a few perks should be expected.

 

And on the World Cruise - at least in the Queen Victoria - there is a small section of the Commodore club roped off. That is all. Anything else is not noticeable.

[Jimsgirl]

My comments were not derogatory against World Cruisers only a defination of the term "group"

 

I will never be able to take a world cruise, due to financial reasons, however if you do the maths you will see that the other (segment )passengers pay the same or even more per day in fares (comparing apples with apples). So should they not receive the same service?

 

I am fortunate that I can take B2B or even B2B2B cruises ( 29 and 25 days) should I as a B2B passenger receive specil privilages from Cunard not available to a a passenger perhaps paying more per day ?

 

Difficult questions.

 

Just as it is difficult to like loud noisy raucous all-from- the -same - club/condo/affilliation group, it is also annoying to go into a public space and find an area roped off, serving "free" coffee/tea and pastries to a group simply because they are staying on board when you have to get off. Then there are the times when the Queens Room is closed because said group are having a "free" party, and then there are the "gifts" they are given ,luggage,bottles of decent wine. etc. even receiving off menu items in the dining room, when regular passengers are told "No deviation" followed by the expanation "they are World cruisers, they can choose to have special things cooked just for them"

 

Envy perhaps, but certainly annoying if you are paying MORE for the same space per day than they are.

[nfcu]

Jimsgirl, I agree with everything you said. If special treats or favors are done for guests just because they are on the whole world cruise, do it out of the sight of the other, sometimes higher paying, guests.

[Tomnorm]

Having some extra benefits for passengers who sign up for a 3.5 month trip is not unreasonable. With regards to getting more advantages than others who may have paid more for segments, there are often pasengers who take advantage of lower per day rates offered for late bookings. Should they get less benefits?

On any given trip there will be people having paid a range of prices for the same cabin category