Cunard: 8 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know!
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- I discuss the things about Cunard Cruise Line that I kept finding people misunderstand, or do not realise about the cruise line. There are many cruising myths about Cunard among cruise passengers that I discuss, dispel, or explain why they may be only partly right. Cunard is not what most people think it is. I discuss topics including why despite being a very British line they use the US dollar and not the British Pound. Find out why and 7 other things you didn't know you needed to know.
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ABOUT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS: If you want to get cruising right, Tips For Travellers makes it easy to plan and have the incredible cruise experiences you dream of every time. All my Tips For Travellers advice, tips and tricks tips draw on everything that I have learnt on the 98 cruises I have done to date.
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00:00 Start
00:27 Not that British?
02:11 Itinerary differences?
03:13 Too class based?
04:49 Unique ships?
05:45 Iconic features?
07:00 Signature activities?
08:21Too dressy?
09:42 Who's on board?
The dress code point has always been my bone of contention with Cunard. However, after doing more cruises, I do now appreciate a cruise line who enforces a dress code - I’d be sad to see formality leave Cunard - hopefully they keep to it!
I personally feed myself at the buffet....have crossed the Atlantic 4 times on the QM2- I am extremely happy wearing nice jeans and a casual t shirt- from morning to late evening- nobody ever said anything to me about it. The most interesting place to meet people on this very boring ship is at the buffets, instead of those stuffy restaurants.
@@gabesen1451 cunard is boring?😢 I've been wanting to try them out
@bettyb1581 hey Betty...as my previous comments have expressed,,,,as an extremely active guy- this ship offers me little to nothing. I use it as a travel mode to get to Europe as I do not like commercial flights. (Tho I am a student pilot for single engine planes).
Just got back from cruise to Central America on Caribbean Princess- was pretty cool.
Let me know if u are traveling on the QM2 by the summer as I am headed over to Europe on that ship- and would love the company !
@@gabesen1451 How are you a student pilot when you don't like commercial flights?
@admiralversio4762 thanks for that interesting question...I am a student pilot on the very small, single engine Cessna aircraft....where I am somewhat in control of my destiny,,,,also- if the engine fails- u can glide 1 mile for every 1000 feet u are above ground level. Has to do with my extreme narcissism, but that's another topic- lol
❤❤❤❤❤ Love dressing up and seeing men in Tux or Dinner Jackets. So very civilized in a horribly crass world.
Years ago when Queen Elizabeth II was doing the Transatlantic crossings, you could book passage for paired sailings that allowed you to spend weeks in the British Isles and then return to the US on the ship. No flying involved. And there was a cost savings involved. It was on my dream list.
That would’ve been a really fabulous idea. Of course you could do the same thing with the queen Mary II but then you’d have to stay longer in England or United States depending which direction you sailed from until she returned.
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 11Q
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 hi my question is can you book from England to usa an back an how much on a very cheap cabin on two people share an does the queen marry 2 Cross to newyork 2 times a month thank you for your time..
I believe the new Queen Anne ship is taking over the “around the world” for 2025, while the Queen Mary will be doing the NYC to Southampton, non stop ie year round.
On a gala night, I didn’t know, so I wore “nice clothing” but they didn’t stop me at dining room (I wish they had!). I only learned about this being formal night while looking at the menu !
On our last crossing (in May) one of the Insights speakers was Dr. Stephen Payne, the architect that designed the QM2. One of his lectures was about the ship and her design and he mentioned she was originally planned to be named the Mauretania 3. However, Carnival wanted the Cunard ships to follow a royal naming theme, so Queen Mary 2 was chosen instead.
Why not Titanic II?
I remember as a child we would have to dress in our church clothes to fly on an airplane.
My family and I were on the second Atlantic crossing of the QE2 in the 60's, quite different than today.
I also remember dressing in a suit, white gloves and Mary Jane shoes to fly to see my grandparents when I was 11 years old (first solo flight).
The reason this came about was that it you crashed or sank, then the rescuers would treat the body with more respect when found.
My 6 yr old is obsessed with ocean liners. It started with Titanic, but has since grown to encompass the entire industry. He’s built Lusitania and Mauritania. A friend tried to draw him the Titanic and he was like “no, it only has one funnel, that would be the Carpathia.” I have no idea what started all of this, but he’s genuinely passionate about this. We’ve cruised and on a “not really for kids” line - Celebrity - he loved it. I was planning on taking him on a Royal Caribbean Cruise bc they are VERY kid oriented, one of the new Oasis Class ships to be specific. He is INSISTENT that he would prefer to do one of the Cunard ships. I think he would love everything about this. Afternoon tea, all of it. He WANTS to travel on a very formal, old school ocean liner.
How is the casino? The casino is my spa on a cruise. How is the gaming?
The Grand Casino on the QM2 is rather small, but fun. All the usual games, and generally a rather loud sound-track playing, at least in the evenings. I've played Black Jack a little, and enjoyed myself when I went. It's not like the giant casinos on Carnival or some other lines, but still an entertaining evening if there is nothing else you want to do.
Children belong on Disney or royal Caribbean. they have no place on Cunard princess celebrity or any middle to upper class cruise line my only complaint about cruising is selfish people bring their children on cruises that aren't designed for children 99% of other cruisers will tell you that your children are not welcome
Your son sounds awesome! I really hope you encourage his curiosity and enthusiasm for ocean liners. He sounds like a little gentleman in the making. You should be immensely proud of him.
Although Cunard lines was long British, its founder Samuel Cunard was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and only came over to the shires of Britain at age 50. He got his experience base in North America.
You forgot to mention the kennel on QM2! The only way you can get your pet across the Atlantic without flying. Even without a dog or cat, it's fun to go up and see them in the exercise area.
Been looking for a cruise line with a dress code. I know most don’t like this but I require it. Thank you.
As a teenager in the 1990s, I loved formal evenings on the QE2. I felt so grown up and the ladies were stunning.
Gala Nights are my favorite nights on a cruise.
Gary, I enjoy your videos. However, I was on the Queen Mary 2 for 20 days in November of 2022. There were no dance partners in the ballroom. In my stateroom, there was no traditional silver wine bucket with the bottle of sparkling wine and welcome note from the captain. The chocolates on my pillow at night were not the traditional Cunard chocolates, but some nondescript wrapped chocolates. Cunard has been stripped of many of special elegant touches which I always appreciated on previous Cunard voyages. I had always felt very special on previous voyages. Furthermore, the dress code has been loosened. In November, I saw plenty of guys wearing plain collarless shirts or teeshirts in the public areas of the ship after 6:00 p.m. I saw guys at afternoon tea wearing baseball caps. I even saw a guy come into the beautiful Commodore Club wearing a bomber jacket. He sat down at the bar, took off his jacket, ordered a drink while he wore his plain white teeshirt. When I am paying $350.00 to $400.00 dollars a day for an iconic ship and voyage, I expect more than what I got in November.
It's a sign of the times I guess
If you are paying? He’s paid as well, and he might not like what you are wearing, either
@@gabesen1451 Sadly so!
You're not paying for others to dress up. Get over it.
Mrs Bucket.
So sad that the dress code is dropping. I always welcomed dressing up for dinner and that feeling of being a little special on holidays. I also really enjoyed watching everyone else being that little special too. It was all part of Cunard’s charm and a wonderful throw back to the golden age of travel.
On the recent cruise I was on some of the people looked absolutely hideous. A real mess. Such a shame.
Totally agree with you.
I despise dress up cruise lines. Even though I always book suites on NCL only.
I am glad that it is not as formal as it used to be. When on vacation I certainly do not want to get gussied up and feel like a stuffed shirt. We have to fly to cruises as we try to go as far afield while we can, and at CAD$75-$100 per bag on the plane, we do not have room for many or even any bulky jackets etc. My hubby cannot stand to wear blazers or ties. So over the top. Thx Gary, good to know.
100%
I haven’t cruised for a number of years so I’m so very glad the dress code is still maintained for Gala nights.
Another great video Gary,we moved to Cunard from P&O many moons ago as Cunard know how to cater so much better for their passengers,we are lucky enough to go in the Queens grill and there are a lot of benefits you didn't mention,free bottles of water daily,canapés daily,free cappuccino,free mini bar,bottles of champagne,chocolates,the list is endless,they really do look after you.I too love that they stick to the dress code,if people don't like it,then don't sale with Cunard,one of the reasons we left P&O was because of the number of people dining in track suits,shorts,scruffy jeans but each to their own but after saying all that Cunard definitely isn't stuffy and like you said,they cater really well if you're single,with daily meet ups and we made good friends with a gay couple who say they will only sail with this line because of the inclusion of the LGBTQ community,so I hope this cruise line never changes,WE LOVE IT 😊
Thanks for watching and great to hear your thoughts and comments on Cunard!
NCL is the best LGBTQ cruise line.
Oh,I'll have to ask our friends if they know that,seeing them on the Xmas cruise again this year x
So true! I loved having my luggage unpacked, and our butler brought me all kinds of special little supper treats and even laid my medications out for me at bed time. All the pets are very well cared for regardless of level but they were so sweet and arranged special chef cooked meals for her.
@@alexandrasmith7682 And, when I asked Oscar (the butler) if I could buy a Cunard bath robe, he put his finger to his lips, and I found one in my trunk later! White Star Service!
I've sailed with Cunard both before and after its acquisition by Carnival. When it was owned by Trafalgar House the staff were almost all British and sadly the service provided was at times brusque and suboptimal. I can recall a waiter on QE2 tapping his watch when we arrived 15 minutes after the opening time for second seating dinner and arguments between waiters and the Maitre d'. I'm British and I've found the service to be much better in it's new guise and with a cosmopolitan crew.
> When it was owned by Trafalgar House the staff were almost all British and sadly *the service provided was at times brusque and suboptimal.*
This is an accurate description of the sort of environment I would _expect_ to find on a Cunard vessel - As somebody from a common background and has never cruised before - And this latent image of Cunard and their service is probably losing that company a *lot* of business... 🫖🇬🇧😲
Great video Gary 🙂👍 And indeed, I share many of your experiences, both as a solo traveller and a gay man. I have never seen or heard any derogatory or snide comments about myself or friends as part of the LGBT passengers onboard, and indeed was also surprised by the number of people attending the FOD meeting (are we allowed to call it that any more?!? 😬), and also as a solo traveler which I thoroughly enjoy. I am one of the people who very much enjoy the dress code, delight in dressing up for dinner and seeing all the other people who have gone to great effort to do the same... I know it is unpopular to many, but I do wish it was more enforced than sometimes is, and actually would prefer them to reverse some of the changes made in recent years to the dress codes onboard, which I think many of the long term Cunarders felt was just cow toeing to the mass market.
We're an LGBT couple too and have nothing but praise about Cunard. We've never experienced any adverse comments or behaviour. About the only negative (but incredibly amusing) anecdote I have is one lunchtime when we shared a table with an elderly (and rather deaf) couple. We followed them out of the Lido restaurant and overheard the wife commenting to her husband very loudly, "oh well, there are SOME really nice gay people". I'm not sure which category we were adjudged to be in, nice or nasty. I hope the former!
They until quite recently still called them FOD meetings but do seem to have caught up with the times !
I’m sure you were the good / nice ones 😀😀
@@tipsfortravellers Well, to me it is still FOD and will likely always be that 🤣
@@tipsfortravellers HATE to ask, but what does FOD stand for?
Cunard is definitely on my list. Can’t wait for this fabulous experience. Thank you for another great video.
I wanna do a transatlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2 one day!
New Bucket List is to Cruise Cunard QE to Alaska from Vancouver, QE will be doing a full season in 2024, previously only select dates, so time to fulfill the dream. Great video Sir.
Thank you Gary😊
An informative, interesting and helpful video.
Thank you for this lovely insight. I hope some day to be able to take this wonderful cruise. Thank you for another beautiful video.
More outstanding information. Especially that little nugget about the Vista Class Ships.
As always a great video, with very good advice.
Another great video on Cunard. Thanks for helping to decode / explain this iconic line.
I really like that on the cunard ships they don’t make so many announcements such as like they do on the Costa ships. I once cruised on the costa concordia, a season before it sank, and they made announcements in about four or five different languages which of course they had people from Italy, Spain etc. so that was natural but it got sort of tiring hearing all the languages. I did teach myself the numbers in Italian because the lift\ elevator announced the number of the floors in Italian.
I’ve only ever heard bad things about the “Italian” cruise lines like Costa and MSC. Did you enjoy your cruise overall?
@@salfordiandy4987 I have to say in honesty the cruise was just so so.
The costa concordia I sailed on some years ago was just in the Mediterranean so therefore there were a great many Italians and some Spanish on board. Although they had a wonderful seafood buffet outside, I politely waited in line but the Italians or other people I didn’t know their nationalities for sure pushed ahead so I kept getting to the end of the line.
I thought the overall colors and decorations was a bit tacky and overdone but later I found out a more comfortable with the queen Mary two.
There was a great spa that I enjoyed relaxing in though. And of course it was is a good way to get from port to port and get a taster so I wanted to go back to the city later since its cruise situated around the Mediterranean.
It was also one of the cheapest ways for a cruise to travel all around the Mediterranean compared with others. It might be some peoples cup of tea but I wouldn’t take Costa again partly because I didn’t really like the cruise line and partly because it would remind me of the tragedy
Thank you Gary for this vlog, full of information. Cunard is my favourite cruise line and I enjoy all 3 ships x
Love dressing up! Fine with dance lessons! Waiting to experience afternoon tea! Reading and relaxing! Did you also mention dance partners for solo ladies? I am so ready!
Love your very accurate and informative videos Sir
Did the Baltic about 8 years ago
The weather was awesome for September
Trans Atlantic on bucket list
Thanks for sharing
Wonderful video Gary! Love all your content
I appreciate that! Thanks!
You do a great job at making transitions to your other videos, Gary. :)
Good points. I'll add a few of the other points of interest from our travels on QM2 that sets Cunard apart in my opinion. 1. As part of their enrichment QM2 offers twice daily watercolor classes (small charge for the kit, none for the class itself). This is a huge enticement for getting my wife to cruise with them. 2. there's a daily, passenger led Christian get together which we've found as a great way to meet others from around the globe in a time of fellowship. 3. One is not constantly being interrupted during the day and night (and morning) with announcements about belly flop contest, bingo or the variety of other mass group activities that the other lines feed on. Perhaps one day we'll get to enjoy the afternoon tea as it is so popular one must start lining up way before the doors open (though you can partake up in the buffet area with a lot less pizazz.
We've had art classes on both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth so it's not limited to QM2. As for the afternoon tea, we've never had much trouble in getting seats for it whenever we've chosen to do it.
Never had trouble getting into the Afternoon Tea either.
No anouncements selling you things. Yes. A lovely difference to other lines.
I've never had a problem getting afternoon tea in the Queen's Room, but I've only sailed Grills Class and had the concierge make the arrangements. I prefer my tea in the Queen's Grill lounge, it's more intimate, and the food is better.
I like going to the afternoon tea! I have sailed Cunard 7 times. I like formal nights, too.
So wise , thank You . Good to know
I think as someone who is curious about sailing on the QM2 you could do a mini cruise from Southampton to Hamburg that's something I considered and not really that expsensive either.
Another group of travellers that you didn’t mention that Cunard caters to - Christians. There is a Catholic priest on board the QM2 and daily mass as well as daily Christian fellowship meetings. ( on top of Sunday church services)
You caught me mid flow! Good to feature in your video!
Excellent!
Love Cunard
Your videos and reviews are always informative. Thank you for posting. I myself have been on multiple cruises (10). I have always been interested in Cunard, especially from a historical standpoint. I love that this is a company that built such legendary ocean liners such as the Mauritania and Lusitania (Lusitania is my favorite), Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2, QE2, and the original Queen Elizabeth. I am interested in cruising with Cunard, but have a couple of concerns. First, does Cunard have any games, or game shows? I've cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival who both have the Quest scavenger hunt, and Disney Cruise Line, who of course have Disney related activities. Secondly, are there any deck parties? I've seen a lot of Cunard videos, and don't see any deck parties. There are many deck parties that take place on other lines with DJs, and even Disney with Pirate Night, which also features their signature fireworks show at sea. Another concern of mine is the sailaway party. I have seen a couple of Cunard sail away parties on CZcams, and was kind of horrified. I saw a band playing soft music, and the passengers were just sitting in deck chairs. On other lines, even on Princess, their sailaway parties are very much festive, and get you into the vacation mode, and spirit. As much as I want to give Cunard a try, I'm scared that I might be bored, and not have a wonderful experience. Granted, I know there are no rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, or shows, sky diving, etc.
On our last crossing [round trip; October - November 2022] there were pub quizzes, a photo scavenger hunt, bingo games, acting lessons with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Choral singing with Anthony Inglis & the English National Symphony - and likely a bunch of other activities I did not find the time to participate in.
QM2 does not have a cruise ship's 'Lido' deck - so no venue for 'deck parties'. There is a lovely promenade deck, and some hardy souls will walk the circuit even with Force 11 winds (85 knots) indicated on the weather report. The party venues are usually the Queen's Room ballroom and the adjacent G32 nightclub.
thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Your information is always the best!
Have you noticed any difference in the quality of food from one Cunard ship to the next? Thank you so much.
In my experience the food on Queen Elizabeth is better than that on Queen Victoria. I’ve never travelled on the QM2 though.
I’ve never been on Cunard, but would like to try it out sometime.
Be prepared for the over the top "Service charges"
11.40 - "April to October"? - I went westbound (from UK), in February 2022
Cunard is on my dream list!
One needs to enter into the spirit of Cunard to get the most out of it. We enjoy doing the formal bit on gala evenings. The only complaint I have is the amplification in the theatre. It is far too loud and puts us off going to shows. I've mentioned this in every post-cruise feedback questionnaire, but to no avail.
Great video
Have you eber tried the Cunard upgrade program wher you are invited to bid on a upgrade? And is it worth doing ?
I've never been on a cruise before, but I'd love to do a transatlantic cruise on Cunard someday.
Please pick another cruise line- Queen Mary 2 is the most boring ship of all the boring ships- the mother of the definition of boring.
@@gabesen1451 Ah yes, we need more brain stimulating things on all cruise ships!
Don't put it off! Nothing like a week on the high seas, the finest service, fantastic cuisine, and a real sense of history. I will never sail on any ship with a water slide or a rock climbing wall!
I lived in a luxury condo with a dress code . Park Mansion . 😊
As a regular Cunard cruiser thinking about going on my first cruise since the pandemic, I'm disappointed to learn that they've relaxed the dress code even further by making jackets optional (a few years ago they did the same with ties). If people don't like dressing like that, why go on Cunard? And I wonder, if many men stop wearing jackets on board, will the air conditioning setting be raised so that those of us who keep our jackets on will start sweltering?
@@jules031056 After making my above comment, I did go on QM2 last summer. At the large central table on front of the ship mural in the Britannia restaurant every night was a group of several overweight young men in well-worn polo shirts over some sort of draw-string loose-fitting trousers. When they stood up the trousers slipped down exposing inches of builder's cleavage to the adjoining diners.
Gary can I ask a question. Do Cunard have mixed dining/shared tables in the 'normal' main dining rooms. We have only sailed with Cunard once - just post Covid so things were a bit strange still. But other lines we use - P&O and Saga both have mixed tables. Before I book another Cunard trip I would like to know
They do, just choose the size of your table and you can make some lifetime friends dining together for a week.
Where do you get your Cunard prints from that are on the wall behind you?
Very informative. Thank you. Never considered Cunard before, since I thought you had to dress up for dinner. I will have to add it to the list now though.
you always have the choice to order in your room or you can go to the buffet and wear casual dress as long as it’s of course not in your swimsuit.
I find a lot of people who do not realise that Cunard belongs to the Carnival Corporation along with P&O Cruiselines, Holland America, Princess cruise line, Seabourne, Costa.
I want the fancy dress code, it's wonderful and novel. I'm tired of seeing casual clothing all the time, as a Gen Z-er.
I enjoy dressing up occasionally, but if you are on a long cruise, it seems a waste of suitcase space to pack a suit or tux for just one or 2 nights. On those formal nights, it would seem appropriate to designate one MDR as formal and the other one as casual. Simple solution, problem solved. One of the reasons we haven’t cruised on the QM2 is the need for a tux or suit. Oh, I know you can rent a tux on board, but the cost is pretty steep. We would use the Trans Atlantic as a means to get either across or back with some time spent “over there.” That leads to the question about lugging the formal clothes around.
Travelling with a tuxedo or suit is definitely a concern when you have to travel to the port via airplane.
You don't need to wear a tie in the Formal Dining room, and they will give you a jacket to hang on your arm, I've been told.
You can wear the same dark suit every night, just switch out the shirts.
And there are places in Southampton to store your extra luggage while you tour the UK/Europe. I'd name the place I used for mine, if I thought it was okay with Gary.
You are free to eat your meals at the buffet rather than the Britannia dining room, In that case, you need no suit or tux.
Gary, Going on an Alaska run on the QE. If the technology (i.e. WiFi) is spotty onboard, and WiFi (more the extensive library) is not high on my list, does the ship have a computer technology centre (like Princess) where I can bring my laptop for the occasional access to WiFi instead of paying the USD24 per diem?
To answer my own question, QE does not have a computer centre.
definitely more interested now as a single and younger than most traveller to try Cunard
It really is very enjoyable, especially a Transatlantic crossing if you have ever fancied it. I did my first in my early 30s and was surprised how many younger people were onboard!
@Andi Scott as someone in very late 20's now very tempted
@@andiscott8470 thanks
Go for it! Travel while you're young and can fully enjoy it!
Is the afternoon tea on embarkation day?
The Queen Elizabeth ship is beautiful with gorgeous spaces - the Queen’s Room, Theatre, the library- endless lovely spaces to see the water. Also the live music, the afternoon tea, the Grills lounges.
However, the nickel and diming is a bit annoying. I preferred Seabourn.
Really enjoy your videos. Quick question - On Cunard ships, are decent shorts allowed during lunch in the dining room? Thanks and be safe.
I'm thinking about doing a transatlantic on Cunard next December 2023 when my friend could go with me. What do you think it will be like in December?
It was great this past December, 2022.
Outside air temperatures ranged between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and we had many glorious sunny days. You'll want to wear a scarf and a warm jacket or coat out on deck due to the wind, but getting one's mile in (three times around the promenade deck) was no bother at all. If you want to step out on your balcony in your bathrobe in the middle of the night and watch the ocean roll by, you can do that, too.
It's not hurricane season, and if there are storms ahead, the captain will divert along the Great Circle Route to avoid them. I was onboard for 14 days in all and at the most we experienced moderate swell. That said, a lot of people who love the QM2 hope for some exciting weather, to experience how good she is at handling it.
December's one of the nicest times onboard, with the ship all decorated for Christmas from the first of the month. When Christmas itself comes there are special festivities, and I hear the New Year's Eve party is brilliant.
@Catrin Lewis thanks for your response. As ot turns out , my friend bailed. I decided to do a Panama Canal cruise on windstar in December as a solo cruiser instead. I've been wanting to try a small ship and they have great offers for solos.
I always remember Alan Wicker (Wickers World) did a series on the QE2, the Crew on her even had their own gay bars. I always thought that was incredible as a teen in the 80's hiding in my closet. Cunard would be the first place I'd go for a Gay friendly cruise. Oh and now that I'm A freemason, Cunard have masonic meet up's too, Not too sure how good their Kosher food is or if they have Shabbat services like some of the Carnival group do. But I'm willing to find out.
the posters and images behind you where can we find them
I have collected them from all over the place across the years. I did get a few on www.juniqe.co.uk/wall-art/framed-prints?q=cruise+ship
I guess I'm kind of a snob, I sail Grills Class (Princess) and I enjoy having an enforced dress code. If I'm not up for it, I can have anything I want in my cabin, or I can use the Britannia Restaurant or the huge buffet on Deck 7. One thing Gary does not mention, but regardless of which facilities you may choose to use, generally Grills Class passengers receive better service. It may just be that the staff thinks if you're sailing in the Queens Grill or Princess Grills suites they'll make a better tip, but they do treat you a little differently. And again, the Grills Class concierge can make just about anything happen. And having a butler/valet is really a nice perk! And, I prefer to dine with few or even no children.
I agree on Cunard being LGTBQ+ friendly. It is actually extremely diverse and I think that surprises many who think it is more conservative at first glance.
Looking for the best site for cruise booking?? Any leads
“Itinerary” was misspelled in one of the type headings
Mr. Bembridge, First, thanks for your vids. Very helpful, insightful and informative. Second, a QUESTION: The Cunard site said we could purchase 2024 trips on 12/7/2024. We went to the site that morning to see if we could get the Penthouse cabin 9051 or Queens Grill cabin 10.043. I looked for these cabins on any transatlantic, specifically the two going to Frankfurt. Both cabins for both trips said "another guest" had already gotten the cabins. Do you have any suggestions about how to get specific cabins on the QM2 other than relying on a website? Does being a member of their cruise club or whatever frequent flyer program they have help? Can you book a cabin prior to the website offering? Any insight appreciated. A transatlantic on the QM2 is a bucket list item probably about 5 years away. But I'm noticing how quickly the trips book up in advance since the pandemic has kind-of ended. Thoughts, insights and/or feedback appreciated.
Correction, site said we could purchase on 12/7/2022
@@guykerner1710 I was wondering about that! (You can edit your original post, if you like).
As one who was onboard the QM2 the during that period, I can say the cabin you wanted may have been snatched up before December 7th by a guest on the ship. They opened booking for us on the 5th. One of the perks for repeat customers, it appears.
For you, this might be a situation where a travel agent would be of good service. They're trained to watch out for these opportunities.
Contacting the reservation line may help. Its possible pre release to enquiries or even past travelers gets them ahead of actual release. Then a smart person may jump on and be ready minutes after release. Other cabins are likely just as good even if not your first preference
LGBTQ have always been welcomed on QM2 - on our first visit my wife and I did a renewal of vows for our silver anniversary, it was done in the place where the Friends of Dorothy usually meet. Afterwards we went and shared the massive supplied cake with all the folks who had been decanted from their usual spot, just to say sorry😂. Ended up spending the rest of the afternoon with a bunch of them, and in the Yacht Club until around 4am.
Two of the guys recognised me from 28 years before, from when I used to the very unpopular (at the time) job of door security at a couple of gay bars in my hometown, nice to be remembered for doing a good thing.
We had Chris Difford of Squeeze doing songwriting workshops on our last QM crossing, and Roger Daltrey was helping him out.
Have they banned smoking in the night club and casino yet? this somewhat spoiled some of my enjoyment of the last crossing.
Yes on the smoking ban - The only inside spaces where smoking is still permitted are Churchill's and the crew's "Pig and Whistle" pub
Im really interested in going on a 2 night cruise on the Queen Elizabeth in February :) but sadly as we live interstate from the departure and arrival ports and airfares are 4 times higher than the cost of the cruise to travel to and from the ports, we just can't afford to go. Hope it comes back to tas in 2024 ❤️
Were there only two people present at that lecture about Philip II?
It did look rather empty! It filled up but most people sat more to the back
I've just booked a cruise BECAUSE of the dress code. I am beyond bored looking at everyone in hoodies and jeans. I am going to dress up and a huge part of the excitement is choosing all the outfits. I am sick of going to restaurants and hotels where the waiters and staff look 20 times smarter than the guests. I am going to get my glam on!
PPS: Also, any advice about getting a specific table in the Queens Grill Dining room? We've picked the optimal spot in the dinning room where we would like to dine. Is that random or can that assignment occur early on when we book as well?
Thats never a choice and if it could is subject to discussion when onboard. Your preferred position may be a heavy table for 8 and not for 2. And you are one passenger not the only passenger. They will oblige if they can.
See the maitre d as soon as you get checked in, they will generally accommodate you, or if you're in the Grills Class, ask your concierge for assistance.
Really! you are that fussy just enjoy the cruise a specific table in a room shouldn't be your biggest worry some of us cant even afford to go to Blackpool
WOW. You don't know me. You know nothing about me and my circumstances. Or why such details matter to me. Thanks for the judgement. Bless your heart. @@michelles2299
Which way do you prefer, east bound or west or maybe just pay some more and go round trip?
We tend to book round trips - mostly with a side trip between two Southampton 'turn around' days. This year's side trip was a 12 night Norway and Northern Lights sailing.
Consider the time zone change- sailing eastbound you lose an hour each night but sailing westbound (toward NY) you gain an hour each night when they change the clocks- so that can affect your decision of which way to travel. I prefer westbound but any way is better than flying ! ( and cheaper than flying first class )
I prefer Westbound, because I love sailing home to the Statue of Liberty!
A cunard QM2 transatlantic is on my bucket list - it helps that my best friend is from Hamburg and also loves ships! One day I will save up the money and make it happen. I may do it for my 30th birthday and if so I imagine I'll be one of the youngest people sailing, hahaha!
Great observations as always and agree it has the biggest LGBTQ meetings of all the cruises we have done.
I am straight and dont understand why this is the case. I would be horrified if people were alienated for any reason. We are all people and different. But i also would have no idea if such events were held or care. Carnival, RCL etc do better
Is their any difference between queen Mary 2 and Victoria thinking of trying one wonder which 1 was better
QM2 is an ocean liner that also does cruises - the QV is a cruise ship, based on a common platform shared between several Carnival sub brands.
🇨🇦❄️❤️🎄
Good information, thanks. I laughed because in the video, some women on 'smart night' were wearing flip flops/bedroom slippers. They can afford a cruise but not a decent pair of evening casuals. I thought this was hilarious. Shoes are so important to women and rightly so. If I could afford a cruise, I'd dress to the nines. All the wrong people have money!
😮
Cheap labor is essential for cruise companies. They pay peanuts for the crew.
Are the books in the library hard-cover?
Mostly.
Thanks for clarifying that bit at 10:22 about Cunard/White Stars attitude toward LGBT passengers, which has been one of a number of reasons why - If I was considering a cruise - Cunard would probably be near the bottom of my list. There is a very strong impression for some of us in the LGBT community that we wouldn't be particularly welcome on Cunard routes, and if this isn't actually the case the company needs to get the word out that it is indeed diversity friendly. 🚢🏳🌈✅
One thing that could be useful to some of us though would be on Cunards attitude toward and accommodation of neurodiverse passengers. I have quite severe ASD, was bought up in an isolated environment which led to my developing no social capability at all, and though I might feel less nervous about this on a more informal mainstream operator (MSC, P&O etc) the very _thought_ of boarding a Cunard ship just fills me with dread. 😨
After 22 cruises on Cunard I've never noticed anything but acceptance of the LGBTQ community, never any animosity from crew or other passengers. Gay couples openly dancing ballroom on gala nights for one.
I just recently found out Cunard is still around! That's SO COOL!! Been around since friggin 1840!!
The name is....
Its as british as a chinese mg car. Just a name ....to appeal to whiteys who want to lord over others
Love your channel, but having sailed on QM2 I found it the most snobby, class separated, stuffy, nothing to do cruise line out there. But, if you can time it right, it is cheaper than flying back from the UK after a Trans Atlantic to Southampton. It's only saving grace.
I am going on a cruise next June. I am a 66-year-old widower. I think I will have a large amount of attention from the many widows.
Probably .... But you would be surprised at how many single gentlemen like yourself are on board - which you may well enjoy also! I did two "single trips" .... My steward giggled as he informed me that I was "one of the top two ladies" that the single over 70 men were chasing .... 😂. I was 49! Hope you have a lot of fun 😘
Last gala night on Queen Victoria last month, several people wearing chinos and floral short open necked shirts no challenge whatsoever
Very different to our Queen Vic cruise few years ago. Vexed to be confronted in front of other guests. Never again.
Cruised last year, dreadful, cabin was a disgrace. Public areas very nice. Will not cruise with them again. Will the recent upgrade change these horrible cabins? Some of the staff were rude.
I’ve recently returned from a Cunard cruise and sadly the standards have indeed dropped to the point where I was joking that I’m too posh to do another Cunard cruise 😂
I did two TAs in December and found the dress standards among the guests varied with the destination. On the way to Southampton, daywear was, by and large, classical British country house. Tweeds, tartan skirts, woolly jumpers; wool coats and scarves out on deck, the whole thing. The trip back, the ship was stopping in New York and going on to Caribbean and a lot of the passengers wore their dressed-down, hot weather gear even in the North Atlantic. You saw slogan t-shirts, tracksuits, and even jersey gym shorts all over the buffet, and deckwear was dominated by the puffy nylon jacket crowd.
It may have had something to do with the demographics. Eastbound the passengers were majority British. Coming back west, it was a lot more international. Some British, yes, but a lot more Americans than before, and larger representations from France, Germany, Portugal, various Asian countries, and so on.
(In case you were wondering, the middle-aged gent in the sloppy gym shorts spoke British English.)
The reason is the US $ is the world’s currency!
Do Cunard ships offer Karaoke onboard?
Yes in Golden Lion Pub
I have done a few cruises on the QE. Except for one large red flag, I Love everything about her, food, service etc. I appreciate not being pestered by staff flogging spa products, bingo etc.
Only thing is, Cunard don't match prices. We had to book before the end of June this year or lose our own money from the start of covid, after June they dropped the price by over $1000 per person and would not allow us the cheaper price, or, alternatively, upgrade us. Their customer service is very poor. I travel lots of other lines so they may be waiting a long time for my custom again.
That is what we experienced, too.
Very disappointing to See.
Is the ships "tap water" potable/safe?
Hello Cruise lovers
We are sailing via Cunard Elizabeth 2 in August 29 days from Vancouver to Vancouver then along US Panama Canal Mexico,Costa Rica disembark in Fort Lauderdale!
I would love hear from any of who has done this trip! How was your experience?
Thank you in advance 👍
I'm a "SOLO" cruiser, and have done Cunard 5 trips, BUT you mentioned "gentlemen's dancers" and I've heard that because of COVID Cunard has done away with these "gentlemen's dancers... So what is the case?
They are still there on all the ships
@@tipsfortravellers "life changer".... gracias! will book one soon....
I was on QM2 Feb 2023 and there were definitely about 4 Gentlemen Dance Hosts and even one Lady Dance Host.
@@tipsfortravellers Just read elsewhere that the Gentlemen's dancers were not in ships Nov. 2022
im a solo traveler ive noticed the price for a single for longer cruises is about 75% above the twin share this is about right isnt it? how much approx are drinks like beer and cocktails on board? can you bring your own alcohol? what about smoking is there a smoking area? do they sell cigarettes on board? can you bring your own cigarettes on board if you buy from on a port? what about shore excursions how much approx are they? do you accept cash or only credit/debit cards? what about computers and the internet is it free or is it an extra cost?
Question: When booking online, how to choose the grade is obvious. We want to choose and inside cabin. But, my Q is about choosing a specific cabin. Are we assigned our cabin by Cunard, or do we choose our specific cabin? When booking through a Cunard agent, he will charge $260 more per person, but says we can choose our cabin. Can you clarify the cabin selection process for inside cabins? I want to book very soon. Thanks !!
I’m retired US Navy and I always wear dress mess with decorations on liners and cruise ships. Don’t like informality.
You forget the archaic and shameful service charge and internet charges…
I love Cunard but I would never take a transatlamtic cruise -- there's big waves in the North Atlantic, and no ports for days on end.
There can be storms anywhere incl tropical equator. Anyone cruising to antartica understands the drake passage gamble. A day or two can be calm or wild.
I like April sailings because I love the rough weather!
Maybe you should take people on cruises with you..