I’m currently helping to write The CLF Guide to Cruising. The chapter I’m working on is:
What is included in the price of my cruise ticket? Hidden Cruise Costs
Besides the general things (cabin, food, etc) that are common to most of the cruiselines, I’m researching what each of the majors charges. So I’m checking the lines’ sites and other resources, but I figure you guys will be a great source of info, too, as I don't want to simply quote directly from the cruiselines' websites.
So, if you’ve cruised on Cunard lately, I would appreciate it if you can tell me free or fee. Also if you get certain items for free if you’re a "Past Guest."
Caveats: Have only cruised on QEII and the old Caronia. Last cruise on Cunard QEII Spring '05. Also, on last QEII trip, I was upgraded MANY levels from a Caronia cabin to a Queen's Grill one, so there were very few extra charges for ANYTHING! Previous trips were in Princess Grill.
1. Beverages: sodas, lemonade, hot chocolate, cocktails (at Captain’s parties, etc) Sodas and cocktails cost for all passengers, but not at the captain's cocktail party, or at the cocktail party for past cruisers.
2. Speciality Restaurant cover charges On QEII, there isn't one, but there is a fee at Todd English on QMII ($30.00, I think)
3. Speciality foods, ice cream, etc. Can't think of anything like this on QEII
4. Internet use- Yes, it costs $, but I forget how much.
5. Laundry- Embarassed to say that I don't know- my s.o. did all the laundry, but I think it was complimentary.
6. Sports on board (golf, etc) Didn't use the golf simulator.
7. Activities (crafts, what else has a fee???) – not counting horse racing, bingo, casino None of the activities we did had a fee, but not sure about arts and crafts.
8. Children’s program, in port kid-sitting, equipment (cribs, strollers, etc.) No experience.
9. Holiday freebies- again, unfortunately, no experience
10. In-cabin refrigerators- they are there, at least in all the cabins we've had, and there was no charge. They were not stocked with minibar items.
11. Special programming on in-cabin TVs, VCR/DVD loans- Don't think this was available on QEII, but television, and whatever movies they showed were free
12. Special occasions (e.g. birthday cake) There's some debate about this, but I've had a cake delivered for my birthday twice with no charge. I also had, on my birthday on a QEII crossing, specially prepared tableside by the Maitre d', Buckwheat Blini with smoked salmon and Beluga (a few years ago before they stopped serving Beluga) and sour cream. They also did a large (several feet high) Baked Alaska with fireworks- sparklers- that shot out of the top for many minutes, and served with flaming brandied raspberries. (But I'm sure that this evetually cost extra in the form of a tip to the maitre d') The normal cake that they gave otherwise was an 8" one layer cake, and very tasty.
13. Use of the gym, exercise classes- Gym, free, thallassotherapy pool costs- pass available for the day or for the entire cruise. Use was included in any spa treatments that you paid for. Sauna/Steam were free.
14. Enrichment programs- No fees for anything we did. Mostly lectures, RADA workshops, and movies, as well as hokey stuff like Sing-a-long-Sound of Music
As past guests, we were invited to an extra cocktail party or two, one with the officers, and we also had a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for us in our stateroom.
Andrew's experiences and mine differ somewhat since i mostly sailed in the "ghettos," that is, lower deck and not upper class.
but fear not -- Food, service, everything -- all was great. I enjoyed all my meals in the Mauritania dining room, about equal to what I have had on Celebrity or HAL. some things, like the wonderful souffles, much better.
Shipboard entertainment, activities, everything, open to everybody. Best daytime activities, including shows!,lectures and demonstrations and games, best I have encountered on any ship. All free.
Laundry facilities free, even soap and bleach.
As frequent cruisers, I have found champagne in my room on embarkation. Flowers daily also.
Cunard Customer Service very helpful, as well, At least the rep I got who handled all five of my QE2 cruises. Always got at least a one, sometime two or three, category upgrade.
I always took the whole package, which included air fare and shuttle or bus service. I "shopped" for fares before booking, however.
Their shore excursions very good. Some a little pricey but I enjoyed the ones I took.
Had two birthdays aboard -- both times a big chocolate cake, and "extras" at mealtime.
Sat at "officer's table" the whole time during two cruises. Officer always bought wine for the table.
Largest and best-stocked library afloat. TV programs were varied and all free. A good choice of movies all day long. Not that I spent a lot of time watching movies, but sometimes I would start one, go do something else, comeback and catch up later in the day on the repeats.
Evening shows were varied, and often built around local entertainment picked up at port. Folklorica, flamenco, Japanese sword dancers, etc. etc.
I have not sailed the QMII, only ;the older sister ship. I loved it and would go again any time.
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What is included in the fare??
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(But I'm sure that this evetually cost extra in the form of a tip to the maitre d') The normal cake that they gave otherwise was an 8" one layer cake, and very tasty.
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