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quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:Do we think that Cunard will aim to attract a different clientèle with Queen Vic and Queen Elizabeth form their traditional one?
yes
[ 10-13-2007: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]
[ 10-12-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]
I think taking a crossing on QM2 will still provide that unique Cunard atmosphere that just can't be duplicated. After all, QM2 is an ocean liner and still makes scheduled crossings that attract a distinct clientele. QV and QE are basically cruise ships bearing the Cunard name. They will sail on cruises and I suspect they will attract a more typical cruise passenger. I'm not sure sailing on QV and QE will feel any different than sailing on Princess or HAL.
I know I tend to be hard on Cunard and some people don't appreciate that. The reason is I really do like Cunard and the unique experience they provide. I'm concerned that all the things I have grown to love about Cunard will vanish if they become just another cruise line with a standardized fleet of cruise ships. My criticism is truly out of respect for the reputation the line has achieved over all these years. I would hate for that all to change.
Ernie
I"d say... it's not a problem attracting their past pasengers
[ 10-13-2007: Message edited by: ocngypz ]
quote:Originally posted by ocngypz:Well insofar as many of my QE2 and QM2 clients booked the QV sight unseen and have rebooked for the QV prior to sailing their initial voyage on the ship.....I"d say... it's not a problem attracting their past pasengers
Of course. Cunard has done such a fantastic job marketing this "liner" that the general public simply doesn't know any better. Anyone that has any in-depth knowledge of ships knows she is no QM2 or QE2. Simply a cruise ship bearing the Cunard logo.
My brother called me about QV asking if I wanted to book a cruise on her. He thought QV was going to be a larger sister to QM2 because in the pictures the ship looks huge! He was very surprised when I advised him that QV was essentially a sister to OOSTERDAM which we sailed earlier this year. He quickly lost interest.
But with these new clientele being attracted to Cunard for cruising, perhaps both QV and QE will be better suited for that purpose.
Rich
[ 10-13-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by mike sa:Good news for Cunard, Berlitz Guide has just annointed them as best overall cruise line ! Celebrity slips to number 2 although they win for most elegant ships.
Absolutely meaningless IMO. Douglas Ward has lost all creditability in my book, and I haven't taken anything he has written seriously in years.
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:I think that all the hype over QM2 ........................................................... And frankly, she's not best designed for cruising, but rather crossing--I've done both on her and would not take her for a cruise again.Rich
My take: she is great for sea days since there is such a great variety of things to do, and lots of out of the way places if you want time for yourself.
Her size and 32' draft may require tendering in ports and with 2600 passengers is not always easy.
Rich, can you elaborate?
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich: And frankly, she's not best designed for cruising, but rather crossing--I've done both on her and would not take her for a cruise again.
I sailed QM2 on a Caribbean cruise out of NY and LOVED the experience. The combination of sea days out of NY and Caribbean ports was a very nice mix. We also sailed at a fairly fast pace out of NY so it almost felt like part of a crossing, but with beautiful, sunny warm weather.
I thought QM2 performed well as a warm weather cruise ship. Great outdoor decks, nice pools, and lots of diversions on the inside.
I think there were once rumours that QV would have her home port abroad, or at least operate from a foreign port for much of the summer.
With three ships this could now be a possibility for one of them.
quote:Originally posted by desirod7:My take: she is great for sea days since there is such a great variety of things to do, and lots of out of the way places if you want time for yourself.Her size and 32' draft may require tendering in ports and with 2600 passengers is not always easy. Rich, can you elaborate?
I've cruised once on QM2 (Caribbean) and crossed on her twice--to me she works better as a transatlantic liner than warm-weather cruise ship. I feel the same way about QE2. Yes, QM2 is big and offers all the amenities, but I prefer her huge enclosed public spaces during those cold-weather days at sea. In the warm Caribbean, even though she has lots of open deck areas, the pool areas seemed crowded, and the Kings Court area was more crowded than on a crossing since more people lunch up there.
My comments earlier in the thread also reflect the feedback from numerous clients I've sent on QM2; in comparison to any number of the big new cruise ships, she comes as nothing special. Again, like the QE2, she excels on the transatlantic run, for which I feel she is better designed.
We have cruised on the QM2 three times and would sail on her in preference to any other ship. We have not done a "real" transatlantic, only the southern crossing on the maiden voyage. She is a wonderful ship offering so much for all travellers.
We have booked QV to see what she is like, however, I feel that we will be returning the QM2 after this cruise. I really hope that Cunard will build another true ocean liner in Queen Elizabeth. My other hope is that Cunard might have a greater presence in the pacific after QE's inaugral season.
Only wish it could be this elegant
quote:Originally posted by desirod7:Only wish it could be this elegant
It could be, if people followed the appropriate dress codes! Actually, for being models, several of the women in this photo look either bored to death, or caught unawares!
It's all relative: the modern Cunard experience can be elegant when compared to some of the mass-market lines of today.
[ 10-27-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:It could be, if people followed the appropriate dress codes! Actually, for being models, several of the women in this photo look either bored to death, or caught unawares!Rich
Putting on the costume is easy. How many times have you seen people is full dress litter, chew with their mouth open, put their feet on upholstered furniture to tie a shoe, and scream at the wait staff?
I could swear at least two of the 'ladies' are actually drag queens. Look at the one on the far right and tell me that person was born a woman!
Is that Julie Andrews playing the piano?
quote:Originally posted by NAL:Actually the woman on the far right looks very much to be the late Hermione Gingold for those of us old enough to remember her.
She does look like the late great actress. Like Bea Arthur, some of these great ladies do have a certain 'manish' quality to the.
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