I will cut right to the chase...I am wondering if anyone knows anyway or anyone that could get me on a ship just to visit? Queen Victoria is going to be here in Los Angeles in just over 3 months and I would love to be able to visit. Ideally I would like to take a cruise on her while she is here but I am not sure that is going to be possible. I have called Cunard before and of course I am always told its not possible for security reason...but at the same time I know many of you here get to visit the ships, So how do you do it?

Dispite my huge love for ships I have never managed to get on one, so any help would be most apreciated!

Thanks!

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

I like Barry's idea but I guess what 'Cunard Fan' really is looking for is someone reading this forum who is in the position to get him aboard a ship.

Didn't Princess start to offer ship visits recently?

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ernst:

Didn't Princess start to offer ship visits recently?

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Yes, it's called the Bon Voyage Experience, and for $39.00 passengers who are sailing can have a guest on board for 3 or 4 hours during Embarkation, including lunch.

I believe travel agents can make reservations for "potential clients" as well, without visiting sailing passengers, for $39.00 p.p. Minimum age is 21.

So I had one choice only, purchasing a cruise on the QM2 in a Nett Price!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Ernst:

I like Barry's idea but I guess what 'Cunard Fan' really is looking for is someone reading this forum who is in the position to get him aboard a ship.

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Writing to or contacting a sales rep through a travel agency might help. I used to do my homework getting to know travel agents before I started working in the field.

Try putting together a group of people for a cruise, and I don't know if they still do the 15th sails free any longer, but investigate the possibilities.

We got on Cunard ships when the sisters were sailing the Caribbean long time ago. Find a local agent, see if you can do some group work, thereby getting your foot in the door.

Call and investigate the local sales rep for your city and bug the shit out of them. Make enough noise to the right people and you may get your wish.

I get on ships here in Montreal by contacting the sales departments of cruise lines that visit here. Fred Olsen was my last contact, and they were gracious.

If you don't ask, you won't get. So what if we help Cunard Fan. All you old windbags can use your influence to help members here on this forum. What better use for your egos and attitudes than to help young cruisers get on board.

Many of you have contacts and many of you travel a great deal, why not share the wisdom instead of being greedy old men.

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Cunard Fan, You have been a loyal CTer for some time now. Don't you think it's time to book a cruise on your favorite line and experiemce what all of us here have.
Frosty 4

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I wish I could. I have been trying for sometime now to get on a cruise (I was booked on the last tandem crossing with QE2 ) but unfourtunatly I can't right now because of finacial reasons. Hopefully that will change soon as I just got a job at a geotechnical engineering company and I am hoping that I will be able to save up for a cruise if possible.

Whatever your idea of science is (and it seems that it's a bit on the weird side) - you can still try to give a reasonable answer.

Some of your statements are finally so generic that they are entirely useless, some are actually cynical (!). Do you really think Cunard Fan would have posted that if he could easily "book a cruise" or "start a prominent webpage" (as if that were the easy option)? Also suggesting to start a career (!) e.g. as travel agent is hardly to the point of making a ship visit possible soon (it's of course an option (like saving money to be able to afford a cruise) but I guess (!) we talk about a short term solution here).

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Excuse me? I actually replied to your first postings in a jokingly manner and I even made a seriously meant suggestion, however it was you who picked that discussion up again with a rather nit-picking remark (betting that Cunard Fan has not yet written to all major cruise lines ) and it was you who added a personal insult (!) entirely unrelated to the discussion.

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Apologies to Cruise-talkers, if this thread does not make sense in parts, but I felt the need to removed my contributions.

[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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[ 10-10-2010: Message edited by: CruiseBrothersRick ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Malcolm, It's impossible to get the last word in on Ernst. We have seen this all along. I refrain from clashing horns as it's a "NO WIN"situation.
I try to respect one's opinion and not come back with a retort everytime. Not worth the aggrevation.
Frosty 4

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Sorry - since you are directly referring to me I take the liberty to reply.

Mind you, it was Malcolm who picked up the 'discussion' after several other contributions form other members, and it was him who made a personal and offensive remark - which has now been deleted.

This specific thread is of course on a very subjective matter and I simply referred jokingly to Malcolms rather generic reply. However, in general please do not confuse a tough discussion with personal attacks. Just because someone opposes an argument does not mean that this is an attack against the person who made the statement opposed.

[ 10-12-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I must admit I have not 'written' to the cruise lines as I am not sure who I could/should write too with that kind of request. I have called the cruise lines but of course all I get is the standard "for security reasons blah blah blah.. no".

The travel agent idea is interesting but I wonder if any would be willing to help me at all since at this point I can't book a cruise with them?

As far as making my own contacts at the cruise lines... I don't know anyone who works in the cruise industry and I am not sure how I could begin to build and contacts with them. Do I just go into the Cunard/Princess offices in Valencia and just try an talk someone in to letting me on?
I do have a contact at Disney (Channel) who maybe could get me on the Wonder when shes out here but I have to see about that.

Anyways I will keep trying! Any other suggestions???

Of course the easiest way is to book a cruise. The fares for QM2 are reasonable if you book a lower grade cabin. The least expensive way to get onboard is to book one a short cruise to nowhere out of New York. You get to see the ship and experience as short cruise. If you live in L.A., book an affordable cruise out of Long Beach/San Pedro to Mexico. Disney is starting them again and their ship is gorgeous-better looking than any current Cunarder but you'll pay a premium to cruise w/ them. Princess, HAL, RCI and Carnival all seem to offer 7-day cruises to Mexico in the winter months. Just get on a ship!!

[ 10-18-2010: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]