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(A specialist cruise TA should give you 5% off that price).
NOW THAT IS AN AMAZING PRICE! DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MONEY, JUST BOOK IT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD AND YOU CAN SPEND THE REST OF 2006 PAYING FOR IT. IT'S JUST TOO GOOD TO MISS.
The down sides are a small cabin with bunk beds, possibly mediocre food in the 'M' grade, rough seas and a cold NY. But hey, it's the QM2 and it's a 'crossing'!
See: www.cunard.co.uk 'Special offers'.
[ 10-12-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
I don't think agents will give anything off the price Malcolm, I have had several emails all giving the same figures today.
Pam
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Dead giveaway! Shame about the timing, start of the new school term, no go I'm afraid!
That's part of the reason why it is so cheap!
Yes, it's a small inside cabin, but you can always spend more to upgrade if that's important to you. Who knows how many more times QE2 will do the transatlantic? Also, this will be the last time she docks in Manhattan; in future they will dock in the wilds of Brooklyn!
And for die-hard transatlantic fans who don't get seasick, a truly mid-Winter crossing should be quite a ride!
Rich
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:Who knows how many more times QE2 will do the transatlantic? Also, this will be the last time she docks in Manhattan; in future they will dock in the wilds of Brooklyn!
Good points.
If anyone if half interested just go and pay later. It may well be a once in a lifetime chance.
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Knowing that in the US one could book if for in effect £399, I'm afraid I would not book the trip on principle, even if I could go.
That's not the attitude Pam. EVERYTHING in Britain costs more! We also earn less on average and probably pay more Tax?You would never buy a house, car or food if you start comparing prices.
Cunard are just doing their bit to maintain our reputation of 'Rip-off' Britain.
We Brits get excited if a short cruise costs under £699 (which is rare). Under $699 virtually never happens here, even for 4 night cruises.
FYI, the rate I'm booked at is only available to past passengers and "prospect" passengers that have been sent a special mailing. Without the past passenger number or "prospect" number on the mailing, Cunard's (or should I say Princess) reservation system will not approve the rate. Believe me, I've tried it for some friends who are not past passengers and did not receive the mailing.
I'm paying $1174 + port tax ($58 I believe) for a C5 guarantee, and that includes one way air from Atlanta to London, and the transfer from London to Southampton. You can't beat it with a stick!
Ernie
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:That's not the attitude Pam. EVERYTHING in Britain costs more! We also earn less on average and probably pay more Tax?You would never buy a house, car or food if you start comparing prices. Cunard are just doing their bit to maintain our reputation of 'Rip-off' Britain.We Brits get excited if a short cruise costs under £699 (which is rare). Under $699 virtually never happens here, even for 4 night cruises.
quote:Originally posted by desirod7:The QE2 is finally priced appropriately for what is offered. At that fare I can put up with the legendary screw ups that tarnish a wonderful cruise format and passenger complement.
Well said.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:I'm paying $1174 + port tax ($58 I believe) for a C5 guarantee, and that includes one way air from Atlanta to London, and the transfer from London to Southampton.
Wow, do you get to Captain the ship too?
Our £699 is on the UK Cunard public web site, although the US web site says $1,399, for the same grade. We win on this occasion!
Have you been on POA yet, Ernie?
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage: Have you been on POA yet, Ernie?
Yes, just got back yesterday after 10 amazing days in Hawaii. It's just hard to beat Hawaii. The Caribbean and Mexico just don't compare, not even by a longshot. The sheer beauty and magnificent weather is unbeatable, and the people are so great too.
The ship was wonderful and service greatly improved. I'll put together a little review in the coming weeks.
Houses, cars etc Malcolm, are not the same thing, we are paying a premium for living this side of the water, on QE2 I could be occupying the same bed & eating the same food, costing Cunard the same, whatever nationality.... I could buy a wonderful home in the US for the same money as our house here, agreed, but I don't want to, that's my choice, and things are different; not that bed on QE2 though
quote:Originally posted by eroller:Yes, just got back yesterday after 10 amazing days in Hawaii. It's just hard to beat Hawaii. The Caribbean and Mexico just don't compare, not even by a longshot. The sheer beauty and magnificent weather is unbeatable, and the people are so great too.The ship was wonderful and service greatly improved. I'll put together a little review in the coming weeks.Ernie
Beside the fact that Pride of America is somehow unavoidable due to her special status - could you sum up your soon to be written review: Was is it good or not good?
Comparing notes with my cousins in London and Oxford:
What costs less living in Britain is car insurance and health insurance. The awards for damages in civil suits are far less than Americans and lawyers make less money in England.
I have never needed a car in Europe. In America there are few places you can do without one.
You have a national health insurance and a college loan and grant system that Americans do not have.4 years of college can be $100-300,000. Health insurance for a family of 4 is $1200-2500 month in the good 'ol USA. Dont even ask about the costs of a nursing home for a senior.
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Houses, cars etc Malcolm, are not the same thing, we are paying a premium for living this side of the water, on QE2 I could be occupying the same bed & eating the same food, costing Cunard the same, whatever nationality.... I could buy a wonderful home in the US for the same money as our house here, agreed, but I don't want to, that's my choice, and things are different; not that bed on QE2 though Pam
quote:Originally posted by desirod7:Pam,Comparing notes with my cousins in London and Oxford:What costs less living in Britain is car insurance and health insurance. The awards for damages in civil suits are far less than Americans and lawyers make less money in England. I have never needed a car in Europe. In America there are few places you can do without one.You have a national health insurance and a college loan and grant system that Americans do not have.4 years of college can be $100-300,000. Health insurance for a family of 4 is $1200-2500 month in the good 'ol USA. Dont even ask about the costs of a nursing home for a senior.
All very true David. Also, being able to buy a nice home in the US is all relative. The US is a big country, prices fluctuate greatly by region, and what do you consider "nice"? The median price of a home in San Francisco, New York, and Honolulu is close to (or just exceeded) $1M. That is the *median* price ... for nothing special. You can still buy a relatively inexpensive home in many rural areas of the country, if that is where you want to live. To buy anything in the more desirable cities (especially the city centers) is going to cost you $$$.
I imagine the same is true in the UK. Home prices are probably must less expensive in the rural, less populated areas than London for instance.
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:Beside the fact that Pride of America is somehow unavoidable due to her special status - could you sum up your soon to be written review: Was is it good or not good?
In a nutshell, it was an excellent experience. I would return in a heartbeat and have no problem recommending POAM to almost anyone. It was also a very good way to see several Hawaiian islands in great comfort, and in a very short period of time
I even liked "Freestyle" this time. No waits as I had confirmed reservations for every night but one. Can you believe we only ate in the main dining room once the entire cruise? That is a first for me, but I great enjoyed the variety of restaurants.
ps - this is minor, but NCL America still provides unlimited towels poolside. None of this "one towel per person" that has to be returned to the cabin each day.
Travel Insurance is especially cheaper here than in the US.. as said before we are all required to purchase it, so the spread of risk is greater.
But none of this has any bearing on quite why Cunard insist on charging UK citizens or any other nationality more for the same bed as a US citizen. To have such a large differential is not acceptable. $100 or so makes no odds, but a 60% mark up is not doing them any favours..
I don't suppose any US citizen would sail P&O if they were charged 60% more than here in the UK and were not permitted to book through the UK. So why should I sail Cunard under the same conditions. Princess have already been scrubbed from my list of maybes, because of this and even refusing to permit me to purchase a cruise only ex US from the UK. I am not bothered, too many other interesting ships/lines can have my money instead
quote:Originally posted by PamM: I don't suppose any US citizen would sail P&O if they were charged 60% more than here in the UK and were not permitted to book through the UK. So why should I sail Cunard under the same conditions. Princess have already been scrubbed from my list of maybes, because of this and even refusing to permit me to purchase a cruise only ex US from the UK. I am not bothered, too many other interesting ships/lines can have my money instead Pam
I don't blame you Pam. Why should anyone sail on a line where they don't feel treated fairly? Certainly this is a reason you won't catch me on P&O anytime soon. P&O doesn't make it easy for Americans to book, and frankly Americans are not made to feel welcome. Besides that, P&O is grossly overpriced for the product (which is becoming more and more mediocre each day) and minus ORIANIA and AURORA, they have clone ships that can be sailed on with other lines at a lower price (and you don't even have to pay for room service!)
quote:Originally posted by desirod7:What costs less living in Britain is car insurance and health insurance.
Our cars are expensive - often more expensive than identical models in Europe. Our petrol costs much more than yours.
It is difficult to calculate what we actually pay for Health care and hoew it compares in quality. All waged people pay it all of thier lives deducted directly from thier wages along with the tax.
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:You won`t find such an unfair price policy with the 'better' cruise lines - they are expensive irrespective from where you book.
No, I think you will find that all cruise lines have different pricing policies for different markets.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:I don't blame you Pam. Why should anyone sail on a line where they don't feel treated fairly?
I once saw an NCL deal 'Sail of Sales', virtually 2-1. When I phoned up my TA, they said it applied to US residents only. To me this ammounts to racial discrimination.
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