Cruises, Cruise Deals & Cruise Holidays

Thank You for your comments As stated in my review I have instigated Court Proceedings against Carnival plc I would be grateful if you would correspond with me re your experiences in the Kings Court Buffet Area It would be realy helpful to demonstrate continuity of poor public health hygiene on the following cruise to the one that I travelled on Please make a comment if you are willing to discuss this matter, if so I will post my email address for your attention

My experiences were pretty much as stated above and in my own review of around 25th Feb 2008. I really must say that the overall cleanliness of the ship was pretty good. Although the crew were not as attentive to the toilets as they are on Princess. On one occasion in particular, someone had had a major "accident" in the toilet next to the buffet - it was a considerable time before it was attended to. I also noticed that the timed inspection sheets on the walls of the toilets were often hours unchecked. On our return in January I wrote several letters of complaint marked P&C to the President of Cunard. Eventually after insisting that my complaint be at least acknowleged by the President herself, not some underling, as it had been addressed to her personally, she did reply. My comments and constructive suggestions seemed to be of no interest to her. Her letter was one purely of "head in Sand" defence with the usual " We are Cunard, with over 100 years experience we know best" - I'm sure old F W Woolworth would be turning in his grave hearing of such an arrogant attitude from a so called business manager. In her reply, she offered me the huge sum of £100 each off a future cruise - I was astounded - the opportunity was too good to miss - I immediately rushed to the telephone to book another Cunard voyage - before she changed her mind!

Thank You for your comments The Maitre'de did his best to help us but unfortunatly he could not satisfy the demand from 140 people who had been over booked by Cunard Line for second seating dinner For your information my wife and I formed an excellent relationship with the Maitre 'De who actually lives in the West Yorkshire Town of Brighouse which is about eight miles from my home As you can imagine he and I had much in common and got on well May I suggest that you limit any future comments to factual issues and not what you may perceive to have taken place

Thank you for your suggestion but I was under the impression I had been factual by looking at a similar period of reviews and commenting on them. You had not mentioned your relationship with the Maitre 'd in your main review, hence I was, in your words, attempting ...'to assist other cruise passengers who may encounter similar problems'. I will just reiterate for the record. I have every sympathy with you over the 'second sitting' dining issue. I personally place great store in my cruise dining arrangements. Had I been in possession of written confirmation to that effect I would not have let the matter rest either. I am sure, though, that both of us are aware that all cruise lines operating two sitting dining have their get out clause: Cunard's appears in paragraph 5 of 'Booking your Holiday. Happier cruising in futuer.Richard

As you well know Richard, I disagree with your many of your thoughts regarding QM2. Regarding your comments ref: Hoyland review, you are incorrect. My own review dated 25th February 08 regarding our voyage in January 08 " The Three Queens" similarly awarded only ONE STAR. - and strangely enough to date there has been not even one comment to disagree with me!?? CUNARD - "WE'RE NOT AS GOOD AS WE THINK WE ARE!"

I did say I checked through other reviews, quote " Throughout the post cruise period of January 2008 " which were numerous. Sorry I didn't broaden my parameters and I hope you will not now accuse me of being 'selective' in my research. I do, of course, empathise with you on a number of your comments, particularly regarding the Brittania Restaurant and smoking. I guess we will both remain on opposite sides of the Cunard debate though: each to their own view. Neverthe ess, I enjoy your inputs and maybe our paths will cross when I migrate back to P&O for a few cruises in 2009. Regards and happy cruising. Richard

Thank You for your advice on coughs and colds. The responsibilities of manageing the companys of which I am a director preclude me from taking holidays other than during the Christmas and New Year periods I have responsibilities to my work force Unfortunatly my wife does not enjoy the best of health, she suffers from chrones disease and has a leaking blood vessel o the right side of the brain I think you will agree that everybody needs a holiday at least once per year If we did not go away in December we would not have a holiday and something to look forward to The issues recorded in my review relate to the Cunard Line failing to implement basic cruise industry public hygiene arrangements even though they were fully aware of an acute respiratory infection that had infected a considerable number of individuals on board