Christmas 2009

Helen! Long time no see! Hope you decide to join us

Time for me to say arrivederci my cruising friends, I am returning to Roma. I will keep in contact though and continue to pop on here as time allows. I promise to be on more regularly beginning next summer.

Ciao my friends!

Ciao Giovani - don't forget us!

We're getting ready to book soon - yes me king of the last minute bookings. Slightly different circumstances are allowing for us to book sooner than normal. So here's my question - what categories is everyone booking? And, if you're going to be in Britannia are you selecting main or late dining?

Awwww....you mean no Patrick drama? No scenario that the ship is booked up and yet somehow, some way - always - someone cancels at the last minute and you somehow end up with a better cabin than anyone else?!? But, if you're taking advantage of the Free Air deal, I can't say that I blame you!

Don't know if we're doing Queen's, Princess or maybe even Britannia for Christmas 2009. My parents are giving heavy consideration to the 2010 World Cruise and, if they book, they're going to attempt to keep the same cabin since the World Cruise begins the same day we return to NYC for our Christmas cruise.

Will keep you updated.

I'm going to be taking advantage of the Free Air and Pre-Cruise deal. That's a huge help and very generous I might add!

Foolishly, I booked direct with Cunard UK and they won't transfer the reservation. I can't take advantage of the deal.

PaddyGoesCruising wrote:

Ciao Giovani - don't forget us!

We're getting ready to book soon - yes me king of the last minute bookings. Slightly different circumstances are allowing for us to book sooner than normal. So here's my question - what categories is everyone booking? And, if you're going to be in Britannia are you selecting main or late dining?

Patrick, we're probably be in Britannia, don't think we'll upgrade to a grill for this sailing. You and your parents are more than welcome to join us if you'd like late sitting.

English Todd wrote:

Foolishly, I booked direct with Cunard UK and they won't transfer the reservation. I can't take advantage of the deal.

Nina, any tips to help prevent this in the future, especially if anyone plans to book on board.

Andy, I've mentioned this before but I think frequent reminders are a good thing

There are only a few ways people can book and still transfer the booking into the group. They are:

1. Booking direct through me Nina@ambiancetc.com or 001 616-405-6950

2. Booking directly with the Cunard US office: 1-800-7CUNARD

3. Booking onboard making sure to state that your travel agent is in the US and you want to be booked in the US system. Also, making sure to give my agency name Ambiance Travel and phone number: 616-405-6950

I CAN NOT transfer the booking if you do the following:

*Book with any other travel agency

*Book direct with Cunard in any country other than the US (They are very strict about this)

*Book onboard into any system but the US system.

Hope that helps everyone avoid confusion in the future

Nina a suggestion, if I may - make sure to have plenty of business cards with you and give them out during our first meeting or meetings on-board with all the necessary information for booking on board.

Should I start a list of who's eating where and if it's Britannia main or late?

Great idea Nick! I usually have cards made up that I give everyone with my onboard "work" hours and cabin number and it would be easy to add that to it.

Can I ask what advantages there to booking on-board. On the mainstream lines it's usually reduced deposit or on-board credit, once in a while both. What's the benefit with Cunard?

Cunard usually offers on-board credit and reduced deposit. I haven't booked on board in a while but, it's usually a worthwhile endeavor.

So, who else is going to book during October to take advantage of the free air or OBC deal?

Nigel wrote:

Should I start a list of who's eating where and if it's Britannia main or late?

That would be very helpful!

Now how did this get way down here? Only 445 days before we board QM2 for Christmas!

Guess everyone got side-tracked with the shopping trip. I noticed 2008 pricing is way down, I wonder if we'll see the same price drops for 2009 - I doubt the economy will be turned around by next Christmas.

If there are price drops I'll be sure to snag them!

2008 pricing is almost half of 2009 pricing, now whether or not we'll see price drops for 2009 will be a wait and see game. I'm with Nick, I have a feeling pricing will drop.

I doubt the pricing in 2009 will be as good as it is for 2008 right now. Wish we could take advantage of it this year, it's killing me, the pricing is great but, other commitments are keeping us home.

Hi all I'm just stopping by to say hello! I know it's been ages since I signed in and, no circumstances still haven't changed enough to be able to book Christmas 2009 but, keeping my hopes up and maybe by early 2009 things will turn around enough that we can change.

Anyhow, how is everyone? I miss you guys!

DAWN! How have you been!!!??? We miss you too, you should come on and post more often, even if you aren't sailing with us. I hope things get better for you soon.

Dawns from NJ wrote:

Hi all I'm just stopping by to say hello! I know it's been ages since I signed in and, no circumstances still haven't changed enough to be able to book Christmas 2009 but, keeping my hopes up and maybe by early 2009 things will turn around enough that we can change.

Anyhow, how is everyone? I miss you guys!

Well hey there stranger! Any chance you can join us for 4th of July? I know things have been rough the past couple of years and we'd sure like to have you back and cruising with us again!

Ok ladies - who else wants to be added to my dance card? You have to admit I'm cuter and younger than the gentlemen hosts on-board