Topic starter
19/06/2007 8:23 am
I believe that it was on this board that David Simmons is reported as saying that MAL wants the same sort of passenger that would travel on Cunard or the other deluxe cruise lines. I found that very interesting. Now Cunard is even doing its part by taking the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 out of service next year. Maybe a few of the Cunard Old Guard will migrate over to the one of MAL's boats, err...excuse me ships, but I seriously doubt it.
Let's examine what one gets on either a Cunard ship or MAL ship for approximately $4,000.00. That's the rack rate price a person will have to pay to MAL for either a room with berths, with a possibly obstructed view, or an inside room with twin beds that may or may not be able to be put together. You will also have to find someone else equally willing to pay $4,000.00 for a week's cruise to share the room.
For a 6 night transatlantic crossing on the QE2 for that amount the person would be in the Princess Grill. If the person is traveling by themselves the QE2 can accommodate them in a Princess Grill single occupancy room, and they will have money left over to cover the air to or from Europe. If there are two traveling in a Princess Grill stateroom there will still be some money left over from the $8,000.00 double occupancy total fare too. The Princess Grill rooms average approx. 300 square feet in size and all have bath tubs, walk in closets and chest of drawers. Each Princess Grill room also has large portholes. The Princess or Britannia Grill where you will be seated has open dining. The hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are posted; you arrive at the time that suits you best during service hours. It's all very civil. At lunch time the evening meal menu is presented to you, and say there is nothing that suits your fancy, don't worry, order off of the menu. It's that easy. There is no fuss no muss. If it's on the ship the grill chef will prepare it for you.
This is not the most expensive level of accommodations either. Those are the Queens Grill rooms. They are larger rooms with stocked bars, and other ammenities that are offered. Both Princess Grill and Queens Grill passengers have access to the intimate and private Queens Grill Lounge onboard. Of course not everyone can afford a QE2 crossing in one of the Grills. But hey, if you pay that much to ride a MAL ship, you might as well pay that much on Cunard! There are two other categories of rooms that are much less expensive. Passengers dining in either the Mauretania Restaurant or the Caronia Restaurant pay less than $2,000.00 double occupancy. Single occupancy in one of the Caronia single rooms is about $2,200.00, but these rooms truly sell out fast.
Also the days program of events on the QE2 are numerous. There could be a guest lecturer on the history of the transatlantic trade, or a fine Dixieland band playing for lunch in the Golden Lion Pub, or a book signing by a noted author, daily Roman Catholic Mass, afternoon tea, or just finding a teak deck chair, wrapping oneself in a wool steamer rug, and being served "beef tea" by a deck steward. All repeat passengers are invited to the Cunard World Repeat Passengers cocktail party, and if your in the upper level of repeat passengers you will be hosted to a private cocktail party in the Officers' Ward Room while aboard. Alas though there is no kite flying on deck!
I fear that MAL does not have a grasp of the cruise market and what the person paying for a cruise receives for their monies on other lines. This is the first year since 1978 that I have not booked to ride one of the old Delta Queen Steamboat Co.'s boats. I know what my very hard earned money will buy for me on the British flagged QE2, and it's a lot more than what is provided on a MAL ship. That's why I will be riding the QE2 again next year and not a MAL ship. I don't think that many if any of those old Cunard passengers will stay for long, if at all, once what you get for your money is measured out.
19/06/2007 11:09 am
River vesus Ocean or Inn versus Grand Hotel
are the first two ideas that come to mind after I read your posting Frank.
I don't see it as much a quality versus quantity either. It is a difficult comparison because it is an apples to oranges one.
The exception that is being sought for the Delta Queen is because of the ado about the Yarmouth Castle- a ship that was not nearly as grand as any of the steamboats or the QE2. She was an overnight party boat between Florida and the Bahamas. The pictures I saw made her look cheesy.
I suspect if I did research pricing for her and the Delta Queen might have been similar back in 1965 or 1966.
So, while I appreciated reading the comparison, I think MAL may actually gain a few passengers from QE2 even with the quaintness of the boats.
Long live the queens- all of 'em : )
19/06/2007 2:53 pm
Frank, you've offered some very interesting comparisons. Hopefully, MAL hasn't so overpriced themselves that even Cunard looks inexpensive. And, the Cunard ships are more than twice the size.
I was shocked to read of the QE2's retirement. I would think that the ship would have a few more good years in her. However, she is going to a great place. Palm Jumeirah is a fascinating place and a "new wonder" of the world. For a while now, I've been following the development of this, and all of the "Palm" islands. The folks in Dubai certainly have enough money to keep the QE2 well maintained for many years to come.
19/06/2007 3:38 pm
Queen Elizabeth 2 sold for $100,000,000
http://www.pugbus.net/artman/publish/06197002_11_thequeen.shtml
This says it all. Sell to the highest bidder.
19/06/2007 3:59 pm
A good twist on the story. For the confused, make sure to read the disclaimer at the end of the article.
Topic starter
19/06/2007 5:21 pm
[QUOTE=Elaine Santangelo;6175]are the first two ideas that come to mind after I read your posting Frank.
I don't see it as much a quality versus quantity either. It is a difficult comparison because it is an apples to oranges one.
*I'm sorry, MAL's ships and the QE2 are not apples and oranges, or as the British would say, "Chalk and cheese." They are both vacation cruises after the same vacation travelers' dollar. MAL even markets their product as, "ships"! It appears to me as if those running MAL are much more familiar with blue water ships, Infact MAL's president David Giersdorf was rthe number two man at Holland America Lines. Many in the travel industry credit Giersdorf with the founding of Windstar Cruises by Holland America.
The exception that is being sought for the Delta Queen is because of the ado about the Yarmouth Castle- a ship that was not nearly as grand as any of the steamboats or the QE2. She was an overnight party boat between Florida and the Bahamas. The pictures I saw made her look cheesy.*Nothing was stated in my original posting about SOLAS, nor how it effects the QE2 or DQ. I chose not to bring it up as the DQ is hoping for another exemption, and since the QE2 is being sold to Dubai, SOLAS regulations are a moot point at best. But after 2010, as constructed, the QE2 would need a Parliamentary exemption from SOLAS to continue operating as a cruise ship too. Then it would be questionable if other SOLAS countries would allow her to call.
I suspect if I did research pricing for her and the Delta Queen might have been similar back in 1965 or 1966.*Pricing would have been less expensive on the YARMOUTH CASTLE. She was a ship flagged under a flag of convenience. Her bread and butter was operating inexpensive jaunts for Americans to get away to the Bahamas. There is no tie in between Cunard's ships and the YARMOUTH CASTLE.
So, while I appreciated reading the comparison, I think MAL may actually gain a few passengers from QE2 even with the quaintness of the boats.*No, I really don't think so. Of course this is just my personal opinion gained after making 100 cruises on the DQ boats and 9 cruises with Cunard. There is nothing "quaint" about the QE2. I don't think the quaintness of the DQ will appeal to the likes of passengers whom have the money to book a room at an equal fare on on either the MAL ships or QE2. MAL ships just don't provide good value for the dollar. The cross over isn't there now, nor was it in the past when the DQ was a much better product at a competative price.
Long live the queens- all of 'em : )* I agree there 100% including Queen Elizabeth II.