How does Cunard compare with DCL?

[fredandkell]

Considering taking a 2-day repositioning cruise with Cunard (Southampton/London to Hamburg) next summer as a way to "force ourselves to relax" in Europe and avoid land-based sightseeing overload on a 2-week land-based trip (that is, unless DCL comes out with something wonderful/affordable for their summer 2020 itineraries). Just wondering what to expect. It will be myself, DH, and 2 kids, ages 10 and 13. I have heard Cunard is pretty fancy, but is that mainly for the traditional transatlantic sailings as opposed to a 2-day? I mean, surely we won't have to pack a tuxedo or whatnot for that kind of sailing? We probably would not be using the kids' clubs or many of the "extras" for such a short sailing, just hang around the pool, but I am wondering about their nightly shows - will kids like them, etc.? Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Considering taking a 2-day repositioning cruise with Cunard (Southampton/London to Hamburg) next summer as a way to "force ourselves to relax" in Europe and avoid land-based sightseeing overload on a 2-week land-based trip (that is, unless DCL comes out with something wonderful/affordable for their summer 2020 itineraries). Just wondering what to expect. It will be myself, DH, and 2 kids, ages 10 and 13. I have heard Cunard is pretty fancy, but is that mainly for the traditional transatlantic sailings as opposed to a 2-day? I mean, surely we won't have to pack a tuxedo or whatnot for that kind of sailing? We probably would not be using the kids' clubs or many of the "extras" for such a short sailing, just hang around the pool, but I am wondering about their nightly shows - will kids like them, etc.? Thanks!

I would expect that the typical "dress for dinner" concept would be on ANY Cunard cruise, regardless of length. I haven't cruised Cunard, yet, but would expect a much more sedate atmosphere, and I'm not sure about kid's clubs (if they even have them).

 

[Capt_BJ]

short answer

Cunard requires a jacket at dinner on 'informal' and a dark suit plus on formal

or you are restricted in your movement around the ship

did a cruise from Hamburg to NYC with the stop in Southampton. I don't recall a formal night on the Hamburg to SH hop .... but jackets were still required.

shows for kids? NOT

 

[fredandkell]

short answer

Cunard requires a jacket at dinner on 'informal' and a dark suit plus on formal

or you are restricted in your movement around the ship

did a cruise from Hamburg to NYC with the stop in Southampton. I don't recall a formal night on the Hamburg to SH hop .... but jackets were still required.

shows for kids? NOT

Would my 10 year old son have to wear a jacket?

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Would my 10 year old son have to wear a jacket?

I found this site helpful for dress codes (with photo examples) for Cunard. For children it states: Children under 18 do not have a dress code but should adhere to the daily dress code where possible. https://ask.completecruisesolution.com/help/ext/cunard/life-on-board/dress_code

 

[Capt_BJ]

most of the kids I saw in the dining room were complying with the spirit of the dress code ... for many on QM2 it seemed part of the fun

young men in jackets/blazers at least with the suits and ties and even tux' fairly common and the jr miss' in dresses ... altho as I said the lil Hamburg to Southampton hop didn't have a formal night.

I believe the 'kids club' did provide a dinner time alternative too ....

 

[aggiedog]

Try asking in the Cunard section of CruiseCritic

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/32-cunard-line/

 

[fredandkell]

So I called Cunard and they said that on a 2-nighter, one night is "regular" (which is still a coat for a man) and one night is "formal" (which is a suit for a man). Not sure if this cruise will meet our needs, then, as we are a "one carry on per person" type of family and while women are easier to pack a more formal dress that can squish up in a suitcase without wrinkling and also be worn during other parts of the land-based trip, not sure how DH would transport a suit and he certainly wouldn't be wearing it at other times on the trip. I know he can rent a tux on board but that is like $100 so I may have to go back to the drawing board on this one!

 

[RAD]

DW and I were thinking about trying Cunard for a British Isle cruise so I started to do some browsing. What made us say no was the dress codes for dinner, a cruise is a vacation, having to wear a suit or coat to dinner I may as well be going to work.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DW and I were thinking about trying Cunard for a British Isle cruise so I started to do some browsing. What made us say no was the dress codes for dinner, a cruise is a vacation, having to wear a suit or coat to dinner I may as well be going to work.

On the other hand, there are those of us who think dressing up is part of the fun of cruising.

 

[LNMom]

I have a 9 and 12 yo (and a 4yo). Why not just add 2 days to one city you're visiting and slow down without the added hassle of packing and moving the family? I know the temptation to fit one quick jaunt in well. We are in spain this summer for two weeks. I wanted to hop over to Morocco for a day because otherwise we will have 6 days in Madrid, then I thought about how nice it will be to just settle in and slow down. So no Morocco this summer.
And the highlight of our month in Italy, from my kids perspective, is the 7 days we spent at a villa in Tuscany where we did 4day trip and just hung out by the pool the rest of the time.

I agree with you that slowing down is just as precious as touring a new city.

 

[fredandkell]

I have a 9 and 12 yo (and a 4yo). Why not just add 2 days to one city you're visiting and slow down without the added hassle of packing and moving the family? I know the temptation to fit one quick jaunt in well. We are in spain this summer for two weeks. I wanted to hop over to Morocco for a day because otherwise we will have 6 days in Madrid, then I thought about how nice it will be to just settle in and slow down. So no Morocco this summer.
And the highlight of our month in Italy, from my kids perspective, is the 7 days we spent at a villa in Tuscany where we did 4day trip and just hung out by the pool the rest of the time.

I agree with you that slowing down is just as precious as touring a new city.

I agree with you in theory. In practice I know myself too well (“I’m bored just sitting here relaxing, hey Luxembourg is only a 3 hour train ride away, let’s go!”).

We actually did decide to book the Cunard cruise. In addition to forced relaxation it serves the dual purpose of getting us from England to Germany to continue our land adventures. I’ll make sure to reply back here afterwards!