Slowing Down - 2014 Schedule

[andy liney]

I've just been taking a look through the latest brochure and took a look at the transatlantic voyages.  As a result one thing is puzzling me, all the TA voyages are categorised by season (Peak, High, Mid, Low and Winter) and I am at a loss as to why this should continue to be.  This isn't anything new and has been a mechanism for pricing for many, many years, but originally transatlantic rates where set by the North Atlantic Conference (a coming together of the carriers on the service) establishing rates for cargo and passenger travel. 

It is recognised there needs to be a mechanism for applying prices for a scheduled service but who or what establishes these seasonal fluctuations?

Isn't that just the normal application of those terms to holidays, as these are just cruising holidays nowadyas rather than transatlantic crossings per se?

[cunardqueen]

Im sure in the mid 80s l saw the QE2 December Atlantic crossing as the Thrift season or was that Thrift fare...
Given how in later years it became known unoffically as the Winter Crossing club...

[CAP]

Picked up another anomally in the 2014 QM2 schedule.  She returns to Southampton from New York on the 26/11/14 and according to the brochure then departs for the Canaries on the 30/11/14, there is nothing which indicates what she is doing in the intervening time.  As it is only four days it doesn't appear time allocated for a normal refit, but could possibly some other schedule maintenance or even charter.

Anyone have any further insight on this?

[cunardqueen]

  Anyone have any further insight on this?   

Recovery time after her punishing  hectic  schedule..They just dont make em like they used to..

If it is a charter, Just how on earth do you charter a ship and when and how do you start planning ?

[tdickson]

I am to believe she is doing a short voyage from Southampton/Hamburg/Southampton to drop (German Guests) off after her Transatlantic, then collecting more guests for Canaries trip, a similar voyage was on her itinerary the year before last