How about yourself, Myles?
Back then
, l always booked the XE (it then became MI) single cabins. i never looked at any other grades , what was important was to get in there first and usually with exact cabin numbers and then usually on decks 4 or 5. Some of the larger singles were down on those decks. there was also that special cabin with the bath. one of those hidden gems, or the outside single with bunk beds and a sloaping floor.
The good thing was that most cabins were a different size or configuration within the same grade.
As for the price, well in the early days you paid the brochure price, then along came the travel agents who undercut and price matched and all that gimmicks. in the latter years l booked with Bolsover Travel and Stefan , he always got what you wanted. and indeed on the farewell tandem he hosted a party in the yacht club for his customers. he was ex QE2 and on that trip was working round the restaurants. Whatever price l paid always for me was great value.
Then along came the new ships and you required a masters degree to figure out a fare.
One thing l did notice was to never discuss how much you had paid, you always met somebody on a late booking who had paid less or been upgraded, or both. and yes there were the odd times you did think if Cunard appreciated your custom. Shoreside l felt you were just a name, on the QE2 you were much more than that , and that was really where it mattered.
