CatsRKool

Hello all, we just debarked QM2 this morning. Indeed we were kept overnight in Tortola and were told by the captain was due to a fault with one of the azipods. We still made it to Amber Cove (lovely port and well organized - take the opportunity to use one of the taxis to go into downtown Puerto Plata which we thoroughly enjoyed). There was substantial vibration several nights in the Britannia dining room (upper) but not clear if this was related to the azipod fault. We were never informed whether it was fixed.

In my humble opinion, Cunard has a much larger issue with overall maintenance: planetarium was not functional this trip, several broken fixtures in the spa and other areas of the ship, and a distinct mildew/sewage smell on deck 9 starboard side which permeated the Commodore Club rendering it from our perspective an undesirable spot and we avoided it. I hope they address some of these issues during the one-month (!) dry dock scheduled for next spring. Don't want to burst anyone's bubble but as we say, "Them's the facts." We won't be rebooking QM2 until we have reports they have addressed the issues on this beautiful ship--she deserves better.

The TA who booked me is a cruise specialist, so I took her advice (which has been excellent in the past), which I assume is based on experience. At least I have a chance on the starboard side ;)

I just reserved A726 for a Feb 2017 Panama Canal cruise to celebrate my 60th. I am so glad this forum exists. Thank you for taking the time to make this post. Any other information regarding the ship would be greatly appreciated.

 

For the Panama cruise going East to West does it matter what side of the ship you are on?

 

I am going on my first cruise this Dec on the Grand Princess, I am hoping I like aft cabins (I have an aft on a Mexico trip). It's a bit unnerving to spend this kind of money not knowing. Live life large I say! I've noticed the best suites get booked fairly quickly.

Hello! Well, I'm not a super experienced cruiser and we will do our first Panama Canal transit in a few months. However, when we booked our East-to-West transit for this coming Feb, our travel agent advised a starboard cabin, as the long run up the West Coast is more interesting than the run from Aruba to the canal. However since you have a wrap around balcony, I imagine you have it covered even though (I believe) you are on the port side.

Maybe more experienced cruisers can weigh in here?

Regardless, we will post pix of A727 (starboard aft corner) when we return in late Feb.

Happy cruising!

Hello Macky2-we are in A727 in Feb for the Panama Canal transit, so presume that's before you go. I will report back here when we return from that. And Mina thanks again for the snaps!!!

Mina, that's amazing! Thanks so much for the posts!!!

We are currently in a726. It is wonderful. Indeed at least 600 sq ft and the balcony wraps fully around with the aft section large enough for a lounger and a table and chairs. There is minimal vibration. Less than we usually experience in aft cabins. Will post pics on our return home in mid oct. If you can get this cabin, grab it.

@Mina thanks a million for posting this. We are in A727 (your cabin's twin on starboard side) for WB Panama transit in early Feb. I was a bit apprehensive but you have set my mind to rest! Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!

L 723 Sq. Footage. TY f-mattox for re-posting those pixs of the Aft. They helped me decide to change my suite for my October Venice Cruise. I had a half dozen phone conversations with Princess on this very subject, the alleged 740 sq. ft. for this Vista Suite, versus the other two next to it, coming in at 511 and 551 sq. ft.

They, Princess finally declared, all the cabins are measured when the work is done and this is the size of the cabin. Well, I believe 740 is incorrect, after seeing these pictures. All 3 are About, the same size. Heck, the PH Suites right next to these are 2500. per cabin more and there 510 sq. ft.

Anyway, I switched to A 727, again BECAUSE I saw these pixs. Its "only" 617 sq. ft. but More Importantly, the Warp Around Deck. You can see where your going , not just what you've passed.

Thanks again for your help. Happy Cruising

We were able to snag A727 on the Island Princess for the westbound Feb 2016 Panama Canal transit. Been digging hard to try and find specs or photos to no avail. Enjoy your cruise! If you are able to take some snaps of the stateroom and post them or give a review of the stateroom that would be super.

Hello. I live in the NY metro area so am very familiar with all the airports. First: avoid JFK if at all possible. Traffic to get there is the most unpredictable of the major metro airports. I expect you will clear customs at the port (Manhattan I assume?). Newark is a very efficient airport and the traffic more predictable. You should be alright on timing for a 12:30 flight. Bravo for visiting NY in September - it's the best month of the year for weather!

Hi Debbie, ask your Travel Agent to do it; won't cost more. That way, you know it's done and you're not messing around when you get on the ship. Won't cost you more with your TA - the price is the price. The dining room sommelier saw quickly we were wine lovers and was opening bottles NOT on the "by the glass" list and working it into our package price. (Bottles of wine are not included in the package, to be clear.). Not guaranteeing this will happen but it was a nice surprise we experienced. And if you don't like a drink or the piña colada is watery, dump it out and ask for another! Have a fab trip.

We were on Celebrity Reflection last month (E Caribbean) and took the Premium Drinks Package. Definitely worth it for us, and we were able to use it both at the Molecular Bar and the Martini Bar. With the Premium Package, if you want something that costs $17/glass, you pay the difference between only (extra $3), but Classic is the full $17. Plus we drank our way through - literally - gallons of bottled water, Pellegrino and cappucino, all covered under Premium. For us, definitely worth it. To give you an idea, on a 7-day transAtlantic with no bev package last year, we spent $1200 on booze, so the ~$900 for the Premium Package for us was a good buy. Would do it again in a heart beat. Take the time and do the math on a cocktail napkin before you buy it, just don't forget about the bottled water and such when you add up what you would spend without a package.

Anyone stayed in A727 or any of the aft balcony cabins on the IP? Looks like there is white space around the cabin/nearby cabins, and wondering what that is. Also...soot an issue?

Be quite careful to leave an absurdly huge amount of time to get from Newark or NYC to the terminal! We were on the May 16th Red Hook departure. Traffic was especially bad that day due to terrible weather (we live in NJ an hour away and allowed four hours in light of the forecast). Respectfully, I don't think SeaFlint is entirely correct: we understand our departure did leave people behind thanks to cancelled flights that morning, and one gentleman quite literally got down on his knees and begged to be let aboard since the boarding bridge had already been retracted. Take no chances...get on board and have a glass of bubbly!