wenlyn

I'd be surprised if they changed it from midday because that really is the least impactful place for it. I guess officially time changes happen at night but perhaps it's a decision the Captain makes at sea? 

I had hoped to link to "myvoyage" and share the current bar lists with prices but can't access it now I'm off the ship (& wifi was terrible on board so couldn't do it from there) Perhaps someone about to sail may be able to upload. 

I was pleasantly surprised that there hadn't been a massive hike in drinks prices, a broad range of cocktails at 10.50 upwards, Mai tai only 9.50.. Good choice of wine  in the $35-45 range. Beer still around 6.50 a pint

Mareel have taken over the spa. so there is a slightly different colour scheme. I had a treatment but didn't get to go in the pool area, glancing through the door there were rolled towels on the loungers but no signs of people in there. All the jacuzzis on the ship were off limits as they appear to be redoing the resin or something on all of them.

We disembarked this morning. When we got on on the first we had some bottled water and some cans of beer. We brought more water and bottled beer on board in Lanzarote as well. And wine in Madeira. No comment was made when things were scanned as we got on.

I think from Sandancer's comment we were fortunate to get the free LFT, probably because the rules changed while we were on board. Those going now will have to pay in the same way those who got off in Lisbon paid  for theirs as that was already in the small print when we booked/boarded.

I had got LFT's for our party and done the PLF for everyone. Now I need PCR for all and go through the PLF palava  again but don't even know if getting off at ports is going to be an option at this point 😞 It's taken the pre cruise excitement down several notches

14 hours ago, sbcs5390 said:

This is the area we request everytime. Great location, not noisy. Awesome to walk down the hall and onto the aft deck. 

Ooh I hadn't thought about that aspect. Maybe I shouldn't worry then. 

Thanks very much to everyone for the reassurance. I'll let you know how we get on.

13 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

@wenlyn, please pardon this interruption now that several posters have replied to your concerns about deck 6. I'm looking for the dress code and theme schedule for this 1 December 2021 QM2 "Canaries Sailcation" voyage.

 

Would you be so kind as to post which dates are going to be the Gala evenings for your voyage and what the themes (if any) are going to be on those Gala evenings? That information ought to be listed within your day-by-day Calendar in "My Cunard".

 

Thanks in advance if you are able to help me fill in this gap in the QM2 "Dress Code and Theme Schedules for 2021-22" which I've been compiling for the sticky near the top of this forum.

Here you are 

Dress code for your cruise. 
1-Dec-2021 Southampton - Smart Attire 

2-Dec 2021 At Sea – Gala Evening Black & White 

3-Dec 2021 At Sea – Smart Attire 

4-Dec 2021 Lisbon, Portugal – Smart Attire 

5-Dec 2021 At Sea – Smart Attire 

6-Dec 2021 Fuerteventura, Canary Islands – Gala Evening Roaring 20’s 

7-Dec 2021 Lanzarote, Canary Islands – Smart Attire 

8-Dec 2021 Tenerife, Canary Islands – Smart Attire 

9-Dec 2021 Funchal, Madeira – Smart Attire 

10-Dec 2021 At Sea – Smart Attire 

11-Dec 2021 At Sea – Gala Evening Red & Gold 

12-Dec 2021 At Sea – Smart Attire 

13-Dec 2021 Southampton 
 

Thanks for the reassurance.  I really hope it'll be OK

Hi All

We are due to sail on 1/12 and I have just printed my luggage tags and discovered we are nor where we thought we'd be. We had said our preferred cabin is 4018 when we were booking we were told that during the payment process that grade of cabin had sold out and we'd be the next band up. We said so long as we were on deck o 4 or 5 we'd be happy.

Today I find we are in 6250. My husband is very sensitive to noise and I fear our much looked forward to trip will be ruined - we booked because he really needs to unwind. I'm concerned that this will mean he will just be constantly irritated and stressed due to people walking/running over head. 

Does anyone have a first hand account of a deck 6 cabin? I've tried to find a review of one but failed.

What are my chances of getting moved? This is a charter cruise with a TA should I contact them or Cunard do you think?

On 11/6/2021 at 9:40 PM, Lesanne said:

Updated Cunard port entry list as of 3rd November

 

 

CUNARD-A-Z-destination-entry-requirements.pdf 2.15 MB · 16 downloads

Thank you for posting this. I'd just been reading the FCO advice but your post is much more concise. The only thing I'd like to know now is do we have to do PLF's for each county we enter? (I know we have to do one for coming back into the UK) or is there some mass form submitted by the ship to the port? 

Our QM2 booking for 1st Dec gave the option of 5.30 first sitting and an 'anytime dining ' option from 7.30 in place of a 2nd sitting 😞

16 hours ago, frankp01 said:

All of the above are fine. I just want to be kept informed, rather than have to hunt around on the website, myself, and possibly miss something that then causes us to get turned away at the pier. That's my only concern.

I can understand your concern - the responsibility for travelling companions happiness can weigh heavy.

I'm not sure the pre sailing update would come through with enough time to implement a full vaccine course so for peace of mind I would email Cunard with the details of all the steps you've taken so far and what you understand the requirements to be and ask if you've missed anything. Hopefully that will prompt them to reply to you reassuring you and giving you a heads up on anything you may need to be aware of or alert you to changes that may come.

Does anyone have any experience of sailing on a chartered Cunard ship? We didn't realise that's what it was until we had almost booked it so we'd be interested to know what if any difference it might make to the experience. Though tbf I will be extremely happy just to be on board once again. 🙂

I don't have a definitive answer but we booked at the weekend and when I asked if they needed our Cunard numbers and they said no "because it isn't being run by Cunard so you don't get any of those benefits but you will still get your nights" I hope to get more clarification soon

I've never been to the Caribbean but I've done a few QM2 TA the first before the refit that took out the lobby elevators and the rest since then and I've always found it enjoyable and elegant. There will be rust spots in places although the crew is constantly working to repaint them - but given her trademark atlantic crossings it's to be expected and I've never found it detracts from the overall glamour.

The food is generally good although your personal preferences and tastes may be different to mine. Toast in the MDR at breakfast is never as good as freshly toasting it yourself in the buffet. 🙂 

Leaving NY is stunning and arriving (although on TA's it's ridiculously early) should be experienced at least once, if only so you can think of those who travelled that way in search of a new life as well as the wealthy elite whose journey was so different. I've written a few reviews of our experiences on CC 

The insight lectures are really good, to the point you can find yourself sucked into attending ones you initially felt wouldn't appeal. We don't go to the shows so I can't comment but the ambience in the bars and live music around the ship does make you feel as if you are doing something special. The crossings allow you to make the journey whatever you want it to be. We've only done one port stop on QM2 and that was Halifax NS and that all went well so I'm sure they will be equally enjoyable in the Caribbean.

Stratford is nice.if you've not been, as is Tewkesbury. Another option would be Stamford/Oakham/Rutland water area which would leave you with a sub 3 hour journey to port 

On 3/15/2021 at 7:24 PM, ace2542 said:

But not during disembarkation? Or tendering? Or excursion prep time?

Sorry for delayed response. No because if protocols had been followed you'd know if there was any contagion around by then. 🙂 

I'd sail if the price was right. I'd happily take a rapid test pre boarding and another after being onboard for 4-5 days. I wouldn't want mandatory mask wearing on board except perhaps while boarding & during muster. Happy to be served in the buffet and to have spaces in the theatre. (I've been vaccinated & will have had my second by then) 

26 minutes ago, ClipperinSFO said:

 

".  He had a valid point (as he often does), so the next day I switched our booking to an EB QM2 sailing NY to SH: Real liner, big ocean, so on my birthday dinner we will be in black tie in the Verandah mid-Atlantic. Perfection. Fingers crossed it actually goes ahead.

 

So with apologies and no offense intended to all the fans of QE and QV and the cruises they make, I guess we are just hard core TA people.  However, If (when?) once we're both retired with a bit more time and we do opt for a cruise, it would definitely be on Cunard.  

That sounds like a perfectly lovely way to spend your birthday. I too think/hope that retirement will bring more opportunities for a wider range of Cunard offerings

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

Wouldnt worry about onboard prices for drinks or packages or wi-fi because I have no doubt that by the time they sail again  they will have increased in prices.

I think you're quite right. By the time things resume and with the likely need to reduce passenger numbers yet still attract people to book, the upfront cost will rise but not enough for them to make the profit they need so I suspect every on board cost will rocket 😞 

Nice to see the old layouts. Late 2013 was the year we first sailed on her too. This is the first year since then it looks like we won't get a Cunard trip 😞 

We did a June B2B (My now husband proposed as we sailed away 😊) The weather was OK but not brilliant. I've had warmer weather on an October crossing! The Atlantic is that unpredictable.  That said there were a couple of days nice enough to open the Boardwalk cafe and that was the first (only) time we've known that on a TA.

With regard to the other part of your question we all can only live our individual lives and as an individual its not within your remit to solve all the problems. While you can perhaps feel guilt over the amount of pollution and waste your chosen cruise might generate people have been dying, unemployed, and in distress for every day of your life and will be long after we're gone. Given none of us know what tomorrow will bring do what brings you joy and be kind to those who cross your, path thats the best anyone can do 🙂

You won't feel out of place on Cunard if you dress up but if you are unwilling to observe the dress code you shouldn't book with this line. The people on board are not stuffy or formal but they do wear lovely clothes - not necessarily expensive but chosen with care and consideration for the ambience and out of respect for their fellow travellers. 

Formal clothes needn't be uncomfortable although my husband does sometimes find he feels slightly overheated in the evenings in his jackets. You only have to wear a tie on gala nights and while lots of ladies do wear long dresses not everyone does as there are plenty of dressy trousers & cocktail dresses in evidence too.

There are places around the ship where the dress code doesn't apply in the evenings (although denim jeans remain off limits after 6pm anywhere) and if you are content to enjoy yourself in those locations then there would be no problem but I feel you would miss out on much of what makes the line so special.

If you care what people think and make an effort to fit in you will have a brilliant time  if you are interested only in pleasing yourself & enjoying your holiday you will no doubt make the most of it but impinge on the ability of others to enjoy their trip.

We will cruise again as soon as we can so long as whats on offer resembles a crossing/cruise as we know it and costs no more than we feel it's worth.

It might be a deadly disease but I run a risk of death or injury driving to the port and I don't feel inclined to greatly restrict my activities to avoid/delay one of the few certainties we are born with. That said I am happy to take steps to ensure my hands are always being washed and I remain aware of myself & my environment to minimise potential exposure - I'd happily retreat to my cabin if I felt I was being exposed to risks that I deemed unacceptable, but ultimately I feel life is to be lived as fully as one chooses and accept that may make it shorter