wenlyn

Completely agree.

 

As is demonstrated by comments such as below, whatever the arguments in favour of fixed sittings, it is clear anytime dining is the more desirable option as it is offered to those who pay more.

 

So Carnival have to keep an eye on ensuring their Cunard brand does not suffer from losing customers to its cheaper brands which are offering the more desirable anytime dining for lower cost.

We've only done TA's on Cunard (I'd say we fall at the younger end of their demographic) and we wouldn't pay for the anytime dining option despite our first experience lumbering us with a table mate who refused to speak to us! Others we dined with changed table & then we did too and were so glad as everyone on the new table was lovely. As they have been on every crossing since, its one of the nicest parts of the crossing getting to know people.

Yes its nice meeting people at breakfast & lunch but you don't tend to get to know them the way you do your evening companions and that would be the problem with anytime dining.

There are options and things change but while I see the attraction of tailoring everything to your individual desires I have also learnt there is something to be said for experiencing constraint and that from such restriction can come richer & unexpectedly rewarding experiences that goes for cruise dining times as much as the rest of life.

From Southampton you will be gaining hours not losing ;)

I believe this is usually done overnight on the East to West sailings and not midday.

You are correct Glendale Sou - NY time change is at 2am (my son stayed up most nights to watch it happen!) so dinner gets an hour later every night.

Our first TA was your combo Jack Dawson and it initiated several crossings and raving to our friends & family so I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

wendy

Never participated in the choir but were on board for an NSO crossing & really enjoyed it (although its not the type of thing we'd normally go to on dry land - maybe thats what made it seem special). There were some impromptu "extra" combos & performances too. Met the cello players in the Golden Lion after one of the performances and enjoyed finding out about how the NSO works. I'd definitely recommend doing it if you have the time & money

Although QE is "just a cruise ship", she is one of the four best cruise ships afloat.

The "Grill open deck" unfortunately takes more space than on the QM2. But the access is not restricted, so feel free to explore.

Although the grandeur of the QM2 surpasses everything else at sea, you'll find the theater on the QE simply opulent.

And the nightclub ("Yacht Club") may seem nicer than the Disco on the QM2.

Enjoy!

Thanks for this (also shuffleboards comments) & the link (which just whetted my appetite even more!). It will be fun discovering a new ship.

Now just hoping we get a good table for dinner as that makes such a difference to the holiday & with this being such a long one is even more important

We are booked on the same cruise for our 25th anniversary.][/color]

Congratulations to you too :hearteyes:

 

If you tell me what cruise you will be on, I might be able to give you a hint or two about things to see on land.

 

Sorry I should have said its Q825

- sorry Janet going a little bit earlier & have joined that roll call

Hi

We've done TA crossings on QM2 before but are about to take our first Cunard cruise with stops on QE. Its our honeymoon so we are even more excited than usual.

Some years ago we did a P&O cruise and they gave simple maps & info about the ports, do Cunard do this?

We did our own thing as all the ports were new to us as they will be on this with the exception of Gibralter (& we know which bit we'll be heading to there)

We've never done a tender port on this trip 2 or 3 will be, how does that work?

Are there any major differences in how things are done on QE compared to QM2 and is there anything we should especially seek out (like Homer or the glass lifts)

thanks

wendy

Hi

I think we'll be sailing with you, though we're just in a Balcony so won't be eating with you.

Shorts (reasonable length not the supershort cut offs in fashion atm) & a nice t shirt are ok for lunch.

For dinner a dark suit & a long dress respectively should get you through the gala nights (though I've not done Grills so you may feel you need more variety or up your game!). and the jacket from the suit could be worn on the smart attire nights with a shirt & trousers and a shorter but still fancy dress or skirt/trousers with a sparkly top. If you are happy to eat in the Lido then you'll still be OK in the lunchtime clothes but that would seem a waste of your fare.

If you are spending a few days in the UK before you should be able to arrange your own transport to Southampton without undue stress - unless you get very anxious over planning or have mobility/health issues that limit you. I've only done a cunard excursion in NY and expect we'll wing it at the port stops.

Cell & tablet will be fine

If I think of any I'll post :D

And that $100 as a percentage of your total vacation/holiday cost is?

 

Stuart

Yes but its when you add up the $100 here and the 15% there and just that transfer cost etc they can actually quickly end up costing a 1/4 or so of your holiday cost. Usually though those of us who are aware of such things actually live every day like that (& such careful budgeting is rewarded with being able to take a trip on a Queen or whatever "luxury" we choose). I realise that these days I do have a bit more leeway in being able to say "ok we'll just get a taxi" or "if we have to pay for an extra bag so be it" but old habits die hard & it was taking care of the pennies that got me to this point so I'd never knock anyone trying to do the same :)

Are the commodore-themed cocktails still available in the commodore club, I don’t remember seeing them last time I was onboard?

They were in June

We'll be with you as far as NY and I'm expecting it to be chilly enough for coats all the way across, it'll be windy even down to the Caribbean though the wind will be warmer as you head south (I'd hope!) It may well be wet as well on the crossing & fog is always a possibility though I hope we don't get too much as I like the long ocean views. I'm crossing my fingers for a mild sunny day on the approach to NY because the gulf stream is a wonderful thing but whatever happens it'll be great.

Sorry if thats no real help to you :-)

Does anyone know please, if there is anywhere on the QM2 where I can purchase a helium balloon? Or, anywhere I could get one filled if I bring an uninflated one from home?

Hi

I've never seen helium balloons for sale on board. I don't recall ever seeing a helium balloon on a table or in any display so I'd be doubtful there is anywhere to get one filled but it might be worth a call to ask them.

Otherwise I suppose you could check the small print about what can be brought onboard & bring your own canister to fill the balloon yourself - though it would be hard to keep it a secret from the recipient :D

2019 cruises. I have just this moment booked for May to the Fjords on Queen Victoria.

 

Dusting off my long evening gowns and gloves already :)

 

No doubt I will have many questions so bear with me

 

Jackie

Congratulations! Sounds like you know what you're doing. Plenty of time to ask any questions.

I have a suction hook but they only work on a glazed surface such as tiles etc..

If you are in a balcony/outside cabin you could use it on the window...

Magnetic hooks do work. I've also seen photo's of people fixing a line between 2 in order to hang more but I would think they'd need to be very strong to do that. Have you considered suction hooks? They might work too.

I thought I was being so organised planning which cocktail I would try each night before we boarded and all for naught as they had changed the menu :loudcry: Most of the sweeter variety cocktail have gone - I suppose because stocking fruit purees & hibiscus flowers take up more space & could be seen as an unnecessary cost. Cocktail prices have risen as well :( but as I now drink fewer because fewer appeal it fortunately hasn't negatively affected our bar bill

Was it just because it was Christmas, or do voyagers decorate their doors on Cunard? I know on Carnival many do, all the time.

 

Have y'all cruised TA in late April? Should I assume chilly weather? Layers, of course, but I'm wondering what the weather will or could be. Does fog happen in the middle of the ocean? .

I've never seen doors decorated on Cunard (or P&O come to that)

June is the earliest we have crossed & found it the coolest crossing we'd done. We speculated that it may have been because the sea temperatures were less than in Sept/Oct when they've had all summer to warm up, it's rare on a TA for it not to be windy and so it tends to feel cool on deck most of the crossing. If you're lucky you may get a sunny day in the gulf stream when you can sun bathe! Yes you can get fog in the mid atlantic along with just about every other type of weather. Every crossing we've done has had at least one day when the outside decks were closed due to weather and most have also had a millpond like day. 3 weeks to go! :D

Magnets... Perfect. I'll get some strong ones. The walls and doors are metal?

 

I love the idea of dressing for dinner. But I'm thinking it also means additional luggage. Any tips about this? Also, how does one learn about "Theme Nights?" Is it announced or is it always the same? One review mentioned the Roaring Twenties...

The walls are on deck 4 so I presume yours will be too :)

Theme nights should be on the voyage personaliser closer to the time. I once found a link on here that gave you them as well but I no longer have it. We just nod towards the themes eg a mask for the masquerade ball, headpiece for 20s night, black & white for B&W ball and if its a Cunard ball I believe its black red & gold. I've seen starlight before & been told thats as sparkly as possible but I've never had that on one we've done. As for extra packing with dressing for dinner a tux takes up no more room that any other suit and there are plenty of dresses out there that roll up small & don't crease. If you don't have a vast wardrobe of formal wear (somehow once you get hooked on Cunard you grow one!) you can usually create the effect of one with one plain long dress and a variety of scarves/& other accessories. Or you'll often read of people wearing evening trousers or a long skirt with a variety of fancy tops.

I have no trouble fitting everything into one suitcase & we usually travel on to see friends so need different outfits for normal life there. I always try to minimise shoes which I feel take up space so if I can reduce them to a minimum & build a set of outfits around the footwear I'll have it stops things getting out of hand :')

They also do a 3 stop trip that goes to uptown (central park I think) mid town (maceys) down town (wall st/world trade centre I think) and that might suit you it costs around $10 more than the 1 stop shuttle. Enjoy your trip there's nothing like it.

When boarding the ship and leaving will I have to walk far ? I ask this as I have recently had four Laser Surgeries on my legs and concerned about having to walk a long distance. Oh, and one last question...I will be on deck six can you tell me how close that is to the Restaurant. Thank you and I will really appreciate any information you can give me.

I'd say to board you don't have to walk much further than the length of the ship & unless you arrive at a particularly busy time the longest you have to stand is waiting for the metal detectors. I think but couldn't swear there are wheelchairs available. Getting off in NY is a little further but not much & fewer opportunities to sit. There are escalators at both ports to take you up/down & lifts as well in NY & I presume Southampton. Brittania restaurant is in the aft half of the ship on deck 2/3, lifts nearby. Kings court buffet (and Carinthia Lounge which does lovely snacks & a couple of tempting breakfast options) is most of deck 7. If you can get hold of a Cunard brochure you can study the deck plans (worth doing although you do get a map when you board) You can also get deck plans on line but I find them harder to interpret that way.

We did the shuttle to outside Macy's despite the early start (meet at 7.30am) it was 9 before we were in town. We walked from there to Grand Central Station, The Chrysler building, waited for the library to open at 10 had a look round. walked back to Times square & around the general area including going all through Macy's itself buses to return to the ship left at 2.30 but the first one went at 2 - they just go when full. There is now the option of catching the water taxi from next to the ship across to Wall Street (or I presume any of the other stops) which I would seriously consider in future. Or you could walk across the Brooklyn bridge and water taxi back in the available time. Manhattan is fairly easy to navigate especially if you do your research before hand. Our 2nd TA had the NSO on board which we had been unaware of when booking but it was really good, got chatting to some members in the bar after their performance :-)

There are places aft 6 is probably the best if you want completely unimpeded you can get pictures without windows or barriers I think there's a bit on deck 11 you could get a look over the front without windows. Maybe even on top of 13 but you might get bits of ship in the way...

Other advice, take layers the weather can vary hugely but you can guarantee it'll be windy. Magnets are useful for pinning your daily newsletter & tv guide to the wall, & stronger magnetic hooks provide extra storage if you think you'll need it. You will have a wonderful time, there's nothing like it :-)

smileon

Standard cabins have shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, face soap bar, body soap bar, cotton wool, cotton buds and shower cap (?) I think thats it.

It was Quercus on QM2 in June this year

My husband usually wears a striped collared golf type shirt, Chaps type shirt, with nice trousers for dinner on other lines on smart casual nights, which is much nicer than most people. He thought he would just add a blazer to his normal type of dress. Is that a problem on Cunard?

Thank you

I would say even on an informal night on Cunard most men would wear a formal collared shirt in the dining rooms & bars, many wear ties. The type of shirt you describe would be fine for the evening buffet. With a jacket it may well enable you to get in to the theatre etc but I wouldn't want to promise that. My OH tends to wear his colourful or patterned collared shirts with a jacket but no tie on informal nights. My son who will join us on our next crossing is also taking "proper" shirts not polo shirts, Obviously on formal nights they wear dress shirts & bow ties & a tux/DJ (which my son still needs to buy!) Cunard is a lot dressier than other lines. Oh and if its a jazz cruise dress codes are sometimes slightly more relaxed though most regulars still dress up...

BTW - My "life style" does not require frequent formal or even business dress. "Dressing up" does not come natural. But I like the ambiance of Cunard. It is like going back in time and the dress code makes it possible.

This is true for us as well. I enjoy doing something different to our everyday lives when on holiday. A change is as good as a rest they say & on a Cunard crossing you get a rest as well as a change so return doubly refreshed :)