Csardas

Only 2 or 3 days.

No, I phoned Cunard and asked about the increase to PG, based on our booking date. So extortionate that I didn't even ask about QG, so while it wasn't tuppence ha'penny of a bid, it still meant that we're getting an experience we couldn't/wouldn't have paid at time of booking. Looking on this as a special celebration of our 40th wedding anniversary in September.

On 6/19/2023 at 11:24 PM, BigMac1953 said:

A wee story that might be relevant: 

 

Some years ago, when our two children were at (private) schools, where the fees were extortionate, we sacrificed big holidays to pay the fees.

 

My parents insisted that we go on holiday with them on several occasions. To Orlando. To Lago Maggiore. And for the third time my father decided we should all return to the Italian lakes. As, once again, he was proposing that we all went to a rather up market hotel at his expense, I declined the generous offer. We were returning from watching a football match.

 

My father was quite indignant. He told me in no uncertain terms, that it was his money and that he could spend it how he pleased and that anyway, he did not know how many holidays he had left and that was what he wanted to do.

 

I arrived home and explained this to my wife and asked her how do you answer that?

 

So, we went back to Italy for two weeks and had a marvelous time.

 

A couple of years later, our two left school and wanted to go on holiday by themselves.

 

For the first time, we had the oppertinity of going on holiday by ourselves.

 

The QE2 had been on my bucket list, so I booked it. My wife was horrified. She told me that she didn't have any clothes to wear. She did. We went.

 

Out TA advised us to book a P1. We really enjoyed it and subsequently booked a QG trip for the following year. Our worst mistake. It's been QG ever since. My bank manager is convinced we're buying the ship.

 

Scroll forward to autumn 2008.

 

I asked my mother what she would like for Christmas. Jokingly. she replied that she would like something expensive. I had a plan.

 

A few weeks later, I asked again and this time she asked if I could paint a watercolour. I agreed.

 

I got out my paints and found an interesting picture on the internet of the Queen Victoria with the QE2 in the background. I sketched it then painted it. It was then framed.

 

My parents were due at our house early on Christmas morning. Around 8:00am in fact.

 

At lunchtime on Christmas eve, out daughter phoned from Edinburgh, where she attended the university. She was about to return home. She told us that her German penpal, Linda was in Edinburgh working, along with her friend Alice and that they did not have enough money to get back to Nurenburg, so could they please come and have Christmas with us.

 

Okay, we said.

 

But there's just one problem. Oh? Linda  is a vegetarian.

 

My wife had to dash to the shops, buy two more presents and a basket full of vegetables.

 

Christmas morning, we were all up and ready well before 8:00am.

 

We did the prezzy thing when my parents arrived.

 

I primed the kids that if there was mention of a DVD they must all demand to see it immediately.

 

The last present was ours to my parents and my mother opened it.

 

It was my framed watercolour. I had attached the DVD to the back and if played, it would show how near my painting was to the real thing.

 

The kids all shouted that we should play the DVD

 

My mother took out the DVD, but it was wrapped in a sheet of paper.

 

She asked what it was and I told her to read it.

 

Certain bits were yellow highlighted.

 

"It states booking" form she said. "Read on" I told her. "But that's our names" she said.

 

"You're going on a two week cruise around the Mediteranean"

 

From under the sofa, I produced the Cunard brochure and showed my parents all the different categories. She thought they all looked great. I explained that they were not going in any of these (so far). "You're going Queens Grill with us".

 

We did. It was a great holiday.

 

It was my Dad's last.

 

 

Late seeing this but loved your post. Wonderful that you were able to treat your parents as they had treated you in the past. Luckily it was in time for your Dad to enjoy.  

Were offered to bid for Britannia Club, Princess Grill or Queen's Grill from a Balcony. The price had come down a little since we booked so, for a laugh, put in the minimum bid for Q's Grill and got it!! Super excited now.

I’d love to do this one but it’s in term time. I did suggest to my boss that she should send me as part of my CPD but she didn’t take me up on that…..

Me too. As per my original thoughts that the butler could hang up dresses and I’ll see to the rest.

Hi.

1st time in QG, on QV. What are the sort of tasks that people ask of their butler or that the butler would view as the norm?

Would it be ok to ask the butler to unpack just the dresses that need to be hung up? (I’ll definitely manage the underwear myself!)
We’re not travelling with others so don’t expect to be hosting a cocktail party but my husband does make a good French Martini. Is there a cocktail shaker on the bar area or would the butler source one for us?
 

TIA

What’s the minimum sum over the minimum bid that’s been successful?

A week to go and all 3 show as pending. When did anyone else find out, successful or not?

Can you buy the drinks package on board, on day 2? We’ve always had the Classic included so we’re planning to order what we have in the past and see how much that comes to before committing to a package.

4 hours ago, Britboys said:

Yes and no. Depends on the grade of cabin you book. Britannia is the standard mdr and if you are in a slightly more expensive cabin, you are in Britannia Club, the upper level of the Britannia. Mostly the same menu but the surroundings are a bit more intimate and you can eat any time during meal service.

Only the Club Dining room is different-the Balcony cabins are exactly the same.

Hi,

We're 4 adults, returning (hopefully) from the Ventura 5 day New Year cruise and need a taxi to Gatwick. Does anyone have any recommendations/warnings??

The train is not possible as we will have my 80+ ages parents with me. My children have done the train and said there is very little time to get on/off and certainly not doable with the oldies.

We’re looking at an October Greek Island cruise with RC and as this would be our first cruise with this line, I wondered if Celebrity points are carried over?

Thanks for any replies!

1 hour ago, Pear Carr said:

Polo shirts in Britannia for dinner? Lowering the tone?😬

A polo shirt is just a jumped up t-shirt!

2 hours ago, tacticalbanjo said:

I was talking with my husband last night about how we both prefer a lot of things about the smaller ships (easier to navigate, better Commodore Club, better buffet layout, Gin and Fizz bar) but there's just something about the QM2 that makes it our favourite ship. I don't know whether it is the lavish public spaces, the atmosphere or the fact that when we sail on her we tend to pick TAs and have time to completely relax.

 

We're on QE next month and I'm absolutely itching to be back on board even if we have to wear masks and can't get off without going on an arranged excursion. But a big part of me is disappointed that I don't have chance to do one last childless hurrah on QM2 before my baby arrives in January and holidays become something very different.

Have a lovely cruise next month and all best wishes for your lovely arrival in January.

9 hours ago, showingdiva said:

Brought up at sea, worked on many cruise ships belonging to multiple lines, including QE / QV and cruised as a passenger on various ships, the first time I saw QM2 in the flesh in Southampton, she took my breath away.   I quite agree how a lump of metal can evoke so much emotion.   That first moment stepping aboard her is like no other.

 

I cannot say that I find walking around her further or time consuming than any other, despite some of her quirks.

 

I've co-incidentally worked multiple times on Oceana ships, especially Marina and Nautica.   What was so awful about Riviera?

We just didn't enjoy the cruise much. It's a bit too glitzy for me - prefer Cunard's style-and there were just a series of things(too trivial perhaps for this forum) that made us feel that it was the emperor's new clothes without actual quality.

Just now, PORT ROYAL said:

May one ask the ship’s name?

Oceania's Riviera.

2 minutes ago, Camgirl said:

We started with QV and QE, just like you, Csardas. We have only been on QM2 once. Our second QM2 cruise has been cancelled twice and is now looking a tiny bit more hopeful for this December.

 

My favourite ship is still QV. I get the hug and feeling of being home when I board her.

 

However, QM2 is a beautiful ship, and we loved being on her. I agree with all the points Carlmm made. The layout is complicated compared with QV and QE. We didn't get on with the layout of the buffet at all. But, we still loved the ship and can't wait to be back on board. QV might have my heart, but QM2 is a lovely ship and I think you would have a wonderful time on board her. I would leap at the chance to be aboard a beautiful Cunard ship taking, what sounds like, a fabulous cruise. Go for it, I'm sure you will have a great time!

I also get that feeling on QV, my favorite to date. It's funny how a huge lump of metal can make you feel so strongly. Conversely, my least favourite cruise and cruise ship made my heart sink every time it was time to board after being ashore.

2 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Those things are still very much in evidence on QM2, she is more difficult to find your way round but the public rooms are very impressive.

I watched some Youtube videos and the public rooms do look lovely!

Thanks to everyone for your input-the deed is done and I've just booked for 2 weeks next July! All of your comments were helpful, including mentioning the amount of walking. Given that our daughter gets married in mid August, some extra walking can only help offset the delicious food.

So happy to have a Cunard cruise booked...

41 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

I'm not a massive fan of the sheltered balconies on QM2 but I will put up with them to sail on her !

@Csardas what do you like about the smaller ships ?

I love the ambience, everyone getting dressed for dinner...everything really!

Hello all!

We've cruised on QV and QE and loved them both but we're looking at July '22 and a Mediterranean cruise on QM2. (I teach and am effectively limited to July and, as we live in Scotland, I don't like to take a chance on the weather so  QV and QE alternatives are out.)

I've read plenty of posts which cite their favourite ship but it would be good to get feedback from people like me who started on QV/QE and then tried QM2. The size doesn't bother me. All and any comments welcome, even negative!

Cunard

54 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

Mostly, we take the Caledonian Sleeper from Glasgow.

 

We always have champagne with cheese and biscuits for a late night supper. At EUS we are met with our driver (after showering) and he gets us to the docks around 11:30 am. Usually, we're on board around midday.

 

It's a much more relaxed start to the holiday.

 

We've driven twice (in less than 6 hours) and stayed in Soton , but the train is hard to beat.

 

Stewart

 

Agree, but as it's only a 4 nighter we're turning it into a road trip, there and back.

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

The Old Swan at Minster Lovell, near Oxford. I have never stayed there, but the village is peaceful and delightful, and, if you are old enough to remember him, it is apparently where Harold and Mary Wilson spent their honeymoon.

Sadly, I am...