Jack E Dawson

Ah, good questions Bell Boy. Being newbi's we didn't know any better. So the first morning for breakfast when we walked into the Britannia Restaurant and the Maitre'd approached us and asked if he could help we failed to identify ourselves as BC. Instead we asked for a table for 2 by a window and were quickly escorted to one. Since we are late sleepers and usually arrived at the Britannia restaurant between 9:20AM and 9:30AM there was never any problem finding an available table. Of course it was not in the Club seating area. We probably had a different wait staff each morning but always had great service.

Again, if we are fortunate to sail Cunard again the only thing we might change to our dining routine would be TWO pints of London Pride with the Fish&Chips at lunch rather than one.

Harold

My wife and I sailed for the first time this past May on the QM2 in BC and for some reason did not realize that "our" table (which was for 6) was our table for breakfast and lunch as well as dinner. So every morning for breakfast we asked for and received a window table for 2. This was a nice bit of privacy as we got in gear for the upcoming day. The four wonderful people we met a our table for 6 became great new friends but if we are fortunate to sail on Cunard again in BC we would likely do the same. Lunch every day was in the Golden Lion with Fish&Chips and a pint of London Pride.

Harold

Yes, we did upgrade to the premium seats, just $200/person more. Also always enjoy flying the 787 Dreamliner.

Wow, this is great information. Thank you all so much. I've checked out the LGW web site and it is very detailed. Also will be sure to check in before departing ORD.

Again, thank you all.

My apologizes upfront for using this board for a non-Cunard question but I just couldn't think of a more informed group to have the answer.

My wife and I are taking an E-W TA this summer but we are first going to spend some time on the island of Madeira. We fly in from Chicago to LGW, landing at 5:00AM on Norwegian Airlines (South Terminal) and connect to easyJet (North Terminal) for a 7:40AM flight. We have only carryon bags. Here are the questions. What will be the process for clearing customs, getting to the other terminal and clearing security. Is 2 1/2 hours enough time? Are there any additional steps?

We will return back to London a few days before sailing so I'm not worried about reentry to the UK.

Any first hand experience will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Harold

Thank you for putting my feelings into such perfect expressed words.

Harold

The Double Tree is still a Hilton brand. The biggest difference is when you check in now you will be give a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie.

For our 40th anniversary my wife and I took our first and only cruise on the QM2 on a TA this past May. Other than week we was married and the week our first child was born, it was perhaps the most intense week of our lives. The North Atlantic, the QM2, the people, the music, the dancing, the food, the traditions and 7 days just focused on each other was such an amazing time. We are still walking on air. Expect everything.

Harold

Thanks all.

Jammy Bun, at the end of the day I think your first hand experience on both ships is more telling than all of the calculations. It is the actual experience of spaciousness that we are looking for. Thanks for your insight.

Harold

Excellent information.

Thanks all.

Harold

Am booking 2019 Viking River Cruise but feel like the trip insurance is too high. Are there other options for trip insurance besides what Viking offers?

Thanks

Harold

Let me suggest a little more mundane option:

Cunard Coach – My wife and I stayed in London at the Victoria DoubleTree by Hilton and took the Cunard Coach Service to Southampton and it made for a relaxing way to get there. The hotel is two blocks (4-minute walk) from the bus station. Once there Cunard Service took control of our bags all the way to our stateroom. We also felt that if there was heavy traffic or a breakdown, the QM2 crew might grant us a little extra time before departing because we were using a Cunard service. We probably could have saved a little money arranging our own transportation but again, we were looking for a stress free holiday. The cost was $50 per person and we arranged for it at booking. The bus was modern, comfortable and had a spotless bathroom. BTW, there is an amazing fish & chips place called Hardcore Lobster & More one block from the hotel.

Denn1,

Hope you pick up this reply. You mentioned above that you were on a Nov. TA on the QM2. Would be very interested on your experience and how accurate or beneficial my comments/observation were.

Hope you experience was as great as that of my wife's and mine.

Harold (aka Jack)

Thanks for the quick response.

I found the information for the QM2 but did not see anything for Viking.

Harold

My wife and I have been invited by a group of friends to join them for a cruise on the Viking Star in 2018. We took our first cruise on the QM2 in May of this year. One of the many things that really surprised us was how uncrowded the ship felt. I know that the QM2 carries almost 2700 passengers and that the Viking Star carries just shy of 1000 but can anyone tell me what the square footage of common public space (interior and exterior) there is on either ship. Being able to compare the square footage per passenger of common public space would help us make the decision weather to go or not. We've done a lot of googling on this but so far cannot find this information for either ship.

Thanks,

Harold

This year my wife and I took our first cruise on the QM2. One of the many things that really surprised us was how uncrowded the ship felt. Now we are being pressed by some friends to join them on a Viking Ocean cruise. I know that the QM2 carries almost 2700 passengers and that the Viking Star carries just shy of 1000 but can anyone tell me what the square footage of common public space (interior and exterior) there is on both ships. Being able to compare the square footage per passenger of common public space would help us make the decision weather to go or not. We've done a lot of googling on this but so far cannot find this information for either ship.

Thanks,

Harold

Good advice, thanks

Where are the best places to find Viking Ocean Cyber Monday deals?

Harold

Where are the best Cunard Cyber Monday deals to be found?

Thanks Tangoqueen.

My wife and I took our first ever cruise this past May and it was a TA on the QM2 (Lessons learned by a newbie). It so exceeded all of our exceptions. We are now planning a second cruise for 2019 and had only considered either the QM2 or the QV but your posting has us adding the QE to the list.

Harold

Tangoqueen,

Just started reading your post today of your 2016 Canary Island cruise on the QE but it appears you have left us hanging...could not find your posting of the last day and disembarkation. Even checked out your blog but no luck. Is a recap of your last day available. Your writing is excellent and really transports one to the voyage.

Thanks

Harold

The main two lines we are looking at are Amadeus and Viking but we are open. Specifically a 7 night cruise on with the Rhine, Danube or Rhone. I will look at AMA right now.

We were hoping to do our first ever river cruise in Aug/Sept of next year. However, most of the schedules during this time period are SOLD OUT! So we have decided to push our trip back to May/Jun 2019. Surprisingly, most of the major river cruise lines we looked at (such as Viking) aren't yet booking for 2019. Can someone please tell me when 2019 schedules might be posted?

Thanks,

Harold

I'm far from an expert on this but aren't the new Viking ocean cruise ships considered "small"? From what I read they are getting very good reviews but don't know if this foray has been profitable for Viking.

Also, I think that Cunard will replace the QM2 with a true grand ocean liner at the proper point when retirement happens.

Excellent information, thanks.

The picture is much clearer now.

Harold