Jack E Dawson

We are scheduled to pass through the Panama Canal on Thursday. I will post on our progress. Jack

We have not yet settled on the time/place but very much looking forward to meeting them. So far the cruise has been fantastic. Love the ship, Princess Grills and snorkeling in Cabo. Could probably due without tendering in 93 degree heat. Jack

Would be happy to say hello. We are onboard and in Princess. In Cabo today. Did the Sail and Snorkeling excursion. So much fun. Jack

On Tuesday August 22nd we will be boarding the QE to sail from Los Angles to Fort Lauderdale via the Panama Canal, 14 nights. This will be our first time on the QE and our first time on any cruise other than QM2 crossings (3). Through an accepted upgrade bid we will be sailing PG, also a first. I will probably do little or no posting while on the cruise but will submit a review afterwards. I will be more than happy to try and answer any questions, take any pictures or do any research while onboard. Just let me know how I can help. Thanks Jack

Thanks stan01, i had not been following that thread. Jack

I noticed that next year's June and July crossings for the QM2 are 6 nights for westbound and 8 nights for eastbound. Is this something new? Thanks Jack

Gail, We made a crossings (SH-NYC) in September and the weather was varied but generally nice. We enjoyed lounging and walking on the Promenade deck most days and using the outside hot tubes on Deck 8 every day but one when it was cold and rainy. However the wind outside is constant due to the speed of the ship and the west to east moving weather. Would highly recommend bringing a hooded sweatshirt but shorts as well. Here is a link to a North Atlantic weather site that you may find helpful. Hope this helps Jack

moses0, This came up on the Cunard Board a few years ago and if I remember correctly, they actually had to pay more. Of course, a lot has changed in the past few years but rather getting well meaning advice here, you would be better off contacting Cunard/TA sooner rather than later. I would be very interested as to what you find out. Jack

If final payment has already been made I think there may actually be an issue and would recommend that your friends contact Cunard or their TA as soon as possible. Even if it is out side of the final payment date they should still make contact.

The cell phone was invented by Martin Cooper, a Motorola engineer, on April 3, 1973, so they are a little over half a century old. By 1990 there were 11,000,000 users. Although I can't say for sure "for what" Mr. Cooper invented the cell phone, my wife feels the primary purpose is to prove to me that I'm not nearly as smart as I think I am, as in "oh really, let's just goggle that".

Steve4031, In 4 short paragraphs and without even completing your first crossing I think you have provided a ton of valuable and thoughtful information for anyone considering their first Crossing on the QM2. Thanks Jack

I completely agree with you about the fish and chips but EVERYTHING in the Golden Lion Pub is excellent. Try them all. Also agree with you about the ice cream in the MDR. If they have it, the Rum Raisin is over the top good. Jack

Thank you BigMac1953. Was totally unaware of this even though we have traveled in Club previously. We will be boarding the QE in LA on August 22nd and are booked in Club. Curious to see what happens. For sure I will take a screen shot of that page of the Cunard web site and have it on my phone. At the end of the day we are at the mercy of the terminal staff who may or may not know the finer details. Though we have only made 3 voyages on Cunard, I have yet to see any rhyme or reason to the assignment of boarding times. On a Crossing last year we were assigned a 3:00PM boarding time. We are Gold status and traveling in an unobstructed Britannia cabin. Our friends, making their first Cunard voyage and traveling in a Sheltered Cabin were assigned a 1:30PM boarding. Jack

Thanks dides, I do so enjoy the lectures. Jack

Thanks for the excellent reporting steve4031. A couple of questions please: How have the outside temperatures been? Have you had a chance to relax in one of the Promenade deck chairs. In 3 crossings we have seen many pods of porpoise and one whale. What time are the moving the clocks forward, or have they done that yet? Have any of the insight speakers sparked your interest? It was cool here in Chicago today with temps in the 60's. Thanks Jack

As of May of last year they were Chicken Breast, Salmon, Steak and a Cesar Salad with the option of adding any of those 3 items.

You may want to head up to the top of the ship (on top of Deck 13, use stairway A) to see the Statue of Liberty as you sail by then stay there until you pass under the Verrazzano Bridge. Quite specular. The ship just barely squeezes under it with about 15-20 feet to spare. Jack

From a second Chicagoan to another, bon voyage. We have followed your postings on this voyage from the beginning. Now looking forward to hearing all about the adventure. Jack

The water color classes are a lot of fun but please note that they are designed to be a 6 day commitment, 1.5 - 2 hours per day. The instructor will build upon what you learned the previous day. There will be all skill level participants including people like me with NO skill. Still, one of the most enjoyable things I have done on a Crossing. Looking forward to doing it again. I think one of the best surprises for us was how much live music there is on the QM2. There are so many venues and such excellent performers. We also enjoyed exploring the ship. Be sure to leave time to relax in one of the deck chairs on the promanade deck and watch the North Atlantic Ocean go buy. A daily MUST for us. I would advise bringing a light jacket or you can just buy one of the Cunard branded jackets onboard. Don't forget that you can bring your own wine and sprits onboard for cabin consumption. We enjoy a drink while dressing for dinner. You can bring your own wine to the dining room but there will be a corkage fee, $25-$30 i think. Have fun and please post a review. Jack

Thanks NE John for a great review and taking time to share your experience and thoughts. We have a major anniversary coming up in 2026 and have been toying with the idea of a Crossing in Grills. The details you provided will way heavily in our decision. Jack

Thanks. We board 8/22. Jack

Ruthalex, There is usually a Solo Travellers' Get Together each morning at 9:30AM in the Carinthia Lounge. It is also very common for solo travelers to request seating at tables of 6 or 8 ignorer to meet other passengers. Our experience is that Cunard will often put at least 2 solo trailers at these tables. Jack

Worst case scenario, you could bring your own soda onboard then supplement with purchases in the restaurants/bars as needed. If you bring an individual drink thermos for outside on deck or just walking around inside, no one is going to know if you have water or soda in there. If your cruise has stops, that makes it even easier to keep your supply topped off. Jack

Riggy84, have you spoken to Cunard directly about this? Jack

I was under the impression that on the QE (like on the QM2) the Britannia Balcony and Britannia Club cabins were the same size. But when looking at the Cunard website it shows that the Britannia Balcony cabins are 228 sq' while the Britannia Club Balcony cabins are a minimum of 258 sq'. Am I missing something here? Perhaps a typo? Jack