Jack E Dawson

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

Nickjones088, For a QM2 Crossing last May I ordered the European Vase flower arrangement for Dee as Mother's Day fell during the voyage. The flowers were amazing and lasted the entire 7 days. In fact, blooms were still opening on the last day but Customs would not allow her to take them from the ship. We are on a Panama Canal cruise on the QE in August during which Dee's birthday will fall so I ordered them again. I had to call Cunard directly to get the cost ($55) and place the order. I hope they are as beautiful as last time. Hope this helps Jack

The masquerade gala evening is a lot of fun with very little effort. However, quite a few passengers really go all out on their mask creations. About halfway through the evening in the Queens Room there will be a mask review so to speak. The band will play a catchy tune and everyone with a mask will form kind of a conga line on the dance floor and pass before the entertainment host who will judge the masks. No easy task as the mask cover a broad range from highly creative to elegant to satirical to silly. But eventually, one gentleman and one lady are chosen for best mask and each receives a bottle of champagne. It's all a lot of fun. Jack

Host Hattie, I strongly recommend visiting the Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria) tapas/cava bar in Barcelona. We think it is a most exciting and fun place with quite the international reputation. It is right near the port. I have recommended it before on the Cunard Board but can't seem to get any takers. I hope you and Mr. HH will give it a try. Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria) Avinguda Meridiana 71, 08018 Barcelona

Thanks HH, The activities list looks awesome. It also sounds like the new Starlink wifi system is a big improvement. A few of questions please: Did you see any evidence that passengers arriving before their boarding time were being kept out of the building? Is there a planned CC gathering at any point? Does it look like there was any freshing-up of the ship during her brief layup following the WC? Thanks Jack

For me, stepping from the gangway into the hull of the QM2 is definitely a high point of the day. All of the stress, anxiousness and worries of getting to this point suddenly disappear. A weight is lifted from my shoulders in an instant only to be replaced, just as instantly, with a feeling of excitement, adventure and anticipation of what is to come. I've only spent 21 nights on the QM2 but there is this feeling that "we're home". Another high point is when we pop the cork on the bottle of Pol Acker and toast the QM2 and all the people who make it so great. How fortunate am I to have, obviously, an unsophisticated palate the lets me thourghlhy enjoy this this wonderful sparkling wine and enhance the moment. Jack

Having spent 27 years in international sales, I would advise NO. I could only find 1 nonstop flight that might work and its tight. BA 8:00PM - 1:15PM. Since you would be flying west to east you would likely have the jet stream in your favor and likely land 30-45 minutes early. But you would still have to clear customs, gather your luggage and get to your transportation. Not much margin for problems. I definitely would not try a connecting flight, even though they would get you in much earlier. That's just tempting the airline gods too much. Jack

Conan, Have you or your TA contacted Cunard directly? A crossing on the QM2 is an amazing experience, you will NOT be disappointed. I would suggest a west-bound crossing in the May through September time period. Jack Jack

Thank Victoria2, I appreciate the you sharing your experience. However, when I looked at the deck plans, 7070 did not containe the curved portion of the balcony. That was part of the balcony of the cabin next to you. Here is a screen shot from a YouTube video taken from the balcony of 8033. As you can see it looks right onto the balcony of 8035. If one were to stand right at the rail of the balcony you could easily see into the adjacent cabin (8035). Jack

Thanks David, I think we will try to move cabins. Nothing available right now but perhaps something will open up soon. Jack

We will be sailing on the QE in August from LA to Ft. Lauderdale via the Panama Canal. It will be our first time on the QE and on this route. I have a few questions. Is there a preferred side, port or starboard, when passing through the Canal? Also, about how long does it take to traverse the isthmus? I know it will be hot and humid in August but will being on the water make it cooler, especially after sunset? We always bring 6 or so bottles wine/champagne onboard (never a problem) but have only sailed out of Southampton. Will this be an issue boarding in LA? Since we have already made the final payment, is it too late to buy Carnival stock for the OBC benifit? Our current cabin assignment is 8035 which is adjacent to 8033, a cabin that extends out farther than our cabin. On the deck plan it appears that from the balcony of 8033 one would be able to look directly onto our balcony and even into our cabin. Has anyone had any experience with this and is it an issue? We would prefer not to be having breakfast on the balcony and have someone ask if we can please pass the Gray Poupon. Thanks Jack

Please tell me that someone was not wearing a baseball cap to the dining table at dinner. Jack

It looks to me as if the new blades are slightly different in shape but perhaps that's just the camera angle. Jack

I often wonder if anyone from Cunard actually monitors this Board but I couldn't help but notice that the banner ad on the home page is for Cunard which indicates to me that they do think that CC is an important web site. Ditto on the shower curtains. At least finish out the rest of the Britannia Club cabins and make it consistent. I think the Champagne Bar is an underutilize space which is a shame because it has such a great location. Even when Veuve Clicquot sponsored it and had it looking really special, I never saw that many people using it. I would suggest making it into either some other type of specialty drink bar or opening it up into the Chart Room.

Thanks NE John. I looked at #9 but don’t see where they addressed the question about blue jeans, polo’s & runners in PG dining room for breakfast and lunch. It’s probably right there in front of me but not seeing the answer to OP’s original question. Thanks Jack

Just curious, now that you have completed the voyage, how would you answer your own question? I would have assumed that it would be fine but would value your take based on your experience. Thanks Jack

If you wanted to add a second passenger before final payment you might want to cancel and rebook. I believe that as a solo passenger in a balcony cabin you had to pay an up-charge (75-80%???). If you rebooked then both you and the second passenger would pay the normal fare. You, or your TA, should be able to do this pretty easily and even keep your same cabin assignment if you wanted. Not sure how this would best be handled after final payment. In either case, contacting Cunard for clarification would be your best bet. Jack

I found this on the Cunard website under FAQ's. I thought it was interesting that Cunard states that the assigned boarding time is a "guideline only". I think the question assumes that one is arriving by Cunard coach and not just any public coach. Jack