transatlantic fan

Hi Scrapnana,

 

The Empire Casino currently has 17 windows along its length... in two groups.

 

Just perfect for providing those "Ocean View Single" cabins with an ocean view!

 

Just saying, probably wrong as usual!

 

Best wishes.

Don't think they are ocean view but inside singles will also be on deck 13.

Just tried a false booking and inside singles are on deck 13.

The new dates are also now showing on the UK website

Thank You Transatlantic Fan. Regards,Jerry

No problem .

Where did you get this information and then why did they cancel the May transatlantic crossings of the Queen Victoria? Regards,Jerry

As I said the 8 day crossings not selling and I have a friend working onboard also I picked up the phone and asked.

Qm2 8 day crossings are changing to 7 day and they are adding a 4 night European cruise in Oct or Nov 2016.

Dry dock remains in May 2016.

The Qm2 refit has not been put back still May 2016 but the 8 day crossings on Vic and Qm2 were not selling so they are changing the Qm2 crossings in Oct/Nov to 7 nights and also adding a 4 day cruise.

Posts about tipping always seem to be on here,a close friend of mine who is quite high up the chain and works on one of the 3 ships told me that even if the gratuities are removed the staff still get the money as they have a contract with the company that they are guaranteed that wage.

That's the first point out of the way,the second is even if you remove any tip and tip them in cash they get to keep it.

If you reduce the auto tip or pay above the auto tip or take it off it makes no difference to the staff as they still get the wage they have been contracted for.

Anyone who thinks this is not the case has been misinformed.

I have just phoned Cunard and they can no longer book the crossings in Oct/Nov 2016.

And they have no idea why.:confused:

In December in went under at 4.20 and docked just after 6.

So we now know she will be in dry dock from May-June 2016 for about a month, will be interesting to see what they do.

Does this include soft drinks such as Pepsi.

A very good friend of mine works for the security company at the Southampton port and told me starting from December the check in times will be strictly enforced.

So if you have a 14.30 check in and you turn up at 12 you will not be allowed to check in before 14.30.

Having seen the new tv's hung on the wall on the Elizabeth they do look far better than the little one's on the Mary and could well be done while in port or at sea.

Many thanks I will give a try in December.

Can you make Skype calls on board the Qm2 ?

Hi RemPuck,

 

We also upgraded last week (from booked Q5) for this December crossing. Was offered Q2 or Q3, and for a bit more $$, Q1. Chose the Q3, as it looked pretty unique on the only video I could find. However, could find no discussion of the "Royal Suites" on this board.

 

We're also essentially Cunard newbies (actually did a crossing on QM1 when a kid, which doesn't count), but have experienced the Butler thing a few times, on Crystal, Silversea and Celebrity.

 

My take re it being a help or bother is that it completely depends on the actual butler you end up with. Had one on Crystal that was great - a Hugh Grant-ish type with a wry sense of humor who was extremely helpful with booking specialty restaurants, delivering our preferred evening nibbles, promptly restocking libations, and offering excellent advice about all the ship's activities and amenities.

 

Conversely, when somehow ending up in a humongous Penthouse Suite (close to 1,500 sq.ft. Stateroom + 1,100 sq. ft. Veranda) on Celebrity, the seemingly ever present butler was somewhat of a killjoy for us. Afraid we didn't exhibit sufficient gravitas towards "his" prize space, especially when he caught us ice skating around the grand piano in our socks. :D

 

Others were basically very attentive and polished cabin stewards, which we expect we'll find on this crossing. They're certainly a pleasure if one chooses to dine in-suite. Can't fathom using the unpacking/packing service - would probably spend the entire seven days looking for our stuff...

 

See you aboard!

 

Dan

We once had this suite, it has the best views on the ship, Good choice.

I hope you have today enjoyed Europe beating those Americans again!!

And again.....;)

I wish she could use that dock more than she does.

Have they extended the pier as she no longer seems to stick out so much.

I also wish she was docking at that pier on December 22nd when i am next in New York.

Great review we were also on this trip, Was the Butler called Peter if so not the most charming Butler we have ever had.

I hope they have added HD content for the big flat panel TVs. Low quality SD on a big LCD screen looks bad.

 

And it looks like the entire lower area has been turned into casino space - look beyond the stairs in the first photo and you can see some more sot machines.

No HD Content and it does look bad.

I hooked up my portable Blu Ray player and that looked Very Good.

OH!! We were on board and had NO flat screen TV on the wall - just a TV standing on top of the fridge! We were in 6001 all the way forward.

 

Have to say that this actually was a very nice cabin and extremely quiet. Nice views too!!

 

As first time on QE' date=' cannot comment on changes although we understand that one difference is that waiters bring tea and coffee to the table in the Lido Restaurant. That was quite nice and saved you from getting hot drinks spilt on you by other guests (yes, has happened in the past!).

 

Alison & Jack[/quote']

We had 6042 and 6040 and both had the big tv on the wall.

The casino is now very small.

I am onboard and can confirm the casino bar has gone and new 39 or 40 inch tv's are now on the wall in front of the beds.

We are going onboard Wednesday for 4 days, should be interesting to see what they have done.

Wasn't it always supposed to be just cigars in Churchill's but it was never enforced?

 

I kind of understand not allowing e-cigs in Churchill's due to the severe lack of space. But why can't we smoke them in public areas? I was really hoping to use my e-cig on my upcoming cruise but I don't want to keep trekking to my cabin. Especially as I don't smoke them for a period of time equal to a full cigarette.

 

The only reason I can possibly think of is that they may be mistaken for real cigarettes and therefore they may get complaints. I understand that some people may mistake the orange light and water vapour for a cigarette but the ones with the blue lights? I can't imagine anyone mistaking those for real smoking! Or perhaps I have the whole reason for not allowing them completely wrong! Just seems it's all gone a bit OTT.

Yes I have to say the world seems to be going backwards, I understand a ban on smoking but feel sorry for those who have given up or are trying to give up and use an E-Cigg.

As you say its not hard to see a Black one with a blue light is not a real one, if they didn't have the word cigarette they would be allowed.

Things have happened over the last year that I never thought I would see in my life time and don't agree with but I have no say in it.

I say to you just be discrete use it when you want.

How about the Queen Victoria, Queens room, Deck 2 Midship:D