njguy_south

Was there a link?

I always use GeoBlue. I live in NJ. One has to have primary insurance to qualify, but I get it mainly for the emergency evacuation insurance, so I don’t inadvertently get stuck in some remote “hospital” in port “Where-Is-That?”.

Hi. I know I can search for bits and pieces of my questions, but if anyone has sailed or has first hand knowledge of the following, I would appreciate it: 1. Can they provide a larger table for room service? Looks like the cabin only has a tiny table. Or does one eat at the desk. (Not planning many in-cabin dining experiences, but sometimes a light breakfast is needed early in the morning. 2. From the pictures, etc., it looks like there is little closet space and other storage. Am I correct? I am hoping my clothes for an 11 day cruise will all fit (between daytime shirts and evening shirts alone, not to mention hanging pants!). Might have to keep most of my non-hanging clothes in my suitcases. Any other things that you would recommend to bring for use in this cabin? Do magnetic hooks work in this cabin? Do they work in the "balcony" area?

Don't know. It was what was quoted from my trusted TA, whom I have been using for years.

Hi, All -- I am trying to decide if paying for an outright upgrade ($1,600 for 7 days) from the Sky Suite to a Celebrity Suite for the additional points is worth it. I am sailing as a single/solo, and am trying to decide if I should reach Elite status on my next cruise to have the benefits for a future cruise in December. Sorry for the length of the post and all of the mathematics, but I am trying to make a decision and need input. Club Points Currently: 110 Club Points. The November cruise is in a Sky Suite (8 pts per day) X 7 days(cruise length) giving me an additional +56 pts. Because I am sailing single, I get an additional +56 pts. The there is a current special for sailing out of certain ports, (which I am), which will give me an addition +56 pts. I have then added "Go Green," so will get an additional +8 pts. Total earned on November cruise will be +176pts. Potential Club Points in November: 286 Club Points -- only 14 pts. short of Elite. In December, I have a 11 day cruise booked over the Holidays and into New Years. That cruise (not in a suite, but in a single on Edge) will give me an additional 33 pts. + 3 "Go Green" points, for a total of +36 pts. Potential Club Points in January: 322 Club Points (without the upgrade + Dec. cruise) -- now at Elite status UPGRADE SCENERIO: However, if I pay for the outright upgrade on the November cruise (cost = $1,600, which will also give me $300 OBC from Celebrity and $350 from my travel agent), I will earn an additional 88 pts. for the upgrade, for a total of 264 pts. in November + 110 exiting points, giving me 374 points and putting me in Elite, with all of the Elite perks available for my December cruise. Potential Club Point in January WITH upgrade and Dec. cruise: 410 Club Points. QUESTION 1: Do you think it is worth $1,600. to earn Elite status for the December cruise? QUESTION 2: Do you think it is worth the upgrade money to be 88 points closer in points to Elite +? I sincerely appreciate your input. My overall thought is with these specials and current pricing, I may never move up the ladder this quickly.

Hi, I often sail solo, simply because my family and friends never seem to make up their minds when they want to sail and where. But you just need to get your mind around the fact that although you may be "alone" at the table, you are not alone in the room. Often people at the tables around me will chat. And often I meet others on the ship who want to join me for dinner or lunch (couples, other solos, etc.). One thing I never allow when I am sitting is for a table in the back or hidden away. I am not ashamed of sitting alone, enjoying the room, and enjoying the meal. But that is my mind set. Honestly, you cannot believe how many people will invite you to sit wit them!!!

Thanks PinkSandGirl for posting. You response is exactly what I hoped to hear, and was very detailed. Thank you!

Hi. Has anyone experienced either of the following "Drinks Experiences" on Celebrity? *Food and Wine Pairing Workshop *Mixology 101 What were they like? How many guests participated? How long did the experience last? Was it an experience or not worth the time and money? Any other thoughts? (Thanks!)

Has anyone experienced the "Chef's Market Discoveries" shore excursion? I am booked for one on St. Lucia, and am curious if anyone has done a similar excursion, and what it was like. It looks really fabulous. Also, are the Celebrity Club excursions made any special or any different than the regular excursions, or is it more of a marketing strategy?

Anyone who has been in the Edge and experienced the SEA Thermal Suite, what is the experience like for the different rooms, especially the Rainfall Water Therapy Room? Also, nothing mentions on the website mentions a thalassotherapy pool, but when booking the week-long pass to the SEA Thermal Suite, this is the description: "Set sail on a journey to ultimate relaxation with this sensory oasis. Inspired by traditional Turkish Baths, our Thermal Suite features heated chaise lounges as well as aromatic steam and sauna grottos - a perfect interlude to your day. Then, soak in our Thalassotherapy Pool, a therapeutic, natural-bubbling salt-water spring. This mineral-rich body of water has healing powers for de-stressing, pain relief, and to soothe dry skin." Thanks!

If Cunard is losing it’s internet connection (as suggested), then the ship’s connection to worldwide shipping information would also be affected, and the ship would be sailing blind. Cunard needs to upgrade it’s internal system, especially by installing more wifi boosters around the ship. That requires money and investment by the company, which is struggling to stay afloat. Satellite connections exist WORLDWIDE! Even in jungles. It is not 1979, where one needs to wait for the satellite to re-orbit from the other side of Earth.

Here is an example of what one could see on the ship. These SLOP BUCKETS were on the floor in the Kings Court, Carinthia Lounge, and Sir Samuel's -- as well as at other eating places. The staff member would reach in with an ungloved hand (meaning the liquid could not be very abrasive to the skin, germs, COVID) and would wipe down a table, walk back, and drop the cloth into the SLOP BUCKET. This certainly has given COVID a helpful hand. (And here I thought they were spraying the tables with a cleaner to disinfect.) Regardless of what was in the bucket, there they sat on the floor, where people could trip over them or spit into them ....

penlady, you will be supported and protected from the popcorn eaters! I was also just on the QM2 (July 1 sailing). I have sailed Cunard before, starting with the QE2. My specific example will be the bar service, specifically in the afternoon and at the cocktail hour. (While many may not drink or enjoy the cocktail lounges, I do.) Yes, the crew were new to their positions. They were not the best in the trade. However, they were also not being directly supervised. Not ONCE did I see an experienced bartender or officer (yes, there is a bar officer!) standing in view and observing what was happening at the bar, as drinks were being concocted. Anyone who has ever worked with staff know that you need a hands-on approach to training new staff. You don't just hand them equipment and ingredients and tell them to get on with the work! Every afternoon I and my friends would enjoy a mojito at the Carinthia Bar. The first day, the experienced bartender was creating absolutely delicious drinks, a perfect combination of mint, rum, and sugar. The second and subsequent days, they were bland and tasteless. I politely questioned the table server and was told all of the ingredients were in the cocktail. Another taste indicated that was not true, so I went to the bar to talk with the bartender. She was making them with vodka and not adding any sugar. I helped her to understand that that was not how a mojito was made. SHE ARGUED with me! (I was calm and polite.) She left the bar and returned with the bar tender from the previous day, who instructed her (politely) how to properly make a mojito. The very next day we returned for our after lunch mojito, and the second bartender was there. She again made the mojito incorrectly, with vodka and without sugar. To drag this discussion further, EVERY NIGHT in the Chart Room, my friend and I would order the same cocktail. A gin martini, NO vermouth (or Churchill) and NO garnish (or Naked). The server would repeat the order and the bartender made the cocktail. It would come back as a gin martini with vermouth -- sent back -- returned as a vodka martini with a twist of lemon -- sent back -- returned correctly. This happened every single night! Even the server was getting upset with the bartender. I am seriously telling you, this happened every single night in the Chart Room. And NEVER was the officer in charge of the bar present! Once, when I went to the Purser's Desk to ask a question (10 people in line and only 2 agents, in the middle of the afternoon!) an officer came out of a side door. I asked her a question, and was politely told, "I am in charge of the bars, so cannot answer any of your questions," as she strolled on, not even stopping to ensure I had anything else to ask. THAT is Cunard's current problem. The officers -- including the office in charge -- is NOT supervising the day to day operations of the ship. They are not present to see what is lacking or what needs attention. NO company can survive if this continues. (The only time I saw officers were either walking briskly to some task or coming into a lounge to sit with a young girl for a coffee or cocktail.)

I am also sailing tomorrow, but there is a caveat: masks do not need to be worn when eating or drinking. Apparently COVID cannot attack while one is consuming food or liquid. Therefore, I plan to carry a martini with me everywhere on the ship, sipping it, and can avoid the mask mandate.

If the whole of Carnival corp. goes bust, then our economy will have tanked, and everything will be worthless!

That is a convenient way of Cunard not informing people properly. If the current crossing is wearing masks, then Cunard needs to come clean and let those who are sailing next know the situation, so that they can make a properly thought out decision. This will not bode well for the future of the Cunard Queens if the company cannot keep its customers informed. As mentioned, the website is currently stating that NO masks are being required, when, in fact, they currently are. A website can be changed instantly in 2022 -- this is not the old Betamax days. There is NO excuse for not keeping customers informed when there are changes. Yes, things can change at any time, due to changing conditions, but when they do change, let the customer know right away.

I truly thank you for posting this. Nothing in an email has been sent about masks for QM2, yet, and we are sailing on Friday 7/1. Also, the website (updated very recently on April 13, 2022 - lol) is still stating ("Correct as of June 6, 2022" - lol) that "Our protocols can evolve as we work with experts and government bodies to respond to the latest advice, and regularly update our website if and when changes do occur. We recommend revisiting this page before you sail to ensure you’re up to date with the very latest information." So I revisited this page again today (6/29/2022) and it clearly states, "Mask-wearing - We recommend that guests wear masks on board, but they’re only required in the medical center. It would seem that Cunard is more interested in keeping mask wearing a secret -- until one is onboard.

I was quoting the maximum capacity (as provided by the cruise line), since I do not have immediate access to exact numbers onboard current, past, or future cruises.

Regardless, both ships are in the ORANGE, currently.

As you may know, the CDC identifies a ship as being in the ORANGE category if 0.3% of the passengers and/or crew are identified as being positive. Both QM2 and QE are in the ORANGE category. Consider the following maximum passengers/crew: QM2: 3,064 passengers + 1,253 crew = 4,317 x 0.3% = 13 positive cases QE: 2,116 passengers + 900 crew = 3,016 x 0.3% = 9 positive cases I do believe that I am probably passing by and mingling with more that 13 people who are positive every time I go to the grocery store, use public transportation, fly, etc. And when I remove my mask in a large restaurant to eat, I am certain that more than 13 positive cases are walking by my table or sitting beside me, or waiting my table, or providing me with drinks. This is all about perspective! Should we take refuge in a walled abbey to escape the Mask of the Red Death, as they did in Poe's tale?

Like you, Host Hattie, I sent my "Transaction Confirmation" off Wed. 6/15/22 and received confirmation on 6/16/22 that the OBC for my July 1, 2022, cruise has been applied.

Just recently I purchased my 100 shares at apx. US $9.50 per share (total of apx $950). Two days later I sent proof (Stock Transaction Confirmation) to sb@cunard.com and the next day I received email confirmation that the OBC had been applied. So for each cruise, I will receive US $100 OBC (7 -13 day cruises); therefore, 9 cruises will almost pay for the stock shares, so the investment will pay for itself.

Thanks! Is it still for only 2-hour sessions?

Thanks for calling my statement a crock. I dialed the Canadian number for arriveCan (1-833-283-7403), and when I asked what would happen if I arrived and had not completed the app., that is what I was told. Thank you for calling me a lier and full of crap!!!!

From the amazing and informative Cunard website: Joining your ship outside Canada (and destined to a Canadian port). If your cruise includes a Canadian port, you will need to complete an ArriveCAN submission within 72 hours prior to embarkation. Once complete, you will receive a cruise-specific QR code to present at the terminal.