CynthiaRI

My experience last year was like the first replier. (I went down at 8 and found 1 other person, by 8:30, the number in line filled the tour. The previous year, I went down at 8:30 and it was too late.)

 

I recall that each person could reserve up to 2 slots. I just asked my husband if he was addressed by name or had to check in specifically. I don't remember having tickets or putting both of our names on the list - although I very well may have. However, I'd be astonished if she would need to accompany you and I'm certain that the excursions office would be able to accommodate your situation - I'd assume that is the case and mention it when you sign up.

Thanks!!

Interesting, I nearly did the overnight camping (at least it felt like it) and turned up at 8:15. I was a lonely man until 9:00. Nobody else (in numbers: 0) turned up to make a reservation for the tour even at this time.

Did you queue when the tour was still advertised in the Daily Programme?

 

IMHO, they charge you exactly the expenses you cause in employees wages, drinks and souvenirs. Extra security staff and a photographer will accompany you on the entire tour, which lasts 3-4 hrs. Think of it as an excursion within the ship, not as a freebie.

Thanks! I keep hearing 8 at excursion desk on first sea day. So, knowing myself, I'll bring a book, do 7:30 and wait patiently and happily, especially if I'm the first person in line!

New question that just occurred to me. We have 3 rooms for 7 people. (Yes, we WILL be bringing children aboard the QM2! ) My husband and I are in different rooms. Do you think he'll need to be there or can I reserve for both of us, since we'll have different rooms. We are all booked under the same account. Thanks again! I'm making myself crazy about this tour! :-:'):')

(1) Don't miss lunch (free) in the Golden Lion Pub. However, there's usually a rush right at the start. Stop by 60-90 minutes after service starts and you should get seated easily. (Coming from the UK, the novelty factor is likely less for you, but I'm told that their version of fish & chips with mushy peas, cottage pie, chicken tikka-masala, and plowman's lunch is done well.)

 

(2) Also for lunch, or an odd snack, check out the Carpathia Lounge. It also worked out well one day when my husband found things to his liking, but I went next door to the Kings Court to grab something from there. It's also a nice way to pick up a small lunch on the days you're planning on afternoon tea, later.

 

(3) The planetarium is fun activity. If you miss on the complementary free tickets available from the desk at Connexions (I usually ran down for the two of us after we placed our breakfast order in Britannia) - just show up for a showing a few minutes beforehand and introduce yourself to the entertainment staff member managing the door. Inevitably, many more people will grab tickets and be no-shows.

 

(4) The Behind the Scenes tour is excellent. It's a three hour tour of the operating parts of the ship (the room with the spools of lines and anchors was unexpectedly fascinating). No engine room but the engineering nerds geek out in the engine control room (guess what, the engines run on Windows XP), the galley (with snacks), the backstage area of the theatre, and the bridge with a chat with the captain. It's not cheap (last year it was $160, I think) but it's worthwhile once, and numbers are severely limited. It's not publicized, but you can sign up at the Concierge Lounge, if you're in the grills or line up at the Excursions office (I recommend lining up 45-60 minutes beforehand)

 

(5) If dining in Britannia, be aware that there are other options which your waiter can get upon request, but are not listed in the menu. Your waiter will have the latest info, but traditionally, steak, chicken breast, salmon, caesar salad and shrimp starter were available.

I've heard different comments on where to sign up for the behind the scenes tour. Pursers desk on boarding or excursion desk the first sea morning. Where did you get your tickets? Thanks!

We're on Deck 6 as well, but the other side - 6251. What did you love about the Sheltered Balcony? We are very excited, but hear complaints. I truly think some people won't be happy no matter what, but would love to hear your comments!

We are about to embark on our roundtrip TA cruise aboard the QM2. How close to the Verrazano bridge does the smokestack pass? We have the early seating for dinner, and are planning to skip the dinner to observe everything there is to see as we leave NYC. (We figure we have another 13 nights for dinner!) What have others done? With a group of 7, I feel badly that we're missing the first dinner, but don't want to miss the views. I am thinking I will stop by the dining room to let them know, so no one is waiting for us. What recommendations/suggestions do you have? Thanks!

As promised I have scanned in all Daily Programmes (along with the interdenominational service program). I placed them in a public folder in my Dropbox and that can be found here.

 

If anyone has issues accessing these files, let me know. I believe Dropbox will allow those in the UK to view these but if not my apologies and I'll host them somewhere else.

Thank you for sharing the Daily Programmes. We are doing a roundtrip in July and I'm looking forward to reviewing these to learn more about what to expect!

This thread is 10 years old!

 

 

To answer the 2018 post, if your mother is suffering early signs of dimentia why would you leave her alone where she would need this card? Do you expect a crew member to take her back to her cabin if she is wandering about in a state of confusion? In recent years cruise lines have become very strict about a passengers' ability to take care of themselves. If she should need to be escorted back you can probably count on the Medical Center wanting to have a discussion with you.

She is only forgetful when she becomes extremely anxious, as in an emergency. She still lives alone and is quite self-sufficient. But I also need to be sure we're prepared in the case of an emergency. Similar to children with their required bracelets. I have no intention of leaving my 6 and 8 year old alone to roam the ship. But they are still required to wear a safety bracelet in the case of an emergency.

You're very wise, Cynthia. Put it in a transparent lanyard around her neck, so other can see and find it, if necessary.

That is exactly our plan! We are going to have lanyards for everyone. I know it will be helpful for the kids (6, 8, 11, and 12). Also for me! I'm famous for losing room keys within 30 seconds of receiving them! Then I will have a card with important information for my mom. She's okay when it's calm, but in an emergency wouldn't know where to go. Plus, as she's getting settled, she'll be able to remember our rooms.

Is the Muster Station and room number on the ship card/ID? I am assuming no, since then someone could use it to get into your room. Trying to figure out what to include on the emergency sheet. We won't know Muster Station until we're on board, but the rest should be typed out ahead of time!

Thank you so much! So glad to know others do this also. I looked into flights back after 2 nights in London (booked through Cunard) and it was nearly as much as just cruising back.

That is exactly why we are doing a round trip! We are travelling with my entire family for my mom's 75th birthday. A total of 7 people. To have all 7 of us fly home was almost the same price as another week. So we opted for the second week on board and are planning to visit Windsor on our day in England. I think 2 weeks on a ship will be amazing. I may actually be able to relax!

Thanks for posting. We're on Deck 6 and I'm wondering the same. I know my children will have a bracelet, but my mom sometimes gets confused so I'm making an emergency card ahead of time for her to carry with her.

Thank you so much! So glad to know others do this also. I looked into flights back after 2 nights in London (booked through Cunard) and it was nearly as much as just cruising back.

That's why we're doing a round trip. For 7 people to fly home was only $1000 less than an entire extra week on board. Easy decision. Honestly, even with 2 weeks I'm afraid we won't have enough time on board! ::D

We are doing back to back TA crossings, leaving 7/6/18 from Brooklyn.

 

Has anyone done the shore excursion to Windsor Castle?

 

Thanks!

Thanks for this post! We start our back to back on the 20th and are planning the same thing. I've heard complaints that it's too short, but we are still planning to take the tour and make the best of the time we have!

I was wondering if anyone knew the cost of the soda package onboard. I know I've seen it on the website, but of course now can't find it. Trying to plan our budget. We're traveling with kids and trying to decide if we get them the package or not. I am fairly certain I'll be getting it. I can't live without soda! Thanks!

Sounds like our cruise ,,are you in the August 3rd crossing?

 

 

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I was thinking this, too! My family will be on the August 3 crossing, returning to NYC on the second half of our round trip. I purchased by daughters' 20's themed dresses this past weekend. Getting very excited!

Has anyone gotten the bears on the QM2? I'm thinking of getting some to meet my children when we board. (With the help of my travel agent.) I have heard there is an annual bear and a standard bear. Trying to decide if I get all them the same annual bear. Thanks!

I was on QM2’s July 2017 roundtrip New York transatlantic voyage. I participated in Cunard’s excursion to Windsor on the turn around day.

 

We left the ship at about 7:00 a.m., and the bus trip took about two hours. Arriving in Windsor, we parked in the coach lot adjacent to the train station. The guide, who had met us in Southampton, escorted us through the town on the approximately 20 minute walk to the entrance line for Windsor Castle, distributed the entrance tickets for the castle tour, guided us through security, took us to the stand where we were equipped with an electronic guide to the castle, and then accompanied us to the castle entrance. After that, we were free to follow the recorded narration of the castle on our own at our own pace.

 

According to how long you chose to visit the castle, there was free time to visit St George’s Chapel, browse in Windsor and/or have lunch. We had to make our own way back to the bus by 2:00 p.m.

 

Arriving back at Southampton terminal, you proceed through the terminal directly to security, show you ship card, and board after going through security.

 

I found the trip enjoyable but really too short a time in Windsor.

Thanks! That helps a lot!

On a TA Hamburg-Southampton-New York we did a Cunard excursion to Stonehenge during the stop in Southampton. First time there and enjoyed it very much. This was during the fall of 2016.

How was the Cunard tour? Any suggestions or comments?

We will be on the QM2 roundtrip from NY in July and would like to know if there is enough time in port and is it allowable to get off in Southampton to see some of the city.

When are you traveling? We'll be on the roundtrip beginning on July 20. Hoping to go to Windsor on our day in Southampton.

Has anyone done the Windsor tour on the day in Southampton? We're thinking of doing either that or Winchester? We want the chance to explore something during our 8 hours in England! :-) Would love thoughts/suggestions.

We will be traveling on a back to back TA cruise this summer. I would love to hear from people who have taken a shore excursion through Cunard while in Southampton. We are thinking of going to Windsor or Winchester. Has anyone done either of these tours? Thanks!