patwell

So sorry this itinerary got altered by the bad weather. It's nasty up here in New England right now. We were supposed to be on this trip but had to cancel for my husband's medical issues. I'd have been so disappointed to miss Bar Harbor. We lived there many years and I've always wanted to sail up Frenchman Bay on a big ship...not to mention I had lunch plans with a dear old friend. And for all the years I've been around New England I never got to Newport...another reason why I booked this particular trip. I'm so sorry for all the pax who were anticipating these lovely ports.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013, 2014, 2015...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Maybe this will be helpful.....slow the progression speed down and it's easier to follow the timelines.

http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/viewer.shtml?-multi_1-US_eastcoast-

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013, 2014, 2015...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Obviously everyone will make their own decisions but I've always felt that it helps to consider all the alternatives. Not everyone may want to spend over $100 on transportation by hiring a car.

 

I did a fast trial booking with Dial 7 ( hopefully I was using the right addresses) from the hotel we'll probably use in mid town to the Brooklyn pier and it was $55 for a sedan....don't need a fancy limo just to get to the ship. Obviously tip on top of that adds to the cost, but for us it's a more comfortable, hassle free solution.

 

Cheers, Penny

 

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013, 2014...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

2015…Regal Princess New England/ Canada…new ship, new adventures in a favorite place

 

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Yes we ported at Brooklyn a few weeks back and it is not the best area. I would suggest arranging transportation out of the area pre-cruise.

 

Mike

I know what you mean about that area. We have sailed Queen Mary 2 out of there a few times and it isn't the most attractive place. At least you get a nice glimpse of the Statue of Liberty as you sail but it's not the same as that sail down the Hudson. I've been told that many cab drivers either don't want to go there or don't know where it is......perhaps that's improved since our last time, but we've never used a cab ourselves.

I'd definitely use a car service....more reliable and fixed pricing so you know what you are dealing with. Cabs can be hard to come by as the ship unloads. I use either Arecibo or Dial 7, both of which have never let me down and arrived on time.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013, 2014...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

2015…Regal Princess New England/ Canada…new ship, new adventures in a favorite place

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Some of the Regal Princess fall cruises NY to NY (via New England, Nova Scotia, etc) are listed as originating and/or ending as both Manhattan and Brooklyn. I'm assuming that they don't find out the specific port assignments until close to sailing dates? Am I correct?

 

Mike

We are on Regal Princess for this itinerary and I wondered the same thing. I called Princess yesterday and was told quite definitively that she is scheduled to sail from Brooklyn. I'll have to assume the gentleman was correct altho I'd far prefer the alternate.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013, 2014...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

2015…Regal Princess New England/ Canada…new ship, new adventures in a favorite place

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Lynn.....I'm so sorry to read this and send you my very best wishes for a steady recovery. You have always lent a spark to this forum and it would be sad for those who know you to have you not contribute. You have a lot of experience and speak your mind.....so don't just lurk, share that experience and words of common sense.

Strokes are so challenging but if anyone is feisty enough to fight back it is you. So work at the therapy, find that cruising buddy, fire those engines back up and head that bow out to sea. My Mom always used to say that "where there's a will, there's a way".....sending you good thoughts to find that way.

Cheers, Penny

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water” Rabindranath Tagore

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

They always have cold water there. Mornings are fresh squeezed oj as well.

 

the munchies in the morning are more than pastries - there is smoked salmon with all the fixings, a nice yogurt with museli (sp?) fruit, etc.

 

Afternoon there are your typical hors' d'hoeuvres along with veggies and stuff.

 

concierge there can also take care of most of your needs whether it be reservations in the restaurants, seating, shore excrursions, questions, requests, cashing traveller's cheques or exchanging monies, whatever.

Thank you for this explanation. This will make my husband a happy camper as we have decided our planned December Noordam trip will be in a Neptune suite for a nice change of pace and more space.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Yes, three different areas! So interesting! I was just asking someone earlier how they took pictures of the webcam! I still have not figured it out. Do you click something on the webcam page or on your computer? I am not the best at computer tech stuff.

 

I was just telling my husband that now we have to watch the FLL webcam in a few days. Where are you in SC? Must be close to the beach. As I was just saying to Oahucruiser, I used to be stationed in Honolulu...and now to tell you I was also stationed in Charleston even before that ...around early 1980s. It is a small world indeed!

Small world indeed!! I am only an hour north of Charleston on a lovely island. The Low COuntry is a wonderful place to live and probably prepared you for that heat Oahucruiser mentioned in Melbourne.;)

Well, I don't know as I can explain this properly for you but I'll try. Of course being on a Mac computer this might be different on a PC. With my left hand I hold down the Command key and the shift key and at the same time with my right hand hit the #4 key. That produces a funny little icon thing ( I'm not at all computer literate as most will tell you) that you place on the top left of the photo with your curser. You then drag that across the photo ( it creates a box) and then down, release at the bottom of the photo and it shows up on your desk top as a photo. It's not hard, just sounds odd to describe....good luck.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

It still amazes me that you in Melbourne and I in Hawaii can watch something live in New York. Today's technology is so fantastic.

 

Hope the heat in Melbourne has cooled down a bit. We experienced it one time when we were there and we were toasted.

And I, here in South Carolina, did the same, waving, and snapping webcam "grabs" for my friend who is onboard. And sighing as I remember making that sail under the bridge both in daylight and at night on QM2.

I suppose that sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning I could go stand out on our beach and wave out to sea as they pass our shores but frankly it's been a bit chilly here to go to that bother.;)

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Merry and Happy Christmas to my Cunard friends.....and a bright and beautiful New Year to all. Safe journeys to those who travel to be with loved ones.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

2014...Noordam or Silver Spirit...decisions, decisions!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Thanks for this link....very sorry to see it....she still looked like a proper ship but definitely getting a tad old for cruising I guess.

We sailed on her in the early '80s when she was Sunward II.....she was a pretty little ship back then atho cabins were pretty small by today's standards, and pretty spartan, even the decent ones!

And so another oldie lands at the breakers.....

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

2013...5 months at our summer home on Cape Cod....priceless!

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Without a doubt this is the most outstanding review I've read on this site! Fantastic! And your photos bring the whole Alaska experience to life in such a wonderful way. I feel like I"m back there enjoying the incredible beauty of that fabulous state.

I have just read all the way through from start to finish. I was totally blown away by your bear encounters. Phew...I thought I was close last year when a momma black bear and her triplets came right up to our van....but I was INSIDE the van!! I could have petted her from the window if I had no further use for that arm, but your shots of both experiences is mind boggling!

We too enjoyed HArv and Marv's wonderful whale watch trip. I'd never do it any other way but to use them. They were professional, personable and got you to the whales fast. We only had 6 of us on one of their larger boats and it was grand. Simply breathtaking to see and hear those incredible creatures so close. Highly recommend using this company!

We loved Alaska.....every American owes it to themselves to see this majestic state and not just from the rail of a cruise ship. We loved our cruise past Hubbard and especially our exceptional day in Glacier Bay but I'd never go back with out doing another land trip again. Denali was unforgettable as was the Alaskan railroad. But to do a trip as you did has to be a once in a lifetime memory.

Thank you for taking so much time to share your experiences with those of us who wish we were there again. We'll go back for sure and will look into some of what you have done on your trip next time, so thank you for such great information.

Cheers, Penny

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water” Rabindranath Tagore

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted land trips in my own stunning country

Oct 2012....OBX

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

Several North Atlantic crossings from childhood thru college on ships of the old Norwegian America line and Swedish America Line...RIP to those marvelous old ships

Thank you, everyone, for excellent advice and encouragement.

 

Penny, I DID read your review, and decided it was the best written review ever.

 

In fact, I called my wife over and read it out loud to her.

 

If you do not write for a living, you may have missed the use of a strong gifting :))

 

God bless you all, and know we are VERY grateful !!!

TGeorge.....thank you so much for your kind words about my writing. Matter of fact there are 2 books in different stages on my computer right now...where they go in a few months is the question. Kind words like your boost my morale!!

And it was easy to write as I did about Noordam.....she captivated us and we weren't expecting that. I hope your trip will do the same for you.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted trips

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

I called the HAL number and the process is not exactly simple.

 

But she found room 7106 which is toward the back, on the Rotterdam Deck, not far from the elevators, and has a plexiglass wall for the verandah.

 

Again, the only reason I am being so careful is that this is our 25'th wedding anniversary :))

 

Does this seem like a good choice?

I think it's an excellent choice. We did 7090 on Noordam last Dec and LOVED that location....that elevator location was perfect for most of our needs. It was great to go right down to the dining room or right up to the Lido and back pool.

We never felt much motion back there and have booked the same location on a different deck ( our cabin was sold already!!) for this Dec.

If you want to read my review of our first Noordam trip you can find it here....we absolutely came away loving that ship and crew. Fantastic trip.

Review.....http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted trips

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

Hi , my husband always get the swollen feet and ankles , no matter what we do , and sometimes it is accompanied by a rashie look.

Cori

Cori.....I have had this same thing happen to me, the "rashie look". It was on a Norway trip on QM2...the weather was chilly so I wore a pair of lightweight cashmere socks that I have worn many other times. However, this day I walked a lot on top of the swollen ankle thing I get on ships only....never any other time.

When I got up in the morning the first thing I noticed was what looked like a bad rash all around my lower calf and on the shins. I'm a slender person by the way, with very slender ankles.....usually. I got really nervous as this looked so bad so I went to the medical center on the ship.

Even the Dr was stumped by it and said it was not really a rash despite looking like one. We finally figured out what caused it.....the band on the socks was snug.....with the ankles and lower leg swollen the snugness was intensified and capillaries above and below broke and made it look like a rash.

SO you might want to tell your husband to watch tight bands on his socks and change their position frequently. I iced my legs, kept them up frequently and made sure I moved my sock band when I had to wear socks the next day. That seemed to help and in a day or two the "rash" was gone......but not the swelling!:rolleyes:

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s “Affair to Remember” QM2 Review Dec. 2006

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...QM2 to the Caribbean again

October 16,2008...QM2 transatlantic in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage.

December 9, 2008...QM2...back to the Caribbean

July 30, 2009....QM2....transatlantic again...

August 7, 2009....QM2... “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....Emerald Princess to the Caribbean

Aug 14, 2010...QM2... return to Norway, all the way to the top!

Aug 22, 2011...Diamond Princess....North to Alaska!!

Dec 2,2011...Noordam to the Caribbean...outstanding! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1544173

2012...Assorted trips

2012...Booked on the lovely Noordam again

As we know, the title of this thread refers to Saga Rose and my educational, exciting cruise to Greenland. Before I left for that trip on August 1, 2007, the views were 6,530.

 

Ruby

Hi Ruby.....it's me!! And BRAVO for your fabulous little thread that could! Matter of fact I seem to remember you suggesting that I take a look at "this little thread I started" way back then. And look at it still going strong....lovely. I lurk on and off and it's delightful to see the different voyages of others discussed in an informative way.

I feel your pain over flying as I agonize over having to choose which less than enjoyable airline to book to get to the UK in August...and then back! UGH!

Well done!! And yes, the "Affair" continues, as does the writing of it.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

July 30, 2009....transatlantic again...some “Affairs” just get better

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

Feb. 7, 2010....the “Affair” takes a sunny detour when Penny meets a Princess

Aug 14, 2010....the “Affair” returns to Norway, all the way to the top!

Like Moniquet, I regard service to me as very important part of the cruise experieince......

 

but I do object to rewarding every dishwasher, floor mopper on board.

 

.

With respect, I disagree. Absolutely service is the key to the cruise experience however.....those dishwashers, floor moppers and every unseen staff member all make a contribution to your overall cruise experience. Without them a lot of things wouldn't be as nice as we've come to expect. Just because we don't see them does not mean they aren't important in the overall picture.

Suppose the floor mopper didn't bother....maybe he or she was supposed to clean all the public restroom floors....I'd say you'd be pretty unhappy on finding them dirty. And I've toured the galley on QM2....those dishwashers and other service personnel in there don't exactly have a fantastic job yet without their service, on your behalf I might add, you'd not be all that happy either. Just because you don't see them like your cabin steward or wait staff doens't make them non existant.

Of course we'd all like to see them paid more money but were that to happen our fares would go up and then we'd all complain about that. I have no problem contributing to what little they do make as it's their efforts that make QM2 the ship I adore so much.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

I, too, experienced a lot of this on the same cruise. It is the first time ever that I've not tipped just about everyone extra. And I reported on another website in my review that I've never seen such an apparently unhappy group of people working on a ship. Something is definitely amiss.

 

And having seen Jimsgirl's recent report on QV, it is apparently the case there too.

 

Let's hope that someone from Cunard reads these boards. I did relate the information on my cruise evaluation card.

Hi Bettie.....

My experience on the Dec 9th Caribbean was just the opposite in every respect. Either I"m very lucky or there was a crew turnover between our trips. Dining room waiter & asst the best we've ever had...simply superlative and totally attuned to their tables and passengers. One evening we told our waitress we had a commitment and HAD to be out by 10PM. She paced our meal perfectly, we never felt rushed but at 10PM we were out the door and had enjoyed excellent service.

Room steward was unobtrusive but managed to seek me out almost twice a day to make sure everything was perfect and could he do anything more for me.

Commodore Club exceptional...never had better service or more attentive servers. Both Sheldon and Monika bent over backwards whenever we came in and we left White Star cards for both, as we did as well for our dining room servers. We aren't in the habit of handing them out lightly I might add. We don't frequent the other bars often as we love the CC but on the occasions we stopped for a drink in the Golden Lion we were served rapidly and pleasantly.

I was also on the final tandem crossing in Oct and have to say I found the service of a very high standard then as well. Including lunch in Britannia which I did every day but one and at different times. Never did breakfast there, I"m a room service gal in the morning but even that arrived within 5 minutes of the requested time every morning.

I'm afraid I can't agree with the remarks about Eastern Europeans as I have found the ones I've come in contact with to be friendly and very professional. I've not encountered any whose English wasn't good. Both of my dining room servers, on both the cruise and the crossing were Eastern Europeans and I thought them delightful.

As to tipping extra.....guilty...when deserved for going beyond the expected. Which has always seemed to be the case for me. And I"m happy to do it when I feel they have earned it.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

So my question is - do the apartment barges have views only from balconies or is there such a thing as a promenade deck that one could walk the entire length of the ship and choose a view?

Ruby

Hi Ruby...it's me stopping by again!!! The proverbial "bad Penny" ....

How grand to see this thread so active still....you did great girl!! Look at all the views! Bravo to you all for great discussions about great ships.

So, to your question about "apartment barges" having promendes that wrap all around. Now given the fact that you are well acquainted with my "Affair" with QM2, I must tell you that she has the most wonderful promenade that truly does give you that ocean liner feeling. All the way around and a terraced stern with plenty of places for one to sit and admire the awesome wake. And plenty of the old deck chairs along the way to do the same. Yes my dear, you can choose your view on her and in your mind you can truly return to some old memories as you do so.

Ok, I'll return you to your regularly scheduled programming...couldn't pass up a chance to say hello and say something about my new favorite ship.;)

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

I got my compression socks at Walgreens.

 

I spoke to my doctor about this swollen ankles/feet and she said there doesn't seem to be one simple reason. For me, I'm very short, and on many of the chairs on a ship, my feet don't touch the floor. If I sit for a long time in those chairs, I can just feel my legs throbbing. Doc said that sitting like that often causes the fluid in your legs to head south towards the feet. She gave me prescription water pills and they didn't help one tiny bit. I start wearing the compression socks on the flight down. I don't add salt to anything but still, the swelling is there. It's gotten to the point that I have to take shoes at least one size larger because of the swelling.

Darcie....I'm tall and my feet definitely touch the floor when I sit...doesn't matter...i stlll swelled up. I had deep depressions on the tops of my feet from my strappy sandals every night, but after using the Elemis last time it was much better..not gone completely, but better and more comfortable.

I found that no matter how many places I looked online the Elemis was always the same price except that I hit Time to Spa when they had a week of free shipping. Assume uniform pricing is the same for the L'Occitaine but I"m willing to try that too as it's so specific about the water retention problem.

I do drink water too...lots of it, and nothing else. No sodas, wine or alcoholic drinks. It sure seems to be a mystery and I've seen men with it too so it's not just us gals. Hope these products will be helpful to those of us who need them.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

this one....I'm going to order it too and try it out. Just google it....

L'Occitane's anti-water retention gel

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

Hi Lois....glad you got some and i do hope it works for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed. next time I'll probably just start using it the first night and not wait for the problem to start. I'm glad I was able to trigger your memory on this.

just remember to take the time a few times a day to put it on. I'd sit with feet up and my icebag on while it dried...soaks in fast...maybe 10 minutes at most. It really seems to relive it for me and I truly hope it does for you too. I know from much experience that the ice bag alone ddn't do it.

Have a great trip....wish I was off sooner than I am, and do let me know if it helps. I use it on my very bad neck too...I get swelling from muscle problems there and it helps that too. It even took away a headache for my DH....rub a little on the temples. I plan to order that L'Occitaine that was mentioned too and give that a try. What ever works is my motto!! Good luck and happy cruising!

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

Lois is right (hi Lois)...there have been at least 2 long threads on this subject on this forum. Try a search for Swollen feet. Everything here has been discussed and dissected several times and no one, including medical people have a clue why some of us have this problem and others don't.

I don't drink anything at all but bottled water...nothing. I use no salt at the table. I live in the Low Country of South Carolina...hot and humid and never swell here. I walk a good bit. I have very low blood pressure. I'm very slender so it's not weight. In short, I don't do most of the things that have been suggested as reasons for this.

Yet put me on a ship and in 2 days it starts. This last trip I tried a product that had been recommended on some Cruise Diva's site as being specific for swelling and also muscle problems. It's called Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel and it's expensive I thought....and I discovered, it's worth it. As soon as the problem started I'd pop into my cabin on and off and slather it on my ankles and feet. Then I'd sit for about 10 minutes. it didn't take it completely away but the difference it made was obvious. At $52 for a tube it goes a long way...I've used it for that and for other swelling or muscular aches and it's helped. You can find it by googling it. I get mine from Time to Spa. And this time my strappy sandals didn't leave huge grooves in my feet.

I'll certainly look up this other product that's been mentioned. I'm open to anything that will help alleviate this completely!!

Cheers, penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

Naa, me neither!:eek: Penny, lets just bypass it and head straight tords the Commodore Club..... I have an extra dry Martini just waiting for me:p

That's the best offer I've had all day Robin....I cannot wait to walk in there again!! Only 48 days to go!!! Holy smoke...:D

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continues....

Penny dearest - the idea of a seat belt exploding in your face makes me feel very secure

 

(Think of this as part of my revenge for your insistence that I'm stuffed)

You ARE stuffed, furball!! :p Any sane person can see that...and I am sane...see the song of the same name!!!!:rolleyes:

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continues....