D&N

We'll maybe use a lift someday and hear these pings.

A simple solution to the wall view offered to those unfortunate enough to be seated facing the walls would be to replace the artworks with larger mirrors.

That would give a decent view of what was happening around the room, albeit the other diners would have their cutlery in the wrong hand. 🙂

3 hours ago, buchanan101 said:

...my partner would want the wall seat and I'd be looking at her

I'm sure like me, you'd have the best view in the room! 🙂

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Telling would be one thing, but advice is always gratefully received. I am worried about spending a fortnight looking at the wall in the QG though. 

I'm not sure how many there are. I watched a video yesterday that showed quite a few other 2-Tops away from the wall, and one against the wall just along from those banquettes where the table was at 45° to wall and both seats pointing diagonally towards rest of restaurant.

I've wondered about crossing the road to have a look at Mr Musk's cars, and whether they might offer you a coffee or soft drink.

Assuming Mayflower of course.

I'd probably just have a main, a dessert and the Petit Fours from that menu, but if I had a starter it would probably be the Goats Cheese tart, which I would hope would be quite strongly flavoured. I'd take the salmon if it was Pacific. Scottish doesn't taste the same. I'd be disappointed with it.

The two veggie mains look fine to me and if that was all there was I'd be happy to eat either, but with the choice of other three....  What I'd probably prefer would be one of the veggie dishes with a piece of Beef Wellington, Duck or Sea Bass plonked on top, and do without the boring potato accompaniments they offer.

4 hours ago, buchanan101 said:

(though I can walk as fast as some people jog..)

I used to walk to pace my wife!

But her 30% weight loss has eventually turned into a 30% reduction in her per kilometre time. Now I need to jog about 10.9 km/h and listen for her feet hitting ground behind me to judge whether I can go any quicker.

At that sort of speed or more it's much safer to be on a treadmill.

UBER might be simplest.

They usually offer a choice of X, Van or Luxe

Cod loin is very distinctive, but I suspect I'd struggle to tell the difference between cod fillet and hake in a blind test. Coley (or it's various other names) seems to have a slightly softer texture.

I'd prefer not to ruin the flavour of any of them by covering them in batter or breadcrumbs!

30 minutes ago, Lozzzzz said:

As a newbie to Cunard, and choosing it for my perception of a 'more-encouraged dress for dinner' way of life, please can anyone confirm whether it's acceptable for black tie and long frock any night, or just themed nights. So many frocks, so few opportunities!

Always prefer to be overdressed than underdressed, but I appreciate there is a level! Thanks in advance 

Our last QM2 trip I wore ivory tux on two "smart attire" nights and didn't feel out of place. I'll wear that plus the two black ones over all fourteen nights on our next trips. My wife will wear a mix from mini dresses/skirt to gown, although we've made sure all her gowns are just short enough to dance in 2½" to 3" heels, as she needed to peg one of them up last time and she can't "heel turn" in anything higher.

She's likely to be in gowns six nights (three gala, three smart attire). The 20s Gala is earmarked for a calf length fringed dress.

I don't know about the other ships but I felt some of our photos were ruined by how casual I looked last time and we're keen to avoid that the next times.

Edit; I should have said I really like how you describe the dress code!

Others have done it in past. Generally the roads outside the port do have good sidewalks. It's more difficult to see clearly within the port confines as there is no "street view" for most of it. From memory of Mayflower terminal and the aerial views I think there are side walks, but they might not be as good as the public roads. There are light controlled crossings on the public roads. Ocean Terminal might be easier, and QE2 Terminal probably worse.

We're aware we could manage it with backpacks, medium roller cases, and small bags if there was some problem getting a taxi, but unless that problem arises we'll not bother testing the theory.

9 minutes ago, MylesS said:

There is a light switch for it by the bed. It’s so you don’t have to leave the bathroom light on, or turn on the main lights should you need to use the toilet at night. 

Useful for some.

We manage fine in the dark. And on a ship we don't have young ladies waiting to trip us up. 🐱

27 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I'm very intrigued. I'm not a drinks package person normally but have just looked at my personaliser for the 24 May British Isles cruise as my husband has offered to purchase the package for me if I think it's worthwhile.  I am seeing $72 per day for this cruise for the alcoholic package.  At today's exchange rate that will cost me around £807 for the 14 nights.  Silly question time now:

 

1. Am I allowed any drink on any menu under a certain price - I've seen contradictory amounts of $12.50 and $13.50, which is it please?

 

2. Are there small bottles of water available not just a discount on large ones?

 

3. I'm familiar with P&O's drink package system which marks each drink as included, I assume if it's drinks up to a certain limit this wouldn't apply on my QA voyage, but could someone kindly provide more details.

 

4. I drink copious amounts of teas, both fruit and normal plus a glass or two of wine at dinner.  Other drinks are generally gin and tonic, and possibly a cocktail or two.  Looking at a recent price list it seems borderline on benefit but the convenience is appealing plus of as I understand it no 15% if I take the drinks?

 

I'm sailing in the cheap seats, not quite the bilges after a kind free upgrade from Cunard but not far off.  Does that affect me?

 

Thank you for any views or help. 

You are probably borderline.

The 15% is included with the package, so if you do add up what you would spend on pay as you go make sure to include that.

If you want the Forté teas, they will cost $4.54 each including 15%, but there is a range of all sorts of teas available in the buffet and other places that I think are all included.

There are small bottles of water and we had re-sealable cans as well. Big bottles are not included other than getting 20% discount.

And $13.50 is the current limit per drink. The other figures you'll read about here are for the package included in US Grills offers.

A thought on the free teas; if you find that there is a full range in the buffet, but not in other lounges, you could grab a bundle of your favourites and carry them around in your pocket/bag to produce if the lounge you are in doesn't have them.

I read on a FB post earlier that the fish and chips were as good as ever and yesterday's Cornish Pasty was very good.

We don't have a problem with once a week. In practice ours last between six and eight days as we change them on a Thursday or Friday depending on what day the washer is going on.

We do vary our bed coverings though and use aircon when it's very hot in summer to make sure we don't sweat profusely.

On QM2 we had the thermostat down quite low overnight and didn't need to get rid of the quilts.

And we don't remember when the sheets were changed so they can't have been noticeably creased.

Some folk around here dangle sheets from balconies on summer mornings to air them. There is something in the communal rules about that but provided they don't hang over other peoples windows nobody gets too upset.

56 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I do not understand the lack of ginger ale. Doesn't anyone want that as a mixer any more? It's about the only soda/pop/soft drink I like. And if I'm feeling a bit of mal de mer, that's what I want (and NOT diet, feh!) I think a quick run to ASDA in Southampton is in my future...

Don't know why not?

It's listed on the most current Chart Room and Main Bar menus.

Chart Room lists; Ginger Ale under FEVER-TREE MIXERS at $3.45 for 200ml.

Main Bar lists it under MIXERS as Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale at same price and no mention of size.

I can't see anything in the package conditions to suggest it wouldn't be included. That price is less than many other drinks that you would expect to be available.

The distance on QM2 could vary considerably depending on how you cross the aft deck, which may be affected by layout of tables, chairs and loungers.

Perhaps someone could make it a project to measure each ship's promenade deck using a GPS walking app while they are moored in port. 

2 hours ago, Mudhen said:

IMHO, the Grill's Lounge (cocktail bar) is the most boring bar on the ship. To be honest, our hospital waiting area is more interesting. I was hoping for an upgrade after the QM2's last refit.

Guess not.....sigh....

If you only have a short time, I'd stick my head in to see it, and then head to the Commodore, the Chart room, even the pub for more animation..

Is that your verdict after the Christmas cruise?

We don't plan to sail in grills, but all the reviews here and on YT that I've read or watched seemed to think the freshening up it got in November was an improvement.

The Chart Room is our favourite lounge for drinks, tea and coffee.

I didn't respond as the question was for QG.

Are time scales just the same when the butler organises things and it's just ironing?

I'd expected wall hooks on QM2 for outfits you are preparing for that evening, or something just back from laundry that needs aired a bit more. I had to be creative with a wire hanger to make something suitable. We've since bought some magnets. As rakkor suggests they are more secure fixed to a ceiling assuming you can reach that high. They will slide down a smooth metal wall if too heavy a weight is hung from them.

We got ours from Amazon, who have lots of them. Look for a specification with as high a weight limit as possible

Another vote here for runners/joggers following an opposite direction to strollers.

But we're probably safer on the gym treadmills.

When we run on the prom here there are segments where the marked cycle lanes and the pedestrian section are divided by tree beds, bench seats and automated public toilets. It's much easier to pass folk we're facing rather than overtaking. We're often forced to take the cycle track, we're going faster than 10km/h, which is supposedly the speed limit for cyclists 😀.

We wouldn't be put off by any of the decor or facilities we've seen so far. We won't be on it simply because it's not a liner offering crossings.

But in the unlikely event that QM2 gets a completely new style whilst in for it's overhaul in 2026, we'd have no complaints. As long as we have dance floors and music, we'll be happy.

Having looked at this for another thread.........

The menus for; Chart Room, Golden Lion, and Main Bar Menu; all with filenames stating May23 are close to being current.

The Main Bar Menu linked to from the Garden Lounge on some ships is aug_2022 and not current.

1 hour ago, Carnevale said:

Queen’s Room

That reference prompted me to look at each venue in more detail.

The menus for; Chart Room, Golden Lion, and Main Bar Menu; all with filenames stating May23 are close to being current.

The Main Bar Menu linked to from the Garden Lounge on some ships is aug_2022 and not current.

I've been following some folk who aren't ballroom dancers, and have asked them if there is any ballroom or latin dancing. There seem to be folk dangling from the ceiling and a show by Georgina Jackson, singer and trumpeter. The photo of Georgina showed her and her mike stands on the dance floor, when there was plenty of space for her to be on the band stand, which would permit folk to dance to her performances.

Although looking back she did post a photo of dancers with a band yesterday, so there must be some sessions.

Edit; just had a response "there is dancing in Queens Room for most of the evening. The shows in there have been less than 30 mins"