D&N

We're visiting Rome for a few days later this Spring. We might wear utility clothing while we walk past all the old places during the day but when going to dinner in the evenings we'll be dressed up. Not formal wear of course, but certainly suit and tie for me and dresses for my wife, as we wear to dinner on the Cote d'Azur. It's unlikely to happen, but if we ever do sail on a ship other than QM2, the only reason for doing so would be to dress up and go for dinner each night, then find some music to dance to.

@artvlay You don't specify the actual date of travel, but LHR>FCO is usually served several times a day. If you arrive early enough at T5 you could see the BA staff as quickly as possible and might be transferred to an earlier flight if seats are available. You don't need to find a formal desk, there are staff hanging about at entrances to the bag drop areas. And if you did suffer a delay there are probably at least another two flights in the day. We are in a very similar situation when flying home to Nice, having a flight at least every three hours.

You don't need to worry about the Masquerade Gala. It's just a Gala Night with a suggested theme. Our profile photo shows our last and likely next masquerade outfits, we just add small masks. But most people don't bother. If the trousers and jacket are of similar colour you are more or less dressing in the "dark suit" mentioned in the photo attached. And if you are wearing a dress and drinking cocktails, that must be a "cocktail dress". 🙂 The majority of men wear tuxedos, but many wear suits as well.

I'm getting in ok. Are you getting this screen with booking#, first name, last name, and date of birth? In the past there has been an odd incident where Cunard have had a wrong D.O.B.

We used https://www.aerotaxis-southampton.co.uk/ But there are lots of others. Search for "Southampton taxis UK" I would self disembark carrying all your own luggage just after 7am and book a car for 7.30am. It should be possible to make the trip in around 75 minutes, but it could take 2 hours or more if traffic was particularly bad. You might get away with travelling a bit later on but I would aim to get to Heathrow as quickly as possible to minimise risk of missing flight.

I bought a new ivory tux from ebay for £60, which looked as if it had been in a stockroom for years. It was a bit dusty. It is 55% polyester 45% wool and specifies dry clean only. I knew it would be much cheaper to have it cleaned on QM2 than dry cleaned in France. I left it out for cabin stewardess on first evening with a note requesting cleaning. It was returned early next evening looking perfect. Inside pocket linings were still a bit damp but I didn't plan to use it for a couple of days so it had plenty of time to dry. In 2006 we had a satin gown cleaned on another ship using the same process without any problem. The dress had asymmetric stitching around the bodice. It was then cleaned by a dry cleaners in Scotland before we left using a chemical process and we didn't notice until long after we moved that the bodice seams had shrunk in different directions and it was completely out of shape.

We took all our own with a selfie tripod and remote control. Now we have the full frame camera the tripod needs to be slightly sturdier but I still use a remote fob. We were actually quite happy with most of the pro pics. Sixteen of them joined twenty-three of our own on a mural I created. Most of them are cropped in some manner to fit the jigsaw, and one face swapped as one caught my eyes screwed up and in another Nora had a shocked expression. So Nora's nice smile joined me with eyes open. Our preference is for the ones on the Grand Lobby balcony, as the profile photo, and those taken with a plain background. There is a pro pic of Nora sitting on the stairs as you suggest that looks good. One benefit of pro pics is that they are usually lit properly. That can be difficult to achieve with your own equipment.

Some of the photographers seem obsessed with asking gents to pose with one or both hands in pockets. I unconsciously went along with it for the first night and part of second, then pointed out to them that I considered it rude and they best come up with another pose if they are not happy with those we have chosen. We're not at all uncomfortable with formal portraits, the main aim is to try and make sure our facial expressions come out well. A few years ago I carried out an exercise of digitising all our negatives and prints and archiving by date, and the most disappointing outcome was the shortage of photos of us from the pre digital age. We got about 115 on the USB key and hope to do better next time. They were taken on the four Gala Nights and on three other nights when we came across photographers. On two of the three I was wearing my ivory tux since when we originally booked those nights would have been non themed gala nights. I don't quite get the current outcry over the Princess of Wales editing a photo. I'm more than happy to cut a face out of one photo and paste it in another if one of us doesn't have the best expression in the originals.

Quoting from your recent post in the old "Dancing" thread; I assume that distance is one reason that having lessons on land is difficult: "We will try to learn from YouTube dance lessons, though we live a long distance apart and so cannot practice together." I don't think YouTube will be very effective in teaching a beginner to dance. It has it's uses; experienced dancers will probably pick up the steps of a sequence dance from it, or be reminded of a variation they have been taught in the past. For a beginner there is no review function to make sure that you are actually doing what is shown in the video and not your own interpretation of that. If it is possible, could you look into taking lessons in different locations? Most classes will accept singles and they pair them up with another single or sometimes the teacher has a few assistants who can dance both the leader or followers part. The key would be to make sure that both teachers were affiliated to the same association and following the same syllabus. Even if they are hundreds of miles apart they may know or be aware of each other and be prepared to liaise to ensure you both were taught the same things. There will be many dance associations in the US. Here's two resources I've found in a quick search that you could make enquiries to: https://usadance.org/page/DanceSportCouncil https://aidadance.org/pages/members/Default.asp The DanceSport one is aimed at competitions but someone there should be able to direct you to suitable organisations. Relying on learning on board is unlikely to be very successful. You'll probably struggle to learn enough in the time available to actually dance in the evening. But failing all else, just get yourselves in a ballroom hold (you should manage to learn that from YouTube); heads up and slightly to the left, that's so you can see over each others shoulders what is happening around you; on no account look down at your feet as it puts you off balance, and simply walk round the floor in an anti-clockwise direction in time to the music. It is the responsibility of the "serious" dancers not to bang into you. Although if you come to another couple obstructing your way it is your responsibility to take some avoiding action and not crash into them.

In June 2022 this was the schedule of dance lessons offered in the Queens Room on our QM2 crossings. Where two times were shown the morning was beginners and afternoons improvers/intermediate. Not sure who decides what is offered. I got the impression that the pro dancers probably specialised in Latin rather than Ballroom. Westbound Day 2 Sequence 10am Day 3 Cha Cha 12:15pm & 5pm Day 4 Tango 11:15am & 5pm Day 5 Rumba 11am & 5pm Day 6 Sequence 11am Day 7 Salsa 12:15pm Eastbound Day 2 Sequence 11am Day 3 Waltz 11am Day 4 Cha Cha 11am & 5pm Day 5 Tango 11am & 5pm Day 6 Sequence 11am Day 7 Jive 10am

We were starboard for Southampton-New York and return. That meant we had a view over the Statue and Manhattan from when the ship turns and when berthed at Red Hook. Some folk prefer port because they'll get first sight of Statue on arrival (if you are sailing to New York). At aft of starboard hallway there is a heavy door that opens beside the Pavilion Pool Bar. It wasn't used very often when we were on. It's as easy for most to exit the hallway to the stair/lift B foyer and access the pool area from there. I didn't pay attention but imagine there is a similar door on the port side. There is often a band playing at Pavilion Pool around 3pm. We were quite happy for the music to waft towards the cabin, but we're not used to living in a silent location. Depending on the route port or starboard could make a difference to how much light/sun you get on the balcony. We only use the balcony for a washing line for our gym/swim gear so aren't really bothered.

Welcome to the Cunard Boards. We prefer one a bit further back near the Pavilion Pool. It's one without a connecting door and we didn't hear any noise from neighbouring cabins over the fourteen days. We don't choose the location to avoid any movement near the bow, we'd be perfectly happy with that. It's to be near the pool and staircase B. We only use staircase A to visit the gym, at most once per day. Our other six trips per day are on staircase B. The only sound from neighbours was when on balcony at same time as them and hearing them talking. If you are likely to use the Commodore Club, library and theatres, staircase A might be useful.

@LJS24 Just realised it might be useful to detail that the photography department is found at Images Photo Gallery on deck 2 opposite the entrance to The Golden Lion near lifts/stairs C. They will be able to give details of what packages they are offering on your sailing and where/when they will be setting up for photos. They also have their studio in their office at that location. These opening times come from programmes for a Transatlantic in December: Day 1 - Embarkation 6pm to 8pm Day 2 & 6 - Before Gala Nights 9am to 2pm Day 3, 4, 5 & 7 - 9am to 9pm Day 8 - Disembarkation 7am to 9am

This is a High Tea menu, from a venue in Scotland where we would go for a dance evening with friends several years ago. It is served between 5pm and 7pm with a more extensive dinner being served between 7pm and 9pm. The price of the main course included all the items listed below. It was particularly attractive to the group we visited with as the meal was generally finished by the time the musician(s) started playing music for dancing.

In June 2022 we were quoted $395 for everything they took around the ship in seven days and paid $595 for fourteen days. On Gala Nights they had setups in three or four venues. Grand Lobby upper and lower staircase and flower arrangement, and deck two main corridor near photo gallery. The worst backdrop we were offered was a Rennie MacIntosh pattern. No really cringeworthy ones with life belts or sea/ship drawings. On night four of each week, that in the distant past would have been a non themed gala but by the time we sailed was smart attire, they had photographers out in the upper lobby. We got everything they took on a USB key at end of trip. Next time we'll find out how to get photos every night. And we've upgraded our own camera gear to pro standard. Edit. They also offer studio stuff at higher prices. We weren't impressed by the test results, possibly the black backdrop that doesn't suit my wife's complexion.

And if you book one of those obstructed views that is only partially obstructed, make sure to specify "No Upgrades". Theoretically you could be upgraded from DF to DC or DC to DB and you could end up with a very obstructed view.

Sorry for any confusion, my comment wasn't meant to relate to yours.

There were also some QM2 programmes posted last December and September. There was a thread by Pushpit with links each day here: https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2979346-qm2-voyage-m338-15-december-2023-7-nights-westbound-transatlantic-crossing-reports-onboard/ And bluemarble posted this: post #6 https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2968280-qm2-transatlantic-daily-programmes/?do=findComment&comment=66250560

But I'm sure it would interest @bluemarble why you weren't able to access the link, if you can give him any more info?

On post #1 of that thread, and somewhere on each page you should see a link to QV. Pressing on that should open a new page/window that has a list of whole year for QV. Follow that list down until you find your cruise. Clicking on this link should lead you directly to the file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cyvDcClHIEbbbga0u7o9M_DqNBL4ZdQL/view If that doesn't work for you (perhaps you have a pop-up blocker) I think this is a list of dress codes for the cruise you described, although you didn't specify actual dates, so it's a bit of a guess. And because it's copied from the file it's not laid out as nicely. V416 24-Jun-24 Civitavecchia Smart Attire 25-Jun-24 Gala Evening Black and White 26-Jun-24 Cephalonia Smart Attire 27-Jun-24 Corfu Smart Attire 28-Jun-24 Kotor Smart Attire 29-Jun-24 Dubrovnik Gala Evening Masquerade 30-Jun-24 Smart Attire 1-Jul-24 Trieste Smart Attire 2-Jul-24 Zadar Smart Attire 3-Jul-24 Split Smart Attire 4-Jul-24 Gala Evening Red and Gold 5-Jul-24 Valletta Smart Attire 6-Jul-24 Gala Evening Roaring Twenties 7-Jul-24 Sorrento Smart Attire

We are unlikely to ever reach Diamond level, but can someone explain what the usual values of the complimentary lunch or evening meals at pop-ups are? The latest pricing I can see published is less than $35, but that might not be current. If there is any risk of not being able to accommodate everyone it would seem sensible to offer a OBC alternative. There must be many folk who only take up the offer because they would lose the benefit otherwise. If it were us, we'd be happier to spend $70 on something else.

Bad or drunken behaviour is fortunately very rare on any of these short cruises. The very cheapest lines and Mini-Cruises on North Sea ferry routes sometimes attract stag or hen party type groups that can be a bit noisy. But even Cunard's shortest trips would generally be more expensive than most of those groups would want to pay. Very rarely there is a news report of an incident resulting in passengers being arrested at a port or on return. I think the last I recall several years ago was on a P&O cruise to Norway, which wasn't a mini cruise. Nothing to do with the cost or length of the cruise, just idiots that couldn't control themselves. But so rare that nobody should be put off booking because of the chance.

I've seen lots of YouTube videos of these short cruises. The vloggers tend to be those trying out QM2 for the first time without committing to the time/cost of a Transatlantic. So they do attract many first timers but I haven't seen any signs of unruly or drunken behaviour. They all seem to make an attempt to dress appropriately for gala nights as well, although some perhaps look a little outside their comfort zones.

I came across an Airwrap that claimed to be rated at 1,300W. That seems fairly high to me for a hair dryer. My wife's short and hard hair only needs dried when going out in cold soon after washing and her traditional drier is 1,200W. I suspect the ones in the cabin drawers are much less. Can you compare the rating on the one she took last time? Theoretically if it's not any higher it should work. Of course someone that actually has tried one can give a better response. I prefer polish! 👨‍🦲

We bought some Australian Wagyu at our local hypermarket in their Christmas specials for 2018 (photo). Asking price was €99/kilo, but we had a €20 off €100 voucher (we bought some other things too). We browned in a griddle pan then rested in a low oven. It was delicious. Bought some more on special order from our butcher a few years later at €180/kilo! Cooked it the same way but it wasn't quite as memorable. We can get several excellent French breeds of fillet for about a third of the price. I wouldn't buy it again unless I found a really good offer.