bobby1119

Or is it in the National Museum of Scotland?

Now QE2's bell, which was in a stairwell landing on Two Deck or One Deck, is now outside the Commodore Club on Queen Elizabeth.

Or is it in the National Museum of Scotland?

Could swear it was in the ward room. Have been to lots of officers' parties there. Remember seeing it.

Aquitania's bell, I believe, is in the Ward Room of QE2.

Does the Burn the Floor dance show perform in the ship's theatre or in the Manhattan Dining Room?

I booked a 7:30 pm show on line, but I cannot determine where it will be performed.

Thank you.

We've sailed on the Breakaway 2X and we usually make reservation before we leave but we always end up changing or cancelling them (there's so much to do on this ship) but have never had a problem making another one or just showing up. Like you, we like to dine late (8:30 - 9:00) but will eat early (5:30) if we have a reservation for a show and we never wait at those times. A couple of times, we showed up at 7 - 7:30 and were given a pager but only waited about 10-15 minutes.

The dress code is casual but some people do dress up. We usually don't change for dinner and we have never felt out of place in the MDR with nice shorts and a casual shirt. The only thing they are pretty strict about is that you wear long pants in Manhattan.

The only specialty restaurant that we've dined at was Cagney's and getting a reservation was not difficult. We changed our reservation a couple of times and didn't have a problem getting the time we wanted, but again, we eat later than most people.

I hope you enjoy your cruise!!

Thank you for your insights which have helped me prepare for the cruise. Happy sailings to you, too!

First time with NCL and Breakaway in a few weeks.

1. How long a wait for the main dining room can we expect? Do we need to reserve or just line up? We usually like to dine at 8:45-9:00 at a table for 2.

2. Does the main dining room "rush hour" happen at an earlier hour or later?

3. How difficult will it be to obtain reservations in the specialty restaurants when reserving once on board?

4. Dress code - are nice jeans/khakis appropriate in the dining rooms and specialty restaurants in the evening? Would a navy blazer be appropriate or just excess baggage?

We have extensive experiences with other cruise lines, mostly with a cruise line that is very formal. We are looking for a different experience.

Thank you for your help.

Tom, the numbers were recently changed. Call NB.

I, too, was pleasantly surprised to see the addition of this new Caribbean cruise from New York. Cunard's withdrawal from the Caribbean market, with the exception of the annual holiday cruise, was one of their more disappointing decisions. So I welcome this new cruise.

Amber Cove to me seems to be fashioned after the Princess Cays, Half Moon Cay, Labadee model of a self-contained "one stop shopping" cruiseport with a beach, shopping, etc. Nice for a hassle-free "beach day" on a Caribbean cruise; not so sure if it's world cruise material.

I agree with Salacia regarding the refit. The ship needs attention, the sooner the better. The sink holes have returned, and the soft furnishings in some of the cabins, including the grill cabins, are getting a bit worn. And when are they ever going to replace, as promised, those hideous, shabby sofas in the Britannia cabins?

And then there's the matter of Kings Court.

Very classy. Well done.

Slower speeds in the interest of fuel economy means that it takes more time to get from point A to point B, meanwhile a captive audience spend more money on board.

Exactly. You and Capnpugwash are spot-on as usual.

When I was on QE2's full world cruise 2007, we made several long runs in fewer days than it takes the ships today, including, sadly, Queen Mary which has the speed to do it.

Although I enjoy sea days, the world cruises have become "oceans of the world cruises" with so many days at sea.

Unless you have no other option, leave them home with a responsible friend or family member or in a good kennel. They are better off on land where they can receive proper medical attention if they fall ill.

One of the chief pursers (whose department oversees the kennel) said that dogs can often become very seasick. I have thus resisted taking my dog with us on a back to back crossing.

Keep us posted.

Mary, along with a large cast of other colorful eccentrics, including Bea Muller, were on my full world cruise of QE2 in 2007. I've never seen quite an entourage on all of my Queen Mary 2 cruises and crossings combined.;)

Thank you for your kind comments. The formal review has now been posted:A short QM2 voyage is better than no QM2 voyage

Thank you for the nice review. Having sailed many times with Queen Mary and QE2 and QE(3), I regret that the experience is quickly careening towards an iceberg. Standards, as I have known and experienced them, as others have noted, are declining. I do hope that this downward trend is taken seriously and is righted.

Can't tell you about shore excursions available from Catania, but I've traveled by land throughout Sicily and can offer a few suggestions. Catania is the gateway city for exploring Mt. Etna, for which I am sure some sort of a shore excursion will be offered. Also, the picturesque (but crowded) town of Taormina, perched high above the Ionian Sea and offering a wonderful Greek amphitheater, is nearby; to the south is the city of Siracusa with its magnificent Greek theatre and ruins. Perhaps a shore excursion will be available as well. Agrigento, with its spectacular Greek temples, is a bit far away - but if a shore excursion is available, I would recommend it highly. Be sure to sample the exotic cuisine of this amazing island if you have the opportunity.

QE2 racing along with Ian McNaught in command.

It will be sharp and smashing!

Get a copy of the deck plans, call Cunard and ask them if a different cabin within the upgrade category is available.

I've done this numerous times, with upgrades and guaranteed bookings whenever I was assigned a cabin not to my liking. The staff in California have always been very polite and accommodating.

Less than the ship's performance in high seas, I would be much more concerned with the proximity to Churchill's, noise from the Commodore Club, and hallway traffic to and from this popular lounge.

This said, if they are not able to move you, then keep your upgrade. Others who have been located in this area have had minimal issues.

Good luck & enjoy your cruise.

Princess has recently reflagged the DIAMOND PRINCESS and SAPPHIRE PRINCESS, and their registry is now London. Is there any chance that Cunard might return to once again being able to use their old motto of, "Great ships of British registry since 1840"? I for one would greatly appreciate such a return to British registry.

Frank,

You raise an interesting point. I, too, would very much like to see the registry of the fleet return to Southampton which was Cunard's strongest and most legitimate claim to the great history and traditions at the core of the company.

I wouldn't hold my breath but would be quite surprised, and delighted of course, to see such a change. On the other hand, I am sure that management would not entertain what would be a "reversal of fortune" now that the Pay Equity requirement has been circumvented in the guise of weddings at sea.

I have received the brochure for 2015 entitled "Cruise Collection."

In other mailings for promotions, as well as on the website, the term "cruise" seems to have replaced "voyage" which earlier replaced "cruise."

The term "crossing" still remains.

I am wondering if the new marketing team has realized that the use of the term "voyage" tended to distance Cunard from what potential "guests" know as a "cruise."

I always thought the use of the word "voyage" was pompous. I recall Peter Shanks once saying in an interview, "We do voyages, not cruises."

Any thoughts on this subtle change or any others?

Interesting article. Time will tell how the new marketing team will affect the brand, hopefully for the better.

Still, I find there is a considerable "disconnect" between what is advertised in the brochures and what is actually delivered on board.

Beyond the themes of declining food quality standards, repetitive itineraries, etc., noted throughout these boards, one of the most disappointing aspects of the current onboard experience, in my opinion, is the issue of crew apathy. While I have had the pleasure of knowing and being served by many fine, enthusiastic crew members who do justice to the White Star mantra, those crew members - and their numbers seem to be increasing - who exhibit sullen, apathetic attitudes truly detract from the good spirit engendered by others.

I think Lynn (Jim's Girl) appropriately identified the need for quality control.

Enjoyed looking at the beautiful photos. Engenders good memories.

This ugly thread, however, needs to walk the plank.

The Boat Deck.

Quintessential liner.

The ghosts of world club members past?:rolleyes:

Very disappointing.

There is nothing that inspires me.

Undignified publicity. My opinion.