tjunmin

6 minutes ago, Kelownabccan said:

Well not sure what QC is

Quebec

12 hours ago, Kelownabccan said:

Nibbling at the February 15th Queen Mary 2.....going to the Canary Islands......have never been there ..and the itinerary looks interesting......

 

not sure if It is for us as may be too "formal"....we just got off the Carnival Panorama with the grand kids and had a blast....water park and all.....and we usually travel "carry on"   luggage on cruises so dress up nights and gala affairs may be too much to pack....lol.....

 

Any thoughts appreciated....February in Canada is pretty cold....

Hope my perspective, as a first time Cunard cruiser who is not into dressing up and dancing, will be helpful.

 

You can get away without dressing up on formal nights. For meals, you can opt for room service or Kings Court (buffet restaurant). Generally speaking, for evening events, dress code is enforced in public areas. Last night was formal night and I witnessed a gentleman being asked to leave Britannia Restaurant, as he was not in compliance with the dress code in effect.

 

During day time, what distinguishes QM2 from other cruise lines is the onboard library, a good lecture program (Cunard Insights), as well as handcraft and watercolor painting classes. The planetarium is a unique experience, although the shows might not be of everybody's interest.

 

Hope this helps determining if Cunard is a good fit for your travel needs.

An absolutely exhilarating and unique experience, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Freedom Day in Lisbon, with an air show, military parade and more!

 

A few photos of Lisbon, as usual, at the end of the album: [link].

 

Thom

We had gorgeous weather at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, sunny and not too hot or humid. Public buses (guaguas) are inexpensive, clean and efficient. The city centre is rich in history and architectural sights, while Playa de Las Canteras offers a gorgeous and relaxing beach experience.

 

A few photos from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can be found here, added at the end of the album: [link].

 

Thom

[Photo] of Queen Victoria, on the port side of Queen Mary 2, on the coast of Africa. 

 

Position of the two ships when the [photo] was taken.

 

Since we left Cape Town, staff has been serving passengers at Kings Court. This morning I noticed that we were no longer allowed to help ourselves of beverages in Kings Court as well. Mid-morning, the captain made a public announcement, informing us of enhanced protocols due to increased number of gastrointestinal illnesses experienced by passengers, including the cancellation of large public gatherings, such as the Country Faire event scheduled for this afternoon. For all onboard, stay safe and healthy!

 

I added photos of meals at The Verandah and Coriander here [link].

 

Thom

After a delayed departure from Cape Town due to wind conditions, QM2 arrived in Walvis Bay approximately 6 hours later than originally scheduled.

 

Approach into Walvis Bay was very foggy, with reduced visibility and quite a chilly breeze in the air. Once on land, we had good weather, with pleasant temperatures and amazing blue skies.

 

I choose a tour of Namib-Naukluft National Park. The scenery was breathtaking, with exhilarating dune rides, and sightings of flamingos, gemsboks, springboks, and even a palmato gecko!

 

I'm extremely happy that we managed to visit Walvis Bay and experience its beauty and hospitality.

 

A few of my photos from today can be found here [link].

 

Thom

1 hour ago, sogne said:

the many amateur captains on board were full of fanciful theories about the QE captain ability and otherwise

 

Confidence should not be confused with knowledge. Just because someone speaks loudly does not necessarily mean they know what they are talking about.

QM2 captain Andrew Hall just informed us that we'll arrive on Walvis Bay at 12:30 PM, due to the late departure from Cape Town. Departure from Walvis Bay has been pushed back by an hour, with all onboard at 7:30 PM and leaving at 8:00 PM.

 

I'm thankful that QM2 is still going to Walvis Bay.

2 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Thanks for the update, has the Captain said when you are likely to leave ?

 

If I recall correctly - when the captain made his announcement - they will monitor the conditions and will be ready to depart within 30 minutes of the wind conditions improving.

Hope QM2 will be able to get to Walvis Bay. I really would like to visit it! It is extremely unlikely that I'll return to this part of the world. We are currently still docked in Cape Town. :(

6 minutes ago, NE John said:

There is a poster on the Viking CC site stating he has 30 years of passenger ship command that the Viking Neptune needs a propulsion overhaul to make it more ocean worthy to deal with high winds. The key issue is the Viking Neptune doesn’t have Azipods to maneuver in high winds while QV does. There also seems to be a war of words going on there between frustrated Queen Vic pax and the Vikings. History repeats itself!  I’m in bed sick today so catching up CC is my entertainment today…

Sorry to hear you are feeling unwell, John. Wish you a speedy recovery.

Today QM2 arrived in Cape Town, and we have two queens docked at the same pier!

 

The weather today was perfect! Bright, clear, sunny, and not too hot, although extremely windy at Cape of Good Hope! I saw more animals than I was expecting today, including penguins, dassies, ostriches, baboons, and sea lions. A lovely lunch followed by a wine tasting was a perfect break, before hitting scenic Chapman's Peak Drive and iconic Table Mountain.

 

Photos of my adventure today can be found here [link].

 

Thom

A brief comment on the Carinthia Lounge on the QM2, it has been well attended throughout the cruise so far. In addition to the tasty bites, the comfortable sitting and activities such as trivia make the venue quite busy!

I'm currently in the middle of my voyage from Singapore to Southampton. Tomorrow QM2 will arrive in Cape Town. My original plan was to write a full review of my first Cunard experience at the end of the cruise, but after two and half weeks onboard, I feel comfortable sharing my early views on the product offered by Cunard, so far on this voyage.

 

I've always travelled with my spouse in our first 2 years with Royal Caribbean, followed by 16 years on Celebrity. Moving forward, I'll be a solo traveler. Last year Celebrity decided to start charging solo cruisers over 100% single supplement. Their corporate greed has driven me (and many others) to look for other cruise lines. 

 

In the past few years my spouse and I had been travelling in lower and upper suites on Celebrity - which are the equivalent of PG and QG in Cunard - and I'm currently in a sheltered balcony on QM2. Therefore, I won't be able to make fair comparisons in regards to accommodations, dining and service, but I'll do my best sharing my views when it comes to the public areas and activities.

 

Art Deco is one of my favorite design styles, and the QM2 is a feast for any art deco lover. I absolutely love the old world charm that the QM2 exudes, with its warm and rich wood and metal work.

 

EMBARKATION

 

My embarkation time was 1:45 PM. Arrival at Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre was hassle free. Baggage handlers at the cruise terminal were disorganized, letting some passengers cut in and ushering them into the terminal, while making others wait in line. Once inside the terminal, a process was in place to manage the high volume of passengers arriving for check-in at that time.

 

I appreciated the updated muster drill process, watching the safety video in the cabin at my own convenience and then checking-in at the muster station.

 

ACCOMMODATION

 

Sheltered balcony cabins feature a pleasant decor, with a neutral palette accented in gold and blue. The balcony itself is more spacious that I expected, and provides great protection against wind when the ship is under way. The bathroom is adequate, but its decor betrays the age of the ship. Newer Celebrity ships offer a more updated and luxurious feel to the bathrooms, even in the entry level cabins, compared to QM2.

 

I found very cute that everything needed to make tea is available in the cabin.

 

RESTAURANTS

 

Food is very important for me in a cruise.

 

Britannia Restaurant

 

Lovely grand atmosphere, with more intimate spaces on the sides. 

 

I had originally requested a table for two, but was assigned a table for 8. Thankfully the maître d' was able to accommodate my table for two request. 

 

I've been going to Britannia Restaurant primarily for dinner. I've only had lunch there twice so far; I would have had more lunches at Britannia, but a number of Cunard Insights lectures are unfortunately scheduled at 12:15 PM.

 

Julius (waiter) and Bernance (assistant waiter) have been providing good service and work well as a team. After two weeks of long dinners, I started asking for quick service in the past couple of nights, which they've been delivering, greatly improving my dining experience.

 

Food has been fine so far. Main courses are generally speaking quite good. Appetizers and desserts have room for improvement.

 

Steakhouse at The Verandah

 

I've read much in CC about the lack of ambiance in this venue. IMHO the problem is that the windows face the aft deck and swimming pool, and people use the restaurant as a passage way to the aft deck. The two issues combined  ruin the atmosphere of the venue. It just does not feel special enough to warrant the price surcharge.

 

Service from the waiters is attentious. Reduced lunch menu still offers a good experience for patrons. Brioche bun with maple butter is nice. Aberdeen Black sirloin is better than the Aubrey Allen rib eye. Side salad was better than I expected; the dressing helps cutting the richness of the meals. Wild Strawberry Pavlova is a delight to the eyes and the palate.

 

Bamboo

 

Good and friendly service. Great attention to detail, adjusting the menu for a mild food allergy I have. 

 

Nice appetizer presentation. Mandarin Crispy Chilli Beef main course was tasty; it could have used a little bit more heat. Pleasing dessert platter selection. Very satisfying meal.

 

Kings Court

 

Bright and contemporary space offers a welcoming space for quick meals.

 

Made-to-order omelette at breakfast time is good. Fruit so far has been sweet, which has been delightful. I've also been enjoying the sushi station, perfect when I want a light meal.

 

Sir Samuel's

 

A lovely quiet space, perfect for relacing and enjoying your favorite hot beverage, accompanied by delectable sandwiches and sweets. 

 

The Jumbo Croissant Wiltshire was tasty. The Open Whole Wheat Bloomer Sandwich was also so well prepared. The Caramel Chocolate Truffle Fudge Cake is a fudge lover's delight, with it's rich and dense chocolate fudge.

 

Carinthia Lounge

 

This is my favorite space on the ship for a quick bite. The limited selection of food offerings is carefully prepared and offer complex flavors with a more refined experience. I usually have breakfast and lunch here. The only issue I noticed is that the dishes sitting under the heated surfaces get very hot.

 

Golden Lion

 

Nicely decorated space, evoking a traditional pub ambiance. 

 

Chicken Tikka Masala was the dish I most enjoyed there. There are better dessert options elsewhere onboard.

 

I understand that a lot of people enjoy this venue and receive good service, but I personally have received the worst service here. The first time I went there, service was bad; I was ignored, did not get any service, could not get anybody's attention, and only after everybody who arrived after me was served that someone finally came over to take my order. On my second visit, the service was absolutely horrendous; it took 55 minutes to receive my fish and chips order; I asked them why it was taking so long, and they said they had lots of orders; but the straw that broke the camel's back was when someone who arrived 40 minutes AFTER me received his fish and chips BEFORE me! I was fuming. I have absolutely no plans of going back there.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Cunard Insights

 

I've been really enjoying all the speakers so far. I attend all the talks and find the variety of topics approached entertaining and refreshing. 

 

It would be awesome if they did not schedule talks at 12:15 PM, allowing passengers to have lunch at lunch time.

 

Craft Class

 

I had the opportunity to meet Sue and her husband David over lunch, and was invited to attend her craft class. It was an interesting experience to meet such a lovely group of ladies, and spend an afternoon in their jovial company, doing something that I've never done before, sewing!

 

This is it for now! I'll share a full review at the end of the voyage.

 

Thom

On 4/10/2024 at 2:47 PM, NE John said:

You need to publish a coffee table book of your voyage with these outstanding photographs. The colors are stunning. 

You really flatter me, John. I'm always looking forward to improving my photography skills. Glad that you are enjoying my photos!

1 hour ago, ChrisMV said:

Does @tjunmin happen to remember from that 6am cabin announcement by the captain?  I am pretty sure I heard water pump fire, but memories are only so good that early in the morning.

Unfortunately I do not remember the details of the announcement. I was already up when I heard the first announcement, which was broadcasted to the PA system outside the cabins. I thought to myself "hum... whatever the muffled announcement is, it is probably not good news", which was followed by the announcements in the cabins. Thankfully it was quickly addressed by the crew. At no moment I felt any panic, as it was handled and communicated in a timely fashion.

QM2 had a glorious day in Durban. Despite the threat of rain according to the weather forecast, thankfully the skies held the rain until the end of the day. 
 

Here are my Durban and Valley of a Thousand Hills photos [link].
 

Thom

On 4/8/2024 at 1:04 AM, Tkristop said:

And are the menus on the website current or does anyone have a recent one?

No Britannia Restaurant menu photos, but I have photos of the dishes (with names and descriptions) here [photos]; this is a work in progress, as I still have 2.5 more weeks onboard. Hope this helps!

The QM2 is currently approaching Durban, where it will arrive tomorrow. We are definitely not in the tropics anymore. The unbearable heat is behind us, and as we approach the Cape of Good Hope, the temperature has come down and the waves have gone up, accompanied by gorgeous sunrises and sunsets [photo].

 

We had a minor fire incident in the engine room a couple days ago, in the early hours in the morning, which was very quickly brought under control by the competent and well trained staff on board.

 

Cunard Insights has brought us interesting speakers, including Sally Gunnell, OBE [photo], among others. 

 

And what else to do on a sea day, other than enjoying the good food onboard, both at The Verandah [photos] as well as at Britannia Restaurant [photos].

 

Looking forward to a great first port of call in South Africa tomorrow!

 

Thom

Today QM2 reached Mauritius. I was apprehensive with the weather forecast predicting chance of shoers. I saw a huge downpour in the distance during lunch time, while enjoying a delightful typical Mauritian meal, but thankfully no rain anywhere during the day on the Southern side of the island where I was visiting!

 

Now three more sea days until we reach Durban, enjoying everything QM2 has to offer!

 

Photos of Mauritius here [link] and Britannia Restaurant meals here [link].

 

Thom

On 4/3/2024 at 10:33 PM, NE John said:

Just a quick add, the Winter Garden on QM 2 was removed after the 2016 dry dock redo, not during the recent Nov 2023 dry dock. And yes, the Winter Garden was a soulless and uninspiring venue back then. The Carinthia was a great improvement for that space. So many nice venues on QM2…

This is what I love about this forum. There is such a wealth of knowledge in the community. It is a wonderful resource to learn from!

On 4/3/2024 at 10:00 PM, D&N said:

I briefly used a second hand 35mm SLR over 30 years ago. With cost of film and developing and lack of an internet to teach me, I didn't really get my head round using it properly.

I'm very pleased with the A7C but there's lots to learn. I'm getting some great results and lots of rubbish but even saving RAW and X.Fine jpg can get a huge number of shots on a card. I use a WiFi FTP Server to backup the jpg files to phone, which then backs up to cloud and in turn to desktop.

 

Cons: Much bigger/heavier than a phone and doesn't fit in pocket. Needs a much sturdier tripod or selfie stick than a phone.

Pros: Supposed to be smallest/lightest full-frame available. Rangemaster viewfinder keeps it as compact as possible, my right eye is fine with that. Battery lasts 700+ shots.

I can take it most places in a small camera bag, a tote bag or light back pack.

Otherwise I've never had a serious camera to compare it to.

 

It is expensive of course. I've spent close to €4,000 between the A7C with 28-60 kit lens and a variety of others. Spare battery, charger, tripod, flash equipment, SD cards, bags. Some of the kit was second hand saving about €400.

Some Sony lenses are very expensive, so the second hand ones have been Samyang. I did have a cheap second hand APS-C 55-210mm, which I removed the baffle from to get max zoom with minor vignetting, but I recently got a new Tamron 70-300mm. I should replace the baffle and get the 55-210mm up for sale.

With such a great piece of equipment, where can we see some of your photos? :)

I did a search in the forum but have not found an answer.

 

1. If I decide to tip directly to the staff in cash, what should be the breakdown of the $14.50 daily tip between room attendant, waiter and assistant waiter?

 

2. Should I tip separately when dining at The Verandah and the pop-up restaurants, or is the tip already included in the fee?

 

Thanks in advance for your clarification!

Personally, I'd select luggage tags. I miss when cruise lines used to send us the luggage tags.