K.S.

19 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Are you on board ? Is there a lot of disruption ?

I was correct in that a cast/crew that large wasn’t just some “behind the scenes” in the galley.

On 8/21/2019 at 3:57 PM, Chunky2219 said:

Personally, I'd gladly manage without a British comedian if I could be assured of not being exposed to mac & cheese.  I don't care if it comes with shrimp or even caviar, it's an abomination that needs to stay on the Carnival barges.

 

 

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Personally, I love a good gourmet Mac and Cheese. I’ve made some great ones at home with shells and four types of cheese. But no, I wouldn’t expect that on the dinner menu, much less formal evenings.

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

 

A trifle vulgar perhaps, hardly disgusting. But it's certainly not new, they've been doing it for years. Enough passengers seem to enjoy them to make them worthwhile. There are plenty of places for the rest of us to enjoy, while avoiding them.

In my opinion, they shouldn’t be there at all. I found it tacky, even on Princess. And I expect tacky on Princess. Do people really “enjoy” them? Would people complain if they weren’t there?

On 8/22/2019 at 8:35 AM, david,Mississauga said:

 

I am grateful that Carnival bought Cunard. Whilst there are many changes (downgrading in my mind) that I regret, I always think the positive: that without Carnival – or another saviour – I wouldn’t be enjoying the current Cunard fleet. Without Carnival, it is possible that I would not have been able to have a crossing on the QE2 as late as 2008, almost 40 years since its first voyage.

 

 

There have been some positive changes since our earlier Cunard voyages in the 1970s and 80s. A brochure issued at the time of our first Cunard crossing in 1973 mentioned: there are no violins on the QE2. There was always at least one classical performer, but no string orchestra or harpist or pianist at tea time.  We had a long gap in our ocean travels, so I’m not sure if it was under Carnival that this civilised addition to tea time was added, but certainly I am pleased that it has continued. The current Cunard ships offer a much wider range of entertainment. There is something for all tastes. 

 

 

I am not pleased with the “dumbing down” of dress standards, but it hasn’t been as bad as on other lines. (I don’t need to be reminded that the standard of dress has changed everywhere; I am well aware of that.) We noticed on a Holland America cruise a few years ago that even on formal/gala nights the dress standards were quite shabby in comparison with Cunard.

 

 

I give an extra thank you to Carnival for allowing Dr. Stephen Payne to design the Queen Mary 2 his way. Of course there are some aspects of this fine ship that most of us do not appreciate, but overall it is a great ship.

Carnival is a mixed bag, a blessing - and a curse. That’s my opinion.

On 8/20/2019 at 1:47 PM, Island Venturer said:

 

And then, of course, the “sale tables” outside the shops… which on QE are outside the Queen’s Room.  Now… there is one full table set aside to sell Pringles and M&Ms. Wow.

 

 

That is SUPREMELY tacky. Sale tables? I wouldn’t expect that on Cunard. It’s disgusting.

On 8/13/2019 at 10:11 AM, T5LHR said:

 

I feel maybe, you have missed the point made in my previous post... No one has any idea of how many people are going to form the cast and crew. This number of 30 has suddenly appeared, and is now being treat as gospel with scare mongering from others that there is going to be mass disruption onboard with people being ordered about and whole sections of the ship out of bounds and cordoned off to allow for filming... 

 

For all anyone knows, it could be Jane MacDonald with her camera man and sound guy, and a producer. That would be all... But, sadly, in the age of keyboard warriors, it has to be more dramatic than that with little or no information to go on. 

I was correct, after all. 

1 hour ago, T5LHR said:

 

Exactly... For all anyone knows, they could be filming a "behind the scenes" documentary and will be 90% of the time in the galleys, engine room, crew areas that passengers won't even see. 

 

Personally, I am hoping it is Jane MacDonald for Ch5! 🙂

 

 

A cast and crew of 30, however (if accurate) is large. Too large to not be disruptive. A “Behind the scenes” does not in any way, shape or form, need that large of a complement. Not even close. I have experience to know.

On 8/7/2019 at 2:11 PM, Hawaii136 said:

Well I am glad some of you are excited.  I just hope they do not disrupt our daily walks around the deck.  Film crews can act very bossy and entitled - we have paid for a relaxing crossing. I doubt they will care about minimizing their impact.

 

I’d be quite put off if I booked a crossing and was told that at the last minute that this was happening. While I love cinema and have a degree in cinema history, theory and criticism, I abhor film crews (at least in the United States - it’s the “Hollywood” attitude). They act extremely self-entitled and just expect everyone will be so thrilled or excited by their presence, because they are making a movie/tv show. I couldn’t care less.

3 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

The most recent rail service was with the Orient Express. I never took that, but I recall the disembarking passengers started out on a coach tour  which would later return to the dock. The passengers would transfer from the coach to the train which had arrived from London with the embarking passengers.

 

Long before that there were boat trains to and from London Waterloo that met most ships at the former Ocean Terminal, the Queen Elizabeth II terminal and the Western Docks such as piers 105/106, now known as the Mayflower terminal.  We used boat trains to and from the ships almost every time. It was a very convenient service. Admittedly, not everyone wants to go to London. The boat trains were especially civilised going to Southampton because passengers would leave their luggage with porters at London Waterloo and not have to deal with it until it arrived in the cabin.

Yes, the Orient Express service, that’s what I was thinking of! Thanks for having that answer.

Of course I was aware of the historic Boat Train service. Pity that was stopped. Le Havre-Paris/Gare Saint-Lazare too on the other side of the channel.

34 minutes ago, Pennbank said:

Easily done , by Taxi from Port to Southampton Central, Train Station Platform 1, then South Western Railway Service to London Waterloo.

However if you are travelling to Heathrow Airport, you will need the South Western Railway, Rail-Air Service (Ticket) and Change at Woking Railway Station  to a coach for the short journey  to Heathrow Airport Terminals.

Southern Railway  (Green Trains)  also serve Southampton Central to Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Railway Station, although cheaper it   can be a longer Journey Time.

 

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

Thank you for this. I would be going into the city.

At one time Cunard offered rail service did they not? A day tour of Southampton, followed by rail transport to London, which included lunch aboard the train?

I’m aware that Cunard can arrange coach transport from Southampton to London, but are there alternatives? I hate busses. Specifically, I’d want to travel by train from the port to London. Any experiences shared are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I would love to see photos from one of the Roaring Twenties evenings

Update: I’ve found a few.

I might add, however, that when referring to the ship in English, you would still refer to the ship as “she” It is in French, that the ships are referred to as “he”.

5 minutes ago, fizzy1 said:

I wonder if anyone has contacted Cunard to enquire if it would be possible to get one in for them ? All measurements could be submitted 

At extra cost, naturally. Probably best to just rent before hand, or buy, really!

Just now, fizzy1 said:

Apart from that , he looks gorgeous in them ! Being 6ft , dark haired ! Very Bond looking 

Oh, lucky you 😉

Too bad. Guess I would have to make arrangements beforehand then!

Do they rent white tie? For at least one formal evening, I’d love to wear white tie.

All very good information. I’m not sure I could handle an inside cabin. Would probably have to go for single occupancy in an obstructed view cabin, or at least the few with the porthole, considering I may not be upgraded. What about the inside cabins with atrium view? Has anyone experience in one of those?

Really? Single occupancy in a double occupancy cabin is cheaper than the single occupancy cabins? I’m surprised at that. And the single occupancy cabins are considered an upgrade? How odd.

 No. In French, ships are masculine. Even if the name is feminine. For example : LE NORMANDIE.

Hello. I have never sailed QM2 transatlantic, but it has long been a trip I’ve dreamed of making (as far back as when the crossings were done by QE2).

 Main Question:: How early do you have to book to reserve one of the single ocean view staterooms on decks 2 and 3L?

Additionally, what would you say are the pros and cons of each type? I like the idea of deck 3L better, but am not sure about the cabin layout. What have been some of your experiences between the two types?

Thank you so much in advance for your help.