watsonbeau

Yes we had 11049 on our last Caribbean round trip from Southampton- very quiet and easy access to my favourite scenic lift - loved popping out into Commodore 😆😆Also the viewing area for a breath of air. 

Chilworth Manor. 

Thank you. Overnight in LA is good as would probably do a trip over to Queen Mary in Long Beach, if only to photograph exterior if closed and second day maybe go round the Iowa as we did a tour up to Santa Monica/Becerkey Hills last time I was in LA. The Panama transit is what  I’m really interested in though. I did hear they are likely building another bridge Pacific end with funding from China - if they do I wonder if they will decommission Bridge of Americas or keep both. Can’t wait for March !! 

Is QM2 docking at San Pedro ? Thank you

39 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

 

The announcement does appear to be very close now. I'm finding the 2026 itineraries on a couple more cruise booking sites today. They confirm the QM2 world voyage itinerary I posted on the "Cunard 2026 Itineraries Preview" thread as a westbound full circumnavigation including a Panama Canal transit. I'll probably be booking either the New York to Los Angeles or the New York to San Francisco segment as soon as they go on sale.

That’s the one I want - transit Panama on QM2. Sounds fabulous!

The next program from Sept 25 to Jan 27 is apparently released to World club members on 6 March. World Cruise from 5 March. Can’t wait ! 

1 hour ago, Pear Carr said:

Liverpool will put on an amazing show for Queen Anne - gutted I will miss it as will be sailing the med on her older sister Queen Victoria!

Same here. Otherwise might have had a trip to Scouseland to see. Hopefully it will be shown onboard QV.

I’m trying it in September for first time - for the return they told me you are given some of reference before you leave the hotel so you can  book your taxi back to hotel from the port. 

A lot of time will be just sitting on the bus there and back -  although the trip itself is 1/2day, the rest is travel time.  Rome traffic is seriously terrible. I’m on QV in June and will either wander round Civitavecchia or do one of the other tours that don’t go to Rome. 

Reuters reports tanker on fire out there. So situation isn’t exactly improving. 

https://www.reuters.com/world/ukmto-reports-incident-60-nautical-miles-south-east-yemens-aden-advisory-note-2024-01-26/

and this 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/cruise-operator-carnival-flags-impact-operations-amid-red-sea-tensions-2024-01-26/

If you book it and the port is missed so Cunard cancel excursions there then Cunard will refund it 100%.

If Cunard cancel it either before you travel or onboard you get 100% back. If you cancel before you go then all refunded, however if you cancel it onboard then I think they deduct a small amount maybe 10% - somebody else on here can maybe confirm.

It might have been on Cruisemapper 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/news/12847-cruise-operators-adjust-itineraries-red-sea-security-concerns

and in Reuters 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/royal-caribbean-msc-cancel-cruises-due-red-sea-attacks-2024-01-19/

Apologies if I’m not supposed to put links.

Agree with tjunmin. Takes sometime to secure port facilities - they need to have all that sorted before Dubai as you say. It would still risk the ship even passengerless - and what a coup should the ship be targeted. They’d do best to do the Cape route if there are still issues in the area. 

I’d guess the latter if it comes to it plus she can speed up as is often the case on the transatlantics. Adds to fuel bill but better than risking ship and those on board. All very difficult and I wouldn’t like to be the one who has to decide on it.

11 hours ago, Pear Carr said:

Recently booked on board - no reduced deposit over 24 nights and 3% discount rather than additional OBC - would have preferred the other option but no go!

Yes that’s what I’m thinking - the discount is small compared to the extra OBC you’d get on a shorter <24 nt cruise.  Surprised they don’t give you a choice between the usual 200/300$ pp onboard perk or the 3% whichever is better.  Which is why I was trying to find out - thank you..

Debating on a Caribbean round trip (am in UK). Just wondering whether to wait and book onboard - or book at home. Do they still give the extra discount 3%?? (as it’s over 24 nights) if you book a saver fare or is that only if it’s a Cunard fare ? Can’t remember!
 

Also can you still request OBC for a saver fare with the required 100+ Carnival shares - have always had Cunard fare before so not sure on this point either.

Thank you.

Channel is live now on QV

Don’t know about shuttles, but if excursions sold out before sailing, once onboard they will often add extra capacity (extra buses etc) so booking becomes possible and some you can ask to waitlist as some people may cancel last minute.

Solentships have a channel on the well known video clip (YT..) so should be on there. Not sure when the channel will be live - -237 waiting - one is me. Think doing QM2 on there as well. Hope they both get a lovely send off.

Was on recent Caribbean round trip from Southampton - still came back with unread books etc - can’t think where the time went. 

Yes but as others have said, many are very close together ! However there are a few that are more “isolated”. The one thing I liked about the open dining is that you have no fear of being stuck with table mates you don’t get on with, and then having to ask for elsewhere via the maitre d’. However do feel sorry for the lovely staff as you don’t get chance to get to know them on open dining.

Yes I did wonder how bona fide it was. Fingers crossed for the Panama Canal transit - I’ve got that earmarked for 2026 - thank you.

Just found this itinerary for QM2 - no idea if it’s accurate though, which shows her round the Horn and not doing Panama transit. One of the experts might be able to check ? I have just shown the part from New York but ties in with the TA prior from Southampton. Thank you.

Thank you - have previously left tips mainly as GBP or USD, and paid surplus USD into onboard account rather than exchange it. Wasn’t sure about Euros. Will likely leave any left over as tips to avoid exchange.