kshannon5

On 12/31/2022 at 4:47 PM, frankp01 said:

Another 'to do' rather than 'thing'... Send yourself a postcard from onboard. The QM2 is a Royal  Mail Ship, so you'll get a nice postmark...

Can the Purser's desk provide the appropriate stamp?

On 12/31/2022 at 4:38 PM, frankp01 said:

Here's not something to not forget, but something to be sure not to do. Don't place your boarding pass and passport in the bags you're checking. We had a travelling companion who had her eTicket in the bag she checked at the port. That wasn't that big of a deal, since her reservation could be looked up. But on our last flight to London we were checking in next to a couple who had placed their passports in the bags they had just checked. Their bags were long out of sight when they were asked for their travel documents! Geez I felt sorry for them. When you arrive at the terminal, the stevedores will be hustling to take your bags. Make sure you keep whatever you'll need for the next few hours in your carry-on bag.

Excellent thing to double check.

1 hour ago, Goin' Grey said:

• Spare carrier bags / spare plastic bags. (Think shopping.........)
• Favourite sweets for tours or plane journey home.
• Hand wipes
• Cloth for pressing clothes. Tumble dryer sheets, string, pegs.

Pressing cloth - do you think a (clean) towel would suffice?

2 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Basic grown-up clothing - at least a jacket and tie for a man, and the kind of dress a woman's mother would have thought was good for company. 

 

Why try to test the limits?

Oh, no worries. I've been planning outfits for months! 6 of the 8 nights will be floor length dresses and my husband owns a tux and will bring other suits and jackets as well.

13 minutes ago, sfred said:

Three thoughts not previously mentioned....

 

1. Although Cunard hasn't been consistent recently in their requirement to show proof of covid vaccination at checkin, don't forget to bring a paper or phone copy of your vaccination status.  Also any other required vaccinations for your itinerary, like yellow fever.
2. Where possible, arrange any needed visas or electronic travel authorities well in advance, and bring paper copies with proof.  With the intermittent nature of ship wifi, you might not be able to do things last minute.
3. Lastly, one time I forgot cufflinks for formal nights.  The ship's retail shops sell them, although at rather high prices.

Yes, paper copies always, even in these high tech days. Better safe than sorry!

1 hour ago, Summergee said:

Don't forget a camera.

Yes!

Just now, techteach said:

I’d throw in a roll of painters tape to make sure drawers stay shut or to hang things, and a couple of magnets to hang schedules. 

Painter's tape! That's a new one. Do QM2 drawers tend to move that much? Maybe in very rough seas...

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Seasickness pills, just in case. And a spare pair of glasses.

Already bought Bonine, and plan to start with a dose day before embarking just to be safe...

Also have ginger chews in case we still feel a bit queasy.

2 hours ago, bluemarble said:

I'll list some items I've forgotten or almost forgotten to take on various trips. Most of these are "duh" of course, but I've managed to slip up or almost slip up on these on occasion.

 

Power cords for all devices

Power adapters for US to UK/Europe plugs

Ear buds/headphones for cell phone (especially for inflight entertainment)

Rain poncho

Copies of passport and credit/debit card information

All excellent things to remember!

Hello all,

We're beyond excited to board QM2 on the 3rd!

I've done a lot of due diligence leading up to this, but always worried that I'm missing something. What last-minute things should I not overlook?

Thanks for all the expertise that's sure to come my way. 😁

Kris

Thanks Roy! Do you know if they will be able to weigh the bag for us as well?

We are planning on not forwarding excess luggage back home once we arrive in Southampton, although we'll be travelling in Europe afterwards.

In the case we decide whilst onboard to spend the extra to ship some back after all, can we arrange that through concierge/purser? Or must it be arranged only ahead of the voyage? 

Hello all,

Does anyone know if the Book Club is still going? if so, how do I find out the book title? We are on the Eastbound TA Jan 3rd.

Kris

On 9/25/2022 at 4:03 AM, Gomac said:

 Thank you for your advice, this is really good to know. We will book in advance.

Does anybody know if we can do it via the onboard Cunard app? That would simplify things, and being able to skip the purser's line would be nice.

Congratulations! My husband and I are the exact same situation, but our EB crossing is in January. And oddly enough, I believe our travel agent is the exact same one as you describe. (Not allowed to name names though).

Sounds like you have the exact right spirit for planning! I hope you enjoy your trip and would love to hear details when you're back. 

6 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Top tips:

Not to be missed experiences for the first time cruiser.

The (2 share) Seafood Platter in the Verandah

Wagyu Beef in the Verandah

The Special Cunard Seafood Pasta Dish (forgot the actual name) in the Lido Alternative on the La Piazza nights (hidden away at bottom of Menu - Cooked and Flambé table side by HW). 

Evening Cocktails in the Commodore Club

Working with one’s Sommelier over Dinner, especially with Bin Ends (excellent wines at excellent prices)

 

Hotel close to Cruise Terminal 

Southampton Harbour Hotel - Would suggest an early booking as this is the most popular hotel for overseas cruisers taking a WC

 

Drinks/Alcohol 

No restrictions on the amount one can bring onboard on embarkation 

Some Off Licences (Liquor Stores) in Southampton can deliver online purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

All excellent suggestions, with the exception that we leave from NYC. We are planning an evening at the Veranda at least, so will keep those items in mind.

1 hour ago, Jack E Dawson said:

You are exactly right. A lot of us just think in terms of the alcohol beverages but if you enjoy the specialty coffee's, hot chocolate and soda, that adds a whole other dynamic to the equation.

When you look back on this voyage I think you will find that it began not on Jan 3rd but on the day you made your booking. We so enjoy the prep and planning, the anticipation and excitement that happens between the booking date and the sailing date. 

Congratulations and well done kshannon5

Jack

Thank you! And you are so right, even getting to this point has been fun.

5 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Welcome to Cunard……….

A Crossing Voyage

As it appears one is “Old School” with intention is to dress to impress nightly.  That will leave one’s husband to decide if he will also go “Old School” with a Tux/Suit on every night, except first and last.

All questions will be welcomed, with good advice given.

Enjoy

Thank you so much! Yes, I am old-school and believe dressing up is part of the point of the QM2.

Luckily my husband already owns a tux, so now I'm just buying a couple of fun bow ties to match the themes.

11 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

I would  seriously look very carefully at the drinks packages. Remember both of you must purchase the same package and that is a lot of hefty adult beverage lifting for a 7 day journey. As first timers you may find yourselves so busy exploring and attending various lectures, concerts etc, that you will not have the time to imbibe that much.

Yes, thank you. I have been doing some research on that. I've done some mental math on lattes, sodas, lunch beers, pre-dinner cocktails, and so on, and think it makes sense for us. (I've looked at prices too.) Honestly since the package includes gratuity it makes it a pretty easy choice in our case. Not for everyone I know, but for us it is good. 🙂

I am thrilled to say that my husband and I have finally booked our TA! We'll be on the January 3rd Eastbound, which I believe is the start of the World Cruise. It simply worked better for our schedules.

We absolutely cannot wait! Thank you to all who gave insight and help. I hope my further questions don't get too intrusive. 😉

We have a sheltered balcony on Deck 6, good position midships, with nothing across the hall.

Now to plan 9 days and 8 nights of outfits, hotels and deciding on a drinks package. Oh, and perhaps practicing our rusty ballroom dance moves!

8 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

In American this is… Ughh?
😉😊

 

Americans who cruise on Cunard with English guests, not only could they have a wonderful cruise experience, in addition they will have free access to English lessons. 😉. A win, win for Americans?

 I'm assuming by the emojis that this is tongue in cheek, but may I add that some English don't sound so posh either. Innit right luvvie/bruvva? Please don't perpetuate the stereotype that Americans are so linguistically inferior. Especially ones that would want to sail on Cunard.

11 hours ago, frankp01 said:

 BTW, I composed and uploaded this message using the terminal's wifi. There had been a question on the forum a year ago as to whether there was wifi. There is! It's a 5 Ghz signal. If you have an older device that looks for a 2.5 Ghz signal, you'll be out of luck.

 Glad you're off, even if it's a late start!

Curious as to how long you have U.S. signal once you leave the terminal/port.

34 minutes ago, Jack E Dawson said:

Kris,

We have made 2 Crossings in May (2017 & 2022), on both we had generally very good weather. However, on most Cunard bookings, final payment is due 90 days before sailing so you are correct in your though that booking in January would give you a fall-back position but you would have to do so by October. As carlmm pointed out, predicting what COVID, the cruise lines and the CDC will throw at us 90 days out is going to be difficult. 

For us, one of the draws of the QM2 is it's great promenade deck. We walk laps almost every day as well as relax on the beautiful teak deck chairs and watch the North Atlantic Ocean go by. There we have seen whales (actually just one whale), sea turtles and porpoises. We also have had many enjoyable conversations with new found friends.   And yes, there has been the unanticipated naps following an evening of being over served. My point is, you might have a better chance of enjoying this part of the QM2 Crossing experience in May than in January.  Either month, I'm sure you will have a grand time.

Jack

Thank you for your wonderful, thorough post. 

We have reasons for wanting January AND May, so we're trying to do pros and cons to see which one works out. So info such as yours really helps.

And you're 100% correct about covid predictions. I feel like from now on out that will not be part of our considerations.

6 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Definitely May. Better weather on the ship. More importantly, Northern Europe is quite nice in May with long bright evenings, but I would never choose to visit the UK in January, and I live here. Nothing to be said for it, and May won't be that expensive except for the Bank Holiday week at the end.

Food for thought, much appreciated. I've been to the UK many other times, but never in January.

The bank holiday is the final weekend, yes?

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Are you sure you're thinking of Luggage Forward?  This is the service that picks up my bag at home and delivers it to the ship.  They mostly use either UPS or Fedex ground for the distance part of the journey.

 

Roy

I believe so. We are considering using a luggage service to lighten our load once off the ship and travelling on. Not to transport myself. 😁

I was worried in case they use air travel to transport the items.