Joe33472

This from the CBP says that biometrics have been deployed in Brooklyn, but maybe they are still in the process of implementing... The immigration person took pictures of us. I saw some people having their fingerprints taken, but we didn't have to do that. But I do have Global Entry so maybe they already have that information about me. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/biometrics/seaports

Nope, no Global Entry at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. I didn't think so, but I asked anyways, and no the agent told me no.

Absolutely agree on this. Although we got through CBP quickly, there were only 3 agents working the US lines and they were taking photos of everyone. Cunard mentions that the immigration process is out of their control. With the ship being late, there are 3,000 people all looking to disembark during in a shorter window.

Our disembarkation was not too bad getting through CBP and getting an Uber. BUT, we stood in the queue to disembark with the fast-track folks, starting at about 9:15 a.m. At that point, the queue extended from the lobby to just past Sir Samuel's (I was tempted to ask for a pastry to go 🤣... just kidding). The queue continued to grow and grow into the Britannia Restaurant and to depths unknown to us. The hotel manager announced several times that it wasn't necessary to join the queue and that even fast-track folks should sit in one of the lounges and enjoy a leisurely walk off the ship. While he's probably correct, that if you wait for the queue to clear in 10-15 minutes, you could probably walk right off the shop. The problem is the growing line at CBP and the growing craziness at the transfer area. So pick your poison, stand in the disembarking queue and get through CBP and face only a little bit craziness in the transfer area. Or don't stand in the queue and wait in the CBP line and face craziness in the pickup area. I picked the former and I'm happy with that decision. We spent about 5 minutes in the CBP line and about 8 minutes for our Uber. Definitely not as stressful as I thought the whole thing was going to be. Glad we stood in the queue.

Thanks Jack! I wish I had read your post prior to my recent post. I was already stressing about. I was really hoping to see the approach to NY Harbor and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and the Statute of Liberty, especially since it will be later than normal. You've made me feel so much better about tomorrow. The 10-15 minutes in the queue sounds great.

The new disembarkation information was just dropped off and I spoke with the concierge in the Grills Lounge, and he pretty much said that tomorrow is going to be a horror show. The new disembarkation guidance says we're to vacate our stateroom by 9:00 a.m. but the first fast track disembarkation isn't until 10:30 a.m., so we'll have to find a place for 1.5 hours to sit around with our luggage. He suggested the Grills Lounge or better yet the Champagne Lounge so we can "monitor" the departure line. Originally, we were going to walk off with our stuff at 7:00 a.m. going right from our stateroom. The concierge also said that the last time this happened (late arrival), which I think was just last week, that people started lining up at 6:30 a.m. in the fast track line. And that the line was HUGE and CRAZY. Something to look forward to tomorrow. There has to be a better way. If we're late 4 hours late arriving then the normal time that people were to vacate their rooms should be pushed back 4 hours. And the embarkation should be pushed back 4 hours. Based on a recent post, embarkation was only pushed by 2 hours. So, there's the 1.5 hours we will be standing in a long queue tomorrow. There is absolutely no way we're getting in line at 6:30 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. "fast-track" departure. Absolutely NOTHING fast-track about a four hour wait in a line. I feel like they don't care about the departing cruisers in favor of those embarking. What if you're on the list for 12:30 p.m, you're going to vacate your stateroom for 3.5 hours?

Osman made us Turkish Style Salad and it was absolutely delicious. I was reviewing some old menus last night and saw it on one of the regular menus, but don't remember seeing it this week on any lunch or dinner menu.

The last set of QG menus for this cruise! 6.27.24 Queens Grill Menus .pdf

Thanks! We're having a great last day! Very relaxing. We're spending through our OBC like we're on a shopping spree. Not that we really have any room in our luggage for all this stuff. We have no connection deadline so we're good. Hopefully with those with connections and grounds plans are able to adjust. Long lines at the Purser's desk.

The sommelier at lunch today says that it will likely be a mad house disembarking tomorrow, so I'm not sure if 4 extra hours is worth the headache on the departure. We were originally thought we go to Kings Court for breakfast and be ready to depart at 7:00 a.m., but know we will definitely go to QG instead. Our plan is to carry our own luggage off the ship, so hopefully there is still some priority with that. Since we won't have to wait for our bags, I'm hoping that immigration and customs won't be too crazy. New disembarkation paperwork is supposed to be delivered early this afternoon, but people will probably rush to disembark despite the new guidance, and I'm not sure if there is much, if anything, Cunard can do to make it a little more civilized.

Hey Kordy, I didn't mention this during the prior posts, but my SO's sister went into the hospital just before the cruise and during the cruise was admitted into the ICU. She's still in the hospital (out of ICU) and doing a little better, thank goodness, but a good portion of our time onboard has been calls to family members, the hospital, etc. We also felt a little guilty having too much fun and really not in the mood for entertainment. So, I wouldn't be the best judge of what entertainment was best. I also think that entertainment is largely about personal preferences.

The captain announced around 11:15 a.m. that because of the weather we are delayed getting into NY. That we're really only about 1.5 hours late, but because of the tides, we can't access the harbor until 4 hours late. We did hit some rough weather along the way, but it seemed like we went 24 knots or 23 knots most of the crossing.

Yes, the plan at this point is for fast-track departure. We're thinking that we might walk down the halls when cleaning is happening this morning to see if we can peek in a cabin. We might get a good sense just looking through an open door of the size. The good thing about QM2 is that she's been around so long, there are so many room tours on YouTube, reviews galore, etc. Easy to do research. Thanks for following along. Our last day onboard today and we're looking forward to checking off some bucket list experiences. But there is always next time 🤣...

Thanks for the post. I had a really great time posting and sharing things along the way. I think my SO had a good time and that she can definitely see us taking the QM2 again. She keeps mentioning that she wants to see some of the other cabin classes, in particular a sheltered balcony.

QM2 TV Guide. I think that the channels offered was really great. A good number of stations and programming in many languages.

Printed materials left in the stateroom this evening: Day 6 Programme .pdf Disembarkation Information.pdf Our plan is to do the early self disembark option at 7:00 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. I hope we're on time. Rather than order a car service or other transfer, I'm just going to use Uber or Lyft from the cruise port.

Thanks Eddie for the weather update! We're having a great time and actually looking forward to the cruising into NY harbor. If I understand correctly, that usually happens under the cover of night. So, not sure if we'll be up at that hour. Cruising into NY will be a first for us. We usually enter or leave NYC over a bridge or through a tunnel. To be quite honest, this cruise was really planned as a relaxing way to end our European vacation rather than flying home. It's been a very relaxing and luxurious time, but at this point, we're also looking forward to getting home.

Really cool that you can observe the bridge on QM2. They don't want you to take pictures, so I don't have any and I followed the rules. But below is an information booklet that was available at the entrance to the viewing area. Really cool feature on QM2. QM2 Bridge & Navigation Information .pdf

@vieux_carre we were up at the front of the ship this afternoon and popped into the spa. So, I asked for a price list. Not sure if this is helpful or not. I now see as I'm posting that you were looking for full voyage pass prices. Maybe that list is already done because we're almost at the end of the cruise.

OMG, that's too funny. I'll put the request in at dinner tonight and let him know that @missson1967 recommend banoffee flavored macaroons, but that I can only take them to go. Edit to say: And you know what.... He'd probably make it happen. It's not a big deal to get something to go, even Banoffee Pie.

Had to Google "banoffee" as I never heard of such a thing in my life, but sounds delicious to me. Haven't seen that on a menu yet. Maybe tonight in Kings Court.

Britannia Gala Night Dinner Menus: Britannia Gala Dinner Menu 6.27.24 .pdf

Too funny you say the things about the vegetables. Last night we ordered filet mignon and let the waiter know that all we wanted for sides was mashed potatoes and french fries to split. And a lot of Bernaise Sauce. No appetizers or soup or salad. Just meat and potatoes. We receive the meal and there is an asparagus spear, a couple of onion preparations, rosti potatoes, a carrot, some spinach, some coleslaw, and something on top of the rosti that we think was meat, but not sure what it was, but it was sure tasty. The steak was a perfect size. We laughed about the vegetables and okay. We really should be eating our veggies. And we did eat most of it, except the rosti since we already had potatoes two ways. But, yes, we would have been fine with the meat on the plate alone. 🤣

Thank you so much! This is so awesome. Last night when I was researching Sabel Island I saw your post from Dec 2023. Thanks too for the menus in Britannia! I'll definitely download those today to take a look.

I was thinking yesterday that we probably have to travel on QM2 in other classes to properly evaluate the cost v. benefit of QG versus PG or Britannia for example. Although there have been some bumps and some may think I'm being overly critical, we really have enjoyed ourselves and there are plenty of positives about QM2 and Cunard. Yes, food is something that varies by individual tastes and preferences. And as you mention, you can always get a dud even in great restaurants. I do think that the menus overall are catering to UK tastes and preferences (as the menus should). I think that UK folks are probably primary customers or a significant base for the line, so they definitely should make things palatable for their main customers.