sucramdi

Cunard has "exciting news", maybe related to ship setting sail for the first time? 

https://x.com/cunardline/status/1754127853367533889?s=20

Personally I'd look at deck 11 midship or mid-forward, although be mindful of the pool above you depending on the specific cabin. QM2's design has all the balconies set further in on the ship's sides so they're protected by the super structure. This might obstruct your view somewhat in one direction if you're all the way forward or aft. 

1 hour ago, D&N said:

This may be a more recent change. In June 2022 for 14 nights on QM2 we were never asked to sign for a drink. We didn't receive any chits. We were also told there was no way of obtaining a list of what we had received. The waiters that we dealt with most frequently either noted or remembered our details and didn't even want to see our cards.

 

The only times we signed, and received chits, were for the 3 bottles of wine that we ordered outside the package.

This was my experience as well. I never got a receipt for any of my drinks. The sommelier in the Britannia dining room only asked to see my card on the first night and then remembered I had the drinks package. Most bartenders asked to see my card, but usually only for the first drink and sometimes not at all if they remembered me. 

6 minutes ago, Jim_P said:

Woohoo, the fade is gone. All new carpet designs everywhere. I think some may be a little controversial (especially the Britannia restaurant, which gets a major new look) but I think they're all very good.

This carpet? It's the same one that was there when I sailed last year.

Cunard have posted about the drydock, still nothing specific, but nice to see. 
 

Just came across this thread, are there any videos of Queen Mary 2 during her tandem crossing with QE2? There are some beautiful videos of the QE2 sailing, but next to nothing of the QM2. 

Here is my favourite of the QE2 from that crossing:

It's too bad they had to move you, but I hope there aren't any public venues out of commission when QM2 sets sail again. 

The rumoured increase turned out to be new pricing for shorter voyages, which previously didn't have a drinks package available. For the 5+ night voyages the price hasn't changed since it went from $69 to $70 pppd. 

Do the self-serve launderettes also have ironing boards or steamers? 

I logged into my Cunard this morning and got a banner advertising the rollout of Starlink internet onboard, with an "over" 15% discount to encourage people to try out the improved connectivity, but it's the standard $15 or $20 per day depending on the plan. Are they indirectly saying the internet packages will go up by 15%+? Or maybe the Cunard website strikes again... weirdly if I log into my Cunard on another device there is no mention of the discount at all, just the Starlink launch offer itself. 

My sailing leaves Nov 26.

20 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Why would Canadians  require an ESTA??

That is  odd

I think it’s a catch all since they don’t want to get into exceptions. On my last cruise from Southampton to New York there was a woman on the PA over the checkin line telling everyone to have their ESTA ready before getting to the counter. I about had a heart attack because I didn’t even know what that was at the time. US CBP site is very clear that Canadian citizens travelling with a Canadian passport do not need an ESTA.

Thanks for all the input and replies, especially @CDNPolar for double checking the travel.gc.ca site for me!

I called Cunard as well today and they didn't see any special requirements on their end either. Sounds like everything should be all set. 

Hi all, I hope this is right section to post. I'm new to cruising and wanted advice from fellow Canadians. 

I'm going on a Caribbean cruise with Cunard at the end of November with five ports of call and I'm having a hard time confirming that I don't need to prepare any special documents. The cruise calls at Basseterre, St Kitts, Castries, St Lucia, Bridgetown, Barbados, Roseau, Dominica and Road Town, Tortola (British Virgin Islands). 

I looked on the government of Canada website and it says there are no visas required for these countries and my passport is valid for at least 6 months past my return date. Is there anything else I might need or any resources I can use to check? The countries' websites are hit and miss for this type of info. Just trying to avoid the nightmare scenario of being denied boarding... 😁

Is this an annual itinerary? I don't see it for 2024, maybe it'll show up again when the 2025 sailings come out...

2 minutes ago, BeachTunes said:

I think I'll call back and share our pre-cruise Barcelona hotel info just to cover all of the bases! 

Might be worth adding I was sailing out of Southampton and disembarking in New York. 

$90 for shorter trips makes sense from a business point of view. It's a lot more likely for people to order a high number of drinks over a shorter time. I have an upcoming trip at the end of November (Eastern Caribbean), so it looks like I don't need to rush into buying the package. 

I received this email last year before a transatlantic crossing, I'm also Canadian. For me it turned out the US needed an address for where I would be staying on arrival in New York, the sort of information you might fill out on a landing card during a flight. I called Cunard and gave them the hotel information over the phone. 

I think it would be interesting if they introduced table side service to prepare some of the menu items and some exclusive signature drinks. This would get people more excited to be eating there, which in turn will liven up the atmosphere. 

I'll be sailing on QM2 this November and I want to try out the Verandah restaurant. How does reserving a place work for solo travellers? Will I get a table to myself or can I sit at a larger table like in the main dining room? 

1 minute ago, Winifred 22 said:

I was told by Cunard an upgrade from a KC KB solo Cabin would be to an I Grade inside cabin

Wow! I was really expecting to be wrong in how I read the cabin grades. The solos were added after the other cabins were given their letter sequence after all... Very glad I asked.

I appreciate the replies!

I'm getting ready to book a solo cabin on QM2 and I'm curious what potential upgrade would be available from this cabin grade if I say yes to the auto upgrade option? The deck plan seemingly shows the solo cabins (single ocean view grade KB/KC) as the lowest beneath the inside cabins. I'd hate to be "upgraded" into an inside cabin, but if there's a chance in a million at getting bumped up to a balcony I'd take it. 

Anyone have any experience or knowledge on this? And if I may piggy back on my own question, since this is my second Cunard voyage, when do I put in my Cunard world club number? 

Anyone know anything about that major 20 year refit? I can't find any mention of it outside this thread. QM2 has a nearly 4 week gap in her itinerary late this year, is this all TLC or are there any changes to the guest areas planned?

I called Cunard last weekend to ask about a glitch on my boarding pass, their reply was “… yeah, we need new website people”. At least their customer service is super easy to reach by phone and very helpful. 

I took the beers, wines and spirits package for my upcoming trip and while I understand what it includes and excludes I'm wondering how it works in practice. Basically, am I going to have to always refer to a menu to make sure what I'm ordering is within the $12 maximum? What about off-menu cocktails and things like water bottles? Maybe I'm over thinking it, but I want to make sure I get the most out of the package without inadvertently ordering something at an extra cost. 

Im not very sensitive to ship movement, but this will be my first TA crossing so I was being cautious. No buyers remorse here, I'm sure I'll enjoy the balcony room much more. Fingers crossed my guaranteed room gets me bumped up a grade!