maggielou362

Actually, who am I kidding? I admire and respect your abilities to collate an elegant minimalist wardrobe, @Victoria2 and @rhiannon84. Very versatile and classy. Much as I'd like to have a capsule of beautiful separates, I am in truth more like @D&N's Nora, perhaps more of a princess showpony! I am packing two suitcases for ME, and stealing some of my husband's suitcase space as well because I am going to dress up to the nines for my first QM2 voyage. Have already budgeted for the excess baggage charge on the flight to Perth.

Versatile, compliant but also timeless and elegant. Wish there was a ladies' equivalent. Any thoughts, Cunard girls?

Thanks so much, @Victoria2, and to all on the Cunard board, you've all been so very helpful. I have had every query addressed and had lots of laughs. Just over a week now until our QM2 voyage, first of more I hope. Edited to add: I am by no means a fine wine connoisseur, so I expect I would enjoy P.A. A Bellini sounds just the ticket for unpacking, though.

I had actually thought of that, @exlondoner 😁 so I am planning on doctoring the much-maligned Pol Acker with some peach puree and perhaps some peach schnapps to assist with unpacking.

Thank you, Winifred. That sounds like a sensible plan.

So do you pack your wine bottle (wrapped safely) in your checked-in luggage or do you carry it on yourself in hand luggage? Just want to do the right and sensible thing, not trying to "sneak" anything onboard.

And it's certainly not confined to ships! Anywhere where people congregate and touch provides the ideal environment for it to rear its head. Didn't mean to sound panicky, just a little wary since I have been eagerly waiting for two years to board the beautiful ocean liner. Heading to Fremantle in a few days and feeling a little dampened by the news. Oh well, lots of proper handwashing, nothing else for it. (and the hand cream afterwards)

There is a current passenger on QM2 who documenting his voyage via Youtube. He reports that there is an outbreak of norovirus since departing Durban. Not wanting to substantiate or speculate, just sharing what this gentleman is saying on his Youtube video. He says the crew are doing an exemplary job of minimising the spread. Host Hattie, not sure if I should have started a new topic for this, please merge with the Queen Vic gastro thread as appropriate. Sorry to bear these negative tidings. SOAP AND WATER, everyone.

@Jean C, me too! I haven't even been on my cruise yet and my husband and family think I'm an expert. My comment re echo chambers etc was certainly not aimed at anyone on Cruisecritic. I was just expressing my opinion on the blessing and curse that is the internet and social media. Thank you CC community, you inform and entertain 😃

Thank you, @MicCanberra, that's just what we are planning to do! Not so bothered about later boarding time, just want to get the bags checked in and out of the way.

Not just this forum, the entire global social media circus. Echo chambers. Remain sceptical, curious, and open-minded.

Sorry, I am new to cruising. What do you mean by "little tables outside cabin doors"? Is this where the staff place food etc for guests who are confined to their cabin because of infectious diseases?

Hello Cruisers, We have a 14:45hrs check in time at Fremantle (Australia) on QM2 soon. Our checkout time at hotel is 11:00hrs. Is it possible/advisable to drop off our luggage early (e.g. 11:15) and then come back to check ourselves in? Many thanks

Thank you, @LittleFish1976, I will 😃

We have a 14:45hrs check in time at Fremantle (Australia) on QM2. Our checkout time at hotel is 11:00hrs. Is it possible/advisable to drop off our luggage early (e.g. 11:15) and then come back to check ourselves in? Many thanks

You might think your knowledge is limited, but thank you, @D&N for sharing all the details that affect you, your posts have been most helpful to me as a new Cunard passenger, along with so many other "regulars" on this board. I feel very fortunate to live in my beloved Sydney, but sometimes I wish I could more readily access a Transatlantic, especially a B2B. I would be planning many more Cunard voyages for the future too, if I could.

My impression is that drinks packages on any cruise line are for convenience and simplicity, not to save money. That's why we have bought a drinks package for our upcoming voyage. I am by no means a drinks/wine connoisseur so I expect I will be happy with the $13.50 and under offerings. I don't want to be mentally tallying up each order and worrying about a big payment at the end of our holiday. It's an expensive initial outlay, and we will probably also buy a couple of nice bottles of wine for dinners, but in the main it's a psychological thing for me. However, if your travel companion doesn't drink alcohol and is not a caffeine fiend it wouldn't make sense to buy a package. But I am a new sailor, pay more heed to @Pushpit and @D&N, they seem to know their way around everything Cunard.

Thank you both 🙂

Are there open and closed hours for the launderettes on QM2? I wouldn't dream of using any of the machines late at night, but as a bit of a night owl/insomniac, I was wondering if it would be ok to do some ironing while my husband sleeps? Just wanted to get everything pressed and hung as soon as possible after embarkation.

I've never tasted it, but I am heeding the advice here and taking a little bottle of peach schnapps and some peach puree (sold as organic baby food, in a sachet 🤣) and making us some Bellinis to have as we unpack.

I love that, Patria21. keep on floating and I hope you continue to have a lovely voyage.

Hear hear, Victoria2

Looks stupid AND their feet must stink.

Just to add, I LOVE getting dressed up, and my husband will be tying his own black bowtie to go under his winged collar. The dinner suit, with its satin stripe and lapels, has been cleaned and pressed. However, as the (annoying) phrase goes, "you do YOU". (but don't forget your socks, unless you are wearing sandals)

Someone on here will correct me as required, but what I recall (from when such things were taught) the general British/Anglo conventions were: White Tie (tails etc, VERY formal) Black Tie (dinner suit, black (bow)tie. A.k.a. "Tuxedo" in USA), Morning Dress (wear it to the Royal Enclosure at the Races?) Cocktail Dress (dressier than Lounge, little more flamboyant/less restricted than Black Tie) Lounge Suit (probably the equivalent of business suit in Aust and USA). These dress codes used to appear on formal invitations. In my opinion it's very prescriptive, somewhat dated, elitist and not as relevant, but everybody, including the ladies, knew what it meant and complying ensured that you would not be embarrassed. So as I see it as a new Cruisecritic Cunard disciple, for Gala Evenings: of course, wear White or Black Tie if you wish, you will look and feel spectacular. If you love the tradition of dress codes, then stride out in your trousers with satin stripes, your winged collar, your satin lapels, cufflinks and bow tie you tied earlier. BEAUTIFUL. But if someone wants/needs to wear trousers without a satin stripe, or an ordinary collar rather than winged one, a lounge suit with or without a tie, (even a suit that is pale coloured 😮😉 ) or trousers and open-necked business shirt ("button-down" in USA?) then surely that complies with Cunard's dress code? It would certainly not bother me if people wore such attire in the evenings, including Gala ones. I just want everyone to feel socially comfortable on their holiday. PLEASE JUST MAKE SURE YOU WEAR SOCKS!!!! (even if you wear you casual loafers)