Marion B

John Bull,

   A big belated thank you for this post and all your others which have helped me greatly in planning my British Isles cruise.  So far you have assisted me with hotel (Holiday Inn), car service (Blackberry) and now port info.  Your detailed list of travel options from Southampton - Portsmouth will help me plan a perfect day there for my husband's bucket list.

Regards,

Marion

Will happily follow along.

 Sorry about the rocky start.  Hope the cruise will be the wonderful experience that you so deserve.

  Fair winds and following seas for you and your friend.

   I'm not normally a betting person, but my money says your friendship will not only be intact, but stronger than ever.

Regards,

Marion

Crookshanks,

   You, your family, your friend and luggage deserve better and I hope things turn around for all real soon and all this will be a distant memory.

   Take care.  Sending positive thoughts,

Marion

Crookshanks,

   I echo what CruiserMickey said.  Sending positive thoughts that you're done with the drama in all forms, up to and including the entire cruise.

Marion

Crookshanks,

   Wishing you a smooth, safe and stress-free travel day.

Marion

   Wishing you a fabulous cruise.

   Thanks for posting.  Boarding the day you disembark, so very interested to hear all things Royal.

LizzGo,

   I just disembarked Reflection Sunday.  I did see a handout in our room about laundry specials.  I think my memory's right that there was a full bag special for $59.99.  

Thanks for posting, kk20.  I disembarked the day you boarded.  I hope your cruise is as great as ours was.  This will help me relive the good times.  I can highly recommend the show by CeCe 
Teneal.  She was fabulous.  Also, if Captain Kirk does the "Rock the Reflection" show, don't miss it.  He sings, he plays guitar and drums with the ship's band.  He is funny and personable.  Enjoy!

Radio,

   I continue to enjoy your postings, pictures and patters.  Enjoy your sea days.

Marion

Thanks for doing this Radio.  Wishing you a fabulous cruise.

 We have never sailed  Regal, but have two upcoming cruises -Galveston in January and British Isles in May.  Looking forward to learning all about her from your postings.

Marion

Roy,

   Sorry to hear about the missing cane.  Hope an upcoming port shortly will provide a replacement.

   Really appreciate the photos and programs.  Like Winifred 22, both bring back happy memories.

   Hope your upcoming days onboard and off will be great ones.

Marion

Roy,

   Looking forward to your postings.  Wishing you smooth, safe, and relaxing travels.  

   Like you, we cruise between HAL and Cunard.  While we have always been happy in a Neptune Suite, our recent experience on Queen Elizabeth in Princess Grill blew me away.    Wishing the same for you on QM2 and Crystal too.

 Marion

Mark,

   After you posted the name of the hotel, I looked up reviews on Tripadvisor.  The first one I saw was dated September 12th, weeks before your parents checked in.  That guest reported that his passport and valuables were stolen from his locked room - from the in-room safe.  He adds that this happened to others too.  Your poor parents never stood a chance.

   Add me to the list of people hoping for a good outcome.  Thank you for posting.  I hope anyone considering a stay will see this and be able to make an informed decision.

Marion

sfred,

   Lucky you - 36 nights on this ship in the PG with Sanjoy and Rene (and others).  Only got to experience twelve nights, but could easily go the distance.

Marion

   Delighted to hear about your cruise experience.  I am especially pleased that Rome Cabs came through for you, as I have been recommending them to others these past few years.

Hello Newbie202020,

   I was on QE this past June - a 12 day cruise as opposed to your 10 days in July 2024.  This is definitely an inside passage itinerary and you will be in protected waters.

   I predict you will be fine and you will love the ship and ports.

   Enjoy!

Marion

Hank (Hlitner),

   Three months before sailing, we compared our QE 12 day Alaska to HAL's 7 day - Princess Grill vs. Neptune Suite.  I went into reverse sticker shock when our ta quoted a per diem much lower than HAL's.  When she factored in the beverage package, gratuities and $1200 OBC, we were pretty much getting the Grills experience for little more than Brittania.

   If I recall correctly, you, like my husband and I, are not bound to one cruise line and value in cruising is out there.  (Neither line offered decent international airfare to Vancouver, so we booked independently.  Good flights with mileage guaranteed to be counted in our frequent flyer accounts).

   I'm not sure how rare these Cunard Grills deals are, but  I just found one for good friends to do their first crossing on QM2.

   Happy deal-hunting.

Marion

PS - I enjoy your postings and have learned a lot from you.

Ready2go11,

   I agree 100% with your comments regarding the dress code.  It was definitely quite different than our past sailings on QM2.  I'll leave it there.  On the plus side, I saw incredible gowns, jewels and tuxes.  Did you see the gentleman who could've passed for James Bond?  We saw him several times in the Queens Room.

   Our experience with the people we met echoes yours.  In fact, we are talking about a future cruise with some new friends we met.

Marion

Ready2go11,

   By chance, were you on the June 8th sailing?  If so, I was onboard too.

   Your assessment looks fair to me, but some items are hard for me to compare because this sailing was my first time in the Cunard Grills (Princess Grill).  I am four star with Holland America, so I obviously have a fondness for them, but my Grills experience blew away many Neptune Suite sailings - and they were all good ones.

   Did you attend the Bear Grylls lectures?  Talk about a first class enrichment speaker!  I have never seen a person of that caliber as a cruise ship lecturer before (except for other Cunard speakers).

   Happy future sailings and I hope there will be more Cunard sailings in your future.

Marion

   Jack E. Dawson,

   Our first time aboard Queen Elizabeth was this June - also a first in PG for us.  After 12 nights, I disembarked with a huge grin on my face.  I found everything about the experience to be to my liking.  Now, two months later, I still smile remembering it all.

   Wishing you a fun and fabulous time.  

Marion

Steve4031,

   I'm glad you experienced what so many of us feel when we cross the gangway.  Leave the woes of the world behind and enjoy a world like no other.  Bon voyage!

Marion

   I'll echo what Ready2go11 said.  Also disembarked last week.  Our first time sailing Elizabeth and new to the Grills (Princess).  Having experienced Holland America's Neptunes, NCL's Haven, and Celebrity's Retreat, the Grills, for me, best match my likes and taste, so, again for me, they are the best at sea.  Leaving Elizabeth was like waking up from a good dream that I did not want to end.

   Happy Sailing to Luv2cruzuk and all who embark Queen Elizabeth,

Marion

Jacqui,

   Wishing you the fabulous cruise(s) that you surely deserve.

   I first boarded ms Koningsdam with very low expectations.  Now, several cruises later, she holds a special place in my heart.

   Will be following along.  Whatever your experience, I know you will honestly report the positive and negative (but I hope the pros beat the cons by a longshot).

Marion

   Thanks for the update on Kristine.  We send her our best wishes and hope our paths cross again soon.

Hi John,

   Kristine looks familiar.  If you get the chance, can you find out if she was onboard the Koningsdam (with Patrick in the Neptune Lounge) last December?

   Enjoying your continued postings .

Thanks,

Marion