jimmybean

Did you see the thread I started (currently below on this page) asking if anyone was "familiar with these speakers"?

Those speakers are the ones scheduled for the voyage you are considering.

So, for a start, you will have (what would appear to be) interesting insight daytime lectures to entertain on sea days.

There WILL Be a good number of sea days.

Do you play bridge? Like to read books?

DH and I have always found congenial bridge players and take along a supply of books (and also make use of the good Cunard libraries).

Honestly, we find sea days very relaxing and enjoyable. It is a great life to be (for a while) a passenger on a Cunard ship, sailing in the Pacific!

I don't think you mentioned which ship and what voyage… Much of the ocean, much of the time, is really very calm and motion isn't a huge issue.

When we started taking ocean voyages, I was nervous about the prospect of seasickness. I read everything on CC about it! I studied the wave maps of the Atlantic to anticipate wave height. I carried onboard wrist bands and dramamine.

Now that I am more experienced, I've learned I actually sleep better on shipboard because there is the constant gentle rocking. I've learned some people actually choose cabin locations which have more movement because it helps them sleep better!

You will have a wonderful time in either location! Bon Voyage!

Dress code applies in the evening not only to the dining rooms, but to the rest of the ship as well.

It would be a shame to miss all the evening entertainment. After dinner, there are offerings in the theater as well as cinema (many nights) in Illuminations.

There is plenty of opportunity to dress casually during the day.

Would it be impossible to bring a blazer and khaki trousers so you could wander about the ship and engage in the pleasures offered on the informal nights?

You would be amazed at how inexpensive a tuxedo can be! Buy something second hand! You don't have to spend all that much money and you would be equipped for future voyages.

Why not just conform to the dress code? It really isn't all that difficult, or expensive.

The idea of staying in cabin and/or only eating in the King's Court seems so restrictive!

I don't understand why anyone would choose to go to great lengths to avoid something that isn't (in reality) overly demanding. You aren't being asked to join in cult worship or engage in human sacrifice.

DH actually admits his tuxedo, worn with suspenders instead of a belt, is more comfortable than wearing a suit.

I ask you, dear poster, to reconsider and join in instead of thinking about separating yourself. The rest of the ship's passengers (the ones all conforming to the dress code) are really very nice people. You would enjoy meeting tablemates and sharing evening hours with them (and they with you).

DH and I own and wear blue jeans frequently. They are comfortable. But, they aren't a badge of honor or representational of some philosophical stance.

One can expand one's wardrobe for the occasion of sailing and still maintain one's inter-most identity. Conforming to the dress code isn't a betrayal of anyone's principles. It is a small matter which makes all your fellow passengers happy and will, in the end, bring about a better experience for you as well.

Have a great voyage!

On the QM2, the Fitness Center is on deck 7, not "high up." Is it the Fitness Center she is interested in?

Up on the top deck is a basketball court, I think, and a paddle tennis court (where wind can be a problem). Not much in the way of "sports"….

I think it is lovely that she is interested in the experience of traveling by ship.

Yes, lower deck is a good idea for less motion.

I think inside cabins are "cozy" not "claustrophobic."

Since your niece is on a budget, I have to ask: is she aware that --when booking a cabin by herself---she will have to pay more than a single fare? It's something like 175% of a double booking.

So, not a bargain, but she can bring a LOT of belongs for the transit.

Thank you, Pepper, durante and bluemarble for your replies.

I am not familiar with Robert Powell, although I vaguely remember Zula series, years ago.

Nonetheless, now that I know more, it is sounding like a great line-up.

I will try to see one of Robert Powell's films beforehand. (Maybe, on Netflix!)

Colin, do you want me to get Shirley's autograph for you or will come and get this yourself?

Thank you, all!

Shirley Partridge... My first teenage crush. Are there any cabins left? Price is (almost) irrelevant. How do I explain this to my wife? This isn't good for my blood pressure.

 

Come to think of it, if she can (still) go to David Cassidy concerts why should I have to explain anything? Also, just noticed wife's birthday falls during this cruise. Could I gain some Brownie Points by taking her away for her Birthday?

 

:confused:

Colin, please book! I enjoy reading your roll call postings so much : ) No point in you joining a roll call, though, if you won't be sailing. So, do book!

Hope you and your DW enjoyed May 9th crossing as much as we did.

After Pepper's description, I was remembering musicals---Totally forgot the Partridge Family.

Shirley should have many good stories to share. Sounds very entertaining

: )

Yes, Roy Hunt is a very popular musical historian who gives interesting and informative lectures on the great song-writers of yesteryear. He has often been featured on QM2 and several other of the top cruise lines. We met him last year on two transatlantic voyages. If you are interested in the life stories of the great song-writers and musical personalities of the past then you will enjoy his lectures.

Roy Hunt also plays the ukulele and often accompanies the songs in this fashion, encouraging the audience to join in. Occasionally he can be found in other parts of the ship and the enclosed photo shows Roy and Russell Holmes (long-standing QM2 cocktail-pianist) getting together to entertain in the Chart Room.

Sounds like a lot of fun and interesting! Thank you for the description, Slow Foxtrot!

Has anyone attended insights programs featuring any of these speakers? They are listed as scheduled on the Queen Victoria next February and March.

Thank you for your replies.

V505

2nd - 17th February 2015

Shirley Jones

Actress

Simon Newman

Historian

Roy Hunt

Music Historian

V506

17th February - 11th March 2015

Robert Powell

Actor

John McMichan

Medical Expert

Sound and sage advice from the cap's…

I can't remember seeing the money exchange money on the QM2 on our last few voyages…. It used to be near the hall of game tables ??? My feeling was it had been removed and the purser's desk offered the only onboard method of exchanging currencies offered.

Have a wonderful voyage!

Great photos, Colin : ) Thank you for posting!

(Are you booked on your next adventure, yet?)

Jimmybean

A regret that DH and I never had the privilege of sailing on her…. It seemed like one moment the QE2 was an option, which we took for granted, and the next she was sold and the opportunity was lost forever.

A long video, but what I have watched so far was fascinating!

Thank you, loubetti, for sharing this with us!

sfo-john, you make an excellent, very practical point!

When I drink a glass of wine on a nice ship, it puts me in a good mood…. In such a mood, I have no interest in quibbling about the required gratuity.

Beside, DH always signs for my drinks and (such a dear man!) he likes for me to be happy.

Since as passengers, we are all apprised of the gratuity in advance, those of us in disagreement could chose to forego the pleasure of occasional onboard alcohol…

I, for one, prefer to enjoy my drink and not begrudge the gratuity.

Like Pepper, DH and I look at the total cost and just accept that is the cost.

Cheers! Enjoy days at sea! Enjoy life!

We had a similar situation in Fort Lauderdale, a few years ago, when sailing with Princess---only we weren't warned ahead of time.

It was a surprise to us when we docked for disembarkation...

Princess arranged bus transportation, but we didn't want to wait for this, so we just took a taxi from the docking terminal to the one where we left our car.

It was an inconvenience, but not a major one. Took a little extra time and a little extra money, but not a huge deal.

With all the ships coming and going, sometimes a particular terminal is desired by more than one ship. I imagine it is a matter of "who scheduled" first…

Have a wonderful trip!

There will be sufficient opportunities to look at the ocean and go outdoors without the expense of a balcony cabin. DH and I have traveled very happily on the QM2 in inside cabins. Depending on the age of your children and their needs for parental supervision, I think side-by-side cabins with an adjoining door could make very good sense and be the best choice.

It is probably a matter of personal preference, but DH and I choose mid-ship locations first and, if mid-ship isn't available, more towards the stern than toward the bow…. I feel more of a "roll movement" toward the bow, which I don't enjoy. Ditto with choosing a cabin on a lower, instead of higher, deck...

What a wonderful experience your family will have! Have a great voyage!

I don't think there have been any major changes, since your last QM2 voyage in 2011.

The one minor change I've noticed is the absence of shrimp sandwiches in the Chef's Galley (I miss having one of those), but other than that, all important features have remained constant. Still a great ship!

I believe the dining room staff will try to accommodate your desire for first sitting. There are always people who want to change from first to second as well as second to first. It should work out just fine.

When DH and I were going on the QE for the first time, I believe you answered my query about differences between the QM2 and the QE very accurately. The QE was a very nice experience.

Have a great crossing! (And, another in 2015 : )

PvTraveler,

It might be obvious to you---it wasn't to me---but the date order at that website is day-month-year, British style… not American month--day--year...

Until CC board members enlightened me, this confounded me : )

Happy Sailing!

Where there is a will, there is a way… : )

Joining Pepper in wishing you a sincere "good luck."

Dear Husband and I are "do-it-yourselfers" and have never felt this detracted from our travel experiences. There is a sense of accomplishment in meeting challenges.

We have never, however, taken the train with so many pieces of luggage.

On our longest voyage, 36-days, we took a total of 4 suitcases--2 larger and 2 more medium is size---all we were able to walk-off the ship by ourselves.

Do any of your pieces of luggage strap to each other, so you can handle more than one bag with each hand? Maybe, one of your bags is a back-pack? Maybe, a couple others can be strapped over your shoulders?

All seven bags aren't full-sized wheeled suitcases, are they?

Obviously, as much as you can consolidate and wheel in a single hand the easier your task will be.

Let us know how both train and voyage work out. Happy Sailing !!!!!

I've read that few people actually dress in theme for this formal evening on Cunard (I don't plan to), but if you would like to, you might find this gallery fun.

 

Fancy Dress Balls

 

Victorians from all walks of life loved to dress up in costume, or "fancy dress," for parlour games, theatricals and balls. Assuming fantasy characters for an evening provided a form of escapism from their rigidly conventional lives. Canadians were no exception.

I've never seen formal dress on any Cunard ship in the manner of the historic photos you shared---but I will keep my eyes open on future voyages!

Canadians (we've met) were fun and lively people! : ) I will keep my eyes open for you-all as well.

As far as boarding time goes, you have to think about all the people who will be getting off the ship and who will have to leave the terminal area. This starts at about 7 a.m. but takes hours and is a process in and of itself…

While the previous voyage passengers exit, the stewards are working like mad to clean and make-up all the cabins for the new passengers, who will be boarding. This takes hours as well.

Some cruise lines allow earlier boarding time, but won't allow entry into one's cabin until after lunchtime. Cunard has all the cabins ready before new passengers are invited to board. This is great because you can go straight to your stateroom and drop off any hand-carries etc.--THEN head to deck 7 for some lunch...

There isn't much at the port except the terminal building, a parking lot, and a bunch of traffic (picking people up and, then, dropping people off). Surrounding buildings are industrial. The area around the terminal building isn't a comfortable, hang-around, kill-some-time environment.

I think the earliest we ever arrived at the Brooklyn dock was 11:30.

Have a great voyage!

In May, we arrived at the Ocean terminal at 11:10 and walked aboard at 12:45---With priority boarding.

Except for the last 20 minutes, when we were moving forward in a queue, we were comfortably seated--waiting to be called.

Like a lot of people, the timing of our arrival had to do with factors outside our control… I believe people who arrive later in the afternoon may board more quickly. But, sometimes, you just arrive when you arrive (and when the bulk of other passengers also seem to have arrived)...

I find the staff in the terminals in Southampton to be very organized and pleasant. DH and I always have some reading material and enjoy chatting with others waiting to board. We have found boarding at Southampton to be without any difficulties.

Thank you for the great posts, Deck Chair, and for all the information and your impressions! Great thread!

I agree with your comments about the QM2 promenade real-wood decking being a pleasure : ) Your suggestion to be alert and aware of potential for slipperiness on the QE is appreciated.

Happy Sailing!

There is a machine (X-ray?) that you have to put any hand-carry bags and other items though--as you exit the terminal just before boarding the ship.

So, the size of the bag is limited by what fits through the machine.

What you would take as a hand-carry on an airplane (small wheeled bag) would be fine. Extra-large suitcases need to be brought aboard by baggage handlers.

You will see many passengers boarding with hand-carried belongings.

I believe you might be required to lift the bag onto the machine yourself--so "nothing impossibly heavy" is something to keep in mind.

You will find the boarding process very orderly in Southampton. The terminal staff does a marvelous job! It's really stress free.

There are plenty of seats in the terminal, so even if there is a delay before you board, you and your family should be comfortable.

We have had the experience of walking onboard immediately and we have also had the experience of a more lengthy wait (an hour and a half)--but never any true inconvenience.

Once on the ship, the first thing DH and I do is stop in our cabin, so we can drop carry-ons etc. We set-up the safe and dispense with wallets and things we wish to lock-away.

Then, we look for something to eat.

The buffet (deck 7) will be serving lunch. It can be a little ; ) chaotic in the buffet (aka Kings Court)---find a table a ways beyond the commotion and you will be fine. We often carry our trays to the Winter Garden.

There is always a lot more activity (and people bustling around) on the day you board. You will be amazed, once at-sea, how the crowds will thin.