jimmybean

Hi again Nclbella,

 

You never answered my question (posed pages ago on this thread) about your husband wearing "nice shorts", coming back from an evening in Boston.

 

I understand weather was an issue by that point on your voyage, but from your experience, what is the best answer to your original question (which you asked before sailing).

 

Do you feel it is necessary for someone to change back into long pants and a jacket before entering a bar on the QM2 at 11 pm on a port day? Is the 4th of July cruise very stringent in terms of dress?

 

Since I had an opinion and offered you advice, I would like to know how this aspect of your voyage turned out. I have never taking this particulate voyage, so I would like to learn from your experience.

 

Thank you for sharing your experiences and opinions.

 

Jimmybean

I do believe it is on deck 9? Commadore Club?

 

One thing that is nice for us Americans is they sell Cuban cigars on the ship, which are available in Churchhills, part of the Commadore Club :)

 

You are correct, Nclbella---deck 9. Deck 8 is the library. My mistake!

My memory is that the Captain will announce the docking time during the noon report the day-before, but actually it was earlier than the time announced….

 

Unfortunately, going west your body will think it is later than it is, so getting up at 4:30 isn't an arduous as it sounds.

I seem to be having a problem viewing this video. It is saying I don't have permission. Have I been naughty or something😉

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I could view the video from my MacBook Air. So, for once Apple doesn't seem to be the problem.

 

Naughtiness is the more intriguing explanation, but some incorrect setting seems to make more sense….

 

Good luck tweaking your settings! It's a nice video to watch : )

Thank you for the information! Even when not aboard, it is nice to keep track of the Queen Mary 2 : )

Your video should be required viewing for anyone asking: "what do people wear, during the daytime, about the ship?"

 

Your video contains wonderful footage answering that question : )

 

Also, DarCrav, it shows how great a tux looks on formal nights!

In 2013, we took a 36-day voyage on the Queen Elizabeth with a very similar itinerary.

 

Left L.A. and returned to L.A. Had VERY pleasant stops in Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Bora Bora and New Zealand. Also, many pleasant sea days. Absolutely NO rough weather---smooth sailing all the way!

 

One thing that was nice was few time zone changes, considering the distance of the voyage. Three zones to Hawaii and then only one more (because the ship will cross the international date line).

 

It was a great voyage--so great, we are also consider the 48-day cruise on the Victoria in 2015.

Statute of Liberty is on the port side while the ship is coming up the river into Brooklyn, but then (I believe) the ship turns around before docking--so then the Statute of Liberty is on the starboard side.

 

I agree with Pepper. Get up early (not a chore with the time zone changes) and go up on top deck to see everything from there as you approach New York.

 

Great views as the daylight breaks and lights go off. Easy to see Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.

 

Have a great crossing!

My tips are:

 

(1) to be sure to peek at the bridge. There is a viewing area. Fascinating! (I believe deck 12--or maybe 11 ???)

 

(2) read the daily program, in advance, before deciding activities. Often, there are a number of excellent offerings and making a choice can be difficult. Plan ahead!

 

(3) attend some of the daytime lectures. Cunard arranges extremely interesting speakers. Always a highlight!

 

(4) spend some time in the Commadore (deck 8 forward). Great place to sit and look at the ocean. Nice place to read for a while. You can order a drink, but that isn't mandatory (although it can be nice).

 

Have a wonderful crossing!

What fun! I enjoyed every minute. Great video : )

 

Thank you for much for sharing with the board!

We have taken the train from Waterloo to Southampton three times before a westbound crossing. Most recently in May 2014. Each time was easy and pleasant.

 

For May travel my DH booked ahead with something he found on the internet called Mega Train. Instead of the regular-priced fare, 70 pounds for the two of us, it was only 20 pounds for the two of us. Caveat was we had only one choice of train departure time and had to be on that one train.

 

If you want to book through Mega Train, you have to book early---I've since learned on CC…. Also, you have to be careful to board the correct train...

 

From hotel to Waterloo taxi was about 10 pounds and Southampton station to ocean terminal was less than 10 pounds.

 

The train was very easy and comfortable. And, economical.

 

Happy Sailing!

We disembarked QMII 1 July in Brooklyn. Two people each with one piece of carry-on and one piece of luggage to be "checked" at airport cost $70 Brooklyn pier to JFK Terminal 2. This was a posted set price at the taxi stand, per taxi not per person.

 

It was easy peasy walk out of immigration, cross the street, and lines of cabs waited disembarking passengers.

 

Thanks for posting the Cunard info. I posted my experience for comparison purposes.

 

Julie

 

Thank you, too, Julie.

Here are transfer prices (Brooklyn disembarkation) offered by Cunard.

 

Self-arranged transfers have been recommended on a number of different Cunard CC threads and seem to be much more economical.

 

We have never used any of these services, but think pricing could be of interest to those making plans.

cunard 3.pdf

cunard 1 2.pdf

I apology, in advance, for my interpretation of Salacia's posting to be anything other than what she said---I have no way of knowing what Salacia's thoughts are. My comments were only my interpretation and I shouldn't have tried to apply any other meaning than what Salacia said herself.

My bad. I am sorry.

Dear uilleann,

 

I'm late reading this thread, but it does promote strong reaction from me.

 

Like you, for me the choice of going by sea has a lot to do with not being willing to fly. Unlike you, I think being respectful of our fellow man has a higher priority than being rebellious or self-centered or even an individualist.

 

If you traveled more, you would realize British people eat EVERYTHING with a knife and fork. To me, it looks like their forks are held upside-down and I'm sure they must think the same of my fork. But, beyond regional idiosyncrasies, there are also universal "good manners."

 

Being inconsiderate of others is just very bad manners. Sometimes, one just does what is right, because it is right. Disrespecting rules---which are important to others--is never right.

 

I don't believe Cunard's dress code should be interpreted as a ploy to alienate or intimidate. It is a universally applied standard onboard Cunard ships. It can be managed with good common sense. It doesn't have to be off-putting.

 

I started reading this thread feeling some sympathy for you. Not everyone fits into the same box of ideology and differences make the world go around.

There really are limits, however, to what can be individualism and what is being egocentric without considering how it affects others.

 

I am a huge fan of postings by Jimsgirl (Lynn). She is a hero to me and an offerer of sage wisdom. It is not right for you to adversely affect passengers like Lynn because of what can only be defined as choosing a path of selfishness.

 

Salacia was being kind, warning you that eating with your fingers could lead to illness. She could have said "crass and boorish" but she is too much of a lady to police your postings with comments that might be misconstrued as impolite and judgmental.

 

I would have encouraged you to problem-solve (like the fine, causally-dressed, poster who merely uses for room service for dinner on Cunard--sorry I forgot your CC name) or I would have encouraged you to just man-up and wear the uniform of the day, but really your selfishness would come out in some form onboard ship---which would, in the end, diminish some other passenger(s) voyage.

 

I could suggest you just take an airplane. From what I've read (I don't fly myself) there are large numbers of unpleasant people misbehaving on airplanes. You might find you fit in better in that setting.

 

Rather, I suggest you go look in the mirror, decide to be a good citizen of groups you want to join, sacrifice occasionally for the greater good, respect instead of rebel, change your CC name and come back to the forum with a different attitude. You would be embraced instead of flamed.

 

It really isn't clothes that make the man. It is attitude and character.

We've been on the QE (not a crossing) and the QM2 (crossings and elsewhere) and I have to say we would always pick the QM2 first and foremost for any voyage, anywhere.

 

Not to say the QE (almost identical to the QV) was "bad" in any way. To the contrary, we liked sailing on her very much.

 

We just love the QM2 best of all...

 

Have a great time, whichever ship you choose!

:o Thank you :o . A huge THANK YOU ! :o

 

And it would be a great pleasure and a huge honour to have a glass of wine with you and your DH in the Commodore Club on board QM2 next time we all have the chance, I'd like nothing more :) .

 

Thank you again :o , really, really kind of you :)

 

After recent rough seas on Cunard CC board, I'm feeling more like glasses of wine than just a glass…..

 

Probably, going to be a while, though.

How HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thread confuses me.

 

But, I agree with almost everything I've read here.

 

View of walkers on promenade from the Grill probably isn't always a pretty sight.

 

Best waiter we ever had on QM2 was, matter of fact, from Eastern Europe. Now I understand "why."

 

Fawlty Towers was a very funny show. Unfortunately, I never saw enough episodes to learn any inside jokes.

 

British people do have a great sense of humor.

 

Not everyone is satisfied by Cunard. Part of the Cunard experience is what Cunard delivers. Part is the expectations passengers bring onboard. Part can be things beyond anyone's control: like weather and illness.

 

One can learn a lot from reading CC boards.

Don't miss:

 

Riding the outside elevator for a long-view look at the ocean and a vantage point from which to count the lifeboats…

 

Reading in the Commodore.

 

Drinking in the Commodore.

 

Walking anywhere around the ship.

 

Skipping scarf-tying class to read a book instead.

 

Re-boarding each and every time. Always a thrill to be back on board.

I'd be interested to know who you mean by the phrase "those NYC ladies".

 

There used to be cooking lessons on the QM2 in the Chef's Galley, but I think these ended years ago. (A shame)

 

I don't believe waiters need to learn to cook. Sometimes, I think they could use a brush-up lesson in serving, however. Just my opinion.

 

Aren't New York Ladies straightforwardly: "ladies who live in New York City"??? That is what the phrase means to me.

AROUND, AROUND!

 

 

Hi Nclbella,

 

I'm very interest to find out how you felt about dress-standard/codes/comfort etc after your July 4th voyage. Did your husband feel comfortable in his nice shorts, late in the evening or did he feel the need to change at 11 pm before having a late evening drink? Were there folks returning from shore-leave who stayed in shore-clothing or did people, in general, feel the need to change into Cunard clothing ; ) after the day in Boston? Or, did the weather decide the matter for your husband? Was it raining by that time?

 

Best to you, Jimmybean

Nclbella, thank you for your honest, forthright posting.

 

From reading comments on CC, my impression has also been that many people find the shorter voyages disappointing, Capnpugwash.

 

I do wonder if some of the substandard service Nclbella experienced in the Britannia was due to crew members being infected with the norovirus. Certainly, it sounds like the ship was using precautions in the King's Court. Perhaps, there were less servers, in number, in the MDR because of illness and the consequence was experienced as poor service.

 

My member review of the May 9th crossing also noted water glasses were not refilled for the first few days of our voyage and then, magically, service improved tremendously. I speculated a diminished number of waitstaff could have been the explanation.

 

I have posted previously with comments about poor service on the QM2. I have observed issues related to uninformed clerks at the pursers desk, overworked stewards, and--in general-- poor communication from Cunard (although communication seems to have improved in the last year).

 

When staff is undertrained and overworked, the outcome is poorer service for passengers. .

 

My member review gave my last voyage a top rating, nonetheless. ….Why? Mainly because, I have different expectations, so I wasn't disappointed.

 

The reasons my husband and I love the QM2 are many. We love the physical ship. We love where she has taken us (Peru! Chile! Brazil! Southampton : ) We love the congenial atmosphere in which to meet fellow travelers--many from different countries. We love the daytime lectures.

 

We don't expect to be pampered. We don't expect extraordinary cuisine. We expect reasonable service and good (not necessarily great) food.

 

I'm not saying your expectations were wrong, Nclbella. Touting service is part of Cunard's sales pitch. ...I'm just explaining why I have been satisfied when you (quite rightfully) were not.

 

I have never meant my enthusiasm for the QM2 to mislead anyone. DH and I do, unabashedly, love the ol' tug ; ) But, we have traveled on her, not just sailed. For us, she does mean travel, which has been very satisfying--so much above an empty water glass at dinner or an ill-informed pursers clerk..

 

DH and I book economical inside cabins and don't expect the same food and service that the Grill passengers should be getting. That level of service doesn't interest us. If it did, we would book a Grill stateroom.

 

I agree Cunard should put more effort into WOWing passengers on the shorter voyages---many short-duration itineraries attract first-time customers. I agree there seems to be cost-saving strategies by which they are shooting themselves in the foot, creating ill-will and negative impressions.

 

Please submit a full member review to Cruise Critic to voice your experience. I do believe Cunard is interested in feedback (what smart business wouldn't be!) I do believe constructive criticism can bring about positive changes.

Dear KPNut,

 

On our very first cruise--a Princess ship in the Caribbean---I overheard another passenger, a young woman pushing a stroller, explaining earnestly to her husband, "You don't understand. This is wonderful. I don't have to worry about where we will have dinner--where we will sleep tonight. It's so EASY!"

 

I think that is the best summary I have ever heard about cruising.

 

It IS easy!

 

Relax. You will have a great time.

 

Realize the ship has supplies that will simplify child care. Help yourself to pool towels, so you can occasionally put your son down on the floor on a clean surface (if such a floor situation would make good sense in terms of safety). If your steward neglects to put pool towels in your room, send your husband up to the pool on deck 12 to get some.

 

...If you need a banana for your son's afternoon snack (when none are out at the buffet) just ask any staff member at the buffet to go to the kitchen and get one for you. Staff really will be helpful. Don't be afraid to ask.

 

I typically have to ask for cookies for my husband at the buffet---it is not a bother for staff. They are there to make your cruise enjoyable. For my husband, this means having an occasional cookie ; )

 

Take photos! Traveling by ship becomes a tradition. Lovely to have memories recorded from the beginning. Don't hesitate to ask fellow passengers to snap shots of the three of you together. I think you will find most folks traveling by ship will be friendly.

 

Traveling isn't a reason to feel apologetic about motherhood. Being a mother is the most important (and most challenging) job on earth. You are a good mother, asking questions so you will know how best to care for you son in a different setting.

 

Remember: there isn't a soul who will be on the ship who wasn't, at one time, a baby himself : ) Pity the ones who didn't have a mother like you.

I like both of them, QV seems a little less crowded because it has the Chart Room bar, the panelling and "wood" used on QE is much lighter in colour and she seems very much more art deco. If you look at my blog on my signature it will give you a further insight. My favourite ship remains QM2 though.

 

Thank you for your description, comparing the two ships.

 

Of course, QM2 is our favorite as well---but, sometime, she doesn't go where we want to go : ( (We live in the US).

 

I felt a bit claustrophobic when first on the QE. The QM2 is so spacious in comparison. But, I adjusted and the "Cunandness" on the Elizabeth is apparent, which made me feel comfortable --in familiar territory.

 

I will visit your blog and thank you for alerting me to it, Capnpugwash!