jimmybean

Thank you for your reassurance and good wishes, Wallie5446. Your years of loyalty to Celebrity speaks volumes.

Time keeps passing and pretty soon it will be your cruising time.

We understand the Equinox will undergo some refurnishing between our two sailings. Should be particularly ship-shape (such a great term!) when you get on.

We are booked on our first Celebrity cruise, after being encouraged by excellent Celebrity reviews on CC.

Honestly, the subject of overly loud music has me concerned. Contributors to this thread are appreciated. Overly loud music is unhealthy and uncomfortable. It would drive us out of public areas and into our cabin. What kind of cruise would that be?

Thank you to all describing your recent experience on Celebrity ships.

Shame on Celebrity!

Lack of reasonable customer service leaves such a bad impression. Maybe, you can cancel on-line, but that doesn't repair damage that has been done.

We have been to Bruges… not on a ship's tour, traveling on our own.

We were there a full-day in-between two nights at a hotel.

It was charming to walk around at a leisurely pace. There was some nice shopping--not a lot of shops, but a few I thought were interesting and worthwhile.

We ate frites (not particularly special to us). We went up the tower. We toured the chocolate museum. We ate waffles (delicious). We skipped the boat canal tour.

All of this--I feel-- could have been compressed into half-day, if I hadn't been interested in the shops.

We learned that Bruges, by the way, has been restored to look Medieval. The tower is historic, but since the 1950s it was been required that work on any buildings duplicate that period, no matter when they were actually built. This created a lovely draw for tourists. You feel like you have stepped back in time.

We were happy to have visited Bruges. But, truthfully, after a leisurely day there, we were ready to move on to a new location.

Thank you all for your comments.

Rob, you hit the nail on the head! Until one has experienced a great noon commentary or met a particularly personable captain about a ship, one would wonder why this matters. But, it does!

Pepperrn, did you ever sail with Commodore Bernard Warner? He was absolutely delightful. …I remember him sweeping through King's Court with a booming "GOOD MORNING! GOOD MORNING! GOOD MORNING!" cast left and right to both individuals and the room in general. He was frequently out and about, interacting with passengers. His retirement was a huge loss to Cunard.

Thank you for the link, Happyboating. I'll check this for updates. I'm sure this information will surface soon.

Like Jackdiamond, we trust cruise lines' distribution system when it comes to the daily tipping charges for which we are billed.

We accept that this daily charge is a "hidden cost" that the cruise industry should have just included in the fare, but they didn't.

Like Melsuli, we understand the culture difference when it comes to "extra" tipping. Since "tips" are charged to our account, there is no need, obligation, reason etc etc to tip "more" in addition.

But, we do….

Why?

The pleasure of placing an envelop with money into the hand of someone who worked so strenuously and continuously to provide comfort and care for us during a voyage. ...Because service personnel on a cruise ship come from economic disadvantage and make huge sacrifices, leaving their families for long periods of time. ...Because their burdens of work are so great they would never conform to work-laws or wage-requirements in the USA.

I don't think of it as charity, but it is an opportunity to help someone and their family whose circumstances are less fortunate.

On our second cruise, I decided I didn't need to buy silly souvenirs. We don't have desire to buy drink packages, special coffee, or travel in "more expensive" cabins. We are happy traveling as we travel. Part of that is enjoying the pleasure of funneling some money we "didn't spend" on giving extra tipping.

I doubt our busy stewards and waiters remember who gave which envelop or any envelop. That isn't important to us.

We just get personal pleasure out of tipping.

We are not judgmental of others, who feel (for good reasons) differently.

We have sailed on the QM2 60-some days and she is, hands-down, our favorite ship.

Then, we tried the QE a year ago and she also endeared herself to us (aided, no doubt, by 36 fabulous days in the south Pacific). Wonderful staff and crew! Great ship in her class.

That said, given the choice, I would always choose to cross the Atlanta on the Queen Mary 2---partly because of stability (as mentioned by others on this thread) but also because we love her size, layout, public rooms, deck (and on and on). We also love her quirks (e.g. seats in the theater, located directly behind pillars).

If skipping a night in NYC would make a significant difference to you, sailing on the Queen Elizabeth would hardly be a hardship. Otherwise, sail on the Queen Mary 2.

I'm unable to find the list of captains for 2014 QM2 sailings, although I believe someone posted this a while ago on CC.

I only remember Chris Wells will be exiting on May 9th. A disappointment, since he is our favorite to be in command. We've sailed with him twice: once on the Queen Mary 2 and once on the Queen Elizabeth. We loved his "Here is the Captain" commentary.

Anyone know who will be taking over command of the QM2 on May 9th?

Fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

Could increased ship size explain Cunard no longer docking in Newport, RI?

Wasn't the QE2 smaller (in size, not luxury) than the QV and QE?

….Wish we had sailed on her… that is the opportunity I regret missing.

An extra day on the QM2 is something tolerable. Sometimes, one just has to be brave and make sacrifices...

If my memory is correct, we have had a similar problem while dining first-seating---Receiving an invitation to the Captain's Party, which was held during first-seating dining hours.

Neither seating in the MDR affords "perfect timing" for attending all events.

I agree with Dancer Bob that management could put more effort into scheduling events at more inclusive times. I also agree with Bob Branst's suggestion that booking at a specialty restaurant could be a viable solution.

Another possibility is staying in Grills accommodations. Passengers set their own dining hours in the Grills.

What is a singlet, Austcruiser84? I am unfamiliar with the term.

Thank you for correcting my misinterpretation, David. Of course that makes total sense and would work just fine. My mistake!

Another practical consideration in the Princess suite is that a pulled-out sofa in that space would block the pathway to the bathroom for the person sleeping in the far side of the regular bed.

Maybe, a solution would be to sleep on the sofa NOT pulled-out?

Still thinking about your challenge...

Here is a video of a Princess suite. Shows the room size. I don't see how the sofa could pull out to make a bed ??? I would double-check with Cunard about this.

Another issue might be using the tub, if your parents have mobility issues. You can see in the video that it is a "high step" to get in and out of the tub.

The Queens suites are much more generous in size. A sofa would have room to pull out. But, these rooms have the same high-sided tub (if that would be a problem).

Balcony cabins and inside rooms have walk-in showers (no tub side to climb over).

Maybe, two Britannia Club balcony rooms, side-by-side, with an adjoining door could be a possibility? The Britannia Club dining room is smaller and gives more personalized service than the main dining room.

But, a Club cabin would lack other perks that goes with Grills level accommodations… And, maybe these things are very important to you.

If you book an inside room along with a balcony room across the hall (each Britannia rooms), you could eat together, have more privacy, and have two bathrooms for the three of you instead of having to share a single bathroom.

But, you would have to pay for two people (or one and three-quarters) for the single room. From what I understand, you can't book a "single" with Cunard without paying at least 175% of two fares. (If I am wrong about this, someone please correct me)

Still, that would no doubt be less expensive than booking three Princess Grill level passages.

Unless your parents need assistance and need you in the same room, maybe opting for more privacy and having your own bathroom is the best choice. Maybe after reading advantages and benefits of traveling Princess level, you will decide sharing a single room/single bathroom more appealing.

You say you plan to travel "at the end of the year." Usually, there are bargain fares in the winter months, before World Cruise starts. Call Cunard directly. There should be many locations on the ship with cabins in close proximity.

Have a wonderful time!

We have not stayed in that cabin, but we usually stay on deck 6. It is a very convenient location.

Noise complaints on deck 6 (as I understand it) most commonly stem from someone running on the promenade above, early in the morning. Maybe, a "thump, thump, thump" as the runner quickly passes overhead at a particularly vigorous pace.

We have seen signs posted on the promenade telling people not to run before a certain hour (I think 9 o'clock), but occasionally someone seems to miss the signs. This, however, is unusual.

We were on the QM2 once when staterooms near the laundry were bothered by loudly-chatting people at 7 a.m. when the laundry opened . After complaints, staff posted a sign that the laundry would not open until 9 o'clock (and kept it locked until then). I thought this showed that they take noise complaints seriously.

If someone did run too early, I think it would be a mistake not a disregard for people sleeping below. I think if there was a complaint, staff would take action and the problem would be solved.

I don't think people in deck 6 cabins hear walkers above, just vibrations from particularly vigorous runners--which shouldn't be before 9 o'clock. As the day wears on, it also becomes too crowded for "serious" running on the promenade. So, it isn't like runners' noise would start at 9 o'clock and continue throughout the day. There are great treadmills in the gym and often not "very many" runners on the ship who try to run on the promenade.

I think you will be happy and comfortable in that cabin. Please report back after your voyage and tell us what you think.

Last spring on the Queen Elizabeth, our tablemates, introduced us to the terms "Seggies" and "Worldies," which we had not heard before.

We "Seggies" were just on-board for a segment of the world cruise. "Worldies," on the other hand, were on for the whole kit and caboodle.

So, there is nomenclature to describe this phenomenon as well as the parties to which a Seggie will never be invited… Who knew? We sure didn't.

Personally, I am very happy to have been a two-time Cunard Seggie or Seggy (with all the privileges, rights, and responsibilities that go with this title ; )

And, although not a Worldie myself, I have had numerous friendly encounters with very pleasant Worldies, who knew and understood my position as a Seggie and seemed to enjoy equally our exchanges.

Yes, people who pay more and sail longer have some perks. That doesn't make Worldies condescending or unfriendly or snobbish. That doesn't make people not included in Worldies' get-together jealous or resentful.

I think the original question of this thread was more about curiosity than anything else. You see a group of people on the other side of a roped-off section and you wonder "what is going on here?" That was my thought, when I first observed a group of Worldies, clustered together...

This is JUST my opinion from my experiences. I respect that fact that everyone doesn't share my opinions. Still, I wish you all "happy sailing."

If you decide you might be interested in taking the train, here is more precise information:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187791-c151384/Rome:Italy:To.And.From.Civitavecchia.html

You are welcome, Debjo.

I see from your tagline that you were on the QE2.

...It is a regret DH and I never had that experience. By the time we figured out the QE2 was something "not to be missed" she was out of commission.

We are excited about May 9th as well… (I'm probably off-topic and should be saying this on roll-call : ) …Of course, we are excited every time we board her.

I hope you enjoy the crossing.

Several years ago (2008), we took the train from Rome to Civitavecchia and, then, shared a taxi to the ship with other Americans we met on the train.

Your ship will not be within walking distance of the train depot in Civitavecchia, but it will be only five minutes away in a taxi.

There was probably an elevator in the Civitavecchia station, but we didn't see it---so we ended up carrying (and dragging) our bags up and down some stairs at the station. ...I was younger then ; ) and our baggage was manageable. We had trained from London to Rome and didn't let a few steps daunt us.

The train was VERY economical. I think it took about an hour. Trains seemed to run frequently. We just missed one train (saw it pull away) and the next was, maybe, a half hour later.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer and can handle your luggage independently, you could do the same in reverse.

We did witness a pick-pocket in action at the Rome train station. As soon as he saw he was being observed, he disappeared in a hurry. He was more pesky than worrisome. If you are at the Rome train station (or ride a city bus) in Rome, just have your antenna up and be city-smart.

Happy Travels! Give the QE a big hello from DH and me : )

Sometimes, we have experienced "canceled planetarium shows" for a number of days---not sure why… technological reasons or rough seas. ???

Just a heads up: go and see the show and don't put it off thinking you will go a different day. Sometimes, there aren't as many opportunities as you would anticipate.

It IS worthwhile. We have never had a problem getting a ticket.

No, I didn't write a review at the time, but a number of memories remain very clear in my mind.

We met the National Geographic research ship, Endeavour, just before we got to the Horn. They "tooted" at us and we blasted our great horn back at them. What a sound when you are standing on deck! DH and I were on the top deck, waving. The Endeavour was so tiny compared to the QM2 and seemed so excited to signal "hello" to us (as we were excited to see them). They were coming up from Antarctic. Two ships passing a long way from anyone's home, in a very lonely stretch of ocean.

The sea at the Horn can be very rough, but it was wasn't on the day we sailed by. It was a moderate sea, which the QM2 handled smoothly. Just after we passed the Horn, the sea was as black as ink. It was spellbinding. Shadows of light (if that description is understood) played on the black water, out in the distance. I could understand how sailors got hooked returning, voyage after voyage. I had never seen anything like it. The sky had a dense cloud cover, the sea was black, and then rays of sun light created these amazing shiny slashes on the water...

Chile looked like California--sort of. Like a dream where you see similarities to something familiar, but at the same time, you realize something in the picture was completely different. The mountains didn't start as rolling hills like the start of the Sierras (in Calif). Their hills were at a much steeper angle. Sharper hills. I thought they were beautiful. Interesting topography. Vegetation reminded me of California. ...Santiago is HUGE. Our tour took a tram to the top of a high hill, where we could see Santiago spread out--on and on. When we returned to the ship, lines of people had come to see the QM2, around the bay from where we boarded the ship. It was sprinkling when we got to the pier and Cunard handed out lovely, large umbrellas for our walk to the ship. The Mary 2 was so beautiful. She was our home, for a while, and I felt so proud to be sailing on her.

The Chilean navy was in the harbor---explained to us a gift from Britain, after Chile provided support during the Falkland War….Older and smaller British ships now useful to Chile… (The support, I understand, was allowing Britain to use Chile as a base during the war--not soldiers or supplies).

Sorry to be so long-winded and off-topic…. Rio and Peru and Uruguay also very memorable. But, really off-topic...

We have happily used the pier parking for a number of cruises leaving from Ft Lauderdale. Here are a few tips:

1. When you drive up to the port gate, you have to show the guard photo ids and your boarding passes. Have these items handy.

2. Any baggage you bring onto the ship has to fit through the scanner machine in the cruise terminal and you have to lift it up to the scanner yourself. Easiest to give larger suitcases to the fellows collecting bags outside at curbside.

3. You do not have to tip the men taking your bags. Most of them don't help get the bags out of your car and only take bags from your hand to the bin a few feet away. Sometimes, some of these men "hint" broadly for a tip, but they are paid by the cruise line and actually touch your bags for less then 60 seconds. They have nothing to do with delivering the bags to your cabin.

4. Write down your parking location!

5. You can pay with a credit card when you return from your cruise and leave the parking structure. Parking costs $15 a day. It is very convenient.

Have a great cruise!

The American standard is 110 A/C. Two pins.

I think the British outlets on the ship have three pins (in a triangle shape)???. Can someone British help out with a better description.