jimmybean

Yes, Cunardaddict,

QM2 took us around the Horn. Went up the Beagle Channel.

Part of her full-world tour. I think this was in 2008.

She stopped in Grenada, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Peru and Mexico. 28 days and just 6 port days. Fantastic voyage.

QM2 hasn't offer this itinerary since then. Instead, she has gone around Africa and Australia during the winter. A shame for us--DH and I would go again in a heartbeat.

We traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles several years ago on the QM2. Stopped in all sorts of wonderful places, but not Argentina. It really isn't a necessary stop. Our voyage was very satisfying without visiting there.

A few years ago, we took a 10-day cruise with our young-adult daughter and her boyfriend (now our son-in-law).

Our cabins were on different decks, but it was absolutely no problem to "find" each other. We "ran into" each other all over the ship--all of the time--and, of course, we had asked to be seated at the same table for dinner.

The cabin's phone has a message feature, so you can leave messages. Notes can be leave at each other's doors.

There are so many lovely public areas where you can meet and socialize, there really isn't a reason you must go into each other's rooms.

Just be sure to tell Cunard to link your bookings so you will be seated together for dinner. You all will have a great time!

I checked out White Star several months ago and learned it's important to arrange this service well in advance.

Cost varies depending on where bag is picked up and where it is delivered.

Obviously, picked up in England and delivered to Southampton would be less expensive than if picked up in the USA and delivered to Southampton.

Call Cunard and ask to be connected to the "White Star lady." She is very good at explaining the particulars. Learn your options before making a decision. Using this service could certainly take the "hassle factor" out of the equation.

Throwing out another idea, if you stay at the same hotel at the beginning and end of your stay in England, maybe you could leave your bag at the hotel...

See you on the ship : )

Cunard website clearly says fireworks will take place in Southampton harbor.

So, maybe 16:30 is the "all aboard" time and actual "sailing" won't take place until it is dark????

Nice for the three queens to have a get-together. Nice to know familiar folks from cruise critic will share excitement of departure.

Lanky Lad, we will be waving to you from the Queen Mary 2 as well!

Who will wave from the Queen Elizabeth?

We were on the Queen Elizabeth spring 2013 and observed a number of tables for two in the MDR.

Some of these were definitely placed close to other tables. A few were located with more isolation, but some of these "isolated tables" were possibly in--what might be considered--less desirable spots.

Why don't you call Cunard and ask if there could be a notation of your desires? When tables are assigned on the ship, maybe a more isolated setting could be assigned to you, if that was conveyed to the dining room in advance.

You would have more choices in the Grills, but I think your wishes could be accommodated in the MDR, if you are clear about what you want.

Has anyone else had any luck after communicating this sort of request to Cunard?

That is an interesting question!

Sunset in Southampton on May 9th will be at 8:39 p.m.

Perhaps, fireworks will be launched from the Isle of Wight as the ships pass or from one of the ships, when the three Cunard ships arrive in the English Channel.

My understanding is that only the QM2 will be making a crossing on this date. The other ships will have other destinations.

I anticipate great entertainment and a mood of celebration on the Queen Mary 2. Have you seen the list of daytime speakers yet? It is posted on the roll call for this voyage.

One of our tablemates on a QM2 crossing several years ago confided that he rented his tux onboard the ship.

The price for this rental was as stated above. Our tablemate was so put-off by the rental price he spent the third night at Kings Court buffet.

The rented tux fit and looked fine, but at the rental price, purchasing a tux would have made more sense.

People DO wear conservative dark suits on the ship as well. While the vast majority of men wear a tux on formal nights on Cunard ships, it is possible to get by without one.

Why don't you look into purchase options and then make a decision. Amazingly, a tux seems less expensive than you would expect.

Happy Sailing!

Oops! I thought you meant getting onto the QM2. You are think ahead to when you will disembark.

At that point, we are heading for car rental in Brooklyn. We typically leave our car at the dock. We have no experience with airports and bag transfers.

I'll bow out of this discussion….

I questioned Cunard if their White Star service would be available from Malaga (on the 27th of April) to Southampton (on May 9th).

There simply isn't enough time. So, we are slugging and lugging our bags between the two ships.

White Star luggage service requires adequate time for pick-up, transfer, and delivery. This, evidently, varies with locations and resources available to Cunard.

Will you arrive in Southampton from Italy by ship?

I love the feeling I get, looking at the QM2 from a port, just before boarding or re-boarding. What a joy to realize she will be "home" at least for a small piece of time. What a beautiful vessel, when you can see her in her entirety!

I love how safe she makes me feel in the middle of any large ocean!

I love Cunard's selection of daytime speakers, most of whom are interesting, articulate and very entertaining. I love the library. I love meeting other passengers over dinner and playing cards in the Atlantic Room.

I love the memories she holds and the memories I look forward to making on her.

You can also call Cunard and ask them to make a notation on your reservation that you wish to be seated alone at your "table for two".

They are able to link people who request to dine together long before the ships sail. I would think they could perform a similar service for you.

Having your request in advance might help the MD to be able to fulfill your wishes more easily.

That said, I would still check with the MD immediately after boarding. The table assignment card in your cabin would not say whether, or not, someone else was assigned to your table.

Best of luck! Have a pleasant voyage!

A crossing on the Queen Mary in either direction is a delight. There are pros and cons traveling both east and west. Whatever your choice, you can't go wrong.

I do like the views and being on top deck, sailing away from Brooklyn. It can be a little more difficult to predict the time when the ship will go under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge when sailing west.

We crossed in September 2012 and it was warm and calm (as bathwater) the entire way. Sunny and pleasant on deck. People wearing shorts. From the captain's comments during his noon report, it seems such consistently perfect weather was unusual.

There are websites which will forecast weather (and wave height) on the ocean that you can check a week before sailing, so you will know what kind of clothes to pack.

To me a balcony isn't a big deal. There are other places to go outdoors and ocean views from windows throughout the ship. I'm very content and cozy in an inside room.

If you are an independent "do-it-yourselfer"...

Off the ship in Southampton--into a taxi (just outside the terminal) to Southampton train depot---London train takes you to Waterloo Station (not Kings Cross)---Then, take a taxi on to your destination.

Easy! ….As long as you can manage your luggage independently (wheeling through train stations and, perhaps, lifting a couple steps onto the train). This isn't a suggestion for someone with numerous suitcases, several hand-carries, etc…

Taxi from dock to train station is about 8-10 pounds, depending which terminal is used. One of the terminals is a greater distance from the train depot than the other.

You can check train fare on Brit-rail website. We remember the cost as reasonable.

Hope this helps.

Have a wonderful voyage!

I asked Cunard a question via email (which I clicked-on at their website) about 5 years ago. Nothing that would have been tricky for them to answer. ….Never received a reply.

Have taken a number of Cunard voyages since that time. Like you, I found calling them the best way to communicate, if a reply is needed.

What did impress me was receiving an email on the morning before boarding for a crossing. QM2 was arriving late in Brooklyn, so boarding was going to be delayed a few hours. Because of the email, we were able to adjust our arrival and avoid inconvenience.

So, they do have an email account and they can use it… : )

But, my experience is the telephone is the more dependable approach if a response is needed.

Good communication is a cornerstone of good service. In any business, occasionally something can run into a snag. Quick resolution is necessary to maintain customer satisfaction. I can understand why, despite resolution, the experience has left you with a negative feeling.

Personally, we have never had any problems of note on a Cunard ship. It's good to learn your problem was ultimately resolved.

Thank you for posting!

Crossing--in either direction--is lovely. Plenty to do on the ship. Equal opportunities for relaxation. QM2 is a great ship. You will not regret booking a crossing.

There are slight advantages and disadvantages to traveling in each direction.

I have trouble staying awake for nightly entertainment traveling west after the second time-change. By the third or fourth time-change, I want to fall asleep immediately after dinner : ) Your father-in-law could have a similar reaction. This might, or might not, be a problem. The lectures in the daytime can be outstanding and missing evening entertainment might not be important for him.

I prefer leaving from NYC, because the landmarks are so memorable and whooshing under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge is such a great experience. Yes, the ship returns on the same path, but it's easier to enjoy the views on the afternoon of departure than in the early morning hours of the day you will be leaving the ship. Also, exact arrival time in Brooklyn can vary, while departure time is more predictable.

On the other hand, getting the flying-part over at the beginning of your vacation, makes a great deal of sense.

Whichever direction you plan, have a great time in England and a wonderful voyage! Do report back to cruise critic so we can learn how everything works out for the three of you!

The QM2 and QE have a number of similarities. You will find your way around the QM2 in no time!

Rough seas are less of a concern now that crossings are 7 days instead of 6. She can actually make a crossing in 5 days. There is latitude (pun intended) to change course-- away from the brunt of storms. Also, as noted, QM2 is a very seaworthy vessel.

Do go to the top deck for "sail away." There won't be much daylight this time of year, but the Verrazano Narrows bridge is lit and it is a thrill to swoosh under it, standing up on deck.

Views from the deck are also great, before sunset. Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island ferries crisscrossing on the river! Makes me want to burst into singing "New York New York." Find time to go up on deck in the afternoon, after you board.

Two things QM2 has (that the QE doesn't) are "outside elevators" (either side of the Commodore bar) where you can see the outside of the ship (check out the lifeboats) and an observation window to the bridge, which is interesting.

They play bridge (the card game) on the deck below, so asking your fellow passengers "where is the bridge" can be part of the fun in finding it ; )

QM2 is more spacious, which I find lovely. Two theaters (Royal Court plus Illuminations) so more entertainment options.

DH and I have crossed three times going east and twice going west. Difficult for me to stay awake in the evenings going west. I find east-bound is "more fun" and west-bound "more relaxing and restful".

The salt air is good for body and soul. You will have a wonderful crossing and return home renewed!

DH and I stored one large suitcase with Cunard at Southampton between two QM2 crossings during Sept 2012. It was slick and it was easy! HOWEVER, personal at the Purser's desk were extremely ill-informed about the procedure. We needed to speak to several different people, before receiving the correct information. We were told it was White Star Service. It is not. We were told to drag the suitcase to the dock ourselves and leave it there! Wrong! It is to be left outside the door with a SPECIAL TAG from the purser's desk. The charge appears on your bill and the suitcase re-appears in your room after you re-board the ship.

Lack of consistent information made me nervous so I asked the cabin steward for reassurance---He knew nothing! Never heard of such a thing!

All this aside, it is a great service and made our time in England less burdensome. I only recommend anyone using this service be wary of false information and insist on speaking with someone at the purser's desk who will provide the correct tag. Then, it's all very easy : )