jimmybean

Gold status is a step-up from most "first-timers." Gold status includes:

Guests who have completed two voyages or 20 days* onboard, will enjoy even more benefits. In addition to the core Silver benefits, Gold Cunarders will receive:

• Gold Cunarder Pin

• Up to two hours of complimentary internet***

• Invitation to the World Club Cocktail Party

• Preferred reservations for Todd English

(The internet is two hours per person, not per stateroom)

Also, staying in the Grills, you will have priority boarding and priority disembarkation.

I believe we have arrived in Southampton before sunrise each of the four times we sailed east.

Have a wonderful time! The QM2 is a marvelous vessel!

Jimmybean

Hi bobby1119,

Just to let you know pmqua1 has a roll-call (plus meet&greet planned) for the 26th Nov-8th Dec 2016 QM2 Caribbean Cruise: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2211404 :)

It would be a genuine pleasure to meet you, if possible/you are available.

Best wishes,

Pepper, it sounds like you have another voyage planned! Good for you! I'm still waiting on health issues to remediate, while living vicariously through the voyages of others---the generous people who are kind enough to post on this Cunard CC board.

I know the best photos after QM2's remodel will be posted by you and I look forward to seeing them next December!

Happy Sailing to YOU, Pepper !!!

Jimmybean

When going east it can be difficult to get up in the morning, after losing an hour of sleep (night after night). Going west, it can be difficult to stay up and see the shows, when gaining an extra hour (night after night).

Both directions have advantages and disadvantages.

We've sailed four times east and twice west and loved each crossing!

Unless you have particular difficulties with either waking up early (earlier) or staying awake late (later), I think choosing a direction is a toss up.

Although, if you are a shopper, it does make sense to take the ship home.

Either way, have a wonderful voyage and great celebration!

I will certainly read with interest! Your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you for your willingness to share your adventure with us. I hope you have a wonderful voyage.

Jimmybean

There is designated smoking area on the promenade deck. I think this is on the starboard side. They have large ashtrays put out for people who smoke.

Have a wonderful voyage! She is a lovely ship!

 

Also, we used a Megatrain ticket to take the train from London to Southampton (we did a westbound crossing). If you book ahead, you can get a train ticket for £1.50 per ticket. That bargain seemed too good to be true, but it worked out exactly as advertised.

We also used Megatrain tickets (wondering if something we printed from the internet was really an acceptable ticket--It was!)---not as good of a price as DWhit, but still a great savings. You have to book well in advance and take the exact scheduled train and sit in the correct car (which wasn't all that difficult).

So many news articles about bedbugs at the Waldorf-Astoria in the last six years! NYC has had extensive problems with the pests… Google the subject.

There is a website where bedbug status of different hotels can be checked: bedbugregistry.com Maybe best to check this website before booking any hotel in NYC.

Jimmybean

Another informative website http://www.bedbugs.org/new-york/

Cruise critic has boards for specific voyages. Find your roll call and post a query. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Jimmybean

I like the idea of an inside stateroom - yay, saving money!

 

I found a website (am I correct in assuming I cannot post the name here?) that offers a good price for the cruise plus a modest on-board credit and free pre-paid gratuities. It is the only place I've seen online so far that is offering the gratuities. Is this good or a scam.

Inside cabins are small, but we find cozy and suitable. There is plenty of storage for belongings and the shower is adequate size. We do retreat to the cabin for quiet time and reading, but spend enough time out-and-about, so are very happy with size----And, typically the savings is worthwhile.

I think the size is 144 sq feet.

Yes, these "deals" are real and saving the gratuities is nice : )

The truth is older people have more time for sea travel, so you will find a higher proportion of gray hair and wrinkles onboard. My opinion is that people-are-people and you can find interesting topics of conversation with people from different places and of different ages. Ship passengers typically don't seem the kind of "old people" who will bore you with a litany of health ailments. And, there will be some younger passengers onboard, just not many.

I hope average passenger age won't deter you… I would have loved Cunard in my 30s. It doesn't have to be a big deal, unless you make it one.

The QM2 has a good fitness center. The ship is large enough for you to get exercise and be active by just walking around and using the stairs.

If you haven't been to London before---what a great city!

Since you are thinking about sailing during winter months, you could consider booking an inside cabin. There is an appreciable cost saving and plenty of opportunities to view the ocean from public areas around the ship. If you want to breath salty air, you can go to the promenade or top deck of the ship.

It is very easy and simple to take the train from Southampton to London. A ten pound taxi ride from the cruise terminal to the train depot.

In January, Cunard doesn't usually offer east-bound transatlantic voyages. It is the season when their three ships are all beginning world-cruises. Could you celebrate a little earlier?

The world-cruises occupy the ships until May, when the first west-bound crossing occurs (followed by an east-bound)…

I hope this information helps.

(We didn't like our single Carnival experience, either…)

Jimmybean

We separated our laundry before boarding and brought it onboard in hand-carry bags---that way we didn't have to wait for our suitcases to be delivered and literally did laundry first thing.

By the time we finished, the laundry had became very active.

I don't know if anyone mentioned, but soap and machines are free on Cunard. No hassle search for the right coins. ….Gotta love Cunard :)

Hi DadTheBigKid,

In the spring and in the autumn, there are ships that re-position between the US and various ports in Europe. The prices can be amazingly inexpensive and ports are few… We had a nice crossing on Celebrity a couple years ago for less than $800 US

Segments of a World Cruise, as Mid-Atlantic Ridge mentioned, are fabulous, but involve more time and expense.

I think you will be very happy in the world of ship life!

Jimmybean

That always works for me as well.......though I never have the foresight to bring soap........I use the shampoo. ;)

Needs must, Bridgette : )

I'm not sure if I am disappointed or relieved to hear that most passengers don't get into the theme of the balls. We are doing our first Cunard cruise in July and have a 20's theme and a Venetian masked ball theme. Sounded fun, but also like a bit of a hassle from a packing perspective.

While most passengers don't bother (from my observations), those who do seem to have a lot of fun with it and those who don't still derive pleasure watching those dressed in theme attire...

Trulytracy, if this is something you would enjoy doing, have fun with it!

Have the best time in July and Welcome to sailing with Cunard!

Jimmybean

 

So you put your clothes in the dryer, someone opens the door and closes it does not push the button, you return in the proper time only to find your clothes still quite wet and the time run out (the timer part of the machine does not stop) or better yet once it stops, out come your wet clothes which are plopped on what ever surface is empty at the time and these are not always as clean as one might wish.

The laundry is much more popular on longer voyages than on a crossing, but still can be fairly busy.

Lakesregion makes a good point about popping back to check periodically because people do (unwittingly) stop the dryers and not restart them. And, it's not that difficult to pay attention to the time and arrive back to transfer clothing to the dryer or gather them when dry. As others have reported--it's about 40-45 minutes for the washer.

Rather than observing fist-fights, we have met some lovely people in the laundry and had time pass quickly because of interesting conversations. But, typically, we don't hang around in the laundry because it isn't a very large (or comfortable) room.

The only times we have seen people remove other's laundry was when no one returned at the time the laundry was finished.

We always bring hand-washing soap, as well as clothes pins, and use the line in the shower for smaller items. And, if needed, Cunard's dry cleaning service is excellent and not over-priced.

Jimmybean

We do vintage look. Not actual vintage clothing, but new stuff that looks vintage. They hold up better, fit better and if you damage them you don't feel as bad. My wife always dresses 30's style on formal nights.

 

I asked her and she mentions a few websites:

simplybe

vintagedancer

gatsbylady

peterman

You can also google various art deco societies and check out their links if 30s/40s is for you.

 

It's a little harder for men. White dinner jackets will generate scorned from the fashion police. Same for spectator shoes or correspondent shoes if you're British. (Although I wear them on QM2.)

 

It making packing more interesting if you have to fly to/from the ship. Vintage clothing, together with shoes, bags, etc. take up a lot of room.

 

FYI: If you're ever near Los Angles in August, the Art Deco Society of LA does a great vintage weekend on the original Queen Mary now stationed in Long Beach.

Thanks for website suggestions!

Thanks. I was thinking about arriving at around 1.30. That looks doable and hopefully there won't be a long line for check in by then.

 

 

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If there is a queue, sandancer, expect your wait to be handled in a civilized manner. They hand out cards, when you enter the terminal, designating groups that will be called in order of arrival. There are plenty of chairs to assure you be comfortable, while you wait to be called.

It really isn't stressful. Southampton personnel does a wonderful job.

I had questions, myself, when DH and I first booked on the QE instead of the QM2. I was afraid anything "less" than the QM2 would be a disappointment. Fellow cruise critic posters (particularly lanky lad) offered reassurance and they all proved correct. The QE is a marvelous ship, which we enjoyed enormously.

I think San Francisco is the best of US cities. We love the experience of going through the canal. IMO: take the QE and have a wonderful time!

Jimmybean

We are thinking of booking our first Oceania cruise. Could someone, please, explain their cancellation/refund policy (if canceling more than 120 days before sailing)?

Thanks for your replies.

Jimmybean

Not to ignore your photos, Capt_BJ, which I also enjoyed seeing. Thanks for posting.

Jimmybean

Super photos Pepper. What time did you take them? I've never seen the ship empty. It looks completely different.

Pepper's talent with photography is one of several skills for which we reading cruise critic are thankful. He is also master of knowing facts about tucked away corners on the QM2 as well as unfailing politeness in each and every one of his posts.

Every time I look at Pepper's photographs, I long to be onboard.

Jimmybean

We have comfortably read in the Chart Room (bar) during the day and the Champagne Bar (next door). Typically, we change locations periodically to stretch our legs. The Commodore is also a nice place to read.

You will find the QM2 has a lot of passengers who like to read, so it isn't that difficult to find a quiet spot… Also, you will find the library well stocked.

Have a wonderful voyage, SPacificbound!

Anything that will fit through the scanner (which a suitbag certainly would), can be hand-carried onto the ship.

We originally thought in this direction, when first cruising, but found it was burdensome and cumbersome to carry a heavy garment bag through the boarding process.

I learned that suits, trousers, shirts packed very nicely in the suitcase with tissue paper and/or large plastic dry-cleaner bags---just be sure the suitcase is fully-packed, so clothing doesn't slide and wrinkles can be avoided. On the whole, so much easier than trying to hand-carry a garment bag).

Jimmybean

I second Stewart's observations. If your formalwear is black/white, fine. If not, you won't feel out-of-place. Have fun! Don't worry!

And, welcome to Cruise Critic, Lynn