jimmybean

If you book it as one trip, you will get one OBC; if you book it as more than one, you will receive the commensurate number of credits.

Hey, Capt! Welcome back! We have missed your postings.

Thank you, everyone, for the kind replies.

 

Unfortunately, I was born without any sense of direction whatsoever, so I was nervous about navigating London myself without some sort of tour to follow. That's why I was hoping Cunard had some sort of post-cruise tour I could arrange. I will keep looking into it to see what my tour options are, even outside of Cunard.

Your position is totally understandable, kac0425. You don't want to be missing out, because you have gotten lost somewhere--wasting your time.

London is so huge and so historic. There is so much to see and do. No tour will be able to include "everything." I suggest you identify some "must-sees" and book a tour that includes these sites, then resign yourself to a return visit ;) to see more. :)

Our favorite experience in London, as Stewart mentioned, was taking the Thames boat to Greenwich. Seeing London from the river finally gave me some perspective as to where various locations sit in relationship to each other. It's not a "tour" with someone on the loudspeaker, pointing things out, but it would be pretty difficult not to recognize London bridge and the Gerkin building. If you don't book an organized tour every day you are in London, it could be something to consider doing.

Also, again, do consider going to the theater. I agree with Stewart: better than NYC (which in no way demeans NYC). London theater is just pretty fabulous.

In the 1970s, my aunt and uncle were in London for only two days and booked a private tour---just the guide and themselves. From their descriptions, the memories were worth the price. Looking for a private guide might also be something for you to consider. We tell you that a Cunard tour might not be worth what they charge, but having your own guide might be.

The important thing is to plan something that will be right for you.

Jimmybean.

From our boarding experience in Southampton, Stewart has given an excellent summary. I would like to add one more thing.

Passengers who are in the Grills and passengers who have priority boarding status are boarded first… There aren't that many Grills passengers, overall, on the ship, but sometimes there are a number with loyalty status (platinum or diamond), so it is possible there could be a queue, depending on the make-up of passengers.

In 2014 when we arrived about noon, I believe the time we spent queueing was 15 or 20 minutes.

If you have any difficulties standing, of course, you can ask for a wheelchair.

Have a wonderful first crossing!

We have never stayed in that specific cabin, so my comments are more general to overall location..

Deck 6 is convenient. Just one flight up to the buffet, promenade, and fitness center and just a few down to the dining room/lobby.

You need to look at deck plans to see what is above this specific cabin. There will be cabins below, but the areas above deck 6 are public spaces--nothing too troublesome with noise, but you should check deck plans.

DH and I find the QM2 inside cabins quite adequate for our comfort and needs.

Have a wonderful voyage!

I think it is great that you want to stay a while and see some of England after your crossing. It is a lovely country!

I agree with other posters that you could find less expensive sight-seeing help than what will be offered by Cunard. Depending on your resourcefulness and fitness, it might be very do-able to sightsee on your own. And, if you just need generalized assistance, there is the "hop-on-hop-off" bus tour, which would take you to most notable sites.

BigMac1953's suggestion of seeing a show is excellent. You can book your tickets, on-line, before you go and have them waiting at the box office.

The tube/underground/subway (whatever you want to call it) is marvelous and not that difficult to maneuver, if you are independently minded. If you require more assistance, you can learn tour opportunities over the internet or at your hotel.

It is also great that you will be on a crossing! Wonderful experience! You will enjoy!

Thank you for sharing this, and too blue or not too blue - I wish I was there!

I'm a bit blue because I'm not (there), Cats2010 :(

Thanks for posting the photo, Ray66.

I agree: she does feel like a second-home, after a while….

I look forward to reading the thread linked by OzKiwiJJ. (Thanks for sharing)

Jimmybean.

While I've never seen vintage formal wear on a ship (that I could identify as such), I think it would be lovely !!! (I'm not so sure about 70's hair styles, though---I'm picturing Sonny in bangs and Cher with ironed hair--nothing I'd like to see resurrected)… In any event, I love the creativity in your thinking, ClanMcLean!

I think "how it would be handled" would depend on both the kind of medical emergency and the distance to shore/a hospital. Sometimes, people are helicoptered off ships to get medical attention.

A retinal tear should be treated immediately, but it is possible for a tear to remain stable (for a period of time, until proper treatment can be given) and my retinal specialist told me that 5 % of retinal tears can actually self-heal (through scarring as mine miraculously did). Most of the time, however, there is the real possibility of blindness without immediate surgery, if the tear becomes a detachment.

I don't believe a ship's doctor is a master of all trades, who would be able to perform a retinal reattachment---which is very specialized surgery. Even the two broken arms I saw on the QM2 were just stabilized until an orthopedic doctor could properly set the bones, after the ship was in port.

Occasionally, one hears a call for the medical team to rush to a specific cabin--probably to respond to a heart attack. Antibiotic medications and seasickness medicine will be available on a ship. If a serious medical emergency arises, of course, the best place to be is on land and near a hospital.

Sometimes, we know our health risks and can have them evaluated before setting sail. Sometimes, health problems arise without warning. Of course, there is some risk in being at sea, far from medical resources. But, most of us have survived ocean travel unscathed. Nonetheless, if there are any worries, having a good medical check-up before traveling seems prudent.

Hi Guys for anyone still interested in our adventure., we are in Sydney now having arrived yesterday to another glorious Australian morning. Unfortunately for a lot of visitors on deck the Opera House and Harbour Bridge are not now lit all night and it was a shame that there were a few disappointed faces as people tried to pick them out in the dark.

 

All of that aside though, Sydney has put on some great weather with lots of people going to Manly Beach and catching the various ferries and tours around town. There was an excursion today to the Blue Mountains and Im sure they will have an amazing time as it is magical up there.

 

We had about 1000 people get on and off again, unfortunately we all noticed the drop in dress code that happened with the week around Tasmania back to Sydney and there were a number of people we saw being turned away at the dining room doors for trying to gain access in flip flops...shorts and tea shirts. On the last night before Sydney there was a group of travel agents sitting at the captains table...(sans officer) wearing polo shirts and generally looking a bit scruffy. It is unfortunate that these are the people who will be selling the voyages and they don't know how to dress themselves.

 

The new on-take that came on yesterday though seem to be younger and certainly better dressed so looking forward to the next sector.

 

We had an amazing singer on board, Lisa Crouch who unfortunately got off yesterday, she was amazing and hope that she will be invited back. What a voice, what talent....it makes the ventriloquists job tonight a bit challenging. Hope he is up to it.

 

To anyone following the great Pavalova debate, Klaus the head chef gave a nod to Australia and NZ with pavlova on the menu a couple of nights ago.......

 

and australian prawns and seafood is featuring highly. Its great to see some regional tastes been included in the menu and looking forward to what he has in store for us now.

 

There is a CC meet down for tomorrow at 2pm in the Commodore club so hoping to make it.

 

Ive update my blog to Melbourne, thanks to all those kind comments I've been getting and the 16,000 hits since 10 January.

 

regards Roscoe

Thanks for the update, Roscoe39. Very enjoyable to read your report !!!

Hi there, the ship is going to Vigo in Spain, Oporto and Lisbon in Portugal and St Peters Port in the Channel Islands, all 'safe' destinations (hopefully!). I was thinking to call Cunard as it does seem very strange!

Sounds like wonderful ports of call!

It certainly is strange! Offering tours is part of their business. Finding out what is offered shouldn't be such a challenge for their customers!

Please let us know what you learn from Cunard.

Where is the ship going? Could a voyage destination (perhaps a place subject to recent political turmoil) have anything to do with a delay in posting tours?

If not, maybe it's just Cunard's poor communication skills...

You could call Cunard, directly, and ask them. That is what I would do.

I'm sure, in the end, all will become clear and you will have a wonderful time!

Thank you, ClanMcLean. Your kitchen photos were a treat---looking forward to your ferry shots.

Auckland is so beautiful! It was a thrill when DH and I arrived on the Queen Elizabeth and the QM2 should be a notch above that. Beautiful harbor! Beautiful city! Beautiful country!

Thanks, again.

I just hope nobody mentions fanny packs,:eek:

Whether there was innocence, or not, would depend if the "mention" came from an American or a British person, bill_posters_is_inncocent ;)

Interesting article and interesting comments on this thread. Thanks all.

L.A. Times article about up-coming pre-fashion week event on the QM2.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-queen-mary-cruise-fashion-week-20160222-story.html

The QM2 took us around the Horn, from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles in 2009, and this is the FIRST TIME she has returned to most of that route since then.

My advice is: if you see a voyage with an itinerary you want, BOOK !!!! Some routes are offered time and again and some routes come up less often. Sailing around the Horn, aboard the QM2, is one of those special voyages that doesn't seem to be offered often enough.

My heart is on the ship now and thank you to Cats2010 for eliciting the update (and wonderful photo). (DH and I would have booked, also, if not for…. So, maybe, next time!)

Jimmybean

We remember meeting a mother traveling with her (about) 14 year-old son on the last leg of their full World Cruise. They both had a memorable, life-changing, thoroughly enriching experience---the son glowed with happiness!

I think a World Cruise would be an wonderful experience for children!

DH and I have taken two long segments (of WCs) and noticed there were some (although not many) children each time. It sounds like ---with three children---yours would have someone of similar age with whom to interact, so lack of a ship-load of playmates might not be necessary.

Why not go? I can't think of any reason(s) your family shouldn't!

Have a great time! Please write a synopsis on CC when you return. I would love to hear how much everyone enjoyed their two-month voyage..

Would dark slacks, shirt, tie ,and sports jacket be okay for formal nights on QM2? We will be doing a TA, and luggage weight is a big consideration. Mary

For almost all of us on a TA, both weight and volume in luggage are issues. You are not unique wondering how you will manage these challenges.

When we first sailed on Cunard ships, DH had to bring a tux, PLUS a suit, PLUS a sports coat. Actually, the dress code was simplified a few years ago so packing "just" the tux and sports coat now seems very easy.

Men's shoes are heavy and bulky. My suggestion would be to be sure the same shoes can be used used with both the sports coat and the tux/dark suit. This will save some suitcase space.

There are washers/dryers on the QM2, which are free (along with free detergent). You can launder casual attire and, therefore, bring less of those items---freeing room in your suitcases for the formal items which are prescribed by the dress code.

The dress code, clearly stated by Cunard, requires both a sports coat for informal nights and a dark suit or tux for formal nights. A sports coat is not formal attire. There has been much discussion of the fact that a tux is less expensive to purchase than a suit.

Have a wonderful crossing! Enjoy the QM2 and Cunard experience!

Jennie,

I would love a "compare and contrast" posting, telling us what you liked (and might not have liked) on the Oceana and QM2. Please do let us know your experiences! (I am particularly eager to learn your opinion of daytime lecturers on each voyage. DH and I find the lecturers on Cunard always a highlight).

DH and I have dealt with "two voyages in different climates" (dragging bags through train stations in Europe in-between) so I sympathize with your packing dilemma. My thoughts are always towards being practical and then enjoying all the enrichments of travel. Then too, problem-solving, in itself, gives a sense of accomplishment :) when all is said and done… Good luck with the challenges of packing!

BTW, cheers to John Watson for pointing out an advantage of traveling east on the QM2. When you arrive in England, it is as easy as walking off the ship.

You can see there are many posters on the Cunard board, who willingly share information as well as enthusiasm about crossing on the QM2. Ask almost any question and someone will have a (good) answer.

Jimmybean

You are welcome, Aussie Gal.

DH and I usually take the train from Southampton to London and self-disembark, so I can't advise about how the ship's masses go ashore. Probably, it is by location on the ship, after those with priority disembarkation (passengers with the highest loyalty status).

Since you will be on an earlier (longer) voyage, my guess is that you will have too many bags to self-disembark and manage on the train…. I can tell you that it takes just an hour and a half, by train, to get there.

Transatlantic is a wonderful experience on the QM2 (we think). I hope you enjoy as much as we have : )

I believe she typically docks at the Ocean Terminal, but when the hired car goes into the port, the driver can ask "which terminal for the QM2" in case there is a last minute change. Telling the driver the name of the ship is more important than naming terminal.

How wonderful voyages !!!!

Depending on how long the shows have been running, there might be daytime rehearsals as well as the evening performances.

I "third" this request! (I feel she is "my ship" too, Cats2010 ; ) An update would be most welcome!

I do read CC reviews before sailing on a new ship, but like Loubetti, I take what I read with a grain of salt.

Often, things that matter to DH and me aren't given much importance in the CC reviews.

We know what we like and this includes the wonderful daytime lectures provided on Cunard ships as well as the excellent supply of reading material in Cunard ship libraries.

Nothing has ever measured up in those departments on any of the Princess, Royal Caribbean, HAL, Celebrity, (or one awful Carnival) ships on which we have sailed.

Yes, Underwatr, that isn't a keel!

 

To quote from "Queen Mary 2, The Greatest Ocean Liner of Our Time" by the late, great John Maxtone Graham... (Bulfinch Press 2004).

"... As a result, Payne's final design combined a modified transom with elements of the first Queen Mary's cruiser stern; described as the "Constanzi stern" ... The hybrid was necessary because a simple transom stern, slapped by a following sea, can set up troublesome vibrations the length of a hull. But the Queen Mary 2 version had to be further refined to provide appropriate "landing spaces" for her propellers. ... Subjected to a wave onslaught from astern, model QM2 exhibited what is described as a "hunting instinct": The hull cycled through a series of random, side-slipping undulations. When those waves were amplified, the movement was so pronounced that propellers tended to emerge above water. The solution was installation of a remedial skeg-a stout vertical steel divider separating the ... propellers. The skeg, in combination with the stabilizers, minimised the hunting instinct and vastly improved QM2's longitudinal stability in a following sea."

 

Best wishes.

I admire everyone's technical knowledge : ) and I learn something new on CC almost every day. Thanks for the explanation, Pepper!