RICHARD@SEA

Thank you so much for your posting...I too sailed in QE2 3x - one TA, one Panama Canal as part of the World cruise & one 4th of July cruise. My parents used the QE2 as transport to England and the FRANCE( I liked both ships for different reasons). All these trips were in the 60's, 70's & 1980's. The 5 day crossings were great w a weekend in Paris or London. I like the QM2 as she is really the only option at this point(other than the standard cruise ships / malls & amusement parks). Favorite memories == Sailing down the Hudson River & under the Verrazano Bridge. The British staff & officers - true sailors. Dancing in the night club & realizing I was dancing across the Atlantic Ocean. The Promenade deck - day or nite(or even in the morning waking up in a Deck chair still dressed in my dinner jacket. And doing it all again the next day!!! Thank you

To be fair - anyone that has eaten a NY Bagel certainly knows how it should taste & its textures - saying that I haven't found a decent bagel outside of NYC(ZUCKERS & GOURMET GARAGE had the best) Even in Florida (large NY population) they don't know what a schmear is & the bagels doughy. I have a home in the Hudson Valley & was happy to discover a bagel shop in RHINEBECK - decent substitute, but not a real NYC bagel. As far as finding a good bagel on a foreign flagged & staffed ship, or any ship for that matter - I would say the chances are NIL!!!! It would be like comparing gelato from Israel to the real Italian made(BTW MSC had really great gelato onboard).

Thanks Btimmer...just comparing..I should go out & buy a motorcycle!!!

Thanks so much...weather can be a big problem in the winter especially. I'll look for a later sailing. Cheers

are the VV total ship charters???

Mother Nature will be the deciding factors in all this....

Have a wonderful cruise - certainly a bucket list cruise... If you have time would you post your to do list pre cruise - Cheers

forget "appropriate" your daughter looks beautiful & spectacular...

One idea for all those w style change resistant male partners - the black suit is a more modern form of formal today & can be used for other occasions also. Along with dinner jackets - there are so many to choose from - paired w a pair of black dress trousers - this is a great way for a man to bring out his personality - onboard & ashore.

Thank you so much ziggyuk for your suggestion - I'll have to decide soon as if its worth the risk. the second cruise doesn't sail until 9 pm from Le Havre so thats in my favor. Thanks again!!!

I think you look very dashing in a James Bond sort of way...HOT!!! And your wife certainly is lovely, classic - nothing better than the simple black dress & pearls...thank you Audrey Hepburn!!!

I would like to take a TA on QM2 on 3 Jan 2024 arriving in Southampton on 11 January 2024. On the 11 January there is a cruise that sails at 9 PM from Le Havre. How can I do this & Is it possible to make the transfer in a timely manner. Thank you all!!!

If anybody asks "WHAT HAPPENED TO CLASS" all they have to do is see this picture of Solent Richard & his lovely Lady in RED... You both look SPECTACULAR...and you certainly wear the clothes well!!!! Bravo Solent Richard.

ALLEN EDMONDS has larger sizes & widths that might work for you - both in loafer & tie patent leather styles. I also have bought from them & its great quality. ALLENEDMONDS.COM

Try CHARLES TYRWHITT - they do have sizes 13 & 14 patent leather shoes. I've bought other shoes from them along with other clothing & have been very happy with the quality & customer service... Good luck!

PS Had you posted a final review of your 2023 WC???

Great to read you both are back onboard one of your HAL ships...BON VOYAGE and thanks for the blog & all your efforts!!!

I understand the OP's comment...I've lived in NYC / Manhattan for over 40 years & the diversity in population is like nowhere else.... Saying that I recently started to look to buy a home in the Hudson Valley.(about 75 miles north of NYC)..the population is a majority of caucasian people who have lived here all their lives... Not good or bad just different from my life in NYC. The population onboard a ship can determine my choice - as I prefer to travel w more of an International crowd . Neither good or bad , just different.

I think the new artwork is a great addition to the ship. Along w some classic ship design features the mix w modern art as such creates an updated ship w new vibrancy. Some ships actually seem to be more museum than an interestingly designed & useful mode of transportation. For instance, the FRICK COLLECTION Museum in NYC is undergoing a renovation - the original home of Henry Clay Frick is among the most spectacular museums in the world. During the renovation the collection was removed from the museum and displayed in a modern Breuer building on Madison Avenue Ave. To see the collection in a stark environment brought a new beauty to the collection. The individual pieces stood on their own as opposed to the original classic mansion with all the ornate detailing in architecture & furniture and furnishings. I do look forward to the restored mansion & the collection being back where it was meant to be. But I certainly appreciated & enjoyed the beauty in the modern / stark atmosphere in the temporary housing. Also after seeing the newly refurbishment of the Crystal ships - its like they put a band aid on a very broken vessel. I never liked the Crystal ships for various reasons - no covered pool, boring entertainment options small cabins & the decor/ was more akin to a 1980's shopping mall or an assisted living facility! I look forward to seeing the mural on QE - would i buy it for my home - NO...but it certainly gives a boost to that area of the ship.

They probably do have IT in Brittania but certainly it wouldn't be allowed in THE GRILLS onboard!!!! Get me the Captain.....

Never explain, never complain Dahling!!!!!

This quote sums up all that is important in LIFE - whether onboard a luxury Liner or on land - "Always remember two things: I love you and the name of the bank." Molly Brown - from the movie - "THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN" I would like to add to that "& the combination of the safe"

One should always take off one piece of jewelry before walking out the cabin door for the evening... that's why wearing the largest diamond possible is the wisest choice!!! As far as tiaras are concerned - only colored stone are acceptable during the day (unless you are Princess Margaret or Liz Taylor or a drag queen w limited funds). It is quite acceptable on Cunard to find one on the floor the morning after a gala still wearing a tiara....and hopefully ones pants!!! I always wear one of my tiaras at home- the check out people at the grocery store always ask to try mine on & never reject the expired coupons I thrust upon them!!!(I just say my butler messed up again).

Dearest Roscoe, "What is a week- end???" is another Dowager Countess saying - like yourself she was of Upper class/ Royalty...every day is the same except on Sunday for church services / local gossip catch up...err I mean...... Why should she have knowledge of the working class lives & schedules????