BklynBoy8

For those Cunard Passengers transiting to/from NYC and Upcoming Personal City Excursions, Fare Hikes are coming in the Month of August to the city. As of August 20th, City Buses and Subways fares are rising from 2.75 to $2.90 a ride. Those using Express Buses fares are rising from 6.75 to $7.00. Those heading into the City by personal transportation (car) the 9 Crossings - Bridges & Tunnels will rise on Aug 6th to $11.19 and $6.94 for EZ Pass owners. Just wanted to share this information with those heading to New York City and also to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Keeping in mind those Touring the Big Apple while staying in the city.

Happy our last September and recent June voyages many happily complied with the dress code. Really couldn't complain about those sticking out. IMHO....during the sailings, couldn't count more than the fingers on my hands during after 6.... Commodore Club was happily and elegantly well dressed..as so the Chart Room.

Bon Voyage..... Maybe during the voyage they will get a hint what travelling on a Queen means. Sore thumb version...huh....

Kathy, We used to book Deck 4 Mid Ship then Deck 3 by the Atlantic Shop that was Harrods once, by the Staircase. Next was Deck 2 across Pursers Office then 1.. then a surprise to suite on Boat (Promenade) Deck. Right outside the Queens Grill Bar/Restaurant entrance. Loved having Afternoon Tea privately.

They are a keepsake and Great!

As I have mentioned a lot on the boards, after 6 you feel a certain aire of distinction. Sort of James Bond-ish....lol.... Also, it feels good to participate with others in Your Finest !

Very Blessed many of our restaurants participate in the neighborhood.

In NYC, our ratings are A,B,C. C being the lowest will still allow the restaurant to operate and stay open and serve till next inspection. C- The restaurant has numerous food safety rules violations that can put it at risk of closure. During the 54 years sailing, we feel extremely safe on board and never got sick. Yes, we do look once in a while at our particular ship inspection but does not prevent us from booking. Just make us aware of their possible faults.

Private invitation only..... We even have from a World Cruise signed by the Captain, a small plate we have hanging on the Wall as a remembrance. It's inscripted with the information related to that World Cruise. We got it as the last leg gift of a World Cruise from Brazil to NYC... At the end of the World Cruise, not sure if they still do it, they have an auction for items passengers bought but have too much to bring home. So on the QE2, one afternoon in the Theater, they were auctioning off these items for the Seaman's Fund. A lot of interesting items of all kinds and from everywhere they were purchased. You can only carry so much home from a World Cruise I guess. My DW pickup a piece of Art Work from Africa someone was parting with. She has it in her work study. Beautiful! It was a nice way to always look at it and know how we got it and where we got it from.

I started to keep from first sailing of Cunard. QE2 was a wealth of memorabilia too many things to mention. One think don’t know how many have, the Deck Plan of the QE2, which is as big as a State Road Map. Folded neatly like a map. Not at all small like they hand out now. No Way. If I can pull it out someday I will take a picture. We have two large blanket boxes of Cunard, programs, menus, stationary, etc....I piece of each, some - more....... Even tour excursion forms of tours. QE2 use to offer helicopter tours of the Caribbean Islands on some. Once in awhile, we like to pull it out. The latest cruises we keep items to but not too thick of folder. Enough to refer to on future bookings if we have a question to look up.

Kathy, Yes the high end pins are really nice. I inherited my parents pins and very careful with them. I even got better jewelers backings to attach securely when wearing during a voyage. I like the original Black Round Pin w Gold Lion Inlay we got on the QE2 in the Felt Pouch. In also have lots of the old QE2 Themed Menu Covers. We have 2 large drawers w Cunard memorable artifacts.

Agree past experience with midship lower decks. But eventually we moved uptown...lol I was in the Computer Center on 2 forward once at midnight and WOW! Had to take meds once finished in my cabin.

Kathy, I remember the Old Days too with the collection of pins we were going. And we still have them as keepsakes. One of the pins we received from Senior Captain Warwick was a Gold Sailor's Knot w Cunard printed in Red. We were the only one's that receive them on that trip and still have a picture of Captain Warwick presenting them to us. And yes, the WC Cocktail parties were much more less crowded and you could find seats in the QE2's Queens Room w those fluffy sink in brown leather chairs. The next day we got personalized invites to the Senior Officers Party in the Officer's Ward Room. The levels were more basic named. Don't remember when these names were established being used now. But with consistent sailing of 13+ days, the levels rose. Those were the Day's....

Fortunately we are Upper Deck - Balcony Cunarder's

Interesting opportunities everyone has on the take of CWC, Loyalties, Tiers......... From the first time we sailed with Cunard at Midnight on the QE2 to the Caribbean in a Oceanview Cabin for 10 days, is when we started our personal account of days and voyages we sailed. And each time we booked voyages, one after the other after the other, we booked the sailings to enjoy and not how it would impact our CWC level. And were surprised and happy when we happen to reach the next level. And yes, see now we can experience more added benefits. We appreciate our CWC level benefits and how we can use them during a sailing. So we are LOYAL but we are also are a Cunarder and always look forward to sailing on the Majestic Queen and maybe other vessels. No matter what the next level is, we would appreciate the what would be offered to us. Not sure if it helps us to be bumped upgrade to another accommodation but seeing that open view of the ocean and landing on another part of this planet by water and not by flying is a real joy.

I do respect all the opinions of my fellow Cruise Critics but I still don't see the reasoning I would consider selecting a Sheltered Cabin for a voyage. To be lower than Deck 7, be in an enclosed balcony and close to the water, those days are over when we graduated from the Oceanview Cabin to outside balconies. I still can get on a balcony in unsettled weather with a certain amount of protection. But I know and understand how we all gather our likes and dislikes on the accommodations we select. But if I were unable to book a cabin on a certain sailing with the cabin we would like, I would past the opportunity if shelters,oceanview or inside were only available. There is always tomorrow. Sorry, just not attracted to the experience.

Just saw on Facebook Cunard QM2 that Captain Hall announced that during the upcoming refit, all cabins will have wifi installed. That's what I saw.....Hope so...

Would appreciate better benefits upgraded. But gaining level status, should not be too easy. DW and I enjoyed our trips and happy adding them to the count. Reward now Priority Boarding while wishing those on the longer line good sailing and one day being on the shorter line as we gained. We have no problem enjoying and participating in group activities part of the level ex. wine tasting....DW appreciate Laundry benefit.............

Beg to differ..

Beg to differ.......

Nice,,,,,,But Can Do A Bit Better......some thought....

All The Good Luck! Bon Voyage!

Speaking about the CWC Cocktail also, that too is very crowded to attend on our last sailing in September. Typically in the past one session would be held on the Second Day after sailing for Grill Passengers and the following day would be for all other Passengers in the CWC. But because the increasing number of those in Platinum and Diamond, these gatherings are becoming overly crowded. I spoken to the Travel/CWC office near the Royal Court Theater and they have agreed for the last few sailings, Cunard should consider a initiating a new level above Diamond to even out the number passengers at these gatherings. We were even thinking what should be the name of the new level.