paulco

I think that they entice pax to use the for fee restaurants to enhance revenue obviously, and then they save money by not using table cloths (see Carnival) and they reduce food costs in the included restaurants.  Very clever but I don’t fall for it!   I want table cloths!

I’ve found the Ebs to be generally less and have thought it’s due to maybe more Brits demand than Yanks.

I agree, love QM2, she’s a grand ship and deserves a running mate.

Such a fun read!  Thank you!  Can’t wait to reboard!

A call at St Helena would have been cool.

Fifty shades of beige much like the rest of the ship!

On the 2010 WC the Mary was escorted through the gulf of Aden by destroyer number 99 the USS Farragut. Was really cool.

Can’t imagine you wouldn’t do better price wise booking your own hotel and getting a taxi to Red Hook. I personally love the Jane in the West Village, Captain’s. Quarters room overlooking the Hudson for about $250 a night.

Oh I so love those pictures of dinner.  Did the Dec westbound a couple of times and loved every minute. Enjoy!

On the other hand the mid day Amtrak bus was fine, just that stop at the border where everyone had to leave the bus to pass through entry to the US.  Then you can get a taxi from King St Station to your hotel.

Like I said it’s been a bit of a pickle in the past. If you fly make sure you have plenty of time for all connections SeaTac is quite spread out.  A HAL shuttle might be better.

Amtrak trains run only very early or late,  otherwise it is buses with a stop at the border crossing, slow!  Same with the shuttle buses No matter how you dice it, it’s not quite easy. It’s good you have an overnight!

Just a point that the mdr can get a bit warm to be wearing a sweater likewise if can be chilly. Ya never know!

The original from 2004 were fine. The 2016 were not.

Please please new corridor carpets. I like the background of the new Cunarder cover for carpets.

Oh thanks I knew I had the wrong name. Plus I put h twice in Soton.

The Maritime Museum great, has a really well done Titanic exhibition.  It’s walkable from the ship but I’d probably take a taxi there and walk back down High St.  There’s a really pretty little park near the museum with a memorial to the Titanic engineers. You can get up to walk on the wall at the bottom or so of High Street.  I’ve really enjoyed Southhampton!

Can’t really answer any of your questions specifically but I spent two weeks on board last year and loved her.

Those corridor carpets looked worn from day one.  Sure hope the new ones are different and better.

The candelabras were there in 2010 but they were gone by 2013 or so.  Broke my heart!  So I wouldn’t expect to see a return.

One really cool thing about Ex is the fordeck is open most times.  Think Leo I’m king of the world!

Two things to add:  Eastbound I tend to wake up later with each time change, missed breakfast day four, eastbound can tend to be calmer because the ship has following seas from the Gulf Stream, generally, westbound can be rougher,

but I’m fine with that.  Of course it just depends on the weather

On 9/14/2023 at 7:41 PM, wencel said:

followers.

I'm contemplating a Lisbon to NY 11 day TA this November. Ponta Delgada is the only stop. Can someone help me identify if the ship will take the north or south route? In general, how much

With the Atlantic in Nov ya just never know!

Tea at the Empress last fall, did not indulge, twas $95, had  a beer and an app for $20 in the elegant bar instead.  Loved it!

Probably the best is taxi or Lyft etc to hotel.  BART goes nearby but it’s still dragging luggage uphill and it’s not cheap.  Taxi or L to the pier as well I think might be best.  Everything is expensive in SF but don’t know current prices.