LovesToRead

I used Pinpoint Traveler for excursions to Kyoto and Nara in March. I contacted Pinpoint after reading a review here on Cruise Critic. In mid-March, we had a wonderful day and a half visiting both areas. Kevin, our guide, was extremely accommodating and personable. He provided informative background about the sites, shared many of his own experiences in Japan and arranged for us to have lunch at local restaurants where we could sample dishes common to the area. We could not have covered as much ground if we had taken the ship’s excursions.

https://www.toursbylocals.com/Full-Day-private-tour-Singapore-Island

We used Danny from Tours by Locals for a shore excursion from the Oceania Riviera in March. We had a wonderful day with him!  We visited Gardens by the Bay, the Arab Quarter, the Peranakan Houses, Skyville@Dawson and other sites of interest.  Danny was extremely responsive to our interests and tailored the day to them.  He is very personable and knowledgeable about Singapore and shared his own fascinating background with us.
 

https://www.imperialhotel.co.jp/en/tokyo/news/schedule

We stayed at the Imperial Hotel in late March; it was wonderful. However, the tower building will be closed and there is construction next to the main building. See the link above.

I can now second the recommendation for Pinpoint Traveler excursions to Kyoto and Nara. I contacted Pinpoint after reading many cruises’ review. In mid-March, we had a wonderful day and a half visiting both areas; our itinerary was similar to the one described above. Kevin, our guide, was extremely accommodating and personable. He provided informative background about the sites, shared many of his own experiences in Japan and arranged for us to have lunch at local restaurants where we could sample dishes common to the area. We could not have covered as much ground if we had taken the ship’s excursions.

Thank you for the feedback.

We did the roundtrip NY TA on the QM2 in December 2019. I took a lightweight down jacket, which was fine for the coldest days on deck. We were fortunate to have several warm days where I was able to wear a sweater with a light turtleneck. I recommend taking layers. Have a wonderful crossing!

We will be on an Asia cruise in February/March and are trying to arrange necessary vaccinations etc. For a South America cruise in 2016, we saw a wonderful infectious disease doctor.  However, he no longer handles this and his office and our PC physician recommended PassportHealth.com.  Has anyone used this service? Or can you recommend a dr in NYC who handles these issues? 

Thank you!

On 10/16/2023 at 9:40 PM, HLR said:

Hi all!

 

I am wondering if there are big differences between a transatlantic crossing versus a NY to the Caribbean or Canada? Such as: The passengers, the entertainment, the enrichment program, etc...  Do they still offer fencing lessons? Is tea still served everyday when there are port days? Stuff like that.

 

I am single, 59 and I do not fly so a NY - NY would be my only option sailing....so would that be east coast or "over and back"! 

 

Howard

We’ve done and enjoyed both a B2B TA and the Caribbean. We did the B2B in December. There were many lectures, presentations and shows on the ship. The holiday decorations were a bonus. We were lucky to have good weather in Southampton. I would definitely recommend the Sea City Museum, which presents Southampton’s Titanic Story. We walked there and back from the ship, passed stalls with holiday markets and had a casual lunch.

We did the Caribbean trip in November. It was wonderful to have the six sea days broken up by the warm weather. Once again, there was plenty to do on the ship.

Has anyone used ShoreExcursions.asia?  If so, what was your experience? We're considering using them for excursions in Bangkok, Singapore, Kyoto/Osaka (Kobe port) and Tokyo?  Thank you very much.

Thank you all!

Are the cabin walls metal and magnetic? We like to use magnets to post schedules, maps, etc.

Thank you!

I was on a QM2 roundtrip crossing (NY-Southampton-NY) in December 2019. There was a knitting group that met each day at 2 pm (I think) in the Corinthia lounge. It was a special part of that voyage for me. In November 2022, I was on a QM2 Caribbean cruise. There was a hobby group listed for one sea day. The group then decided to meet on its own for the other sea days. Again, I believe we met at 2 pm in the Corinthia lounge. Another lovely experience. I love the idea of ‘a continuous fiber around and around the world”.

Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

I am seeking recommendations for a private guide that could provide a one-day tour from the Rotterdam cruise terminal.  At this point, we would like to visit Delft,  Keukenhof gardens and old Rotterdam.

Thank you for your help.

I did not use an agency and received my new passport 5 weeks after I sent it priority mail (and requested expedited processing). Glad to know about the time it took to receive the old passport, as mine also has a China visa that hasn't expired.

In December tea was served in the lounge on QM2.

We were on  QM2 from Dec 8-22.  Although I can't speak to Britannia cabins or food, we had a wonderful time and thought the ship was beautiful and in fine condition.  We did have lunch in the pub, which was very good.  We had breakfast and lunch in the King's Court several times, which was fine.  We also had breakfast and lunch in the the Corinthia on occasion and found, for lunch, the selections were good.  We loved the great variety of activities, from excellent lectures to terrific music in the various venues and the many locations where one could just sit and enjoy a book or simply look at the ocean.  

Have a wonderful sailing!

We are also big fans of the jazz combo in the chart room.  On our recent cruise there was a pianist in the Carinthia lounge some evenings.  One lunchtime band members gave a Dixieland Jazz concert in the Carinthia as well.

Enjoy!

Enjoy your cruise and happy anniversary!  I just returned from a roundtrip crossing and can answer some of your questions.  (We were in a Queens Grill suite.)

-I believe the Princess Grill suites have hairdryers.

-We had water; I can't answer for your suite.

-I don't know about the spa pass, although I did use the gym (treadmill only) on a number of mornings.

-As far as the temperature onboard, I usually wore a sweater or fleece vest during the day.  For the evenings,  I wore a shawl over my dress or a festive jacket, as I found the ship to be cool.  I wore my coat (actually puffy jacket) with hat and gloves when we walked on deck (except for one very mild day). I also needed it when we waited for our car in Brooklyn at the end of the trip.

I hope this helps.  We loved the ship and had a wonderful time and wish you the same!

We did receive a call yesterday.  We're in the US.  We were told that spirits were in mini-bottles. There was no mention of another call, pillow preferences or allergies.  FYI the caller ID did not say Cunard; it just showed an 800 #.

Unfortunately, Midtown Restaurant (recommended in post #9) has closed. Apologies for any confusion.

I've been to these restaurants many times.

-Midtown Restaurant - 155 East 55th St.(between Lexington and Third Avenues)- Basic diner type restaurant with extensive menu.  Excellent value. 

-Paname - https://panamenyc.com/ - French bistro with excellent food. 1068 2nd Avenue (near E. 56th St.) - Variety of prix fix options for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Enjoy!

We used Smiths in 2014 and thought they were very good.

In August 2018 we used Iceland Horizons for a Golden Circle tour (from Reykjavik).  It was an excellent 8 hour tour with a wonderful guide.

6 minutes ago, ABoatNerd said:

Completed a Hamburg to New York westbound QM2 voyage in late June.

 

The alternative dining option was outstanding, the best food of any cruise I have been on; exceeded Oceania and Crystal. 

 

The 3 segments; Coriandor, The SmokeHouse and Aztec  (Indian, BBQ, Mexican) - had the best ingredients, taste was pronounced, wonderful colour, presentation perfect.  A large volume of appetizers, mains and dessert.

 

The service was prompt and individualized with engaged wait staff.

 

What a hidden gem that Cunard has organized.

 

This venue was not heavily patronized.

 

It is $20 pp.

 

Everyone who ate there were enthusiastic about the experience - in fact a number of individuals were in the Grills - they all said the food was far better and more enjoyable than anything in the Grills. One gentlemen said they would start to book non Grill staterooms and eat in the alternative dining venue.  That says something.

 

I wrote the Hotel Director and the Food and Beverage manager, with a cc to the group, and advised them of their outstanding product. I received a thank you letter back from the F&B manager. The staff of the alternative venue showed me where my letter was posted in their serving area.

 

In contrast, the MDR was of average to poor quality - very disappointing. The food and garnishing (if there was any) was depressing. Onion soup was a dark water with a few bits of onion and a small round thin bread piece with a very small amount of cheese; it also tasted awful. I was shocked at the cheapness of the MDR offerings; particularly the dinner service.

 

So we ate the rest of the evenings in the alternative dining venue.

 

Do give it a try and enjoy.

 

 

Thank you so much for this information. When were you able to make reservations for these venues? (I do realize that you mentioned they were not heavily patronized.)