maggiemou

The QE is my favourite ship to be on and I just got off her a few days ago.

She is in dry dock in November and certainly needs a paint job as she is getting rusty in places (to be expected though).

 

Sorry, I can't agree with this. The fish and chips are to die for and the service was excellent.

How many cruise lines serve afternoon tea in the dance room with waiters serving you with white gloves? Or perhaps you are referring to the Lido - where some days last week there were small tubs of genuine clotted cream to be had.

Totally agree with you on all your comments. Just would like to add, the fish N Chips are good and if anyone like myself prefers the fish unbattered they will cook it without the batter.

Afternoon tea is a lovely experience and I go at least once every cruise . I love to sit and listen to the harpist and have a nice pot of Earl Grey tea. I do not often eat anything as we usually have lunch in the dining room, but you can still go and people watch listen to the music and enjoy the delicious scones and cakes. It is quite special.

Maggiemou, do you mean you booked air fare through Cunard Complete Air? If so why did you have to pay full fair so far out? Have you used Complete Air before?

We are thinking of using Complete Air for our next trip. Any tips appreciated.

 

 

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Hi Bella Anna. I am in the Uk so we can not cancel with out losing our deposit . We often book our own flights separately as we get the freedom to go which route we want to take which cabin class on the flight etc and a seat that suits my tall long legged husband . Plus we can use our air mile. However, on my next long haul the fight came as part of the cruise deal so no choice of seats etc until you pay the final balance.

So to make sure we got seats we required we paid the full amount as this enables us to be issued with an air ticket instead of December, giving us first pick of the seats as flights usually come available 11 months out.

We paid the cruise and went into BA and found the perfect seats . If we had left it till December, the cruise line would have put us and any other passengers joining the cruise into a block booked seats in economy.

We are covered by insurance and we have full intention of taking the cruise .

I am not familiar with Complete Air . Hope this helps.

It’s a chance you take. We regularly pay hefty deposits as much as two years ahead. Providing your insurance is in place, and you are sure it's a trip you want to do, there isn’t a problem

Absolutely agree. We do the same .

In fact we paid for a cruise in full recently, which is 10 months away so we could get first pick of the air craft seating. 15 hour fight we needed to know we were in the right seats. Went into Seat Guru first to research the seats then booked them.

We have cruised in QE over 300 nights, and quite like her. QM2 is my favourite but QE has been the ship we have sailed on the most in recent times.

We were onboard two weeks ago and the ship had a better feel about it than it did on our previous cruise, when we found the ship lacking in atmosphere.

After a break away from her we went back on QM2 but having just returned we were pleased to find things were back to normal.

The staff are very friendly and many of them have been onboard since they moved from from QE2.

This Food in Britannia was better than we had on QM2 last Christmas and yes, they were serving hot canapés which they were not on QM2 and friends told me they still are not serving them on QM2. No idea why this is.

The ship is getting a bit tired looking but is due for refreshing.

The things I found not to my liking this last trip were the pillows which are not the ones that Cunard used to have. I noticed the same on QM2 also .

Seems the days have gone where the bed had large metre square pillows, regular size ones, and bolster pillows, plus a small cushion with a yellow cover.

Now it is one metre square and an awful long soft thing that felt like it was filled with cut up pieces of foam. We had the same on QM2 . Cutting back on bedding. The towels have shrunk in size as well. No big bath sheets, just small bath size .

The shower cubicle is tiny and no space for hair products.

I often take a sauna and use the facilities in the ladies changing room. Here you get a large shower. One with a seat for disabled guests. The toiletries are from Canyon Ranch and there are large bottles of excellent hair conditioner to use and sun screen, and even mouth wash and razors. So check out the sauna showers.

QE is a nice ship with friendly staff and I can not really fault her but she could do with some new colour schemes as she is looking drab. I am sure you will enjoy your time onboard.

Having just departed QE, I did not notice if table for two were available or not, as we always seem to be seated at a table for eight. The same table we have sat at hundreds of nights and never requested it.

It is always nice to be there as in my opinion it is the best seat in the house.

I would dislike freedom dining if Cunard ever bring it in.

Meeting different people from different parts of the world is so interesting . Sitting looking at my husband all cruise at dinner is a no no as I can do that every night at dinner in our home.

I have already named her. I have been calling her the Queen Anne Dam ever since the photos of how she will look were issued.😂

She is the HA koningsdam.

Hopefully with a nicer interior.

Very interesting. Thanks for that, LB_NJ.

 

Here is the link on Cunard's US web site to the new page called "What to Pack." showing photos of suggested attire in sections called "Evening Style Guide." and "Inspiration for daytime on board."

 

http://www.cunard.com/life-on-board/what-to-pack/

 

That cunard.com link should automatically redirect to the same page on Cunard's web sites for the UK (cunard.co.uk) and Australia (cunardline.com.au) depending on your location.

Thank you for the link. It has given me a good laugh. If Cunard are looking to attract younger people they really need to get with it re fashion.

That dull beige boring looking dress looks like the model is about to go on Safari, or to work in a library.

The ladies in the polo top and shorts look like she is ready for a round of golf.

Just what they need to inspire the younger passenger. 😂😂

I saw this question re. Gala nights in a FB forum yesterday.

My answer was that I think Cunard are going down the route of Holland America, using the word Gala instead of formal.

In other words, Gala night means dress up if you like, or if not dress as you like.

Last year at this time of the year I took my first HA cruise since the early 1980’s.

The Gala night was something that concerned me and my husband as we always dress to the nines for dinner.

With this in mind we booked fixed dining and a table for two, My reasoning been, if we sat at a large table we could end up sat next to someone in shorts.

My fears were squashed once onboard as on Gala Night many people dressed in formal wear. There were many passengers from Holland onboard who like to dress.

Men in DJ”S. Ladies in long dresses but not glamorous as you would see in Cunard, but they dressed up. The main dining room we found most passengers were well dressed.

I wore my long beaded dresses they were well admired and I did not care if no one else was in such a glamorous dress.

I wore what I like. I also took calf-length dresses for two Gala nights. Again glitzy beaded numbers, again well received.

This made me realise there is life outside Cunard.So much so we have booked another cruise on HA.

We have cruised mainly on Cunard for many years , hundreds of nights onboard so we were reluctant to change

I have after 40 years of cruising, now I am finally coming round to thinking the glory days of an era that Cunard try to portray are over.

Sad as it is, I do think this is no technical hitch.

Shame, and very disappointing as over the years we like many people have spent thousands of pounds on clothes alone to dress up for formal nights. Evening gowns, evening shoes, bags jewellery all bought for Cunard cruises.

Themed balls dresses also, only to be worn on Cunard.

Men on Cunard spend more than some ladies. They love to dress for formal nights.

Now if these nights go these clothes are mothballed.

I always used to say, once the dress code goes, I stop cruising.

Now after experiencing a ”Gala” night on HA. I realise you dress to please yourself and do not stress what others think or do.

I would like to think Cunard will uphold the dress standards, but as things are I doubt it. I for one will be upset at this as it was what made Cunard special.

Things are getting too difficult for staff to enforce any dress code. They should be trained to know how to deal with passengers who wear jeans anoraks hoodies, in the Chart Room as they did on our recent Christmas cruise.

Staff not trained to approach them and refuse service.

I like others on here, we will have to consider more cruises on different lines if the dress code goes to this mish-mash of things. Why pay for something that is advertised as old-time glamour and get just the norm for other cruise lines?

BTW, the dress code may not be too formal on HA but on the plus side, their food was far superior. In the meantime we have three cruises to partake on Cunard so just hope and pray the dress standards are kept .

Hi Hattie , thank you for your reports from QV. Happy following you as I have quite a few friends travelling on this cruise. You will more than likely meet them in the Commodore😉 Some of them are members of this forum.

Have fun.

maggiemou,

This thread wasn't started by a cruiser who was on board at Christmas, it was originally about a segment of the World Cruise from Cape Town to Perth.

Thank you Hattie,

The headlines Is about QM2 Not What She is made out to be.

Nothing to state it was about one section of a cruise.

11 pages of comments about various cruises and other cruise lines.

Forums often go off topic.

I think after 11 pages of replies on this thread, we can safely say that the Chrustmasc Cruise was not up to the usual standards of Cundard and of QM2.

Illness was rife on the ship, and I know many people who got ill including myself. It took weeks to recover. The staff got ill. Our waiter went down with it. However, that was a bug that was rife all over at the time of the year. Not unique to QM2.

I have cruised most years in winter and have experienced illness in winter on all ships. QE, QV QM2 and even caught noriovirus on the old QE2. It happens and can spoil ones cruise .

Reading back on these comments I was not alone in finding the food to be substandard. The illness was not a major gripe for me. It was the. other things that were just not up to standard.

A lot of problems stemmed from the mix of passengers.

The behaviour of some was unbelievable. The large table reserved for the Captain was taken over by a large group of 13. Teenagers at the table were braiding each others hair whilst we were all still eating dinner.

No hosted tables were held for the two weeks from New York and back. After New York this was back to service as normal.

I could go on, but no reason too. I am over it and looking forward to my

next cruise on QE and QM2.

I just hope that Cunard learns from this as I know for sure they are aware of the complaints as I filled out a feedback page they sent me and they contacted me afterwards to say they were looking into the food issues etc as others had complained.

Plus there are hundreds of bad reports on this particular cruise on various Face Book forums, so Cunard should have got the message by now.

Happy cruising everyone.

Nice to see you back Maggie...thought we had lost you.....:D

Hi Roscoe. Nice to see you also. Miss your blogs.

I am still around, just had a busy year moving countries, cruising and travelling etc. I hope you are well. Regards Magggie. X

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I was so relieved to read this post. I leave in a few weeks for my first QM2 experience, 21 days which,as a solo traveler, is costing rather a lot. And now yesterday I was delighted to receive an email informing me of an upgrade! But then I went online and saw so many negative reviews and started to worry. But your post has eased my mind, I now know what to look for and what to ignore. And I’m happy again :)

You will have a fabulous time on QM2. She is a lovely liner. I have sailed in her a lot and have trips already booked to sail with her again. However, this thread was about the way QM2 was not as she should be on the Christmas New Year cruise 2017 /2018.

People in here have only posted what they found to be their experience of that particular voyage

Go and enjoy, you will love her.

HI. Three QM2 crossings. One (crossing) each on QE and QV. If anyone chooses to sail with Cunard based on food, know this - you have not made the best decision. CUNARD is not known for its culinary excellence in Britannia. However, the Grills offer a different dimension of dining at sea. I did have the privilege of crossing in a PG suite on my QE crossing - it was nearly flawless. Oceania does deliver great food, some of the best. Cunard's buffets on QV and QE are average at best, serving the same fare each day and in limited fashion. Very limited. QM2's Kings court is good with much more variety and fare than the twins.

 

 

 

Now, the QM2 is like no other ship. Period. Sail on her for the legacy, the tradition and the greatness of this fine ship - she is an ocean liner as we all know. Don't expect an experience anything near that of a cruise ship. On QM2, you can walk around the promenade in 25 foot seas at 22 knots. On any other ship - forget about it. Even the pools are open in really bad weather, in January.

 

 

 

Cunard has done the best job with the Vista/Signature class platform (QE & QV). The Interiors are awesome and carry on the Cunard tradition offering a wonderful array of lounges and spaces that are far superior than any other ships (and there are many) using this footprint of ship. It will be intriguing to see how Cunard outfits their new ship, comparing that to the Koningsdam which I have sailed on and was seriously disappointed with the fragmented design and layout of that ship.

 

 

 

I began my cruising life at age 10, 50 years ago on the SS Rotterdam. I like old world, old style, traditional voyages and today, I find that it is only CUNARD that can deliver those memories in any type of manner or fashion. I tolerate mediocre food and shower curtains. I sail CUNARD because they still produce what this whole business was founded on - a seafaring experience. No rock climbing, no skating rinks, no neon. It's about the only pure, authentic ship line left and that said, it is a stretch. It requires a certain level of tolerance and CUNARD is not for everyone. The trade off is worth it. I love CUNARD.

I can agree with most of your post. Although there are still some of the older traditions still around on Holland America ships. They still have the working bellboys, still play the chimes to announce dinner. Still have teak decks.

I have been sailing for many years and actually started out my cruise life working on the SS Rotterdam. I did my first world cruises on her in 1981.

I have always loved all things Cunard and have clocked up hundreds of nights onboard various Cunard Ships. I love what Cunard offer.

I have three cruises booked for the coming year, two in Britannia, one in the Grills. I do not care where I stay as long as I am onboard.

Unfortunately, there were too many things that were not a Cunard style on my last cruise.

Even Cunard customer services told me they had been many complaints and they were looking into this.

Good that they do as they need to keep one step ahead of the game as cruisers are now a different breed to the ones that sailed on the ships like SS Rotterdam. They do not have the same style of the glamour of the old style ships. Wearing anoraks into the bars on a formal night etc is not what one expects.

As a point of interest. This time last year we took a cruise on the MS Rotterdam. Sailed on her repositioning cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam. The ship is 20 years old. Has a wrap around teak deck and. Still has portholes. I loved her!

Plus the food was far, far superior to what we had on QM2.

Stephan Payne who designed QM2 took his idea if the wrap-around teak deck from the SS Rotterdam, plus the Staircase in G32 is his modern take if the stairs in the Ritz Carlton.

He told me this himself .

The SS Rotterdam is now a floating hotel and conference centre in Rotterdam harbour.

We stayed onboard last year after disembarking the present day Rotterdam. She is in incredibly good condition and it was wonderful to step back in time to what had once been my home. Fabulous dining rooms and other rooms still in tact in their original state of design, well worth the visit.

One has to wonder what QM2 will be like when she reaches the grand old age of 60 like SS Rotterdam.

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The Christmas New Year cruise 2017/2018 was not up to scratch. It was a very disappointing cruise. Firstly our cabin had a disgusting broken stained shower tray. I was absolutely shocked when I saw it. I could not believe that this was allowed to be sold as a decent cabin.

Long story as I refused to set a foot inside it. We were given the use of a second cabin nearby for one week and the guys did an amazing job of either replacing it, or patching it up. Whatever, it looked good afterwards.

Why was this allowed to get in such a bad condition?

The food in Britannia was not up to standard. Boring bland, and not always warm.

Pillows in our cabin were awful. Filled with cut up pieces of foam rubber and not the usual quality of pillow slips.Steward disinterested and never replaced toiletries unless I asked him to do so.

He never cleaned behind the TV for a whole four weeks

Another thing were the passengers.

Travel agents sell this as a four-week cruise and a two-ship destination. One week crossing from Southampton on QM2. Two weeks on Norwegian Gem. Then get back on QM2 in New York to sail back to Southampton.

Totally different passenger types. Hundreds of kids. People not dressed in the dress code on a formal night. Bar staff ignoring this and serving people in anoraks and hoodies.

The worst thing was the large groups of people who were travelling in large family groups up to 30 in some groups. All there to celebrate Hannukha. Often rude .

They took over half of deck 8 every day. Blocking out 27 sunbeds with towels, hand bags, books. Items if clothing, but never using the sunbeds till late afternoon. Many people upset by this and even after many peoples complaints were made to deckhands and the front desk, nothing was said to them or towels removed.

Other main issues were the number of people using Britannia restaurant as if it was free dining. They turned up at the table one night and then requested another for the following night. So they were changing daily. The poor wait staff were upset, annoyed, found it totally unbelievable

The Maitre D was been driven crazy by these people.

We had around 22 different people come and go on the cruise. One elderly American couple, very nice left after two days as they said they were told to do this as they wanted to meet new people each day. 10 days later, and after finding themselves sitting alone for two nights they decided

they would come back and stay.

I have never know anything like it in my 40 years if cruising.

Kings Court was like a railway station. People walking through as decks were closed. Carinthia was like Gods waiting room, people sitting in the same seats all day reading, knitting, sleeping.

It was not the best cruise and I have actually done a few hundred nights on QM2 , plus a world cruise on her. Not to mention hundreds of nights on the other Queens.

I firmly believe this particular cruise was the problem and it is the same each year from what people told me. Regular Cunarders saying they would never do it again. Same here, never again in the Christmas Caribbean cruise.

Disembarkation what a riot. Diamond members and Grills were called to leave first. It was ten deep and most people leaving the ship were not diamond. Then when they got off their luggage was still on the ship. People complaining but it was their own fault .They should have got off when directed, but on the other hand Cunard allowed this to happen.

I will be back onboard in August and I am sure it will be a different ship.

Hundreds passengers got ill with chest infections.Myself included.

Oh, yes, must not forget to tell you all that the warm canapes were never served the whole cruise. What they did serve in the Commodore and other bars were olives, nuts, popcorn and pork scratching!

When we asked the hotel manager where were the warm canapes he ignored the question.

Not Cunard standards IMO.

I did let Cunard know my feelings as they sent me an email to give feedback. They must have read it as they contacted me.

I was told the stewards no longer replenish toiletries unless you require them restocking as most people bring their own.

They were looking into the food issues as others had complained.

On the upside the ports were nice, staff nice, some lovely people inboard and the Christmas decorations were nice.

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Hi! We will also be on QE. Look through the roll call for the info on the meet and greet after Singapore.

 

We are thinking of doing a beach day in Mauritius, but don't know about any private tours.

I have been to Mauritius on QE. Last time was 2016.

There are taxis outside the terminal offering daily tours. Watch out as the prices are per person not per car.

Our friends had pre booked a car. It never arrived! We all went with a local driver. He was OK but his main intention was to show you shopping to the factories out there that produce designer clothes in sweatshops. We declined but he still took us to one which we never entered.

All in all, we had a look around the island without much commentary. Some interesting sights. Very Asain.

Not over impressed but been there, done it etc.

Next port of call maybe Reunion Island. Now, this is class. Think France in the Indian Ocean. Volcanoes, and stunning landscapes. Go to the Wild South and see the lava flows. Fantastic!

Would be interesting if you elaborated .

I could well do so Pennbank, but this thread is about the weather conditions and I do not want to moan about things as it is not my style to do that.

However, will just make one comment which was something many people found strange.

There were no hot canape's served all cruise. Only nuts, olives, popcorn and pork scratchings!

Not the elegant style we are used to seeing in the Commodore on an evening.

I have just come off the QM2 where a cough and cold bug was doing the rounds. I got it myself and I am still recovering. Most people I met had it, or got it. Including our waiter who had two days off work. I have friends just off the QE and they have got it as well as they said many on QE were ill.

I put it down to cruising in winter. The last three winter cruises we have taken on Cunard there has been some outbreak of sickness of one kind or the other. So much so I am not going to do winter cruises again.

Now I am retired now so do not need to go away in winter as I did when I was working. Too many bugs around at this time of the year so best stay home.

We have just returned from the QM2 where we were onboard for just short of a month.

The EB return from New York was pretty amazing as the storm gave us some spectacular waves and the motion of the ocean swayed us somewhat, but it was not an uncomfortable crossing at all. In fact, it was quite exhilarating and exciting having the two gas turbines fired up to get us up to speeds of 27 knots and I believe one time we touched 28 knots.

Seeing the steam coming out just below the funnels was a different sight.

Unfortunately, there were a lot of ill people, not with seasickness but with a cough and cold that almost everyone I met had it.

There were some good moments on this cruise but some things were not to Cunard standards, but you can't win them all.

I would not take this Christmas cruise again.

Same here, I always take it onboard. And I've packed it into luggage, no problem. Very handy device.

I always pack mine in my luggage as I have always had to fly to reach the ship. Never had any issues.

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Can someone tell me their experience at bringing a steamer on board. I am sure I read somewhere a long time ago that these are not allowed and yet when I just called Cunard and enquired I was told it is okay as long as it is in your carry on bag. I know some people think it could be a fire hazard but meanwhile curling irons are allowed. I am not sure what to do....

I take one with me . It is very good for steaming my husbands jackets and my long dresses. Very useful on a long voyage.

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There will be many trees around the ship.

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Thanks for the reply

Are there many families on board.

I am going to be onboard so I will be sparkling in my glitzy gowns. [emoji1]

The Decorations are usually put up on all three Queens by a company who come onboard around the 3rd December. It takes them around a week to decorate each ship.

Looking forward to seeing old friends onboard.

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Does anyone know what color brand is used in the beauty salon?

 

Of course I'm a natural blond!:halo::halo:

 

Ricki

Can not confirm but one thing for sure, it will be well known brand. It really should make no difference what the brand name is, Be it Wella or L’Oréal for instance. If you know the number of your hair colour, your stylist will have given it to you. The colour numbers are the same world wide. The numbers on colours are an international colour coding system. So number one is always black and 12 is lightest blonde.

I used to work on ships and I am a hairstylist.

No not charted, ( from the horses mouth) Cunard are waiting for HAL & Princess (who have 'priority in the Alaskan ports of call') to announce their Alaskan itineraries . Once that has been announced Cunard are looking at a 'possibility' of a round trip Vancouver, Vancouver with a 'few' Alaskan calls.

Oh! Bellboy that takes me back somewhat to a different era. In the late 70’s, early 80’s Vancouver to Vancouver was the Alaska run. I did it on Holland America and they were the Masters of Alaska, followed later by Princess. I went there over 25 times as a part of the ships company on

H A. and hated it at first, but once it got to June , I loved it!

I have no desire to go back as I saw it at its best before the introduction “lumberjacks” for tourist but it is a beautiful place and definitely a thing to add to ones bucket list.