kittenkboo

KeithErnest-The additional detail you provided regarding the Historical Titanic Tour is helpful.  I thought while seeing several places, it meant just present for a few minutes. Seems rushed. The suggested itinerary looks very doable.

SolentRichard-Both reviews well document the port.  Thank you for sharing the links.

What is nice is the ship's in port from 8am to 11:59pm, so plenty of time to do some touring, The Maritime Museum and even dinner at one of the nice restaurants.  Lots to think about!  

3 minutes ago, LibertyBella said:

We have been on tours in Halifax and walked around independently as well. I am in love with the public gardens--just gorgeous!  The Citadel is also quite impressive.  Peggy's Cove is scenic. Shopping is only fair, as many stores closed down to Covid. Overall, I consider Halifax a  somewhat non-strenuous touring day.  Last year we had to fill out a lot of Covid paperwork for Canada, and Cunard was strict ensuring everyone had completed this before arrival.

 

I will say last Summer on our cruise it was rather cool and pouring rain when we arrived in Halifax.  We tramped around with our umbrellas until we were soaked.  Many people did not even get off the ship due to the poor weather.  I did see a few of the ship officers eating in the restaurants in the area, but we decided to return on board. I hope you have a great day!

Hi-

Bringing rain gear and such is a must!  Thank you for sharing your insight.

31 minutes ago, techteach said:

LOVE the Halifax Maritime Museum as well as walking the shoreline.

Hi- Definitely  on our list to visit and imagine the shoreline very pleasant in the summer, barring any rain events, like 2022 Independence Day voyage.

53 minutes ago, KeithErnest said:

Sorry I cannot advise on a Cunard excursion to either Peggy's Cove or Lunenburg, NS.

 

However, I do live in Halifax.   The two places you listed are popular tourist attractions in Nova Scotia.   An excursion to visit both would be a full day with no time  left to explore Halifax (visiting both places  also means being on a bus for over 3 hours 30 minutes).   Peggy's Cove is an hour's drive from the cruise terminal and Lunenburg is another one hour and 15 minutes from Peggy's Cove.  Just FYI Peggy's Cove is very crowded even without tour buses visiting.

 

As you are "on the fence" as to what to do that day ...

 

IMO If you have not been to Halifax before I would suggest choosing Peggy's Cove over Lunenburg and spend a few hours exploring downtown Halifax.   Halifax is a very walkable city you can do on your own.  The Public Gardens, the Citadel Hill National Historic site and the Maritime Museum are all worth exploring.   A ferry ride to cross the harbour is only $2.75 (cash only but ask for a transfer for the ride back).  

 

I am in the same boat with excursions as I amresearching for the QV North Cape cruise in June.  Finding it hard to choose an excursion especially with the visit to Leknes.

 

Enjoy your visit to Nova Scotia.

Keith

 

Hi Keith-

You've provided some reaffirming insight.  I did see that to visit Lunenberg and PC, it would eat up 7 hrs, leaving just about an hour or so for the Maritime Museum, which is also on my list.  Being that it's summer, I would imagine these two locations are very busy.

So perhaps the half-day Historical Tour of Halifax  would be worthwhile, as it visits the Gardens, Citadel Hill, Clock Tower, and several other sites, plus lunch in Dartmouth at Evan's.  The tour owner appears to be well established and positive reviews.  Plus there would be time to visit the Maritime Museum and dinner.

On QM2, July 2nd stop is Halifax.  Interested in Lunenburg and/or Peggy's Cove, either thru Cunard or independent tour.

Any experiences to share?  Some include lunch, were the restaurants decent?

I have researched extensively CC port forums and TripAdvisor.  Still on the fence on what to do that day.  Also, no need to recommend Paul M, his tour that day is half-day Halifax Historical tour. 

My guess is that it is channel 21. The show is on daily hosted by the entertainment director. The guests are the entertainers for the day. It is generally on in the early morning, starting at 6 or 7.

 

The opening scene with the boat and song was used when I was last aboard the QV last April.

Yes that does look and sound about right. Alstair was our director, and he was quite lovely. And the segments were passenger highlights from the day before. This is quite nice to hear that the opening scene with the ship and "Lovely Day" song are still being used! Thank you Chart Room Princess.

Hello Host Hattie!

Odd question: Does the ship's channel still have the morning segment that showed QV aerial views with Bill Wither's song "Lovely Day" playing in the background? My husband and I loved watching this every morning during our Honeymoon, and hope this is still going on when we take our 10 year anniversary trip here soon. Thank you!

Such an interesting topic and various responses. As my husband and I have experienced some other lines, we continue to put Cunard and it's more traditional style top of our list. I surely hope that Cunard can maintain much of what makes it unique. Seeing queues for dining is a huge turn off, something about it feels like a cafeteria experience. Either go and dine at the set time, or don't, and find other dining options. I think mixing the "anytime" and set time is a hodge podge. As another reviewer noted, will food be sitting out longer? Also, will waitstaff hustle and rush more than they already do? I think the simpler option is have more 2-tops available. You can always put those together to create a bigger table for those that wish to dine with others.

Our last Cunard experience, we were placed at a table with three other individuals, even though we requested a table of two for our honeymoon. We are perhaps "those people" who didn't notify our table companions every night that we were not going to dine with them, first formal night was enough.

We found the alternative dining on QV (back then it was complimentary, no surcharge) quite lovely, and other nights just doing a Lido "grab n go" back to our cabin sufficed for dinner.

Our next Cunard excursion will be in PG. We selected this for the accommodations, Grills Lounge and al fresco dining option. The "anytime" arrival for dinner at our set table and assigned waitstaff was a bonus, and not why we booked PG.

Also agree with other reviewers, why travel Cunard with it's traditions, then complain or want Cunard to change because society and lifestyles are changing? Next thing you know, someone is going to want food trucks on Cunard, because that's the "in thing".

That is certainly in order Kittenkboo.

 

You may wish to check out this review of mine regarding the transport links around the cruise port...

 

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/04/22/one-way-to-do-venice/

 

Thank you for the lovely reading!

Austcruiser84 your response was exactly what I was looking for, and perhaps we will see you when you embark in Rome. Thank you!

Hello fellow Cunarders!

Hoping that you can provide some insight on Venice QV embarkation in September 22. Times have been posted yet.

1) How early can one check into QV on embarkation day docked in Venice?

2) Can one leave afterwards to continue sight seeing?

3) Typically when does QV set sail from Venice in September?

Thank you!

I would agree with ClanMcLean. We recently received the "$12 Drink Promo" in a mailing, which prompted me to look at sailings. We ended up finding a Princess Grill at an excellent price point, with the drink promo and OBC offered by our TA as the icing on the cake. The double icing was when my TA called yesterday and said Cunard even further discounted our P2 Grill! Very wonderful news!

We experienced a similar drink promotion on Celebrity, which really left libation consuming problem-free, and allowed us to indulge in various cocktails that we would never have considered. I do think we took advantage of the offer, but didn't sloppily over-consume and waste alcohol.

Thank you for the response back ClanMcLean! We will enjoy the Mid Ship Lounge. Good tip!

Hello everyone! I know this thread is specifically about QM2 laundry/cleaning, but this pertains to QV. We've utilized the launderette before, which was wonderful, but I saw on the Cunard website that soap tablets can be purchased. Per the Voyage Personalizer:

"Top Tip

• Each ship has a number of complimentary washing machines, dryers and irons at your disposal. Washing tablets can be purchased on board."
  

Is washing machine soap no longer gratis, if using the launderette?

Thank you for sharing such nice drink photos ClanMcLean! I do have a question, were you by chance enjoying the drinks on the "$12 Drink Promo"? I would like to try some of these on our upcoming sailing under the promo, and hope some of these are under $12.

Thank you for sharing!:)

We received a mailing advertising various sailings with the special $12 drink offer. Additionally, when researching Cunard cruises, also saw it offered on the Cunard site as well as our travel agency. It does apply to specific sailing though.

You'll see him on "Wake Up with Paul" every morning.

 

Cue "Lovely Day"

OMG! I thought the "Lovely Day" was only played on Queen Victoria. I loved waking up and hearing that song. To this day, every time I hear it on the radio, I instantly think of our honeymoon cruise on QV.