T5LHR

It will almost always be cheaper with Cunard to arrange the flights. They act as an agent to the airlines and will have access to inventory which is not available for either public sale, or is not at an agent negotiated rate. For example the massive price differences in one way legs. Airlines will agree rates with the agents because they know that either way, westbound or eastbound, the seats will ultimately be nearly all used and likely won't fly empty because of the reverse ship itineraries that can be sold requiring the pax to be moved in the other direction. 

However, when joe public books a single, one way ticket, the airline don't know whether they will be able to fill the other end of the ticket, for want of a better term, and will charge through the nose for it to protect revenue on the possible lost seat occupation at a later date. 

We used to fly many Cunard passengers between London and New York in both directions, and being a ship and QM2 fan, I always used to chat to them, and always said how very well priced it was booking it as a package and a lot less than they were expecting. 

I don't know if its a UK booking thing, but the fares displayed on the UK site state that the air fare is included in the price they will sell you the sailing for, so you can't see how much it is costing as a separate entity. 

I don't know how big your cases are, but last time I was on, I had 2 large hard sided Samsonite cases and two slightly smaller soft sided bags, all 4 of which went under the bed with room to spare... I don't know exactly how much you are planning on taking... But... 🙂 

I was just discussing hotels for pre-sailing with my friends who are going on the same sailing as me next year, and this thread, and the one that Hattie kindly linked, have come at the right time! 🙂

A colleague and friend of mine works for an aerial survey photography company and they were asked to take some images of the QM2 in Liverpool... This is one of their "rejects"... So copyright free etc. 

I have the original 3.4MB file if anyone wants it 🙂

Ah ok... 🙂 Seems a nice little get away then, for doing 4/5 1 hour lectures! 

More a point of curiosity than anything else... I am certainly not researching it for myself, as I have bupkis interesting in my life to bore the masses with 🤣

How do Cunard select their guest speakers? Does anyone know? 

What do they get for doing it? Assuming a free sailing... ? 

As I say more a point of curiosity... 

Ta 🙂   

2021, won't be till early 2020 I don't think? 

There might be the initial one associated with the 2021 world cruises released, but nothing past the end of the world cruises should be available yet... 

I stand to be corrected, but I think that is about right. 

I find it interesting, if not a little sad, that you have concern about the "body beautiful" onboard. 

Sadly, this is why I dislike Virgin as a brand... They promote this young and beautiful world which makes many feel excluded or intimidated to book. Not saying that you are intimidated by it all, but the fact that you felt it warranted being mentioned so far before you even set foot onboard is sad. 

Same with the airline... All fur coat and no knickers, putting on a show with no real substance. 

I hope you enjoy it, but a ship I will never set foot onboard. 

Look forward to hearing what you think after a 4 year gap! 🙂

I am about 4 years absent too, can't wait to get back onboard! 

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

 

No, $19.50 as opposed to $39, I think. And every pop up meal I've had has been lavish and enjoyable.

Brilliant, thank you very much! 🙂

I would chose a sheltered balcony every time now... 

I did my first TA in 8014, the first of the Obstructed View cabins, and it really was great... But, I did not use the balcony as much as I expected as it was quite windy, as you would expect on a crossing! 

The other two I have done, I was upgraded to a sheltered balcony, the other I booked, and I spent so much time out there, I was very surprised. Even when it was blowing a hoolie outside with some relatively high seas, I quite happily sat out there reading my book in the fresh air... Just the occasional waft of sea spray! 

I have booked my next TA, back to back, in a Sheltered Balcony, and can't wait! 

Big thumbs up for sheltered balcony... Deck 5 🙂

Is it the same price as Verandah to eat at the Kings Court evening table service places? 

Thanks for asking the question! 

I am doing the same next year and was wondering lots of similar things... I will be hopping on the ferry over to Manhattan for some retail therapy, but great to get the info on re-boarding the ship etc. 🙂

I know this is not the point of this thread, but it is making me chuckle no end, the visitors all going to Boots... 🙂 

But, I do admit, on my day in Manhattan when I do my back to back, I will be visiting Walgreens/CVS to stock up on some stuff not available in the UK... So, I guess it works both ways 😄 

I would never have thought about doing that! 

I am doing a back to back next May, and am planning to go into Manhattan to shop a little happy and have brunch, and may just well get the ferry back to the ship...! 🙂

I was quite hopeful that I would not suffer from sea sickness, but on my first TA, off the south coast of Ireland, our first sea day, we were in a big storm and I was suffering... 

I bought the Dramamine tablets from the Pursers desk and used them. Put me right as rain and I took one before bed each night so it minimised the effects of the drowsiness, and they work great for me. 

I will have them on my back to back too, just to ward off any feelings of sea sickness just in case. All be it, I will buy them before I board like I did last time, save a penny or two! 

2 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

For afternoon tea in the Queens Room ? I've not heard about that as an option but we don't go often.

I also was not aware that an option... I was under the impression it is first come first served and as soon as the doors open, people just take a seat at an available table before the service starts. 

To the OP... I have never had an issue getting a table, even just by myself, and have my preferred location and even table... I do tend to get there before the doors open though... 😮  😄 

23 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

Thanks.  I suppose there must be a good video of the fitness center, something I could show my partner?  He likes treadmills, I like ellipticals. 

 

Is there a lap pool or just a soaking tub?

"Good video" i struggle to find... The only one which gives a full walk through is a poor quality video from 10 years ago... Gym is still very similar in payout, with updated equipment, but this video gives a good idea of the space and amount of equipment available... 

Gym starts at about 40 seconds: 

I would agree with above... If its LON to HAM, it will most likely be BA from LHR. 

Over my years of commercial aviation, I have flown lots of Cunard passengers, the vast majority on commercial flights, not chartered. I only did a couple of charters to Venice years ago for either the Victoria or Elizabeth when she was doing a Med season. 

1 hour ago, tv24 said:

A little promotion for the QM2:  I am very active and exercise over an hour each day.  On the QM2 I get plenty of exercise between the fitness center and the promenade deck.  Much better for exercise than some other ships.  It might work for your partner.

Me too... All be it I tend to stick to walking around the deck as I am a bit too self conscious to use the fitness centre. I can walk miles and miles without even thinking about it! 

1 hour ago, misterkevin said:

My question to you would be if you go to an LGBT meeting on board, are you going to meet others like yourself or just to be around them and not interact so that you can enjoy your own peace and quiet? 

 

I go to meet "people"... Yes, there is a commonality amongst the people who go to the group, but it is not the be all and end all. If there is no one I get along with then I don't go back. Same as if I go to any other gathering or activity onboard. If there is someone that I get along with, and is on the same wavelength, whether I meet them at an LGBT meeting or a coffee (tea) social and we chose to see each other again, then great, but we certainly won't be living in each others pockets for the entire 14 days onboard. 

Just now, zitsky said:

 

Do you travel alone, or with someone?  QM2 sounds very nice.  I've wanted to do a transatlantic but partner is not keen, needs more activity (walking, fitness center).  Maybe he will try it when he is older.

I travel alone, and on my first TA, completely alone without knowing anyone onboard. Other TAs, I have known a few people onboard, and on another it was a big group of friends traveling... So, it has become more varied. 

For me, personally, QM2 is my type of ship. Big ship, with not as many people on as something of a similar size with other lines, plenty of quiet places to sit and relax, watch the world go by or have a cup of tea or something to eat... There is a very well equipped fitness centre, and deck 7 promenade deck is complete on one level, so walking/jogging is a very popular thing onboard for many, including myself. 

Heavens... What a thread! 🙂

I have sailed a few times, Cunard each time, and have gone to the FoD meeting (not that I think its called that now, maybe someone got offended 🙄 ) and have met a couple of friendly people... I have also met people in varying places all over the ship and got on with people for whatever reason, or not for other reasons, and take people as I find them. 

Possibly sometimes I come across as a bit quiet and unapproachable to some, but I work in a very people intensive job, and when I am onboard, I quite like my own time and enjoy peace and quiet, maybe why I like TAs on QM2, but each to their own I suppose. 

Life is odd, and if we were all the same, liked the same things, people and hobbies, life would go from odd and interesting, to boring as hell. 

I had 8014 on my first TA, and it was great...  

From the bed, or indeed the sofa, you can't even really see the lifeboat as the bed and sofa face ship forward, so most of the time, you don't even know its there. But, even on the balcony, it is, I would say, between 1/4 and 1/3 or the balcony that is obstructed, so really not that big a deal. 

I have since crossed in sheltered balconies, and prefer them now, and have just booked the same again for my next voyage. 

Happy Sailing! 

I had beef wellington last week from the menu in Britannia on QM2… I had a double portion *sssshhhh*, don't tell anyone ;) and, it was absolutely sublime. The beef was melt in the mouth… :)

I am not a seafood person, but there were lobster tails on the menu too, much to the delight of the rest of the table, who pretty much all had them.

I have to admit to being rather impressed with the food on my crossing, certainly a heck of a lot better than I was expecting given the constant complaining about the food on here.