david,Mississauga

20 hours ago, WantedOnVoyage said:

...  When I call Cunard in the U.S., I often rather talk to the cat in the lap of the person answering the phone. 

 

 

I feel the same. I will no longer bother with that US office and I let my TA deal with them. They have given him incorrect information too. 

1 hour ago, david63 said:

That is not a problem unique to Cunard but one where any card entry system is used and in most cases is caused by being in close proximity to something magnetic, which can be as simple as a credit card.

Indeed, we have been told by staff on the QM2 that credit cards and metal purse clasps are the major culprit. My wife doesn't use a  purse whilst on board, so it is a mystery. We have had far more card entry problems in hotels than on ships.

21 hours ago, WantedOnVoyage said:

I do also realise that it was quite possible to take a cruise without one of those, too...  it was called a key. 

 

 

On one Cunard voyage my wife's card refused to open our cabin door. There have been many comments by people who have had the same problem - even upon boarding the ship.  We have never had or heard of anyone else having a problem with their keys back in the old days.

As for apps, there is at least one cruise line that refuses to provide passengers with the a  printed daily programme or menus.  I don't remember what line that was, but it was one that had no appeal to us. As a person who refuses to waste money on a smartphone I would have to ask the waiters to recite the menu every meal and we would need to ask the pursers staff what events are taking place.  I can appreciate many people like mobile apps, but if the day comes when they are mandatory  we will be finished with ocean travel. 

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

Just think what you are asking can you imagine a full 100piece orchestra on stage in the theatre. It is obviously a scaled down orchestra but is excellent and possibly the best crossing we have ever done.

Likewise, our crossing with the NSO was the best. In addition to the surprise of  the orchestra being on board (it had not been advertised in the North American market) we were in Queens Grill for the first time. A further bonus was being seated at the same QG restaurant table as the maestro.

17 minutes ago, Mawcruiser56 said:

I was thinking of taking this cruise in October of this year. I saw the video that somebody posted of a prior performance with the chorus and it does not look like a full orchestra maybe 20 to 30 members. I know this is an old thread, but could somebody please clarify if the full hundred piece orchestra is on board plane or is it a scaled down version.

 

Also Watching the video, it didn’t sound very good. Any more insight into this would be great. Thanks. 

We enjoyed the symphony's two concerts a few years ago. It was a scaled-down orchestra of close to 30 musicians. But it was sufficient for the Royal Court Theatre. That was enough to almost fill the stage, leaving room for the volunteer passenger choir.  I hope to enjoy them again some time.

On 1/6/2024 at 8:28 AM, WantedOnVoyage said:

...

 

What a strange sartorial world Cunard is now: one night it's dinner jackets and silly dress up "themes" and the rest of the evenings, it's dress like the 19th hole.  I'd much rather they go back to the c. 1974 code where there was no code at all except jacket and tie at dinner. Every night.  

 

 

Our last crossing on the QE2 was in 2008 and the dress code in all "classes" was jacket and tie on the first and last nights and formal on the other four nights.  The next year was our first voyage on the QM2 and that's when we noticed the unfortunate (in my opinion) changes to the dress code began. 

5 hours ago, NE John said:

Would you mind posting a Programme from a sea day or glacier viewing day? Did you have a meal at Frontier specialty dining? Any thoughts or feedback you’ve heard on Frontier? The price seems very reasonable and menu unique. 

I don't have much luck scanning and posting with my rather basic equipment. I will give it a try but won't post it if the quality is poor.

We had splurged on Queens Grill so didn't try any alternative dining.  From what I heard, nor did anyone else we met. We received the usual CWC invitation to lunch at the Verandah and for reasons that weren't explained we received a dinner invitation voucher  as well. Having experienced the Verandah for both lunch and dinner on other cruises when we were in Britannia we preferred to stay in QG.

I have most of the programmes from our Alaska cruise of last June.  The first sitting in Britannia was 5:30; the second was 7:45.  The last call for each sitting was 30 minutes later except on the first night when it was 15 minutes.  

As for the on-board speakers, some of them were listed on the booking site for the particular cruise. Dr. Rachel Cartwright was one. I mention her because she was on board the three Alaska cruises we have taken.

A while back there was a posting which said: the dumbing down of the dress code was a slippery slope.  

Having taken the regular excursion train twice - the first time was way back in 1972 -  I thought it was time to try the luxury coach so we did so in June last year. This is a new class on the excursion trains, having started just a few years before everything was shut down due to the pandemic.

As "sfred" said the luxury coach can be booked only through the cruise line. There are only two of these coaches, so not every train can have one. It operates on the Skagway to Summit service which is approximately 2 1/4 hours round trip. The cost of the trip was US$340, approximately double the regular fare. Some people have asked me if it was worth it. I answer them with  a definite yes.

There are only 14 swivel leather chairs arranged like a traditional parlour car. An attendant serves drinks, including wine and beer, and a snack box with quality "goodies" including shrimp and smoked salmon. A friend took this in 2019 when the snacks were offered buffet style. This has been replaced with a box because the movement of the train, despite slow speeds, is a bit rough.  Being at the rear of the train has the advantage of having splendid views from the open platform, which is much bigger than those on the regular coaches. As usual with trains the rear coach is rougher than others because there is nothing behind to anchor it.

My interior pictures all have people in it so I won't post them. 

We have done this in NY.  It was a Québec- NY - Southampton voyage which had been booked as two separate trips. Your luggage will be transferred for you.  As you are in QG on the first leg your concierge should be able to get you your new cruise card for the second segment the day before arrival. We were not in the Grills when we changed cabins so went to the purser's desk to get our new cards. You use your cruise card from the first segment to disembark and your new card to re-embark.

You will not have to check in again in the terminal although, as Pushpit said above, you will go through security. If you are not going to leave the terminal area you will be directed to a waiting area for in-transit passengers and will be the first to board when the US authorities say so.  

We were on board what was referred to as the "10th anniversary crossing" from 16 to 23 May 2014. Cunard provided every cabin with a gift: a specially commissioned hardcover book written by Stephen Payne with a foreword by the Duke of Edinburgh.

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I think I lead an incredibly sheltered life. Despite quite a number of voyages, I have never seen a fellow Cunard passenger on board whom seemed to me to be drunk. I do usually go to bed quite early though. 

It has been about 15 voyages ago - in the 1980s - since I encountered obnoxious drunks.  A group of well-dressed people almost bumped into my young son and me in a corridor. One of them said to another: "Wow, you almost wiped out that kid."  Since then, anyone who had one too many probably went to bed and didn't bother others.

Cunard's wording of the bringing on board alcohol rules changes from time to time. Before the pandemic there was a comment following the rule of one bottle of wine or Champagne per person. It said (and I paraphrase): it is not our intention to impose this rule but we reserve the right to do so if we deem it necessary.  Although we never bring on much alcohol, this is a civilised attitude. 

12 minutes ago, Pushpit said:

My apologies, you are correct, and getting my forward and backs mixed up, which is silly since my current QV stateroom is mid forward and near the launderette!

No apology needed. It is easily done - even on board. Our most recent time on the QE was our fourth cruise and twice I went to the far aft when I was meaning to go far forward.  We have been on the QM2 more times than on the QE and I still get mixed up occasionally.

29 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I was very disappointed when the gym was my muster station. It broke my streak of never setting foot in one.

We have been assigned that muster station at least three times and feel the same as you. One time a staff member looked at me as if he was trying to sign up new customers. I don't mind glancing briefly at the gym during my frequent perambulations of the promenade deck.

5 hours ago, Pushpit said:

Yes, the launderettes on QE (and QV) are narrower than QM2, but go from the port to the starboard side corridors, and is in the same mid aft location on the hotel decks. There is therefore access to the launderette without passing via the lift lobby, which is I guess your concern here.

I have checked the deck plans in case my memory is faulty.  We have been on decks 5 and 6.  The launderettes are in what Cunard calls the mid-forward section, not mid-aft. They are half-way between the "A" and the "B" stairs/lifts. 

I can appreciate that Seattle is more convenient for people from the US.  On the three Alaska cruises we have taken on the QE and one on Holland America it appeared to me that the majority of passengers were from the UK.   Admittedly Canadians were much in the minority.

I have no idea whether it is easier for people from the UK to fly to Vancouver or Seattle.  I suppose Cunard has thought this out.  In case the switch to Seattle is going to be a long-term change we are seriously thinking of postponing our two QM2 voyages booked for this year and booking Alaska on the QE once again this year. I have narrowed it down to four dates. 

4 hours ago, Bell Boy said:

How many times on this forum have I been posting DITCH that Blessed App Thingy ! 

Get back to interacting face to face - refer to your hard copy of the daily programme ( use a highlighter and never miss anything) 

As seasoned Cunard guests we  have all been doing this for years , what on earth is the attraction, other than burying one's head in a smart phone . 

I'm pleased there are others who think the way I do. I do not have a smartphone and hope I never need to get one. I do travel with a tablet which comes in handy on trains and in hotels. I have never been able to connect with "My Voyage" on the tablet, so I don't bring it specifically for an ocean voyage. I use the ship's computers for our free internet.

We have done quite well on board with the telephone and in person. When travelling in the Grills the concierge has been helpful.  On our last voyage (on QE) we decided to book a box for one night. Because of my wife's mobility issues I was glad we could book with a person who explained the access for every box in the theatre.

The two times we have been in QG on the QM2 we were in a Q5. It had a combination tub (Jacuzzi) and shower with a curtain.  Unless there have been some recent changes, the only suites that have a separate shower stall are the Q4s and above.  

17 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I once asked for thick toast at breakfast in the QG, and was surprised when our lovely waiter looked less than enthusiastic. That very day we went on the Ship’s Tour, and I discovered just how many flights of stairs the unfortunate waiter had to trek down to get it. I have never asked for it again, though I must say the toast is one of the least good things in QG.

We have travelled in all four "classes" on Cunard ships and none of the restaurants has served toast that I could eat. It is always cold and hard - as is the butter.  Perhaps a request for "hot buttered toast" might result in something better. But I gave up on Cunard's toast several voyages ago and settle for a slice of bread or a croissant or muffin.

On 10/4/2023 at 9:51 AM, bluemarble said:

Here's a webcam capture showing QM2 in Saguenay today. This is from the "Saguenay - Québec Live cam" found on the Skyline Webcams site ("skylinewebcams.com").

 

The other ship in this image was unknown to me until now. It's Explora I, a new cruise ship for a new cruise line, Explora Journeys, part of MSC Cruises.

 

I'm pleased to see the QM2 was docked this time. On our cruise in October of last year another ship - not necessarily larger than the QM2 but with a higher passenger capacity - was given the dock and we had to tender. 

We attended the festivities ashore on the maiden call in Saguenay in 2016.  Mayor Tremblay was quoted as saying he arranged that dock to be built specifically for the QM2 and it took 10 years to persuade Cunard to call there.

2 hours ago, NE John said:

On QM2 PG suites, there is a large couch to sleep on that is very comfortable (Several quality couch naps as evidence). If you don’t mind sleeping on a couch, consider that. Privacy will be problematic in most suites except for higher Q’s. A Q3 has a separate bedroom from the living area for more privacy. 
There’s plenty of wardrobe and storage space for three in PG on QM2 and the bathroom is very nice. 
Good luck!

The couches we have had in PG were all convertible to a single bed. They were similar to the traditional sofa bed on trains.  A notice said passengers shouldn't convert the sofa into a bed and ask the steward to do it. I was curious and managed to convert it to a bed but getting it back was not as easy as those on trains. The bed seemed comfortable - even though I only sat on it and didn't sleep on it.

Regarding the Vistas, if you book a Q4 - called Penthouse - you could have a semi-private area for sleeping.  The suites are half divided by a wall and half by a heavy curtain.  The bed chesterfield is, in the suite we had on the QE, a single pull-out bed.  That may not be the most comfortable, but it could be a reasonable fare. The Q4s are a lot cheaper than the larger suites and not much  more  than the Q5 & Q6 on the Vistas. 

The Q4s on the QM2 are much larger. We have not had one but had a look. I don't remember any semi-division other than a dining alcove. Perhaps someone who has travelled in one could comment. There are not many of them and they are considerably more pricey than those on the QE. The Q5 & Q6 suites that we have had have a sofa-bed but there is no privacy as it is just a big room.

18 hours ago, techteach said:

@david,Mississauga Ah David, if you sail into Seattle I’ll serve you a nice dinner on our deck as well as pick you up at the dock and deliver you to the airport. Gee, now I need to remember I’ve made this promise!

How very kind.  I must never say never. We sailed into Seattle a very long time ago. It was on the Canadian Pacific ferry Princess Marguerite from Victoria.  The immigration procedure was painless, which was a relief as we had memories of a recent experience at the New York piers.

I admit to a fondness for Vancouver whether travelling by ship or train. We went there by train on our honeymoon. Our first cruise was from there - also on a Canadian Pacific ship. We have had several voyages since then from Vancouver.  We may change our plans for 2024 and book what may be our final cruise from Vancouver.  Having experienced the QE four times - three of which were from Vancouver - no other ship on the Alaska run appeals to us. 

20 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Sorry, but why not ring them up or get a TA to do so?

Indeed, I deal with an excellent TA  but I do my own research. Of all the times we have sailed on Cunard ships we have never had any problems - not counting issues created by the California office which have been solved on board by the lovely staff. 

The Website has come back to life for Canada.  Some of the Canadian$ fares have increased, but not all.