annmarz

Stay safe! Sounds like a very dramatic crossing! I really hope things calm down soon for you.

St Kitts has a very interesting fort - if you are interested in history, well preserved, with lots of exhibits.

In October, the Queen Mary 2 docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

thanks Annmars for your report. I am also an experienced cruiser but a Cunard newbie. You addressed some of my concerns. Never been at sea that long ( max 6 sea days at the Antarctica cruise with some very rough seas at Cape Horn ). so I have some questions:

 

How rough was the ocean?

 

How do you fill the time? Any trivia or game that we can participate in the day time? Are there shows every evening? Is the main ballroom where the big band plays the only place to dance ( as opposed to some latin or club dance floors in some other cruises)?

 

Does priority disembarkation mean you have to take your own luggage on the way off the ship?

 

I remember those 6 sea days in S. America were looong. By the 3rd sea day I was so longing for a port day. I am a bit comprehensive about the Transatlantic crossing at first, but the attraction of the QM2 is too much to resist and I am more prepared this time for the all at sea cruise. I hope the big band on QM2 would entice me to dance every night. I hope I w'd have the same enjoyable experience as you had.

As it turned out we did have rougher than the norm, I understand, seas, dues to remnants of a hurricane which we skirted. The pitching of the ship was noticeable, especially in our

forward cabin. The ship's stabilizers did the job with the roll very well, though. I have gotten seasick on several other cruises over the years but did not even come close to feeling ill on this voyage. At times, some of the outside deck areas were closed.

How do you fill the time? If you enjoy the typical ship activities, you will have no problem at all filling the time! The Daily Programme is chock-full of trivia as much as 5 times a day, games, outstanding lectures, the Planetarium shows, music, movies, etc. etc. There are excellent shows every evening. This ship has more music acts playing than I have seen on any other ship. Day and night. There is a nightclub open until the wee hours as well.

Self-disembarkation is where you take all your luggage off yourself. Priority Disembarkation is different - it is for people having earlier flights as well as other special needs. You do not take your big luggage off yourself with this.

The ship is very large but never feels crowded. I certainly understand the attraction of ports and "getting off" to see something different. But I never wanted to get off the QM2! Hope this helped.

I was just on the QM2 crossing. Yes, it's true you can't be overdressed on informal nights. But it's perfectly ok to wear a dressy pants outfit too.

On our recent Southhampton to New York crossing, we noticed that while most people followed the dress code, there were a surprisingly substantial number who did not. Especially in the public rooms (non-dining areas). We found the ship to be very warm. My partner literally was sweating in the Britannia restaurant and removed his jacket during dinner several nights. Ditto for the theater. I do not know if this ruined the ambiance for other people or not, but surely dripping sweat isn't attractive either. Common sense has to prevail sometimes.

On the last night, and to a lesser extent the first night, the dress code went out the window. Casual clothing was the majority. We sweated it out in our informal attire, considered changing clothing but our bags were already packed for disembarkation.

I think the ladies have a distinct advantage. We can wear shoulder baring dresses and toss on a shawl, to easily adapt to the temperature variations.

We also appreciated how many people made an obvious effort to dress up for the Roaring 20's event. Very fun to see!

Just off the QM2 and I wished they had offered a beer package.

Jcgeorge

 

How was your crossing? I was following the satellite movements of ship as well as here reported weather observations. Looks like the first night there may have been an emergency evacuation of some one at the Sicily islands - the ship did several loops and was met by a small local boat. You may not have even been aware. Also it looks like you had quite strong winds the last few days. The ship was reporting 40-60 knot winds. Tell us all about it!!

 

 

I was on this crossing. Yes, the first full day, in the morning, there was a helicopter evacuation of an ill passenger and his wife. The ship had turned back to enable this. All outside decks were closed during the procedure, so few pax got to witness it. The helicopter hovered - didn't actually land. The word was that the poor guy survived and was doing better.

 

We did have rough weather a couple of days due to remnants of a hurricane.

If you can't carry off all your luggage yourself for self-disembarkation, which you have to sign up for, request the Priority Disembarkation, which you also have to sign up for. We were nervous about making our 2 pm flight out of LGA. The immigration line was a disgrace! I wished we had taken people's advice and paid for a porter - this line was much shorter. Once thru immigration, we easily got a cab - there were a lot of them lined up - you have to cross the street. We were at LGA by 10:45 am.

My partner and I (late 50's, Americans) are experienced cruisers but new to Cunard. We just completed a magical crossing from Southampton to NY. We felt like we were in heaven. This massive vessel was well laid-out and we found it surprisingly easy to find our way around. We were on Deck 6, forward, which provided quick and easy access to the wonderful King's Court and Carinthia lounge.

We enjoyed all the food and entertainment, very very much. No complaints. Thanks to my pre-voyage obsessive reading of these boards, I knew some (to us) vital information: 1. Only one iced tea beverage station in King's Court. 2. Ask the room steward for an extension cord. 3. First full day, be in line at 8:30 am at Tour Desk if you want to sign up for the Behind the Scenes Ship Tour - which we did and loved, by the way. Worth every penny. 4. If you are worried about your flight home, ask for Priority disembarkation. 5. You cannot be overdressed! 6. Ship is very warm - ladies, don't worry about shoulder-baring dresses.

Just to show how great everything was, our only complaints (if you can even go so far as to call these "complaints") were 1. the low water pressure in the shower - virtually impossible to rinse out shampoo. 2. the strange Roarin' 20's ball. Many passengers made a huge effort to dress up and the Queen's Room was full of ready-to-party attendees. After one Charleston dance, the British singer came on and repeated his Beatles and London songs. He was ok but why not more 20's stuff? Partner thinks there was some problem that night and he had to fill in.

I am happy to answer any questions about our crossing or OM2. Cheers, and Bravo to Cunard!

Thanks so much, everyone, for the comments. Our flight leaves at 2 pm. We are still undecided what to do.

We (couple with normal amount of luggage) will be ending our crossing in New York later this month and were planning to book the Cunard transportation to LaGuardia. I have been reading various postings about "nightmare" disembarkation procedures in Brooklyn. We have Global Entry cards but I understand they will not be of any benefit.

How does it work if you have booked the Cunard bus transport? Do they disembark people in a group for this? We are Platinum, so we will have the Priority Disembarkation lounge. Does this factor in? Should we do the self-disembarkation? Or Will this just be Hurry -up -and wait?

Is there a better way to get to LaGuardia? Uber?

I appreciate any advice!

"The selection for breakfast is extensive and I was hard pressed to think of anything that wasn’t offered."

Just curious - do they have cheese blintzes? My partner loves them!

Your blog is extraordinary! Can't describe how helful and enjoyable it is!

Thank you!

Being a long-time Titanic buff, I am curious as to whether the QM2 goes near the spot where the Titanic sank. Is this commemorated on the crossing?

We are looking at a 2018 QV cruise round trip Southampton. We have traveled on and used HAL's and Oceania's air programs. Generally we have found the least expensive flights using the cruise line's air program. We also are American, living in the Seattle area, are are satisfied flying coach.

 

We would appreciate feedback and answers from those that have recently use Cunard's air from the US to the UK for the following:

 

 

• Is Cunard's air program generally cheaper than making your own arrangements?
  
• Does Cunard allow arriving a few days earlier than embarkation day without having the flight cost more (deviation fee)?
  
• If there are problems with the flight that Cunard books does Cunard cover any additional costs to get you to the destination?
  

Thank you very much!

We are flying from Chicago to London for a crossing and then back to Chicago from New York. We found Cunard's air to be significantly less expensive than anything else I could find. I was surprised (and delighted)!

We are arriving in London a few days early and it did not cost any more.

I'm afraid I do not know the answer to your third question.

I am eagerly anticipating the food, and everything else, on our first Cunard crossing next month. I read that sushi is served in Kings Court. Is this real raw fish? The sushi I have experienced on other lines has been vegetarian rolls and cooked shrimp and eel, or imitation crab and smoked salmon. I am sure it will be tasty no matter what, but I was curious if they have raw fish.

Also, does the Kings Court lunch buffet vary from day to day. Do they have themes - such as Italian, Mexican etc.?

I am so very much enjoying your blog! Given that some have commented about the slow internet onboard, how are you managing to post such lengthy pieces? Keep it coming if you can. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

We will take good care of it for you. We wish we would have brought some of the 3M Command Hooks. There are only 2 hooks inside the bathroom door to hang anything.

 

 

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Great tip! I am definitely going to pack some of these. Thank you!

We are in your cabin! Or you are in our cabin! Yes, We are booked in 6036 for a Crossing in October. So very interested in any and all comments,suggestions, info on this cabin as well as your excellent rendition of your experiences onboard. Enjoy your cruise!

I sympathize with kayelbee's concerns. I am on the October 18 TA - my first Cunard sailing. I was planning to wear very dark black - no fading, rips, etc. - "jeggings" with dressy tops and shoes for the informal nights. And/or black leggings with tunic style tops. But now I am wondering if this is ok. Technically, are they jeans or pants? Does it matter? I don't own any baggy trousers. I don't want to be out of place but it seems what Cunard is trying to discourage is obviously casual denim.

I guess I will bring enough dresses to wear if - gauging by the other passengers - the black bottoms (for lack of a better term) seem out of place.