canoncruiser

Still hoping against hope.😉

Hoping against hope ,it looks like there’s a wide ‘space’ between the superstructure and ship’s rail- proper promenade deck. 🤔

Thanks Sogne-😊

When OH WHEN will Cunard release the rest of QA’s 2024 schedule?????🤔

SYSTEM PROBLEMS! I’ve been going around and around trying to print my documents for my 28 August E’bound TA; I finally called Cunard and lo and behold I was immediately connected to an agent who was very nice. It turns out that a lot of folks are ‘having difficulty’ printing documents 🤨 She took my information printed PDFs and sent them to me. I asked if she would do the same for my Sept. 15 W’bound; she said the voyage was not yet ‘opened' but that I should approach the Purser’s Office and ask them to do it. She said they cannot figure out the problem as there has been no IT system change since I sailed in April and was able to print my documents😖 THIS IS A MESS!

How was the cabin wi-fi after the dry-docking in Belfast?

So far - what I’ve gotten is a 6Deck sheltered balcony aft of mid-ship-no big deal so far- but I’m OK with it☺️

I was quarantined for two days on a W’bound earlier this year. I was a sheltered balcony forward on Deck 6-actually my favorite type and location; extra pillows and decorative fabrics were removed and food was brought and left on a table in front of the door. They were wonderful about making sure you got what you wanted from the regular menu. They processed your passport for you, delivered it to you and you and your luggage were disembarked down to the crew gangway; the stewards who took my bags were dressed a la hazmat. A happy result was that I totally avoided the immigration crush in the terminal and I quickly got my car😁 Had my isolation gone on it probably would have become tiresome . I had an email from Cunard to say that they were upgrading me form August crossing as my chosen cabin was in a quarantine area-so we’ll see what I get🤨

Well, we’ve all been knocked sideways by the pandemic. Cruise lines have a tremendous challenge getting crew from ‘all over the place’ and training them, and replacing veterans who have ‘bailed on sea life’, dealing with terrified governments-esp. small islands and keeping vessels maintained-WHEW! I’ve been on QM2 for two voyages since December, the crew were affable, willing and to my ‘old eyes’ making every effort to give good service. I can’t wait to board next month.😊

Oh Wow, Durgin Park closed☹️; we were all young men back in the 60’s and thought we could eat a lot-until we ordered the roast beef at Durgin Park--overwhelming! On the matter of the table-I would change-other people’s misery IS NOT part of your contract with Cunard. Can’t wait for August so I can be on my fave ship. Bon Voyage! By the way, we used to go to a pizzeria in the North End, which was very traditional southern Italian and only served pizza made with mushrooms, peppers, onions or anchovies-can’t remember the name. Have you been there-is it still open?

Only Club I have been in was on QM2 on a World Cruise-back aways- Indeed we could dine whenever during restaurant opening hours. The menus were more expansive - there were items always available and there was a proper cheese cart😊 One always had the same table and the same folks-unless you or they moved. We had really good table mates; if you come to hate yours you can move and there are now two Club areas-when we traveled there was only one. ENJOY!

OMG!!!!!!! I wish folks would realize the Stephen Payne designed a liner for the Atlantic and not a cruise ship. He pointed out to Mr. Arison at the initiation of the design process that to build something like they were then building, Mr Arison might live to regret it-having in mind rogue waves in general and SS Michelangelo in 1965 in particular; forward superstructure horribly damaged and 3 passengers killed. All these remarks about QM2’s ‘quirky’ design. Other builders submitted proposals for what was The Queen Mary Project. The other builders’ proposals were in fact designs for a now common ship design for cruising in calm waters-restaurants overlooking the stern, and large public spaces way forward. A friend and I made the Maiden TransAtlantic on both QV and QE. It was winter and we had wild rides. On QV we crossed with QE2-we got a picture of QV’s forward hull up to the superstructure going underwater - at least one time-we could also see the sky under QE2’s bow section as she pitched-the Atlantic was that violent. On the QE Commodore Warwick was at a large table in the Britannia against the back windows. Stewards and trays with dishes often crashed to the floor or tables-and high waves were slamming against the windows. The Commodore and his table mates put on a good face but I’m sure there were ‘moments’. To top it off on QE, sections of ceiling fell in a corridor outside QG restaurant and over part of the bar in the Commodore Club. As Mr. Payne has noted-the King’s Court and the Britannia are at the ‘center of pitch’; in my experience QM2 deals with the Atlantic exceptionally well - which is why she was designed the way she is. Nearly all of her main public spaces are either safely down on Decks 2 or 3 or on Deck 7; with a great deal of ship above. If you don’t like the ship fine - but she does what she was designed for. Cruising is a very large cherry on top.😊

I got one too but it’s out of order. I’ve got three voyages booked before the one shown on the lovely card🤨

I was on my way home on QM2 May 8-15, and two days from NYC I suddenly had a runny nose and lot’s of coughing. I called the Medical Office-they showed up promptly and four hours later they called to say that I was Positive and that they would move me. They did that very efficiently and I was in a BZ cabin on 6 Deck; apparently those cabins on 5 and 6 are for isolation. They are my faves and now I understand why one can’t book them at this time. They were very solicitous and my breakfast lunch and dinner were brought to my door and left own a table in from of the door-the food was hot and from the main menu. Another benefit-they took care of immigration and I was disembarked via the crew gangway -and there was my car - so I was home in a flash.😂

Does anyone have an idea when the b balance of QA’s 2024 sailing schedule will be published? When is she schedule to be here in NYC? I have grown allergic to airports-now unless there is a personal or family emergency, I will only do very long-haul or short air trips to reach a ship. I’m on QV’s 2023 cruise from NYC to Hong Kong; Cathay Pacific has non-stop service to NYC on which I have booked. I also note that Cunard’s Air Program fares (in business) are half of the published fares. So some Ambien and I’m ‘done’ for most of the 14 hrs. It’s expensive but at my age😉 and dislike of mob-scenes, I’ll pay.

I have tolerable wi-fi in my cabin on QM2 ONLY by leaving my cabin door propped open with a small piece of luggage or a running shoe- otherwise I have to go up to the library. The one and only - and last - time I was on an NCL mega-ship - the wi-fi was excellent in my cabin with the door closed. I do not understand why CUNARD has not extended the appropriate hardware into the cabins.

I have just received an extravagant advertising piece about Queen Anne; lot’s of gold, blue, boxes within boxes, and lavish color. It may become a collector’s item. I remember when QM2 came out I got a lavish brochure which started trading on eBay for astonishing amounts. They’ve spent a lot of money🙄

My superb agent held some bookings for me but as I am now generally allergic to airports; I will wait until Queen Anne calls here in New York . I was on the Maiden crossings of QV and QE from UK to NYC. Lots of very heavy weather-wonderful!!!! I wish I had been on QM2’s Maiden to New York-but couldn’t manage it-DRAT. I hope all of you who are now booked on Queen Anne-have a BON VOYAGE!!

As one who was in isolation for two days up to arrival today; I was escorted, and my luggage carried by ship’s staff to the crew gangway. It was in fact very easy. The Purser’s Office had processed my immigration with my passport, it was returned to me earlier this morning. The only confusion was that my driver wasn’t really clear where the Crew gangway was-it’s where the hired cars line up.

When the Queen Anne schedules a New York call, I’ll consider possibilities-not before. I used to travel a great deal by air, in addition I have been an addicted sea traveler for more that 50 years 😊 BUT airports and jet travel are now simply dreadful. So I’ll wait for QA to come to NYC-and I’ll check the schedule. If I have to fly it will be long haul in Business Class, I’ll be doing that in January NY to Sydney.

Thanks ALL for your kind thoughts. 😊 Weather has been good for the Atlantic-some patches of fog, some sunshine, brisk winds and variable temps. One day out from UK there was some movement but barely noticeable. The staff have been very attentive and supportive, but I’m real happy that I’ll be home tomorrow. I was told that I was NOT to place my luggage in the corridor tonight-I am to Keep it, and tomorrow at 10 I will be taken to an Immigration Officer who will be onboard. Then I head for my car which I had previously reserved. Stripped Down: Bed skirting gone; no decorative pillows; only heavy drape-no window curtain; safe inoperable, no daily cleaning (that may have be due as I disembark tomorrow). They call regularly from the Med Center, and the restaurant; food is very well done and delivered hot. I think I’ve got a mild case-so far-and I’m glad I’ve had two vaccinations and two boosters. Please all of you keep well-see y’all ‘round the ship.

Well boys and girls-I am in Isolation😲-I crossed on Norwegian Getaway( in order to spend the whole day at the Titanic Museum in Belfast-and also to lunch at the White Star Hotel in Liverpool). I was Negative before sailing on the Getaway, and Negative the day before I boarded QM2-now in my way home- yesterday I started sneezing and coughing early -went to Med Center and LO AND BEHOLD-I’m Positive.😧 I am now in a forward 6Deck hull balcony-great location. It has been stripped down to basics but still very comfy; my meals are delivered-I get Britannia menus-food remains very good. I just can’t leave my cabin - at all-glad we’re in New York on the day after tomorrow. I still love traveling by sea on my fave line; afraid that I won’t be jumping on the QA until she comes to New York-I’ve decided that after the last two flight experiences, I’m now allergic to airports.

I almost always use the 10:35 Fast train from Waterloo to Southampton; I get a 1st class ticket because those carriages halt just where one can detrain, exit the station and the cabstand is right there. The train guards are usually very helpful about placing luggage in between the seats or in the vestibule -not the Duchess of Dingbat's fifteen trunks 😉 but one or two bags are generally OK.

I was at the Purser’s Office early this morning; young staffer very helpful AND they are placing two staff members in Connections later today😊. May 10. I also think their new wi-fi choices are unhelpful; but I am a Luddite when it comes to IT.☹️