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Booking Balconies on QM2 and Victoria


ElaineKeagy
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I’m looking at booking my first Cunard cruise and since it’s the Norwegian Fjords, I’m looking at balconies for the first time.

 

On QM2 It looks like all the balconies on Deck 8 have obstructed views, so I’m guessing that’s due to the lifeboats.

 

Other cabins have the sheltered balconies. I’ve found a few pictures of that style and they look fine BUT I have one question:

Will I be able to get a good view and be able to see over the rail while seated OR will I have to stand at the rail?

 

Anyone have any specific recommendations of cabin or type??

Traveling with my mother who is 90. I want her to have a good view but not have to stand. Well, I want that for me, too.

 

Also interested in recommendations on the Victoria since she also has that itinerary.

 

TIA

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I’m looking at booking my first Cunard cruise and since it’s the Norwegian Fjords, I’m looking at balconies for the first time.

 

On QM2 It looks like all the balconies on Deck 8 have obstructed views, so I’m guessing that’s due to the lifeboats.

 

Other cabins have the sheltered balconies. I’ve found a few pictures of that style and they look fine BUT I have one question:

Will I be able to get a good view and be able to see over the rail while seated OR will I have to stand at the rail?

 

Anyone have any specific recommendations of cabin or type??

Traveling with my mother who is 90. I want her to have a good view but not have to stand. Well, I want that for me, too.

 

Also interested in recommendations on the Victoria since she also has that itinerary.

 

TIA

 

Most of the deck 8 balconies have some degree of obstruction [on the deck plans they are categories DB, DC & DF. We has cabin 8.003 right next to the library [category BF] which was not obstructed. Aft of the lifeboats the rooms are Category BC - also not obstructed.

 

We usually book a 'sheltered balcony' and yes, the bottom of the port [the hole in the hull] is higher than height of eye when seated [need to stand to look straight out]. When seated, the view is just sky.

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Most of the deck 8 balconies have some degree of obstruction [on the deck plans they are categories DB, DC & DF. We has cabin 8.003 right next to the library [category BF] which was not obstructed. Aft of the lifeboats the rooms are Category BC - also not obstructed.

 

 

 

We usually book a 'sheltered balcony' and yes, the bottom of the port [the hole in the hull] is higher than height of eye when seated [need to stand to look straight out]. When seated, the view is just sky.

 

 

 

Thanks. Very helpful!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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The 2 Ships are completely different the Q.M2 is a real Liner and is very confusing to those that have Not Sailed on her as she is built completely different to any ship that you will ever go on, Now the Q.V even though Cunard insist that she is a Liner in reality she is a Cruise ship and is much easier to find your way round easer for your Mother I recommend Balcony Stateroom Midships on deck 5 or above .

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For all other trips I would suggest an inside or ocean view cabin, but as you are traveling with a 90 year old lady to Norway you simply should book the best balcony cabin you can afford, i.e. neither one with a sheltered balcony nor one with an obstructed view. On QM2 there are far less of these balcony cabins than on QV.

 

Personally I like the QM2 much more than the QV, mainly because the QM2 is very well designed and public rooms are structured in a logical, symmetrical manner. In my opinion it's much easier to find your way around on QM2 than on QV. Also, the MDR is much nicer on QM2. If this is a once in a lifetime trip, then definitely go for the QM2.

 

Also, the QM2 has a very nice promenade deck on 7 with sun loungers, in case you would like to get a view from the other side of the ship. There is nothing that blocks your view from one of these loungers. For a view from the bow, you can either choose the open deck on 14, 11 or 7, the library on 8, the Commodore Club on 9, whilst on the QV there is just the open deck on 11 and 9 and the Commodore Club on 10. Concerning the view from the stern the situation is similar. On QM2 you get a good view from 6,7,8 and 12, whilst on QV you will have to be on 3 or 9.

 

On QM2, astern, there are also some regular chairs, if your mother prefers these. Some of those seats on deck 7 are used as smokers corner, but those on deck 8 should be okay. If the weather is nice, the Boardwalk Café on 12 might be open, with regular chairs outside.

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What a lovely trip you are planning for your mother. Just a couple of points that might be worth thinking about;

  • Do you need an accessible cabin? Both QV and QM2 only have showers in Britannia grade. The QV showers are smaller. There are walk showers for those with disability on both ships.
  • For a Norwegian cruise, avoid a restricted view at all cost. Steer well clear of the QM2 balconies on deck 8, with any part of a lifeboat in front of you, as I am sure you will be disappointed.
  • Which ship has the best itinerary? I would personally go for the one that spends most time deep in the fjords. Not sure if QM2 can get to some places, eg Olden, which is stunning and less commercialised.
  • QV has some wonderful deck spaces since the refit, also a full promenade with plenty of steamers to relax upon. She is also smaller, and easier to get around if mobility is a problem.
  • If funds stretch, on QM2 go for a glass balcony forward or aft deck 8 (no lifeboats here) or a higher deck. On QV there are some very good cabins on deck 4, and the glass balconies are a little larger than the decks above. Perhaps one close to the aft stairs/lift would suit very well for convenience, and noise is not a problem.

Do let us know what you choose, and enjoy every moment! That is both the anticipation and the cruise.

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Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria offer Fjord cruises of different lengths and variations and in my opinion a balcony on either of these is more straight forward to sort out over the QM2. QM2 has different types and locations which are significantly different. You never encounter the huge sea swells in the fjords and this is one of the areas where QM2 excels, not so relevant on a fjords itinerary.

 

Regards John

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Wow. Thanks for all the suggestions. Very very helpful.

As to my 90 year old Mom she is surprisingly mobile, still drives and still uses her bathtub at home and lives alone.

However, she’s not up to standing for long periods of time.

Heck, I’m 23 years junior and my lower back won’t let me either.

 

We are supposed to be doing a 7 day RT rail tour from London thru Switzerland next summer, but I’m thinking a nice cruise thru the Fjords would be easier for us and just as scenic.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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