QM2 April 2nd

[nyca]

wow, were you able to eat at the restaurant in those rough seas? also note that if you take the ferry to St Barths, the ride on that ferry is extremely rough.

[The Golds]

To: hshowalter, have u ever booked crossing with vantage?

[cruiservictor]

Nyca - I remember Sunday at breakfast in the King's Court. Trying to carry a tray from the food area to a seat was an experience. They did have crew members standing by to carry people's trays for them. At lunch we ate in the Queen's Grill and my recollection is that it was getting better. Then by dinner Sunday it was much improved.

 

Thanks for the advice about the ferry. Seas have continued to be as smooth as glass since Sunday evening. We can only hope they remain so until NYC Sunday morning. (Oh no, we just had our 5th of 8 dinners! That means we're into the second half of the cruise already!)

[cruiservictor]

Last night, Chuck and Phyllis and Nancy and I were invited by Captain Wright to the bridge for our sailaway from St Maarten. A great time was had by all, and we had an extra close look at the Costa Classica as she departed right in front of us. Perhaps the best part was that Nancy, Chuck and Phyllis got to blow the ship's whistles in salute to the other departing ships. Then, later in the evening, we attended the Senior Officer's cocktail party.

 

Thanks, Captain Wright, for a memorable night.

[Chuck & Phyllis]

We're home, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

 

This was really a fantasy cruise for us. Remember the old saying that your first cruise is always your best? Not anymore, and only another QM2 sailing will come close to this one. By the end of this week, we'll post our review. The shock of reality is freaking us out right now. :eek:

[2moose]

A Fabulous Experience The Best Cruise Ever. We Have Trouble Understanding All These Complaints In The Past. Sorry We Missed C&p And Cruise Victor. Last Day Of The Voyage We Saw C&p's Last Name In The Library Sign In Book And Had The Concierge ? Put Us Thru To Your Room. Since We Were Getting Up @ 4:00 Am 9:00pm Was Little Late For Us But Nice To Hear Chucks Voice. Off The Ship At 8:30 Home By 9:30 Ya Gotta Luv It??? P.s. Did Any One Catch The Guy Being Ejected From The Kings Court Breakfast Area For Only Wearing A Thong.?? What A Hoot Better Than Some Of The Entertainment. Thank God We Are All Different!! Best To All Jim And Ang. And Thanx To All On This Board For All The Valuable Information Without Same It Would Take Atleast One Cruise To Learn Such Details. Bon Voyage

[2moose]

Itried To Book Anything Avaiable 1 Week Prior To Departure And Was Told "nothing Avaiable"

[tandemtourer]

Your trip sounds wonderful. We sailed with Captain Wright in 2003 so I take special notice when he posts to some of these boards. I recall reading elsewhere of a young boy who spent most of his time on QM2 observing the bridge from the viewing area. When Captain Wright noticed him day after day he invited him to join on the bridge.

 

I am extremely curious how your invitation to the bridge occurred. Were you seated at the Captain's table or is it possible that Captain Wright may check the CC log book from time to time to see which posters are sailing on his ship?

[cruiservictor]

Our visit occurred like this - somewhere earlier in this thread, I made a comment that we had sailed with Capt Wright in 1987 when he was Chief Officer of the Cunard Countess and that I still had the daily program from back then and that I would bring it along and try to show it to him. Well, when I did show it to him at the Grill passengers' party on the first night at sea, he asked if my name was Victor. He had read my comments on this thread. We chatted for a while and then he asked for our cabin number. Several days later came the invitation.

[YvonneE]

While I am not brave enough to have expectations of meeting Captain Wright when we sail in a few months (YIPPEEE!), I look forward to at least catching a glimpse of him after all these truly fantastic remarks about him.

 

YvonneE

[2moose]

how did you make out with your car rental to newark airport? just curious!best regards jim

[tandemtourer]

cruiservictor,

 

It must have been truly amazing for Capt. Wright to greet you by name when he saw the Daily Programme from the Cunard Countess. Thanks for explaining the context. Sounds like it was a wonderful trip. (We watched your sailaway on the NYPST webcam. I feel almost the same elation watching the ship turn and head down the Hudson as if I were also onboard.)

 

tandemtourer

[ricker]

Tandemtourer, could you post the web address for the NYPST camera? I've seen it referred to a lot, yet never have found it.

Thanks much,

Rick J

[2moose]

Try Kroozecam.com

[2moose]

Try Kroozecam.com

THE ABOVE IS INCORRECT!!!!!! THE CORRECT ONE IS KROOOZ-CAMS.COM click on united states and click on newyork good luck

[tandemtourer]

The KROOZ-CAMS.com link that 2Moose provided is excellent. Sometimes KROOZ-CAM is down or the links don't work properly. To go directly to the Pied Piper link use the URL below. Unfortunately the camera is only powered on when there is a ship in port.

 

http://home.att.net/~PIED-PIPER-TRAVEL/Webcam.html,

 

I have had the most fun and had been successful in the past with the cameras at the Empire State Building. After creating and account and logging in: go to North view and click twice to turn the cameras to the left.

I haven't been able to view with my Mac recently though. I hope you have better luck. Once we were able to watch the Mary turn and head down the Hudson, then switched to the Statue of Liberty view to watch some more.

 

The direct link to the Intrepid webcam sometimes shows a ship at the dock. That camera is a little erratic though.

 

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/intrepid

[hshowalter]

To: hshowalter, have u ever booked crossing with vantage?

Yes we have cruised with Vantage twice & are going with Vantage on the Russian waterway river cruise for 16 days 6-28-05.Welike Vantage & Grand Circle. Wewere not happy campers on the QM2.

[The Golds]

Yes we have cruised with Vantage twice & are going with Vantage on the Russian waterway river cruise for 16 days 6-28-05.Welike Vantage & Grand Circle. Wewere not happy campers on the QM2.

 

hshowalter: Was the problem with Vantage or the ship? What should we be prepared for, and any tips on how to correct. Thanks for your input.

[hshowalter]

hshowalter: Was the problem with Vantage or the ship? What should we be prepared for, and any tips on how to correct. Thanks for your input.

Our 2 trips with Vantage were European river cruises. We did not use vantage on QM2:but they had a group on board. Our main complaint with QM 2 was they ripped you off royally. 3% surchare in Casino if you use your sea pass card. $12.00 for sea sickness pills that Celibrity & Princess give you free. $10.00 for a glass of Champagne. The food quality was so bad I lost 4 pounds. When you brought back Liquor they allowed you to take it on board.

[Lurker1]

We (wife and I) also had a fabulous time. It was only our second cruise (did HAL to Alaska last year), but we are experienced travellers. Were there some glitches? Sure there were, you can't travel without running into the occasional hassle. Perhaps it helped that we don't seem to get seasick, and we rode out Saturday night in fine shape. We found the service good to outstanding, expecially our waiters in the Britannia (Ronald and Christopher on table 68). The food was wonderful, and we had some adventures. One night we were in the Commodore Lounge, and Cruise Director Brian came in, with another member of the Hotel staff, and I think a couple of guests. One of the guests was a young woman dressed in green who was persuaded to sing an impromptu song, with a voice that floored us. I never found out her name, but she was obviously a professional singer. Anyway, I stopped and complimented Brian on the very high level of talent on the ship. (Did anyone see Judy Carmichael, the jazz pianist? She did 3 mid-afternoon concerts. We saw one, and she was terrific).

 

I didn't think my wife was going to leave the ship, she had such a wonderful time!

 

BTW, I use "Lurker1" as a nickname because we ran into Bill and Eileen one day. I'd been reading the forum without registering. They said, "oh you were lurking". :)

[The Golds]

Our 2 trips with Vantage were European river cruises. We did not use vantage on QM2:but they had a group on board. Our main complaint with QM 2 was they ripped you off royally. 3% surchare in Casino if you use your sea pass card. $12.00 for sea sickness pills that Celibrity & Princess give you free. $10.00 for a glass of Champagne. The food quality was so bad I lost 4 pounds. When you brought back Liquor they allowed you to take it on board.

 

Hshowalter, Thank you for the info. We'll bring our own pills with us:eek: . Hope the food has improved for our crossing. We have done many cruises, but this is the first crossing for me (wife has done it twice). We did the Danube river cruise on the Mozart three years ago and it was wonderful:) . Did land tour of Scotland by ourselvdes last year. This first time using Vantage and wanted to get a feel for it.:)

[hshowalter]

The trip to Russia on the volga river will be our 3rd with Vantage & our 50th cruise. Vantage gave us a nice upgrade.they are very good as was Grand Circle.