april 28 westbound QM2.

[westsider]

getting jittery!!!is anyone else still waiting for documents? haven't yet received them.any advice for transport from London to cunard at southampton?thanks ever so much

[LM1]

We got all our documents about 2 weeks ago for both the 22nd and 28th sailing. They were a few days apart in arriving, and actually we got the boarding passes/tickets for the 28th sailing before the ones for the 22nd. The airline tix came with the 22nd sailing docs. No rhyme or reason. Still counting down..........Can't wait.

I should add we booked through Cunard, not a TA. Might make a difference?

[seasprite]

Hi westsider,

Our docs came last week. I didn't expect them yet since we booked last minute and hadn't sent in the immigration info. form yet, but there they were! Excitement is building!!!

[Gillian2]

We booked two days ago for April 28th! I don't know what Cunard offers, but you can look up National Express if you need a cheap way to get to the docks from London (or London airports). Ten pounds and less than 2 hours by bus. The train goes from London Waterloo to Southampton direct. A taxi from the train station is easy.

We have a problem with carting luggage around prior to our cruise (going to see the tulips if there are any!).

[westsider]

:) found out a few details-lectures include Jeremy Blitz producer of NY1 cable news;Judy Carmichael jazz pianist swing/stride music; and George Lousy on oceanography.there is a black and white formal night and an ascot ball. no pirate's night.leave the eyepatch home.

[Gillian2]

Westsider you are wonderful! I called Cunard a few days ago and they had no info.

What does one wear for the Ascot...is that one of the two formal nights? I am not carting a hat around Europe!! The eyepatch was not high on my list either!!!!!!! The black and white will not be a problem.

We leave for Holland on Monday! Rain, rain ,rain according to the forecast. We still have a guarantee..no stateroom assignment yet.

Have you any idea at all as to the type of weather we will encounter across the Atlantic? :D :D

[guernseyguy]

Have you any idea at all as to the type of weather we will encounter across the Atlantic? :D :D

 

Gillian2 - who knows? Nearer the time you can find out about wave height here:

 

https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC/WAM/all_natl.html

 

As you can see - it varies a lot - the 96 hour forecast has 20' waves on the track....but the current forecast is much more benign - anyway - its what the QM2 was designed for - the QE2 in a December Force 9 Gale, with waves washing the Mauretania dining room windows is great fun! Reports from the QM2's maiden Trans Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale said she handled rough weather very well.

 

Peter

[Gillian2]

guernseyguy..thanks. The main reason I want to know about the weather (of course) is what to bring to wear. Any chance of sunbathing ha ha? Are the hot tubs open? Will we possibly be inside all the time as the winds may be too strong? Those kinds of things. I have never been on a crossing except that we have been through the Bay of Biscay a couple of times.

I'm so glad we will be over the jet lag by the time we board.

My husband says not to get over enthused as I may be disappointed.

We went on the Infinity a year ago and all I'd heard was that Celebrity was 6 star line and a cut above Princess. Well, the food and service were mediocre at best and the presentation of the dishes was cafeteria slop it on the plates. I was horrified. Hence the caution that I may have too high expectations for the QM2. I am remaining highly confident, however, that it will be fabulous! :) :)

[guernseyguy]

guernseyguy..thanks. The main reason I want to know about the weather (of course) is what to bring to wear. Any chance of sunbathing ha ha? Are the hot tubs open?

 

Gillian, provided the weather is not too rough, the Hot tubs should be open - they were once things calmed down on my QE2 December transatlantic - its lovely - body toasting, head in the steam, cool....then the dripping sprint back indoors!

 

Are you having your tickets sent to you or are you 'tickets on departure'?

 

Peter

[Gillian2]

We have the tickets. They came very quickly. I called and no assigned room yet. Doesn't matter!! I'm glad we have the paperwork in hand. We did not get anything like a 'Cruise Registration' from. Our friends who are going to the Med in May got one. All we have is the ticket booklet in the pleather case.

[westsider]

to gillian- i think the black and white and ascot are the 2 formal nights. i'm told people can make hats that day,but to get to the room early in the day to collect the feathers etc. in order to create a chapeau.also-not sure about the weather,but i wouldn't count on outdoor activities galore.cunard questionaires available online and can be faxed.

[Gillian2]

Thanks Westsider. I don't think I can get into making a hat just as I don't decorate horses!! However, I have learned never to say never so one never can tell whether I'll have an elegante chapeau or not..........!! I could take my chiffon scarf with the 'gold' coins from the Nile cruise!!!! :) :p

I haven't read anything (shhhh) art auctions!! Is this the only ship afloat not to make big bucks off this item?

Got the large booklet yesterday with the form.

[Gillian2]

What a fabulous cruise! Can't wait to go again!!!

Gillian2 :) :)

[guernseyguy]

What a fabulous cruise! Can't wait to go again!!!

Gillian2 :) :)

Gillian,

 

Delighted you enjoyed it! To a minority it is considered a 'crossing' (in the sense that ports of embarkation and disembarkation are not the same) but any road up glad you had fun - so do tell more!

 

Peter

[Gillian2]

Peter,

You have crossed so many times!! You know everything!!! Mea culpa, I learned on the ship that it is indeed referred to as a 'crossing'!! I felt that this was the best way to experience the QM2 or "The Mary" as the English call her (as opposed to "The Elizabeth" or as our taxi driver called her, "The Lizzie"). What could be better than six days to fully enjoy the ship?

Now I asked several frequent Cunard cruisers who to a person preferred 'The Elizabeth'. The best reason I heard was that the QE2 is the last of the ocean liners and the QM2 is a cruise ship. What do you think? They liked the warmth and ambiance of the QE2. These were mostly people in the older age range.

Personally I loved the ship. It is truly grand and all the amenities and programs were great. I did feel that the Oxford lectures were a little dry, and my main critique of the ones I attended was that the lectures were basically 'read'. At any conferences I attend I leave if the presenter is reading the paper as I am capable of doing that on my own time. I was hoping for something a little more current; for example a novelist or a current affairs specialist. The RADA presentations were okay, although I only went to a couple. The no cost computer lessons were a plus for my husband! On most ships there is a fee. All in all I found that so much was offered that even if I was personally a little disappointed, I could not fault the cruise line at all and indeed I commend them for offering so many options (in additon to the Art Auction, napkin folding and scarf tying!!).

I was very impressed as to how the staff responded to requests. We got fresh squeezed orange juice at breakfast after I commented on the quality of the concetrated juice which is normally served. We also got actual clotted cream at tea on request. I imagine these items are available in the Queen's Grill and that is why they were obtainable.

We had a tour of a Princess Suite and the Princess and Queen's Grill. Personally I will take more "crossings" and stick with the Brittania if I can still get the great bargain fare. The Princess Suite was not as nice as the mini suites on Princess. My husband felt that the two restaurants did not have the ambiance of the Brittania Restaurant, but I know that the PG and QG cruisers will feel a lot differently.

We ate at Todd English, and I have to say that frugal as I am it was worth every penny of the $30 surcharge. We went on the Informal Night and that was the best night in my opinion as we didn't miss the formal night food in the Brittania. After talking to the Senior Maitre D' who floated through, we returned to our room to find a box of Cunard chocolates waiting for us with his card. What a treat. Maybe everyone gets this; I don't know.

Have to go and entertain my house guests. I have a lot more to comment on especially the wonderful service we got when we requested early disembarkation.

There was certainly an understated 'aura' throughout the ship and I loved the Officers' Gavotte and the Gay Gordans at the Black and White Ball (sooo English).

Oops, must go.

Gillian :)