QM2 to Circumnavigate Australia Again in 2014

[Sandielle]

From CW Thu 2/8 in part.....

 

Cunard has announced that Queen Mary 2 will return for a lap of Australia with four different embarkation ports.

CLIENTS will be able to start the Royal Circumnavigation, departing Feb 2014, from Fremantle, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

In total, the QM2 will be in in Australian waters for more than a month, calling at eight ports: Fremantle (February 12, March 6) Melbourne (February 17, March 12) , Sydney (February 19, March 14), Brisbane (February 21, March 16) Whitsundays (February 23), Darwin (February 27) Bali (March 2) and Adelaide (March 10).

The encore performance follows the “overwhelming success” of the ship’s inaugural circumnavigation of Australia earlier this year………………..

[room010]

Interesting. I'm going to look into this one, especially as I can practically walk to the ship!

[Whitemarsh]

I did the circumnavigation of Australia this year and really enjoyed it. Cunard must have made a packet on the voyage to be repeating it so soon.

 

I am surprised at the prices through. This year they charged $11k pp for Princess Grill - Sydney to Sydney. In 2014 they are charging $15k pp for Princess Grill - Sydney to Sydney.

[rkmw]

i received the email also....23 days Syd- Syd inside from $6799 or $295 per day....for that kind of money would that include your tips and shore tours

[Aussieflyer]

i received the email also....23 days Syd- Syd inside from $6799 or $295 per day....for that kind of money would that include your tips and shore tours

 

In a word, No. Cunard is always quite expensive but it is a different experience. Some say it is overpriced for what you get but others love it, and given the line fills its cruises, people are willing to pay.

 

I saw there had been a price increase this year Whitemarsh - quite a big one in fact :) We may hold off and see if we can pick up a shorter "leg" again as a long weekend or so away. How's the planning for the 2013 trip? Is that NZ only or is it longer?

[rkmw]

In a word, No. Cunard is always quite expensive but it is a different experience. Some say it is overpriced for what you get but others love it, and given the line fills its cruises, people are willing to pay.

 

I saw there had been a price increase this year Whitemarsh - quite a big one in fact :) We may hold off and see if we can pick up a shorter "leg" again as a long weekend or so away. How's the planning for the 2013 trip? Is that NZ only or is it longer?

 

for that kind of money we wont be cruising on the QM2.....may stick to the cheaper cruises

[Aussieflyer]

for that kind of money we wont be cruising on the QM2.....may stick to the cheaper cruises

We were lucky to pick up a 4 night Adelaide to Sydney leg of the circumnavigation earlier this year (it's a long story about why we only did 4 nights). It was in an inside cabin and for 4 nights that was fine and it was a bit less than $250 pppd. So you can work out what it cost. It was so worth it for the experience of the QM2. If you can find a short leg like this I would seriously consider taking it. Remember that the ambience on board is quite formal; people are well dressed and a jacket is required for men on even the most casual of evenings.

[Pushka]

As Aussieflyer mentioned, we also picked up the same leg for a very good price, about 3 months before the World Cruise started. But they went so quickly. I'd suggest if you want to try out QM 2 then pre register your interest in the legs of the trip.

 

 

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[tashoz]

How do I pre register interest for shorter legs?

[Aussieflyer]

There is no way to pre-register with Cunard for short legs. I am not sure if you have a good TA who can keep an eye out for you. I think Pushka booked hers through a TA but we booked on Cunard's site. I think we must have had an email from an online TA in Australia for me to know to look but I cannot remember which one.

The openings will come up, it they are going to, in about November. Pushka may have a better memory than me and be able to give you more information.

[Pushka]

We booked through a TA but we had to ring a couple to get the sector. They sell out almost immediately they become available. One supposedly cruise specialist here in Adelaide was useless. I ended up with a Canberra based company who were excellent. I found them online but called them all up. But I think they will become available as people finish their trips in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Leaving cabins empty along the way. Adelaide is not embarking/disembarking people this time I see. Maybe that might change too.

 

I cant help myself, I am currently pre registered with a TA. For 2013. Apparently they will open up soon.

[Aussieflyer]

Hi Pushka, I'm glad you mentioned that the shorter legs are the ones where people are disembarking so that there may be cabins becoming available. I met someone on the last cruise who was going from Melb to Sydney (2 days). I never even saw that turn up at all (but it would have been a bit short for us). Apparently they wanted a longer leg (ADL - SYD) but couldn't get on.

Are you pre-registered for a short leg with the TA for 2013 as you say?

We're doing a 2 nighter on Radiance of the Seas in November from Sydney to see what we think of the ship and RCI in general but would love another Cunard voyage. We're visiting the Galapagos Is in October in the meantime.

[tashoz]

Thanks so much for the information. I will keep an eye out for those legs.

[Pushka]

We're visiting the Galapagos Is in October in the meantime.

 

Nice! :p

 

We were on RCL in July - Liberty of the Seas. Freedom Class so quite a large ship!

 

Comparing RCL with Cunard is interesting. Firstly, RCL's officers were really friendly. Always said Hello. I dont think any offices at Cunard said Hello when we passed them. Guest Services - good and bad on both. Staff were generally more friendly on RCL.

 

We had dreadful issues with our credit card on RCL all because of their stupid system. Caused us quite a lot of grief. :mad:

 

With Cunard you can bring on alcohol, but no way on RCL.

 

After Cunards beautiful lobbies (walking through to Britannia for instance) I found RCL's lobbys to be a little claustrophobic? They just seemed less open.

 

The Poolside area on Liberty was really good, but really crowded. The food we found to be really nice and more choice than on Cunard.

 

And guess what, Windjammer buffet on RCL was fabulous! After King's Court on QM2 and that messy business, Windjammer was really nice, you just had to pick your time to miss the kids!

 

The Promenade deck on QM2 was much better than anything on RCL.

 

So, good and "less good" on both. I'm not a loyalist cruiser and prefer to work out the itinerary as opposed to the cruise line. It means I don't get any preferential treatment but I can live with that!:D

 

And yes, a TA knows I am waiting on a 2013 sector but my husband seems to think we are going to Bali in March instead. ;)

 

Next July - Dubai, Istanbul, Greek Islands, 12 night Holy Land cruise then a stay in Venice. Already in planning mode for that!:p

[Aussieflyer]

Pushka, Thanks for the run down on RCI. It makes a good reference point to have someone who can compare them objectively. One thing - I read they do not supply much in the way of toiletries (some soap and a squeeze thing in the shower) unless you are in a suite. What was your experience? We have booked a balcony for the 2 nighter. Dawn Princess on a 2 nighter to Brisbane in May and it was tiny. I wasn't impressed by the ship at all. The 2 nighters when we see them are like a weekend away although the passengers are nothing like on QM2. Seems quite a few are there for a party but it did not impinge on us and made for interesting people watching :).

Who are you doing the Eastern Med with next year? Is that Princess, the one you booked with an Os TA? We were supposed to go last year but had to cancel at the last minute :( and are still hoping in the next year or so. We are getting a little excited about the Galapagos. We are going early and visiting Machu Picchu and the Amazon so it will be a real adventure.

Hoping maybe to pick up a short Cunard cruise when they are here in 2013.

[Pushka]

Hi Aussieflyer. The toiletries were pretty basic and best to take your own shampoo and conditioner. Soaps are fine. Yes, we are going with Princess on the Pacific Princess. Would love to do the Cunard cruise with husband but he really prefers the cruises that are more port than seaday. So he won't be along if I pick up a sector. I plan in cruising a transatlantic with QM 2 but will be a solo cruiser for that one.

[Aussieflyer]

Hi Aussieflyer. The toiletries were pretty basic and best to take your own shampoo and conditioner. Soaps are fine.

 

I thought so, was pretty disappointed as even Princess had a reasonable selection in the cabin. It just seems like a cheap & budget hotel to me :( Never mind, can look forward to good hotels instead :)

Jenny