New York to Canada

[Jeffrey1950]

Has anyone ever taken the cruise on the Queen Mary from New York to Canada for 5 days?

Can someone give me an idea if it is worth the expense, considering it is five days but actually you only have one full day at sea.

If you have please tell me what you think of this trip..........Would be very grateful !!!!

 

Thanks!!

Edited January 11, 2014 by Jeffrey1950
spelling error

[cruiserking]

Has anyone ever taken the cruise on the Queen Mary from New York to Canada for 5 days?

Can someone give me an idea if it is worth the expense, considering it is five days but actually you only have one full day at sea.

If you have please tell me what you think of this trip..........Would be very grateful !!!!

 

Thanks!!

 

Hello Jeffrey,

 

It's absolutely worth being aboard the QM2 for five days. We did the July 4th cruise back in 2006 and had a fabulous time. Halifax, Nova Scotia is a great port very easy to walk and see the sights. The wonderful Maritime Museum is just a short stroll from the cruise terminal. If you're ambitious it's a lovely uphill hike to the massive Citadel Fort with costumed guards and a marvelous view of the harbor and the QM2.

 

Arriving in Boston on the Fourth is very special. They piped some very stirring John Philip Souza marches as we steamed into Boston Harbor, people waved from small boats and nearby islands. We watched Old Ironsides fire off a round or two of her mighty canons but, it was quite far away to look like anything more than puffs of smoke.

 

During the evening they had a Red, White and Blue formal with passengers dressing in their finest patriotic colors it was a merry evening, with much excitement, celebration and capped off with fireworks over the harbor viewed from the top deck of QM2. I'm considering booking this trip again myself, don't hesitate it was a tremendous voyage.

 

Jonathan

[pmb1]

Has anyone ever taken the cruise on the Queen Mary from New York to Canada for 5 days?

Can someone give me an idea if it is worth the expense, considering it is five days but actually you only have one full day at sea.

If you have please tell me what you think of this trip..........Would be very grateful !!!!

 

Thanks!!

We took the 5-day Halifax/Boston cruise in July, 2009, and throughly enjoyed it even though Halifax was solid fog. Here is what we uploaded at the time.

 

But even better were the 10-day New England/Halifax/Quebec cruises that we enjoyed on QM2 in September, 2010, and September, 2011. (The 2011 cruise was especially memorable as the "big storm/small fire" cruise.) Give the Quebec cruise serious consideration if the length and time of year suit you. Uploads of our experiences are here and here.

[Oahucruiser]

I agree with everything that Cruiserking said. We went with a lot of our family on that cruise in July of 2012 and all of us loved it, even the 2 grandsons. Halifax is always a wonderful city and easy to get anywhere and it was very memorable to be in Boston on July 4th and watch the fireworks from the top deck while listening patriotic music. If we lived closer, we'd do it every year.

[Lady Hudson]

Has anyone ever taken the cruise on the Queen Mary from New York to Canada for 5 days?

Can someone give me an idea if it is worth the expense, considering it is five days but actually you only have one full day at sea.

If you have please tell me what you think of this trip..........Would be very grateful !!!!

 

Thanks!!

 

I have done the 4th of July trip every year since 2004 with my sister -- this year will be our 11th time. It is definitely worth it and a lot of fun. And there are two sea days -- July 2nd and July 5th. The trip, however, is expensive. I believe the per day cost is more than many other voyages.

[Jeffrey1950]

Thank you everyone for your response !! As for there being two full sea days, I have just checked and according to what I see there is (1) full sea day......am I missing something ??? I am now also considering the 12 day to Canada.........what kind of clothing does one need for a 12 day? It must still be rather warm when you leave New York. And what about the evenings, how many formal nights can be expected?

[BlueRiband]

I've done this voyage and its a nice break if time and money don't allow for a longer one. Since the ship leaves Boston very late on July 4th - around midnight - July 5th isn't technically a "sea day" but for all practical purposes it is.

 

It won't be offered in 2015 as QM2 will leave Liverpool for the 175th anniverery WB on July 4th.

[karl_nj]

It won't be offered in 2015 as QM2 will leave Liverpool for the 175th anniverery WB on July 4th.

 

Hopefully they bring it back in the future. Would be a shame if it was another round trip NYC itinerary that gets forgotten.

[pmb1]

… I am now also considering the 12 day to Canada.........what kind of clothing does one need for a 12 day? It must still be rather warm when you leave New York. And what about the evenings, how many formal nights can be expected?

It was chilly and damp in Quebec City on September 9, 2010, and the same on October 3 and 4, 2011. There were four formal nights on each cruise. Follow the links in post #3 for all the Daily Programmes from both cruises.

[VirginCruiser II]

We did this cruise two or three years ago in between transatlantic crossings. It was marvellous. Boston was vibrant and exciting, at Newport we did a trip to the "cottages" - the billionaires holiday mansions, at quaint Bar Harbor it was nice to stroll and browse the quaint little shops and we took the trip up Cadillac Mountain. St John was a complete waste of time, I would happily stay on board at that port next time. Halifax was fabulous. We were lucky in that we spent time with my family who showed us everything including the Titanic cemetery and Peggy's Cove.

We look forward to taking this cruise again soon.

[Lady Hudson]

I've done this voyage and its a nice break if time and money don't allow for a longer one. Since the ship leaves Boston very late on July 4th - around midnight - July 5th isn't technically a "sea day" but for all practical purposes it is.

 

It won't be offered in 2015 as QM2 will leave Liverpool for the 175th anniverery WB on July 4th.

 

What??? Say it isn't so! Where did you see this? I am depressed:eek:

Edited January 12, 2014 by Lady Hudson

[Salacia]

What??? Say it isn't so! Where did you see this? I am depressed:eek:

 

Hi Lady Hudson. Yes, I'm sorry to say that there will be no QM2 NY/Canada July cruise in 2015, instead...

 

"... the Queen Mary 2 will sail from Liverpool on July 4, 2015 in a historic recreation of the original trans-Atlantic crossing in 1840 of Cunard's Britannia from Liverpool to Halifax to Boston..." copied from http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/11/14/cunard-ship-rendezvous-anniversary/3525759/

 

Salacia

[brigittetom]

We did the 12 day early-mid Sept. and loved it. I don't think anyone can predict the weather for this trip. We had stunning days with warm, sunny weather and Bar Harbor was chilly and fogged in. We plan on trading our holiday trip for this one again in Sept. Loved it that much. :)

 

I packed clothes for layering and 5 or 6 favorite heavy sweaters. Also a reversible fur vest for iffy days. We started with Boston being very hot and humid.

[Ray66]

What??? Say it isn't so! Where did you see this? I am depressed:eek:

 

Hello,

 

It's been mentioned on Cunard's website and on this forum a couple of months ago:

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1942952

 

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/latest_news/cunard_liverpool

 

..on 4 July 2015, the Cunard flagship, Queen Mary 2, will sail from Liverpool recreating the original voyage of Britannia from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston which set out on 4 July 1840, 175 years to the day when Britannia departed on her maiden transatlantic voyage.

For the first time in over 50 years passengers, will be able to board a Cunard ship in Liverpool and sail for the United States.

[Salacia]

We did the 12 day early-mid Sept. and loved it. I don't think anyone can predict the weather for this trip. We had stunning days with warm, sunny weather and Bar Harbor was chilly and fogged in. We plan on trading our holiday trip for this one again in Sept. Loved it that much. :)

 

I packed clothes for layering and 5 or 6 favorite heavy sweaters. Also a reversible fur vest for iffy days. We started with Boston being very hot and humid.

 

Brigitte, I know you and many others really enjoyed that voyage. I wish I could say the same.

 

It wasn't that the weather was lousy (chilly, damp, showers with most ports fogged in, except Boston). Sailing to Canada, that must be expected, especially in September. The situation regarding tenders reaching Bar Harbor is a topic all by itself. But I digress...

 

It wasn't that the ship was on Code Red though most of the voyage - that can happen anywhere at any time. And it always has the same effect for the crew: their work hours and duties are expanded. As to what number of passengers were stricken, no numbers were provided. Likewise, there was no mention at all of the respiratory illness on board. Again, nothing unusual in that.

 

It wasn't that the fare was reduced by half after final payment date, to the disappointment of those who paid full fare - that's the roll of the dice. But it did effect the menu and other amenities.

 

That the ship was dead quiet in the evenings is not all that unusual. From my vantage point in Britannia restaurant, there were many empty seats. As for the casino tables, I must have chosen the wrong time to visit, because that too was largely unoccupied. I've never seen the shops so free of shoppers (except on the last sea day when things picked up a bit). For passengers looking for a good rest on a quiet ship, this cruise is to be recommended.

 

For those who enjoy the ship going at slower speed (many times I wondered if the ship was moving) this cruise is ideal. Likewise, for those who do not wish to be on the open sea, but prefer to be closer to land, this is an appealing cruise.

 

I certainly don't doubt that many passengers enjoyed this cruise, and for good reason wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Likewise, for good reason, there were those for whom this cruise did not meet their expectations, and can only recommend it with reservation.

[Cats2010]

Has anyone ever taken the cruise on the Queen Mary from New York to Canada for 5 days?

Can someone give me an idea if it is worth the expense, considering it is five days but actually you only have one full day at sea.

If you have please tell me what you think of this trip..........Would be very grateful !!!!

 

Thanks!!

 

I did a similar cruise a couple of years ago (3 weeks altogether with 2 transatlantics) and it was one of my most interesting and beautiful voyages:

Rhode Island, Boston, Bar Harbor, the Bay of Fundy!!, Halifax - and all this during Indian Summer .... unforgettable.

 

Do it, by all means !! :)

[brigittetom]

Hi Salacia, I really hate saying this...but I'll put it out there anyway. Our last few crossings have been disappointing for what I look forward to on these trips.

 

There hasn't been any nightlife to speak of.....I don't know which came first, the passengers don't use the lounges so they started closing early or the lounges started closing early and the passengers gave up.

 

The casino started closing early leaving only one or two blackjack tables open...even when there were people wanting to play. The last two trips and one other before that...surly dealers, which took the fun out of playing. The slot area is all but empty so that isn't fun......keeping the brights on in that area doesn't help the atmosphere either. My opinion only....the people who run the casino now have very little interest in the passengers and Cunard has very little interest in what's going on in the casino. I know you remember what it was like a few years ago. THE FUN place to be later in the evening.

 

G32 is truly hit or miss, depending on the passenger demographic for any particular cruise.

 

On the NE/Canada trip I already knew what to expect so I wasn't disappointed in anything. I do find that on the port intensive trips, other than the Caribbean, people do go to bed earlier in preparation of the next day. That obviously doesn't explain the TAs though. :)

 

I was just excited to revisit the ports and to be on the QM2, so I did really enjoy the trip. I'm sorry it wasn't all you hoped for because I know how disappointing that can be.

[Salacia]

Hi Salacia, I really hate saying this...but I'll put it out there anyway. Our last few crossings have been disappointing for what I look forward to on these trips.

 

There hasn't been any nightlife to speak of.....I don't know which came first, the passengers don't use the lounges so they started closing early or the lounges started closing early and the passengers gave up.

 

The casino started closing early leaving only one or two blackjack tables open...even when there were people wanting to play. The last two trips and one other before that...surly dealers, which took the fun out of playing. The slot area is all but empty so that isn't fun......keeping the brights on in that area doesn't help the atmosphere either. My opinion only....the people who run the casino now have very little interest in the passengers and Cunard has very little interest in what's going on in the casino. I know you remember what it was like a few years ago. THE FUN place to be later in the evening.

 

G32 is truly hit or miss, depending on the passenger demographic for any particular cruise.

 

On the NE/Canada trip I already knew what to expect so I wasn't disappointed in anything. I do find that on the port intensive trips, other than the Caribbean, people do go to bed earlier in preparation of the next day. That obviously doesn't explain the TAs though. :)

 

I was just excited to revisit the ports and to be on the QM2, so I did really enjoy the trip. I'm sorry it wasn't all you hoped for because I know how disappointing that can be.

 

Thanks Brigitte.

 

I have to agree with you about the casino. A big part of enjoyment on QM2 cruises was time spent in the casino after dinner. It was the only time we went to a casino so it was lots of fun to do something different. Plus other passengers were good company, especially at the roulette wheel :) But things have changed in recent times, and the people we knew who worked in the casino on QM2 for years have moved on, mostly to Princess ships. To me it seems that the casino on QM2 is used mostly as a training ground for new hires. Serious errors by dealers were frequent, and that should not be allowed to happen. Were it not for the good nature of the patrons on QM2, it could have resulted in nasty situations.

 

The Casino workers, like the shop workers, are not employees of Cunard. Neither are the people who handle the boarding and disembarkation process. The entertainers and photographers are not employees of Cunard either. Most of the crew are also contract workers. Clearly, what was Cunard is being morphed into the Carnival Cruise Line - from upper management on down.

 

Ah well, we'll remember the best and move on. Cheers -s.

[Salacia]

enter for a free cruise for two

carnival cruise lines, register at

www.cruisewithkriebel.com

 

take it on the arches

[Jimsgirl]

ENTER FOR A FREE CRUISE FOR TWO

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, REGISTER AT

www.cruisewithkriebel.com

 

What has this thread to do with Cunard?

[nfcu]

I concur with the comments regarding the casino on QM2. I hate to say this, but I do believe that the smoking ban has really impacted the number of people going to the casino. I remember how popular the casino used to be, especially the bar, before the ban. Now it is a ghost town on most evenings.

[BlueRiband]

What has this thread to do with Cunard?

 

Absolutely nothing. The OP seems to have created a spam-only account for the purpose of advertising their own TA web site. Hopefully it's now nuked.

[brigittetom]

Serious errors by dealers were frequent, and that should not be allowed to happen. Were it not for the good nature of the patrons on QM2, it could have resulted in nasty situations.

 

That is exactly right. My husband plays blackjack for fun.....but not to the point of ignoring errors by the dealers. He has come to the cabin a few times lately, totally disgusted. He has talked to the casino mgrs. about this.....they fluff it off. The casino was our nightly entertainment also because we only play on ships.

[brigittetom]

I concur with the comments regarding the casino on QM2. I hate to say this, but I do believe that the smoking ban has really impacted the number of people going to the casino. I remember how popular the casino used to be, especially the bar, before the ban. Now it is a ghost town on most evenings.

 

We used to go to the casino bar every night for a pre dinner drink because the people there were always fun to talk to. Going to the lounges isn't the same because people don't mingle.

 

Sadly, all the non smokers who said they would flock to the casino if they banned smoking didn't come thru. I think it was the old combination for many who have now moved on to other ships. Smoking, drinking, gambling. :)

[brigittetom]

Jeffery1950, I'm sorry that we have taken this astray. I hope the relevant answers have been helpful in your decision. :) I vote for BOOK IT.