Obstructed view v sheltered balcony on QM2.

[Cassandra14]

I have just booked a WC sector on QM2 for next year and have booked an obstructed view balcony. Although not ideal, the position is great as it is midship and deck 8 with the pool at the end of the corridor. I am undecided whether to opt for an upgrade if available as that would probably be a sheltered balcony and the position wouldn't be as good on a lower deck and could be far forward or aft.

Another question. ..is there going to be easy access to the Terrace pool when the new Verandah restaurant is there?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

 

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[DadTheBigKid]

I have just booked a WC sector on QM2 for next year and have booked an obstructed view balcony. Although not ideal, the position is great as it is midship and deck 8 with the pool at the end of the corridor. I am undecided whether to opt for an upgrade if available as that would probably be a sheltered balcony and the position wouldn't be as good on a lower deck and could be far forward or aft.

Another question. ..is there going to be easy access to the Terrace pool when the new Verandah restaurant is there?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

 

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Hi

We are on QM2 in less than one week. We have a deliberately booked a sheltered balcony for space and we are mid ships on Deck 5.

We will let you know what we think soon.

[Underwatr]

In a sheltered balcony there's no view of the water when you're sitting but visibility is quite good when you're standing.

 

My wife's about five feet (1.5 meters) tall:

 

View in Frenchman's Bay, Bar Harbor by pdhenry, on Flickr

 

The Verandah doesn't change access to the rear decks. You should plan other routes that don't go through the restaurant.

[safarigal]

I have just booked a WC sector on QM2 for next year and have booked an obstructed view balcony. Although not ideal, the position is great as it is midship and deck 8 with the pool at the end of the corridor. I am undecided whether to opt for an upgrade if available as that would probably be a sheltered balcony and the position wouldn't be as good on a lower deck and could be far forward or aft.

Another question. ..is there going to be easy access to the Terrace pool when the new Verandah restaurant is there?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

 

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Some obstructed view cabins are more obstructed than others - have you checked out the potential view from yours? https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/qm2_obs

I was in 8050 and the view was not bad at all, and the cabin was much brighter than I have experienced in sheltered balcony cabins, which may be beneficial on a longer trip. If you are OK with your potential view, and like the position of your cabin, I'm not sure it makes sense to risk an upgrade to a sheltered balcony cabin that could be far forward or aft, if you prefer midships. I like the sheltered balcony cabins as you feel much more connected to the water, especially on deck 4, and you do get a good view if you stand by the railing. Also, it really can be quite cosy and sheltered on the balcony on blustery days.

 

I can't answer for sure, but the new deck plans for QM2 do not show any major changes around the access to the Terrace Pool, so I assume access will still be easy.

[JollyJackTar52]

We've had both. We've had an obstructed balcony on Deck 8 for out Autumn Getaway in 2012 and a Sheltered Balcony on Deck 5 for our Fjords & Waterfalls voyage of 2013.

 

The obstructed balcony gave a little more light & therefore felt a little bigger, but the views were obstructed by the lifeboat.

 

The Sheltered balcony had less light so felt a little smaller, but had unobstructed views of the ocean if you stood at the Bulwark. I also seem to remember that the Windows & Door to the balcony was the full width of the stateroom on the Obstructed Balcony. It wasn't on the Sheltered one.

 

It's difficult to say which I actually preferred. We didn't use the obstructed balcony for the Autumn Getaway so much because it was an October voyage in Northern Europe & was constantly grey & raining. The Fjords & Waterfalls was a roasting hot July Week & we had the beautiful weather for most of the voyage. And that Scenery!

 

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time on The Great Lady whichever stateroom you'll end up in.

[pepperrn]

QM2 "Sheltered" balconies (decks 4,5,6) are bigger (deeper) than "glass-fronted" balconies (Britannia grade cabins, decks 8,11,12).

 

I would sincerely hope that passengers wishing to get to the Terrace Pool and Bar on Deck 8 aft would use the stairs from Deck 7 (next to the entrance to the Princess Grill Restaurant near the "D" Stairs and Lift Lobby), or the external steps up from the Deck 7 Promenade unless The Verandah Restaurant is not in use.

 

Unless in a wheelchair (where the passageway through The Verandah Restaurant is the only way to access the Terrace Pool and Bar), when there are passengers enjoying lunch or dinner in The Verandah Restaurant, other passengers should use one of the alternative ways to access Deck 8 aft.

 

Many times has my lunch or dinner has been interrupted by the banging of doors, loud conversation "I thought you had the suncream?" "No I gave it to you", the sight of acres of white/pink overweight flesh and the slap, slap, slap of beach shoes ("flip-flops") as people selfishly "take a shortcut" :mad: .

I almost always use the internal staircase from Deck 7 to 8 out of respect for my fellow passengers. I trust that thoughtful passengers will do the same.

 

I cannot wait to dine in the new Verandah in November! :)

Edited May 12, 2016 by pepperrn

[Cassandra14]

Thank you all for your helpful replies...

 

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[Bell Boy]

QM2 "Sheltered" balconies (decks 4,5,6) are bigger (deeper) than "glass-fronted" balconies (Britannia grade cabins, decks 8,11,12).

 

I would sincerely hope that passengers wishing to get to the Terrace Pool and Bar on Deck 8 aft would use the stairs from Deck 7 (next to the entrance to the Princess Grill Restaurant near the "D" Stairs and Lift Lobby), or the external steps up from the Deck 7 Promenade unless The Verandah Restaurant is not in use.

 

Unless in a wheelchair (where the passageway through The Verandah Restaurant is the only way to access the Terrace Pool and Bar), when there are passengers enjoying lunch or dinner in The Verandah Restaurant, other passengers should use one of the alternative ways to access Deck 8 aft.

 

Many times has my lunch or dinner has been interrupted by the banging of doors, loud conversation "I thought you had the suncream?" "No I gave it to you", the sight of acres of white/pink overweight flesh and the slap, slap, slap of beach shoes ("flip-flops") as people selfishly "take a shortcut" :mad: .

I almost always use the internal staircase from Deck 7 to 8 out of respect for my fellow passengers. I trust that thoughtful passengers will do the same.

 

I cannot wait to dine in the new Verandah in November! :)

 

Well said ...love it :D I'll be on in September so might have the chance to report back to you if they've managed to rectify the route in keeping with the new refit.

[JollyJackTar52]

QM2 "Sheltered" balconies (decks 4,5,6) are bigger (deeper) than "glass-fronted" balconies (Britannia grade cabins, decks 8,11,12).

 

I would sincerely hope that passengers wishing to get to the Terrace Pool and Bar on Deck 8 aft would use the stairs from Deck 7 (next to the entrance to the Princess Grill Restaurant near the "D" Stairs and Lift Lobby), or the external steps up from the Deck 7 Promenade unless The Verandah Restaurant is not in use.

 

Unless in a wheelchair (where the passageway through The Verandah Restaurant is the only way to access the Terrace Pool and Bar), when there are passengers enjoying lunch or dinner in The Verandah Restaurant, other passengers should use one of the alternative ways to access Deck 8 aft.

 

Many times has my lunch or dinner has been interrupted by the banging of doors, loud conversation "I thought you had the suncream?" "No I gave it to you", the sight of acres of white/pink overweight flesh and the slap, slap, slap of beach shoes ("flip-flops") as people selfishly "take a shortcut" :mad: .

I almost always use the internal staircase from Deck 7 to 8 out of respect for my fellow passengers. I trust that thoughtful passengers will do the same.

 

I cannot wait to dine in the new Verandah in November! :)

 

Yep. Well said Pepperrn. We also wouldn't dream using it as a shortcut! Even on our Autumn Getaway when we were in stateroom 8107 we always went down to 7 and back up!

 

I do think it's still in the wrong place. It would have been much better for The Verandah to have been put in The Grand Lobby somehow, but I'm sure Cunard have considered it & weren't able to do it for whatever reason.

[Underwatr]

It would have been much better for The Verandah to have been put in The Grand Lobby somehow, but I'm sure Cunard have considered it & weren't able to do it for whatever reason.

They could have swapped with the casino but it's probably too far from a galley.

[JollyJackTar52]

They could have swapped with the casino but it's probably too far from a galley.

 

That's probably the reason. Food is served in The Golden Lion which is opposite, but the galley under there is probably not big or sophisticated enough to cope with the menus in The Verandah.

[Solent Richard]

QM2 "Sheltered" balconies (decks 4,5,6) are bigger (deeper) than "glass-fronted" balconies (Britannia grade cabins, decks 8,11,12).

 

I would sincerely hope that passengers wishing to get to the Terrace Pool and Bar on Deck 8 aft would use the stairs from Deck 7 (next to the entrance to the Princess Grill Restaurant near the "D" Stairs and Lift Lobby), or the external steps up from the Deck 7 Promenade unless The Verandah Restaurant is not in use.

 

Unless in a wheelchair (where the passageway through The Verandah Restaurant is the only way to access the Terrace Pool and Bar), when there are passengers enjoying lunch or dinner in The Verandah Restaurant, other passengers should use one of the alternative ways to access Deck 8 aft.

 

Many times has my lunch or dinner has been interrupted by the banging of doors, loud conversation "I thought you had the suncream?" "No I gave it to you", the sight of acres of white/pink overweight flesh and the slap, slap, slap of beach shoes ("flip-flops") as people selfishly "take a shortcut" :mad: .

I almost always use the internal staircase from Deck 7 to 8 out of respect for my fellow passengers. I trust that thoughtful passengers will do the same.

 

I cannot wait to dine in the new Verandah in November! :)

 

Must agree with you one hundred per cent.. Allowing short cut access through the Todd English/New Veranda has been a constant bugbear to most regular users of said restaurant.

 

It definitely lowers the tone and we can but hope that Cunard have restrictions in hand.

[Cassandra14]

I have just booked a WC sector on QM2 for next year and have booked an obstructed view balcony. Although not ideal, the position is great as it is midship and deck 8 with the pool at the end of the corridor. I am undecided whether to opt for an upgrade if available as that would probably be a sheltered balcony and the position wouldn't be as good on a lower deck and could be far forward or aft.

Another question. ..is there going to be easy access to the Terrace pool when the new Verandah restaurant is there?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

 

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Further to my earlier question. ...I have a designated obstructed view balcony cabin on a WC segment on QM2 next year....If I opt for an upgrade (if available) am I obliged to take it if I prefer the one I already have? Or would my original cabin have already been allocated to someone else.

 

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[pepperrn]

Further to my earlier question. ...I have a designated obstructed view balcony cabin on a WC segment on QM2 next year....If I opt for an upgrade (if available) am I obliged to take it if I prefer the one I already have? Or would my original cabin have already been allocated to someone else.

Hi Cassandra14,

 

My understanding (and I am very willing to be corrected), is that once the upgrade fairy has chosen you, the decision is final. This is because, at the same time as "moving" you up the ladder, the fairy has "moved" other passengers upwards as well, and upgraded them into your "old" cabin.

These passengers would then have to be told "sorry, mistake, stay where your were" if you subsequently decided you wanted to "go back" to your first choice of cabin.

This is based on my own experience when I've been upgraded, and on being told by friends who were upgraded when they wished to "stay where we are, thank you" but were told that many passengers had been upgraded, and that they "couldn't go back".

 

The only answer is to say "no upgrades" if you are happy with your first choice (and even then, once or twice, I've heard of people being upgraded despite saying "no upgrade" :( ).

 

Now, I have heard second hand, and read it here on CC (? or am I imagining that?), that people have kicked up a fuss and been given their original cabin back when the upgrade didn't suit them. But I really wouldn't rely on this happening too often, if at all).

 

Upgrades are a bit of a lottery; you could be "moved" to, what some believe, is an unsuitable cabin or location (or both!). But, on the other hand, I know from my own experience and from family and friends, some upgrades are amazing; sometimes jumping several grades (eg. outside cabin to higher deck balcony cabin, or sheltered balcony cabin to Princess Grill... or even Queens Grill :) . I've also enjoyed "double upgrades"; Inside to Outside, and a few days later, Outside to Deck 11 Balcony, for example).

 

I hope that some of this helps you, have a great time on board, Bon Voyage! :)

Edited May 21, 2016 by pepperrn

[Cassandra14]

Hi Cassandra14,

 

My understanding (and I am very willing to be corrected), is that once the upgrade fairy has chosen you, the decision is final. This is because, at the same time as "moving" you up the ladder, the fairy has "moved" other passengers upwards as well, and upgraded them into your "old" cabin.

These passengers would then have to be told "sorry, mistake, stay where your were" if you subsequently decided you wanted to "go back" to your first choice of cabin.

This is based on my own experience when I've been upgraded, and on being told by friends who were upgraded when they wished to "stay where we are, thank you" but were told that many passengers had been upgraded, and that they "couldn't go back".

 

The only answer is to say "no upgrades" if you are happy with your first choice (and even then, once or twice, I've heard of people being upgraded despite saying "no upgrade" :( ).

 

Now, I have heard second hand, and read it here on CC (? or am I imagining that?), that people have kicked up a fuss and been given their original cabin back when the upgrade didn't suit them. But I really wouldn't rely on this happening too often, if at all).

 

Upgrades are a bit of a lottery; you could be "moved" to, what some believe, is an unsuitable cabin or location (or both!). But, on the other hand, I know from my own experience and from family and friends, some upgrades are amazing; sometimes jumping several grades (eg. outside cabin to higher deck balcony cabin, or sheltered balcony cabin to Princess Grill... or even Queens Grill :) . I've also enjoyed "double upgrades"; Inside to Outside, and a few days later, Outside to Deck 11 Balcony, for example).

 

I hope that some of this helps you, have a great time on board, Bon Voyage! :)

Thank you Pepperrn for your very helpful reply. I still can't decide what to do. I am very happy with the position but it is an obstructed view. As you say it could be a lot better. ....or not!

 

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