QE Venice & Adriatic what should we know

[wenlyn]

Hi

 

We've done TA crossings on QM2 before but are about to take our first Cunard cruise with stops on QE. Its our honeymoon so we are even more excited than usual.

 

Some years ago we did a P&O cruise and they gave simple maps & info about the ports, do Cunard do this?

We did our own thing as all the ports were new to us as they will be on this with the exception of Gibralter (& we know which bit we'll be heading to there)

 

We've never done a tender port on this trip 2 or 3 will be, how does that work?

 

Are there any major differences in how things are done on QE compared to QM2 and is there anything we should especially seek out (like Homer or the glass lifts)

 

thanks

wendy

[Host Hattie]

Congratulations on your honeymoon.

Yes, port guides are provided but they aren't very in depth.

For tender ports, you will collect tender tickets when you are ready to leave for the first part of the disembarkation, usually from the Queens Room. You will be called to walk down to the tender platforms by the number on your ticket. After a while, tickets will no longer be required and you can go straight to the tender platforms.

[Shuffleboard Dude]

Well, congratulations, then!

 

This may seem obvious: QM2 is a liner, QE is a cruise ship. In my opinion you should be aware of this before going, otherwise you might be disappointed. Being a cruise ship, QE is organized quite differently. The main difference is that the QM2 has three groups of decks with public rooms on 2/3, 7 and 12/(13) while the QE has only on two (1)/2/3 and 9. On QM2 decks 2,3 and 7 are higher than the cabin decks, while on QE all decks are the same height. Also, the open decks on QM2 are much nicer than on any other ship. While QM2 is full of architectural quotes from other great liners (a bit of Normandie here, a bit of QE2 there) QE(3) is a contemporary vessel.

 

If you tell me what cruise you will be on, I might be able to give you a hint or two about things to see on land.

[kohl57]

We are booked on the same cruise for our 25th anniversary. Our honeymoon was Southampton-New York on RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 back when she was doing it in 5 days. So lots of water under numerous keels.

 

You should enjoy QUEEN ELIZABETH. You might miss, as we do, the acres of real teak decks on QM2, but you still have a real walk-around Promenade Deck with proper deck chairs. And you won't get lost as everyone has to on QM2. The Yacht Club is a must for after dinner. A very sturdy, quiet, sea-boat, too. And yes, very very brown and beige at least until November (one can but hope). And, best of all, lots of nooks and crannies to be alone. For a modern cruise ship, that's impressive.

 

"The "Grill open deck" unfortunately takes more space than on the QM2. But the access is not restricted, so feel free to explore." Not sure if I agree with the previous poster... all access to the Grills decks are pretty clearly signed "For Grill Guests Only". We sure didn't feel comfortable to stick our beaks in last year nor should we have. This time, though, we are in Princess Grill so will explore properly!

 

Port information: you probably will get more watching or attending the port/shore excursion talks. We always enjoy them if only for the fact that Cunard always... always.. picks the person with the heaviest accent on the ship to present them. You do get a fairly decent city map etc the day before. And almost always the locals have a tourist information desk/reps on the pier. We almost never do shore excursions and find it cheaper and more congenial to "wing it" with taxis etc when the mood strikes us.

[LadyVol1]

We've done TA crossings on QM2 before but are about to take our first Cunard cruise with stops on QE.

 

We are booked on the same cruise for our 25th anniversary.

 

Wendy/wenlyn and kohl57- Please join the Roll Call for the QE Oct. 15, 2018 17 Night Mediterranean Venice and the Adriatic cruise. The more the merrier!!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2502650

 

Janet

[Shuffleboard Dude]

Hvar will be an intersting port. This is a small town. Unless you dock at the ferry port on the other side of the Island, you will have to use tenders to get into port. Don't miss the theatre, it's one of the oldest in Europe along with the ones in Cesky Krumlov and Drottningholm. Be aware that it's closed from 1300 to 1700.

https://www.visit-hvar.com/tours/hvars-theatre-and-arsenal/HV-TR-130

[wenlyn]

We are booked on the same cruise for our 25th anniversary.][/color]

Congratulations to you too :hearteyes:

 

If you tell me what cruise you will be on, I might be able to give you a hint or two about things to see on land.

 

Sorry I should have said its Q825

- sorry Janet going a little bit earlier & have joined that roll call

[wenlyn]

Although QE is "just a cruise ship", she is one of the four best cruise ships afloat.

The "Grill open deck" unfortunately takes more space than on the QM2. But the access is not restricted, so feel free to explore.

Although the grandeur of the QM2 surpasses everything else at sea, you'll find the theater on the QE simply opulent.

And the nightclub ("Yacht Club") may seem nicer than the Disco on the QM2.

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for this (also shuffleboards comments) & the link (which just whetted my appetite even more!). It will be fun discovering a new ship.

Now just hoping we get a good table for dinner as that makes such a difference to the holiday & with this being such a long one is even more important

[kohl57]

Yes, we are on the earlier one, too, Q825, 28 August.