Norwegian Fjords - QM2

[Ciadan]

The hubby and I will be married 30 years next year and have (almost) decided to splash out (pun intended 😉) on a cruise.  We'd love to go to Norway so we're thinking - why not cruise there?!  We're looking at this cruise in July. https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/find-a-cruise/M421/M421  I think I've fallen in love with Cunard!

 

As we're complete novices (I've been on one Caribbean cruise), we'd love to benefit from the advice of these boards.  Our budget is approx. €3,000 / $3,200 / £2,600.

 

Thanks in advance! 🛳️

[exlondoner]

Book a cabin with a balcony, so you can enjoy the scenery while you’re dressing etc. It probably doesn’t matter which side.

[Ciadan]

Thanks @exlondoner  🙂

[BklynBoy8]

3 hours ago, Ciadan said:

The hubby and I will be married 30 years next year and have (almost) decided to splash out (pun intended 😉) on a cruise.  We'd love to go to Norway so we're thinking - why not cruise there?!  We're looking at this cruise in July. https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/find-a-cruise/M421/M421  I think I've fallen in love with Cunard!

 

As we're complete novices (I've been on one Caribbean cruise), we'd love to benefit from the advice of these boards.  Our budget is approx. €3,000 / $3,200 / £2,600.

 

Thanks in advance! 🛳️

 

Welcome to Cunard!

 

The Norway sailing next to the Panama Canal sailing is Our Most Memorable Cruise in our cruising history.

[Ciadan]

Crikey!  Trying to pick a cabin is an adventure in itself!!  Normally I don't have sea legs, so I wonder if mid or aft would be better than forward?  Would there be much difference between deck 4 and deck 5?  Apologies for all the questions! 😵

[exlondoner]

It is usually pretty calm in the fjords, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that, especially as it is the QM2. The higher you are, the better the view.

[Ciadan]

Thanks again @exlondoner  

 

It's not so much the Fjords as the North Sea that has me worried! 😂

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, Ciadan said:

Thanks again @exlondoner  

 

It's not so much the Fjords as the North Sea that has me worried! 😂

Well, it is only a day either way, and it is July, and it is the QM2. I should be very surprised if you noticed even a ripple.

[Ciadan]

17 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Well, it is only a day either way, and it is July, and it is the QM2. I should be very surprised if you noticed even a ripple.

You've sold it to me! 😁

[exlondoner]

One there thing: If you are choosing between Decks 4 and 5, the latter is between two decks of cabins, so theoretically quieter, and nearer the middle is more stable than the front. Personally I should seriously consider Deck 11.

[naturelovergirl]

Some people do not like forward cabins because of ship movement… we do like ship movement and often book forward cabins because we love it.

 

We were on Queen Elizabeth in the North Sea in August/September in 2019, and there was one night where we were really feeling the North Sea for sure. Personally we loved it so much- but many people on board were not enthusiastic about the ship movement.

[bluemarble]

I'd also suggest splurging a little for one of the glass-fronted balconies on deck 11 for that Norwegian Fjords cruise. Per the Cunard UK website, that will exceed your budget a bit at £2,898 (double occupancy) for a Saver fare guarantee forward to £3,198 midships but I think it would be worth it on that itinerary if you could manage it.

 

Now that's from someone who has happily done a Norwegian Fjords cruise in a sheltered balcony and has another one booked. Those are going for £2,498 for a Saver fare guarantee forward to £2,698 midships on the Cunard UK website. You can't go wrong with a sheltered balcony for a bit more stability on a lower deck and more shelter from wind and inclement weather. But a glass-fronted balcony does have the significant advantage of a better view while seated during such a scenic itinerary.

Edited February 1, 2023 by bluemarble

[sfred]

Best wishes for your voyage, @Ciadan!  We had a great time on a QM2 voyage to Norway in November 2022.  There have also been some other recent trips documented here on Cruise Critic, on QM2 in May 2022, and QV in October 2022.  I've attached some links to those threads below.  There are many photos, and descriptions of onboard activities and port day excursions that you may find helpful.

 

As others have pointed out, QM2 is very stable in bad weather.  On our November voyage, we had to miss the final two ports (Alesund and Stavanger) due to bad weather.  On the morning we were supposed to be in Alesund, I enjoyed several relaxing hours in QM2's Commodore Club forward on deck 9, looking out at the high winds and waves of the North Sea, with barely a ripple in my coffee cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by sfred

[Ciadan]

Thanks a million @sfred - plenty of research there for  me! 😄 

[NE John]

Be sure not to book an obstructed view balcony, if the views are important to you. 

Maybe a deal on Britannia Club balcony staterooms is offered;  plus those BC cabins are higher up on the ship.
May squeeze your budget though?

[buchanan101]

On 2/1/2023 at 3:45 PM, Ciadan said:

Crikey!  Trying to pick a cabin is an adventure in itself!!  Normally I don't have sea legs, so I wonder if mid or aft would be better than forward?  Would there be much difference between deck 4 and deck 5?  Apologies for all the questions! 😵

North Sea in summer shouldn't be too bad but the lowest movement position is 2/3rds of the way back - so forward would be worst.

 

Definitely get a balcony! They'll be metal fronted below deck 7 but be much better than having a porthole or no window at all.  Does your budget stretch to high up - be a better view 

[NE John]

10 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

North Sea in summer shouldn't be too bad but the lowest movement position is 2/3rds of the way back - so forward would be worst.

 

Definitely get a balcony! They'll be metal fronted below deck 7 but be much better than having a porthole or no window at all.  Does your budget stretch to high up - be a better view 

Plus Britannia Club has a glass balcony vs. sheltered for better views. I’ve been on sheltered balconies on QM2 and glass balcony in QE and more expansive and relaxed views via glass balconies. 
QM2 is so steady in rough seas so don’t be too concerned about movements. 

[BklynBoy8]

3 hours ago, NE John said:

Plus Britannia Club has a glass balcony vs. sheltered for better views. I’ve been on sheltered balconies on QM2 and glass balcony in QE and more expansive and relaxed views via glass balconies. 
QM2 is so steady in rough seas so don’t be too concerned about movements. 

 

Total Agree about the Glass Balconies in BC. We even enjoyed it too in the Grill Suite last year.

[ballroom-cruisers]

4 hours ago, NE John said:

Plus Britannia Club has a glass balcony vs. sheltered for better views. I’ve been on sheltered balconies on QM2 and glass balcony in QE and more expansive and relaxed views via glass balconies. 
QM2 is so steady in rough seas so don’t be too concerned about movements. 

 

I think overstating how steady QM2 is in bad weather may be less helpful to anyone who is affected by ship movements.  Whilst it is certainly the case that QM2 is steadier than most other passenger ships in rough seas, she does move around.  In moderate seas the movements don't usually stop people walking around the ship, and also don't stop most people dancing. However we have been on a TA some years ago on QM2 when there were force 11 gales with swell around 10 metres (around 33 feet) for several days (both ways).  Under those conditions, it is quite exciting being at the level of the casino, where people sit in the window sill areas with cameras running to record the sea disappear well below the window line, and then a minute later completely cover the window, and repeat for hours on end.  Up in the Commodore Club in those conditions, you feel the ship heave slowly up and then slide down the next wave and hit the bottom with a resounding thump.  You then have to be quite careful walking around that you are able to stay on your feet, even if you don't get seasick.  It doesn't happen very often, but occasionally if you are on a lot of voyages then at some point you will be at sea when there are those kinds of sea conditions. So most of the time it is true that the ship doesn't move very much, but if you are unlucky (or lucky) enough then you may experience that on some occasions. So you you do suffer from seasickness, it is worth taking supplies of suitable medication just in case - and if not needed then take them home, and keep them for the next voyage.

[Pear Carr]

Given budget I would recommend deck 5 (sheltered balcony) mid or mid aft. 

[moses0]

On 2/1/2023 at 6:58 AM, Ciadan said:

The hubby and I will be married 30 years next year and have (almost) decided to splash out (pun intended 😉) on a cruise.  We'd love to go to Norway so we're thinking - why not cruise there?!  We're looking at this cruise in July. https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/find-a-cruise/M421/M421  I think I've fallen in love with Cunard!

 

As we're complete novices (I've been on one Caribbean cruise), we'd love to benefit from the advice of these boards.  Our budget is approx. €3,000 / $3,200 / £2,600.

 

Thanks in advance! 🛳️

You will love the voyage. We did a few years ago. As well as fabulous scenery you are on a magnificent ship. On our trip there were masses of people out cheering QM2 many places we cruised by. We are looking at doing it all again this year. You can't go wrong with  Stateroom 5160. Have a great time. 

 

[buchanan101]

On 2/3/2023 at 3:53 PM, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Total Agree about the Glass Balconies in BC. We even enjoyed it too in the Grill Suite last year.

Well there's rough seas and rough seas. I wouldn't quite claim "so steady"

 

On our crossing in October one day was fairly uncomfortable in Illuminations (though that's right in the bow) and chairs in the Queens Room were sliding a bit during an Art lecture.

 

That was North Atlantic in October though, not North Sea in July

[NE John]

To amend my “so steady” reflection, I should have qualified it by saying compared to other “cruise” ships I’ve been on, including Cunard’s, QM2 is so steady.
 

I was amazed how little movement there was during raging seas of North Atlantic TA. Only felt a bit if ocean swelling in fitness area located forward and pretty high up.