LIVE (almost) from QM2 Transatlantic June 23 to June 29

[RK-NC]

32 minutes ago, Winifred 22 said:

They were not free the last time I had the fabulous chocolate cake. 

 

See post #234 by @Pushpit Also, we contacted the very helpful Cunard CSR that we have been working with and he confirmed that there is no charge of the food offerings in Sir Samuel's lounge.

[Winifred 22]

8 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Does the this mean that you'd rather one crossing in QG over 2, 3 or 4 sailings in Britannia or the other way around?

 

I really don't like the Kings Court buffet, but that's not a reflection of Kings Court, I just don't like buffets in general.  Thanks for the suggestion about taking a breakfast or lunch in Britannia!  That's a great tip. Going to suggest that to my SO that we try that tomorrow.   Just for a change in pace.    Yes, if we booked a sheltered balcony, we'd probably do a few specialty dining and the pop ups just to mix things up!  Thanks! 

 

I am with Pushpit. I would much prefer more crossings a year  than one P G or QG. Unlike Pushpit I have booked insides and been fine especially on 7 nights or less. Nothing better then a sheltered balcony on a T A especially when the decks are closed because of high winds. 

[Pushpit]

8 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Does the this mean that you'd rather one crossing in QG over 2, 3 or 4 sailings in Britannia or the other way around?

 

 

Sorry that wasn't clear - yes, I would rather do more sailings and thus adapt to the cheaper staterooms. My thinking is that there is so much to do on QM2 that even if (hypothetically) I was in an Inside cabin then I would just use it to sleep and shower, and keep busy everywhere from the library to the Lookout. That said I was in PG on QM2 back in January, then sheltered in May 2024, my next is in Britannia Club, then Outside, so I do mix it up a bit. 

 

Taking SO to Britannia will at least show the difference from Grills so that your partner will also be better informed. If the front desk of Britannia says "oh but you are in QG", just let them know that you want to try it out. That's only likely at lunch, breakfast is more of a machine so they probably won't ask for your suite number.

[Joe33472]

14 minutes ago, Pushpit said:

Sorry that wasn't clear - yes, I would rather do more sailings and thus adapt to the cheaper staterooms. My thinking is that there is so much to do on QM2 that even if (hypothetically) I was in an Inside cabin then I would just use it to sleep and shower, and keep busy everywhere from the library to the Lookout. That said I was in PG on QM2 back in January, then sheltered in May 2024, my next is in Britannia Club, then Outside, so I do mix it up a bit. 

 

Taking SO to Britannia will at least show the difference from Grills so that your partner will also be better informed. If the front desk of Britannia says "oh but you are in QG", just let them know that you want to try it out. That's only likely at lunch, breakfast is more of a machine so they probably won't ask for your suite number.

 

Thank you for the response!  That what was I thought you were saying, I just wanted to make sure.  I'm kind of thinking this too.   Our calculation is something like next summer back and forth to Europe in QG = $20K, back and forth in a sheltered balcony cabin = $8K, plus drink package and some specialty dining = $10K, we'll have $10K to spend in Europe.

[Kordy]

54 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Trust me!  This exact question has been the topic of most of your lunch and dinner conversations.   And like you, it's not a money issue.   It's a value issue.   And despite what many may think, we're already planning our next QM2 cruise.   The question for us, like you, is what class.    We originally booked PG for this cruise, and then I read about ordering off menu at QG and that kind of made the difference for me.  But, in reality, we haven't used that too much.  

 

The Q5 cabin we're in is VERY nice (albeit old, but we knew that), so it's tough to think about being in a cabin for a week 1/2 or a 1/3 the size of this cabin.  Our cabin on the recent Royal Caribbean was about this same size as this Q5, maybe a little larger. 

 

Many people say PG is the sweet spot or perhaps Britannia Club.   I'm going to hold off judging what's the value proposition until Saturday when we disembark, but today, I don't think I would say that QG is worth it for the restaurant experience.   But maybe worth it for the room and butler experience, so it's very difficult.    My SO says on our next trip we should do a sheltered balcony and eat in Britannia restaurant and the buffet, but she likes buffets and I detest them.  She doesn't know how much I really hate buffets.  So, it's really tough evaluation.  I really do like this cabin, suite lounge, and butler. 

 

Thank you for the thoughtful response.  I'm glad you're going to do QM2 again.  I haven't been on the ship yet, but I've done quite a few cruises and there is something special about the world's only ocean-liner and something special about following the route of the Titanic and being able to cross the Atlantic Ocean in style.  It's a bucket-list item and a cool story you can always tell family & friends.

 

Cunard offers a classic experience of how cruising used to be and it's a nice departure of how cruises are done these days and there is something unique it offers, which no one can replicate.  I also like the British experience personally, and will enjoy lunch in an English pub, while at sea and I'm a huge fan of Afternoon Tea and scones with clotted cream.  

 

From everything I hear, Britannia Club or PG is the sweet-spot on Cunard, coupled with a good cabin choice.  The money you save can be put towards specialty restaurants, other upgrades/treats, and I especially want to do the Behind The Scenes tour on the QM2 for an extra $120.  Plus if you spend a little less and still have a good experience, and you never feel like you overpaid, as your expectations were a little less - you walk out with a big smile on your face.

[Judyrem]

Joe, I know you covered food, service and the ship, but how is the entertainment?

 

[Judyrem]

2 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Thank you for the response!  That what was I thought you were saying, I just wanted to make sure.  I'm kind of thinking this too.   Our calculation is something like next summer back and forth to Europe in QG = $20K, back and forth in a sheltered balcony cabin = $8K, plus drink package and some specialty dining = $10K, we'll have $10K to spend in Europe.

Makes sense.

[Kordy]

4 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Thank you for the response!  That what was I thought you were saying, I just wanted to make sure.  I'm kind of thinking this too.   Our calculation is something like next summer back and forth to Europe in QG = $20K, back and forth in a sheltered balcony cabin = $8K, plus drink package and some specialty dining = $10K, we'll have $10K to spend in Europe.

 

I love that calculation.  That is a perfect calculation and I will just add that for that $10k saving, which is a 50% reduction in the cruise cost, you are probably just losing a 15 to 20% reduction of enjoyment of the ship and the cruise and yet you're gaining $10k worth of experiences in Europe, which are worth way more than just a monetary value.  Plus you're also gaining a feeling of satisfaction that you haven't overspent, that you optimized costs, that you're being smart with money and most of all, you are reducing a chance of disappointment that you can get where you spent a lot of money on something and it turns out less good than expected.

[D&N]

@Winifred 22

Was your last trip on QM2 perhaps before Godiva was removed? All the Godiva cakes and chocolates were chargeable.

I suspect you won't find that chocolate cake again!

[Winifred 22]

6 minutes ago, D&N said:

@Winifred 22

Was your last trip on QM2 perhaps before Godiva was removed? All the Godiva cakes and chocolates were chargeable.

I suspect you won't find that chocolate cake again!

Last trip was May 2024  then before that November September August and May 2023 and 2022 Definitely had the chocolate cake in August as have a photo 🥮🧁Obviously didn’t check the receipt carefully as probably not charged for it.Other occasions wasn’t my card being charged.😂

Edited Wednesday at 08:53 PM by Winifred 22

[D&N]

5 minutes ago, Winifred 22 said:

Last trip was May 2024  then before that November September August and May 2023 and 2022 Definitely had the chocolate cake in August has have a photo 🥮🧁

Don't know exactly when Godiva went, but thought it was during 2023. Some of the recent pics of cakes and pastries in Sir Samuel's look lovely but not as chocolatey as before.

 

Edit: Perhaps the November dry dock.

Edited Wednesday at 08:56 PM by D&N

[missson1967]

1 hour ago, Joe33472 said:

Many people say PG is the sweet spot or perhaps Britannia Club.   I'm going to hold off judging what's the value proposition until Saturday when we disembark, but today, I don't think I would say that QG is worth it for the restaurant experience.   But maybe worth it for the room and butler experience, so it's very difficult.    My SO says on our next trip we should do a sheltered balcony and eat in Britannia restaurant and the buffet, but she likes buffets and I detest them.  She doesn't know how much I really hate buffets.  So, it's really tough evaluation.  I really do like this cabin, suite lounge, and butler. 

We have travelled in all cabin categories across QM2, QV & QE.  We haven't yet tried QA & don't have any plans to do so.  For us, PG is indeed the 'sweet spot'.  Like you, we don't consider QG to be worth it for the restaurant experience (essentially just to order off menu) nor for the room & butler experience (particularly given the larger size PG cabins on QM2).  Obviously, you still get the benefit of the Grills Lounge in PG. 

 

In our experience, the sheltered balcony & Britannia restaurant are fine, particularly for a winter crossing, but as others have suggested, it is worth changing up the dining experience with visits to the alternative dining & Verandah options (we share your dislike of buffets!). 

 

For us, the Club Balcony restaurant on QM2 is not as good as the same category restaurants on QV/QE, but the Club cabins are better on QM2, if only for the glass shower doors!

 

It has been interesting to see things from the perspective of a newbie to Cunard, so thank you for taking the time & trouble to share your experience.

[Winifred 22]

7 minutes ago, D&N said:

Don't know exactly when Godiva went, but thought it was during 2023. Some of the recent pics of cakes and pastries in Sir Samuel's look lovely but not as chocolatey as before.

 

Edit: Perhaps the November dry dock.

Yes I can’t remember either. The  mini round chocolate coke nearly defeats me.  Never been a big fan of macarons anyway .

[Pushpit]

20 minutes ago, D&N said:

@Winifred 22

Was your last trip on QM2 perhaps before Godiva was removed? All the Godiva cakes and chocolates were chargeable.

I suspect you won't find that chocolate cake again!

I think that indeed explains it since there was a range of Godiva products for sale separately from the perspex cabinet at the front entrance to Sir S. This included boxes of chocolate items, and chocolate drink mixes. Godiva went out before the refit, I think it was a pandemic casualty, it wasn't there mid 2022 at any rate. However the shop sold Godiva chocolate boxes until fairly recently. 

[Winifred 22]

2 minutes ago, Pushpit said:

I think that indeed explains it since there was a range of Godiva products for sale separately from the perspex cabinet at the front entrance to Sir S. This included boxes of chocolate items, and chocolate drink mixes. Godiva went out before the refit, I think it was a pandemic casualty, it wasn't there mid 2022 at any rate. However the shop sold Godiva chocolate boxes until fairly recently. 

Definitely had the cake in 2023 but sounds like I was not charged for it. Remember seeing small boxes of miniatures to buy elsewhere. Think they even as some in the shop on P&O ‘s Britannia last year. I can see them in the shop but it’s definitely not a Cunard shop 😀

[Joe33472]

10 hours ago, Mudhen said:

Next on dining....I will often do a salad and then a couple of apps and/or soup if the mains don't suit me. Then I might actually have some room for either dessert or the wonderful cheese cart. Hoping that it's still there and hasn't been cut....

 

 

@Mudhen We dropped by PG tonight and spoke to the Maitre D' and he said yes, the cheese cart is still in PG and is exactly the same as QG.  I asked to take a picture and he says, "of course". 

 

Then I looked at the cheese cart in QG and it was exactly the same.   Here is the picture of the cheese cart in PG.  The one in QG was exactly the same, so no need for a second picture. 

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 10:08 PM by Joe33472

[shippmates]

If you book a non grille cabin, you can always go to the Chef Galley for dinner.  It is located before Kings Court.  They make pizza and pasta to order.  You can order your food along with a salad and a beverage.  You are served at tables with white tableclothes.  The food is delicious and not crowded at all.  They are only open from 6 to 9 PM.

[Mudhen]

29 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

@Mudhen We dropped by PG tonight and spoke to the Maitre D' and he said yes, the cheese cart is still in PG and is exactly the same as QG.  I asked to take a picture and he says, "of course". 

 

Then I looked at the cheese cart in QG and it was exactly the same.   Here is the picture of the cheese cart in PG.  The one in QG was exactly the same, so no need for a second picture. 

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

Oh my!

How nice of you!

Looks great!

Thank you so much!

[Joe33472]

2 hours ago, Judyrem said:

Joe, I know you covered food, service and the ship, but how is the entertainment?

 

 

Hi Judy, we've attended a few talks and are going to the comedy show tonight, so I can let you know how it is.  Many of the dining staff said that the comedy show is really great and that we should definitely go.   

 

We did a lot of traveling in Europe prior to the cruise, so for the first couple of days we really chilled out.  We haven't noticed any big production numbers (which are the things we typically like to see), but we might have missed them.  We saw two shows in London and a musical prior to embarkation, which is more than we typically see in a year. 

 

The day is filled all types of activities to meet varying interests.   Those activities definitely cater to the cruise demographic, so there is not so many things that interest us.  We love to watch ballroom dancing, but don't want to learn it, and were not into string quartets or harps.  Not that there is anything wrong with those.  I'm sure it's lovely.   We've gone to trivia and some raffles.  

 

I think that where Cunard excels are the insight talks.  Really interesting people talking about things that they love. Today's talk was about how to navigate really large museums and I would have appreciated that talk prior to our visit to Europe.  

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, Joe33472 said:

 

 

 

 

Thank you Joe for all your postings. Especially like the photo above of the International Cheese Cart. 

 

After many conversations on the Cruise Foodies forum, I took the plunge sailing before last and enjoyed the cheese cart. When there were desserts to our liking in PG, I learned to enjoy many of the selections on the cart. More digestive and enjoy over the other desserts on those evenings.

[Judyrem]

11 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Hi Judy, we've attended a few talks and are going to the comedy show tonight, so I can let you know how it is.  Many of the dining staff said that the comedy show is really great and that we should definitely go.   

 

We did a lot of traveling in Europe prior to the cruise, so for the first couple of days we really chilled out.  We haven't noticed any big production numbers (which are the things we typically like to see), but we might have missed them.  We saw two shows in London and a musical prior to embarkation, which is more than we typically see in a year. 

 

The day is filled all types of activities to meet varying interests.   Those activities definitely cater to the cruise demographic, so there is not so many things that interest us.  We love to watch ballroom dancing, but don't want to learn it, and were not into string quartets or harps.  Not that there is anything wrong with those.  I'm sure it's lovely.   We've gone to trivia and some raffles.  

 

I think that where Cunard excels are the insight talks.  Really interesting people talking about things that they love. Today's talk was about how to navigate really large museums and I would have appreciated that talk prior to our visit to Europe.  

Thanks Joe! 🙂

 

I am a Cunard newbie and this provides me with some new perspectives for  my July 27 TA to Hamburg.🤔

 

 

[Joe33472]

7 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

Thanks Joe! 🙂

 

I am a Cunard newbie and this provides me with some new perspectives for  my July 27 TA to Hamburg.🤔

 

 

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time!  Enjoy and safe travels!

 

We didn't make it to the comedy show (both of us having stomach pains), but we went to the casino for a little bit and then to the Queens Room to watch people dancing.  It was modern dancing and people were having a great time on the dance floor.  It was packed and the band/DJ was good playing favorites of the 70s and 80s.   Lots of people out and about.   Pretty good nightlife of QM2.   No night time shopping.  All stores closed at 9:00 p.m.

Edited Wednesday at 11:42 PM by Joe33472

[BklynBoy8]

22 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

Hi Judy, we've attended a few talks and are going to the comedy show tonight, so I can let you know how it is.  Many of the dining staff said that the comedy show is really great and that we should definitely go.   

 

We did a lot of traveling in Europe prior to the cruise, so for the first couple of days we really chilled out.  We haven't noticed any big production numbers (which are the things we typically like to see), but we might have missed them.  We saw two shows in London and a musical prior to embarkation, which is more than we typically see in a year. 

 

The day is filled all types of activities to meet varying interests.   Those activities definitely cater to the cruise demographic, so there is not so many things that interest us.  We love to watch ballroom dancing, but don't want to learn it, and were not into string quartets or harps.  Not that there is anything wrong with those.  I'm sure it's lovely.   We've gone to trivia and some raffles.  

 

I think that where Cunard excels are the insight talks.  Really interesting people talking about things that they love. Today's talk was about how to navigate really large museums and I would have appreciated that talk prior to our visit to Europe.  

 

That is one of the many activities we enjoy on Cunard - lectures. Never know what interesting subjects will pop up. But really enjoy the production numbers on each of our cruise since we don't get to enjoy them at home except for Bdway.

 

Not much in to trivia but as said, many more including BINGO and casino are enjoyable. 

 

On the same 14 day sailing mentioned in the past, after dinner before the late show we enjoyed the musical groups around the Grand Lounge. A pleasure to sit there after dinner and enjoy classic selections just sitting there. Really first time after all the times sailing.

 

Yes, not like the Mega ship out there but there is plenty for all to find to occupy time. Even the selections especially in the Chart Room in the evening. On our bucket list in 262 days from now. 

[Joe33472]

Dinner was very nice.  We ordered beef filet, mashed potatoes, french fries and Bernaise sauce.  All was great.   Osman heard about "macaroon-gate" and came over at the start of dinner tonight to talk with us about what happened.    It was all positive.  

 

These were in our stateroom when we got back from dinner:

 

Day 5 Programme .pdf

 

Immigration Information .pdf

 

 

[Joe33472]

6 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

Yes, not like the Mega ship out there but there is plenty for all to find to occupy time. Even the selections especially in the Chart Room in the evening. On our bucket list in 262 days from now. 

 

Totally agree!  More than enough things to do and entertainment to cater to a variety of tastes.   Even lots of folks playing games and doing puzzles in the hallways on floor 2, I think.   Also, during the day, lots of reading all over the ship.   Although we're not much into classical music, the music played in the grand lobby is very nice.  We sat and enjoyed the automatic piano for quite some time this afternoon.