QM 2 - April 15-21 TransA Crossing Review

[BrooklynChick]

:)

We had a great time! My husband and I were a bit nervous booking this cruise because of some people's perception of Cunard as a "stuffy" line. We had received an offer of a last-minute availability for a balcony cabin including airfare for $999, so we decided to give it a try. We were pleasantly surprised! This is my first review for CC so please be gentle!

Embarkation - A breeze we were in our room less than 1/2 hour from arriving at the pier. LOTS of security- NYPD was everywhere. We were surprised, however, that we were not escorted to our cabin. When we went with Celebrity we would receive a glass of champagne, took our carry-on luggage, and were escorted to our cabin.

Room - We had a balcony cabin room 5123. DH and I agree that it was the most comfortable bed we had on a cruise. Nice amount of storage space. The bathroom was decent size too.

Dining - Definitely try Todd English. We celebrated our 3rd Anniversary at lunch ($20 PP). It was delicious but expect for lunch to take 1 1/2 hours since the waiter said the chefs make everything fresh. We ate at Britannia and the food was overall good. As for the informal option at Lotus/grill - it was nice for upscale cafeteria food - Try the burgers at the Grill. It was delicious. We also ordered breakfast in bed for our Anniversary. They were right on time. They had a very limited menu, but we penciled in that we would love some croissants and got them.

Of a six night crossing, we had 3 formal nights, 1 informal and two casual nights. I was really glad DH wore a tux because approximately 75% of the men wore them during formal nights.

Entertainment - Great speakers from Oxford University. They had a very funny speaker on "eating bugs" and get this "excrement". (No - I'm not kidding). They were actually very informative. There were also discussions on British history, exploration, and Shakespeare. They also had some actors from RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts). They did some scenes from Shakespeare and did a full production of "Fallen Angel".

The floor shows were nice too. The dancers were great, but I thought the male singers left something to be desired. I thought they just couldn't sing the high notes.

The dancing at the Queens Room was great. The band was very good, but again I thought the male singer was really not up to the challenge.

Planetarium gets a big thumbs up!

Gym - Very large with new machines and televisions on each machine. Woo-hoo! If you actually wanted to hear the TV, you had to purchase earphones.

Salon - I had my hair done twice for formal nights. Beautiful job and I liked that they did not do the big product push dance. When DH says you look good then you know they did a good job!

Disembarkation - Fine. But unfortunately we got to Heathrow at around 11 AM, but Cunard booked a 6 PM flight. Sitting around an airport for 7 hours is never fun.

Hope you enjoyed reading my review!

[ACME]

THANKS FOR A GREAT REVIEW.

WAS COMMODORE WARWICK AT THE HELM?

[mariaemp675@hotmail.com]

Hi BrooklynChick,

 

Thanks for the review. I too used the Salon on the ship. Even had my hair colored and got a lot of compliments for the style and color. After coming home I emailed the salon and asked them for the color formula and they responded not only with the formula, but with exact instructions. How is that for customer service?

 

Liked the trip so much that I booked the Labor Day cruise to Halifax. Will probably visit the salon again.

 

Maria

[cruiser don]

Dear Brooklyn Chick... great summation for the crossing... on our crossings (from a Brooklyn duo too), all of your views were validated......thanks for posting.. today, four former a/o current Cunard ships are all in Southampton....some folks have posted web cam sites to view them ...How was the drive/ride to Red Hook? To more sailings... h/d

[BrooklynChick]

One more thing - the hair dryers in the room were awful. They just didn't have any strength.

 

To Acme - Captain Bernard Warner was at the helm.

 

To cruiser don - My dad drove us and we got to the pier in about 15 minutes. No wait anywhere.

[BrooklynChick]

One more thing - bring your own hairdryer. The hairdryer in the room had no power.

 

To Acme - Captain Bernard Warner is at the helm.

 

To Cruiser Don - It took 15 minutes to get to the pier from Kensington, Brooklyn.

[tartegnin]

How hard was it to get salon appointments on formal nights? Did you do it in advance? I would think that it's kind of difficult generally ...

 

PS: happy anniversary!

[Bramcruiser]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the crossing on the QM2. A newbie here too who will be on the ship later this year and always happy to hear positive notes from a first-timer.

 

Sounds like you had similar accomodations to those I am in. We're in 5054. Sounds like we'll be okay. HAL has the best beds that I've been in :D but I am definitely looking forward to my days and nights on Cunard.

 

Thanks.

[travel-to-go]

Sounds like you had similar accomodations to those I am in. We're in 5054. Sounds like we'll be okay. HAL has the best beds that I've been in :D but I am definitely looking forward to my days and nights on Cunard.

 

I was on the first ship to get the new bedding treatment in HAL - I forget what they call it (and you can actually buy the beds, duvets, everything, on line now!)

 

Then sailed QM2 in January. I would be hard pressed to say which was better. Guess I'd have to hop back and forth! We were in a B6 cabin on QM2. Nothing special. I mean, not a Grill cabin or anything! And the beds were marvelous!

 

Karie,

Who wouldn't kick MYSELF out of THOSE beds for eating crackers! (But I might have the steward change the sheets!)

 

P.S. Bram, can we get descriptions of those nights, later? A review, perhaps? <VEG>

[LunchCompanion]

sounds like you got a great deal and are having a great time

[alfiemom]

The HAL ship was Ryndam and we've sailed her twice throught the canal.

 

We, too, we on the same crossing as Booklyngirl. Also had a wonderful time. Don't go to the beauty salon, but did hit the spa several times. Really great. Nothing like Steiner. No product push...just service.

 

We LOVED the musical shows. It's hard getting my husband to see one after the first night, but he was hooked. Jonathan Kane was wonderful. Really thought we were seeing Elton.

 

I'm ready to go back, but will have to complete the Nov TA on Mille (that's why we took the QM2. We were able to by a RT Heathrow to Chicago for well over 1/2 the cost of the one-way Chicago-Barcelona we'll need for Novemember. Cruise paid for itself in savings.)

[BrooklynChick]

Tartegnin - I booked it on the second day out. I ended up booking around 3 PM and we had the 6 PM seating, so it wasn't too bad.

[tartegnin]

Thanks! It sounds quite good. I love having my hair done - just need to stay out of the wind after!

[garycarla]

I had thought about doing a mini review as well and will just add it to this post for future cruisers.

 

Boarding was a breeze. Quick and easy. They pointed us towards our room vs. taking us there, which is just fine with us. We were on deck 6 - in hull balcony. Gifts from family were there awaiting us. Plenty of room for storage and for clothing. We slightly overpacked and did fine. Bath is tight, but functional. TV system on ship is very modern. Small fridge in room with some water and sodas available to purchase. We stored them next to tv and put our own wine in fridge. Never were bothered. Bed was very comfortable as was small couch in room.

 

Though we were a few minutes late for dinner, we wanted to stay topside until we sailed under the bridge leaving NY. Had table for 6 for first seating and met two other nice couples. Made sure we let each other know if we were not going to be at dinner each night and would eat elsewhere. Food was very good at each meal. Surf and turf was GREAT.

 

Shows were good, but a bit heavy on singing and dancing. Got a bit old after awhile. Jonathan Cane as Elton John look alike was very good. We did not go to all the shows as they all seemed the same. Not bad, just seemed to drag a bit. Everyone did seem to stay seated for entire show though. Plenty of seats, but do arrive before start time because you can not see the empty seats once the show starts. Arrive 10-15 minutes ahead for better seats. There are some dead spots, especially on upper level. The Cruise Director was good, but just loved to talk and always make sure he recognized everyone, over and over and lets give so and so another round of applause. No big deal, but personally started to chuckle everytime he came on stage.

 

Make sure you get to the Queens Ballroom even if you do not do the formal dancing. Nice place. Casino kept busy. Nice staff. Pub had karaoke a few nights and kept going strong late into evening. Did the luch there one day. Good but we were expecting more.

 

Did Todd English for lunch one day. Was really nice. Opted not to do dinner there, mainly because the food in main dining room was really good. Though we spent lots of $$$ on wine, it seems to run up quick at Todd English, especially since you feel you should also tip a bit there. Worth doing for one meal.

 

Did the Italian in Kings Court one night. Was really nice. Wish we had done it or Lotus (oriental) another night but the cruise was coming to and end. Did Kings Court a few other times and always found some "upscale cafeteria" food.

 

House wine was fine. They had three levels plus a moderate wine list. Prices were not bad. You could get bottle of wine in the $30 range. By the glass at 4.50-7.50. We often headed to dinner with a glass in hand for our own "cocktail hour".

 

Did room service first morning and opted not to bother again. Was not so great and he came at 7:45 for our 8:00-8:15 breakfast. We were sound asleep and alarm of course went off as I was trying to get dressed, answer door, open eyes, etc. Sort of funny looking back. Did Kings Court buffet other days, if we got up early enough, which was not often since we stayed up late reading books. Did not use room service other times though it was available exept to order coffee late one night. Came in 15 minutes.

 

Library on this ship is awesome. Make sure you visit there. Daily papers are printed onboard and available as well to read in the library. Read a shortened version of USA Today most days. Checked out two books for reading.

 

Computer service worked fine. Brought laptop (which fit in room safe). You have to go to computer room the first time with room card to sign up for service. Then used wireless in many of public areas to check email, etc. Had trouble sending POP3 email. Received fine. Had to go to one of my webbased emails to send email. Yahoo Instant Messenger worked great. They also have computers in computer room and in library you can just walk up to, with room card and use at $.50 per minute. Packages can drop price a little.

 

Make sure you make the visit to the viewing room just behind the bridge. Was cool. Laundry facilities were good. Free washer, dryer, detergent and irons available. Planatarium was worth the visit as well. The pictures they take are available at $30 a piece. Foolish price.

 

This is a big ship. There are diagrams available at all staircases - there of 4 of them. Use them to get your bearings.

 

Getting off was easy. We opted to do our own self disembark. We wheeled our bags right off them ship basically anytime you want, after clearance. You will have some inclines and escalators, but not steps. At least in Red Hook and in Southampton. We used a credit card and checked our account on the TV every day or two and it was accurate...darn!

 

Think twice about using Cunard transfers, with maybe exception of bus between Red Hook and Manhattan or airport. Check the Britain boards here at CruiseCritic for ideas on transfers in Southampton.

 

Overall, after being on a number of other ships, the QM2 is in a class by itself. Staff, service, ship layout and style is above all that we have cruised so far. Was a great time.

 

Enjoy yourself. This was a 30th Anniver for my wife and I and we really enjoyed our trip.

[alfiemom]

Gary:

 

We were fellow passengers and your help, pre-cruise, proved wonderful. Thanks.

 

You summed it up quite well. We didn't care for Todd English and wouldn't do it again. Dining room was great! All the food you care to eat. First night, I asked our waiter what they had each night that wasn't on the menu. They also have a shrimp cocktail, steak and chicken. Of course, there is a baked potato always available. So a couple of nights when I didn't see great appetizers, I had the shrimp cocktail. The lobsters were really wonderful. He brought us each 2 (mine were huge) and then my husband had a third.

 

I guess one of the things I really liked is that the sweets weren't terribly sweet. I don't like to eat something and feel the sugar in my teeth. All the desserts were easy on my teeth. Too bad....I really don't need them at all.

 

We, too, were on deck 6, but the inside, inside. There's a middle aisle with 6 or 7 rooms down the middle of the ship. Real quiet. Really nice. Very little movement, if any, on deck 6.

 

We found the ship to be very "Cunard", at least pre-Carnival times. She's elegant and not glitsy. Loved the width of the hallways.

 

Casino was very nice. Even won some money. I was afraid that the smoke would be a problem, but it wasn't. Don't know if that the HVAC system or not as many smokers.

 

We ate in the pub (thanks to CC threads) and enjoyed the fish and chips with our ale. Amazing how large the pub is and the size of the bar. Hard to believe that we were on ship, slicing through water.

 

We loved the entertainment. With each cruise, I seem to get more participation from my DH. He never used to go to shows with me. HAL shows were so-so. Celebrity's were much better and he started coming. This time, he was the one who said we're going. (I think it actually was Carmen, the dark haired singer with the beautiful voice.)

 

Our cabin must have been a little smaller than yours since we only had a chair - no loveseat. But, for the 6 days, it was just fine. No problem with storage. I only wish I would remember to bring a nightlight for the bathroom. I hate it when my DH turns opens the door and the light is on.

(Celebrity has drapes at the end of the bedroom by the closets that you can close to block light from the bathroom.)

 

I read Paul's day-by-day of the back to back's. Sounds like that's what I'd like to do next time.

[travel-to-go]

Okay, now that's twice that someone mentioned thirty dollar pictures. They were $27.50 in January. Are folks rounding or did they really go up?

Karie,

who has been meaning to write Cunard about a few suggestions- including $30 pictures!

[lansonlady]

Okay, now that's twice that someone mentioned thirty dollar pictures. They were $27.50 in January. Are folks rounding or did they really go up?

Karie,

who has been meaning to write Cunard about a few suggestions- including $30 pictures!

 

Hi Karie,

 

The pictures were $27.50 when we were there earlier this month. We were quite disappointed about the photograhs - well, my Husband was very disappointed!

 

We seemed to have an album of photographs taken over the 12 days. We had some on our own, our teenagres had some taken with us, some with their friends and some with their 'special' friends - if you know what I mean!

 

People kept telling us top go and look at the photos as there were some really good ones of our family. When I visited the viewing room I couldn't decide which ones to buy as they were all very good. So I sent my Husband to have a look. He loved them all too and explained that he didn't want any his familys pictures ending up in a dustbin! He asked what price they would charge for him to take the lot ( I guess about 15, may be more). $27.50 each was the reply...

 

Pretty short sighted I thought! -

[alfiemom]

Thanks to this board, we avoided the formal shots, the dinner shots and all the others. I think that $15.00 per pix is a lot of money, so wouldn't even consider the $27.50. That's totally ridiculous since they take digitals and it's very cheap to print. Tell you what.....I'll print them, cut them, and put them in a folder for $15.50 a shot. And still make money.

 

Sorry to hear about your "problem" getting to LGA. Sadly, we had the same one getting to the ship from there on 4/15. I guess I don't understand how Cunard could hire a bus company to take passengers to airports and into the city without assurances that the drivers have actually been to these places.

 

In our case, the little blue signs saying "To Brooklyn Cruise Terminal" were a great help to us directing passengers. The driver never saw them.

[Marie213]

Alfiemom,

Thanks for your great report on your crossing! I have a few questions about your room. Was your inside, inside room where you felt little movement closer to the front or the back of the ship? Also, could you hear the TV from the rooms in back of you? Thanks!

[ladymacwilly]

As far as the comment of photos my recommendation is to pose for the photographers all you want!!!

Unlike most professional photography, you pay absolutely nothing for the session and only pay for any print you choose to buy. We bought one print at $16.50 and two at $27.50. The photos are professionally lit with nice backdrops and my thought was a commerative 8x10 of a very special evening was worth at least the same as a bottle of wine. We ended up buying 1 5x7 and two 8x10s for less than $75.00 which I thought rounded out our own photography quite nicely. Again, what you're really paying for is the posing, setting and professional lighting. (And you know what they say in photography; "Lighting is Everything!")

 

*Tip for the ladies, you may want to brush on just a tad of translucent powder before shots as many women were concerned with shine*

[garycarla]

Yes, I did round the $27.50 to $30... lazy I guess. Either way, as said before, at even $15 each it is crazy. Unless you are looking for a certain photo like the ones they do in formals, it seems crazy.

 

If you might buy some pics, then let them take all they want. Personally I do not like the idea of wasting their time, the develpment cost, use of chemicals and paper just to be thrown away so we usually said no thank you when they came by.

 

It is a bit sickening to see the number of pictures that are discarded each day.

[alfiemom]

Marie213:

 

Our cabin was 6230. We heard NOTHING from anywhere. No sounds from the cabins on either side of us, nor from any behind. In fact, since the concept of inside, inside is so unusual, I, frankly, thought that we were just on an inside cabin, while we were in the cabin. We were mid-ships. No movement. We did fell some movement up on deck 9 during the days we went there to read (when the art auction took over the Winter Garden). But nothing in our cabin. My DH said that we will do that again on another crossing.

 

Don't get me wrong....I love my balconies. But the North Atlantic in April is not a pretty site (when you can even see it). Since I wasn't planning on having a glass of wine or cup of tea as I sat and looked at the stars, the inside cabin was just fine. Slept wonderfully....at least my DH did. The linens were great to sleep on, soft, silky. The beds seems to be just fine, until the last night. I guess I'm very sensitive to different beds and I woke up with a heck of a lower back ache. I did read somewhere on CC that I could have asked our stewardess for another mattress pad that would have made the joined beds seem less like 2 put together, but never got around to it. Next time.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Bobbie

[travel-to-go]

Thanks to this board, we avoided the formal shots, the dinner shots and all the others. I think that $15.00 per pix is a lot of money, so wouldn't even consider the $27.50. That's totally ridiculous since they take digitals and it's very cheap to print. Tell you what.....I'll print them, cut them, and put them in a folder for $15.50 a shot. And still make money.

 

Marc and I have joked about setting up our own service. They do use high quality inks and papers, which are NOT cheap, although I am sure cheaper in bulk and at professional discount. But they do throw a lot away. Either that or sell them to some third world country who can't afford their own photographs. Kinda like surplus <G>

 

For Christmas Marc bought me a digital photo printer. If you aren't overloaded on luggage, (and we also don't go anywhere without our laptops.) we made a lot of friends with our "instant photos" Well, we made the friends first, and the photos later. but we even made a few prints for the Commodore and his wife, Kim. They said no one ever gives them pictures!

 

We've also been known to take pictures of people and email them to their personal email addresses right from the ship!

 

Karie,

who is back from Maine, very tired, and they took my Dad back to the hospital this afternoon. I'm a bit stressed right now. So I thought I would come here to see my friends. (Thanks, y'all!)

[ladymacwilly]

Dear Karie,

 

I'm so very sad to hear about your dad. I hope things are OK.

 

You know how much all of us love to hear from you.

 

You are always such a bright light on the horizon.

 

Thank you so much for your kind words and I wish the best to you and your family.

 

My sincerest wishes,

 

Ladymacwilly

 

PS; Hang in there...for all it's worth...

 

Most sincerely,

 

Ladymacwilly

[ladymacwilly]

BTW, I think "sickening" is such a rather, strong, negative word for someone's personal choice ragearding any element.

 

I could find "sickening" in someone ordering more entree's or desserts that they could possibly eat that are thrown away for waste, (which I'm sure happens more than with any photography). Even worse...they actually EAT all they excessively order! "Sickening" is a stereotype that I am sure may be used in many instances...but photography? :confused:

 

You are speaking to a person who has worked with, or for photographers all of her life. I know my father from the age of 18 months from photography. I relish the photographs of my mother from the tender age of 46 when she died. $27.50??? (I'm sorry, I know I'm getting off track)

 

But "sickening"??? You, yourself, even mentioned, "It's only digital"

 

Yeah, if they were smart they would do only proofs. But imagine the "whiners" who can't really see the images in only "proof form". Been there!

 

Take all the photos you can. Relish those that you cherish! Some people are obviously afraid of their own own image. I don't mean to be be mean spirited here, but the word "sickening" really, quite obviously, bothers me somewhat.:mad:

 

Let's leave it all to individual choice, shall we?