QE2: First Time, Single??

[mike14c]

Hi:

 

All you QE2 enthusiasts out there, would love your thoughts.

 

I've been on QM2 a couple of times, and love it, and love the "linerliness" of it. Never having been on QE2, I'd very much like to experience the ship before she is lost to us.

 

The one voyage that works for me this year is a five day trip in August going to Spain and France out of Southampton. For complicated reasons, I'd have to go alone. I don't usualy travel alone, so am wondering a couple of things:

 

1. What are cabins in the QG category like?

2. On a short crusie out of Southampton like that, what are fellow passangers typically like (I'm a 40 year old male, with resonably good social skills!)

3. Are there tables for one in the Queen's Grill?

 

Is all alone on a short crusie a good way to experience QE2?

 

Any thoughts are most welcome.

 

Thanks!

 

Mike

[Anteeta]

Hi:

 

All you QE2 enthusiasts out there, would love your thoughts.

 

I've been on QM2 a couple of times, and love it, and love the "linerliness" of it. Never having been on QE2, I'd very much like to experience the ship before she is lost to us.

 

The one voyage that works for me this year is a five day trip in August going to Spain and France out of Southampton. For complicated reasons, I'd have to go alone. I don't usualy travel alone, so am wondering a couple of things:

 

1. What are cabins in the QG category like?

2. On a short crusie out of Southampton like that, what are fellow passangers typically like (I'm a 40 year old male, with resonably good social skills!)

3. Are there tables for one in the Queen's Grill?

 

Is all alone on a short crusie a good way to experience QE2?

 

Any thoughts are most welcome.

 

Thanks!

 

Mike

 

Mike,

 

I'm probably not best placed to answer your specific questions. I've travelled QE2 once on a 31 day Sothampton to Southampton trip, with my partner in Mauretania category. We've just booked 28 days Caronia category in November and can't wait.

 

What I can say is that I enjoyed every minute on board. I spent some time 'alone' when my partner was resting for health reasons. I would sit and read or go on deck and take the sun or the views. But almost without exception, I'd end up chatting with someone and met so many interesting people, from all categories of cabin.

 

There is a lot to see on board and many opportunities to make the trip whatever you want it to be. If you seek peace and quiet, there will always be a corner somewhere. If you want to meet folk and socialise, there are loads of things to do. The QE2 experience, I feel sure, will be incomparable to anything else, so my advice would be to go for it.

 

I hope you go and enjoy the trip.

[whylion]

We've gone on two cruises and a transatlantic trip on QE2. We've never seen anyone at a table for one in the Queen's grill. You should ask to be put at a big table and get to know some people.

[pnhmrk]

We've gone on two cruises and a transatlantic trip on QE2. We've never seen anyone at a table for one in the Queen's grill. You should ask to be put at a big table and get to know some people.

 

I've seen a table for one in both the Princess and Queens - I do wonder if you really want a single table in Queens Grill though - I suspect that it could end up being very quiet (Mind, if that's what you want).

[carlmm]

The first time I sailed on the QE2 I was single and found it to be the perfect place, meeting many people from varied ways of lifes and all very sociable.

Yet this was a crossing versus your short cruise thus I do not know how the demographics differ. In general the QE2 is known for a somewhat older clintel yet having a fair number of passenger of all age groups. Most important, many guests tend to be sophisticated, well-travelled and interesting people.

 

As said by whylion there are many tables for two in the Grills which can be used by you alone if you want, yet normally Cunard is quite good in grouping people on larger tables. Use you mentioned social skills :-).

[Kindlychap]

Hi:

 

All you QE2 enthusiasts out there, would love your thoughts.

 

I've been on QM2 a couple of times, and love it, and love the "linerliness" of it. Never having been on QE2, I'd very much like to experience the ship before she is lost to us.

 

The one voyage that works for me this year is a five day trip in August going to Spain and France out of Southampton. For complicated reasons, I'd have to go alone. I don't usualy travel alone, so am wondering a couple of things:

 

1. What are cabins in the QG category like?

2. On a short crusie out of Southampton like that, what are fellow passangers typically like (I'm a 40 year old male, with resonably good social skills!)

3. Are there tables for one in the Queen's Grill?

 

Is all alone on a short crusie a good way to experience QE2?

 

Any thoughts are most welcome.

 

Thanks!

 

Mike

 

Well, here goes.

 

I can tell you that 2070 is lovely for a week. I had that very cabin on my first transatlantic, when I was on my own. It was amply large enough, and had everything that I could want. (Well, not everything. I sorted that out for the next trip, when I wasn't alone! ;) )

 

From my experience of two cruises, you tend to get a quieter crowd on a longer cruise. But the difference in the Queens Grill was marginal.

 

There are tables that would suffice for one in the Queens Grill. I sat at a table for seven on the first trip, when I was solo, although ever since I've had (the same) table for two. If for any reason I went alone now, I'd ask to be on a big table. I'm 39 for what it is worth.

 

On my first transatlantic I was on board for one day more, but learned to love the ship in that time. You'll not do as well on a cruise, as you have to keep stopping and getting off!:D

 

Go for it - you won't regret it.

[jbailey]

I'd also recommend as large a table as possible--preferably for 6 or 8. And also ask to be seated with other singles. You may find more singles and larger tables in Caronia than the Grills.

 

All cabins on QE2 are "quirky" because almost none of them are like the others. The ship's hull was built first and the space inside cut up into hallways and cabins, as opposed to the cookie-cutter cabins are more modern ships.

 

I almost always travel single and think the QE2 is the perfect ship on which to do so because she attracts singles due to her many single cabins. Most of the singles are NOT looking for romance, but instead are older, adventurous, and well-traveled.

 

QE2 passengers are also friendly and sharing tables in other parts of the ship for shows and tea is very common. Just ask if you can join someone and you may meet some very interesting people. Don't bother bringing any books since the library is so large and well-stocked.

[bobby1119]

Mike,

 

I traveled solo on 2 of my many QE2 cruises/crossings. The first time I had cabin 2087 which was spacious but dark in terms of natural light. I dined with friends in the Queen's Grill who were traveling together. The second time I sailed solo in a Caronia single on a westbound transatlantic and opted to sit alone at a table for 2. I loved it because I answered only to myself and had the ship to myself, so to speak. I chatted with the other tables for 2 nearby and truly loved it. I am now booked solo on the full 2007 QE2 world cruise, but I have opted to sit at a table for 6. On a shorter cruise or a crossing, I might take the table for 2 and sit solo. On a lengthier cruise, go with the crowd. Good luck and enjoy the ship - she is the best.

[mike14c]

Thank you all for taking time to post these helpful comments. I'm convinced, and will probably go for a large table, too.

 

A little blessed solitude, a little socialization...sounds perfect!

 

Thanks again,

 

Mike

[Rok4u2]

Mike,

 

I have travel in "QG", cabin 1032, it was fine for a single. Do book a LARGE table, and get to know other people. On the 2006 World Cruise I was in 2042, a "P2" cabin, and dined in the Britannia Grill. Also very good. Get to know the other people on the ship. I found a lot of single people gather in the Yacht Club after the evening shows. Great place to meet other people. I always went to the Chart Room for drinks before dinner. The QE2 is a grand old lady and I am sure you will love her, as we all do. I will sail on her again for the Silver Jublee World Cruise in 2007. This time I am booked in a "Caronia" class single cabin.

 

Robert.

[rjms74]

Hi Mike,

 

I agree with all the other posts to date re joining a larger table - it's a much more fun and I usually travel in a single QG cabin when onboard QE2 or if not a PG grade cabin.

 

I always meet some very interesting people, many of whom especially tablemates I still keep in touch with and meet on future QE2 cruises.

 

With regards to the single cabins 2070 is a nice cabin especially as it is midships but my money is on 2063 which is 237 sq feet and is very spacious right next to the former Midships suite with a spacious bathroom and plenty of storage space. I have also on my last QE2 cruise in July 05 had 1086 which whilst only 186 sq feet was very close to the 1 deck pool and Lido and it has a marble bathroom as do most QG cabins or so I am lead to believe and plenty of storage space + 2 portholes. I have plenty of photos of these cabins if you'd like to see any of these I would be pleased to email them to you.

 

Robert - how was QG cabin 1032? From my understanding after the Boat deck 8 no. single cabins this is one of the larger single QG cabins? Does it have a marble bathroom and also plenty of storage space and also a large sitting area and an eliptical shaped porthole as opposed to the ordinary smaller portholes? If you had any photos of this cabin I'd really like to see these.

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

RJMS74

[cunardqueen]

All you QE2 enthusiasts out there, would love your thoughts

 

Mike

Though I cant speak of the QG questions, l can assure you QE2 is ideal if your travelling solo. As a veteran of some 9 QE2 voyages l have always found her to be a super friendly ship both amongst the passengers and crew. You will meet such a diverse range of passengers which is part of the old girls charm. Having always travelled by myself l would never think to go with anybody else now.

I would definately book for a larger table, and you will be glad you did.

Im only 37 and have always had a superb time onboard, and wouldnt dream of going else where.

(If the lady we speak of in hushed tones is also onboard, even better!!)

5 days might not be long enough onboard to do all that you want to do

But either way, l know you will have a great cruise!!

Kind Regards

Myles

cunardqueenATaol.com:rolleyes:

[mike14c]

RJMS74:

 

Thanks for your nice offer to e-mail me photos of the cabins you've stayed in. I'll take you up on it. You can e-mail me at msullivan@devries-pr.com. (Is there a way to e-mail members of this forum easily and directly? If so I missed it!)

 

THANKS!

 

Mike

[NorthernNeighbour]

Regarding the question about e-mailing members, those members who want people to contact them directly by e-mail have to post their e-mail address on their profile.

 

Most members do NOT do this, since one then runs the risk of being flooded not by e-mail by other members but by SPAM.