Calling expert 'Transatlanticites': please advise!

[Spike_Spiegel]

Hello, all!

 

In November, my wife and I will be taking the westbound crossing on the QM2 down to Ft. Lauderdale (leaves Southampton on November 18).

 

I am having a bit of trouble deciding how to book this journey. (Already have a booking, but wonder about making changes!)

 

This trip will be to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary, and I intend for it to be very special. It would be wonderful if we had the budget for Grill accommodations, but that is a bit too astronomical. Below that, I am sort of at a loss ...

 

- this will be our first ever cruise ... we are experienced travelers, and have taken the occasional overnight ship across the Med, but never a bona fide cruise or crossing

 

- we are taking a follow-up Carribbean cruise the week after we dock in Ft. Lauderdale, so I am not looking for a "lazy days in the sun" experience on the QM2 ... we will both be enamored of the experience of an 'ocean liner crossing' ... we love fine dining, and will truly enjoy the sea days (the spa is calling to my wife! LOL)

 

- currently I have us booked in an "A" cabin (with the real balcony) but have heard so much back & forth opining I am not sure whether to stick with that ...

 

- I like the location of the A cabins (close to everything amidships it seems) and the view also seems nice (sure, I know it's all ocean, but I live in Ohio ... the ocean alone is a thrill for us!) :-)

 

- there seems to be some agreement, however, that on the TA trip, especially in mid-November, the wonderful balcony will be of limited (at best) use ...

 

- I'd sleep on a bunk in steerage (if they still had it) but I want this to be special for my wife ... if I could afford the Q suite I wouldn't hesitate a second to book it for her ...

 

- stepping down to the hull balcony means more money for massages in the spa and dining at Todd English ... but since this is a first-time-in-a-lifetime trip, I don't want to regret my choice of accommodations ...

 

HELP! Opinions needed!

 

- Spike

[YankeeClippr]

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Spike

In my opinion, I would spring for the "full balcony" cabin on the Caribbean trip, but not (necessarily) on the TA ... In November on the Atlantic, it's doubtful that you'll want to spent much time "basking in the sun" on the balcony, and any "oceanview" cabin will let you look out at the sea conditions, which is about all you'll see for 5 days. (I do love it, though.) If you want a closer look, you can always go on deck ... and if it's too cold and blustery to go on deck, it certainly will be too cold and blustery to go on the balcony!

 

As you point out, the money you save can probably be better spent on the spa ...

 

In fact, for the TA you might even consider not having the "hull balcony" which doesn't really amount to a whole lot ... just a place to stand and look out at the sea ... which you can do "for free" on deck ...

 

If this is your very first crossing (NOT a cruise ... tee hee), then you'll probably want to "see out" from your cabin -- any oceanview cabin will provide that -- but having crossed the Atlantic some six or seven times, now I am content with the least expensive inside cabin, and commune with the sea on deck.

 

Hope this helps, and Bon Voyage to you both!!!!

[legospice]

Spike,

 

We have a roll call going for this cruise on this forum, it should be near the top of the cunard page. There are not many so far but we are all a good bunch. Maybe get a few more before sailing.

 

Come join us. BTW im in an inside cabin, the cruise itself is special enough and the money is better spent treating yourself in the spa, casino, bars and shops.

 

Donna

[Spike_Spiegel]

Lego -

 

(BTW - which one were you in the group? I recall Posh & Sporty ... but perhaps you were only on the British tours?) ;-)

 

Sounds like good perspective, but I am still on the fence ... I would like to hear from some who regularly have the balcony cabins for a TA ... I mean, obviously *some* people are booking them ...

 

More input, please?

[refman]

book the queens grill accommodations and you`ll never once regret it, not once.

george

[Patch Nelson]

Don't bother downgrading to the 'In Hull' balconies. I'm on the same crossing with you and if I was able to financially then I'd upgrade anyway.

 

If you read the review I did from the crossing my wife and I did for our honeymoon last September you'll see that we were in a Princess Grill room and found the balcony of limited use ... that isn't to say that we regretted having it.

 

On the days when the weather was good, admittedly only two, it was great to be able to sit back on the balcony and relax in the sun ... something that will be deprived to you if you opt for the in hull balcony.

 

Edge your bets and stay with what you've got ... or even upgrade to the Princess or Queens Grill if you can afford it and take the bigger room. If you don't get the opportunity to use the balcony to its fullest, so what? ... At least it's there for you if the opportunity arises.

 

Did you tell Cunard at the time you booked it was for a 20th Wedding Anniversary? I'm quite surprised that they didn't upgrade you if that's the case. As I understand it, subject to availability, if you are sailing within two calendar months of your special occasion you get a one grade upgrade complimentary (you'd probably have to produce your marriage certificate though).

 

Don't worry about the balcony, just enjoy it all!

[Spike_Spiegel]

Patch -

 

THANK YOU for the sage advice!

 

Lovely to hear you will be sailing with us. I do hope we will have the pleasure of meeting you (and I presume your wife?) while on-board.

 

I spoke with my Cunard rep ("Cruise Vacation Planner" I believe they call them), and she was very helpful. I was impressed with the speed in which she responded to my initial inquiry and also by her apparent eagerness to please. (Her name is Dianne, in case anyone else has the pleasure of working with her.)

 

She did not mention anything about an "automatic" upgrade, but she did recommend we stay with our current booking (which is an A "guarantee") since we could possibly get upgraded to Princess Grill. She indicated that many of her clients prefer the glass balconies as well, and recommended we stay with that, unless of course we strictly wanted to save money.

 

If I could afford to go straight to the Grill accommodations I would do it in a heartbeat, but there are too many other costs associated with this anniversary trip for me to do that.

 

BY THE WAY -

 

Would anyone care to weigh-in on the question of getting through customs and out of Heathrow the day of sailing? I want to know what is the "worst case scenario" before I book my flights. We are planning on taking the VSOE transfer out of Victoria Station and there is no way I want to miss that train. (I believe it leaves at 11:00 AM)

 

How late can we arrive at Heathrow that morning and still hope to catch the train at Victoria?

 

Thanks all!

[D2 in Safety Harbor]

Hi Spike.

We just did a crossing and had an in-hull. We found it quite acceptible since the wind and the fog and weather make it rather useless. You will love QM2. We have done three sessions and will be back Dec 23. The Britannia is wonderful. I would disregard the snobs who complain about service and food. They are snobs. The food and service is just fine. We could have opted to go to Todd's but never did, we were quite happy where we were. Feel free to ask away. rusty27371@aol.com

[Patch Nelson]

No problems on the advice ... as far as meeting my wife and I goes you're correct she will be with me ... I asked her for permission to take someone else but she wouldn't let me! - oh well.

 

Not often people describe meeting me as a pleasure though! :)

 

Sounds like you've got lots planned for the whole celebration ... if we do bump into each other then don't embellish too much ... I don't want you giving my wife any idea's.

[Spike_Spiegel]

Patch -

 

I'll try and be discreet. At the risk of boasting, my anniversary plans over the years (of which more than a few have been elaborate) are the sort which strike fear in the hearts of "ordinary husbands" ... LOL!

 

The good news is I give lessons! Perhaps I'll just write a book.

 

Seriously, though, I appreciate the help. Any thoughts on how long it will take a couple of Yanks to clear customs & immigration at Heathrow that morning? (Flight looks to arrive around 07:00 or 07:30 ...)

 

Thanks!

 

- Spike

[Patch Nelson]

Sorry there, sooner not attempt that one ...

 

Whenever we've come through it's taken an hour or so to get bags and so on and unlike the US you'll not be finger printed and photographed as you arrive (as far as I know anyway).

 

We caught the 8:30am train from Surrey to Southampton last time and were there with plenty of time to spare.

 

To be completely honest then in your shoes I'd try and arrive the day before to be on the safe side. One long delay on the flight could cause you real problems. Having said that we boarded at Midday but didn't 'set sail' so to speak until 6pm so any delays ought not to be too big a problem. As someone who is naturally cautious though I'd give serious thought to arriving the previous day and just staying in Southampton for the night.

[Kindlychap]

Whenever we've come through it's taken an hour or so to get bags and so on and unlike the US you'll not be finger printed and photographed as you arrive (as far as I know anyway).

 

You are quite right. Britain hasn't (yet) reached that level of paranoia!

[chaprk]

First, I agree with the others that you should stick with your A category. Let me just add that you might get some additional warm weather since you are crossing to Lauderdale instead of New York. The more southernly route can be much more temperate.

 

Second, I would strongly advise that you to fly into London the day before. Not only would you not want to miss the VSOE BUT you don't want to miss the boat or have your luggage miss the boat! We always arrive the day before a transatlantic.

[pnhmrk]

If you are sailing within two calendar months of your special occasion you get a one grade upgrade complimentary (you'd probably have to produce your marriage certificate though).

 

You did, unfortunately the upgrade has gone from the latest brochure - I've spoken to Cunard in the UK and they tell me that they'll be honouring anyone who'd already booked (there'd be trouble if they didn't) but that no new bookings will get an upgrade. (And they say you have to produce your wedding certificate for the remnants of the package - although they didn't ask to see my parents when we were on at their anniversary).

[Spike_Spiegel]

Thanks all for the advice!

 

Here (and on another post) the consensus seems to be that if at all possible I should come in the night before ... so that is what I am going to work on arranging.

 

Anyone familiar with the "Hesperia" Hotel, right near Victoria Station?

 

Travel sites & reviews seem to rate it well and it appears decent enough (we are there barely a night so I don't plan on the Ritz!) ... but a few have said that not all of the hotels in that area are the greatest.

 

Thanks again for all of your help!

 

- Spike

[pnhmrk]

Anyone familiar with the "Hesperia" Hotel, right near Victoria Station?

 

I'd never heard it called Hesperia. From their website it looks OK though.

[tartegnin]

If it's the same company/quality as the Hesperia in Madrid, then good choice.