QM2 Eastbound crossing questions

[N.Y.Cruiser]

Hello everyone

I am about to book our first ever crossing on the QM2, I'm thinking the October 24th or November 5th crossing back to England. We are Brits returning to the UK after six wonderful years in New York and this seems like the only way to go! Having cruised only twice before, both times with NCL, I do have a few questions that I hope somebody can help me with.

Formal nights - anybody know how many there will be on this Eastbound crossing?

Also on the formal nights, is the entire ship formal, or if we decide to have a casual night, say at the English pub or the buffet, would we still need to dress up for that or do people tend to just dress up for the main restaurants? What about Todd English restaurant too (I definitely want to eat there)?

For drinks in the bars after dinner, or playing in the casino - do people remain dressed up for that or can we expect to change after dinner into something less formal?

What do people wear during the day for general wandering and exploring the ship? Are shorts OK or do people dress up more?

Apologies for all the dress-code related questions; NCL is obviously very casual so we really don't know what to expect with the QM2. We are both very casual dressers generally speaking but are more than happy to dress up for this, but I am struggling thinking what I will pack.

How easy is it to get a table for two in the Britannia restaurant?

How is the Kings Court at night; I see it becomes three different restaurants for dinner - how are they? I want to try every single restaurant.

Will I need a coat? Silly question maybe but I'm wondering how warm it will be and whether we will be able to sit outside (end October) or whether we'll need a coat to explore the outside decks.

On a similar note is it worth paying more money for a balcony on a crossing or will it be too cold to really take advantage of it?

How many hot-tubs are there and where are they (probably my favourite thing to do!)

Can you drink the tap water on board?

Do people tend to tip extra at the end of the cruise even though the $15 per day is added to the bill?

Finally, once in Southampton, how long does it take to disembark - I need to book a flight from Southampton to Manchester and am unsure what time to book the flight for.

Sorry for all the questions - any advice would be greatly appreciated!:)

Thanks in advance.

Nicola

[supered]

Hi Nicola,

 

My wife and I took our first Transatlantic Crossing in May this year. It was the first time we'd even been on a passenger ship like that and it was great. You'll have a ball. I'll attempt to answer you questions as much as possible.

 

There are 3 formal nights. The first one is the first full day at sea. It's a Blank and White Ball but we couldn't get near the Ballroom as it was packed with everyone showing off their finery! We were on a late sitting for dinner so it was after 10 pm when we got there and the Ball starts at 9.45pm. We went to the Chart Room for drinks and Jazz instead. The second formal night is the night of the Captains' Champagne Reception and the third is the Ascot Ball on the last full day at sea. The other night is Informal, meaning suit shirt and tie for the guys and dress for the girls. The first and last nights aboard are Smart Casual.

 

Most people dress up formally on the Formal nights and to me it is part of the fun of doing the Crossing. This was especially true of the first and last Formal nights. Those that weren't dressed formally dressed in Suits etc. The dress codes are supposed to be enforced heavily in the main restaurants but I saw no evidence of people not being let in if they weren't dressed in Tux or ball gown! On the "in-between" Formal night some people did dress down a bit but I think they were mainly in the Golden Lion Pub and wore suits. A couple of people were very casual but they were very much in the minority. I think they must have dined in the King's Court Buffet, as those in the Britannia Restaurant were dressed up to a certain extent. Tood English is very smart place so would recommend dressing up a bit for that (book a table before you board in the Cruise Terminal Lounge or as soon as you board as it's very popular).

 

Basically if you want to opt out, then I would recommend the Kings Court.

 

If people are dressed up they tend to stay that way for the evening fro after dinner drinks etc.

 

During the day you can wear Jeans (but some disagree). I wore them and so did a lot of people. Shorts can be worn but weren't much in evidence. They can also be worn in the Kings Court but in the Restaurants.

 

We requested a table for two in the Britannia Restaurant and got it! There were quite a few were we sat in the Upper Deck. I think Cunard try to accomodate your request as much as possible.

 

I didn't try the Kings Court for Dinner but the Breakfast and Lunch was very good.

 

It is likely you will need a coat; we did in May. The weather can very windy and it was raining and foggy for two days when we sailed. It is very unpredictable in the Atlantic. I would say that in October/November you'd get at least some bad weather. But as Bill Connolly once said there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!

 

On balance you may not get the use of a full balcony on the crossing. We had one on the Starboard side, so it was perfect for viewing Manhattan on departure from Brooklyn but we couldn't really sit out after the second day. You may be better off with an 'in hull' (sheltered) balcony as you are not quite as exposed to the weather. That seems to be consensus here.

 

There are about 3 sets of hot tubs on the ship. One is on the Pavilion Pool on Deck 12. This is covered during bad weather. The others are on Deck 13(not used on our trip) and on Deck 8 aft. The ones of Deck 8 were used by some hardy people who braved the wind and ran with woolly jumpers on and then jumped in!

 

The tap Water is of a very high standard and perfectly drinkable. Cunard say it is better than drinking standard. They even say the waste water is treated to drinking water quality but they don't make you drink it! It's used for cleaning instead.

 

We thought the daily tip charge was adequate when you also pat 15% on top of all your drinks. Most people don't tip extra but Cunard live in hope as they leave a line for Gratuity at the bottom of you bar bill below the Gratuity they have already added.

 

 

In Southampton is can take about 3 hours to fully disembark everyone. The Ship arrived at 8.15am and was disembarked at 10.30am. We were on Deck 12. You can opt for 'Self Help' Disembarkation but you have to carry all your own luggage. No porters are available. You'll be off first about 8.45am if that suits. Most people didn't opt for this however.

 

I hope all this helps you. Have a great trip and if you have any more questions I'd be glad to answer them (as would all the other members!)

 

Eddie

[pepperrn]

Hi Nicola

 

Hello everyone

 

I am about to book our first ever crossing on the QM2, I'm thinking the October 24th or November 5th crossing back to England. We are Brits returning to the UK after six wonderful years in New York and this seems like the only way to go! Having cruised only twice before, both times with NCL, I do have a few questions that I hope somebody can help me with.

 

Formal nights - anybody know how many there will be on this Eastbound crossing?

 

3 formal 1 informal 2 casual

Also on the formal nights, is the entire ship formal, or if we decide to have a casual night, say at the English pub or the buffet, would we still need to dress up for that or do people tend to just dress up for the main restaurants? What about Todd English restaurant too (I definitely want to eat there)?

Dress codes are only enforced in Britannia and the Grill resturants. People tend to dress for dinner in Todd English on the Formal nights, don't think it's enforced, but someone may know for sure.

 

For drinks in the bars after dinner, or playing in the casino - do people remain dressed up for that or can we expect to change after dinner into something less formal?

 

Yes, most stay dressed up all evening on formal nights.

What do people wear during the day for general wandering and exploring the ship? Are shorts OK or do people dress up more?

Smart but casual, Ladies in long shorts, not men. Remember the time of year of your crossing (it's not a cruise!) should you venture out on deck, it could/will be cold and very windy due to the speed of the ship.

 

Apologies for all the dress-code related questions; NCL is obviously very casual so we really don't know what to expect with the QM2. We are both very casual dressers generally speaking but are more than happy to dress up for this, but I am struggling thinking what I will pack.

 

How easy is it to get a table for two in the Britannia restaurant?

 

Request one on booking and when you get to your cabin your table location etc information will noted down. If you want to change, go straight to the resturant and ask, you could be lucky, if not, go with the flow!

How is the Kings Court at night; I see it becomes three different restaurants for dinner - how are they? I want to try every single restaurant.

 

Mixed reviews here, I would try any that appeal and judge for yourself.

Will I need a coat? Silly question maybe but I'm wondering how warm it will be and whether we will be able to sit outside (end October) or whether we'll need a coat to explore the outside decks.

 

You will want a coat.

On a similar note is it worth paying more money for a balcony on a crossing or will it be too cold to really take advantage of it?

 

Balconies on decks 4 5 6 are more sheltered than others, the question I would ask is how long will you spend in your cabin? If you'll be out exploring each day, save money, go for a ocean view or an inside (they are smaller however, esp the inside ones).

How many hot-tubs are there and where are they (probably my favourite thing to do!)

 

Decks 13 (2), 12 (2)(indoors/outdoors), 11 (1)(Queens Grill passengers only), 8 (2), 7 (1)(indoors, part of the spa complex),

Can you drink the tap water on board?

 

I've never tried to but I understand it's very, very good quality.

Do people tend to tip extra at the end of the cruise even though the $15 per day is added to the bill?

Many do, esp if service has been above and beyond.

 

Finally, once in Southampton, how long does it take to disembark - I need to book a flight from Southampton to Manchester and am unsure what time to book the flight for.

 

Allow much longer than you think, better to hang around and have lunch than miss the 'plane.

Sorry for all the questions - any advice would be greatly appreciated!:)

 

Hope this helps

Enjoy your crossing

Very best wishes

 

Thanks in advance.

Nicola

[N.Y.Cruiser]

Thank you so much Eddie and Pepper for your advice; it helped a lot! I am almost ready to book the October 24th Crossing once I have compared Cunard's prices to a couple of on-line agencies although I was pleasantly surprised by Cunard's pricing which was lower than they show on their website.

 

Seems like it will definitely be worth splashing out for the tux for my hubbie with three formal nights and a couple of new dresses for me; don't want to let the side down;) .

 

Also seems like the hull balconies are only about $100 more pp than the cheapest porthole cabins so that's probably what we'll do.

 

Thanks again - I'm very excited now. I'll be back if I think of any more questions and will of course be back after the crossing with a review.

 

Nicola

[pepperrn]

 

Thanks again - I'm very excited now. I'll be back if I think of any more questions and will of course be back after the crossing with a review.

 

Nicola

 

Nicola

 

My pleasure, and if I can be of any help, in even a small way, don't hesitate to ask. However, there are many here who know much more than me, but I will try my best. My next crossing is only 44 days away. WooHoo!

 

Very best wishes

[pb82]

Formal nights - anybody know how many there will be on this Eastbound crossing?

Three. In May this year is was Casual, Formal, Formal, Informal, Formal, Casual.

 

Also on the formal nights, is the entire ship formal, or if we decide to have a casual night, say at the English pub or the buffet, would we still need to dress up for that or do people tend to just dress up for the main restaurants? What about Todd English restaurant too (I definitely want to eat there)?

The Daily Programme said: Dress Codes will be enforced in the Britannia and Grill Restaurants.

 

For drinks in the bars after dinner, or playing in the casino - do people remain dressed up for that or can we expect to change after dinner into something less formal?

Yes, they do.

 

What do people wear during the day for general wandering and exploring the ship? Are shorts OK or do people dress up more?

Do you really want to wear shorts on the North Atlantic in October or November?

 

Will I need a coat? Silly question maybe but I'm wondering how warm it will be and whether we will be able to sit outside (end October) or whether we'll need a coat to explore the outside decks.

See above.

 

On a similar note is it worth paying more money for a balcony on a crossing or will it be too cold to really take advantage of it?

In May/June is was often too rainy to use the balcony, but we liked having it.

 

Can you drink the tap water on board?

Yes.

 

Do people tend to tip extra at the end of the cruise even though the $15 per day is added to the bill?

We did, but I know others who didn't.

 

Finally, once in Southampton, how long does it take to disembark - I need to book a flight from Southampton to Manchester and am unsure what time to book the flight for.

Don't know. We loved the QM2 enough to come right back on her.