Westbound Crossing 24th Sept 2006.

[pepperrn]

I apologise from the start for the delay in writing this review of my westbound crossing (departing Sunday 24th September 2006, arriving Saturday 30th) and for my spelling and grammar errors. I will post in several parts. I’m hoping that a first time passenger on the Queen Mary 2 will find a little of what follows of interest. Those who have travelled frequently on her may want to ignore these posts.

 

Part 1.

 

My plans to sail across started while I searched web sites for articles and photographs about the construction of the Queen Mary 2. I devoured any information and facts about her during this period. I studied the (poor) deck plans in Cunard brochures. In her maiden year I was not in a position to book and, having read about problems with some aspects of service on early voyages, I’m glad I was forced to wait. On several days in 2004/5 I went to Southampton and Hythe Pier when she was sailing and took loads of photographs. I read many reviews of these early voyages and these helped me enormously in planning my own trip. Plans were made to cross in the autumn of 2005 with two friends but personal problems intervened and I put the voyage back to the spring of 2006. This delay enabled me to sound out other friends about joining me. Again personal issues arose that forced me to postpone the voyage to the autumn of this year. Early in 2006 a long standing friend expressed an interest in coming with me. However her husband fell seriously ill and she felt that she couldn’t risk booking such a trip if it would mean cancelling at a later date. Two other friends, male and female, suddenly became keen, the plan was for them to book an inside cabin across the passageway from my outside “stateroom”. All three of us would use the small lounge area and balcony in my cabin, they only using their cabin to sleep in. However, they became convinced that the longer they delayed booking, the cheaper the tickets would become. Having had my plans delayed twice and not wishing to miss out again, I went ahead and booked 5032 (with 175% single supplement!). Very early on I had decided on a westbound crossing, 25 hour days and the entry into New York being the deciding factors.

 

 

My reasons for booking this cabin were several. To be on the port side, i.e. the “sunny” side on a westbound crossing. To have cabins above me (so early morning deck cleaners and joggers would not disturb a “lie in”) and cabins beneath me (and therefore a deck away from any late night noise from the public rooms below). I made sure the cabin didn’t have a connecting door, wasn’t near a laundrette, stair tower or lifts (again, all because of potential noise issues). Because of others saying that she was very stable even in heavy seas, I was concerned that, if the crossing was smooth, I wouldn’t be aware I was at sea at all, so by booking a “sheltered” balcony cabin almost as far forward as possible, I should feel any motion going. I know some dread rough seas but I’ve never had problems with seasickness.

 

 

I had booked Cunard transfers and taken advantage of the “Windsor Combination” that gave you 2 nights at the Sheraton New York and Towers Hotel on Seventh Avenue and a British Airways “World Traveller” (economy/coach) flight back to London Heathrow from JFK.

 

 

As I stated, My friend had pulled out becouse of an illness issue. Her ex-husband, (whom I’ve known for almost thirty years) suddenly asked if he could join me and share the cabin. I said “yes” straight away. All was arranged. Then in the summer the couple who were holding out discovered that the ship was full and that they had “missed the boat”. Therefore it would be just the two of us (and 2,600 others!).

 

 

I began “chatting” to CC members on the roll call set up for this voyage, they all seemed very nice but when we met up on board, they really were the greatest people you could wish to meet and travel with. My thanks go to them for helping to make the crossing truly memorable.

 

 

In the summer I discovered (and posted the information on CC first) that we would not be going to Brooklyn (or the west side piers in Manhattan) but to Bayonne, New Jersey. I must say that I was disappointed. Having read so much about the new terminal at Red Hook, to arrive in New Jersey would be less than I was expecting from Cunard and a crossing on the largest liner in the world. I’ve nothing against New Jersey. But it felt that I would be denied the entry into New York that I was looking forward to. Already I had lost the slow progress up the Hudson to the west side piers with the opening of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Now, it seemed, we were to pass under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, turn to port and tie up with Lady Liberty and Manhattan Island miles away. More on this later.

 

 

Six weeks or so before departure I received the tickets etc. in a smart leather wallet. My voyage was really going to happen!

[Haze]

Looking orward to the next part. I admire your ability to do this. I am not good at writing reports of voyages. I put it off too long and just never do it.

[Therapst]

You're doing great, Pepper. We're eagerly waiting for more!

[lannp]

Pepper - I anxiously await the rest of the story. The new terminal at Red Hook is much nicer than the arrangement at Bayonne.Linda

[pepperrn]

Thank you Haze, Randy and Mary, Linda for your encouragement. Haze, I'm not sure I "have the ability to do this", we'll soon see. I'm not a writer (as is very clear). Randy and Mary, thanks for those kind comments. Linda, I've not experienced Red Hook but it would be difficult to imagine an arrangement worse than Bayonne (but I will get to that!).

 

Part 2.

 

I won’t bore you with all the packing details but suffice to say that I took too much, didn’t need half of it! It’s easier for a man, three evenings are formal so all you need is a dinner suit and dress shirts for these nights and some smart casual outfits for other evenings and the days at sea. I knew that the fourth night (in this case the Wednesday) would be an “informal” night (i.e. a jacket and tie for men). This would involve taking a jacket that I wouldn’t wear at any other time whilst on board or in New York. So I decided that this night I would dine in the “Kings Court” (where there is no dress code). I also decided to book a table at the “Todd English” restaurant for the last “formal” evening (Thursday on this trip).

 

 

Not wishing to be travelling to Southampton on the day of sailing (only away from it!) I also tried to book a hotel for the night before. I eventually found a room at Jury’s Hotel at the north end of the town centre (my first two choices were fully booked as this was also the weekend of the Southampton Boat Show, this was despite booking in March!).

 

 

Early Sunday, 24th September, after breakfast, we walked down to the piers at the south end of town, just to check that she had, indeed, arrived that morning. I had planned to try and board around 1pm and then have lunch. The Taxi was booked for 11.30am yet there we were, with four cases, sat in the hotel foyer at 11! The cab turned up ten minutes early and so we found ourselves getting out of the taxi in the departures hall at exactly 11.30. I took the cases over to the conveyor belt and next saw them in the cabin. There was a very short wait for the usual processing of tickets, passports and on board identity cards. After security you enter a waiting area (with small coffee shop) where you are given a boarding card with a number on it. I was prepared for a long wait (as we were so early) but within minutes they were calling our numbers. Passing into a glass walled corridor (alongside the enormous grey bulk of this huge ship) a photograph was taken by the on-board photographers next to a ceremonial “welcome to Queen Mary 2” lifebuoy. Days later we declined to buy this picture as, dressed casually, with overnight/bags over one shoulder, coats in our hands, against a very forgettable background of airport style lounge seating, we looked surprised and uncomfortable. The fact that they charged $27.50 for this very unflattering photograph also helped decide against purchasing it. Remember that we would have needed a copy each. Where they photograph a couple (and therefore you only buy one) I can see that they might be able to justify this very high price, but for friends travelling together? Why not buy one, get the second half price?

 

 

We crossed into the ship and had our passes scanned. It was now 12.15pm, only 45 minutes after arriving at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal. As we were at Southampton we entered at Deck 3 straight into the “Grand Lobby”. Those boarding at Bayonne for the next voyage, entered via one of the four “tender embarkation” areas on deck 1. These rooms, with bare walls and plain carpets, with much clutter in them, would be a very poor entry to this great ship. Thankfully the atrium, sorry, “Grand Lobby” leaves an altogether better first impression. It really is a superb space that works well (originally, no atrium was planned). You can look down into the well with two curved staircases to deck 2 below and up through decks 4, 5 and 6. Originally there was a glass deckhead (ceiling) above you giving glimpses into deck 7. This was removed to give more seating areas in the “Kings Court” on deck 7 (but is still shown “Glass Floor“ in the very latest brochures). There are 2 glass walled “scenic” lifts/elevators in this lobby that go from Deck 2 to this “food court“ above you. These lifts are designed to connect the three decks with the majority of the public rooms on them (Decks 2, 3 and 7) so be aware that they do not stop at decks 4, 5 or 6 (which are cabin decks).

 

 

Whilst there were many staff lined up in the lobby to “meet and greet” you, to say “welcome” and smile, none came forward to take you to your cabin. A crew member did ask me for my cabin number and we were then directed to the correct bank of lifts. Was this a problem? For me, not really. I had done my homework and knew where my cabin was and the quickest way to get there. But I would like to think that, if I looked as if I couldn’t carry my bag far, would find the layout confusing or needed assistance, that someone would be on hand to escort me.

 

 

There was a queue/line at the bank of six lifts that would take us up to deck 5. So, as it is only two decks, we walked up (I would recommend using the stairs whenever possible as it helps work off some calories!).

 

 

Inside the cabin, as promised, was a small plan of the Britannia Restaurant with the location of our reserved table marked on it. I had requested “early” seating at a table for two. My reason for not wanting late dining was because I feel happier dining early, taking in a show, retiring to one of the bars and then going to the night club. If I was cruising with a port to explore during the day (and therefore returning from a shore excursion), it would be better to have more to time to shower and change before dinner. Some like more time to attend to their hair and makeup (I have neither!). I knew before boarding that I was to get the requested time but this was the first chance to see if we were to share a table or get one to ourselves. I was disappointed to see that our allotted table (299) was a table for four alongside a window on the upper level of the Britannia Restaurant. I decided to ask if we could change tables, although it would be difficult on a full ship. I also found a kind invitation to attend the CC “get together” the following day.

 

 

I had asked for the cabin to be laid out as two single beds. It was laid out as a double. Obviously I requested this to be changed and, by time we returned later, it had been (although the correct size bed covers didn’t arrive for another 2 days). On the balcony the previous passengers had left the green cushions on the two resin deck chairs. They were soaking wet. After briefly inspecting the cabin (details later) we set off to explore.

[pepperrn]

It posted twice!

[Norfolk Brit]

Love your writing style; all the detail is fantastic.

Looking forward to a further instalment tomorrow?

 

Thanks, Mary

[Therapst]

Love your writing style; all the detail is fantastic.

Looking forward to a further instalment tomorrow?

 

Thanks, Mary

 

Ditto!

[travel-to-go]

Doing a marvelous job, Pepper. Brings it all back to me as if it were my cruise!

 

Karie,

who wishes she could remember everything and write it all!

[DocM3]

I'm hungry for more - hope I don't have to wait long.

[pepperrn]

Thank you Norfolk Brit, Therapst, Travel-to-go and DocM3 for your comments, I'm very happy that you are enjoying these posts. I will try to keep them interesting.

 

Part 3.

 

 

I took my travelling companion on a guided tour (such a nerd, I’d done FAR too much homework). We went straight to the Todd English Restaurant on Deck 8 aft to make the reservation for Thursday night. Then to the Britannia Restaurant. Entering on Deck 3, I gave my name to a waiter, and asked to see table 299 (the table for four shown on the plan that I mentioned before). Imagine my surprise when we were shown to a table for two (on the port side) that on my plan was marked 276 but had the number 299 on it! It was on the upper level but overlooking the central well down into Deck 2 below. I was very happy with the table and its position. I still can’t explain this mix-up. My reason for wishing to have a table for two was because of a very bad previous experience when sharing a table with the “family from hell” (no, not my own).

 

 

We went into Illuminations (cinema/planetarium/lecture room), Royal Court Theatre and the Queens Room (the huge ballroom), all on Decks 2 or 3. Then we went to the King’s Court (Deck 7) for lunch. From all I had read previous to the voyage I was expecting chaos here. There are three self service (during the daytime) “stations” “The Carvery“, “La Piazza“ and “Lotus” (plus an extra small dinning area (the “Chef’s Galley) that seemed rarely to open during the day). Tales of huge queues and confusing layout. Of being unable to find a table. Of fights (almost) over tables near the windows. I would say that, because of the physical interruptions to this area caused by elevators and stair towers, the aforementioned scenic lifts, kitchens, engine room (funnel) uptakes etc. the layout is, at first, confusing, esp. at night when, without a view of the sea beyond the windows to refer to, some could be unsure which way is forward and which aft. However, if this was one huge room, it really would feel like an industrial cafeteria!

 

 

I had breakfast almost every day in the King’s Court. Lunch on several occasions. Dinner once. I never had any trouble getting a table (and many times, one by a window with a view onto the promenade deck). The layout (after a couple of visits) seemed simple to me. Whilst I am talking about the Kings Court I will mention the food and service here.

 

 

Kings Court food quality was variable. When there I used The Carvery or La Piazza for breakfast or lunch. Therefore I have no experience of Lotus or Chef‘s Galley. I enjoy a cooked breakfast. On some days the sausages (esp. the thin ones) and bacon were poor, with a very odd taste. The bacon was grey in colour once or twice. The mushrooms were also poor. The overall impression was of very low quality ingredients that had been over-cooked (or kept warm for far too long). On other occasions I had something healthy (fruit etc.) for breakfast. This was better, and by the end of the voyage, I had given up on a cooked meal at the start of the day. Lunchtime food showed an improvement over breakfast. No meal really stood out but the overall standard was better. Sweets/puddings and pastries were universally good, Sandwiches excellent. However, frequently, coffee machines were out of order. It would help if the preset amount of coffee that is dispensed by these machines bore some relationship to the size of the cups alongside them. They filled to just over half way. If you take your coffee white, you would still have a quarter empty cup. As I take my coffee black, this meant pressing the button twice and then removing the cup when nearly full leaving the rest of the still flowing coffee to fill up the drip tray. Poor attention to detail. Several times the tongs to help with self selection of food were missing.

 

 

But my worst complaint about the ’Court was the over-attentive staff. No sooner had you put a knife or fork down (sometimes, still with food left to eat) than the plate was whipped from under your nose. Glasses (sometimes a quarter full) as well. You couldn’t go to get another coffee and expect your napkin to still be there when you returned (even if your companion guarded it). Several times I had my table cleaned whilst I sat at it with my drink, finishing the meal. You felt rushed and a bit ”in the way”.

 

 

As I said, I planned to eat in the ’Court one evening. I used the telephone in the cabin the day before to book a table at The Carvery (several people were turned away because they hadn’t got a reservation). At night, most of the ‘Court is converted to waiter service (only one of the four remains as a buffet/self service area). The food was far better, quite good really. The service, however, was just as poor. A waiter introduced himself to people at the next table “I will be your server tonight”. He then disappeared. Another waiter took their order and ours. The first returned and proceeded to give our order to the other couple. They complained. Our food disappeared. A few minutes later our order reappeared and came to us. The other couple (who had ordered first) waited a further 10 minutes before their meal arrived.

 

 

Now you’re asking, why not eat in the Britannia at breakfast and lunch? Well we tried the breakfast in this main restaurant. It was very good, great food, well cooked. However, because you are seated as the waiters decided (not at your usual table) we found ourselves at a table (for 8) in a corner of the lower level. The service was excellent (as always here) but seemed slow for a meal such as breakfast (our perception, not the fault of the staff who were just great). There is so much to do on this ship that, unlike an evening meal, we didn’t wish to spin the breakfast out. Further, had we been sharing a table with the same people each day (as we nearly did for dinner) then you would have had a chance to build a relationship with them. The thought of eating with yet another set of complete strangers at every meal, answering the same questions, making the same small talk, ensured we didn’t go back.

 

 

There is a “pub” on board called the “Golden Lion” (Deck 2). We found ourselves having several lunches there. The room is comfortable (if noisy at night). The menu is limited (3 or 4 choices) but the food is very, very good. Again, I’d read of problems getting a table in this popular bar, but I didn’t have a problem once. The “fish and chips” were outstanding. The food service quick and very efficient. I can see that some might feel that it was a “theme park” view of a typical English pub but, English pubs these days are theme parks. We returned several times during the crossing for lunch and a pint or three (Stella). We stayed away at night however; there were other places we preferred for evening atmosphere.

 

 

Now, re-reading what I’ve written, I seem to be a little negative, finding faults. So now to redress the balance.

 

The Britannia Restaurant is outstanding in all respects. This room has the “WOW” factor. There are two main levels with three smaller tiers on the upper one. This gives most diners a view of the central area where there is an illuminated dome over a well between decks. The height under this dome is almost the equivalent of four decks. There is plenty of space between tables. A quartet plays most evenings. There are tall candles on some tables which add to the ambiance. On the “formal” evenings it has an atmosphere that I’ve never seen or experienced anywhere on land. The food was first rate, both in the choices available and the quality. Each course always arrived fast, hot (where it should be!) and perfectly cooked, prepared and presented, even to the extent of ensuring that the Cunard crests were always facing you at the “top” of the plate. There were always ample amounts without you either wanting more or leaving food on the plate. Our waiters, Viorel and Noel were superb. Helpful, always there when you wanted them, polite, and seemed very disappointed when we failed to appear for two evenings (as outlined previously). Our Sommelier was equally attentive and very informed. Although we finished a bottle of wine the first night, he was more than happy to keep our half empty bottle from the second evening and it was awaiting us on the table the night following. I asked if we could have copies of the menus from our crossing on the last night and within minutes we had them all. Each night the menu changed and every one was a delight with many choices. We were also informed (without asking) that we could order certain items “off menu” if we found nothing to our liking or simply desired steak that night, for example. Viorel and Noel simply couldn’t have been more professional.

[spinnaker]

Really interesting pepperrn - thanks for taking the time and trouble to write these.

 

Looking forward to part 4!

 

Matt

[Freckles67]

Pepper, this is wonderful!!! So much info.... I appreciate all of your hard work. Thank you thank you thank you! More, please!

[Therapst]

Pepper, we can only echo the comments of the other members who are enjoying reading your review of your crossing. Thank you so much for posting it here!

 

:)

[pepperrn]

Well thanks Spinnaker, Freckles67 and Therapst for your great comments, hope you find something of interest in this next bit.

 

Part 4.

 

 

To return to my diary of the voyage. After lunch we returned to unpack. A few notes about the cabin. This was similar to many hotel rooms we’ve all stayed in on land. Maybe slightly smaller but certainly big enough for two adults to share. There is a small ’fridge in the room (part of the desk area) with a few cans of soft drinks inside (you will be charged if you drink them). The safe is in the wardrobe. There are lots of hangers provided on the rails in the wardrobe. A design flaw is that one rail slides forward, right next to the cabin door, into the short passageway into the room proper. This would stop you or your partner opening the cabin door and coming in when it is in the “out” position. Several drawers were available around the cabin. Suitcases (just) fit under the beds. There was no smell of cigarette smoke in the room but there was a large burn hole on one of the bolsters on the bed. There is a hairdryer in the desk. There are magazines of the sort that you find in airline seat backs. Also a book about Cunard (a few years old, my guess is from when QM2 was new). Postcards (showing the QM2 at sea), writing paper and envelopes are provided.

 

 

There are two “English” sockets and two “American” ones. These are, however, placed so low, close to the desk, that the plug on my battery charger (camera) would not fit flush. There is a large heavy folder full of useful information about the ship and its services. We were told by the cabin steward (Olivia) to put the “do not disturb” sign out whenever we were “in“. The TV is a marvellous piece of work, besides acting as a TV with many channels, it also enables you to send/receive e-mails (there is a small fee), order room service (for which there is no extra charge, but I‘d tip the steward in cash), check the balance on your on-board account and much more. A free basic newspaper is delivered each day, ours concentrated on UK news, do American passengers get US news based ones? You can also order copies of your usual newspaper to be delivered, for a fee. There was a time when you were cut off from the world while at sea, not anymore.

 

 

The Shower room (you don’t get a bath at this level of cabin, no great loss) is small but more than adequate. There are “Canyon Ranch” (the on-board spa complex, Deck 7) lotions supplied. Loads of towels and two smart bathrobes with “Cunard” embroidered in gold coloured thread. We never saw the complimentary slippers. There is a small amount of storage in here. However, once the curtain is closed the shower itself is very dark (there is no light in there) and little room to stand back out of the water flow. A fellow passenger said that the shower was, however, bigger than on Princess Ships where you “soaped the walls and spun around”.

 

 

The beds were very comfortable. The first night we were kept awake however because the door to the balcony would not stay closed and “whistled” all night. Only in daylight could we see that it required brute force to lock it (and then it rattled). Lighting in the room was very good and added to the feeling of luxury. The balcony was a good size. However, we barely used it. The wet cushions never did dry out even after being brought “indoors“. Being “sheltered” there was little wind on the balcony, unless you leaned out. I had the chance to go onto the balcony (near the stern) of a Deck 8 cabin later in the voyage and the wind was much stronger here.

 

 

My good impressions of Olivia after she had sorted out the bed problem were slightly let down by the lack of “turndown” service on two nights. It also took two ’phone calls and a visit to the Pursers Desk (Deck 2) to get the bathrobe delivered that I had decided to purchase. On the plus side she did keep the whole cabin and bathroom completely clean and spotless. And I mean really clean. She also seemed to replace all the towels almost hourly! During the whole voyage I never once heard a sound from any of the cabins surrounding mine or from the passageway.

 

 

My family had come to Southampton to “wave us off”. One of the disadvantages of early seating for dinner (this of course only applies to dining in Britannia, the Grills have “open seating” for dinner) is the problem of the sail away party around the two pools and terraces at the stern. Only you can make the choice as to either attend this or be on time for dinner. It would be difficult to do both. Several times I’ve seen the ship leave at 6.15 or later. As you are supposed to be seated between 6 and 6.30 this poses a dilemma. If you wait on deck until after departure you run the risk of running into queues at the entrance to the dining room or, worse still, arriving too late to order. It is a long walk from the stern to the lifts and then down several decks. However, later in the voyage I saw a couple arrive over an hour late (after 7pm) and still their order was taken. We departed at 6.03pm to the sound of “New York, New York” being played at the stern.

 

 

I decided to “sail away” in my cabin. I had pre-ordered champagne months previously for this. It was waiting for me in an ice bucket in my cabin. I chilled the glasses in the ’fridge during the afternoon and got fresh ice for the bucket. By booking a cabin as far forward as possible on the port side I ensured that I could see my family on the quay below my balcony (the public are only allowed to get to an area right by the bow). I’m very glad I did this as by the time the stern was passing my parents position, the ship was too far from the quay for them to have been able to pick out my face in the crowd. The photographs they took of me and the ones I took of them were worth missing this party for however. An alternative (done by some on my trip) was to stay at the party and then dine in the ’Court or Todd English the first night where you could dine when you liked.

 

 

The meal in the Britannia was excellent. Across to starboard I could see the Isle of Wight through the windows of this vast room. I think the ship is 135 feet wide, so those windows are a long way off! By the time the meal was finished it was dark on deck.

 

A quick “once around the promenade” (Deck 7) in a feeble effort to work off dinner. Three times around is just over a mile. Not tonight. Then to one of the two outside scenic lifts that run from here to Deck 11. These outside lifts seemed, strangely, to be a “hidden” part of the ship. On each deck you would have to know where the doors to them are located or you’d easily miss them. On entering you notice that, although they go from Deck 7 to 11, there is no button for deck 10. There is however an “electronic key” slot (similar to the one on your cabin door) on the wall of the lift. This enables those passengers in the two outer “royal suites” on this deck to access their cabins directly from these lifts.

 

 

Besides the 4 stair towers there are also 22 public lifts (plus others to assist those who can’t manage short stairs at changes of levels in some of the passageways).

[travel-to-go]

Pepper, Marvelous!

 

You are right about those "hidden" scenic lifts.

I was so astonished to read about them on the lists AFTER i got back from my 12 day Panama! I really thought Doug was pulling our leg about them! Then other's posted, and yet others! I had been in the library, never saw them.

 

Well, we were on 11 deck for the four day labor day. I finally had a chance to check them out when we were in port in Brooklyn and I was getting ready to leave! Great pictures!

 

All sorts of hidden surprises!

 

So when will you be posting the pics you and your family took at sailaway? <G>

 

Outlets: I cannot stress enough what I tell everyone. Bring along an outlet bar. Our first Cunard Cruise on the Crown Jewel we found out the outlet was recessed and the transformer for my camera charger wouldn't fit. We used to bring a small grounding plug. Now we just bring an outlet strip (We bring our laptops anyway, so just slip it in the laptop bag)

 

Shower- If you wish to soap up without "rinsing while you soap" you can adjust the height of the shower. Or take the shower head right off and hold it in your hand (or lay it on the floor of the shower!) I have even (not easily) sat on the shower floor (on top of a washcloth or hand towel or you will get big circle indents where you don't want them! <LOL> That textured floor is not even comfortable to STAND on!) to shave my legs. You have to be a contortionist to shave like this. You're better off booking the October 30th crossing, not shaving and telling everyone you are going on Halloween as a Gorilla! And you are right, It is dark. And the curtain BARELY covers the opening. I usually pulled it over more towards the shower and pointed the shower head away from the back opening. It let some light in too.

 

Bathrobes? Of I could have sewn the two together, it might have been useful for me but alas, They didn't offer me adequate "coverage" Never saw any slippers either voyage!

 

Keep the diary coming!

 

Karie,

who can envision it all as you describe it!

[Muushka]

pepperrn, thank you so much for this wonderful trip report. The reason that I am enjoying it so much (and my husband tomorrow when he gets the link) is because of your passion for the QM2. We have been facinated by her since her inception. We almost booked a cruise for later this year, but we chickened out thinking that it may be a little too formal for us. So by reading your experience, we sort of get to experience it also.

 

PS you have a great writing style. Thank you!:)

[imacruizer]

Thanks, Pepper. I am thoroughly enjoying your review. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain things in so much detail. You are doing an excellent job!

 

Beth

[patwell]

Thanks Peppern....really enjoying your journey. Mine is coming up on Dec 2nd and this is only whetting my appetite...as if it needs it! Keep it coming...obviously you have many of us hooked!!:)

Cheers, Penny

[Cardinal999]

>The reason that I am enjoying it so much is because of your passion for the QM2.<

Ditto!

I'm loving your review too, Pepper! I like the detail you're giving us too; it all helps in the big scheme of things!

Looking forward to the next chapter!:)

Regards,

Ant.

[pepperrn]

Travel-to-go wrote

 

"Shower- If you wish to soap up without "rinsing while you soap" you can adjust the height of the shower. Or take the shower head right off and hold it in your hand (or lay it on the floor of the shower!) I have even (not easily) sat on the shower floor to shave my legs. You have to be a contortionist to shave like this".

 

This is what I ended up doing (taking the shower head off, not shaving my legs).

 

Muushka wrote

 

"We almost booked a cruise for later this year, but we chickened out thinking that it may be a little too formal for us".

 

You realy, really don't have to worry about this. Unless you are the sort that wears nothing but a smile when on holiday, other than the formal nights, you'll find most passengers in normal everyday clothes. No one takes the slightest bit of notice of what you wear around the ship.

 

And many thanks to Travel-to-go, Muushka, imacruizer, patwell and Cardinal999 for your very encouraging comments. You don't know what it means to me to have your positive posts to read.

 

Part 5.

 

We took the lift to deck 9 where it opened directly into the “Commodore Club”, a superb observation lounge/bar three decks below the Bridge and overlooking the bow. From this room you can get a full 180 degree view. The forward wall gently curves across the whole width of the ship and, towards the centre, is quite steeply raked. This gives this bar a unique feel. There are raised platforms towards the rear of the room so even those seated there can see the ocean. The bar is in the centre of the room and has a huge illuminated model of the QM2 behind it. On most evenings the piano here was played and this enhanced the sophisticated atmosphere created by the lighting and decor. There is a plaque dedicated to Commodore Warwick on the port side forward wall. The waiters and bar staff were the very best that I encountered whilst on board. One remembered my drink from the first night and I never had to ask for it by name again for the rest of the crossing. At the rear of this fantastic room are two smaller lounges (port side “The Board Room” which, with its faux fireplace, reminded me of a drawing room on an old liner, the other, starboard side “Churchill’s Cigar Lounge” was a small remnant of the old “smoking rooms” on the great liners of the past).

 

After soaking up all this atmosphere over one or three drinks it was time to take the lifts (centrally placed behind this room) down to Deck 3 and then the long, long walk to the “G32” nightclub (at the stern). You walk along the whole length of the public part of the ship from forward of the Illuminations cinema. After passing alongside this and then the Royal Court Theatre, you cross through the Grand Lobby, then along the broad corridor that runs between the engine room uptakes to either side of you behind the huge bass-relief panels (be sure to look out for Homer Simpson on the panel depicting North America. No clues as to his location, but it helps if your eyesight is better than mine and, unlike me, you search when sober).

 

Beyond this your way seems to be blocked by the Britannia Restaurant. Not so. By turning to starboard (or indeed, port) you can then go through the art gallery (or the photo gallery) to the entrance of the Queens Room. After the low deckhead in these two galleries that allow you to by-pass the restaurant, the height, breadth and sheer size of this ballroom comes as a surprise. Above you, two huge chandeliers hang in a dome over the dance floor, the largest at sea. Like the restaurant, this room takes up the entire width of the ship, and is the equivalent of over 2 decks high. In order to get to the nightclub, you have to pass through this vast room. On several evenings I paused for some time here to take in the sight of many passengers enjoying the live band whilst showing off some very fancy footwork. We will return to this lounge later. But onwards towards the stern, I made my way.

 

The G32 nightclub is on two levels. Unlike the rest of the public rooms which have a strong “30’s” feel about them (in places, clearly inspired or copied from the original Queen Mary) this room seems, vaguely, to owe something to the 50’s. At times there is a live band otherwise a D.J. You enter on the lower level with the balcony reached via either of two sets of stairs. I really liked this room which stays open till 5am (I was long gone before then!). It was occasionally busy but never full. I didn’t go there every night.

 

OK, I didn’t go there one night.

 

The first full day at sea was a day of wonderful weather. Sunny, warm, with clear blue skies and very little movement of the ship (other than forward at over 25 knots). Many passengers were soaking up the sun around the two pools at the stern of the ship on Decks 6 and 8. A few were in the pools or hot tubs. To one side of the pool on Deck 8 are wooden chairs and to the other, white resin ones. These latter chairs were originally next to the pool on Deck 12 (the “Pavilion”, where I had a swim after breakfast), but have been swapped so that this deck 12 pool area, high up, almost at the top of the ship, has gained the wooden ones. Astern the wake from the propellers left their mark in the great North Atlantic. I wanted to say here that the sight was unique, the wake from four props churning away, unlike most cruise ships which only have two. But, given that, when I crossed, she was running on three, I can’t. By November she will be back to having four. If you watched the wake, looking over the rail (ala Kate Winslet), you could tell which side had two props and which one.

 

After taking many photographs of these wonderful scenes at the stern, we made our way around the promenade. Here there are real “steamer” chairs with green cushions on them. There were many passengers here, enjoying the sun (on the port side) and the view. Some were reading, some sleeping. I easily found an empty chair and joined them in that age old tradition of just looking at the sea. It was wonderful, simply wonderful. That chair was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in. I don’t think I “dropped off” but wouldn’t be surprised if I did. The weather was so good that I didn’t spend much of the day indoors. Every time I paused, during my exploration of the outside decks, there was a view begging a photograph to be taken. At the very rear of Deck 8, on either side, are small “docking bridge” extensions that stick out beyond the side of the ship. These allowed me to look forward, past the superstructure, almost the whole enormous length of the ship. Below me, the bow wake spread out across the water. Around the ship, the view was of nothing but blue ocean, sparkling in the sun.

 

Before lunch I made the first of many visits to the Library (forward on Deck 8). This was so that I could sign the CC book that is kept at the desk here and to have a quick look around both the library itself and the adjacent bookshop. I will return to the library later but I must say here that the bookshop is excellent. Many nautical books for sale of course but also others on various subjects. A wide range of cards (I bought a non-nautical birthday card later on for a fellow passenger’s 40th) and other items were available. A selection of small gifts at various price points tempted me. But I had days left to browse this properly.

 

That afternoon I met up with my fellow CC passengers, we gave a “bon voyage” toast and had a very pleasant time together. Despite a fear that, on this huge ship, we wouldn’t run into each other again, I was lucky enough to be able to see all again on a few occasions. I would count myself very lucky to travel again with such lovely people.

 

After this I met up with my friend and again went out on deck to soak up the sun. There were many things I could (should?) have been doing indoors but the sea was calling to me. Because of high winds, the outside observation area directly below the bridge and the open topmost deck (13) were closed off (and would remain so for a few days). Late that afternoon I made my first visit to the Bridge Viewing area (Deck 12, Port side). There are big picture windows here giving great views of the bridge, computer screens, navigation equipment and the sea beyond. Sometimes I had this small area to myself. On this visit however, there was a passenger loudly explaining everything to his companion (and me) who clearly felt that he should be on the other side of the glass where his knowledge and expertise would greatly benefit the Officers. I left.

 

Monday night was the first Formal evening. The dress code is enforced in the Britannia, Grills and Todd English dining rooms. There was the chance to go to the Captain’s reception in the Queens Room at 5.15. Because we spent so long on deck we were nowhere near ready in time for this and so headed straight for the restaurant. There is another reception for second seating guests at 7.45. So we missed the chance to have a photograph taken shaking hands with Captain Bernard Warner. On the way to the eat we came across the photographers set up in one of the broad central passageways leading to the entrance of the Britannia. As has been observed by others, when QM2 was being built, provision could have been made to conceal the lights, cables and backdrops needed, into the walls and floors. It looked really poor to see cables stuck down with gaffer tape and yellow plastic “wet floor” signs set up around the lighting rigs. We gave into temptation and had four photographs taken against a backdrop of the main staircase on Titanic (there were several other choices).

 

A few days later we went to the Photograph Gallery to inspect these pictures (and the one from embarkation). We noticed that other passengers had the additional choice of pictures taken at the “sailaway” party and from meeting the Captain. Of the four, we really liked only one. As it cost $27.50 per print I suggested that we buy one copy and a pair of scissors.

 

We ordered a copy each. It is a very good picture of very un-photogenic subjects.

 

Just after 6pm the restaurant filled up with guests coming from the Captain’s reception all arriving together. The ladies looked fantastic, wonderful frocks and gowns. A few jewels on display. They had really taken care with their hair and looked really glamorous. The men were mostly in black dinner suits, with a few formal business suits and one or two ivory coloured tuxedo jackets (to my eyes they looked out of place on the north Atlantic in late September, but that’s just me). To look around the room at us all, dressed for dinner, was wonderful. The whole atmosphere was beyond words. That night, in the Queens Room, it was the night of the “Black and White” Ball. Everywhere around the ship, you saw ladies dressed for this. I wanted to complement all of them for their evening gowns and attire. They looked stunning. They had taken enormous trouble to look breathtaking and had more than succeeded.

 

After dinner we went out on deck for a short stroll. The wind had got up a bit and, for the first time, you could feel some slight movement of the ship. At no time on the voyage did I feel any rolling (i.e. side to side movement), the four stabilisers cured that. However I could feel some pitching (fore and aft) that night. It was never bad; you didn’t feel it when low down in the hull where the restaurants and public rooms are, only if high up and or far forward.

 

So that’s where we went, up and forward to the Commodore Club! Here we could feel the room move around us and this was before we had a martini each. We got chatting to a guy from Tampa who was travelling with his elderly mother. They were returning home after an extended tour of Europe. She was unwell for parts of the voyage and so he was, in effect, travelling alone in the evenings after dinner, whilst she had a good night’s sleep and got well again. Later we went down to deck 3 and the Royal Court Theatre. I wanted to see the show “Rock At The Opera”. The theatre is another room on board that, once you sit and look around, makes you say to yourself “this can’t be on a ship”. It is as big (seats over 1,100) as many “West End” or “Broadway” venues. Bigger than some. The stage has a “revolve”, lifting platforms and a deep orchestra pit that rises up to stage level when needed. The show itself was spectacular. Wonderful. As professional as any I’ve seen on land and a lot better than many. It lasts around an hour. And what an hour! If it had been on again during the crossing, I would have gone a second time.

 

After this we went back up to the ‘Club. A couple of drinks later, and with our American pal, made our way aft, to G32.

[pepperrn]

Again, it posted twice, sorry.

[gbc]

I am reading this like a mystery novel -- and I was there! Not only are you a delightful traveling companion (and much more photogenic than he gives himself credit for) but a brilliant writer. Thank you for this Herculean effort and the wonderful rush of memories it is bringing back!

[Therapst]

Pepper, marvelous commentary. Well-written and extremely interesting. Thank you so much. Please keep 'em coming!

[Cardinal999]

Again, it posted twice, sorry.

 

Well it was such a good post I could quite easily read it twice, anyway!;)

 

More, more!:)