Just a few questions...

[MeLuvDaSea]

Could someone (or everyone for that matter) please answer a few questions for a first-time QM2 passenger? Up to now my wife and I have always sailed with Carnival from out of Galveston. I am very comfortable with that arrangement. We drive to Galveston on the morning of the day, park, check our luggage with the porters outside the terminal, and embark. So I am very stressed out with not knowing what to expect this Saturday in Ft. Lauderdale. I don't want to be stressed out- it's a vacation, after all, so please help.

 

First, we fly to Ft. Lauderdale from San Antonio. We booked our flight through Cunard, so I assume there will be someone to meet us? Or will there be a shuttle parked outside, or what are we to expect? Sorry, for my ignorance. Do we tag our luggage with the Cunard tags while still at home or should it be done at our destination in Ft. Lauderdale after we arrive? Approximately how many suitcases can a couple travel with? It has also been about 5 years since we have flown anywhere. I don't know what all the new regulations are...

 

We should land about 11:30am in Florida. Assuming the shuttle takes us immediately to the ship terminal, do we loiter about there until the optimum time to board? Or, should we go straight for it? The paperwork says something about boarding after 2 pm for faster service...

 

Also, rather than do that 3 ounce/quart sized ziplock bag song and dance, could we not just put all our toiletries in the checked luggage? I know these are probably silly questions, but I am unnaturally stressed out thinking about all this stuff. I know I will be great once aboard.

 

Sincerely,

Donald

[covey]

You first ask about getting from the airport to the pier. Don't assume that you have transfers. If you do, they should be in the documents Cunard sent to you. You are acutally better off without the cruise transfers. Simply claim your luggage, walk out the front door and take the ten-minute (and much less expensive) taxi ride to the pier; tag your bags after you arrive in FLL; as far as the ship is concerned, unlimited luggage--good luck with your airline!

You next inquire about going to the pier after you land at 11:30 a.m. I would recommend that you do.

And lastly, it would be far simpler to check all of your toiletries.

I'm on the sailing December 16. There is, I believe, a group of CC'ers planning to gather the first sea day at 11 a.m. in the Chart Room, I believe? As Carnival cruisers, it would be interesting to share experiences. I think you will like Cunard.

[lexxity]

Do not pack more than 50lbs in your checked luggage or you will have to pay a $50 supplement/overweight case.

 

Last time we sailed out of FLL we arrived at the port about 10am and were onboard by midday, so go ahead and get there early.

 

Tag you bags after you arrive in FLL.

 

Just pack your toiletries, but as someone who's toiletries bag didn't travel recentely, I advise you to pack them across all your bags.

 

Have a good time.

[lannp]

If you bought transfers a Cunard rep should be circulating looking for you. If no transfers, then take a cab, the airport is practically next door to the port. The fare will be approx. 12-15.00.

Most airlines are very definitely weighing the bags so be sure they are not overweight (generally 50 lbs) and most airlines limit you to two checked bags per person.

The less carry-on you have the easier it is to clear security. I now pack all my toiletries in my checked bags and try to divide everything evenly so if one bag goes astray I haven't lost everything. I then have a minimum of clothes, toiletries, etc. BUT be sure to pack anything absolutely essential such as medicines in your hand baggage in a ziploc bag and be sure they are in their original containers.

You will be asked to remove your shoes so a slip-on shoe makes it easier although I generally wear my runners because they are bulky and I like sturdy shoes for trooping through airports and possibly standing in line at check-in.

I am so jealous - please have a super time. I spent 24 days aboard the wonderful big lady last September and will return to her next June. Bon voyage!

[MeLuvDaSea]

Thank you for the replies so far. I am beginning to breath a little easier. As for the transfers, I did not explicitly buy transfers. We booked our flights through Cunard (which did cost a good deal more than booking directly), but I was under the impression that pick up from and delivery to the airport was part of the price. Am I mistaken?

 

As for the luggage, be kind. I have another, probably stupid, question. Is that 50 pounds per suitcase, with two suitcases per person? Is it 50 pounds total for all our luggage? Or 50 pounds per person, with two suitcases each? Oh, that all really sounds dumb. Maybe I will just call the airline.....

 

If you do have any last minute suggestions please pass them along.

 

Don

[Linda VH]

In the leatherbound document carrier you received on page 6 and 7 it says "Pre Cruise Transfer Arrangements" and next page is post cruise. Mine say no transfer from ship - look to see what yours says. We received instructions to board by deck so our boarding is 12:30 or so. I've arranged to be at the ship by 12 or 12:15. If you're landing at 11:30 you should go directly to the ship. Linda

[travel-to-go]

Don,

First, Don't panic. I do enough of that at least once or twice a year to cover 6 or 8 people. So I've already done it for you when I flew to FLL in October (halloween, in fact, and wore cats ears- The Southwest Gate agent wore a table and lamp! Too bad we flew Delta!)

Next Go to your airline's web page. Stroll through the menus. Look at the various rules, suggestions, etc. Delta's is pretty good. They tell you all about excess weight, extra bags, what is allowed and not allowed, on checked or carryon. Thery're pretty comprehensive. When you get air through Cunard, the transfers are usually included. go throigh all of the pages of your spiral bound booklet. One of them (in each of yours) should be a transfer from FLL to Port Everglades (and one for going back) Make sure those are accessible. You will need to give them to the person who puts you on the bus. When you get off your plane, proceed downstairs to the luggage carousels. Keep an eye out for someone, usually holding a clipboard with Cunard and maybe QM2 on the back of the clipboard. They will likely hold it up as people get off the elevator. Get our luggage and bring it over to where your escort is. You will probably have to wheel it out to the bus and give it to the driver. Bring lots of 1 and 5 dollar bills (depending on how many bags) usually 1 or 2 dollars a bag for heavy lifting. You can get a porter from the luggage carousel to the bus, but it is not a long walk. There is probably no need!

 

Have a couple of dollars (small bills, if you can( in case youwant to buy a drink or sandwich on oyour flight. Many airlines now sell snacks for 205 dollars. Sandwiches, salad plates. others it is still free, just a lot smaller.

 

 

Make sure you have filled out all paperwork and have everything handy for when you get to the ier so you will get processed throgh quicker.

 

After Carnival, you are in for a very pleasant surprise. A much quieter, but still fun crowd. classier, You will see more attention to the gentler arts- String Quartet, Classical piano etc, yet still jazz,, classics, even karaoke. this is not as rowdy a crowd, and after having cunard's food, you will never again book another Carnival!

 

Karie,

who wishes you the very best. now CHILL!<G>

[Therapst]

Many airlines now sell snacks for 205 dollars. Sandwiches, salad plates.

 

That better be a really good snack! :eek: :D

[travel-to-go]

Make that "Sell a snack for 3 to 5 dollars!<G>

 

Well, except theLobster Thermador en croute andwith Beluga Caviar and Dom Perignon. But that is only in first calss!

 

Karie,

who is lying about the caviar and Dom

[cusyl]

 

As for the luggage, be kind. I have another, probably stupid, question. Is that 50 pounds per suitcase, with two suitcases per person? Is it 50 pounds total for all our luggage? Or 50 pounds per person, with two suitcases each? Oh, that all really sounds dumb. Maybe I will just call the airline.....

 

If you do have any last minute suggestions please pass them along.

 

Don

It's a 50 lb limit on the plane per suitcase unless you pay extra. Have a great flight

[MeLuvDaSea]

Thanks again to everyone. I am feeling much better now. Two days ago I might have canceled, I had stressed myself out so much. That has finally subsided. I am constantly amazed at all the things there are to worry about. We had nasty weather last week and many flights out of Dallas were cancelled! :eek: Imagine what I was thinking...

 

I worry about fitting in. Although my wife and I are an older couple (one of us is 52, the other 59 but I can't say which is which...), we are quiet and usually keep to ourselves. I was told not to get a table for 4 (which we did) because we might not hit it off with our tablemates. A larger table would be more diverse. So there's that...

 

Then, not knowing the layout of the airport in Ft. Lauderdale, or Port Everglades for that matter, had me worried. Anyway, thanks to you all, and Penny's daily updates, I am better now, and really charged up about this. I hope my wife loves it as much as I plan to. If so, I am looking at the QE2 run from Las Angeles to New York in 2008. That sounds like a nice trip if we can get on.

 

Anyway I am just rambling. It's the excitement. I leave the office at 4pm today and then the serious packing can begin. Just FYI, I broke down and called American Airlines last night and they answered all my questions regarding flight regs (which you had already covered). And we do have Cunard transfers.

 

Sincerely,

Don

 

P.S. It's a shame about those 205 dollar snacks... I was looking forward to those.

[cusyl]

Have a great flight...see you Sunday morning at 10:am Commodore Lounge..we are also quiet people and stay to ourselves, but am anxious to meet all the people we have been chatting with on the boards at the Cruise Critic meeting.

[travel-to-go]

Don,

when the panic starts to rise, just blank your mind and envision yourself on the ship, sun smiling down on your face. Good luck tomorrow. You will do fine! Once I am on the ship, I finally stoip worrying about missing the flight or something. then I can settle in and start worrying about it all being over too soon!

 

Karie,

Who is 52 and understands perfectly what you are going through!

Have a marvelous cruise. Don't worry about the table mates. You will do fine!