1st Time on Cunard: Some Help/Info Please..........

[RCCLCARIB]

Although the 2009 dates are not out yet, we are planning a graduation cruise on either the Queen Mary 2 or the Queen Victoria.

 

First off.....I have some questions to be asked.

 

My grandmother sailed on the maiden voyage of the QE2 and I was wondering if Cunard might have a past passenger program that may recognize her as a member....any info here is appreciated.

 

Second: We are looking at balcony rooms and were wondering what "obstructed" and "sheltered" mean?? What type of balcony is the BEST balcony cabin for the Britannica Restaurant??

 

Third: Transatlantic or the Caribbean?? What is the best way to experience the QM2 or QV for a graduation gift???.....my hunch might be the Caribbean....what do you think????

 

Lastly: Any info about Cunard (for my purposes) including daily activites, services, amenities, etc would be grealty appreciated!!

 

Thank You!

[BettyBoop3850]

Hi RCCLCARIB

No matter what QM2 cruise you pick you can't go wrong. The QM2 is a great ship. The food and Service are exceptional. There is lots to do on board. Lots of lectures trivia and games. The shows in the theatre are spectacular by the Cunard singers and dancers. I am sure someone will come along with more info.

[patwell]

Although the 2009 dates are not out yet, we are planning a graduation cruise on either the Queen Mary 2 or the Queen Victoria.

 

First off.....I have some questions to be asked.

 

My grandmother sailed on the maiden voyage of the QE2 and I was wondering if Cunard might have a past passenger program that may recognize her as a member....any info here is appreciated.

 

Second: We are looking at balcony rooms and were wondering what "obstructed" and "sheltered" mean?? What type of balcony is the BEST balcony cabin for the Britannica Restaurant??

 

Third: Transatlantic or the Caribbean?? What is the best way to experience the QM2 or QV for a graduation gift???.....my hunch might be the Caribbean....what do you think????

 

Lastly: Any info about Cunard (for my purposes) including daily activites, services, amenities, etc would be grealty appreciated!!

 

Thank You!

 

WOW...lots of questions, some of which can be answered by reading through the various topics on this board. So I'll just generalize....

 

Sheltered cabins are in the hull...good for a transatlantic for protection from wind I'm told. However, the bottom half of them is the solid hull so one must stand up to enjoy the view. Obstructed balconies have the plexi glass lower halves so you can look right through them when sitting. They are however behind the lifeboats which are a little ways offset from them but you don't have a wide open view. Some are a little better than others as they look between the boats but the boats are there. The best britannia cabins are the A categories....higher up the view is wide open. We just returned from a Caribbean in an A2 on Deck 11...wonderful. That said we just booked an obstructed for the next one as we decided we didn't use the balcony as much as we'd expected. It's really about personal choice.

 

Too early to discuss the QV...who knows yet what she will be like other than the promo stuff that's out now. As to a TA or Caribbean, depends on the group of people I'd say. The TA is lots of sea days...there are many activities onboard to keep you busy but some people prefer the port stops of a Caribbean. And they are fun with plenty to do.

 

Your grandmother needs to call Cunard and ask for the World desk to see what she qualifies for. It's not much in any event...

 

As to onboard activities...there are MANY!! So many you'll never do them all in one week. Cunard's enrichment series...lectures, speakers etc: the planatarium...fantastic shows: the various lounges with assorted entertainment to suit most all...Commodore Club (my favorite), Chart Room, G32 the disco, The ballroom, Casino, Sir Samuels wine bar, Veuve Cliquot champagne bar, Atlantic room card room: there's trivia at various times of the day, golf simulator, the fabulous spa, pools, outdoor and in...

Help me out folks....so much to do.

 

What there aren't are rock climbing walls, boxing rings, ice skating, surfing and outdoor movies under the stars...thank goodness!!

 

Just keep reading here and elsewhere and you'll learn a lot as we all did our first time.

Cheers, Penny

[Johnsy81]

RCCLCARIB, oh to have your decision to make! While I've not yet been on a crossing, from what I have read it is a totally different experience than a cruise. DH and I sailed on QM2 in 2004 doing a 10 day Caribbean out of NYC...we loved it. In fact, we love being on the ship period. But, even though I'd love to try a crossing some day (soon), I also know that being on a ship (even QM2) for 5 straight days without seeing any land might not be our cup of tea - of course, we won't know til we try it, will we?

 

The types of activities that will be found on QM2 lean towards the cerebral...lectures, demonstrations, etc. While she is a massive ship, QM2 does not cater to the more physical activities found on other ships (no newly wed games or hairy chest contests here). What she does offer, however, is lots of space to sit and watch the ocean go by or read a book (or take a nap, if you're so inclined). Your grandmother would certainly appreciate QM2...as Patwell said, QV doesn't sail til later this year so there's nothing to compare her to yet.

 

If you're leaning towards a crossing, QM2 is the ship for you. She was built for the North Atlantic and can take rough weather in her stride (kind of shrugs it off like a duck shrugs off water). In the Caribbean, she's too large to dock on most islands (we were able to dock in 2 of the 5 islands we visited in 2004). Not a problem really but sometimes getting in and out of the tender boats was a challenge (especially if the water is a bit choppy, which it was for us).

 

No matter which voyage you choose, you and your grandmother will enjoy your time on QM2. Please come back and let us know what you decide.

[pepperrn]

Hi RCCLCARIB

 

Can I agree with everything that Patwell and Johnsy81 have said. Wonderful advice about the QM2. And I'm sure they would be pleased to help out further if you've any more questions. Read Penny's excellent review of her cruise, you'll fall in love with the QM2!

 

I have done a (westbound) crossing on the QM2. I loved 5 straight days at sea, at speed, on the greatest liner afloat. Wonderful. Very different from a cruise. I loved every minute. I had a "sheltered" balcony, perfect for a transatlantic. On a warm water cruise a full balcony would be better but only if you're going to spend time in your cabin, if you think you'd like being beside one of the four outside pools and meeting people, then it's not important what type of balcony you book. I found that there was so much to do that I spent very little time in my cabin. I'd seriously look at an inside next time. However, if you like time to yourself, on your own private bit of deck, do as Penny says, book an "A" grade cabin. You'll love it.

 

Whatever cabin type you book you'll be amazed at the QM2. She is quite simply the best. There is no ship that can touch her. If your grandmother enjoyed the QE2 in 1969 she will be delighted with the QM2. She is all that the QE2 was and much, much more. You will need a very long cruise or crossing to see, or experience, all of her.

 

If I can help further please ask, pepper @ royal . navy . org . uk (no spaces) or see pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/pepperrn.

 

Have a wonderful voyage and tell us all about it.