Complete Newbie Alert - QM2

[imacruizer]

Stunning news!

 

I took BF to a shop specialising in suits and suit hire today - actually I tricked him by first picking up my mum and then casually "happening" upon said shop. You have to do this to get a man to shop. The place had been recommended to me by the receptionist at work as it is closing down and selling formal suits for bargain prices.

 

After slight resistance (an understatement) he was taken forcibly by the store manageress and made to try suits on. Eventually a lovely understated wool tuxedo found its way onto him and fitted perfectly and he pronounced it sufficiently "James Bond like" to purchase (all men are instinctively child like aren't they?!). We picked it up for the bargain price of £99, as the majority of suits left are that price and as mentioned before the BF is a strapping 6ft 4inches.

 

As I got him a dress shirt and bow tie (sadly not a Monopoly one!) we have just had a mini fashion show and bow tie tying lesson (for lesson read small frustrating spat between loved ones!). I was checking the care label in the suit and was shocked and astounded to read the word "GUCCI". After my small seizure I checked out the suit label which had "Masterhand" sewn on. I now know this to be a suit hire company. So effectively I have bought a brand new (or nearly new) Gucci tuxedo for £99! I am so so jealous. I don't have any Gucci clothing, merely bags and shoes.

 

So at least that's his formal wear sorted. And he thinks he's only wearing it to a ball and a few weddings! :p

 

Moo!! What a wonderful find! Looks like this crossing was meant to be! Can't wait to hear how you break the news that he is going to need that tux more than he thinks. Keep us posted.

 

Beth

[patwell]

and he pronounced it sufficiently "James Bond like" to purchase (all men are instinctively child like aren't they?!).

 

All men get an infusion of Bond-like stature when they see themselves in a proper tux...and aren't we gals lucky they do?:D

 

Congrats on your stellar shopping excursion...I do love it when a shoppng trip is successful!:D Especially once so deviously conceived! Then again, I have an evil twin...she just loves that sort of deception! ;)

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[Wadadli1]

All men get an infusion of Bond-like stature when they see themselves in a proper tux...and aren't we gals lucky they do?:D

 

Congrats on your stellar shopping excursion...I do love it when a shoppng trip is successful!:D Especially once so deviously conceived! Then again, I have an evil twin...she just loves that sort of deception! ;)

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

 

Have you ever considered getting some of those tablets Malcolm takes for that evil twin of yours? Are you sure you don't really just have a cat!? :eek:

[pnhmrk]

Are you sure you don't really just have a cat!? :eek:

 

That's where that wretched cat has gone now it's left the QM2 because Matthew's onboard - it's living with Penny:) (Poor Penny, you have our sympathies:( )

[calikak]

moo, congrats on the purchase! Wow, that's quite a steal on that tux! I love a bargain!

 

Beth, his name is Jim (he's actually a James IV, after his dad and grandfather and great grandfather, but we don't want him getting a swelled head with all that IV business, so we're calling him Jim :)), and he was 2 lbs. 14 oz. at birth. Like all newborns he lost a bit of weight after being born, but as of yesterday he'd gained it all back plus another ounce. So hopefully today he'll have broken the 3 lb. mark when we go see him this afternoon! As you can tell, we celebrate all the little milestones with him, since every one is a step towards him coming home with us. :)

[BrooklynBound]

Just one more question if I may? When we arrive at NY I assume we have to disembark in the same manner as everyone else and proceed through immigration if we want to visit Manhattan? As we will have no luggage is a walk to the nearest subway station "doable" and if so how long? As per prior posts I have factored in time in Manhattan to between 9am and 5pm latest (aiming to be back on QM2 for 5pm)

 

Hello Moomoocow --

 

I hope it's not too late to answer your question. I live close to the Brooklyn Terminal, so perhaps I can help?

 

The BT is in Red Hook, on the western shore of Brooklyn. It's a neighborhood we call (somewhat euphemistically) "up and coming", because it's the last area to be gentrified... and that hasn't happened yet. The main reason (and this goes to your question) is the lack of a nearby subway.

 

I've walked to the terminal many times to see off the QM2, and so can tell you that -- understanding that you're pinching pennies? -- the best way to get to Manhattan is still by taxi. Unless you're game for a 90-minute walk through a few neighborhoods and across the Bklyn Bridge (which is lovely and memorable, but time consuming if you're on a schedule, which you probably are). From the Terminal to lower Manhattan is a 10-minute cab ride, and will cost you about $10-12. It's really the best way to do it.

 

Depending on where you're headed in Manhattan, the return trip will cost $10-30. If you stay downtown, it'll be less; if you venture up to Midtown or beyond, it'll be more... and you'll have more traffic to handle, which means more $$. It all depends what you want to accomplish in your off-day.

 

(Oh, and by the way... like you, I've never been on the QM2, but have become so obsessed with it that I've booked a Britannia Club passage for the upcoming Independence Day 4-nighter. The ship docks near my apartment, and one can only hold out for so long after hearing that whistle every few weeks at dawn. I have high hopes...!)

 

If you still want to hoof it, I can give you some subway directions... but count on a solid 40 minutes to get to the nearest station by foot.

 

Lastly -- there's also a bus line nearby the terminal, so maybe you want to do that? It will take you from the Terminal neighborhood up to the Bklyn Bridge (quite near, anyway), and it costs $2.00 per person. Perhaps that's a workable compromise?

 

- BB

[imacruizer]

moo, congrats on the purchase! Wow, that's quite a steal on that tux! I love a bargain!

 

Beth, his name is Jim (he's actually a James IV, after his dad and grandfather and great grandfather, but we don't want him getting a swelled head with all that IV business, so we're calling him Jim :)), and he was 2 lbs. 14 oz. at birth. Like all newborns he lost a bit of weight after being born, but as of yesterday he'd gained it all back plus another ounce. So hopefully today he'll have broken the 3 lb. mark when we go see him this afternoon! As you can tell, we celebrate all the little milestones with him, since every one is a step towards him coming home with us. :)

 

Beth,

 

Somehow I missed this post. It has been a busy week! How lovely that your son was named after so many family members. What a wonderful legacy! The fact that Jim is already back to his birth weight (possibly more by now) is a great sign that he is doing quite well. Do keep us posted on his progress so that we can celebrate those milestones with you. After all, Jim is our Cruise Critic baby!!

 

Beth -- the other one!

[Kindlychap]

As I got him a dress shirt and bow tie (sadly not a Monopoly one!)

 

Sadly?

 

Believe me, sadly isn't the word....... I saw it!

 

Matthew

[calikak]

Beth,

 

Somehow I missed this post. It has been a busy week! How lovely that your son was named after so many family members. What a wonderful legacy! The fact that Jim is already back to his birth weight (possibly more by now) is a great sign that he is doing quite well. Do keep us posted on his progress so that we can celebrate those milestones with you. After all, Jim is our Cruise Critic baby!!

 

Beth -- the other one!

 

Thanks, Beth! He's actually doing quite well--they're supplementing the breast milk he gets through his feeding tube with a bulk-up powder like body builders use, so he'll gain weight faster. Between that and the steroids he got before he was born (to help with lung development), he'll look like Arnold Schwartzeneger before we know it. :D He's also getting to wear clothes now, so all the adorable preemie outfits he's gotten as gifts since he was born are coming in handy. He's definitely the most fashionable baby in the NICU...although, he still isn't wearing a self-tying bow tie yet. :D

 

Speaking of kids' dress clothes, I was thinking when we go on the cruise with him that an Eton suit would be good for formal night, anyone have an opinion on that? Would the short pants of an Eton suit be inappropriate on a 17-month old (who will probably be the size of a 14-month old)? We don't plan to have him eat in the dining room, but we do want to take him out a bit before dinner and at least do a family photo, so I want to get him something very Cunard to wear on formal night. :)

[patwell]

Speaking of kids' dress clothes, I was thinking when we go on the cruise with him that an Eton suit would be good for formal night, anyone have an opinion on that? Would the short pants of an Eton suit be inappropriate on a 17-month old (who will probably be the size of a 14-month old)? We don't plan to have him eat in the dining room, but we do want to take him out a bit before dinner and at least do a family photo, so I want to get him something very Cunard to wear on formal night. :)

 

What a lovely idea...absolutely perfect and appropriate for a young man on formal night. I have a photo of my son, now a grown man, at the age of 18 months and he's dressed in a gray flannel eton suit with white collar...he's just precious in it and I treasure that photo all these years later. You must get him one!!! He'll charm them all....

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[calikak]

What a lovely idea...absolutely perfect and appropriate for a young man on formal night. I have a photo of my son, now a grown man, at the age of 18 months and he's dressed in a gray flannel eton suit with white collar...he's just precious in it and I treasure that photo all these years later. You must get him one!!! He'll charm them all....

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

 

Thanks, Penny--would love to see that photo!

[imacruizer]

Thanks, Beth! He's actually doing quite well--they're supplementing the breast milk he gets through his feeding tube with a bulk-up powder like body builders use, so he'll gain weight faster. Between that and the steroids he got before he was born (to help with lung development), he'll look like Arnold Schwartzeneger before we know it. :D He's also getting to wear clothes now, so all the adorable preemie outfits he's gotten as gifts since he was born are coming in handy. He's definitely the most fashionable baby in the NICU...although, he still isn't wearing a self-tying bow tie yet. :D

 

Speaking of kids' dress clothes, I was thinking when we go on the cruise with him that an Eton suit would be good for formal night, anyone have an opinion on that? Would the short pants of an Eton suit be inappropriate on a 17-month old (who will probably be the size of a 14-month old)? We don't plan to have him eat in the dining room, but we do want to take him out a bit before dinner and at least do a family photo, so I want to get him something very Cunard to wear on formal night. :)

 

Beth,

 

So glad to hear that Jim is doing well.

 

You have touched on a subject that is near and dear to my heart -- children's clothing. I love to buy beautiful things for my grandchildren. Absolutely get that Eton suit for Jim. Short pants are perfect for his age. Get some long white socks that come just below the knee and some white baby shoes. I live in the South where smocked children's clothing is popular. I don't know if you can find them in your area, but a little smocked jon jon or shortall would be a wonderful addition to the Eton suit. You might also consider a dressy sailor suit. What fun to plan Jim's clothing for the cruise. Think of the great family pictures!! Do keep us posted on what you decide to take. Penny, isn't this fun!!

 

Beth

[patwell]

Absolutely Beth!! I love spending other people's money. And you're right...I forgot to mention the white knee length socks and white shoes. What a handsome little man he'll be. Erik (my son for the "other Beth") actually had 2 Eton suits, the gray flannel and a navy one.( He had a very British Canadian grandmother who shopped for him!!) The photographer suggested that the gray might photograph better and actually show what he was wearing. Unfortunately it also faded easier over the years of sitting in a sunny room. If I can scan it Beth, I'll try posting it...not my strong point!!

 

And by all means be sure to take him to meet the Captain in his little suit...what a great photo that will be to have. And a little sailor suit for deck strolls...you're right Beth, this is fun!!!

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[calikak]

That's it, I'm going to have to start another thread about children's clothing on formal nights, with links to any adorable Eton suits I find online. :D