QE Transatlantic Dec 2004: tips/ thoughts

[Vic The Parrot]

Hello everyone


Just an update on our pub gathering the night of 14Dec.
I figure anytime at 7pm, and we'll do our damndest to stay til closing!

So come hungry, and looking forward to seeing everyone there!


vic

:-)



Date: 14Dec2004-Tues
Time: 7pm til.......
Place: Albert Pub
52 Victoria St (corner of Buckingham Gate)
Westminster
Nearest tube stop: St James's Park

[stowaway2k]

[quote name='Vic The Parrot']Hello everyone


Just an update on our pub gathering the night of 14Dec.
I figure anytime at 7pm, and we'll do our damndest to stay til closing!

So come hungry, and looking forward to seeing everyone there!


vic

:-)
[/QUOTE]

Mmmmm....yum! Shepherd's Pie and a pint of something I've never seen in the States...
now, can we please do something about the exchange rate?
seeya there

Kyle

[Vic The Parrot]

[quote name='stowaway2k']Mmmmm....yum! Shepherd's Pie and a pint of something I've never seen in the States...
[/QUOTE]


Kyle, and those joining us.

Last time I was there (May of this year) the menu was very good!

Fish and chips ... Shepherds Pie ... Cottage Pie ...
We can do just one, or all of the above!
I always left with a very satisfied feeling in my tummy, no matter what I had for dinner there!

Like I said, come HUNGRY!!


Oh, Kyle ... I have to point out the 'cider' that I had earlier this year. Hope my buddy Ron can help me remember it.
Very tangy, but gooooood! And leaves a nice little buzz!

[transat_jon]

Other Golden Lion Grub :

Steak and mushroom pie, (very nice steak used).
Chicken breast with a tandori coating, sadly not real curry - boo hoo. Cunard we need curry, please.

[Allis154]

as I sit hear reading about everybody off to the QE2...

I remember it being almost a year ago when I departed to London for a pre-cruise stay, and the excitment of getting on the QE2 last December. As the 15th gets closer, I am seriously suffering from post-cruise depression...I am land bound for the next (almost) 2 years before I sail Alaska/Hawaii, so no relief in sight!

Everybody who is boarding next week, have a great time! I'll be thinking of you guys and wishing I was there as well!!

Allis154

[stephen blower]

[font=Courier New]Hello [/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]I am going to NYC on the QE2 on 15 December 2004 and have had an e-mail from Cunard giving details to the lectures onboard during the crossing.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]Brian Hoey - Royal Author.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]Dr Peter Dean - Forensic Scientist/Coroner also advises on TV shows such as Silent Witness and Waking The Dead.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]Stephen Fox - Author of American & British Social History.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]Theodore Scull - Author and Travel Writer.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]Only six days to go - getting excited as it is our first cruise/crossing.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]See you all on board.[/font]
[font=Courier New][/font]
[font=Courier New]Stephen[/font]
[font=Courier New]Leeds[/font]
[font=Courier New]West Yorkshire[/font]
[font=Courier New]England[/font]

[Gary B]

Thanks for this nfo. I had been wondering who was going to be the speakers. Soem interesting people in there... Hoey has written a book about the Royal Yacht that is now on show near Edinburgh (and we visited about a month ago) - and it was well worth it. An amazing ship, and it is great to see it as they have left a large amount of the furniture etc. Roll on Wednesday!!! Gary

[stowaway2k]

I see that rain is forcast for London on Wednesday, Dec. 15.[img]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon9.gif[/img]
Let's hope that it stays there, and doesn't affect Southampton so that we can have a dry sailaway!
One of the more exciting things to do on board a crossing is even before departure, strolling the decks and getting acquainted with the other passengers (oops, "guests" as ships don't have "passengers" anymore), watching and listening as the tugs get prepared, and being on deck as we see the ship slowly begin to move forward and away from the quayside. And that whistle! There is no grander sound than that whistle as we depart, and seeing the crowd gathered on shore waving farewell.
Oh man, I hope it doesn't rain!![img]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon11.gif[/img]

Kyle

[stowaway2k]

Darnit!

Southampton Wednesday Dec 15:

Rain, 53 degress F.

Oh well, maybe there will be a break for us in the afternoon...

Kyle

[English Rose]

Just to let you know that here (just outside Southampton) it has been a beautiful day - sunshine, frost, all the lovely things that winter can throw at us. I have checked 3 local weather sites and 2 say rain, 1 says sunshine for Wednesday - so take your pick. The weather is very difficult to predict here as we are a small island and will throw almost anything our way anytime. I hope you have a lovely sail-away whatever the weather. Enjoy your cruise - I will probably be waving you away from the quay-side if I am there doing my shopping!

[jbailey]

I'd love someone to send me pictures of the QE2 leaving Southampton on a nice sunny day.

My experience on Oct 1, 2003, was a heavy downpour and fog. Couldn't see a thing. I would like to know what I should have seen.

[Gary B]

Well, the December crossing was my 1st crossing and also the 1st time on the QE2. I thought I would put some observations about the trip!

On my blog I have a day by day thoughts and what we did - but unless you are us I am sure that will bore anyone!!

Here are some of the top line thoughts and observations:

[b][i]Good
[/i][/b]· The experience of being on the QE2 and being part of the history. Being on a winter trans-atlantic crossing was a great adventure to have done.

· It was a fabulous experience. Even with the rough weather at the start (which I am sure the QE2 weathered better than any other ship could have). I am so pleased to have done it. It is definitely an experience versus just another trip. It also meant a lot of people were feeling lousy and all over the ship was very quiet, even though it was a full house!

· The "Queens Grill" experience, especially as we did in Q2, is very special. The restaurant is beautiful, the food amazing, the service outstanding. The pampering by the butlers good. Having the Queens Grill Lounge to retreat to is quiet and handy, especially at tea time.

· Our cabin (8006 on the penthouse signal deck level with balcony) was tastefully decorated, and very cosy at night. It is a good size at 350 square feet. It was (however) noisy as it creaked a lot in the rough weather, and the air conditioning was noisy. The people next door did not get much sleep for those 2 reasons. They were added as prefab units and that is possibly why.

· The ship on the outside is glorious. It looks stylish from a distance in spite of the age (35 years). On the decks it looks great with the teak decks, levels at the back. I really enjoyed being out on deck watching the QE2 ploughing through the sea. It was always quiet out on deck and so you had it pretty much to yourself!

· There are some beautiful internal rooms that are classics and hold their own in spite of their age, like the Queens Lounge, Queens Grill Restaurant, bookshop and library, Yacht club bar and the Midships lounge.

· The staff on the QE2 make a real effort to treat you well, get to know what you like and you do feel like individuals even though there are around 1200 of you on board. We both felt we had got to know the people we came in contact with a lot (the room butlers, restaurant staff), and that they had taken care to understand what we liked.

· The gym facilities are good and the equipment modern. It is a good size and was never too busy (although the rough weather may have helped that!)

. The lectures were excelllent!

[b][i]Less Good[/i][/b]
[b][/b]· Most of the ship inside looks dated, and does not have as much style and glamour of a "by-gone age" that the brochures and the image conjures up. It comes as something as a surprise at just how old fashioned an impression you get on entering the ship and seeing the decks like one and two deck which look like an old hotel, and then the stairwells with their red carpets and paintings of the royals etc. We had watched videos and read books and so it was less of a surprise, if we had not I think we would have been almost thrown by it. After a while you really appreciate its look and style more, but it must be a shock for people (like the ones sitting at the table next to us) who had not researched the ship before coming. And on watching the video we took we think the QE2 looks good as we came to appreciate her unique style.

· The ship is clearly in sadly clearly in the twilight years. There were often signs of her aging, such as towels around leaking windows to the deck, chairs with signs of threadbare arms, sun faded portraits, outdated and pretty rowdy air conditioning and unpredictable plumbing (hot water from the cold taps on most days, toilet problems on the entire penthouse for a full day and the public toilets near the casino and behind Queens grill smelt a lot like a poor public toilet). You tend to take them for granted and as part of what the QE2 is, but it does flag up the fact that the QE2 is nearing the end of her time. A fact even the crew acknowledge.

· It was much more "Holiday Camp" than we had expected. We had expected based on the advertising and the image that one has of Cunard and the QE2 a different kind of passenger to other cruise ships. The program of events and related entertainment was much more bingo, karaoke, pub quiz kind of stuff than we had expected. We had a LOT of fun doing them (of course!) but had expected more variety based on the wide cross section of people it attracted. The people at the table next to us complained there was nothing for them to do, as they did not like the bingo, etc stuff.

· It was older passenger wise, and the entertainment was (therefore) biased that way. The music quiz for example full of 50s singers and nothing from the 70s on even it seemed! I think though that this may be more driven by the cruise entertainment team than what the passengers would be happy with!

· Some of the facilities and rooms are very badly in need of some change. The shops were not so good. Very dated in design and not very inspiring merchandise. I had expected an amazing Cunard branded shop, but there was not a lot to excite and we struggled to buy mementos for friends at home. The spa was very shabby.


The ship is working out its last years. And I think you can feel it. Both on the ship and as I reflect on the trip, I have similar sensation and feelings that I did travelling on another travel icon that was in her final years, the Concorde. The regulations coming into force mean the QE2 cannot sail much past 2007 without a massive change to the inside. The inside - in addition to the regulations about wood etc - would really need such an additional massive job to make it relevant both in features and design for the new generation of cruise and crossing passengers.

But in spite of the comments, I want to stress that we had a glorious and fabulous time. The QE2 is fantastic. Going on the QE2 on a winter transatlantic was amazing. You feel you are taking part in a real travel experience. It was such an amazing and pampered 6 days.

Would we go on the QE2 again? Yes! Although as Howard who we met up with on the crossing commented, we are likely to go on the QM2 first to try that out and compare that!

[transat_jon]

Gary, it was a pity we did not meet up; I was looking forward to meeting the person with such an infectious enthusiasm for QE2. Howard represented us all in saying "Hi".

You have found out one of the downsides of the QE2 (and most other ships too) is that some of the highest grades of accommodation are high up in the ship so you get swung side to side when there is a lot of rolling going on. There are Q1 cabins on 1 deck and suites on 2 deck that do not suffer so much.

QE2 does creak a bit, up in the suites the decks are quite thin and do suffer more than elsewhere with vibration and movement. QM2 does creak too, the biggest weather I have experienced on her was force 7 so does not compare to force 9, but she has her assortment of creaks and moans which took me aback slightly. I suspect that ultimately the new kid will creak much less than the old girl.

I know what you mean about "holiday camp" entertainment. This can be viewed as crassness or just part of the history of ocean travel. Cunard entertainment is amongst the worst on the high seas but the film and lecture program makes up for it. I have never had much praise for Broadway Bound.

I am interested to hear what your opinions are between P&O and Cunard.

[guernseyguy]

Gary,

Thankyou for posting your thoughts on your Trans Atlantic Crossing. Sorry to hear you both suffered from mal de mer, however, if you will pick a cabin at the top of the ship, towards the bow, what do you expect?;)

Sounds as though the Cunard mix of wonderful lectures and dire 'entertainment' remains unchanged. Did you enjoy the Library? Its probably one of the best at sea and I found many interesting ship books there to while away the hours.

One thing your review or blog did not mention was how you found the other passengers. I've always found one of the best things about a crossing is the other passengers - I've had many a memorable evening, I don't quite remember, starting with Dry Martinis in the Chart Room, and ending late at night in the Yacht Club. Try any late nights? With 25 hour days its a shame not to!

Happy Cruising in 2005

[seabourndt]

whats happened to vic?
i was the only one on this board nopt on the ship. i met vic in the pub beforehand and howard too. i wish had gone to ols meeting as most did i must have missed a good one. never mind vic was good company and enjoyed fish and chips and guinness and the other beer too!
where are you vic?
i'm over the overbooked qe2 now and looking forward to july for my free cruise!
just been on black watch, went to disneyland paris and the coach left wityhout me!!
staying in on new years eve. all thew best to all cruisers.
surprised to hear that the shop on qe2 was so poor as the qm2 one was absulutly fantastic. i lost my qm2 pin badge anyone got another. was thinking they might have them at the museum in soton but not sure.
david

[Winchester]

Happy New Year!
Just before the Christmas holidays I got off the QE2. For those who have nothing better to do but keep track, YES, it was 2 cruises in 2 months.

QE2 is still a fine ship to sail on. While a lot of the faces have changed, some important ones stayed the same. All are doing their best to give the passenger the best time onboard.

Well the next LAST transatlantic provided all the sea states I’ve been told about for a December crossing. I’ve been bounced before, but she did a bit of moving for several days followed by a calming and even warming, before cooling off to come into port.

Carnival/Cunard is letting the onboard maintenance go. There’s a big spot on the deck above the lido where the wood has all puffed up. Spot like you could put 3-6 deck chairs on it. The rugs on some of the inside decks is worn down. In spots it’s pulling away from the walls. Chairs in the Chart Room have the covering pulling away from the sides. There are spots where the wood veneer in the stairwells and elevators has holes in it, or is missing altogether. She is an old ship and things like the elevators needing repair is occasionally understandable, but several were having problems getting the doors to stay closed, and move on to the next stop.

The public toilets smelled bad and odd. They were not a pleasant place to visit.

Logo Shop had a limited variety of things on sale. There used to be much more variety. And I asked what they had seen for the world cruise and was told they hadn’t seen much else!

In the cabin the closet doors need more help to stay closed in the bouncy conditions we experienced. The bath door needed extra help to latch or it too would swing back and forth & there was no magnet to allow me to keep it open if I was going in and out while dressing etc... I used a bungee cord I carry and attached it to a spot on the TV !!!

The inside temperature on this cool weather crossing was unpredictable. My cabin could be warm one hour and cool another. Same in the public rooms where on several occasions I had to remove my jacket in the evening to survive the temperature. I wonder how the AC is on the Xmas/New Years trip to the islands.

Unlike the QM2, I did not see or hear of much about Princess people looking over the Cunard staff’s shoulders or mucking things up. Crew drills occurred regularly as I had seen on previous trips.

AND it was entertaining to hear QE2 staff talking about “the OTHER ship” as the one with the stubby funnel and the funny stern. I have placed another Cunard booking, next July on QE2, not the overpriced and single passenger unfriendly QM2.

As we get into the new year, I hope to put some pictures up on a picture site, and if so, I’ll post a note where to head over to look.

[seabourndt]

i was cancelled last nov and was offeredv free refund plus a free cruise i have chosen 30th july to iceland and norway

[Gary B]

Jon - you asked a few postings above my thoughts on P&O versus Cunard and so here goes!

I am comparing QE2 versus Aurora as the examples of the two as these are the only 2 that I have experienced.

In reality, it is hard to compare as they were both very different and very enjoyable experiences. On one side many things were "similar" as I guess:

1) All major cruise firms are picking up and using the features and things that they know passengers like or have come to expect
2) P&O and Cunard are owned by the same company and so they may be starting to share learning etc?

So the real difference came down to what one wants to get from your trip, and both offer a lot:

The main differences I think are:

1) Going on the QE2 (and also it would be true of QM2) you feel you are part of something "bigger" and more "significant" when you step on board.

There is a history and expectation you have due to the history, kudos and history of Cunard and the QE2 itself. Nothing can beat that. When you step onto Aurora you do not have that same sense of "event" - you are (of course) excited but it is more the anticipation of the trip and going to sea than the ship itself.

2) P&O Aurora is probably better value is that is important in the decision making process.

We had a mini-suite on the Aurora that would cost less than the Queen's Grill Q2 we had and yet the mini-suite on the Aurora was larger (not a lot), brighter and probably decorated to the same or better standard. By nature of the age of the ships or last renovation it was in better condition. The bathroom was almost identical to the one on the QE2 (both of which are amazing). The beds and pillows on the QE2 were VERY comfortable indeed and that is definately better.

3) Food. The food and service on both the Aurora and the QE2 was excellent, but they have differences.

The QG dining and choice on the QE2 was much much wider as you have the set menu, plus the a la carte plus the option to make further requests. The waiting staff look after fewer tables in the QG than they did on the Aurora, and one thing that was noticeably different was that in QG therefore the waiting staff spend a lot of time talking and getting to know you and your likes, whereas on Aurora the approach is to make the service almost invisible and you barely notice the comings and goings after you have placed your orders.

Also on the QE2 in QG you have the full menu for that meal that you can order room service in, while on Aurora they have a fixed room service menu.

Therefore, the QE2 Queens Grill overall food/ service experience is probably more special and pampering due to the time the staff can take getting to know you and also the huge choice. However, we also really enjoyed the Aurora food a lot.

The Aurora has more choices for alternative dining beyond buffet and pub fare.

3) Entertainment was very similar with the Aurora "winning" this time!

For evening entertainment, the Aurora was better. This was largely due to the fact that their on-board "west end/ hits" troupe were so much better than the QE2 "Broadway Bound". Interestingly, yesterday we were at lunch with the husband of someoen who runs a troupe that does some of the Qe2, Crystal and other cruise lines shows but they go on as guest artists versus the resident "Broadway Bound" - and he commented about how universally bad that troupe is regarded.

I think the issue here is that there is clearly a "ship evening entertainment" circuit and until one of the cruise companies makes a real effort the fare across ships is going to be basically the same. (Interestingly P&O for their new ship - Arcadia - that launches in April 2005 and we are going on in July has formed partnerships with producers like Cameron McIntosch to develop a revue of his shows, a tie up with Circ du Soil for a similar show to theirs etc).

The QE2 lecture and enrichment program is better. They seem to attract better and more interesting speakers - which I guess they can do because celebrity speakers will be much more drawn to a QE2 assignment than an Aurora one!

The daytime fare of bingo, daily quiz, bridge lessons etc is the same and at the same level.

The library on both ships were very good. The QE2 is larger in terms of number and variety of books. The Aurora library is larger in physical size and has more areas to relax, including big reclining chairs by huge windows were you can plug in a CD from the library and watch the world (I mean sea) glide by..

I think both are comprehensive and would meet eager reader's needs. Though the QE2 has more books and so more choice of subjects.

4) Maintenance and condition of the ship

The QE2 is unique. The look and design is "iconic" and so the QE2 wins hands down on that front. The Aurora is another ship - very nice indeed. But like many others.

The Aurora is newer and in great shape inside and outside. It was always immaculate and yet we only once saw anyone doing cleaning in the public areas. The QE2 was also always very clean and spic and span at all times, and the only issue is that the ship is old and so has more general maintenance problems and hassles. This (assuming you are a Cunard or QE2 junkie) you take in your stride and take as part of the overall experience of the ship. But if not and you are more used to newer ships then you will take very negatively (e.g the people on either side of us in the QE2 QG restaurant though it was terrible they saw things like leaking windows etc).

5) Shops

Both ships have rubbish shops! I really feel there is a missed opportunity, but guess they know what they are doing. I still am not sure why they don't use the duty free shopping exeperience from a place like Heathrow to replicate - with more electricals, etc

6) Suitability for cruising

For a cruise holiday, I think that a ship like Aurora which has been designed for cruising in hot climates would probably be more suitable for a warm weather cruise than the QE2 for lolling around the pools (as there are 3 pools on the Aurora).

I loved the QE2 on the crossing with the walks on the beautiful decks and the stunning "layered" decks at the rear of the ship. However, the Aurora is designed for cruising and so while dramtaically less stylish than the QE2 in these areas there would be more chance to be by the pool.

It is interesting, as we chose to go on the new P&O Arcadia (which was originally going to be the Cunard Queen Victoria) for a summer cruise in the Med over chosing other options from Cunard as we felt that (in addition to trying a new ship months after going into service) that the ship itself may be better suited to enjoying the weather as it had more pools and outside facilities.... time will tell as one thing that we were amazed by was the huge amount of outdoor space on the QE2!

7) Passengers
As there were so many UK people on the QE2 it was not that different in mix of people. The Aurora seemed to have a slightly younger mix of people as it attracts a lot of extended families - and by that I mean grandparents, parents and their kids from teen to young and then usually some friends as well. So there were a lot of "groups" travelling together.

Summary

I liked both a lot. I guess I can say I loved the QE2 and really really enjoyed the Aurora... so therein lies the key difference!

I loved the QE2 for the uniqeness, the "quirkiness" and the whole sense of experiencing the ship and the experience. The crew is outstanding, and made you feel individual and special.

I really enjoyed the Aurora. It is a well run ship, with great food, great cabins and the same level of formality (as you have lots of formal nights).

I woudl go on both again!

[transat_jon]

Thanks Gary

I have not managed to get on a P&O ship yet, something else comes up each time I am about to book a P&O cruise (often a good deal on QE2!). The Aurora cruise I almost did was the one that got hit with norwalk virus and was not allowed to dock anywhere.....I was so glad we had not booked it.

A couple of my relatives did the Aurora world cruise last year. They travelled around Australia at the same time as QE2 and they commented on how shabby she looked on deck in comparison to Aurora. They also commented on "looking down" on QE2 also from the physical point of view. One thing they didn't mention was that QE2 arrived in port before them and left after them, overtaking them at sea every day, giving the QE2 passengers longer in port.

I admit to being a "QE2 junkie" as you put it. The old girl keeps calling me back, twice in 2004. Now that you have been on board you understand what QE2 is all about. She has her problems - the accommodation is inferior to modern ships and has plumbing and air conditioning issues - but she has so much character that the modern ships do not have. Long may she reign.

[seabourndt]

after the overbooking, and rebboking this nbex cruisew in july, i hopew i have better luck. only been on adonia in soton for the one day so can't really say much. going to the p&o roadshow this wednesday in nottingham about the new ships. bokked on the mini cruise on arcadia in june.

please gary b reply to me about us meeting sometime. or email me
[email]SEABOURNDT@AOL.COM[/email]
DAVID

[signman]

Jon, Enjoyed your review and photos. Hope we can sail together again sometime.

[transat_jon]

Howard I would very much like that. I am thinking of doing the QE2 westbound 03Jan06 if a suitable deal comes up, it is quite a long way away yet though. It will be October time before I'd be looking to book.

I forgot to ask you, did you try the Olive Tree in Southampton ? If so, what did you think?

Also get in touch about the NY picture.

[Vic The Parrot]

Yes, I'm still alive.....



I just recently returned home from the QE2 'holiday cruise from hell' , and needed some time to collect my thoughts. Everyone sez the crossing was pretty rocky, but the Christmas cruise will make your toenails curl.


I'll be posting my experiences soon for the crossing, and the portion of that waste of money I stayed on board for on 21Dec.

[seabourndt]

also good meeting howard at the hotel and the walk around london. hope you come over again or i come there sometime. in the meantime i'm getting used to the winter here, cold and very windy today. at feels a long way till july. still have my cruise cert. still not sure when i will use it
david

[Gary B]

Vic- I am looking forward to hearing the report of your expereince on the 21 dec Caribbean trip. I have seen a few reports about the problems with complete loss of power at 2am in New Year day, hot water out of cold taps, lack of cooling etc.... so await with interest your report! gary