cruzadict Posted December 18, 2007 #1 Share Posted December 18, 2007 We are thinking of booking the QM2 for Xmas and New Year 2008 leaving from Fort Lauderdale. As this will be the first time that we have been away from the family, 4 children and 9 grandchildren, could someone please let me know what the atmosphere is like over this period. We have decided on this ship as with it being British we thought that it would have a more traditional atmosphere. Are there carol services etc. Looking forward to some replies and would like to book it before long. Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2moose Posted December 18, 2007 #2 Share Posted December 18, 2007 We are thinking of booking the QM2 for Xmas and New Year 2008 leaving from Fort Lauderdale. As this will be the first time that we have been away from the family, 4 children and 9 grandchildren, could someone please let me know what the atmosphere is like over this period. We have decided on this ship as with it being British we thought that it would have a more traditional atmosphere. Are there carol services etc. Looking forward to some replies and would like to book it before long. Marilyn we did just that last year the QM2 cruise was magnificent in every possible way the best cruise we ever had by far and was the 4th sailing with cunard we have had many cruises and always wanted to do the 18 day xmas cruise with cunard but were hesitant due to missing the family for the holidays Xmas morning we called home to wish every on a merry xmas on the telephone yes there were a few tears( cost $ 150 well worth it) we were very glad that we did the xmas sailing even i couldnt find anything to complain about it was perfect go enjoy we are sure you will find the same wonderfull experience that we had bon voyage jim from new jersey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzadict Posted December 18, 2007 Author #3 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Thanks for the reply Jim, I know there will definately be tears from our cabin, mine of course. Hubby is far more realistic. Did they have carol concerts and midnight mass? Were there many children on the cruise? What was the foremat for Christmas Day, the itinerary for 2008 shows us as being at sea. Thanks for your help. Marilyn (from wet and windy Wales, UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted December 18, 2007 #4 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I thought the point of a Christmas cruise was to escape the family? Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel-to-go Posted December 18, 2007 #5 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Matthew, Bah, Humbug! <G> cruzadict, While I have not sailed Cunard for Christmas, I have sailed HAL for the holidays, and read others' reports from last year, here on CC. I am not a big holiday celebrant, thinking it has been way too commercialized, and would be happy to never hear "Grandma got run over by a reindeer again!" What I found is that you have 24/7 holiday spirit, music, and decor. The QM2 was done up quite beautifully for Christmas (Find Penny's posts with the pictures of the decorations they had up on her Dec 2 sailing last year) Look for patwell's posts. IIRC, last year, someone posted the Captain did a midnight mass. We have had discussions on here is there a mass said every day? The answer was yes. Christmas is certainly no exception, and I am certain is most beautifully done. There was also Christmas Carol singing in the lobby/atrium last year (I don't remember this on my HAL trip, unless we missed it) People raved over how wonderful it was and the Christmas spirit. There were gifts and Santa for the children (also on HAL) Even though a British ship, the passengers are half Americans usually. And I think you will find the holidays very well celebrated. New Years, apparently there were several parties, in several locales (I think I remember on deck, G32 night club, and Queens Room. Likewise, QE2 had several parties going on at once.. I think you will have a marvelous time, with even more closeness among passengers than most cruises. Book it. Have a wonderful time! And I think they deliberately plan a sea day, both because everything is closed on most islands and tourist areas on the holiday and becasue of all of the wonderful things planned for the passengers. Believe me, if you have never seen Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas completely deserted and everything closed, it is a wonder to see! That is when you will see it! (Although I suspect more things would be open if a ship were scheduled in- Money is money, after all! I flew over there one year- on a DC3, at that!!) Christmas dinner is generally something special and traditional. I think someone posted a menu here somewhere, but darned if I know where! Have a wonderful time! Karie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2moose Posted December 19, 2007 #6 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Thanks for the reply Jim, I know there will definately be tears from our cabin, mine of course. Hubby is far more realistic. Did they have carol concerts and midnight mass? Were there many children on the cruise? What was the foremat for Christmas Day, the itinerary for 2008 shows us as being at sea. Thanks for your help. Marilyn (from wet and windy Wales, UK) marilyn: yes they had carol concerts and carolling thru out the ship with dickens attire and yes there was midnight mass with everyone in thier finest attire tuxs and gowns. Magnificent decorations everywhere and ginger bread houses every where as well. yes there were some children on board all well behaved p.s there is a reason the xmas/newyears cruise is the most expensive and its worth every penny!! see karies thread above very accurate details for our cruises as well best regards jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic The Parrot Posted December 19, 2007 #7 Share Posted December 19, 2007 I was on a Christmas/New Years cruise a few years ago on QE2. Loved every day! .... I'd give anything (and a dingos kidney) to do it over again! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted December 19, 2007 #8 Share Posted December 19, 2007 If you're going to miss the family then why on earth go? I'm not sure that the Queen Mary 2 is British. Yes, she sails the Red Duster, but I think she is more of a foreigner's (in this case the USA) view of England. My wife suggests that those worried about leaving the family shouldn't be so tight and take them with you...... Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel-to-go Posted December 19, 2007 #9 Share Posted December 19, 2007 I was on a Christmas/New Years cruise a few years ago on QE2. Loved every day! .... I'd give anything (and a dingos kidney) to do it over again! :) Yeah, Vic, But how does the Dingo feel about this? KP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic The Parrot Posted December 19, 2007 #10 Share Posted December 19, 2007 (Find Penny's posts with the pictures of the decorations they had up on her Dec 2 sailing last year) Look for patwell's posts. Karie Speaking of Penny, haven't heard anything from her recently .... hope she's alright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NomDePlume Posted December 19, 2007 #11 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Speaking of Penny, haven't heard anything from her recently .... hope she's alright. On sabbatical until after the holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel-to-go Posted December 19, 2007 #12 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Speaking of Penny, haven't heard anything from her recently .... hope she's alright. SHHHHH!!!! (Tender # 18... Pol Acker at 10:00 PM. Meet us there) ANON!!! (P.S. Ignore the claw marks in the carpet) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic The Parrot Posted December 20, 2007 #13 Share Posted December 20, 2007 DON'T click on the link! It could be a virus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
534 Posted December 20, 2007 #14 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Vic, I'm with Karie, doesn't the Dingo have a say in this :D ;) Betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D2 in Safety Harbor Posted December 21, 2007 #15 Share Posted December 21, 2007 We sailed on her last year for the Christmas sail and will again in 2008. Beautiful decorations, lovely music, and the carol singing around the tree was so very international. Paper hats and noise makers which are unusual for us seemed to delight even the aged among us. Staid gentlemen in tuxedos wear paper hats. Well, I never. We wore ours also. So much staid. We are off on QV World voyage in three short weeks. No paper hats this year, but can't wait for next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted December 21, 2007 #16 Share Posted December 21, 2007 We sailed on her last year for the Christmas sail and will again in 2008. Beautiful decorations, lovely music, and the carol singing around the tree was so very international. Paper hats and noise makers which are unusual for us seemed to delight even the aged among us. Staid gentlemen in tuxedos wear paper hats. Well, I never. We wore ours also. So much staid. We are off on QV World voyage in three short weeks. No paper hats this year, but can't wait for next year. Unless Cunard have done something about the drawer space on QV, you may be reduced to paper clothes you can throw away. Never mind paper hats.:) Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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