firegal2539

Thank you Millieloulou, I appreciate it. I am a little apprehensive because I have never been out of the USA with the exception of Canada (which I love), the Caribbean, Mexico (which I don't love). I have taken over 50 cruises but never transatlantic. When I decided to take the cruise I spent hours reading reviews, watching YouTube videos and I finally quit because so many of them just talked about everyone onboard was very old, very stuffy and you just couldn't make friends. I decided I would form my own opinion and booked the cruise. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year onboard QM2. Candie

JT1101, Thanks for the information. Luggage Forward is picking up my huge suitcase this afternoon and I finally was able to get a hip length rain coat, a zip up sweat jacket, 4 sweaters, hat, gloves, and scarf. I can barely rolled the suitcase, so I hope the airline will take it when UPS brings it to them. Again thanks to everyone that helped me, Candie

OMG I didn't realize it got that cold at sea. Wow. Thanks for the picture. Candie

You are all wonderful and so kind. I can't wait to get onboard and go to lectures, tea, shows, casino. It is only 3 weeks away. Candie

Thanks everyone this is so helpful. Candie

Thanks for the info. Ever since I had Covid-19 my internal thermostat has been messed up. Since I caught it three more times my doctor says my body is messed up. I think I might try layers and scarves. I didn’t think about scarves. Thanks for the great advice. Candie

Hello, I am looking for advise for my Transatlantic cruise on QM2 in December. I am doing the round trip starting in New York. I like to walk around the outside decks. Will I need my heavy winter coat to do this? It is big and heavy and will take up a lot of room in my luggage but I don't want to freeze. I have a lightweight hoodie and could put a sweater under it but again I don't want to freeze. Any help will be appreciated. Candie

No there was a duo.

We had a day at sea and I played in the casino. Had a great dinner, all the table was happy. We did a stop in Port Canaveral. About half the ship didn’t get off. I spent time in the Crows Nest. Beautiful views from there and there wasn’t an empty chair. Breakfast in the dining room. Another fabulous dinner in the dining room. I did want mention I had my Specialty Dinner at the Pinnacle. It was an amazing dinner. I had the Candied Bacon, so different but fabulous. I also had the Lettuce Wedge, the Filet Mignon and Crème Brûlée. It was better than any restaurant I have eaten at. Today was disembarkation. Easy peazy. Now I am home. I wanted to stay and do another 10 days but they wouldn’t let me. Thanks everyone, Candie

I just got off Zuiderdam and the maitre di told me if your set time is 5:00, you need to be at your table no later than 30 minutes after 5:00. You can’t expect the Galley to make an appetizer, entree and dessert 1 hour late. You can speak to any maitre di about changing your dining time or moving from set to anytime, but you can’t change again. It isn’t for 1 day, it is the rest of your cruise. You still have to wait for a table for Anytime dining. A couple I became friends with said they waited first night for 45 minutes, second night about 25 minutes and every night after about 15 minutes. All of these changes are if the dining rooms have available tables and the maitre di will do it.

Today we are in Boston. Able to get off at 8:15. No sun, a little foggy, about 70 degrees. Very easy disembark. Did a Holland shore excursion, Accessible Boston. Pretty bad. The bus driver’s first tour and didn’t know anything about Boston so the tour guide had to tell her where to turn and what streets. The guide had about 20 sheets of paper and just read from them. Downtown Boston has 2 lane streets. 1 lane for turning and 1 for straight. All tall buildings and the guide would say “look between the two grey buildings and there is a statue of George Washington. Behind the church on the corner you can see the roof of the library. You couldn’t see anything. That was the whole tour, peeking between buildings. For $90 it should have been a lot better. Back on the ship I ate fried chicken at the Lido. The chicken is crunchy, crispy and tastes great. The rest of the food, not so much. At night I watch all of the On Demand movies, it helps me fall asleep. They are free and some new ones to watch. Will try to post later, Candie

Actually I have booked 3 more HAL cruises for 2024.

Questions first, yes trivia is 3 times a day and crowded. The Music Trivia is in the Boardwalk. My waiter is Made but there are 2 of them. The handicapped cabins go fast. I try to book as soon as the cruise opens. Yesterday was Halifax, another beautiful city. At this time all fall colors are in glorious display. I scootered around the port area, visited some shops and boarded the ship. Last night a dancing show that was excellent, thoroughly enjoyed. Dinner was lobster which you had to pay for, $20. Also a Dressy night. Today is Portland Maine. Did a tour of Freeport. Again a wonderful tour. I wanted to talk about the ship. It is clean, bright, shiny. I don’t see any areas that need painting or shiny up. The passengers are all so nice and the Canadians are just so kind. Tomorrow is Boston. Candie

I stepped on the Zuiderdam on Friday, September 30 in Quebec City. My first stop was my cabin. I am in a Signature Suite right at the front of the ship on deck five. It is an accessible cabin and it is beautiful. It has a balcony door and a huge picture window looking from the front of the ship. My scooter and everything fits with lots of room left over. I love it. The ship holds between 1900 and 2000 passengers. Right now there are 1852 passengers on board. It is the perfect size for me. 11 decks with lots to do. Starting at 8 AM until 12 Midnight, you can stay busy. It has the Rolling Stones lounge, and Billboard Onboard. Fantastic music, great drinks, and great passengers to talk to. Every day they have new art classes, teaching you to color, paint, do origami, etc. I have eaten all three evening meals in the main dining room and it has been excellent. I have also eaten breakfast in the main dining room, and it has been amazing too. Our first day was at sea with so much to do. Second day was Charlottetown and it was beautiful. Even though I use a scooter I was able to get off the ship and ride all over the port. The third day we are now in Sydney and it is an idyllic port. Great for people that love to take pictures. Absolutely beautiful. I have been in the casino all three nights and doing OK. Winning a little not losing. I went to the comedian show last night and he was excellent. I went to the dance show on the first night and it was all right. It’s not my favorite show. Tonight is another dance show. If you have any questions that I might be able to answer. I will be glad to try. This is only my first Holland America Cruise, but I will try to be helpful if I can. I am putting a few pictures I took of my room, the ship and both ports Later, Candie

In December will be my first Cunard cruise. Listening to many of you bickering/spatting/fighting about the food makes me wonder if I made the right choice in sailing on Cunard. I want friendly tablemates, not stuffy and obnoxious, with good food and great service.