Germancruiser

I am sailing Connie in September, as I read she goes right into drydock after the upcoming TA. Cańt wait so see what they have in store for her. Just debarked Infinity two days ago- and they a pretty good job of refurbishing her. I expect they will do the same for Connie. Have a good last few days on board.

Seeing is believing- I only believe in another Titanic- when I can see options for booking cabins- and even then only when I see her ready to take the first passengers. They also need a Molly Brown..!

I am just back this friday from the Infinity Best of Greek cruise- I will write a longer review when I have settled back in. All I can say- Infinity - as mentioned above was just leaving dry dock a few weeks ago. Yes- they did a great job to keep the Infy looking nice- very nice indeed. This was my fourth time on board Infiy- 2007, 2014, 2021 and the last ten days. All new upholstery- in every lounge - in every bar- new color shemes. New carpets- new paint job outside- no blue hull though. The only place where she shows her age are the public bathrooms and the bathrooms in the cabins. Those in the cabins- even though kept spotless clean, are really in dire need of renovation. Not likely to happen anytime soon though- if ever - I am not sure how long the will keep Milli- Class in the fleet.

Currently on board and all I can say so far - Infinity is in great shape after her recent drydock! More when I am back

I agree, no North - Atlantic in an open live boat. That I think to myself quite often, when walking the Decks of QM2 or any other Cunarder, but esp. QM2, what a wonderful thing- Britannia Class passengers can enjoy surroundings that would have been reservered for first class passengers about a 100 years and more ago. Great pictures what a nice Edwardian Style she had ( for the first class passengers anyway) - thanks.

Great topic this- especially for us " Shipbuffs"! Thx. Rog! QM2 could do that TA also in 5 days- but who would want that , LOL? I rather stay 7 days on board instead of only five. The last crossing- right before her drydock- from NY to Hamburg, was proof how fast she ( Mary2 ) can go- if needed be. We left NY 17 hours late- due to a computer failure on board- stayed overnight right in front of VN- Bridge. We arrived to the minute on time in Southampton- Captain just sped her up to about somedays 28 knots. Wonderfull crossing that was- and not a shudder, not a shake- she cut right through the waves. Brilliand ship that QM2.

Thx - WoV - I did not know that - that the Germans inveted the extra cost dining options. I also thought it was a first on the Olympic Class. Mauretania was Commodore Rostron´s beloved ship- he was overcome when he watched her going to the breakers.

sfred- thanks a thousand times- that was a great travel in the time machine. I was wondering about the IT issues Cunard seems to have on and off since 1907- I mean they had enough time to fix that....!

I, too am on the March 4 th sailing. I just give the tax driver the adress provided on the online ticket, they sent it already.

Agreed, to all above- Samuel Cunard´s forbears changed their name to the German " Kunder", after moving to Krefeld. ( West - Germany)

Solent Richard- you really made me smile- no laugh- and I agree - completley. Esp. your mentioning of " those exports" to the fair land across the Ocean. A Royal at a Cunarders christening certainly causes more press coverage than any other godmother would. As long as they do " reimport" some US- Royals. LOL. If all fails they could always ask Imelda Staunton to help out- for her superb acting as the aging Queen Elisabeth II.

I totaly agree- BEAV- wonderful dinners in all of their Spec. Restaurants. My favorite- hm- can´t really say- each had it´s own charme.

Well tradition is tradition- but well put Wanted. But still I think they will keep their godmothers in the Royal Family of Britain, a tradition started in the 1930´s with the Queen Mary christening the Original and legendary first RMS Queen Mary.

Great pictures Jhuntgold- I remember my very first cruise- miniships they would be called today- Jupiter of Epirotiki and Germany´s " Berlin"! Same cabin layout than Rotterdam. Those first voyages are now 40 ( Jupiter) and 34 years ( Berlin) ago. Oh my...! At the age of 14 even the little Jupiter was a stunning experience- never to be forgotten. Two formals- tux etc. The rest a nice suit and tie was the dress code.

Ah I remember these days well- Chef Roux - indeed- the MDR- dinners where equal to todays Spec. Restaurants- at least on board X- ships.

Oh I am not afraid to get a kick - somewhere- LOL. Well anyway- one can always bring along his own butler- can´t we? Usually my personal vallet is on holiday when I go- so my butler would be a perfect choice.

Agreed- either of the Royal Ladies would do. Some distant day in the future ( maybe not sooo distand) there sure will be a Queen Camilla joining the Cunard fleet.

Sovereign - the mother of all modern cruise ships- along with Majesty and Monarch- all of them gone by now- except for Majesty. The following class- Vision Class- was my first experience ( Grandeur) with those- at that time- " Super- Liners" as they where called.

Interessting topic. The only butler I experienced have been on MSC - Yacht Club. I never did need a butler- and I always wondered why they ( X) did not stopp that long ago. Give me a nice cabin steward any day - Lol.

I did the Maiden Voyage on Apex, right after Covid - an unforgetable experience- it was not only the Maiden Voyage but also the first ship in Europe ( X) to restart after 2 years - almost - with no cruises at all. I loved my SV cabin- I would never book any other cabin ( except for a Suite of course- but I like the REAL balcony cabin. I asked the cabin stewart if he could provide me with a lounger, which he did. So I am pretty sure Hawk 1 that you will like you Apex- experience.

Even though no longer with the United States Restaurant I can´t wait to embark on board Infinity in 10 days. Also she got a bit of a make over- so even though a rather old Lady I am sure I will love every minuite - 4th time that I booked a cruise on Infinity. The only Milli- Class ship I sailed but once is Summit.

Sea days are Cunard´s forte- I would say. They have the best lecturers and esp. those long sea days on a Transatlantic- nothing better, esp. for those who have been to many ports and enjoy the tranquility and charme of a bygone era, which one finds with Cunard. There a port intensive voyages, too, of course- but I avoid them these days. I am a big fan of their Prommenade Decks- all of the Cunarders have them- with the exception of Queen Anne- not yet in Service- of course.

Infinity used to sail back to Hawai from San Diego. I would do that again - if they would still do that.

Change is the only constant I have read once- very true. Sadly not always for the better. X- has kind of " watered down " their product- still a great cruise experience though- so I return for the occaisional voyage to X- sailing mostly Cunard these days.

e& mscruise- how brave you are - some aks a smoking related question - masking it as - I want to avoid a balcony where smoke driffts to- some are really concered - some masking the question thus.