Germancruiser

Have a great time Steve4031- QM2 is my favorite ship.Crossings is what she is doing best- that´s what´s she´s been built for. Just left QM2 two weeks ago- and already I am kind of " homesick"! LOL. As soon as I enter into the Grand Lobby it´s is by now almost like a homecoming. Have a wonderful crossing. I am almost sure you will love it. Wonderful that you take us all with you.

So was mine Vicotria2- I ordered surf and turf , without the surf- so my baby Filet Mignon arrived- I almost asked the waiter - " and where is the turf?" Maybe next time i should. LOL.

That is exactly what I am gonna do next time. LOL.

I do not order beef as much as I used to, but I have to agree, the Filet Mignon in the Britannia was - well rather " petit " - but not tough- i just thought to myself- " What a sorry excuse for Filet Mignon"- but the sides where really nice- so I rather enjoyed it despite the FM.

I was a bit dissapointed that the 240 minutes are exchanged for 80,- Internet credit, for my two weeks voyage I bought the whole package - a bit pricy- yes- but on the other hand it was no longer required to log off- so I was quite satisfied. Also the wifi worked like charm- and was pretty quick.

Oh, that´s someting I really forgot to mention- after the first week or so, i tried, for the first time ever, Cunards roomservice breakfast. I really must say it always came on time - on the dot, even and was just wonderful. So for the remainder of the voyage I had breakfast in the room. They call them little chocolates and ginger things petit fours, well I know Petit Fours, of course - they are totaly different from the ones we know hereabouts. Interessting, thank you.

There are already some reviews of the voyage from June 9th to June 23rd - so I thought I have to throw in my two cents...! This voyage marked my 10th voyage on QM2- so kind of a little Jubilee. Two voyages with QV and QE throwen in. I rebooked to this voyage after I had to cancel my planed Transatlantic in April for some family issues- turned out that both legs of said TA- Crossing where canceled anyway- due to technical problems QM2 developed on the previous TA, which also marked the ending of the World Cruise for those from England. The voyage was wonderful- as usual on board the QM2 and this one was even more special. QM2 is a unique ship- there is simply is no other like her- and so she remains my favorite ship out there- even though QM2 needs a little tender love and care ( which she will get in the near future). Here are few of those parts that are very obvious: The chairs in both QR and the Britannia are in need of upholstery. Some furniture ( the lounge chairs and the plastic loungers ) on decks 7 and 8 aft are in dire need of replacement- they look tired and worn- in some parts downright shabby- definitely to up to Cunard standards. I hope they keep the teak chairs and tables. Those things have been visible- but it would never spoil my voyage. QM2 feels so comfortable – one step on board and I feel like coming home. The service was excellent as usual. The menu in the Britannia Restaurant changed - and not always for the best. I am not a 100% sure, but I think there was a selection, called something available every night- like Cesar´s Salad etc. That is gone- I hope it comes back, since I really missed to have an alternative choice. Some mentioned the Queens Room in another topic of this voyage, so I will mention a few bits and pieces of my experience in the Queens Room. I love watching the dancers in the QR- I looked in almost every evening/night. Such a joy to watch. The orchestra and the Duo where both excellent. Some nights the QR was packed on others there have been still seats available- but still, the dance floor was in good use. I did ballroom dancing for many years in my younger years- so I really enjoy the QR, even though I do not participate- except for one special dance! The professional dancers where- well- so so- nothing to call home for- the male dancer is to blame - the Lady was superb though. The male version seemed more like Robot who tried to dance ( well he knew his steps, but that's about it) , with an expression as if he just bite on a piece of extra sour lemon- not the done thing on the dancefloor. I talked to the great waiter in Britannia about the parade at the end of the voyage. Since Covid they no longer do the little parade of chefs, waiters and staff through Britannia- they should bring that back- it was a nice way to show the staff our appreciation for their excellent service- and the passengers- including me- enjoyed it also. Amanda Reid was the Entertainment director - and as usual - she did a great job. Very nice Lady. Capt. Hashmi was on the helm- for the first with me on board. LOL. I rather liked his daily noon messages always ending with a proverb and the explanation where it came from and the meaning. What sets Cunard apart from the other mainstream Cruise Lines? Well it´s the little things really, the platter with the little sweet things to go with the coffee or tea at the end of dinner, the cold towel when coming " home" from shore ( okay- Celebrity provides them, too) , the guest choir, the upkeep with traditions - Cunard Insights- “ The eight bells” just to name a few. Queen Mary 2 is a Liner built for Crossings - so it was almost the first time that I experienced QM2 in warmer weather during a Med- Cruise with sunshine almost every day. I almost missed the times spent indoors in the sometimes rather rough weather on the Atlantic. The Med was like a lake- so no movement of the ship at all- kind of missed that too. So another voyage completed and it felt the time was just flying. Until the next time on board QM2.

As I just - well last friday- dissembarked QM2- I followed her course ( as I do from time to time) back to New York. Kudos for Cunard - great that they take good care of their crew and make no difference between crew and passengers. Shame and double Shame on the passenger who complained that " just because of crew" ! Unbelievable behaviour in this time and age. I will do a review when i can take the time - just one thing- QM2 is and stay my favorite ship out there.

Just from the brdice it was a deflated rescue boat nobody in it thank god

Still not moving- waiting for the next message from the bridge

Oh , so Calvi was a Maiden Call- thanks for letting me know.

Hello, I am also on this very voyage. Love every minute of it. Did not run into HH. Thanks HH for reporting, very interessting- and a first to read a report from a voyage I am actually on board. I agree with everything HH wrote. The ship is in fine condition. Yes QM2 is in need for a litte paint work done, the hard North Atlantic takes its toll. I am quite happy with my single cabin on deck three. Love them. The Service , food etc. is wonderful- as always. Rome today and I am staying on board- or maybe a quick look around Civitavechia, not quite sure yet. Room Service breakfast is great. Had it for the first time ever on board any Cunard ship I was on. Love it. Glad to hear you test came out negativ, HH. Your pictures are great. Thanks for posting. Internet has improved a great deal- maybe due to Star Link. Greetings Michael

From the pictures I would rather book a porthole balcony room than an IV. My SV on board Apex was one of the best cabins i ever had.

When those drink pacages first came out i tried them- always the non alcoholic. Since a few years I just pay as I go. In my opinion they do not always worth it.

On my last voyages it was Twinings. Was quite nice- a very good brand. I would bring Yorkshire tea, if you need it bad. LOL.

For major updates - like new carpets - new uppolstery- etc. the ship usually get´s into drydock! A few cosmetical updates may be done during the regular service- but just on the surface. The condition the OP describes definatley needs a dry dock overhaul.

Well I cam from RCCL moved to X- then - Cunard, with a few cruises with MSC- in their wonderful Yacht Club. So the OP´s question was - what cruise line to turn to- so I would recommend Cunard- very refinded- very different in style, excellent service. Food comparable to X ( I never sailed in the Grills- so I can only comment on Britannia Class) Cunard offers a very " British" cruise experience. What I never encountered where Kids on Cunard ships. Wheras on MSC ships there ( outside of Yacht Club) are - well i felt that way- 1000´s of kids.

If you loved Beyond I think you can not go wrong. Maybe the music on board Beyond did not disturb you at all. So I would not be to worried. People have different noise level they can stomach. My noise level seems to get more sensibel the older I get. In my mid 50´s now, but enjoyed the calmness and great guest, crew and everything about Celebrity when I did my first cruise with them 22 years ago ( the then brandnew Millenium) All the complains about loud music- standards a bit slipping- cutbacks all over- are true- but - STILL CELEBRITY IS OFFERING A GREAT CRUISE EXPERIENCE!

I only have Arthur - and that for the Name only - Captain Sir Rostron did deserve a bear to bear his name.

So calm weather means no creacking - rough weather a bit ( or a bit more) creacking! I found that out since my very first cruise back in 1983. I can not imagine that there is a design flaw in the ships themself. ( There some with the E- Class ships, but that has nothing to do with the creacking noise.. )

Thank you Host Anne- I could not agree more.

@daveandkathy- that is exactly what i thought, when I first read the topic. Cooking one´s own rice in the cabin... !

That was indeed a great idea- to act as you did. So she saw for herself. Perfectly done. I agree- and really don´t get it- there so many venues on board this otherwise wonderful Ship ( in this case it was the Apex) why ist so important to have that Partything going on in the middle of the ship. The crew and service where really really great- there so many great restaurants and lounges. Eden is a wonderful spot- in a few years - after the first major refits - it is quite possible that they change the interiour - away from this gastly 70´s style, with the impossible chairs and tables. One can still hope. LOL.

Oh yes- X- ships seems to get louder by the year- Party Party Party- thats the new goal- and to attract a younger clientel. The Martini Bars on board the Solstice Class of ships are loud, but compared to the Martini Bar on board Apex it seemed like soft music playing in funeral home. The location of the Martini Bars on board E- Class ships are IMO rather cathastrophic. No excape from the Party - all through 3 or so decks. The Captain deems it neccecarry to stand on bar and entertain.

I always come early to the pier- better safe then sorry. My boarding time for June 9th is 2.45- I am there at noon- or a bit later, depending on the traffic from London to Southampton. Car will pick me up at 10.30am. So that should work- if I have to wait a little - so be it- I don´t care.