Captiveguru

Just returned from a week on board the AMAKristina - Amsterdam to Basel. I was going to post a trip report, but because of the heat wave (every day but one in the 90s!) I'm afraid (hope) my experience is pretty unusual. We had a couple of excursions cancelled because of it. I'm happy to answer any questions, however. We were a large group of 12, which also made our experiences different than most.

 

Because of the heat, no one had enough clothes (you just couldn't wear anything twice!) and I'm sure the ship's laundry was busier than normal. We were in a suite, and laundry was free, but the others said it wasn't very expensive.

Thanks for the details. We are booked on the 8/20 trip from Basel to Amsterdam on Amastella. Was hoping to escape the heat of Florida but it does not look like that will happen. Warm/hot weather will certainly affect our final wardrobe choices. Sounds like shorts during the day...

Does the ship have AC?

Looking forward to boarding Amastella in Basel on August 20. A couple of wine questions:

I read somewhere that prosecco is served during breakfast. Is this true?

Sip and Sail sounds great. Is there a charge?

Absolutely! In fact, my TA usually finds more benefits than I knew about.

Travel Agent. I have done it both ways on Cunard. Using a TA is by far the best strategy. The price may or may not be less, but the TA can make sure I get exactly what I want and will coordinate all of the details.

I still make my own air arrangements and she coordinates transfers, hotels, etc...

Ready to take our first river cruise. Our ocean cruising preference is Cunard. Have narrowed the field to AMA (Amastella) and Avalon (Imagery II), both traveling between Amsterdam and Zurich.

How to choose between these options? Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

This thread reminds me of my first crossing on QE2 in 2003. In those days the dress code was coat and tie on the first and last nights and formal for the other four nights.

We were in the Caronia dining room at a table for six. We were traveling with another couple. The third couple showed up a bit late and were very casually dressed. They noticed that they were under-dressed and asked us about the dress code. We explained that the next four nights were formal and men were expected to wear tuxedos or dark suits. They clearly had not been told (or done any research).

We never saw them again. I assume they ate all of thier in the Lido (buffet). I felt sorry for them but was glad that they chose to follow the rules.

It would be interesting if on their new ship Cunard are still differentiating dining arrangements according to what you have booked, i.e. Brittania, Grills etc. This is maintaining the liner tradition. Most other luxury cruise lines have dispensed with this and the only differential seems to be in the position and quality of the cabin/suite. We love the dine anywhere and open seating arrangements and are anxious that we will not enjoy our forthcoming cruise on QE.

I am hoping Cunard DOES NOT "dispense" with the differential dining arrangements. Again, this is part of what makes Cunard Cunard.

I have traveled in the Queens Grill, the Princess Grill and Britannia. The selections and food quality are somewhat better in the Grills, but the big benefit is the ability to dine when you please.

Why would you like to sail Cunard if dressing for dinner is not for you? It's like me saying that I would "like to sail Disney" but my life style does not want the company of young children or care to have interaction with costumed characters.

This is by far the best response to the "Do I really have to follow the Cunard dress code?" question.

Well said. My travel agent knows I like Cunard and has directed me away from cruise lines that I will not like. BTW - My "life style" does not require frequent formal or even business dress. "Dressing up" does not come natural. But I like the ambiance of Cunard. It is like going back in time and the dress code makes it possible.

And we went to the show in the theater, dressed nicely, but not formally, and it was no problem.

Maybe not a problem for you, but if it was a formal night and you ignored the dress code you most certainly caused a problem for your fellow passengers.

One of the great things about Cunard is the fact that the vast majority of the passengers follow the dress code. This who do not follow the dress code but insist on using the public areas in the evening devalue the experience for those who do honor the dress code.

However, I am not into "dressing up" every night, and while relaxing during sea days - prefer a nice tShirt or Coverup and Shorts over my bathing suit to sit, wander or find a place for day meals.....

so I have chosen many "casual cruises" over the years to many places on NCL.

 

Would I be comfortable on this type of cruise...I am thinking of the 14 day Transatlantic

If you do not mind taking your meals in the KIng's Court (buffet), and not go to the Royal Court (theater), in the evenings, you will be OK.

But if you really want to experience Cunard you need to eat a few meals in the MDR. Even if you do not dance you will want to wander through the Queens Room after dinner. And the evening entertainment is generally very good.

I've sailed QM2 three times as a regular passenger (not in a suite or Britannia). The food in the main dining room was very standard, wedding style food, which wasn't anything to write home about. I could have lived with that, but the service was very bad and if you did ask for anything- the waiters were not very pleased or helpful. I ended up eating the majority of my meals in the buffet.

 

I am doing a TA on 7/28/17 and I'm sure it will be enjoyable. I will give the main dining room another try, but if the service is poor- I'll eat in the buffet.

My experience has been completely different. I live with a great and creative cook and the MDR food is high quality, as is the service. Anything and everything I asked for was provided, with pleasure. After the first two nights the wait staff knew want I liked and made sure I had it.

What could you be asking for that would make the waiters displeased?

The buffet is adequate, but in no way measures up to the quality of the MDR. Moreover, there is NO SERVICE in the buffet.

So to be clear, if you are not happy with the MDR service you would prefer the buffet self-service?

Yes. Every sea day.

 

Can I bring wine on board from each port?

 

On Masquerade and Roaring Twenties nights, does one wear costumes to dinner?

 

Is there any way to see the nightly entertainment in advance?

I have lost count of the number of wine bottles I have brought on board in the past 3 years. Last month I boarded in Southampton with 6 bottles in a fabric wine carrier. In December I bought at least one bottle in each port in Spain and Portugal.

Many people wear their outfits to dinner, although it is hard to eat with the mask on.

Not sure what you mean by "see" the entertainment in advance. Rehearsals are not open. But there is always a good description of the entertainment in the daily program and during the morning TV show.

Taking the water taxi from the Venice Airport to the Grand Canal was one of the highlight's of our anniversary trip a few years ago. We were not boarding a ship, however. Not sure how that would work, but if it were me I would try to figure out a way to do it again.

Look here: https://www.cunard.com/Documents/2017-18-deck-plans/QM2-deck-plans-2017-18.pdf

Deck 9 has the concierge lounge and the Commodore Club. Deck 10 has the exclusive afterdeck area. Can't really go wrong either way...

I use T-Mobile which has a great "wifi calling" feature. I used it this week to make a couple of calls from using the QM2 internet. Worked fine. But it is too expensive to remain connected full time. My strategy was to log onto the internet for a few minutes every 6 hours or so. If I got a message I then responded.

Thanks so much for the info.

Any suggestions about the excursions....private or ships?/quote]

 

If you have only one day in NYC I would opt for the Cunard tour. You will be assured of not missing the departure.

From your other post I assume you will be in a Q5. If so, there is no reason to consider Alt Dining. In the Queens Grill they will prepare whatever you want, as long as it is onboard. YOu just need to tell your butler what you want.

I am also considering our first Cunard cruise; an eastbound TA in May 2018 in the QM2. Some questions:

 

1. Is there a walking/jogging track? How many laps to a mile?

2. Is the fitness center adequate for the number of passengers?

3. We would be in a QG5. Is Deck 9 better than Deck 10?

4. How many formal nights for 7 days' cruising?

5. Are there group games like Trivia or Liars Club?

 

Thanks for all recommendations/tips that can help us!

Regarding #2 - The Fitness Center is not as large as QV, but it is adequate. I just got off QM2 today. Use the FC everyday. It was never near capacity between 11 AM and 2 PM.

Regarding #1 - Deck 7 is 1.1 miles for 3 laps. One problem: Cunard is very libertarian when it comes to the direction of travel. Most people walk/run anti-clockwise, but a large percentage insist on walking clockwise. Not sure why...

Regarding #3 - Look at the deck plans. Do you want to be close the concierge lounge? Or the Grills afterdeck? Or the Commodore Club?

Are you saying you were #2 on the wait list or #2 on the tour?

Westbound Transatlantic next week. Other than the Commodore's Club, where is the best place to watch the sunset each day?

Likewise, for us early-risers, where to watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee?

You might check with Cunard. The cost to travel from LHR is quite reasonable...

Thanks. I actually prefer the 9:00 AM start. That keeps the numbers down to only the most serious and allows me to attend the morning lectures.

"The Queen Mary 2 ship uses more than 1,000 tons of fresh water every day (~1 million litres). Even a ship her size is not big enough to store that much water. So she makes it herself. Sea water is drown in the ship in the middle of the hull. It’s pumped into three low pressure flash evaporators where it’s boiled by waste heat in the engines. The steam condenses into distilled water that is pumped into storage tanks."

http://www.queenmarycruises.net/rms-queen-mary-2-ship/

I shared your post with my TA. She says that fare is per person for double occupancy in an interior cabin, not for a single.