Captiveguru

Why buy water? All of the water from the taps is distilled...

I agree with Host Hattie - If one of your criteria was the interior design you should have mentioned it. But you can see what the ship looks like from the thousands of photos posted here or on Cunard's website.

The photos and videos don't tell you about the relative experiences. Food quality and choice; Dining atmosphere; Service; Public room ambiance; activities; etc... The commenters here and on the other two forums provide good input on those characteristics.

BTW - I think it is interesting to note that the Cunard forum contained twice as many responses to your question as the other two forums combined.

Yes. We attended fencing class in April on QM2.

Thanks for the confirmation. Was it at 9:00 AM? How many participants?

I can't speak for BC as it's ten years since we dined there, but in the Grills, MOST, but not all, of the tables are for two. They are pretty close so you can build up a rapport with your neighbours, but have the freedom to dine at a time of your own choosing.

 

It works extremely well.

I agree. Many tables in the Grills for two and they are close enough to speak with your neighbors when you like but far enough apart so conversation is not required.

Same table and wait staff every meal in The Grills, but you get to arrive when you like. I think it is the same in BC.

One of the best parts of my Panama Canal voyage on QV two years ago was the fencing lessons on sea days. I was lead to believe fencing was a QV exclusive.

It appears that fencing is now on the QM2 as well? Can anyone confirm?

Eleteace - One more dress code story...

Our first voyage on Cunard was about 15 years ago. Southampton to NY with another couple. We had a table for six.

QE2 was more formal then. As I recall men were expected to wear coat and tie on the two "informal" nights (first and last).

The first night out the conversation turned to what the women were going to wear on the four (yes 4), formal nights. The 3rd couple were shocked to learn that there was a dress code at all. We never saw them again during the entire crossing. I assume they either used room service or ate in the Lido (I think that was what the buffet was called in those days).

I've cruised with NCL/MSC and last summer I took my first Cunard cruise on the queen Victoria. Completely agree that they can't be compared!

 

I am 23 so my the traditional Cunard passenger, I did really enjoy the cruise but there were so many things that nobody told me about and when I got back I was thinking 'why did nobody tell me those things'?

 

Things like the fact that the room service is free and the dress code is ship wide after 6pm (not just in the restaurants).

 

Although I really did enjoy my cruise I'm not sure that I would chose to cruise with Cunard again. I wrote a post here detailing the things I wish I had known before my first Cunard cruise; http://cruisingisntjustforoldpeople.co.uk/2016/11/06/8-things-you-should-know-before-cruising-with-cunard/

I read your post and I am surprised you did not know:

1) You have a set meal time and a set table

2) The dress code for formal nights is strict and informal nights are still pretty formal.

3) The dress code includes most public places after 6pm

These things are clearly spelled out on Cunard's website and are probably the things that people either love or hate about Cunard.

Your next 2 items are not as obvious:

4) 24 hour room service – and its free!!

5) There is a laundry on board – and its free!!

Your next item is absolutely true, but impossible to know (or believe), until you experience Cunard.

6) Cunard ships are quiet

I do not agree with item 7:

7) Mostly aimed at the older generation

Although it is probably true that a higher percentage of Baby Boomers might prefer Cunard over the Millennials, Cunard will appeal to anyone who likes the manners and culture demonstrated in Downton Abbey and similar productions.

Your last item is not quite correct:

8) No corkage fee

In my experience you can bring as much wine on as you can carry (I routinely start a voyage with six bottles), but if you want to drink that wine at dinner there is a corkage fee ($20, I think). But even that is sometimes waived. After purchasing wine for several days in the dinning room I brought a bottle to dinner one night. Our waiter discreetly took the bottle from me before we got to out table. The sommelier served it as if it was from the Cunard cellar, but the corkage fee never appeared on our bill.I assume that was because we only did it once and bought wine from him at every other meal.

My new TA is a cruise expert, but she had never booked on Cunard before. She was impressed with the pre-voyage documentation and asked me what we like about Cunard. It is probably the culture of sophistication and gentleness that is so lacking in today's culture.

One last thing about the dress code... I will never forget the night my wife and saw Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theater in London. A friend had arranged for us to sit in the first row. We were dressed up and started the evening in the bar under the stage area. Everything was great until we found our seats. Sitting next to us were Americans wearing ball caps, t-shirts and jeans. Yes, their attire downgraded our experience.

We booked our first Cunard crossing with a TA 15 years ago. In 2014 and 2015 we booked direct without a TA. In 2016 we used a CLIA certified TA. She was able to get us $350 in additional OBC and a very inexpensive port to airport transfer.

I recently booked my 5/24 crossing with her.

With the internet it is tempting to book direct, but I would recommend you use a competent TA. It makes everything so much easier.

I asked my TA about your postings. Like everyone else, she was surprised to hear that a TA would only book with 4 cruise lines. She books with 10. BTW - I was her first and second Cunard bookings. She is looking for a 3rd because she gets some kind of perk after 3 bookings.

One more thing... Use an agent uses software that tracks cruise prices. If the price drops after booking she can then negotiate with the cruise line. I do not have personal experience with this process, but I am sure she would negoiate a better deal than I could (More OBC or an upgrade).

First time I have booked this late... Wait-listed for early (6:30 PM), dining on QM2 sailing on 5/24. My TA says I am 191 on the wait-list.

Does anyone have any experience they would like to share? I am traveling solo so I am thinking my odds are improved by selecting a table of 8.

Any advice?

Does anyone have a florida address i could use?

For what purpose? To be offered a deal that Regent will not honor?

Was this advertisement from Regent itself or a TA??

Regent.

Got the "Cool off this summer in Alaska" flyer in the mail today. Have never cruised Regent. Mostly Cunard. Was intrigued by the following printed statements:

"From Only $2,999"

"Florida Resident Special Offer"

"Free Roundtrip Air from Orlando"

Five sailings listed; 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15 and 6/28.

Called. The lowest CRUISE ONLY fares available ranged from $3,444 to $3,749.

"What about the Free Air?" I asked.

"Not available on these cruises," I was told.

"But it says, 'Free Roundtrip Air From Orlando," I responded.

Neither the agent or her supervisor could explain why this was printed on the flyer I received.

Is this typical for Regent?

i have a question on my own, does any solo cruiser who cruised on victoria had been able to participate in the fencing lesson? since it required a fencing partner, i reckon it might pose problem for a solo traveller

No problem for solos. My cabinmate did not join me. The instructor paired us off. Best to find someone whose skill and interest level matches yours. One day I was paired with someone who did not want to follow the instructor's instructions... I avoided her thereafter.

Just got back. Customer Service says not to worry, but Costa excursions will have some kind of priority.

We are thinking we will be ready to disembark no later than 7:45 AM.

He said there might be a gangway on Deck 1 for "independent" travelers, but other wise it would be Deck A like today in Helsinki.

Thanks for stopping by at dinner. We should have exchanged cabin #'s. Have you read tomorrow's program? It implies that pax not participating in Costa's excursions cannot get off before 10:00 AM.

I am headed for the customer service desk to discuss... Can you join me?

Are you at all concerned about getting through Russian immigration in time to meet the Alla Tour? Do we need to sleep in the stairway in order to be first off?

We dine at 7 tonight. Table 251 (Upper Taurus). Come by if you can...

Just printed my Grand Tour tickets from Alla...

I asked Alla to compare/contrast the Grand And Imperial tours.

The Grand tour includes St. Isaac's, Yusupov Palace and a hydrofoil ride. The Imperial Splendors tour trades those for the Faberge Museum.

They did offer to take us to the Faberge for 90 minutes in the evening for 45 USD PP.

Frankly the GT sounds better to us and we have booked it.

See you on board!

We are on the same cruise. I do not think it is listed in the roll calls. We are interested. What is the website for this tour?

...but it seems to cost a minimum of £100 return which I feel is expensive for an airport transfer.

How much do you want to spend for a 90 km round-trip?

I am making the same trip in August. I think the cheapest way to go is to take the express train and then a bus. I plan to use Uber. 600 SEK each way.

Thanks for your response. We are flying from California, we like a couple of wines we also buy at Trader Joe's - red and white French table wines. So that is why I was asking, we can't carry them on our flight, but could put in our luggage, since we are doing a cruise out of NYC, will be at sea a 2 days before our first port. Figured we will buy wine in port along the way as well. I appreciate Cunard's reasonable policy.

We boarded QM2 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal last year. Had lunch and then I walked 0.5 miles to Dry Dock Wine & Spirits. Bought 6 bottles. They provided a very nice 6-pack wine bag.

Bought 2-3 bottles at Newport and Boston.

Carrying this question a little further, are there wine glasses in our staterooms for consumption in there of the wine we have brought on board?

Yes, in the Grill cabins. Champagne flutes on embrocation. You will have to ask for ine glasses, but once there they were replaced after every use.

We followed your last advice and we got to the front of the monstrous queue you refer to on Deck 1. If we hadn't been at the front of the line we wouldn't have made such a quick exit and arrival at FLL.

 

I completely agree with your comments about no Cunard personnel in sight in the Queen's Room. I found that to be very poor customer service, not up to Cunard's usual standards.

When everyone started leaving the QR I looked out the window at the Deck 2 gang plank and saw no movement. The passageway from the QR to the Deck 2 gang plank was stuffed full of people. I assumed we were still disembarking from Deck 2. When the crowd on 2 thinned I was able to get to the Grand Lobby and see the Deck 1 queue. Went back to get wife and luggage and went tot he elevators. 90% of the selfhelpers were now on Deck 1. At that point the officer arrives and tells the rest of us to return to the QR and wait.

Too bad he did not show up at 7:00 AM as all of the selfhelpers were firmly instructed.

I wanted to purchase some jigsaw puzzles I saw in the bookshop on QM2, so I contacted Cunard who referred me to:

 

Mel Glossop

Ocean Books

admin@oceanbooks.com

Tel: 01794-830663

 

I must say the service was above and beyond excellent, and they will go onboard when the ship is docked in Southampton to get items from the shop for you as they are taking on new stock, should they not have it offshore. Every year I always order the Cunard calenders from them which make great gifts.

 

Sure they would post overseas.

Thanks for the suggestion. Here is his response to my inquiry:

"Thank you for your email regarding the QM2 Cookbook. I do have a copy here which I would be happy to send to you. The cost of the book is $50.00. We are based in the UK and posting it to you would be around $30.00 to post to you in the US…….."

I don't know if this helps, but the cookbook is offered here: https://www.cunard.com/Documents/Gifts%20and%20Special%20Occassions/Gifts_Brochure.pdf See page 4.

 

"Queen Mary 2 Cookbook

- Ocean Liner Cuisine $50.00

Jean-Marie Zimmermann has released his

Ocean Liner Cuisine book, which provides

a gastronomic experience to be long remembered."

I called the 800#. Only available to be pre-ordered before your voyage begins...