CateW

We've done a family cruise on Disney and we've done the Haven 5 times (only once with kids).  Nobody does it better than Disney, especially with kids, I'm my opinion.

All things being equal, we would just do a round trip, which we've done several times.

On Queen Mary, they start taking them down the day after New Year's.  I assume that it is the same fleet wide but if I am wrong, I'm sure someone will let me know.

9 hours ago, Luv2Crus40 said:

I will have to figure out how to do a private email.  Meantime. Can QM2 dock now in Barbados?  She could not on our prior cruises. Also. Does QM2 doc at pier in St. Kitts?  DH and I prefer not to use tenders. Thanks. 

We docked in Barbados but St. Kitts was a tender because it was a last minute replacement for Antigua.    We have done this cruise before on QM2 and we have docked in St. Kitts.

We are just back from the Caribbean sailing on QM2.  The way that they have the alternative dining set up now you can't walk through to the Grills dining room or lounge because they have it roped off.  IMO, the area that they have for alternative dining is far too big, the two times that we were there, there were never more than 6 couples dining there.  I liked the smaller set up that they had a few years ago where the are was small and it felt more special.  The way it is set up now, I kind of felt like I was eating in a fish bowl, and yes, there some people walking through anyway and honestly, I don't blame them, the set-up is wrong.  I don't think it is right to tell someone to go back and go up or down to get to where they need to go.   

We got home yesterday from this cruise, also our third time doing this particular sailing (we have also done the Christmas/New Year's cruise twice).  For the first time, we originally booked PG but because of numerous price drops, we were able to upgrade to a Q6, first time in Queens Grille.   Our room was very spacious, well appointed and spotless when we got on and all week.  I wasn't terribly fond of the location, it was too far forward.   We always do room service for breakfast and normally just grab something in the Kings Court for lunch.  Service and dinners were outstanding.  You have the regular menu, an everyday menu and an alternative menu where you need to let them know durning lunch if you want any of those options.   If you didn't like any of those choices, you could ask for something else and if they had it, you got it.  I don't favor caviar but I saw lots of people having it, some every night.  The experience was fabulous!  We did sit next to Peter James and his lovely wife each evening after they boarded in Barbados; they are very nice people.   Most people that I saw in the evening were nicely dressed and lots of men in tuxes in QG in the evening but yes, there were others who didn't come close to the dress code, especially on gala evenings.  It didn't ruin my experience, I guess some people don't like to dress up.  I have been monitoring this sailing since we booked, and there have been lots of price drops and the price was very reasonable to begin with so I think there were passengers who booked because they got a good deal and have no experience with Cunard.  That's just an observation.   We had a great time and we were blessed with wonderful ports and weather.  I think we are going to skip this next year because it's only 5 ports and 6 sea days and honestly, I do think that we could get back in 2 days and have 7 ports but you never know.  Overall a wonderful trip and I'm glad we were able to do it.

2 hours ago, Jeffrey1950 said:

Did you have to pay up front and get reimbursed? It would just be a refill for an antibiotic if I needed it.

 

Thank you for your reply !!

 They don't have every med on board.  One year, my husband was short on one medication and they didn't have it.  I had to call our pharmacy and they were able to refill it at CVS in San Juan.  This year, we aren't stopping in San Juan and I'm not sure how easy it is to have prescriptions filled on some of the other islands.  I would be sure to take an ample supply or get it refilled, if possible, before you leave.

3 hours ago, Jeffrey1950 said:

Can someone give me an idea what the cost involved is to see the Doctor on board and  have a prescription filled...just wondering. Hoping I will not need to do this but just in case.

Two years ago my husband had an access tooth and one side of his face was all swollen.  The visit to medical and the prescription was $93.  

Looking forward to our first Queens Grille experience in just a few weeks time!

46 minutes ago, robomet said:

Hello, we are booked in June on the Sirena #7116 and are contemplating booking a PH instead.  Will you please tell me of your experience?  Thanks so much!

Honestly, we love the aft cabins and although the cabin is small it is well appointed and there is plenty of storage.  The bathroom, however is small but the balcony is wonderful.  The balcony's on deck 6 are even bigger and a little less $$.  I would any of the aft balcony's again in a minute on a 7 night cruise.  On a longer cruise, I would opt for a PH.    If you are on a longer cruise, the extra space might be better for you.  

13 hours ago, tv24 said:

 

We did a round trip TA on Queen Mary 2 about 6 or 7 years ago in August.  Left on 8/16.  We had fabulous weather (warm outside by the pool) for 12 of the 14 days; it was absolutely fantastic.  Weather crossing the atlantic though can be iffy so definitely no guarantees.

We've done this cruise a few times, by the end of the cruise, almost everything should be ready for Christmas.  It's so pretty.

Also, don't forget you all have the option of the Verandah one evening or any of the alternative dining experiences that they have on board.  If they offer Coriander, don't miss it, especially if you all enjoy Indian food.   

We're looking forward to trying this next month.  We really enjoyed Todd English but didn't so much care for the menu in the Verandah.  We are in PG this time but we are going to try it anyway so we can make our own decision about it.  What I find interesting is that you can get dover sole here and in PG you have to order it the day before.  Seems odd.

Looking at the 21 night RT transatlantic NY/NY that includes Norway and Sweden in August 2020 but will wait until we are on board Queen Mary in November to book.

QM2 is a gem. One of kind. I hope you absolutely love the ship. I think you will also enjoy the Princess Grill experience. It's very nice but I don't think you are made to feel like a VIP like you are in the Haven. Part of that is because on Cunard you are just dining at a different restaurant for the most part, and everything else is pretty much mixed. As you know in the Haven you are literally in a self contained ship within a ship. You would not have to leave the area if you didn't want to. The Haven did things like escort you on and off the ship, escort you down to reserved seating in the show lounge, etc. You won't get that VIP treatment as much on Cunard, but it's still really really nice. Overall the entire ship on Cunard will feel more like The Haven on NCL. It's fairly quiet, classy, and refined. It's one reason I don't feel the need to upgrade to the Grills with Cunard so much, because the entire ship and experience are quite nice.

 

I'm sailing in November as well on QM2, but not in the Grills.

This will be out 8th cruise on QM2, we've done balcony and Brittania Club in the past and loved them all. There was a pretty significant price drop on our cruise (11/25 Caribbean, are you on that cruise?) so I thought this would be a good opportunity to try it. Then we are on the Escape in January. I have been sick most of this year (now, thankfully recovered) and am not wasting any time getting back into cruising and travel! To be honest, when on NCL if someone asks what cabin we are in I usually whisper The Haven. I love quiet and privacy of the Haven but don't need the fanfare:'). On our last cruise, which was 7 days to Bermuda there was a younger crowd carrying the phone around and calling the butler for every little thing. It was embarrassing! Looking forward to the PG experience, we like the flexibility of anytime dining. In Brittania 6:00 too early; 8:30 a little too late. Even 8:00 would be better.

When I sailed in The Haven on NCL it was every bit as good as the Cunard Grills, even better in many respects. You were made to feel first class in every aspect of the experience, from escorted embarkation to disembarkation. Cuisine and service were excellent all around. Cunard could actually learn a thing or two to be honest. The one thing missing was formality, but that is true of pretty much every line but Cunard. Those that think the Cunard Grills are the end all, be all of luxury cruising have a lot to learn. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it, but it's not the best out there by a long shot.

 

Mass market lines like MSC and NCL have really studied luxury products like Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal , and Regent. These are the lines they are competing with their own luxury products like The Haven and Yacht Club. What they have accomplished is impressive. I know I was very impressed with both experiences. If anything it left me thinking Cunard probably needs to up it's game when it comes to the Grills.

 

I think the "ship within a ship" concepts of MSC and NCL have been very successful, and are even taking a small bite of market share from the luxury lines. It meets the desire of people that want a big ship experience and all the amenities that a big ship offers, but a spacious and luxury experience at the same time. We are seeing the concept expanded to other lines. It's also great for multi-generational families traveling together. Something for everyone. The grandparents, kids, grandkids, etc., all at a budget and level of service that meets individual requirements.

We also have sailed in the Haven on NCL and love the ship within a ship concept, especially on the mega ships (i.e. Breakaway, Escape, Bliss, Getaway).

It’s already happening and alive and well. I’ve already mentioned MSC and NCL, and now we have lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean joining in. Even Carnival has the Havana cabins which offer a private lounge and pool during the day. Basically lines are providing more and more amenities fir those that are willing to pay extra. I don’t see anything wrong with it.

 

If anything I think Cunard falls a bit short with the Grills product. It should really be more inclusive like booking a suite on other lines, where drinks, gratuities, and sometimes internet and an OBC are automatically included (not part of some promo). People booking and paying for the highest level of accommodations on any line don’t want to be nickel and dimed.

We are doing Princess Grille for the first time in November on QM2. drinks, gratuities and OBC are included! Internet is not.

Thank you for your wonderful review. We are sailing Queen Mary 2 in November for 13 nights (we haven't been on her in 3 years) and your experience has me more excited then ever!

Fair enough. However I've always subscribed to the theory that wine enhances the meal, i.e. the food, which again, in my particular case, keeps the enjoyment barometer at a good high.

Agree! I think though that the Cunard label wine is undrinkable and I am not a wine snob, they really should bump up the quality factor (quite a bit).

Regarding - December 8th Transatlantic cruise back to the UK (QM2 from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal)

 

 

I wondered if someone could offer me some advice regarding our journey starting from ESSEX HOUSE HOTEL, Central park to the Brooklyn cruise terminal. Perhaps there is someone who lives in NY or is familiar with NY transportation who could kindly offer a little advice. I know that it won't be a short taxi ride and won't be cheap which is why I am asking. What sort of cost should we expect.

 

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you in advance

 

 

 

Janet

I would offer 3 choices:

1. a regular taxi from the Essex House

2. uber

3. Call the Essex House (beautiful hotel right across from Central Park) and ask the concierge to arrange for private transportation.

#3 will be the most expensive. December 8th is a Saturday so traffic won't be bad so I would go with options 1 or 2. The only thing is make sure the driver knows how to get to the cruise terminal in Brooklyn, it is kind of out of the way and many do not. I would make sure I have directions on my cell phone handy. Good luck!

Everyone is different, we really liked Todd English but didn't care for The Veranda. We went to the Veranda once on Queen Elizabeth and while the venue was beautiful I thought the food was heavy. We had 2 reservations on that 19 day sailing and cancelled the second one. Although I don't eat much red meat I am sure there will be seafood offerings and would give the Steakhouse a go for sure.

YoHo---my TA has my permission to grab a Penthouse, whichever category comes up, as soon as O calls him. I told him to not even call me for approval, just take it. We will see what happens.

 

Cate---can I do it myself even though I have a TA. I thought about it, but don't know the "rules".

 

BTW all the Penthouses were back to waitlisted this am. So, either someone got lucky in booking on line, or #1 on the list was very happy.

Yes, you can do it yourself, but then you will have to have the booking transferred over to your TA. An extra step, yes, but then you get the suite you want. We are doing a BTB next winter and are in different cabin for each segment. I am checking everyday to see if the PH we want becomes available for the first segment. If it does I'll just grab it online.

This has happened to me, I just booked it online immediately and had my deposit transferred over to the booking (because the cruise was far enough out). Yes I had more deposit that I needed but it is pay now or pay later.

We have stayed in cabin 8069 which is the cabin next door and had issues with vibration only when docking so not terrible (at least for us). We have also stayed in the aft on deck 6 which are bigger. We love being aft so would book these cabins when available.