CateW

Thank you for the responses I have received so far, can you tell me about the standard of service and dress code is it the same level as on the Transatlantic? I ask this because Cunard is well known for the service etc. and I am just wondering if they tend to let things slack off a bit on a cruise like this.

I did walk the promenade on day one but it was chilly

Okay, I have pondered over doing the 5 day to Halifax in July still cannot make up my mind. This evening I saw another trip that caught my eye. New York trip to the Caribbean leaving Nov. 26th. returning December 8th. This sounds good but my questions to anyone who has done this one in the past are: How many days after you leave N.Y before you start feeling the weather getting warmer? Is the dress code and standard of service basically the same as a Transatlantic crossing? Looking forward to reading your replies.

 

Thank you !!

We did this trip this year. On the way down, it was warm enough to be out on the 3rd day, on the way back we were out the entire way back. This is a fantastic cruise, we've done it before and will do it again. I would also recommend waiting to book this one, the prices will drop after final payment. For some reason, at least this year, this cruise didn't sell well. We booked about a month out and got a great rate.

Between 7:30 and 8:30.

Great ideas on the dress/cover-up for going back to my room as I didn't even think of that. I just assumed I'd change there in the spa. I think I'd much rather shower and change in my room where I have all my stuff - but definitely don't want to go into public areas unless I was dressed appropriately. I have a couple of those 'walkabout knit dresses' from Travelsmith that would work perfectly for this - and bonus... I just went on and bought another one. I do wonder how icky it would feel with a wet bathing suit underneath your dress, but I guess it would only be a few minutes as I stop by at the King's Court on my way to the room.

 

Do the bathing suits dry okay if you rinse them out in your sink and hang them on the line in the shower? I'm wondering if I could wring them out enough. Or do you place them out on the balcony - draped over a chair, out of sight. We have a sheltered balcony in July.

I always relax in one of the lounge chairs in the spa wither with a book or my iPad, before going back to my room and I am almost completely dry before I leave. The spa on the QM2 if fabulous, enjoy the experience.

Just book it and tell him we're going. He will come around!

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We are currently on the QM2 and booked our 43 day trip of a lifetime. You never know which day will be your last.

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Have a wonderful trip. We board on 11/26 and I can't wait to see the "remastering". We will also be diamond on our next sailing!

I am sorely tempted, but am waiting until we are onboard the QM2 next month to book. It appears that there are a few categories already sold out which makes me a little anxious but I am still waiting.

I just tried to log in and it said that the system was down until 8 a.m. today (Sunday).

My preference would be no, but I understand why kids are allowed in the haven. The key is to do a longer cruise (14 days) in non-peak times. P.S. I do like kids.

126 days until the Breakaway

I thought I read somewhere that you can order from the speciality restaurants either in cabin or in the Haven restaurant. Fact or fiction?

I am sorry that your Haven experience didn't live up to your expectations.

I agree with some others, I don't think splitting the faire equally was fair, it should have been 70/30 for the closet.

I am looking forward to our first Haven experience in January on the Breakaway in a Courtyard Penthouse.

Personally, we would not sail in the 2 bedroom with another couple, not even a relative. Live and learn.

Hopefully, your next experience will be better.

That might have been my thread you read this past winter, which I put up (with photos) after we sailed in one of the aft-facing penthouses (SFs) on the Gem in February. Really appalling that NCL did nothing to those suites during the dry dock but replace the carpet, leaving the worn, shabby, dated furniture and garish furnishings. I can't speak from personal experience regarding the forward-facing penthouses (the SEs), and I hope someone will, but I suspect you are going to find out that the situation is the same.

I am bumping this up because we are thinking of booking the Gem again but only if they have replaced the furniture in these suites. I agree with you, replacing the carpet and nothing else made me feel like everything else was dirty. Might have to jump to the Breakaway on the 14 day.

What exactly constitutes value for money is perhaps even more personal than passion.

Some people look at the person that they Cruise with and imagine how delightfully intimate a private meal in the Suite would be-

 

Others look across the same table, and think, "Will you NEVER die?"

 

Quite naturally the experience......well.........varies.

Thank you so much for starting my day off with a laugh, you are so funny! We're doing the 21 day Transatlantic on Marina in April and booked a PH for the extra space and we might do a couple of dinners in the suite. 21 days is a long trip and I could see tiring of going to the dining room and or specialty every night. We typically don't eat multi-course meals at home or a big dinner every night. Once we get to Lisbon, Tapas will be perfect!

There are oceanview cabins available now on the U.S. website. It is pricey (in my opinion) thought but probably because all other categories are showing as sold out.

Hi,

 

Thanks for the information. During my most recent sailing on the QM2 (a crossing in November 2014), I enjoyed lunch in Todd English. Also, I have enjoyed lunch in the Verandah Restaurant on the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Based on the photos that I have seen, Cunard did an excellent job remodeling this space. I think it looks a lot better than Todd English. I will enjoy the atmosphere even if the food isn't wonderful.

 

Chuck

We have been to Todd English many times on the QM2 and went to the Verandah once on the Queen Elizabeth. I am disappointed that Todd English is no longer on the QM2. I enjoyed the menu and the venue as well as the service, but food is subjective.

Great review and wonderful pictures on FB!

It is a beautiful dress and I love the color. I would wear it, you will be a brand new bride and you could get some very pretty pictures on board.

I agree, it is a beautiful dress and I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank you for posting these amazing photo's! Now I really can't wait until November:)

Over the years I have tried almost all of them (I do have sensitive skin) and I find that Avon of all things works best. It is a cream and no redness or breakouts.

Quick question. I don't eat beef, chicken or pork but I do eat fish. Do they accommodate for those that don't eat meat in La Reserve or should I just skip that course, which would be fine. Thanks!

I will be interested in the replies.

We are Guarantee Britannia ClubA1 for the 2018 Queen Elizabeth World Cruise.

I was doing the math this morning and the price differential between the regular Britannia grade and the AI would MORE than pay for eating in Verandah every evening. I just don't know if I could eat there for 50 nights, let alone the entire trip.

If you are doing a 7 night voyage, the cost for two people in Verandah would be $490+. so that is $245 per person.

For our 93 day trip, the cost for the two of us would be $6510. ($3260 pp.) We are paying considerably more for the Brittania Club than a similar size cabin.

We have done Princess Grill for 28 days and that was wonderful. The latest posts on the new menu are disappointing.

Hi Bananavan: I am considering upgrading to Brittania Club for our 41 night segment starting in January 2018. It is currently showing as sold out but I am sure cabins will open up. We have done Brittania Club before and I really enjoyed the flexibility of the anytime dining choice but honestly it is dependent on pricing since the rooms are identical. I am sure I could not eat in Verandah more than once a week and while we eat on the later side at home, 8:30 for such a long trip is really late. Another alternative which we did quite a bit on the QM2 on longer cruises and I know is available on the QE as well is the alternative dining that they have each evening which is set up in the buffet (Asian, Italian, Indian..) I could do each of those choices at least once a week and be very happy and the uncharge is minimal. Dress code for this option is the same as in the dining room (if that matters).

In my mind with the exception of the reduced deposit, there is no advantage to booking onboard unless you want a specific cabin and that particular cruise is selling particularly well. The reduced deposit is nice but you can pay now or pay later. Cunard doesn't reduce the price of the cruise as as incentive for booking on board and often times the price of the cruise will go down closer to sailing. We are platinum with Cunard and I think they have the worst loyalty program at sea but we love Cunard and will continue to sail with them, however, I will no longer book at the highest price and wait until about 6 months out.

We just booked a 12 night Caribbean cruise on the QM2. Our TA told my wife about the 4 formal and 8 informal night dress code and she's somewhat freaked out about different long gowns, etc. Can some veteran Cunard cruisers give her the benefit of your experiences on a longer cruise (both formal and informal)? Thanks in advance.

Rich

We have done this particular sailing a number of times, as others have people tend to dress for dinner. My husband always brings his tux and I will we are long dresses (gown but not a ball gown) for formal nights and a cocktail dress the other nights. I have seen many women in cocktail dresses on formal nights as well.

I see that you live in Islip and likely be driving to the port so a luggage allowance won't be a problem. It is a fantastic trip, enjoy!