Csardas

What’s the minimum sum over the minimum bid that’s been successful?

A week to go and all 3 show as pending. When did anyone else find out, successful or not?

Can you buy the drinks package on board, on day 2? We’ve always had the Classic included so we’re planning to order what we have in the past and see how much that comes to before committing to a package.

4 hours ago, Britboys said:

Yes and no. Depends on the grade of cabin you book. Britannia is the standard mdr and if you are in a slightly more expensive cabin, you are in Britannia Club, the upper level of the Britannia. Mostly the same menu but the surroundings are a bit more intimate and you can eat any time during meal service.

Only the Club Dining room is different-the Balcony cabins are exactly the same.

Hi,

We're 4 adults, returning (hopefully) from the Ventura 5 day New Year cruise and need a taxi to Gatwick. Does anyone have any recommendations/warnings??

The train is not possible as we will have my 80+ ages parents with me. My children have done the train and said there is very little time to get on/off and certainly not doable with the oldies.

We’re looking at an October Greek Island cruise with RC and as this would be our first cruise with this line, I wondered if Celebrity points are carried over?

Thanks for any replies!

1 hour ago, Pear Carr said:

Polo shirts in Britannia for dinner? Lowering the tone?😬

A polo shirt is just a jumped up t-shirt!

2 hours ago, tacticalbanjo said:

I was talking with my husband last night about how we both prefer a lot of things about the smaller ships (easier to navigate, better Commodore Club, better buffet layout, Gin and Fizz bar) but there's just something about the QM2 that makes it our favourite ship. I don't know whether it is the lavish public spaces, the atmosphere or the fact that when we sail on her we tend to pick TAs and have time to completely relax.

 

We're on QE next month and I'm absolutely itching to be back on board even if we have to wear masks and can't get off without going on an arranged excursion. But a big part of me is disappointed that I don't have chance to do one last childless hurrah on QM2 before my baby arrives in January and holidays become something very different.

Have a lovely cruise next month and all best wishes for your lovely arrival in January.

9 hours ago, showingdiva said:

Brought up at sea, worked on many cruise ships belonging to multiple lines, including QE / QV and cruised as a passenger on various ships, the first time I saw QM2 in the flesh in Southampton, she took my breath away.   I quite agree how a lump of metal can evoke so much emotion.   That first moment stepping aboard her is like no other.

 

I cannot say that I find walking around her further or time consuming than any other, despite some of her quirks.

 

I've co-incidentally worked multiple times on Oceana ships, especially Marina and Nautica.   What was so awful about Riviera?

We just didn't enjoy the cruise much. It's a bit too glitzy for me - prefer Cunard's style-and there were just a series of things(too trivial perhaps for this forum) that made us feel that it was the emperor's new clothes without actual quality.

Just now, PORT ROYAL said:

May one ask the ship’s name?

Oceania's Riviera.

2 minutes ago, Camgirl said:

We started with QV and QE, just like you, Csardas. We have only been on QM2 once. Our second QM2 cruise has been cancelled twice and is now looking a tiny bit more hopeful for this December.

 

My favourite ship is still QV. I get the hug and feeling of being home when I board her.

 

However, QM2 is a beautiful ship, and we loved being on her. I agree with all the points Carlmm made. The layout is complicated compared with QV and QE. We didn't get on with the layout of the buffet at all. But, we still loved the ship and can't wait to be back on board. QV might have my heart, but QM2 is a lovely ship and I think you would have a wonderful time on board her. I would leap at the chance to be aboard a beautiful Cunard ship taking, what sounds like, a fabulous cruise. Go for it, I'm sure you will have a great time!

I also get that feeling on QV, my favorite to date. It's funny how a huge lump of metal can make you feel so strongly. Conversely, my least favourite cruise and cruise ship made my heart sink every time it was time to board after being ashore.

2 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Those things are still very much in evidence on QM2, she is more difficult to find your way round but the public rooms are very impressive.

I watched some Youtube videos and the public rooms do look lovely!

Thanks to everyone for your input-the deed is done and I've just booked for 2 weeks next July! All of your comments were helpful, including mentioning the amount of walking. Given that our daughter gets married in mid August, some extra walking can only help offset the delicious food.

So happy to have a Cunard cruise booked...

41 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

I'm not a massive fan of the sheltered balconies on QM2 but I will put up with them to sail on her !

@Csardas what do you like about the smaller ships ?

I love the ambience, everyone getting dressed for dinner...everything really!

Hello all!

We've cruised on QV and QE and loved them both but we're looking at July '22 and a Mediterranean cruise on QM2. (I teach and am effectively limited to July and, as we live in Scotland, I don't like to take a chance on the weather so  QV and QE alternatives are out.)

I've read plenty of posts which cite their favourite ship but it would be good to get feedback from people like me who started on QV/QE and then tried QM2. The size doesn't bother me. All and any comments welcome, even negative!

Cunard

54 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

Mostly, we take the Caledonian Sleeper from Glasgow.

 

We always have champagne with cheese and biscuits for a late night supper. At EUS we are met with our driver (after showering) and he gets us to the docks around 11:30 am. Usually, we're on board around midday.

 

It's a much more relaxed start to the holiday.

 

We've driven twice (in less than 6 hours) and stayed in Soton , but the train is hard to beat.

 

Stewart

 

Agree, but as it's only a 4 nighter we're turning it into a road trip, there and back.

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

The Old Swan at Minster Lovell, near Oxford. I have never stayed there, but the village is peaceful and delightful, and, if you are old enough to remember him, it is apparently where Harold and Mary Wilson spent their honeymoon.

Sadly, I am...

We're driving to Southampton for our July cruise from Ayr, a 7 hour plus stops, slog. We're not in a hurry and have booked the night before the cruise in Southampton. Any suggestions for a nice overnight en-route halfway?  I had thought of Stratford as I've never been there before but any recommendations are welcome!

We're driving to Southampton for our July cruise from Ayr, a 7 hour plus stops, slog. We're not in a hurry and have booked the night before the cruise in Southampton. Any suggestions for a nice overnight en-route halfway?  I had thought of Stratford as I've never been there before but any recommendations are welcome!

On 3/23/2021 at 3:17 PM, njpln said:

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate ALL the comments, including the kilt ones. Since we also cruise on Cunard, we have seen quite a few kilts on the gala evenings.😊

 

 

It was also interesting for me to realize that some people consider a dressy dress different than a cocktail dress. I guess to me a cocktail dress is dressy, but knee length, compared to say a dress I would wear to church. And a gown is even dressier but floor length, and I would probably refer to that as formal. Part of it’s just semantics…🤪

 

Can’t wait to cruise again…

We cruise on Cunard too. I found a huge range of dress on Celebrity( European cruises) on both Evening Chic nights and Smart Casual. There were a few men in Dinner Suits and some lovely dresses on Evening Chic nights but I saw that mostly in the Martini bar, so not related to which dining-room you ate in. I wouldn't wear the gowns I have for Cunard Formal nights but what I wear for the 'Casual' nights on Cunard was certainly dressy enough for Celebrity's Evening Chic. There were a few women in formal gowns, but just a handful.

Totally understand the distinction between floor length and gown - I have a couple of maxi dresses that I wore for Evening Chic but would only wear for  Casual nights on Cunard. Hope this helps!

I'm looking at a July '22 cruise. We've been on Reflection before and Constellation but are toying with the idea of Aqua class, mostly for the Blu dining. However, I've looked at some videos and in every one there seemed to be an overhang above the balcony. Being Scottish, warm sun is a novelty for us and I don't want a shaded balcony. 

Would any kind people share/recommend a good position on Reflection in Aqua class and their thoughts on whether is it worth the extra?

Thanks!

Gibraltar

On 9/28/2020 at 10:34 PM, Mudhen said:

I believe the same holds true with Celebrity. We had a "sky suite" several years ago and we ate in the "suite only" dining room. I don't recall the name of it, but it was fairly small and btw, very good.

Luminae. Then there’s Aqua class with their own restaurant, Blue, and then the GDR for everyone else. 
Really, the ‘class’ comments about Cunard made by some posters are so tiresome. Many of these sweeping statements haven’t considered that many other lines have separate restaurants that correlate with cabin choice and price.

Re final payment dates with TAs- I was due to pay the balance of our Arcadia 5 night New Year cruise today. Spoke to the TA ( big company) and she easily agreed to extend to the 23/9, 3 days before P and O’s date had I booked directly. She confirmed it immediately by email. Ask - it’s worth a try.