2Oldpeopleinlove

Well, yes, and those are the dancers we want to avoid. They didn’t seem to show up early in the evening, but I simply cannot remember what the timing was relative to dinner.

Hello. it has been a few years since we’ve done the TA on QM2, and wonky hips and one titanium knee later, we still want to dance. However, we are decidedly not anything like serious dancers. We just want to go as we can and enjoy each other’s company. However, we saw how, later in the evening, the floor gets crowded and the serious ballroom dancers show up. We would prefer not to get in anybody’s way, and I recall that, early in the evening, there were people like us who just wanted to do what they could and have fun. The problem is that I cannot remember when the serious ones come out. We are scheduled for early dining but would be willing to try switching to a late seating if that would leave us space for dancing and early would not. So that is my long-winded way of asking who remembers when the floor gets crowded and people start swooping around the floor? We will adjust, but we’d like SOME time to dances we can, too.

I’ve never been able to see ours online, nor yet any further perks like complimentary specialty dining or gratuities.

Our first time on Cunard was a TA both ways. What a delight! But our son lives with his family in the south of France, so now we fly over to travel to them and take the westbound TA back for a true vacation. It’s lovely.

It’s really pleasant to be far more easily pleased than many seem to be. We just get happy when we step on board in our balcony cabin and stay that way. Call us the hoi polloi if you wish, but we are happy hoi polloi.

We e found booking onboard advantageous. Perks and good pricing, as mentioned above, are significantly better, so we wait to book while on board.

That’s a bit overstated. We are hardly alcoholics, but we like having one week where we don’t have to think about prices. The drinks package is about break even for us since we do drink more when we aren’t required to work or sing, etc. that doesn’t make us alcoholics, nor does it mean that for others who buy the package.

I am completely confused. The thread that was merged with this long one said the change was for THIS year. The title of the longer thread includes 2024 only. So are we getting out off the ship a day early this December or not?! It makes quite a difference.

What a beautifully clear, concise review! We’ve taken that same trip and would agree with all you’ve said. And no, we don’t mind poor connectivity at all. Having worked online for decades (but no longer), I truly enjoy being unconnected.

Not splitting hairs for us! We thought our trip was going to increase significantly in price. A minor increase from last time ($70/$75 when we paid $69 before) is worth it to us to have that one week where we don’t have to think about what things cost. $90 is more than a small percentage increase.

That’s a good idea. Unfortunately, shipping costs for even a small thing into or out of France are prohibitive. That’s why our son and his family get cash for birthdays or wait until we carry gifts over. I don’t like it, but it’s unavoidable when a package under a pound costs $40 to send.

Another vote for taking it with you if you can. I’m in the US, but my provider is happy to send us off with a just-in-case course of antibiotics and a few prednisone (asthma here, too) since on a TA I cannot access regular care. I’ve never had to use them, but theyare stowed in my fridge for the next trip. (I just wish I could get to France soon since the asthma inhalers I’ve picked up there seem to work so much better than what I get here!)

Hi. We have been unable to confirm your information. Looked on the Cunard site…nothing. Googled the question on all sites and searched it here…nothing. Called Cunard, and the rep hasn’t heard nor could she find any information about the cost rising. Can you direct me to your source?

We’ll do our third TA in December, and we’ve booked a sheltered balcony every time. The fresh air and ever-changing sea make it right for us. We love it.

Another vote for confidence. Our first time on QM2 was a double TA, finishing on Dec 22. We’re doing the westbound again this year. We LOVED the motion and it was in no way bad.

Silver sounds fabulous! 💜

We second the appreciation for the Barcelona port. It was the best we’ve ever experienced.

Lunch in the pub (as we have had trouble getting a table there any other day) and just BREATHING in the ambiance of a true vacation (vs. travel, which can be exhausting).

Honestly, I don’t understand the drive toward minimalism by so many. Our first cruise was on NCL. Sitting in their most luxe restaurant with guys in ball caps, tshirts and cargo pants drove us quickly to Cunard. We’re not going back, and an important factor in that decision is the atmosphere based partly on fellow passengers’ dress. It’s certainly not up to me how someone else dresses, but I just don’t understand the point of refusing to dress in accordance with the lovely surroundings. *end of rant. Thanks for listening.*

We also tried Coriander when we did our TA in 2019. It was excellent, though WAY too much food.

I’m sure your husband is more disciplined than I was as I traveled during my teaching years with a load of student papers that never saw the light. However, they felt like an unfulfilled obligation encroaching on my vacation even though I never followed through with grading plans. So I’m totally in agreement with getting it done before or after your TA. I’d hate to spend any part of one of our rare TA’s working!

I’m not sure what correction you’re trying to make. Was my post unclear?

We did exactly the same last October for our December 2023 TA. I doubt that sort of transaction will go away. It’s a booking, not an FCC.

Having taught online for 20 years and then been a restaurant reviewer for local paper’s website for another 7, I find a mostly nonfunctional internet a real delight. (Minority opinion, I guess)

Re cards: My husband carries both his card and mine in his jacket pocket. Easy. And another reason to wear a jacket!