brigittetom

Cunarderphiles.......Now that really made me laugh.  

WOW Im surprised your wife will still allow you to cruise with her.:halo:.

After 40 years I'm sure my DW enjoys talking to new people, as do I, that's why we prefer a table for 6. However she always restricts the subjects I can discuss by warning me to avoid Politics & religion even if with friends.;)

Smart Woman! :D

Hi Kel, Of course you are correct. I remember when we were tendering in to Grenada and seeing that beautiful view of the QM2, what an amazing sight. 15 days and that wonderful itinerary, no wonder we were so impressed. When they changed to 12 days, they said it was to accommodate families with children. That sounded reasonable, but now I'm wondering if it was just to "slow things down". Anyway, yes, it was amazing. Thanks for reminding me.

It's too bad that Cunard stopped the "high speed" Xmas cruises out of New York. The last one was in 2010, when the QM2 put the pedal to the metal and cruised at 24+ knots and was in the Caribbean in two days. I think we did 10 ports of call during our 15 night cruise? It was wonderful.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

I think that it was 14 days with 6 ports, but yes, it was wonderful.

I'm afraid those on NYE and the balloons on party nights in the QR are not helium though.

That's right.....the whole point is a balloon drop.

Thank you, John. I'm still not totally convinced, but I'll be very happy to be proven wrong. It would offer some wonderful photo ops for the QM2.

The lobby is filled with balloons on NYE.

Has it been stated anywhere, specifically, that the stars are actually attending? I've attended premiers that hosted all those involved in the production, but the stars didn't attend as they don't have much desire to mingle with grunts. And I'm rather doubtful that boarding the QM2 is much of an incentive for this group.

Very sad news. I always made it a point to read Salacia's posts because there would be, either some informative information, or something lively.

Goodbye, Salacia R.I.P.

Thank you Pepper, for posting.

Thank you so much for taking the time to report. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I couldn't keep your new friends straight....but so glad that you enjoyed them so much. Lovely read and the pictures added the final touch.

Here's another thought. I don't know about other countries, but as I understand it, to allow smoking in a room like Churchill's would be illegal in a hotel or club in the UK.

 

QM2 can very easily be seen as floating hotel, so it can be argued that smokers actually do pretty well on QM2. All cigarette smokers need to do is persuade Cunard to let them use Churchill's.

No, that ship has sailed, so to speak. When the rest of the ship went non smoking....cigarette smokers naturally invaded Churchills. Instead of being the serene environment that the cigar smokers want....it became a nightclub atmosphere....and crowded. Obviously Cunard got complaints, although I never did see an unhappy cigar smoker. But I understand their point. As others have said....Churchills can be a moneymaker.

My reply was for the tyranny "discussion", I wouldn't have a problem with a type o Churchill for cigarettes smokers, but it's would remain the problem with waiters and cleaning.

I don't see where it would be any more of a problem than the cigar smokers now. In the past (a few years ago), the Churchill staff seemed very happy to be serving there. It was always a congenial room with extra tips given.....and most importantly, manned by a staff member who was a smoker. The staff have a smoking bar......so it is possible to arrange the same for passengers.

It's lovely. People started protesting having to be in lounges where smoking was allowed. One by one the lounges became smoke free. Then the casino because they couldn't gamble with smokers. And then the last.... G32.

Now we've come full circle. It's no longer about second hand smoke....it's about being offended that smokers have the audacity to smoke outside, in a designated smoking area....AND they can be seen through the windows. How absolutely ludicrous that non smokers only get to have 99.9% of the ship as smoke free. The inhumanity is appalling.

That is one of the nicest, smoothest, videos I've seen. Enjoyed it very much.

We're booked for our 1st TA in April on Celebrity. In your experience how are the seas at that time? I know that the QM2 travels mostly between England & NYC. We will be starting in Miami then Bermuda to Lisbon before going north to England. This will take us on a slightly more southern crossing. Not sure if that will make much of a difference.

We've sailed the Southern route on RCL twice. Me personally, I think it makes a big difference. I feel safer going the Southern route while on a "cruise ship". Both trips were in April and except for rainy days, the weather was fine with no rough seas whatsoever. We sailed from Miami with stops in the Caribbean and the Azores. Loved it. Have a wonderful crossing.

As mentioned.....we have been able to get good fares by booking in segments...but in the same cabin. I would highly recommend to stress that you want a cabin that is available for both segments. It is still an inconvenience to change cabins even though they help you. First......they are excessively busy on turnaround day and it makes more work. You still have to be out of your cabin by 8:30 and your new cabin has to be cleaned before your things can be moved. Sometimes it's easy...sometimes it's a hassle.

We have crossed many times in April-May, and really enjoyed it. Have a wonderful trip.

Yes that's what I do. :D

I once traveled with a friend who brought 7 nighties....one for each night. I felt embarrassed having only brought one. Until the last night when she had packed them all and had none. :D

My first reaction upon reading about the nightdress stuffed into the lampshade.........I don't believe for a moment that he intentionally stuffed it into the lampshade.......rather, he might have carelessly tossed it onto the shade and it caved down into itself. And then, out of sight, out of mind.

Not exactly how I want my things treated and yes, I can see where it would still haunt you, Allbobs. But I agree with Fantasy.....I think you handled it exactly right for the reasons Fantasy stated.

Salacia.....I remember about the shirt on the lampshade. Unfortunately...my memory is exactly the same as yours. Yes, when I choose my nightwear for the ship...it's always with the thought of having to evacuate the cabin in the middle of the night. Sexy wouldn't do.....too much pride for flannel.....don't want to freeze....so I end up with something in the middle. :)

I've actually never joined the walkers....don't know why.....but I've certainly enjoyed watching them while having a treat in KC. Always, always counterclockwise.

Wonderful read.......thank you so much.

Hi MM....none taken. :)

I have seen this stated several times on smoking threads. Smokers are no more sociable than any other group of people. It is only that they are driven into small enclaves and that they have a common purpose and, dare I say it, a common grievance and thus appear more sociable than other groups. If smoking was still universally acceptable this 'sociability' would not be apparent.

B.T.W. as an ex smoker of everything from cigarettes, cigars, pipe and, in my youth tealeaves, I have known many morose smokers in my time. As for the occasional rule breakers in Churchills there will ALWAYS be those who don't actually break the rules because they simply believe that the rules do not apply to THEM. Exactly the same as the dress code.

MM

With all due respect........I did mention that this was my personal experience..

From my personal experience......when they stopped allowing smokers in the public rooms.....the smokers would go up to Churchills for a cigarette. It became a favorite because smokers tend to be very sociable....and it became a place to enjoy cocktails with the cigarettes. Supposedly the cigar smokers complained because it no longer was the refined experience they desired. It did get very crowded at times.....but people were really enjoying themselves....unlike other lounges where people tend to restrict conversation to their own group.

After a particular crossing, the staff became very strict. A lady who had boarded in Southampton flat out refused to stop smoking cigarettes. The bar manager and a security officer came in and very quietly said that she would have to put out her cigarette...she in turn, very loudly, told them to get away and that she would damn well smoke whenever she wanted and that they couldn't stop her. And the language got progressively worse. Then others came and smoked their cigarettes as well and clearly the staff had lost control of the room. After a few days I went to the bar manager and told her that this was no longer working for me since I was the only one following the rules by smoking the little noxious cigars. She told me to feel free to smoke cigarettes and bought me a drink. After that crossing the signs outside the doors went up and the minute someone pulls out a cigarette.....the door opens and people are very firmly told that cigarette smoking is not allowed.

And most of the time, on our crossings, the room sits empty.

They don't ask you to leave....they just tell you that cigarette smoking is not allowed. :)

Hi brigittetom,

 

 

(I still manage (once every voyage) to turn the wrong way when leaving the lift/elevator at "my" deck however... it can be a walk of several hundred feet before I turn back... )

 

Very best wishes to you :)

Yes. What really throws me is that every great once in a while I arrive on a different elevator bank. It totally takes me out of my comfort zone and drops my IQ level to 20. :D