onehappystudio

I'm on a QM TA Crossing (onbound to Hamburg); it arrives in Southampton on August 10 this year. The other two Queens will also be in Southampton that day. I hadn't realized how rare of an occurrence this is.

I voted. I've never sailed Cunard (or any other cruise company) before. I booked on Cunard for 3 reasons:

1. QM2 is the ONLY ocean liner

2. QM2 is the only regularly scheduled TA (NY > Southampton) crossing, and that appealed to me

3. Cunard's formal dress code - I like the idea of getting dressed up at night.

Since I haven't yet tried Cunard, I can't really make an informed decision, but I'm reserving judgment until after my crossing in August. Accordingly, I voted #3.

The new total cost is shighly higher, but worth it, to be away from all this unpleasantness.

May one suggest other lovers of Cunard do the same, as complaining will not change the inevitable for those booking Britannia or Club. Let the new class of Cunard cruiser have steerage.

I'm one of the "new class of Cunard cruiser" - this will be my first cruise on any ship. I have purchased the cheapest stateroom for my first TA crossing in August, so, yes, I'll be traveling in "steerage".

Having said that, I don't believe the travel class you select is indicative of your level of class, or an indicator of how you will dress.

I chose "steerage" because I'm not a lady of leisure - I work hard for my money; I have a son who is about to go off to college, and college isn't cheap here in the US.

I'm saving for retirement, so Queens Grill accommodation isn't in my budget at the moment.

I suppose I could have waited until I retired to be able to afford Queens Grill, but our future is not guaranteed - I had a colleague drop dead of a heart attack last week at the age of 58; I'm going to get this item checked off my bucket list while I'm still healthy, and can enjoy the leisure time.

Look for me in the evening gown on "gala" nights, and dressed appropriately for the remainder of the cruise. You'll also be able to pick me out from the crowd, because I won't have my nose in the air, thinking that traveling in "steerage" is beneath me.

As a newbie to cruising and to Cunard I am losing the plot regarding what to wear, where to wear it and when to wear it. Read similar for what not to wear.

 

I've put together the attached doc which I will attach to the door of our stateroom to guide us through the minefield. It may be wrong but I don't care. I now have a list and I can do lists - they provide me with order where there isn't any.

Another newbie here. Part of the allure (at least in my mind) of Cunard, and traveling on an ocean liner is the dress code (or maybe I just saw the movie Titanic too many times).

Although my "crossing" is still 4 months away, I'm already planning my wardrobe. In the evenings, I'll be wearing an evening gown on "Formal" or "Gala" nights; I'll be wearing cocktail dresses every other evening.

During the day, I'll be wearing tailored pants or skirts, with "nice" tops.

If I use the pool, I have a nice caftan-style coverup, and sandals, so I won't be traipsing through the ship in a swimsuit.

I'll be leaving my jeans at home. I plan to dress elegantly, because I think that's what a Queen deserves.

Please see the description for the Royal Cunard Ball, this also falls under the theme 'Black & White or Cunard Ball'

Theme Description:

A Cunard tradition and the first Royal Event of the voyage. Includes the classic “Officers Gavotte” dance.

Attire Suggestions:

Formal Wear - Gentlemen - Tuxedo, Ladies - Evening Gown. Appropriate black and white gowns if you wish and accessories but not compulsory to be black & white.

See - this is just confusing! If it was a Black & White Ball, I would feel out of place wearing a red dress; I guess I should just buy the red dress, and choose to wear that on another of the Gala nights if it's definitely a Black & White Ball...

Yes! I am on the August 3 crossing! We are doing the full 9 nights to Hamburg. It will be our first every crossing; and my first time ever on a ship :)

Your dress is lovely!

Thanks Host Hattie - I also wondered that, too! My TA crossing in August is showing:

Day 2 - Gala Evening - Royal Cunard Ball

Day 4 - Gala Evening

Day 6 - Gala Evening - Roaring Twenties Ball

I had no idea what to wear for a Royal Cunard Ball.

Now that I know it's a Red & Gold Dress code I'm thrilled - I shopped for evening gowns yesterday, and found a beautiful one in red, which was a color I hadn't originally considered for an evening gown, but it's my favorite dress color, and I always get tons of compliments when I wear red, so this is exciting!

Why would one bother booking Cunard if it's no different from any other line, except that it's more expensive?

As far as I am concerned, QV & QE are no different than any other line, but QM2 *is* different than any other line, for two reasons - it's is an ocean liner - every other ship out there is a "cruise ship", and as far as I know, in addition to being the only ocean liner, it's also the only ship why regularly does the TA Crossing NY > Southampton; yes, there are other ships which do "repositioning" cruises, but they aren't built specifically to handle an ocean crossing on the north Atlantic.

Disclaimer - I've never sailed on any ship, and have had no desire to take a cruise on any ship; there has only ever been one ship which has interested me - the QM2 (and prior to that, the QE2), which are ocean liners, doing a NY > Southampton crossing.

Having said all that - I am disappointed in the changes in the dress code - I've been looking forward to dressing up for dinner and evenings; I don't ever get the chance to dress formally; I've never owned an evening gown :)

I don't drink alcohol (never acquired a taste for it), but I'm addicted to Diet Coke. I am using my QM2 crossing as a detox - I like Diet Coke, but I won't pay exorbitant prices for it, so I'll be sticking to water for the duration of my crossing.

Being an optimist at heart (which may be a surprise when reading my recent posts) I truly hope this is a reflection of a change in approach.

 

- Mark

Twitter is my prepared method of "venting" - if you call, email, or telephone them with a complaint, it's anonymous. If you take it to Twitter, it's open to anyone who uses that social media platform - I'm surprised at how quickly issues get resolved if I tweet, versus picking up the phone.

I suggest that everyone tweet their concerns :)

I posted on Twitter, and was asked to DM them if I wanted to discuss the dress code further, so at least they seem to want to listen on Twitter...

Scenario:

You’re dressed appropriately for the evening; you’re seated at a table for 6. Two of your tablemates are dressed in jeans, t-shirts and baseball caps.

You look over, and see that there’s a similar dress-code being played out at the next table.

Would it be rude to suggest switching tables, so that you’re seated with like-mind individuals?

Maybe it’s time to consider booking a table for two instead?

My wife and I took the TA from Hamburg to NY with a stop in Southampton a few years ago. The only Cunard tours offered in Southampton were German-language!

That's interesting! I'm traveling in the opposite direction, and my Voyage Personalizer is indicating English language tours.

I'm taking my first TA in August, and I still plan to dress up as if the dress code hasn't changed at all. As this is a bucket list item, I doubt that I will be going on any other Cunard (or any other cruiseline), so I don't expect to be terribly disappointed, but I can imagine it is a disappointment for those who have been traveling on the Queens for many years, or who have trips booked into next year and beyond.

(It would have been nice if they made the announcement two weeks ago, before the 2020 cruises become bookable - will people lose deposits if they cancel those bookings?)

To the OP, you do not say when you will be in S'ton. The weekends (Fri-Sun) and Bank Holidays can be absolutely dreadful on the roads in this area.

I will be in Southampton on Friday, August 10. I believe all three Queens will be in Southampton on the same day. It sounds like it's going to be a nightmare as far as traffic goes!

You might find some more ideas or clarification in this thread that I started a few months ago.

 

Have fun planning.

Diane

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2585012

Thanks, Diane - I just read your thread - that definitely gives me some ideas.

It sounds like getting to the train station from the cruise terminal would require taking a taxi - will a taxi driver be upset having waited in line for a fare to just get a local fare?

Here's my quick view of Winchester, hope you like :)

 

www.flickr.com/photos/pepperrn/albums/72157625054775644

Thank you for sharing - those pics look great!

I haven't taken my first cruise yet, but part of the appeal of Cunard is the formality of it; a throwback to another era. I like the idea of dressing for dinner, even for an informal night, and have been looking forward to it. It would be a shame if "smart attire" means that jeans will be allowed after 6pm.

I agree that Stonehenge is overrated, but I think unless you've actually seen it, you might not realize how overrated it is (reminds of visiting Plymouth Rock in the US - that was the most overrated thing I've ever seen!). I guess I'll see how keen my husband is to visit Stonehenge.

I don't know too much about Winchester, but I do love Cathedrals (my favorite being Durham Cathedral) - it sounds like Winchester Cathedral might be worth a visit.

We are taking a TA Crossing from New York to Hamburg, with a day in Southampton.

I've never been to Southampton, but I have been to the UK several times. My husband has never been to the UK or Europe.

I'm trying to plan our trip - I love Salisbury and it's Cathedral; I think Stonehenge is worth at visit at least once. On the Voyage Personalizer I see trips to Stonehenge, but nothing which combines Stonehenge with Salisbury.

I'm not keen to rent a car for the car, but the cost for a full day personal driver seems a little expensive.

I guess I'm looking for suggestions of how to accomplish this (or should I just skip going to Salisbury altogther - personally, I'd rather go back to Salisbury than Stonehenge, but since my husband has never been I think he'd like this).

I'm curious to know when to expect voyage personalizer to be updated to show which nights are formal? I'm taking a QM2 TA crossing in August.

I found my answer - it's listed in my Voyage Personalizer.

Thank you eveyone for the suggestions & hints!

I'm curious to know when to expect voyage personalizer to be updated to show which nights are formal? I'm taking a QM2 TA crossing in August.

(Maybe it's been posted, and I'm looking in the wrong spot...)

First time TA crossing coming up in August (9 days NY > Hamburg).

I tend to travel lightly when I fly. I can pack for a 2 week international vacation using just a carry-on suitcase, so I’m feeling a little daunted by the prospect of packing 3 evening gowns plus (presumably) at least 2 cocktail dresses, and daytime clothes.

My question is two-fold: What’s the best recommendation for packing evening gowns, and what size suitcase should I look at purchasing.

Secondly - if it gets wrinkled, will it unwrinkle in a bathroom (I’ve never owned an evening gown, so haven’t tried this at home…) or should I look at sending it to the QM’s dry-cleaner (laundry service) to be “pressed”?

We’ll be flying from DFW to NY, and then return from Paris to DFW, so unlimited luggage is not an option.

Thanks for any insight!

No advice for your question, but wanted to chime to say I'll be on that TA crossing (although I'm continuing on to Hamburg...)