bobby1119

On 11/15/2021 at 7:23 PM, kohl1957 said:

"W.N.A."  Winter North Atlantic.  5 days or 21 .... no thanks.

 

If QM2's planned schedule actually takes place, it will include the first North Atlantic winter crossings on the UK-NY route  (proper ones, not "positioning" or segments of a world cruise) since R.M.S. QUEEN ELIZABETH in... 1968.  RAFFAELLO made the last regularly scheduled winter crossing of the North Atlantic in 1975 (in March... her last in fact) but that, at least was to/from the Mediterranean.  Southampton-NY in January is frozen salt spray and that bedside lamp rattling all the way across. 

 

I love days at sea. But like the ones I enjoyed en route to Cape Town in CENTAUR and ST. HELENA... day after day of cloudless skies and reasonably smooth seas.  Southampton to New York in January... alas the averages are not encouraging. 

I believe Raffaello's last voyage was April 21, 1975, according to Maurizio Eliseo's definitive book on the twins. I saw the ship off that day in Manhattan, having sailed in her for two crossings in 1974. I know Leonardo da Vinci made winter crossings well into 1976.

Horrible website. So much for White Star Service.

My lowered expectations for an informative discussion were confirmed.

Agree with Salacia. Wait and see. I did a similar excursion in November 2016 on the same cruise. Adequate. I could have lived without it. Glad I did not plunk down the final deposit for the November 2017 cruise. Most importantly, I am thinking about the impact of Irma on the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands affected by this hurricane.

So sorry for your loss. I was also on that cruise which was delightful.

Unfortunately, the warning signs of impending heart attacks are often mistaken for indigestion.

Be well and, again, sorry for your loss.

I've been driving myself crazy trying to find proof of this. I seem to remember about 5 years after beginning her service career (circa 2008/9ish), Cunard changed the color of QM2's funnel to be less red and more "Cunard orange." I've been looking at pictures but don't see an obvious difference. Can anyone here back this up or am I imaging this? Appreciate any input!

While I haven't searched for photos for the comparison, you are correct that the color of QM2's funnel was changed to a less red and more orange hue a few years after her debut, more in-line with the color of QE2's funnel. When I first saw QM2, I immediately remarked that the funnel was too red, having been very familiar with the color of QE2's funnel.

QM2 alternative restaurants now charge $17.50 per person. Keep in mind that you have already paid for dinner in your assigned dining venue as part of your cruise fare...so with the additional cost charged by the alternative dining venue, you'd expect to have a really good dinner. Disabuse yourself of that thought!

 

While the ambiance is much improved in the 'alternative dining venue' after the refit, and the service is good, the food is quite disappointing, all things considered. -S.

 

For prices, see https://ask.cunard.com/help/life-on-board/cover_charges

I agree, Salacia. The ship has benefited from the re-mastering in many ways, with the exception of food which remains a weakness. It was a pleasure finally meeting you, however briefly during the CC gathering.

The Atlantic storm system is moving north/northeast. I suspect that QM will sail to the southwest once clearing the channel, towards the Azores, allowing the southern fringes of the storm to pass to her north/starboard. Once cleared of the worst of the storm, she will return as close as safety and comfort permit to her usual westerly track.

I've been in similar conditions on QE on a westbound winter crossing a few years ago. In spite of her tracking way to the southwest, it was still a rough and tumble ride. QM will handle it well.

She's in her element in these kinds of seas. Enjoy the experience.

Istanbul will be pulled.

These reports might be the best way to kick off my summer reading list!

Booked on the QM November run down to the Caribbean. No "jacket optional" listed on VP. Of the 12 nights, 4 are formal and 7 are informal "jacket required, tie optional."

I will be wearing a tie with the jackets on all of the informal nights, and a Tux on the formals.

I got my basic training ;) on proper dress during my many crossings/cruises with QE2.

One of the clunkiest and most cumbersome out there.

In room tea and coffee makers are a turn-off to me. Not my cup of tea.;)

Luxury cruise line? I think not.

Tea and coffee in cabins = Holiday Inn at Sea.

Monkey-see, Monkey do.

A world cruise is a full circumnavigation.

I started in New York on QE2 in 2007 and ended there 108 days later.

We visited many more ports in 108 days, had more overnights, fewer long stretches of sea days than the Cunard extended "world" cruises do today.

Queen Victoria's round South America in 2018 is very appealing, however.

Some interesting tidbits in this press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cunard-debuts-largest-programme-launch-ever-featuring-2017-voyages-and-2018-world--exotic-voyages-programme-300235200.html

 

Schedules can be download from http://www.cunard.com/2017-cruises-2018-world-cruises-teaser/

Ah, Salacia! You've saved me endless searching and Googling once again! Thanks.

PS....itineraries mostly same old, same old. The most interesting is QV's round South America cruise. I would book that cruise. Unfortunately, the lack of a New York departure/return is a deal breaker for me.

Hope all's well with you :)

The scope of the refit, in terms of cabins, seems ambitious to me given the time frame.

Remember the QE2 1994 refit, Cunard!

Did this cruise a few years ago. Boston was hot and crowded. Having been to Boston many times, we returned to the ship quickly and enjoyed having the ship "to ourselves," so to speak.

The fireworks in the distance are a non-event.

Nevertheless, it is a pleasant short cruise.

Thanks, there are some really good suggestions, let's hope some of you are right ☺

Thanks to you Hattie for asking the interesting question that generated many interesting suggestions!

I have occupied both sheltered and open balconies.

I prefer the open balconies on Deck 11 that are forward of the Deck 12 overhang, but no far forward than 11023 (port) 11014 (starboard).

I enjoy having a view of the sea from within the cabin, whereas the sheltered balcony only affords a view of the sea while standing.

I have done crossings in January on Deck 11. It was windy with spray at times; nevertheless, nice for a breath of fresh air.

The cabins on Deck 11 which I have occupied on Norway cruises and Caribbean cruises were particularly enjoyable in terms of the views they afforded, especially while sailing through the fjords and along the Norwegian coast.

While balconies are nice, I'm a traditionalist who prefers getting out and about walking, getting fresh air, or relaxing in a deck chair on the splendid Boat Deck (Deck 7) on Queen Mary 2.

I would like to see:

1. A round South America cruise that begins in Soton/NY/FLL, transits the Canal, calls at various South American ports (with overnights in ports such as Callao-for Lima, Buenos Aires, Rio, Santos-for Sao Paulo, etc), navigates the Amazon to Manaus with port calls along the way (similar to QV's 2017 voyage), and returns to FLL/NY/Soton. Holland-America runs a similar cruise on Prinsendam every year which has caught my attention. Of course, I'd prefer Cunard as the vehicle. This would be an ideal cruise for QV or QE. It would be a cruise of about 60 days, an interesting regional alternative to a full world cruise. Does Cunard really need three entire world cruises?

2. Med cruises that feature overnight calls at Haifa/Ashdod. The current Med cruise formula of 7/14/21 nights is growing repetitive. It is s source of pride for the Filipino crew when their ship comes to their home country.

3. A few more Queen Mary 2 cruises to the Caribbean. Having been to the Caribbean probably about 100 times, mostly by air and several times by sea, there is nothing I enjoy more on a Caribbean cruise to ports I've been to/stayed at is to have Queen Mary 2 to myself while most passengers go ashore.

4. World cruises with more calls at major ports in Africa/Mozambique. What ever happened to Mombasa?

5. Continue to call at ports in the Philippines. QE is calling at Manila and Cebu this year. Consider other ports that might be accessible such as Coron and Puerto Princessa. When I was on QE2 world cruise in 2007, the crew (conservatively 50% Filipino) were so disappointed that Manila was skipped.

6. Rescue the QE2, bring her up to code, and put her out to sea again! :rolleyes:

Interesting article speculating about Anthem's returning early yet again to Cape Liberty.

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/02/articles/rough-weather-1/anthem-of-the-seas-afraid-of-the-weather-or-more-bad-publicity/

Queen Mary 2 Christmas Cruise two years ago, Princess Grill.

My best cruise on the ship to date.

Ditto. This loyal Diamond and World Cruise Society member once again has received coal from Santa Cunardaclaus.