Tonopah

We took the Northern Lights bus excursion in November, 2022. The bus had facilities. We were out late and yes, it was cold (Floridians, so really cold). We bundled up and it was fine and had access to the warm bus when necessary. We got hot chocolate and a biscuit at some point. That was nice. We did see the Northern Lights, but it turned out they were visible from the ship as well and the folks who stayed on board got some amazing pictures.

There was no issue getting back on the ship. They were expecting us and had all the security/bag checks ready for us. Also, the buffet was available for warm drinks. 

We agreed that if we were to do it again we would not take the bus just because we didn’t really get to a great spot. Maybe others had a better excursion but ours was just so-so. We would either get a private excursion or stay on the ship and take our chances. 

I keep coming back to see the results of this phone call! YIKES!

The main dining room (Britannia) on the Queen Mary 2 is amazing. You can request a table for 2 if you don’t want to sit with others. Dressy clothes will be dressy enough and no one will judge you. Some people will dress to the nines, ball gowns, tuxes, hair and nails done. Others will have cocktail dresses or wear a plain suit. Don’t think one is better or more expected than the other.

You can have as much or as little human contact as you choose. 

If you want to experience a TA on the Queen Mary 2, then do it. It is well worth it. Don’t talk yourself out of it because of what might be. Talk yourself into it because of what WILL be. Best of luck to you.

We paid for our transfers. 

A sheltered balcony has an area with large window but the balcony isn’t open. There are pictures of sheltered balcony rooms at the top of the Cunard page.

We bought travel insurance through Cunard (we had a dedicated Cunard travel agent. I highly recommend it) 

We bought our flights and hotel through Cunard and arrived the night before. 

To find the Internet and Drinks packages, on the main page of the Cunard site, click on the search button and put in “internet” or “drinks package” and it will take you exactly where you want to go. But again, I highly recommend an agent. Makes it so easy and someone else gets the headaches. 

You can take your own suitcase. 

Golden Lion played big sports events when we were on the ship.

There are many kinds of books in the library - history, nautical, fashion, romance, sci-fi, thriller, police procedural, gardening, city/country guidebooks, and yes, classic literature.

Upgrade but get to your Primary Care Physician and get your seasickness patch. Use it. I get seasick but the patch worked for me. I also took ginger candy and a seasick bracelet. On our last voyage on the QM2 the seas were really rough and she did pitch. At first warning I put on the patch and I was good. 

Mister always wears his waistcoat on a gala evening. Very handsome. I vote waistcoat.

In November, 2022 ours was a private car.

We’ve never cruised with Celebrity before (Cunard is our favorite), but this sale and a January 2025 itinerary caught our eye.  Sale price was well worth it. Yes, it is 500 days away but we’re looking forward to it.

It is the North Atlantic. There are storms all through the year. We went at the end of November and it was foggy but not rough. We went in June and it was rough but bright. Just go. It’s worth it.

Sadly you will miss 90% of the good stuff in the evening. He doesn’t have to wear a tux but slacks and a jacket with a clip on tie for gala nights will suffice. If he refuses that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the cabin or buffet. Dress up yourself and leave him to his choices. 

I’ve been away for awhile and missed you all. Spring has definitely sprung here in Big Swampy and we’re spending a lot of time outside. 

We are anxiously awaiting April when Mister will (finally) have hip replacement surgery. They tell us he can be back on the dance floor in 6 week, and back in prime form in 6 months.  We’re looking at a 2025 voyage, maybe on Queen Anne but everything is on hold until we know how his recovery will go. 

Happy to “see” you all.

Happy 2023, all. Wishing you all a prosperous, safe, and Cunard-filled year. We are heading into the new year in our traditional way  - with wine, felines, and Star Wars. 

On our sailings in November (Norway and Northern Lights and subsequent TA) things had changed. The dress code was minimally relaxed. We actually preferred it. That is not to say it wasn’t dressy. It was. But it wasn’t front-row-at-the-Academy-Awards dressy. It was more like celebration dinner at a nice restaurant dressy.

Before we went I had read some comments about the live music in the Queen’s Room. Maybe the band changed out before our holiday, but the band we had was great with dance music. One of the brass players recognized us as dancers when we were on the elevator together. He said we, “danced to every genre we play”. Just shows that they were making an effort to play various types of dance music. A surprise for us was that ballroom dancing got usurped by other things several times. Twice the party band Changez (they were amazing by the way) played. There was a comedian once and a headline show by “New Amen Corner”. Still got to dance to Changez and New Amen Corner, and the comedian was funny so no complaints, just a bit of a surprise.

Everywhere we went we saw the crew hard at work maintaining the ship. We didn’t see the rust or wear that others noticed, but then again, we didn’t look too closely. 

So the BIG CHANGES - slightly less formal dress, and fewer nights to dance in the Queen’s Room. *gasp*

15 hours ago, techteach said:

Yeah Mr. Tonopah! @D&N I’m having trouble visualizing the tree. Upload a picture please?

Our tree topper is a paper towel tube wrapped in shiny paper with paper angel wings. Made by our son in primary school circa 1987?

Mr. Tonopah is very much in the Spirit this year. 

My life is returning to normal. I finally unpacked and the washer is running non-stop. I wrote my James. A. Michener-length cruise review. Not sure if/when it will be posted. I am exhausted after the whirlwind week but am looking forward to finally settling down.

Hope you all are doing well

We just don’t eat that much at any meal. If we go to tea we skip dinner. At breakfast we might have a bagel or a bowl of cereal. No one forces you to have a meal.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I so appreciate it. 

Three days ago we were on top of the world on our lovely Queen. After arriving home my husband came down with a bad cold (not Covid - we checked). He’s been in bed for two days. Our cooker broke - yes, three days before the biggest cooking holiday of the year. Then, yesterday I got a call. My brother passed away unexpectedly. Feel like I’m in free fall.

Back home. Our trip was marred only by the awful airport transfer problems. We got off the ship with an early 8:05 call. Freezing and windy but we only had to walk to our transfer coach. And then we sat…and sat…and sat…and sat. Our flight wasn’t until the afternoon as our (Cunard) TA had assured us there was plenty of time. And we sat…and sat…. They were still waiting for 12 passengers when we gave up, left the coach, and hired a taxi. They might still be sitting there. Learned our lesson. Airport transfers are not Cunard’s strong suit. No one picked us up at LHR, Coach is not reliable in New York. 

But otherwise we had a fabulous time, even with missed ports and rough seas. Once I readjust to real life I’ll write a review. Thanks to all for their help with our voyage.

I have two copies of the Remembrance Day order of service if anyone would like them.