Smitheroo

When I sailed in 2013 on the QM2  one of the activities was a  get together of people who had sailed on the original QM.  There were only about a dozen of us and most were crew at the time.  

I'm amazed some people remember their cabin numbers from so long ago!  I can only remember "C" deck on the original Queen Mary but no recollection of any others.  Our cabin was on the aisle down a few steps which were next to the tourist class restaurant.   I managed to find the area on the QM out in long beach, California but it was all dark and the door said "crew only".  I've been told it is used for storage.  What is available to the public is misleading because back in the day that was First Class. From the memories of Tourist Class, it seemed just as nice.  Lots of brass.

Pratt2- I remember being served tea on deck in 1966!   I have a picture of me on a deck chair with a member of the crew next to me. Thrilling for a 16 yr old LOL.  

My decision to book a voyage on the QM2 in 2013 was sudden. I found what I thought was a good fare for a voyage about 2 months ahead. It was for a "guaranteed cabin" and i had no idea what that meant.  The TA made it sound like it was of no concern.  I've been reading about people's opinion of guaranteed cabins on this forum and they dont seem too popular. I can understand why now.  However, I am almost sure I was offered an "upgrade" but at a price. Since I had done no research on deck plans I just kept what I had.  From what I read here, it seems like when you are given an upgrade you have no choice but to accept it.  I just went with it, didnt want to spend anymore money. It turned out fine. The voyage was in January, right after the holidays. The ship wasnt crowded and I dont think I even had people in the cabins around me. The laundromatte was a few doors down and I did hear a lot of chit chat but only during the day. The first night I heard a repetitive sound in the walls like a toilet flushing and I thought hmmmm, not sure about this. But either it stopped or I grew used to it because I dont remember hearing it again.  Two ladies I met were given a cabin under the disco. They got it changed to another.  Was I just lucky getting a guaranteed cabin that was acceptable to me?  I understand why some people cant be too flexible for various reasons.    I was hardly ever in the cabin except to sleep so as long as it wasnt noisy then I was ok with it.    I am thinking of booking again and I might have splurged on one of the single cabins but none were available for Jan 3, 2022 and that is when I want to go. So I'm going the cheaper way again.     

Steve1Young-  I loved reading all of your accounts, especially the first one. What a great idea to research your trip beforehand.  When I booked for my 2013 voyage it was a sudden decision. I was in Long Beach, California in the Fall and of course checked out the original Queen Mary. I did the overnight package. It was kind of interesting seeing the stateroom I had, it was not anything like what I had experienced in 1966. The bathroom was modern but they kept the old ceramic fixtures for the effect (i guess) which was nice. They gutted the tourist class area so that was kind of disappointing.  I decided I had to experience another voyage on the QM2. So booking was a rushed affair after seeing a good last minute fare for the following January. It was all new to me and I was petrified thinking about the dress code   A cousin who had done a lot of cruises calmed me down about that.  How much easier it would have been had I studied the deck plans. I couldnt choose a cabin because of the type of ticket I bought- a guaranteed cabin and I had no idea what that meant. (good thing)   There was a purpose for this trip- my mother passed away about 5 years earlier and I promised her I would take her ashes to England to be buried with my father. She would have been thrillled to know she was on the QM2 (even if she was in the closet)  So this meant I had to figure out a way to get from Southampton to London and then up to the Midlands where the cemetery is located.  The TA was no help, he kept suggesting hiring a van.  So I researched that part, bought a ticket for a bus to London which took me into one station (Victoria?)  but the train up to the Midlands left from Pancras. That meant a subway from one station to the next. Then I had to change trains at Nottingham to get to Mansfield. This was almost enough to make me want to cancel but of course it was too late.  Long story short, everything worked out fine. The voyage was  wonderful. My cabin was fine and my cabin steward delightful.  I met two other women traveling together who told me that Cunard offers transportation to the various airports and train stations in London   I immediately signed up for the one going to Pancras ($70, didnt care) I forfeited the bus ticket  and when I got to Pancras I typed a few numbers into a machine and out popped my reserved train ticket.   Even though I did minimal planning everything worked out as intended.   I love your idea about going to the Brooklyn Terminal area and watching the QM come in and go out.  I no longer live in the NYC area but I might include this in a summer trip I plan to do this summer.  Thanks for this great idea!  

Jane- at 16 yrs old I was horrified we were sharing a cabin with a stranger. (I had never been to overnight camp)  I'm sure there was an option but my mother said "that's the way it is done". Its a good idea, the single supplement can be a deal breaker,  I wonder if the company would pair someone with a stranger if requested.  Probably not, might tell you to pay the supplement and then look for someone to share.  But in 1966 we couldnt have asked for a more fun cabin mate. (not so much on our return voyage) The trip over was delightful with the crew saying it was like a Mediterranean cruise. So naturally my mother asked the cabin mate why she wore a heavy coat up on deck when it was so warm. Well!  Apparently she washed her undies out the night before and when she got dressed they werent quite dry so she decided to wait until the last minute.  You guessed it- she forgot them.  Before embarking she searched the streets for a shop to buy some but it was too early.  They didnt sell them in the ship gift store (my mother asked)  Like I said, she was a hoot. But can you imagine the people that bought her house finding the undies hanging in the bathroom!     p.s. I was also horrified we were traveling "tourist class".

The train you took was probably the Boat Train. I dont remember the station, somewhere in London but yes, they took care of the luggage. It was a lot easier getting to the boat.  In 2013 my husband dropped me off at the Brooklyn terminal. It was a bit crazy but after that the process was streamlined. My husband looked up at the Queen and said "wow, that's a big boat"    I liked the old docks.  Another memory I have- as we were ready to sail (1966) a crew member came around the dock yelling "All ashore who's going ashore".  Since visitors cant get on board now, no need for that now. 

5 hours ago, Beckett said:

My first ever cruise was on the Queen Elizabeth in 1983. I travelled with my mother and my 8-month old daughter.

 

In those days, we had to get ourselves to, I think it was Waterloo Station, and cases were not seen again until they were delivered to our cabin - yes they were called Cabins then, not Staterooms!

 

On the train down to Southampton my mum asked a couple we got talking to if you could feel movement on the ship. "No, of course not" was their reply. On the first night out, we bounced and bumped along with a great deal of movement, finally hitting a Storm Force 12 when we hit Biscay. There were broken limbs, mainly amongst the crew, and sickness abounded. Miraculously we were fine - and we never saw that couple again even though my mum searched for them.

 

After that it was plain sailing and we so enjoyed the sheer opulence of the beautiful Queen Elizabeth. The food was extraordinarily fantastic, the wonderful, top-class entertainment, and the company of new friends, most of whom were seasoned travellers and helped us negotiate our first cruise experience.

 

As Smitheroo said, in those days guests were allowed on board to see you off, a band played when we left every port, and we felt as though we were in another world. It was wonderful. We even managed a sneak peek in first-class which was stunning.

 

The return trip through Biscay was calm and sunny and I'll never forget it. Thanks Smitheroo for reminding me and taking this trip down memory lane. I too still have the passenger lists and the menus. Ah, what a lovely journey this has been.

 

 

I dont know how to use the quote function.  In 1983 you would have sailed on what they called the QE2 (or maybe QEII, not sure)  The original QE retired in the late 60's.  After my voyages in 1966  I became a ship groupie. Everytime one of the big liners came in to NYC I'd go up to the docks and tour it.  The QE2 was beautiful!   I also toured other lines, I think Hamburg was a new ship too which was outstanding.  It was more glitzy though.   I liked the brass and red carpets of the Queens.  I also experienced episodes of rough seas on my return voyage on the Queen Mary (in 1966) , going through the Irish Sea.  It was during the nightime buffet and when we went back to our cabin the lady we shared with was on her knees praying. On my voyage in 2013 on QM2 there was only one night that could be considered rough. I remember lying in bed feeling like I needed to hang onto the edges. The captain apologized the next morning. Other than that it was smooth sailing, never felt any unusual movement, even in January.  The voyage before me was the one when the norovirus struck.  It was the Christmas voyage and I heard that half the crew was afflicted along with the passengers. Must not have been fun at all.   They went to extreme measures getting ready for our voyage on 1/3. The CDC came on board and outlined what needed to be done. We left Brooklyn at 9 pm instead of the normal afternoon departure. Lots of hand santizier, cleaning rails, etc etc.  Dining crew served the foods in the buffet for the first half of the voyage and then eased up.  I really like it now that you can dine the traditional way in the MDR with assigned seating and time, or you can dine in the buffet.   As I said in my original post, I really got tired of 3 meals a day with the same people at the same time. But I was a teenager and had things to do lol. Now the food part is very important.

From some of the comments I suspect there are a few people  on here who sailed on the original Queen Mary and the original Queen Elizabeth. I remember when the QE2 arrived on the scene.  In 1966 my mother realized that this type of transportation was coming to an end so she booked us on two Cunard liners- the smaller Sylvania going over to Liverpool and the Queen Mary  from Southampton for the trip back to New York. I was 16 yrs old and was not pleased we had to share our cabin with a woman we didnt know. (she turned out to be a riot, thoroughly enjoyed the 7 day voyage with her. ) That cabin had 4 bunks and a porthole.  Bathroom was down the hall. Coming back with had a very small cabin   with 4 bunks on the C deck which we shared with a single lady.   After about 4 or 5 days I stopped showing up for meals as I was getting sick of eating so much.    Those were the days you could bring people on board to see you off.  In fact you didnt even have to know a passenger to get on and look around before the ship sailed.   They also printed booklets with the names of the passengers on board.  I still have mine from the Sylvania.

I sailed in Jan 2013 so I could bring my mother's ashes over to be buried in England.  I was so worried about the dress code. Unless you are strictly a jeans and t-shirt type person the dress code is not difficult to abide by.  I didnt even bring any jeans because of this so I guess I wore chinos.  I really cant remember which shows that it was not a big deal.  For dressy evenings I had a pair of black velvet slacks, a long black velvet skirt and several glitzy tops, a pair of dress sandals, a few scarfs to change the look.   This was perfect for travel in Britannia.  The pictures in the brochures had me really worried with women wearing ball gowns.   I even went to the ball room dancing, afternoon tea, never felt out of place.  If you are willing to eat 3 meals a day in the King's Court and not attend any formal events you could get by with neat , casual dress.   I knew I wanted to eat in the MDR for dinner.  Two male passengers wore tuxes to dinner one night. The other men wore jackets.  It amazes me why so many men hate wearing dressy clothes.  They look really attractive!  I cant understand how uncomfortable a jacket could be.  Tuxes maybe are a bit over the top.   Something I saw on the way to the MDR one evening- a family with 2 little girls, looked about 4 and 6. They were all dressed up in long dresses, ribbons in their hair and dressy shoes.  Adorable!  

I just booked the NY to Southampton crossing 1/3/22. I have until 12/27 to pay my deposit and I'm getting cold feet   This is strange because I did this same voyage back in 2013 and had a wonderful time.  I travel solo. I was interested in one of the new solo cabins but none were available for this voyage and winter is the time I want to go so I went with a single in a double occupancy which worked out slightly cheaper.  It was fine (standard, inside) last time as I am not fussy.  This time I know what to expect so dont understand why I am nervous.

I can't believe some think that people sitting in an aisle seat should move over when they arrive later.  That is absurd. People arrive early to chose the seat they prefer (for  any reason  whch includes no reason)  Why should they give that up for someone arriving late?   Too bad the staff couldn't monitor the theater and save a row in the back for the late comees. 

Other than this, which isn't going to happen, I don't see a solution. Either the aisle sitter has to stand up to let the late arrivals by or risk getting their toes stepped on or worse (moving shp)  Please get to the theater in time!

they didn't have tea kettles or coffee machines on the QM2 in the Brittania cabins in 2013.  That's a nice touch. 

I welcome experiencers/opinions about the Beverage packages on the QM2. I last sailed on the QM2 in 2013 and was not drinking alcohol at the time so not a concern of mine. My SIL and I are planning a TA in the near future and wondering what are the options.  I read somewhere that Cunard allows passengers to bring 2 bottles of wine aboard  Is this true? 2 bottles would do me, not sure about my SIL.    

I only ate dinner in the main dining room in Britanna on the QM2  but it was my impression that for breakfast or lunch you could sit anywhere. Not sure if they had specific times or not.  For those meals I ate in the Kings Court buffet.  I wondered what assigned seating for dinner would be like.  I was a sngle and they placed me at a table with other singles, mixed ages.  It was great!  I sat next to a woman who was with her husband but he was at another table. She said they did this so they would meet other people.  My only other shipboard experience was the original QM in 1966.  I was a teenager and sitting through the multi course meals (x 3) with the same group of people was a bit much.  I got so sick of this, and eating huge meals in general, one day I didn't show up for the lunch meal. My mother was quite upset with me lol

I sailed in 2013 on the QM2.   I was quite worried about "dressing up" because my only other experience with ships was a TA in 1966 on the original QM.  As a tourist class passenger we weren't asked to dress for dinner but in those days people were not so casual. I don't remember seeing anyone in shorts for any meal but its been awhile so maybe I've forgotten.  My friend who has cruised a lot gave me her experience with dressing for dinner.  She said I was worrying about it too much, and she was right , it was not a big deal in Britannia.  I wore a long black velvet skirt, a dressy top with a little bling to it, dressy sandals. Some nights I added a bright pashima. Even if I only brought the skirt I could have made 5 outfits out of  it with different tops and accessories. I don't remember a lot of elaborate ball gowns.  Some nights were semi-formal ( a   dressier  street length dress)  Some nights had themes (black and white, same black skirt with a white sequined top) And if you didn't feel like doing this much there was the Kings Court buffet.  Two men at our table wore tuxes on the first and last night but in my opinion that wasnt necessary.  A plain suit would have been fine but so many men these days object to even that.  If they only knew how good they looked.

I guess its easier to get lower fares the closer to the sailing dates and that is what I've been looking at. I understand that solo cabins will most likely not be available at that point. To the person who posted about the old days, yes I remember when singles shared cabins with people they didn't know. As a teenager I thought it strange but my mother said that was the way it was done. This was 1966, on the original QM and also a smaller Cunard, the Sylvania. I enjoyed the elderly lady in our cabin very much. Bathroom down the hall also lol And bunk beds

Well, I forget the exact numbers since it was 2013 I sailed on the QM2 but I paid about $1400 for a cabin (fare plus single supplement) It was an inside "guaranteed" and was more than adequate even if I couldn't see the sea. I see fares for similar now at about $799 which is roughly the same when you add the single supplement. I guess that is the way I will go and forget about the lovely solo cabins. Mine was fine except it didn't have a sea view (or balcony) It is true, they made no money off of me except for the $30 I foolishly spent in the casino. Not counting the extra gratuities, I spent hardly anything. There was no need to.

Do you have any numbers? a "larger double cabin" might be a better value overall but usually the reason someone wants a solo cabin (I might be wrong about this) is to avoid paying the single supplement and is willing to accept a less better overall value for one that costs less. If cost wasn't the main factor I think most people would just go with paying the single supplement for a regular size cabin meant for two people

Does anyone know what the new solo cabins on the QM2 cost? I have searched everywhere and have found no reference to the fare.