Crofters

We were on the world voyage this year and our understanding is that the work this year will be comparatively minor as QM2 is going out of service in 2026 for a much longer period to have a half life refit/remastering.

Morning everyone, we thought we should update now we have left Singapore and last night was the onshore world gala event. unfortunately the immigration process in Singapore is a mess which is not ideal as we have spent three days there over two visits in the last ten days. On the first day it took up to two and a half hours to disembark the ship through immigration and many people simply gave up and didn't get off the ship. As part of that process we had thumb prints and eye pictures taken and a sticker put on our passport to enable us to go through the express lanes whenever we got off the ship again. This seemed to work much better on our second day in port last week but not yesterday when we returned. Not all of the express lanes worked as they should in the morning so some people had to go through the manual immigration lanes so it took an hour or more to disembark in the morning, and we were off before most people. However, the real problems arose at 5pm when over 900 people doing the world cruise tried to disembark. All of the immigration systems went down apparently so only the manual lanes were open. We had been instructed to meet from 5pm for a 6pm start at the flower dome at the gardens in the bay. Some people didn't arrive until well after 7pm and some just gave up completely and stayed on the ship. We would like to say the evening improved from there but it didn't. A few days beforehand we had learnt the dress code was smart casual, there were no assigned tables, and there would only be enough tables and chairs for the majority of people. It also was to be food served from food stations. In reality we were put in a function room that could never have catered for over 900 people and there were small tables with four chairs and some high up tables with bar stools which had cold canapés for two placed on them before we arrived. We were given a drink on arrival but thereafter had to go to some trestle tables at the back of the room to get our own drinks as the waiters only collected empty glasses. The hot canapés were stone cold and insufficient in number, we only received one on our table. Then there was only one food station for the main food that everyone had to queue for if they wanted food. You can imagine the lengths of queues and many, ourselves included, had no food. For those that did queue they were given a disposable plate with disposable cutlery and a plate of chicken curry with a flatbread. There were a couple of small paper cups with some alternative but I have no idea what they contained. The dessert was mainly waiters carrying paper cups with fruit in. The whole thing was a complete farce and Cunard must be very embarrassed by the whole event. Angus Struthers was in attendance and he seemed upset at what transpired for the amount of money it must have cost. We were given access to the flower dome itself from nine o clock but by 8:30 the room was no more than a third full as most people had given up ad gone back to the ship or decided to go and watch the light show. They certainly didn't return after the light show. By the time the recorded pop music was put on at 9:30 there were no more than twenty people dancing and the room was pretty empty. We stayed until the end and determined to enjoy ourselves for the farce it was. Ultimately it will not detract from the incredible trip we are having but it was a complete embarrassment and many were very upset by it all.

Hi this is our first world cruise and absolutely living up to our expectations. The ship is wonderful, the crew and entertainment team all work their socks off. At a practical level, we have certainly benefitted from joining the roll call before the cruise and from reading blogs from past world cruisers for great information and tips to make your travel easier.

Hi, Since we last updated, we had nearly a week just before and just after Dubai where we were asked to wear masks in public areas. Thankfully this was relaxed yesterday as the number of virus cases has significantly reduced and a load cheer went up as this was announced in the midday announcement by the captain. The staff were the first to cheer and discard their masks 😷 we were docked at the new cruise terminal at the base of the Palm in Dubai with pretty stunning views of the skyline but unfortunately now a long way from where QE2 is docked. For this leg of the trip the world cruise cocktail party was held in the open on deck 12. Once again it felt Cunard made a real effort to make the event special with the ice sculptures, the chef cooking stations and best of all a chocolate station ! it was also our first opportunity to meet the new captain on board, Captain Andrew Hall. His noon announcements are not quite as much fun as Captain Hashmi but is much more visible around the ship during the day and evening and his happy to chat with guests. We don't want to start a dress code thread but just to let you know that most people are complying with the new dress code and most men are in jackets in the evening. As usual there are some that don't comply, most notably a lady dancing in the queens room one evening in ripped jeans!!!!!!!!!! We lost a scheduled gala night earlier this week with no explanation but we have a roaring 20 s night tonight which should be great fun and already we can see lots of guests ready for evening dinner that are dressed up. Such a lovely sight. We had a long chat with Declan one night in his new role as Assistant Entertainment director and he explained that they are trying something new in the Queens room with the orchestra finishing at 11pm and a different late night act coming on afterwards in an effort to appeal to more people than those who just like to dance. We went to a late night cabaret there with Bernie Flint where there were chairs and tables set out on the dance floor which was a great show but unfortunately not well attended as it didn't start until after 11pm but we thoroughly enjoyed it ourselves. Although there is a reduced menu, the food is still being of a great standard and perhaps even better than we remember from previous trips. The last 4 nights the clocks have moved forward one hour proving challenging as we are approaching Malaysia. Hopefully we won't lose any more time for the next couple of weeks or so. It may be a real technological challenge on board tomorrow as everyone has to complete an online entry form for Singapore. We hope people are patient and go easy on the pursers desk and the concierge!

On QM2 there was a world club party for everyone doing the full trip and those departing in Dubai, held in the Queens room. Those departing in Singapore will have their party on the next sector.

Hi Just a quick update on our further travels on QM2. Yesterday was Roaring 20s night with lobster and baked Alaska on the menu, sadly still no parade of the chefs! Was a great night around the ship with lots of flapper dresses, feather boas and men wearing spats and hats. Our evening was made even more special when we returned to our states room to find our invite for the World Gala night onshore in Singapore on 23 February which is being held at Gardens By The Bay hotel, what a special night that will be🤩 We have seen people building boats over the last couple of days as today is Launch the boat competition and also the return of the guest talent show after 3 years. So far as gifts we have received a centenary voyage pin, a specially commissioned designer tote bag in the 20s style and most importantly we have been entrusted to look after a bromeliad who we have christened Bronwyn! She loves long sunny days on the balcony, normally in the bin for her own protection as we have encountered quite a few windy days! Have attached a picture of Neil, the entertainment director who takes the Zumba gold class every sea day, who was game enough to wear my belly dancing jingle skirt as a special request from the ladies attending the class. He is really good fun.

Morning everyone just completed my pre breakfast laps of the promenade deck so the food intake can commence in earnest! there was only one trip to Luxor covering valley of the kings and Karnak, over one thousand people went. The other trips were to Hurghada and a hotel resort. to give you a flavour of the wonderful people on board we have met a lady going to Sydney as a means of emigrating and starting a new life, a couple going the whole way who have never set foot on a cruise previously, and a couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. We have also become close friends with a lady who has 102 evening outfits for the 102 nights all packed into 14 pink suitcases! She is truly embracing the full experience and we are lucky to enjoy it with her.

In response, we are currently on QM2 on our first world voyage but are not blogging but felt we needed to respond to this! We are having an amazing time and have cruised many times on Cunard. Captain Hashmi and his team are doing everything they can to make this a special voyage. When we returned from our 13.5 hour trip to Luxor, the captain and his crew were waiting for us dockside with a champagne reception to welcome us back after a long day. Amazing 🤩 The world cruise cocktail party was just as Roscoe and Safarigal have described in the past including the caviar station and the captain was very emotional that this was his first party back after more than 1,000 nights. So far this experience is like any other cruise we have been on pre pandemic with no additional measures so far, fingers crossed 🤞 With there being 925 passengers doing the full trip it has made the atmosphere very special as it is hard to sit down on the ship and not getting chatting with someone who is doing the full voyage! The Queens room was full last night for Burns night which was great fun and the dance hosts are now back on board but still fewer passengers enjoying this area so far. There has been a really wide range of excellent live music across the ship and the real crowd pleaser seems to be the band Changez who pack out every venue they sing in with an amazing array of music choices that get all dancing. The passenger choir gave their first performant yesterday in the grand lobby which sounded great and was well attended. Personally I have been doing the Zumba and line dancing classes and the queens room has barely been big enough with people dancing in the aisles and at the back of the room. Although the menus are shorter than previously, the food has been excellent throughout and we had a Chinese menu for Chinese new year including the Kings Court being decked out with Chinese lanterns. We even had a Scottish menu last night for Burns night. By far the majority of people on the ship we have spoken to are having a wonderful time without too many dissenting voices. Hope this gives a small flavour of this years world voyage.