buchanan101

QE2 was only about half the size of QM2 wasn't it? I was a little surprised (ok, not really) that 150,000 tons and quad stabilised QM2 moved at all...

The PG prices are the same now and then; the QG prices have gone up so I think I’m comparing correctly. Anyway puts paid to second thoughts about changing to the cheapest Q6s…

My point was that the captain said that sailing Great Circle is *not* the normal route as weather generally worse. They usually go further south; less economical but more comfortable. I had thought they’d default to Great Circle - seems not the worst we had was chairs sliding around during an art talk in the Queens Room

And the people who were to have had the table?

Correct. Just one great circle route*. We were effectively on it in October to avoid the worst of the weather - according to the Captain at his noon briefing. Normally, as I said, better and warmer weather is usually to the south of the great circle route (* well I guess there are two - the other would involve sailing off south east across mainland Europe - this maybe "Great Circle South")

Looking at the QA cruise I've booked I can see dynamic pricing working already for QGs...they are going up in price...(judging by the cheapest Q6) PGs same prices...I note port side sells first but can only think that's because they are numerically a bit lower (no, it's not just odds directly opposite evens). There's no reason why to Norway port is preferable is there?

Ah yes, found them. 1.5 x normal size. There aren't that many accessible cabins in any grade - seems to be the bare minimum. 6129 has a bigger balcony - if the plan is right

yeah, just realised that... well, I guess there's loads of skyscrapers in NYC, so could be anywhere Some of the ones to the south of central park are just insane

There was one guy walking around the prom deck alone - stood out as he must have been 7ft tall. Saw him on the Highline...

QA BC restaurant is much larger as they've supposedly increased BC cabins by 200% over other ships. A large room now, right near the central atrium (red below). Blue area is half the Britannia restaurant. (Those tables across the stern in Britannia restaurant must be pretty cool) QV is supposed to be the nicest BC restaurant (so far...) Brochure this morning in post said they've enhanced BC with a better menu (theatrical tableside presentation) + coffee machine and water in room + priority embarkation + disembarkation. That makes for getting on for maybe 40% who have priority of some sort though, so a sliding scale of benefit obviously

You'll have a table for 2 - especially as you are Q3. I reserved the Verandah before the voyage (can do in your account) as thought it may be busy but only seemed about half full; worth it for one evening. $40 a head for the standard menu (there are extras) Dress: two evenings suits/DJs in a 7 night cruise (we are quire probably on the same one as you, though we've dropped to PG). Others, just a shirt with collar, no jeans effectively, which can just be a polo shirt and chinos (though when I did this I wore a jacket). They relaxed the rules last summer

In QG on QM2 recently a lot of flambe-ing went on some way from tables. I was in an area that seemed to be for lots of first time cruisers so was generally tables for 2 quite squashed in. Good for talking to neighbours* but not quite what you expect in a top notch restaurant. (*was visiting Katz diner in New York - yes, the one with THAT scene from When Harry Met Sally - and in walks the Swiss guy who'd been on the adjacent table in QM2 to say "hi". He'd seen me through the window - what are the chances of that in all of Manhattan...)

That is true of course...which is why they weren't really expecting icebergs there.

Same trip 😉 Looking forward to QA

Prices seemed OK compared with 2023 sailings and our recent 7 night crossing. And if there's ~10%pa inflation between now and then they are effectively fair bit cheaper

$260 OBC on mine. Parking at Southampton is cheaper than that, and I don't think they do Cambridge coaches (will travel down night before anyway...way too risky same day)

Maybe you wouldn't have been able to book yourself online without previous cruise status - different for TAs off anywhere nice ? 😉

Ah - the ones at right angles so you get a nice long balcony (with a lifeboat in the way…) You’ll have twice the length of balcony as our PG - that’s the worst part of PGs on anything but QM2

Yes - Change, Change, no change, change, no change, change, change

Interestingly the ship does not necessarily - or even usually - take the great circle route. On the westbound October crossing the captain said that unusually we were detouring further NORTH to get a smoother crossing; and that detour to the north took us on to a Great Circle route. This implies that the usual route is to the south of the GC - and diversions to avoid the worst weather are usually southwards. Look how far north of that infamous iceberg we were...

The TA booked the ONLY cabin in the whole P1 category with an adjoining door to next cabin (because that is a disabled access cabin), but I emailed and it was changed in 10 minutes So far so good with this agent..

All booked for QA to the fjords P1 Deck 7 😀

That's a good price! Our recent QG trip (October 22) didn't seem much more expensive than when we originally booked in Feb 20 for Oct 21. (Shame I had only paid deposit on first trip by the time it was cancelled so my FCC benefit was tiny!) Hopefully then prices may stay flatish for a few years, or reducing in real terms with inflation as it is...

Quite happy getting 5% + 5%...the prices seem pretty reasonable compared with 2023 prices

Surely unless you are being very specific you should be OK given it's only open to members on Tuesday?