ex-koelner

I don't think that it's a matter of crossing or port-intensiv cruises. On crossings too your daily schedules varies and I did not regret to switch from fixed to flexible. I often read the argument that with fixed tables the waiters have a chance to get to know you and your preferences. Personally, that would not be a benefit for me, as I don't have any special requirements. I show up, pick the dishes I want and order a glass of wine - that's basically the interaction I have with the waiters. Having a different table at a different time with different views and different people is what I really enjoyed on my crossing.

I brought a Swiss Knife on board QM2 in Brooklyn with a 5 or 6cm blade without any problems.That was in May. It was in my handbag that I carried through security just in case someone would have cared, I could sort it without delaying handling of my suitcases.

On QM2 six weeks ago, when asked for "some nibbles" or "some snacks" both in Commodore Club and Chart Room you'd get crisps, nuts, and/or olives.

It's interesting, or bizarre, I was on the eastbound crossing prior to OP's westbound crossing and I never encountered slow service at Britannia restaurant during dinner time, neither on deck 2 (but I gave up fixed dining after 2 nights) nor on deck 3. Moreover, I always had the impression that they do the service in just the right pace, it was never too long to place the order, to receive drinks and to be served, nor was it rushed or so. I was very happy with the service and the staff performance, therefore, I'm surprised that it changed in a matter of days.

I agree that service for breakfast is mostly way too slow and too cumbersome... why do I have to order bread or pastries or juices and wait for them? They could walk around with these items on a tray. And I also agree that Cunard sometimes have a strange interpretation of some dishes... a 'classic Waldorf salad' and no celery on the plate... come on 😁

If you have booked through Cunard Germany or a German travel agent, tips for hotel staff, e.g. housekeeping and all those behind the scene in laundry or so, is not included in the fare and will not be auto-added to your account, but is optional. Towards the end of the voyage the form you've mentioned arrives in your cabin and you have the choice of either follow the recommendation which is US$16.50 per day (I think - it is the amount that is auto-added if you have booked in the US or UK) or to tip an amount at your very own discretion. This will be charged to your account. You also have the choice of not tipping through your account but to give the tip to your attendant directly. Or a mix of both ways. Or not at all - it's indeed up to you.

I'm on QM2 right now, and there are still no planetarium shows. Rumor has it, that there is an issue with the sound system for the dome, that is installed under the red seats. In order to fix it, they would have to close Illuminations for a few days to remove the seats, and this work has not yet been scheduled.

It's Red & Gold on May 6 and Masquarde on May 10. if you log in to your account, the schedule comes up. But only for the Gala Night themes, not for lectures or concerts or so. I'm on the same voyage by the way, going to Hamburg 🙂

59 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

As an aside, the Porter method is advised when embarking in New York…. Long queues do not exist with a Porter.

Could you please elaborate on the Porter method? I'll embark in NYC next week (for the first time) and wondering, what a porter would do that I cannot do myself? And how exactly can a porter help to bypass queues? In my simple-mindedness I thought I could arrive at the terminal by taxi or Uber, find the spot for baggage drop and go inside the terminal for check-in and embarkation.

another first time cruise here with a stupid question... is it really neccessary to have the baggage tag laminated or placed in a plastic cover? I never thought about that. Is there any other way to attach it?

On 2/16/2024 at 7:41 AM, Host Hattie said:

Because the bottles supplied are for in cabin consumption.

Does this apply to the sparkling wine they provide in Britannia cabins? I was hoping to take the bottle out on the promenade deck for the sailaway from NYC. I'm not intending to drink it in one of the bars of course.

12 minutes ago, Poole Boy said:

QM2 is due to depart Colombo on March 31, one day later than QV, both are due into Southampton on April 28th.  If QM2 does re route back via Cape Town ( and follow QV) there would be more than enough time to get back into Southampton on schedule.

 

Thank you! I think I was a bit misguided by news report about container ships now taking the much longer route around SA instead of the Suez Canal, thus disrupting supply cahins.

I'm aware it is all speculation at the moment, but assuming that Cunard re-routes QM2 around South Africa instead of passing through the Red Sea, when would you expect her to be back in Southampton? I'd guess she would not make it to operate M410 to New York as scheduled, i.e. leaving Southampton April 28, 2024? I'm booked on the return M411 and a bit concerned that the ship won't be in NYC on May 5.

Thanks everybody for the explanation. I understand the concept of a package tour and the responsibility the tour operator has to take if anything in the chain goes wrong.

What confuses me - because I never heard of that option - is a statement like this:

On 10/8/2023 at 9:05 PM, Victoria2 said:

you can book your own flights and have them bundled with a hotel into a Cunard package

In my situation, I have the cruise booked, I have my own flight booked, I still need a hotel in NYC for 4 nights. Can I call Cunard and ask them to bundle all this? Again, I don't see why they should do that with a flight that was not booked through them and they most likely won't get access to the reservation details in their booking system. At least, it might be worth to call Cunard about the hotel and have only that added to the cruise, who knows, maybe they can offer a rate that is better than what I find online (which was not the case with the flight though)

Could somebody enlighten me on that "package" arrangement please. I have booked a TA NYC to Hamburg for next year directly through Cunard website. I have also booked a flight to NYC arriving there a few days before the ship's departure. That's a seperate booking directly with KLM. Why should Cunard bundle this flight with their cruise and take responsibility for something they are not at all involved in? What would they do if - for what reasons ever - KLM is not able to fly me from Germany to NYC for 4 days so that I will miss the ship? Or does it mean that I should have asked Cunard to book the flight that I have chosen for me? I'm really a bit confused about it.

So, did I get it right, that on QM2 open dining is always on the lower level and fixed dining, both the early and late sitting, is always on the upper level? Or would I still have a choice? From that point of view, is one of the locations preferable over the other? Maybe better atmosphere, less disturbance, less cramped/crowded, better views, quicker service, calmer/more quiet?

A question by a future first-time solo cruiser who enjoys some company for dinner, i.e. opting for a table for 6 or 8 people.

Thank you. I've seen that website, but how exactly does it work if someone wants to order a gift credit for somebody else? To me it seems unnecessarily complicated that you have to call to get a gift card or a voucher (if that's what you really get in the end) and maybe even have to provide details of the booking of the person who will actually be on the cruise.

I was hoping to find an equivalent to https://www.royalcaribbeancertificates.com/  for example

Bumping up this old thread... For my upcoming birthday, I would love to ask family and friends for a Cunard gift card that can be added to OBC and used for drinks, internet etc. while onboard QM2 next year, but I can't find that option on the website - neither German nor UK site. All they offer is gift packages for cakes, flowers, photography and so on and you have to call Cunard to arrange that. Does Cunard still offer gift cards like RCI or NCL does? It would be great if someone can enlighten me and point me to the website where you can purchase them. Thank you.

Thanks everybody for sharing your thoughts and experiences! Indeed I tend to go for the late fixed seating at a table of 6 or 8, I assume I can always switch to open dining or another table if it doesn't work? Anyway, there is more than 1 year left to think about it 😁

Long time lurker here, who is new to cruising, but making my personal maiden voyage on QM2 next year. I'm wondering whether you would recommend open dining over fixed dining for a solo traveller. Generally I like the idea of sharing a table with the same group of 6 or so people that you can get to know over the course of the cruise and having dinner together. But as many others, early seating is too early and late seating is too late for me (would go for the latter if I need to pick a time). So open dining where you can show up at 7 or 7.30 pm sounds brilliant. What I want to avoid is ending up on a table where other guests are almost finished while you wait for the starter or the way round. So any insights or comments from experienced (solo) cruisers are much appreciated.