Frank183

So, I am back and it was just plain phantastic. I think without doing it yourself you just can't imagine.
We had pretty rough weather throughout most of the trip, the top deck was closed due to high winds most of the times. But I was fine with this as I really wanted to experience the Atlantic ocean with all its power. Sadly, we had a medical evacuation by helicopter south of Gander, I hope the person is allright.

So, here I pasted some video clips together, not the greatest quality and I am by far not a video artist, but you still might like it:
 

Thank you all so much for all your support and patience answering all my questions upfront!!!

Best regards
Frank

Dear all, we are on the way now and it's phantastic, much better than I had hoped for, thank you so much for all the help! 

Sounds good to me, thanks for all the help. This whole trip costs a lot of money, so I guess a cab in NYC won't really that much of a difference.

34 minutes ago, techteach said:

Disembarkation times vary. You won’t know until a couple of days before disembarking. There are lots of threads that provide details.

Ok, then I will probably just stand in line for a taxi when we get there. This is a "slow travel" trip for us, no problem. Does anybody know how much we are looking at for the ride to mid Manhattan? I know, everything is expensive in NYC, but it would be good to know, just in case someone tries to rip us off.

11 minutes ago, techteach said:

@Frank183 There are taxis available when you disembark. However, there can be quite a line of folks waiting for them. The time you disembark and how much of a hurry you are in should be part of your decision. Last week we were first off at 8:00 and there was a line for taxis but it dissipated quickly. Lots of Ubers being called as well.

We won't be in a hurry, hotel won't be ready to check in before 3pm, but maybe I will see to make a reservation. Is the disembarking time of 8am fixed or could it vary?

5 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Not with Mallorca, which, aside from a couple of resorts, is generally looked on as rather an elegant destination, much favoured by Germans and Spaniards (and Robert Graves) rather than cheap and cheerful British. Daytime wear, even on Cunard, is a matter of preference, and I can’t say I have ever noticed much correlation between it and conversational preferences. I repeat, have you ever been there?

Yes, I have been there, several times. Sa Coma and Alcudia mostly. Always had a good time there. The people on the airplane going there and back from Germany were a different story though...

But the whole point there is that I hope to connect to some decent people there. But we will see.

1 minute ago, techteach said:

@Frank183 It’s unclear where you are going to/from. If you have luggage do not use public transit, especially during rush hours. That leaves a taxi, private car, or Uber. I was forced to learn to use Uber last week while in NYC, and it was doable and cost the same as a taxi. For transport from our hotel to the port I splurge for a private car so I can be sure it will hold all of our luggage. There is a water taxi, but I don’t know if it would be better than the other options. I hope this is the information you need. 

Thanks a lot! Yeah, I figured that public transport with 2 big suitcases would be a pain in the neck.
Are there taxis waiting outside the terminal? Or would it be advisable to make a reservation in advance?

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

I can’t imagine you’ve ever been to Mallorca. 🙂

I know there are also nice areas and nice people but I assume you get the stereotype... 😉

Oh, one more thing: how do we get to our hotel in Manhattan (near Rockefeller center)? Are there taxis available? Does that cost an arm and a leg or is it worth using public transport?

Just now, techteach said:

Hmmmm.. what is a Mallorca tourist? I need to determine if I am one. Thank you @NE John for helping @Frank183

I define it as an overweight bloke in ugly T-shirt and shorts and white socks who starts drinking at 10am and only can talk about football if at all...

37 minutes ago, NE John said:

Go open minded and enjoy the daily flow. 

That sounds like a great plan!

14 hours ago, Millieloulou said:

Hi Frank 

We also met some lovely American people on a previous cruise over dinner.At the end of the cruise we promised to meet up.We have just done that whilst they were in Southampton before they sailed home.We will be together to celebrate this Christmas and New Year in the Caribbean.Of course, on the QM2.

That sounds great!!! The thing is, my wife and me we have our friends and aquaintances who are just great people, but of course I wouldn't mind to get out of my personal bubble and just talk to some new and interesting people. Usually however, the classical "Mallorca" tourist isn't exactly the type of person I really want to connect to. So I thought, that people who do a trip like this will probably live to some other standards, you know...

Wonderful!

11 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I always chat to people at adjacent tables in the dining room, and often a relationship develops. I also chat to people nearby having morning coffee in the Queens Grill Lounge. I think on the whole people are happy to chat. It is often interesting to talk to people from different countries.

That sounds great!!!

9 hours ago, rakkor said:

 

If you're sailing Solo and don't want to dine alone, I suggest fixed dining and a larger table, 8 or 10, that way you will have the same dinner guests every night

I'm travelling with my wife, but I thought it might be a good thing to meet some new people. I just didn't know if people rather want to be for themselves. Well, let's see...

One more thing (yes, I'm unsatiable...): I'm hoping to meet some interesting people, as I assume that the majority of the passengers will have a certain... "standard". Is it common to talk to people in the bar, restaurant or just on the deck or do people (couples, families) rather want to be for themselves?

45 minutes ago, NYCSev20 said:

 

I finally found it, thank you so much!!!

17 minutes ago, NYCSev20 said:

It's on your My Cunard page.  Booking Summary Tab then scroll down to just under the Pre-Cruise Checklist, there are two tabs for Bed Configuration and Dining Choice.

Thank you so much, I just can't seem to find it. Would anybody have a screenshot? Can we do this also during checkin?

One more question. I just received an email from Cunard that I could choose my favourite dinner time on their website, but I just can't seem find this section, can anybody advise?

Thanks a lot and best regards
Frank

12 minutes ago, steve4031 said:

Don’t worry.  I’ll do my best to respect the grand lady of Ocean Liners.  

I know, I just couldn't let this pass...😆

Dear all,

sorry, a bit off topic here, we will take the QM2 from Southampton to New York on July 14th. To be safe, we will go to Southampton from Germany a day earlier. If all goes well, we will arrive at our hotel at West Quay around noon, our checkin time for QM2 is the next day at 3.30pm, which means we have some time to kill.

Can anyone recommend places to visit or maybe just areas to stroll around? Is there like a day pass for public transport?

Haven't been to England in almost 40 years (except for connecting at LHR) and I'd love to enjoy fish & chips for lunch and then maybe visit a typcial British pub in the evening in the West Quay area. I would be grateful for any recommendations!

Thanks
Frank

10 hours ago, steve4031 said:

Wow!  I’m at the Hyatt Ohare waiting/resting before tomorrows flight to LaGuardia.  Friday we board.  This list got me super excited.  

So, on 07/14 we can shake hands in Southampton. Don't break anything!!! 😉

2 minutes ago, D&N said:

For UK bookings it's normally charged to onboard account.

I believe many US deals include that and other perks.

You need to check your contract including any reference to Terms & Conditions.

The levels vary between Britannia & Grills. Best to read that section of website.

I booked this via a specialized TA in Germany.I will have to look this up.

8 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

 

Unless you have been offered a deal from your TA, it's a daily charge per person.

 

Some people ask for it to be removed, but that's unfair on the back room staff as you don't ever see them to tip them.

Ok thanks, and how much is this per day?

1 hour ago, D&N said:

Gratuities, now I think titled something like service charge, are charged per person per day to your onboard account.

There is no obligation to give anything else.

 

I didn't read anything about that in the document. How is this per day? Or is it already included in the fare we booked?