moniquet

Yesterday there were 6 smoking threads on the first page.

Thanks for helping make it a site about cruising again.

One of the reasons why I haven't been on this forum for months, see nothings changed and the non-smoking warriors are still around.

Not a smoker BTW.

Love Key west although not as good as it was 20 years ago (is anything):) spent a few weekends there and have been on a couple of cruise stops. A drink in the Hogs Breath is good especially if country and western bands are on.

The last time we were in port in December on the Ryandam we had really bad weather in December.

Overall I would prefer HAL although you can't beat the QM2 as a wonderful ship. Service is better on HAL, as is food. Formal wasn't so formal on out last QM2 trip, quite a few did not even wear a tie and a german guy on the next table wore a black leather jacket every evening...things aint what they used to be:)

Can anyone explain how smoke drifts from one cabin to another? I would have thought it impossible but I stand corrected.

Wasn't there a recent blog on here by a single traveller where she was left dining alone, some tablemates having moved and others not turned up for dinner:confused: I remember reading something about it which didn't sound great.

Yes HAL is my favourite line but have never been Celebrity. Not keen on buffets on any ship except for afternoon tea sometimes. I do like a proper breakfast on the balcony. We used Princees room service for breakfast as a wake up call and a coffee to wake us up:)

Maybe we will try Celebrity, will have a look at the boards, makess Princess look like a snack bar:D

What can I say.....I agree with everyones hates. Wondering why I continue cruising:D

Yes, good post. Maybe I didn't put it very well but I do think they are vastly overpriced. Have seen a few I wouldn't mind on my walls but they value them as "real" when infact they are only prints/copies.

"Art"...don't make me laugh. You would be lucky to get back what you paid for them. Same as the diamonds:D

At least it keeps my cruises cheaper, buy lots, lose in the casino and overpay for your jewellery;)

They didn't have them in Emerald mini-suites. I like them too.

Egypt is fab, one of our best holidays (not sure if it is safe right now!).We stayed in Luxor right on the river Nile. Saw all the tombs, fascinating, just wonderful. Bought some great Egyptian cotton sheets etc. Had (cheap) gold rings with out name in hiroglyphics. Winter palace is also a good hotel, they filmed Death on the Nile there, oak panelled bar, origional ballroom, something else.

I'll never go on a cruise again which starts or ends with Miami or Ft Lauderdale Immigration.-jocap.

What happened,? I have always found Immigration polite, some of them have even had a bit of banter with us. We have entered the USA every year for the past 20 years or so and never had a problem.

Wouldn't go anywhere cold! Never been interested in Japan/China although I enjoyed Singapore. I am also not fond of Mexico around Playa del Carmen etc. Otherwise, I will go anywhere except the strong Ismalist countries. Egypt is great though:cool:

We did a land tour of Kenya in Feb. and was amazing, would definately return.

Service orientated is not a slur. I would describe myself as being so too! I note that there has been similar comments on cruise critic all have passed without comment. Shall I put it another way:rolleyes:

I was disappointed with the service on QM2. Probably my expectations were too high after reading this forum and Cunard ads. I found the room steward adequate (although it did take two days to fill the fridge with the drinks requested) and it would have been nice if she could have understood a little more English. The wine waiter was just that, he did not have any knowledge of the wine list and would have been easier to just ask for no. 23 or whatever. Standards were below RCCL and HAL. Therefore as to my original post on tipping, we did not think any extra was due. We did tip generously on the last night in the Commodore and the Chart room for good service and good Martinis! Clear enough!!

Rest of the year....what? Just saw your other post. Do you want a CV of my trips and life experience or are you just trying to be smart! It is my opinion and I am sticking to it

Dangerous ground. Is it the done thing to suggest that "they" do anything in a general sense?

!!

Depends if you want PC or honest opinion. Based on last two cruises and visits to the countries where "they" that is, the Easter Europeans originated from!

I can relate to Where to Next's post. I was on the 3rd Jan cruise. Our first time on QM2 and would definitely cruise on her again. Loved the ship. However, I felt slightly let down, maybe I believed too much of the hype around their service etc. Our room steward did not understand hardly anything I said to her. One day I was sitting on the balcony and was startled when she came through from the next balcony to clean the floor!

The afternoon tea was often served cakes first. Plus many in the Queens room were wearing beach wear. Just not what I expected.

I personally enjoyed the eastern Europeans. Why does one need more than what is required, anyway?

I was refering to tipping over what was already charged to our room. I did not mean I needed more, just that they weren't worth tipping extra. They were adequate but not exceptional like on HAL for example where we were very happy to give extra.

I didn't think anyone on our last QM2 warranted any extra tip. They did what they had to do but not many seemed to be enjoying their job. When asking one waiter why the breakfast was slow arriving (Britannia) he replied that we shouldn't come at the busy time. One night I had to ask twice for the wine waiter to come, his excuse....he was busy at the Captains table!

I think they have too many Eastern Europeans working onboard now. They aren't service orientated like eg. people from the far east. Our assistant waiter was from Russia and she didn't have a very good attitude although she did what was required.

Don't buy the art as they are just copies and overpriced too. We do have a bottle of wine in the restaurant most evenings. Probably the drink of the day in the afternoon. Don't buy the photos unless one is exceptionally different. I do like to be pampered on holiday though, use the laundry if I need to. I like to get the feeling that I am rich...at least for the duration of the cruise;)