frankp01

On 4/30/2024 at 8:35 AM, MCC retired said:

We always have time for a full breakfast @ Kings Court well before the 7am

That fits my daily schedule to a T. However, one in our travelling party would prefer to disembark around 9, I suspect. That's why I'm wondering if we can still self-disembark that late.

18 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

What are they going to do if you roll up late self-disembarking? Stop you leaving?

Well, that's what I sorta figured. But, on the other hand, I didn't want to find out!

On 4/25/2024 at 8:19 PM, gentlemancruiser said:

Self disembarkation(take your own luggage) is usually started at 7am

We have usually self-disembarked, is it at 7? I know it's early. Are we required to leave at the start, or can one self-debark later in the process (after, or while, those who are claiming their luggage in the hall are debarking).

32 minutes ago, BostonBoy2 said:

taking the ferry from Pier 11 to Red Hook looks great!

And it is great. It's a game changer for getting to the QM2.

As an earlier post pointed out, check the schedules online (or on the app) as they do change seasonally. The spring schedule just went into effect, and there will probably be another change by August. 

If you're leaving Red Hook after the QM2 docks I'd recommend using the app for buying tickets (because there's usually a mob descending on the ticket machine). But leaving Wall Street you won't encounter the same crowd, so you can just buy your tickets from the ticket office or machine.

3 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

I show as Smart Attire (without a theme) for January 25, 2023 on QV

Looking at my calendar, it was Jan 25th. And it looks like there were two gala nights that week, so it was "just" a smart attire evening. 

On 1/15/2024 at 6:21 PM, bluemarble said:

The last ones I'm seeing scheduled were during QM2's and QV's 2020 world cruises

We had one on Queen Victoria last year.

We had Scottish tartan pocket squares for our nod to the theme. There was the presentation of the haggis, and some Burns readings. It was held on one of the outer aft decks.

I have, once or twice. In the Novotel case, it wasn't that it wasn't working, it just didn't exist. A portable radiator was delivered when needed. And, in the summer, the aircon consisted of a fan brought to the room.

On 1/1/2024 at 7:40 PM, 2Oldpeopleinlove said:

there was no working heat. In December. 

That may be a function of it being a British hotel. We encountered the same, in December, at the Novotel in Southampton. Only the executive rooms had heat.

FWIW, I finally remembered to email Cunard about my question re: OBC when using an FCC. Here's the reply. I think the conditions must have been tightened, because I'm virtually certain I've used FCCs against the types of (now prohibited) fares and received the OBC.

Thank you for your inquiry about the benefits of our onboard sales program.  I am sorry to advise that not all of our promotions combine with the onboard sales program due to the discounts that certain promotions provide.  In general, the program will not combine with holiday promotions, last-minute fares, or other fares within the final payment period.

You did receive the benefit on your voyage with us this past January as it was booked on a standard public fare. 

I apologize for the disappointing answer and wish you both the very best,

Yes, I'm expecting a flurry of photos, beginning around 8-9AM (eastern US time)!

7 minutes ago, techteach said:

Interesting that I can’t find this on YouTube.

It doesn't appear to be on Cunard's YouTube channel. It appears to only be embedded in the tweet. (Are they still called tweets if it's no longer twitter?)

1 hour ago, Bell Boy said:

You probably don't sail on it as often as I do

Perhaps not. But, at about once a year, more than many.

On 11/13/2023 at 1:40 PM, ClipperinSFO said:

Am I the only one who is not offended by the corridor carpets?

NO! They don't bother me at all.

12 hours ago, bergenbird said:

. I read somewhere (but can't find it now of course) that you can plug the machine into the outlet next to the bed,

I can confirm that, on the QM2, there are two outlets at either side of the head of the bed. Each is a single outlet, so unless you want to do without the bedside lamp, you'd need an adapter similar to the following (you'd then also need a UK-to-North American adapter, obviously)

It looks like you're missing 9-15 June 2024 QM2 westbound transAtlantic (it may be M416? The voyage number doesn't appear in My Cunard or on our agent's booking confirmation). The two gala evenings are:

10 June - Red & Gold
13 June - Masquerade

1 hour ago, ballroom-cruisers said:

Rust being iron oxide won't be removed with bleach or enzyme stain removers.

You can try this stuff. It works. But, as was pointed out, the stain may now be set.

I don't think you'll find this in the grocery. I usually find it in hardware stores.

3 hours ago, Queenvee said:

must be owned at the time the cruise is booked 

Actually, I think I purchased my shares subsequent to the booking. You simply need to be holding the shares at the time you claim the benefit (obviously).

I understand the difference. My point was that the shareholder benefit seems to have been tightened the same way FCD benefit has been.

16 hours ago, Underwatr said:

US passengers can (could) buy Cunard FCDs?

I could in January. What good it did me is another matter.

On 10/14/2023 at 1:43 PM, 57eric said:

Have any US passengers ever been told they were ineligible for Shareholder Credit?

I haven't been denied Shareholder OBC, but I have been denied (twice) credit for using a Future Cruise Deposit certificate.

There are quite a few sites worth seeing in Halifax (Titanic gravesites, Immigration Museum, Maritime museum), not to mention the great view out over the city, and of the QM2, from the rooftop cafe at the public library. The other ports on that itinerary have alternated over time: Bar Harbor or Newport. I think Newport is the more interesting of the two, and it's on the 2025 itinerary. You tender in Newport, so you also have the chance to get some great views of the QM2 from the water. If you have access to it, watch "The Gilded Age" (by Julian Fellowes) as preparation for your Newport visit. While you (probably) won't be able to see the Boston fireworks up close and personal, the years we've done that trip Cunard has set up large-screen televisions on deck, so that you can "picnic" and watch the broadcast of the Boston Pops followed by the fireworks. There are also some nice (though distant) views of the fireworks from all of the surrounding towns from the Observation deck on 11. It was blazing hot both visits to Boston, and many points of interest are closed due to the holiday. So, having been to Boston lots of times, we've just spent those days on board relaxing by the pool.  All in all, the return trip from New York is a nice mix of sea days and port calls.

Sticky Toffee Pudding. Only because it's one of my favorite deserts and it's not seen very often at home. It's almost always available in the Golden Lion, and it shows up on the MDR menus sometimes, too.

6 hours ago, old fool said:

I think we should just blow off FCDs since it never seems to be offered

They worked well for me till now. That's why I wondered if this was a recent, common development.

7 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

What excuse did they give you?

When I called I believe she mumbled something about both being discount fares. For one, I remember, she said "oh. That's a

Memorial day fare". And I only called because there were two travel agents involved (one for each of the bookings) and the agents were both surprised that the obc didn't appear automatically when they entered the FCD info.

4 hours ago, MCC retired said:

Sounds like it is a before vs after Final payment Date that allows the FCD OBC or not?

Not necessarily. I booked one trip 13 months in advance. The request for OBC was denied.