smarks

On 9/15/2022 at 8:46 PM, Cruise Suzy said:

Gratuities are included in HAL's beverage packages, you do not pay extra as long as the menu price is included. If you purchase a beverage with a menu cost above the limit, you pay the full price, not just the difference, plus 18% gratuities. You are limited to 15 covered beverages - "bottled/canned" water, soft drinks and specialty coffees as well as alcoholic beverages.

Does anyone out there have a bar menu.  I would like to know the price of a Bloody Mary and if they have Michelob Ultra.  I have the Have it All Package.  I have read that there is an $11 limit on the package.  Anyone know the prices if there is not a bar menu to be found.  Thanks everybody.  Cruising the Zuiderdam in July.

52 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

You can book unlimited in advance but you pay for it then. If you want to use OBC, wait until you are onboard. Same price. By the bag or by the piece can only be done onboard.

Thank You Suzy.  I am going to use some OBC if allowed to get the unlimited laundry.

On 8/13/2022 at 5:43 PM, lavictoria said:

We were quoted $106 for a 17-day cruise so I’m guessing your rate will be approximately twice that!

Thank you for that info.  I am planning on packing less and doing more laundry.  Can I book in advance  or do I have to wait till I board? 

On 7/21/2022 at 12:27 AM, BermudaBound2014 said:

You nailed it- one big house of cards. 
 

gotta give them credit for still being able to raise money. 

Did you see the big bonuses they passed out during covid?  Maybe they are filling their pockets before they sink.

2 hours ago, smarks said:

 

Thank You Nancy for that info.  I think I will  pack for 7 days and have laundry done just once a week.  I would love unlimited but that would be almost $500 for laundry for two.  Ouch.  Something to think about.  Thanks Again.

Sorry for my mistake.  I was figuring laundry for 2.  I'm so used to doing everything per person.  It is a great laundry deal.  I will be adding it to our cruise.  Thanks for the replies everybody.  Haven't been on Holland since 2012.

4 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

No specials that I have ever heard of. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

There are three choices for laundry....pay per piece (that would add up quickly!)....single bag full ($20)....or unlimited for the cruise for $7 per day per cabin. ($9 in Europe?).

 

As others have said, it's a good service!

 

~Nancy

4 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

No specials that I have ever heard of. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

There are three choices for laundry....pay per piece (that would add up quickly!)....single bag full ($20)....or unlimited for the cruise for $7 per day per cabin. ($9 in Europe?).

 

As others have said, it's a good service!

 

~Nancy

Thank You Nancy for that info.  I think I will  pack for 7 days and have laundry done just once a week.  I would love unlimited but that would be almost $500 for laundry for two.  Ouch.  Something to think about.  Thanks Again.

I have the Zuiderdam booked for 35 day cruise.  Do they run specials on laundry for long cruises ?  Thanks.

4 hours ago, K_e_short said:

 

I apologize. But you are given an extra 2 days to check in, meaning you are more likely to get an earlier check in time, if you want.

Yes, Diamond and Platinum do get a 2 day head start on reserving their time, but that just gets you to a lounge.  You still have to wait.  Suite guest go on first and it is a mad dash after that.  My friend is Diamond and she said they called 7 groups and it was a mad rush.  I will be waiting till after 12:00 to board.  I have 52 cruises and 7 more booked and status means nothing. That check in time is just that, it's check in time not boarding time.  Good luck and enjoy your cruise.  Everybody will get on.  Just maybe not be the 1st one.

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

Your "boarding" time is actually the time you are allowed to enter the terminal, whether they enforce that or not is not relevant.

 

FTTF allowed those who are not in a suite, or Diamond/Platininum to "board" first. Without FTTF if you want to get that coveted 10:00 - 10:30am boarding time you stay up until midnight as check in starts at 12:01am.

 

There seems to be a lot of people OBSESSED about being on the ship first.

 

Diamond and Platinum are not given any special treatment.  Suite guest board first, then they call by group 1 through 7.  It's a mad dash to the line.  So just take your time in arriving.  My friend is on the ship now and she said nobody knew what they were doing.  I was on the Mardi Gras in Oct. but it was very easy but it was also late since there was an accident at the port where someone died because of a car accident.  So when the gates did open we breezed onto the ship.  My friend had quiet a different experience.  Just a heads up.

11 hours ago, Underwatr said:

Some lines permit using available onboard credit toward excursions booked before embarkation but be aware that Cunard is not among them. You'll need to provide a credit card if you book the excursion online. Onboard credit may be used for excursions that are booked once onboard.

Thank you for that information.  I did add onboard credit, but I have no problem with a credit card.  Just leaves me more to spend on the ship.  Thanks again.

Sandra

9 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I know people are always concerned about the excursions selling out, but this has never happened to us in over twenty years.  A couple of times it looked like excursions were sold out, but, when I enquired, they had laid on another trip or something. So, unless you want to go on things like helicopter trips or such like, I wouldn't bother with booking in advance. Hang on to your money, and wait till you see what you feel like doing, once you are on board. Also you won't have to deal with that ghastly VP.

3 hours ago, oskidunker said:

Mainly I have cruised Princess am in the habit of booking way in advance and using on board credit to do so. Princess uses dynamic pricing if an excursion is close to selling out, so the  price goes up. Usually you can book 6 months in advance. 
 

since Cunard is different, I booked the first few days with private companies. Loss for Cunard. 

9 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

I have been on a few Cunard tours which have restricted numbers and were sold out prior to boarding but luckily, we pre booked.

Some tours which take in museums which have timed entry for instance, can have restricted numbers. All the tickets for a Faberge museum tour we went on were sold out prior to boarding and the wait list was long due to no more availability.

 

Thanks for the information. I missed Paris last year.

I would feel much better if I could just get it set up ahead of time this year.  I think this one could sell out.  

12 hours ago, newjoisey said:

as stated above. It can be better to sign up for excursions pre -boarding because the popular ones fill up fast  

Thank you newjoisey for the information.  I sure hope I can book my excursion before boarding.  I'm afraid it will be all booked up if I don't.  I will keep trying.  We still have about 3 1/2 months.

Sandra

19 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

Hi smarks. You can book from about three months out (I think would be the correct time frame) via your 'My Cunard' page; log in with your booking reference and personal details. Get to the log in page via the 'manage my booking' link at top of the Cunard general pages. Cunard are doing a lot of work to the My Cunard area so don't be surprised if you have trouble logging in!

Thank you for the reply.  I will keep trying.  Every time I log in I'm told I will have to book excursions when I board.  I was hoping that maybe it was to early.  Thanks again. I feel better.

Hi fellow cruisers, could someone tell me if when cruising with Cunard you have to wait to book your excursions after boarding the ship or does Cunard put the excursions on their web page before the cruise?  We board May 21.  Thanks for all replies.

Sandra

On 1/19/2020 at 5:14 PM, sanmarcosman said:

Not only are the doors not welded shut they have been entirely removed and replaced with one large window on the ships that have been converted. I have heard there may be one Spirit Class ship that needs 4k conversion but I do not know which. They were a great bargain.

Thank you for that information.  Much appreciated.

Could someone please tell me if the doors still open looking out at the life boats?  I know they used to but heard rumors they have the welded shut now.  Thank you in advance. Sandra

Does anyone have any information on cost of a taxi from Amtrak Penn Station to Manhattan Cruise Terminal?  Is there a bus?    Any help would be appreciated.  Thank You

On 3/29/2019 at 10:35 PM, bluemarble said:

 

The Carinthia Lounge is mid-forward on deck 7 of QM2, forward of the Kings Court buffet.

bluemarble, thank you for all the help you have given me on this board.  All the information you have shared with me has really helped.  Thanks again.

Hi all, this will be my first time on the QM2.  Could you please tell me where to find the Carinthia Lounge?  What deck?  Thanks. Sounds perfect.

6 hours ago, Toffeegirl68 said:

 

This chap and his female singing partner were on board QM2 last May. Hubby was a great fan. Every day he did a 'spot' in the pub focused on a different band e.g. Dire Straights, Lynryd Skynrd, etc

 

Things like this will be posted in the Daily Programme

Awesome.  Thanks 

44 minutes ago, deck chair said:

HI

 

Yes, anyone can go into the Queens Room.  Good to adhere to the dress code in place.  Have    fun.

Deck Chair

Thank You and I will be dressed properly.

3 hours ago, Elephant1151 said:

Try the Golden Lion either before first sitting or between first and second sitting. Amethyst will be on and they offer a good mix until 8pm when Wipeout Trivia is on until 8.30pm then they will resume until 10pm.

Thank You.

14 hours ago, Jack E Dawson said:

Sparks,

Interesting question. Considering the demographics of those who sail on the QM2, you would think that R&R would have a home somewhere on the ship but as stated above, not so much. However, here are 3 ideas that might give you a little "satisfaction". 

1. There is often a jazz trio playing in the Chart Room. While jazz is their forte, we have never been disappointed when making a musical request of a different genre.

2. At lunch time in the Golden Lion on our two previous crossings there was a GREAT guitarist who would mix a little light R&R into his performance.

 

3. G32 is a disco located astern of the Queens Room that gets going later in the evening. I'm pretty sure you could get them to crank up some R&R there.

Even if you don't find your R&R, I think you will be amazed with the amount of excellent live music going on on the QM2.

 

Jack

Thank You Jack.  That makes me feel a bit better.  I will check those out.  

14 hours ago, deck chair said:

Hi

 

Unless something has changed since my last  40 night voyage on the QM2 this past winter, there will be no rock and roll band playing before dinner.  During a typical cruise/crossing the ship's night club band will play in the Queens Room for a  post dinner party night.  It is well attended and a nice change from the ballroom dance music usually played.  Of course, this same band plays in G32.

Have fun.

 

Deck Chair

Thank You.  I'm 70 years old but I still like to have fun and enjoy lively music.  I will find something I'm sure and if not, I can sit on my balcony and enjoy my friends.  Can anyone go to the Queens Room?  Thanks again.

15 hours ago, newjoisey said:

bring your own 

Thank you for that suggestion.  I would rather sit with my travel friends and hear some good old rock and roll. But if that is not possible, I will make do.

21 hours ago, BigMac1953 said:

The nearest you might get, is a reggae band late afternoon at the stern on Deck 8 or the Pavilion Pool, Deck 12 if the weather is inclement.

 

Otherwise, there will be more traditional music, like string quartet, pianist, or harpist, in the Chart Room.

 

There may be some Rock and Roll occasionally in the Queens Room after dinner.

 

Stewart

Thank You Stewart.