Cruise NH

Thanks for all the replies it’s great information and does help us. One way fares to Japan seemed extremely high, at least we can look at this alternative.

Although we are diamond on Cunard we've never used them for booking flights and I'm wondering what everyone's experience has been. We are considering a cruise out of Tokyo (from Boston) so that's why we're looking for some fare advantage if it exists. At a minimum we would want to pick our own seats and dates for departure. It would be nice to be able to have a choice of airline and of seating class. I know for example that JAL flies non stop from Boston to Tokyo, I wouldn't want to do that in anything less then premium economy but wouldn't mind a deal with business class of course. Anyway, would love to hear how this has worked out for others especially on longer routes. Thank you.

Good luck to you. It's hard to believe we're still talking about hurricane's this late in the year!

We did that. I could see where it was throughout the journey.

We just used luggage forward for our return trip on the QM2 from Southampton. I had asked about early pick up because we would be traveling in the UK before sailing home. They said sure but when I made the reservation with the early date they said there would be an extra $70 charge for storage. When I said no thanks we’ll do something else with our luggage, they took off the extra charge. If it had been a more reasonable amount we might have just paid it. I would also suggest that you get the tracking number for your shipping labels so you know when they’ll arrive. We were given different dates and in the end I had to print out the label and stick it to the suitcase with tape I had on hand. Thankfully it held. Even with the glitches we had I would use them again.

We were just off the ship on the 25th. If you need any over the counter medication, even cough drops or ibuprofen you have to call down to the medical center to get it. At least that’s what the sales people in the shop told us. I’m sure you’re already being cautious, but my husband picked up Covid while on the ship. He tested negative just before but by the time we got home the night of the 25th, he was sick. He’s had all the vaccine boosters. We didn’t wear masks and I thought we were being careful but apparently not. Stay safe.

We were just in the UK when I authorized our TA to charge the rest of our upcoming cruise to our card. Usually no problem at all and well under our credit limit. Next thing I know, I get an email from capital one that I had exceeded our credit limit (which is a lot!) and I had better make a payment fast. I checked my card online and saw HAL had triple charged me for the cruise! I got in touch with my TA and after much going back and forth it was resolved but HAL never admitted an error on their part (when clearly there was one). That's not the kind of news you want to hear when you're traveling in Europe and using your cards.

That’s a lecture I would have liked. Totally agree about the staff!

Seriously! People steal them? My goodness.

Blame it on my grandmother, I was going to say kettle, but remembered she called it a hob and wrote that. She was from Leeds, maybe it was a brand name? I know she used to call vacuum cleaners hoovers for some reason.

First, let me say that I saw someone else has also talked about this crossing. I think their comments were great, I just wanted to add a few things. We are diamond members and have done over 10 crossings. Last time on the QM2 was the 2020 World Cruise. We were in a sheltered balcony cabin. Embarkation - was very smooth, as diamond members we flew through the process. We were never asked if we took covid tests (we did and they were negative) they just asked if we had any changes to our previously submitted health assessment. On Board - No diamond welcome party by the Captain, or any other party of that type. Typically we're not big party people but we really missed this aspect of the crossing. We never did see the Captain or any of the senior officers. Felt off from a crossing veteran perspective. There were no classes offered in the Connections area (previously would have excel, photoshop type stuff). Games are not left out by the tables on deck 2. You have to go to the library and 'check them out' and only for two days at a time. Of course you can do that numerous times during the trip. Jigsaw puzzles were set out however, go figure. Insight lectures were not great. We were so disappointed we love that aspect of Cunard and always find something interesting. Among other things, there were two lectures, by two different people on Princess Diana's death...IMOP one would have been to many. Mask wearing by the crew appeared to be optional. We were okay with that. The internet was spotty. It used to be diamond members got 8 free hours of internet, worth $135. The $135 is the same but there is now a premium plan offered for the whole voyage for $140. So if you're diamond, and you choose that plan, you're paying $5. The food was good but somehow the choices weren't at time. A few times we chose not to eat in the main dining room because there simply wasn't anything on the menu we really liked. On one night I ordered the always optional chicken breast with baked potato and veggies. Disembarkation - We self disembarked and were walking off the ship at 6:33 AM. Could not have been easier but it did cause a problem with our Luggage Forward pick up. The great on shore staff from Cunard helped us with that problem. So glad we decided to take the train to Boston rather then fly, the fog cancelled a lot of flights. We used Dial7 for a private transfer, they were great. Other things... Driving up to the ship in Southampton we thought the ship looked it's age but we love her anyway. For years on this forum I've read posts from UK cruisers talking about a 'hob' and there need for it. Previous to getting on the ship, we traveled around Ireland, Scotland and England for several weeks. Now we get it! You need a hob! Please don't read this as a negative review, it's not, but I wanted to point out what's changed from previous crossings. We love Cunard and the QM2. I mentioned we both tested negative just before the cruise. When we got home Tuesday night my husband started having chills and a fever. We tested him and sure enough he has covid. I tested negative and feel fine. He's feeling a little better today but he's in isolation now. We didn't wear masks on board, the vast majority of folks didn't, but we did keep our distance from people and felt we were otherwise careful. You just never know.

Exactly!

They were only doing guarantees for this crossing when I booked it. Thanks for asking.

Oh, okay thanks

Could you tell me who gave you a quote of 110 pounds? I asked for a quote from blacklane and it was 250. This would be from the Westminster bridge area to Southampton.

I can see us staying out in Santa Monica actually. Downtown LA isn’t interesting, Hollywood seems kind of creepy and we can’t afford Beverly Hills. Once we pin down exactly what we want to do we’ll look at our options. Thanks.

We love San Diego and have been there several times before so we’re looking further afield. I agree with you though, there are several days worth of things to do there.

Well we were going to take the train 🚂…but you probably know what happened to that. Just heard it on the news so our plans will change. I was going to use Uber to get around, maybe even the metro. Now we might have to go with a car after all. Just have to find a hotel where parking doesn’t cost the same as a room.

I did think of the hotel idea but thought it might be a pretty big ASK, so it’s good to hear it worked for you. I don’t think we want to deal with driving in LA or trying to find parking. There are so many left luggage places in Europe, it’s frustrating we don’t have them here, Thanks for posting.

We’ll be arriving in San Diego on a cruise and then depart on another cruise about 10 days later. Some of that time we’ll be in San Diego but we also plan to go up to LA, etc. The problem is, what to do with our excess luggage while we travel. I know there are some companies that use stores and the like for storage as a business model but I don’t like it that idea. We just want to safely store our luggage for several days. This would be in January’23 if that makes a difference. thanks.

This thread made me check to see if my cabin had been allocated for the Oct 18th crossing. It had, and technically it is an upgrade from the obstructed view category we bought, however it’s not a cabin we would ever had chosen. We would rather be up on deck 8 with an obstructed view (nothing to see on a crossing anyway). I’m not happy but we once did a crossing in a small inside one because it was all that was left so I guess we’ll live. I hate guarantees!