jimmybean

Vow of stairs. Fish for dinner, if possible. Rolls only occasionally. Eat at mealtime, no snacking.

Have fun!

Great photos! Wonderful way to be introduced to Oceania. Thanks for sharing with us!

Your on-going dialogue is appreciated, BlueRiband.

…I don't think Cunard has changed, but maybe people have. And, fellow passengers made up so much of our experiences onboard...

I do think some ladies have difficulty distinguishing between formal and non-formal attire. But, my observations were always more of formal-type dress on non-formal evenings--kind of diluting the effect of formal on formal-night, in my opinion--not the reverse.

Much more shocking to me in 2014, were blue jeans in the dining room (non-formal evening) on Celebrity and teenage girls in short-shorts in the dining room (non-formal) on Royal Caribbean (granted, in the Caribbean). In comparison, Cunard may not have fallen so far. Yet.

My grandmother (purely a land-lover) may have been shocked in 1920, when women bobbed their hair and wore dresses appreciably above their ankles.

I must say I am appalled by the number of "young people" who have tattoos. I remember when tattoos meant someone had been in the navy. Fashion, clear, is not a stagnant

Everything changes and maybe we are in the vortex of change right now. The pendulum swings, making a good number of us sad.

But, I really don't blame Cunard. Staff really never did much to enforce dress code, from my observations. People were just more compliant.

Looking forward to more from you, BlueRiband.

Thank you for your thorough, candid descriptions.

Captain Wells, right? He IS the best!

We have had experiences with both Cunard matching a better, later fare (giving us a reduction) and with Cunard giving us an up-grade.

We are in USA, though, and have until 90 days before sailing to back-out without any penalty. So, when it is more than 90 days before the voyage, Cunard has motivation to give the lower price in the USA---people can just cancel and re-book.

In any case, it never hurts to call and ask. I think you will be told whatever the policy is at the moment. If they are going to say "yes" they will and if not, there is no way to convince Cunard to do otherwise.

There are some great, very inexpensive last minute deals with all cruise lines, but DH and I like the certainty of choosing our cabin and dinner-time in advance. Others, don't mind booking at the very last minute.

Flemtagg, really my advice is to go and have a wonderful, wonderful time! That is the most important thing. If you want a better fare in the future and don't mind uncertainty, withhold booking until the last minute for the next voyage. This voyage, just enjoy every minute!

Thanks for taking us along with you, BlueRiband. You write a very enjoyable narrative!

Is Chris Wells the current captain aboard? We love his noon announcements! Captain Personality!!!

Have a wonderful time!

Hi TomJoe,

We were on deck 6, I believe, on the QE. So, I'm sorry, I can't give much advice about the two cabins you described. I can, however, say "Welcome to Cruise Critic."

We really did enjoy our time on the QE. I hope you do, too. Your voyage sounds perfect for your current circumstances.

Happy Sailing!

Jimmybean

The Cunard archives are held at Liverpool University. Some of it was available online about 15-20 years ago but has since disappeared.

 

Regards, Colin.

Hi Colin,

Nice to see your post and thanks for the information. Who knows! I might be in Liverpool, at some time. It would be fun to see what they have.

You are right about things disappearing from the internet. I notice that, too.

It looks like you have some time on the QE coming-up in the near future. Have a wonderful voyage!

Best wishes, Jimmybean

capnpugwash !!!! navybankerteacher !!! Play nice.

Dajo5601, don't let any schoolyard bullies take your lunch money!

There will be many organized games aboard, tea and jam for everyone, and nap-time, if needed.

Childhood, second-childhood, both wonderful times!

Dajo5601, happy, happy anticipations and happy sailing!

Well, I cannot tell you about the 70’s, as my Cunard experience began in the mid 90’s, but i understand that by then, while QE2 had already been upgraded and modified, it retained much of its original personality and level of service, as indeed it probably did until Cunard was acquired by Carnival.

 

We had a 3-weeks Caribbean cruise in the Queens Grill, and that was truly fabulous. We loved the vast stateroom, one of the original wood-panelled ones, with a full size dressing room and a large bathroom. But there was no balcony. Only the few suites on the Sun Deck had those. We enjoyed the culinary delights of the Queen’s Grill, although I think I preferred the cosy elegance of the much smaller and more intimate original Princess Grill. One could and was encouraged to order off-menu. The Maitre d’ had arranged (without my asking for it) to have our entire serving staff (head-waiter and assistant, and sommelier) to be French-speaking, a very nice touch. The head chef was French too, and after I remarked that the food, although tasty, was lacking much seasoning, that was rectified thereafter systematically. There was always caviar (not for me) and excellent smoked salmon on a board, that your head waiter sliced for you, with all the side things (capers, onion etc.). At a neighbouring table was Paul Daniels, the famous illusionist. Interesting chap. The Queen’s Grill lounge was a pleasant place, never crowded. It was a long corridor (initially, it had been a bowling alley) that one has to walk through to get to the dining room.

So, how does it compare to today’s standards?

Condition of the ship was very good, but the layout was a bit problematic sometimes, due to the original design in the 60s. Many features were improved in a subsequent refit (I missed the original Yacht Club though, a most special and cosy bar, that got replaced by a much bigger and modern venue of the same name), but some things were just built in the ship and could not be modified. For example, not all lifts served all floors, as originally there were two separate classes.

Service was uniformly excellent, but not necessarily better than it is today. There were still many Western Europeans in the crew, unlike today.

The entertainment was pretty much like it is today, i.e. geared towards the nonagenarian Brits. Cunard’s idea of international entertainment was and is something primarily for the English, but that the Scots and the Welsh might enjoy too :)

Sailing-wise, one thing that has changed is that in teh old days, QE2 berthed in Manhattan, at the traditional Cunard pier, not like QM2 does now in Brooklyn. Not quite the same experience of coming to America.

 

Like most who experienced the QE2, I am nostalgic of that time, but then I was 20 years younger then. Life goes on. QE2 had become unsustainable because of stricter regulations of safety at sea, because of the impossibility to use modern logistics (the loading bays were too narrow for a forklift to drive into the ship. Every thing had to be manhandled. Cunard probably should have replaced her well before they actually did, but were prevented because of a lack of capital, that finally Carnival brought to the party.

All 3 of the contemporary Queens are, in many ways I believe, a vast improvement over the elderly QE2, although they are missing much of the charm and the most endearing personality of the Dear Old Lady. Queen Elizabeth in particular is the cruise ship that QE2 could never be. On transatlantic liner service, QM2 does a good job of keeping up the tradition, I think. I am really not fond of the location of the Grills, just aft of the buffet area, and surrounded by a high-traffic deck where joggers peek into your plate. On the QE2, Grill passengers were really in First Class territory, as indeed they are on the two ‘cruising’ Queens.

So, all in all, I would not put it like you missed on something. Yes, QE2 was a ship of legend, and I am very glad I could sail in her, but the modern Queens are great too, in a contemporary way. There is not more of a drop in standards in the Cunard fleet than there is everywhere in the hotel and travel industry. Frying business or first class in the 70’s and 80’s may have been a nicer experience than it is today, service-wise, but planes and seats have improved a lot. The same applies to Cunard, I think, and the possible drop in service is very slight, while the material condition of the 3 ships is way above what the elderly QE2 could provide.

Thank you for the descriptive walk down memory lane. I so enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your photos. Thank you for sharing such lovely, lovely memories. DH and I were just becoming acquainted with Cunard, when the QE2 was in her last years of service. It never occurred we could have, but didn't, book one of her, it turned out, last voyages. Normandie_Nostalgic, your writing almost makes me wish for Grill accommodations. Certainly, I can see, sharing your nostalgia, the value of Grills on the QE2. Someone ought to preserve postings like yours. Imagine someone reading this in 2099 and knowing exactly "what it was like" to have been there….

Something like mold would make me extremely uncomfortable---I'm sensitive and get killer sinus headaches, if exposed to too much mold.

Mold in my cabin would have made me very upset, too.

It was nice to learn that carpet could be changed mid-cruise, if necessary and maybe with some insistence .

Occasionally, something can happen that will absolutely ruin a cruise and the cruise industry doesn't always shine when addressing unexpected problems.

DH and I have been fortunately with all our shipboard experiences. But, we are sympathetic with those who have not.

To expand on the response above: the fast train from London Waterloo to Southampton Central takes only 1 hour 20 minutes. Departs twice an hour on weekdays, walkup fare is around 38 pounds--so a little over US$100 for two. Discounts abound for online pre-purchase.

 

Princess will instruct you to arrive at Victoria Coach Station between 10 and 10:30. If you make the first coach it will at best depart at 11:00; the 2.5 hour drive gets you to the terminal in Southampton around 1:30. If there are more transferees than one coach will hold, those who do not make the first coach will have to wait for a gate to open up at Victoria for the second coach to begin boarding. Bottom line is that those using Princess' coach transfer could easily be among the last persons to check in and board the ship. If having lunch in the MDR is a goal, or you plan to book the Sanctuary or specialty dining upon boarding, it is essential to find an independent transfer that departs central London around breakfast time.

Thanks for correcting and expanding my post, fishywood. Hope kenswing checks back and finds your extremely helpful descriptions...

Since the classes have a fee, I don't believe they are booked all that quickly. I haven't pay strict attention, but that has been my impression.

The fitness center itself has reasonable equipment (not that much in variety, but well working). There isn't much empty floor space in the fitness center for activities like stretching. People go outside in a little alcove across the hall for floor exercises (one at a time--very small space : )

I believe the exercise bikes now have the game of solitaire on them as well as TV option (bring your own earbuds).

DH and I take the "vow of stairs" while aboard and generally find excellent opportunities to walk in uncongested areas (inside and out) at a good pace.

But, of course, the gym and/or classes will give you a much more vigorous workout.

Happy Sailing! Enjoy your classes!

I was doing some research on my family on Ancestry.com. I found a little information on a trip they took back in the 1950's. This must have been their return trip from Europe. Anyway, like in the title, they were on the original Queen Elizabeth. They traveled first class and it showed they had 10 pieces of luggage. That must have been something. I went on the Queen Elizabeth - Long Beach website to see what kind of room they have had. Very interesting.

What an interesting piece of information to find, Cooncat !!!

My (doting, maiden) aunts took the Queen Mary to Europe in the early 1950s and brought back wonderful gifts for me ! Planted a seed which grew into my love of the QM2. Wish I could find information on their voyage, but I understand Cunard itself kept no records from that time. Maybe, your family information came for a newspaper article or family letter?

Anyway, a wonderful era and fun to picture all those suitcases!!!

Sorry, I can't answer your question. I'm posting to bring your question to the front, again. Maybe, then, someone else will see it and be able to respond.

I can tell you (and anyone else interested in another option) that DH and I have taken London taxi to Waterloo Station, then train to Southampton. Another taxi to port terminal. All very, very easy. Taxi and train personnel lift the bags and we just wheel through the train station.

Train is about 2 or 2 and 1/2 hours (there are both commuter-trains with more stops and trains with less, pay attention if interested in booking). Time from Southampton depot to cruise terminal is about 10 minutes (if traffic isn't too congested).

Maybe, 10 pounds for each taxi (depending on London hotel location) and only something phenomenally cheap for the train (booking through Megatrain---quite a bargain, if booked well in advance, but you have to be sure to catch the train you booked and sit in the correct train car) about 22 pounds for the two of us spring of 2014. Really!

Booked without Megatrain (a different time) was quite a bit more--but much, much less than taking the Princess transportation. Maybe, 50 or 70 pounds for two (I can't remember exactly. Easy for you to google, I'm sure).

We have met fellow cruisers on the train and shared the second taxi in Southampton--so only half of 10 pounds.

Do-it-yourself isn't for anyone, but it is an option : ) A little cost-saving experience in a beautiful country...

Have a wonderful time on your travels!

Here is a review of our experience on the Royal. We enjoyed our cruise. :)

 

Royal Princess Cruise…. A Royal Treat - Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2023448

Great review and great photos, Mom33 !!!

Thank you for sharing!

We've been on the Emerald Princess and had a great time aboard her.

We found Princess offers constantly good service and good food--this opinion based on five Princess ships/five Caribbean cruises.

Only warning: desserts can be dangerously good.

Have fun, whichever ship and itinerary you chose!

Call Princess and ask them your question. Maybe, they can make it happen from their end. If not, give the TA bad reviews to all your friends and try a different tack in the future.

Best of luck to you! In the end, have a wonderful time! That is what is most important.

It was the same for us.

Our cabin was allocated two weeks before departure (we are on the 3 June cruise, our cabin was assigned on 18 May) and only after the cruise was assigned were we able to print edocs.

We also booked a "guaranteed" cabin. This is the first time for us to use this method. Otherwise, we have stayed in one, or the other, of our two favorite cabins for our last 5 crossings!!! Oh, what Fuddyduddies we are!

We are a tad nervous to be at the mercy of Cunard's choosing, but the price was so darn good and it's added an element of adventure to our next voyage.

Thank you, Piggeldy, for giving us an idea of "what to expect" in the way of a room assignment date...

Thanks Jimmy for this very informative message.

I will double check for the scanner size, great idea!

You are welcome and I want to add my welcome to CC.

This might be helpful to know as well. The cruise terminal in Brooklyn has elevators as well as escalators (for getting up to the ship's level). I don't know if your items would be difficult to handle on an escalator. Any terminal personal can direct you to where the elevators are located.

We called the port at Red Hook (Brooklyn) to ask about parking our car for the month we were planning to be overseas. The person my husband spoke with was very helpful. Found their phone number on-line.

It might be easier (if maneuvering your belongings will be challenging) to arrive at the terminal a bit earlier or later for the boarding process. It can be rather crowded between 12:00 and 1:30, from my experience.

Once you get aboard and stow your stuff, I believe you will find traveling on the QM2 a very nice thing to do!

What is "unforgivable" is in the eye (or stomach) of the beholder.

It wouldn't hurt Cunard to strive to offer consistently great meal options, but my food experiences on the QM2 and QE weren't anything to jump overboard about!

Because we enjoy Cunard Insight lectures so much, we look for voyages with lots of sea days. We love crossings!

Everyone's life is what one makes of it. I see no reason for you to ever be bored, David. My bet is that you would have a wonderful time!

If you can lift something up onto the scanner and it will fit through, I don't think there is any problem bringing heavier items as carry-ons.

I have seen people boarding with collapsable-wheeled-carry things that they put their three cases of ginger-ale onto.

…Just everything lifted up by you (not staff) and fitting through the scanner.

I have met fellow passengers in the past who used the QM2 for crossings in order to bring such things as expensive musical instruments back to the USA.

If you have questions on the scanner's exact size, call the port and ask questions. I imagine it's the same as at an airport, but I don't fly so really can't say.

You don't have to use Cunard luggage tags on stuff you hand-carry, but you do on belongings that you leave at the terminal entrance with the bag handlers.

Would you recommend early or late seating?

Since Cunard is well-aware of their passenger's demographics, I wonder if you could call Cunard and ask about the possibility of being seated with "younger people" at dinner. That might steer things in the right direction.

From my experience, the internet is the worst at times when "everyone" is using it. Trying to avoid peak-use times can help a lot.

Sometimes, it is a matter of where the ship is located in the world, causing the internet to be painfully (and expensively) slow… Just connect to send and receive. Don't surf or shop or google out of curiosity.

I think any friendly person, regardless of age, can easily find companionship on a ship.

You do understand that when booking a "single" there is typically an up-charge---I believe about !/2 of the fare for the single. ??? I don't know if that would affect your plans.

In any case, I agree---ship travel is much better than airplane travel (in my opinion). It would be a great experience for you---one I believe you would enjoy.

Thank you, gentlemen, one and all, and Brigitte, too, for your comments.

I appreciate your suggestion that DH and I sit in the Queens Room to observe the dancing, BobBranst. DH and I will follow your advice next crossing : ) which will be easterly, so I will be awake.

Pepper, your description of the perils of new patent leather shoes is priceless… Evidently, the athleticism of your sea-legs should be (and is now) legionary.

I think the second-martini count of cummerbunds and patent leather shoes is as accurate as I need to go.

Generally speaking, the gentlemen passengers of Cunard do themselves proud. Lovely to sail with you all.

Jimmybean