jimmybean

Pepper, without wishing to expose you to any undue cynicism, do you not think that perhaps the book wasn't such a roaring success. Not wishing to diminish the Cunard' gesture. :) :eek::confused:

Maybe so, Capnpugwash, but it didn't FEEL that way when we returned to our cabin and found it --with the chocolates--on our bed.

So, if a clever marketing ploy coupled with the need to dispose of 5,200 books, it worked on me and more power to Cunard. I loved getting the book!

Now that you describe it, Pepper, I did get the presentation menu, which I brought home.

…When Bob said "menu" what came to mind was the pile of "every menu" which I have received on past voyages (and really don't need). The presentation menu was special!

But, the book really touched my heart and definitely exceeded my expectations. It is lovely!

I am too happy with memories of the May 9th voyage to have PCD and I'm kind of Cunard inclined (not satisfied by "any" cruise line), so I can't have ACDC.

Maybe, I have Future (Cunard) Booking Deficit Disorder? FBDD?

We have done many cruises and have just finished three on three different cruise lines!

 

I love cruising and really enjoy large tables and meeting new folks. BUT--I am so sick of folks trying to one-up each other! No matter what someone has done, they have done it better!

 

I enjoy hearing of other folks' adventurer, but I am sick to death of people who just want to do one better!

 

Any suggestions for this feeling? Have you just switched to tables for 2?

 

(I Plan to post this on all three of our last cruise lines.)

I have become confused about this thread, Dame Delilah.

On May 20th on the Costa board you wrote a very favorable review of your recent Costa cruise, stating "We were seated with delightful tablemates and all were English speakers"

Then, on the same Costa board last night you posted a repeat of the message above.

So, were your Costa table mates not really "delightful" as you originally posted on May 20th????

I noticed reading your identical posting of this thread the other board that people encouraged you to book a table for two. This seemed, at first thought, like "giving up", but maybe, that would be the best, most practical answer.

In any case, good luck and happy sailing!

Just to explain the reference "Jimmy Three Breakfasts": that has been Cruachan's title for years. If you had only one breakfast each day on your voyage, then you are Jimmy One Breakfast. You need to up your game :D

How will I ever get to 5,000 posts myself, if I'm required to read countless old posts to understand subtle references (and undertones) of current posts??? I maintain I am a one-breakfast-a-day Cunardist (evidently not a Cunarder) and swear that I didn't realize Cruachan's name is also Jimmy.

Small world, Cruachan!

Thanks for heads-up, Salacia. Live and learn.

I will just have the Pol Acker myself and read how the folks on the Celebrity board responded to the Dame's (similar) post there.

I've taken the train between Southampton and London. It's a reasonably pleasant trip if you aren't carrying luggage.

 

If you've got more than a bag it can be problematic finding a secure spot to store everything and to manoeuvre when at stations.

I absolutely agree with you Austcruiser---taking the train is not for everyone, mainly because of the luggage issues.

Just wanted travelers from London to Southampton--who do take the train-- to know that booking through Mega Train is a really good deal. Buying a ticket through MegaTrain on-line was 10 pounds instead of 35 pounds, if purchased at the station.

Just wanted to share information on Mega train tickets, which DH purchased online.

Friends were going to drop us at the terminal on May 9th, but in the end, we decided to spare them traffic nightmares and take the train from London instead.

Anyway, Megatrain was a fantastic deal: only 20 pounds for the two of us! Train ride was an hour and a half. Including the taxis from London hotel to Waterloo depot and Southampton depot to ship, the total cost was 38 pounds.

It was comfortable and easy.

The Southampton taxi driver scooted through a maze of short-cuts, so depot to Ocean terminal was only 10 minutes.

Caveat is having to take the exact train booked, which was no hardship for us.

Take credit, Salacia---you are a goddess, not a mere mortal yourself… : )

Actually, I had seven breakfasts on the May 9th crossing --- JUST NOT ALL (I kept trying to tell everyone) THE SAME DAY : )

One (or more than one) slip of the typewriter, creating lack of clarity, which I may never live down…. Oh, well…

I really didn't mean to imply tablemate analysis as dinner pastime--just looking for "good" or commonality or something interesting in people is something I do. But, I'm okay with the concept of superficial (how is the weather in your cabin) conversations as well…

And, you are right Salacia, dinner shouldn't be complicated with elaborate strategies regarding "how talk to some other people" for a couple hours…

I was going to suggest the Dame drink more Pol Acker before coming to the dining room, but I didn't want to shift the topic to THAT… AGAIN...

Oh! I forgot to ask for menus, but probably just as well… I already have a pretty complete collection from past voyages with Cunard (overflowing in my travel-memory box).

I've NEVER scoffed at chocolate : )

Your enthusiasm is contagious, Bob.

Creating companionable mealtime conversations with a group of strangers can be a challenge. Fortunately, for DH and me, all of our shipboard dining tables have been acceptable and most have been positive experiences...

DH and I ate next to a delightful German couple on the Equinox (MDR) coming over. "She" didn't speak English with much confidence, but "he" translated and we all laughed as we shared bits and pieces about our days and activities during the voyage.

On the QM2 (Britannia), going home, we were the only Americans at a table with British and Irish passengers. Everyone had a great sense of humor, so there was laugher every evening, there, too.

Maybe, we were just lucky.

Certainly, there wasn't any one-up-man-ship at our table on either ship…

I hope you won't give up ship travel, Dame, but I understand you are feeling discouraged…

…Could you add some levity to situations when you feel discussions need some defusing? Or, dig deeper with questions to uncover other, more endearing traits of your table mates?

Honestly, on many ships, the tables for two are so close, people next to you will engage you in conversation anyway… I'm not sure that would give you isolation or be a true buffer…

I agree, Bob… The only remedy for missing the QM2 is to book another voyage…

We don't have one planned (yet) either. DH and I need to buckle down and page through the brochure and get something in the works…

The May 9th Alumni seems a particularly satisfied bunch. Lots of posting about our experiences. (I thought most roll calls ended with the voyage--we seem the exception)…

Wanted to ask. Did everyone on the May 9th sailing get a complimentary 10th Anniversary book? I haven't seen anyone mention this---I was really pleased and appreciative of this gift.

Interesting post, Roy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions.

I am one of those who do B2B2B cruises (I hate packing and unpacking, plus I have to fly to join any ship)

 

The atmosphere can certainly change, I have seen a "traditional Transatlantic" atmosphere become a "I am not going to dress up, so the harpist is playing but we came for a rollicking good time " crowd in the Chart Room for a 4 day across channel and back. Even a group who decide to sing in German (Hamburg boarders) in the Chart Room, a different song to that which the pianist was playing. The pianist actually closed the piano and left.

 

Then on other cruises the same number of days produced a very traditional type of passenger, who just wanted to cruise on Cunard.

 

You cannot tell which you will get. I am 88 so close to your MIL age. There are alternatives if a certain public area does not suit her. The lectures are almost always "sedate", Sir Samuels is very good for midmorning /afternoon cup of tea and maybe something to munch.

Queens room tea with music is also very pleasant , but do get there about 10 mins ahead of time as it can fill up fast.

Evening pre dinner drinks , well Sir Samuels becomes a wine bar, the Chart Room has music , the Commodore Room is large and again good for pre dinner drink. Three areas to from which to choose.

I suggest dining at 6p.m if she gets tired early, she can retire to cabin leaving you to go dancing or whatever.

 

After dinner there is the show or maybe a film in the movie theatre

 

My best advice would be "DO NOT FORGET TO PACK her sense of humour" .

 

Lynn

Sage advice, Lynn.

Wordzz, since your MIL is keen to have this experience--which is in itself wonderful---by all means take her and may you all have a fabulous time.

On the May 9th crossing, I noticed a sign by the purser's desk saying (something like) "we are full so no room changes are possible" (not those words, but that gist).

Sometimes, it seems there isn't anything that can be done in terms of moving passengers to another room.

DH and I have a current favorite cabin on the QM2 (without any ship noise issues), where we have stayed 4 times now.

Intriguing item--something I've never heard of it.

Could you describe it more fully or post a photo?

From my observations (on a number of voyages), Cunard offers a variety of evening entertainments during any voyage--some which we have liked, some we haven't, and some we have chosen not to see.

My feeling about May 9th crossing was that evening entertainment was within the normal range of Cunard offerings---nothing especially phenomenal and nothing especially terrible.

Other aspects of the crossing were definitely cranked up a notch as part of the anniversary celebration.

All and all, DH and I were pleased and happy with our shipboard experience--and especially pleased by the sail-away entertainment, the daytime speakers, and staff's efforts in the dining room.

My experience with a Cunard roll call in 2013 was significant activity, including discussions of setting up a number of private tours for every port….

Thank you for sharing your photos, Pepper. THEY ARE GREAT!

It was a wonderful crossing, wasn't it? (sigh)….

And here they are! :) ~

 

 

Moreover, this clip is proof that "all the nice girls love a sailor" -- and no sailor more so than Captain Wells.:D

What a delight, Post Captain! I had no idea that Chris Wells was on youtube. I enjoyed both videos so much. Yes, "Here's the Captain" and ending with "that's enough from me"… Happy, happy memories sailing with Captain Wells.

Nice to see the QE, too.

Thank you for sharing those links.

Great photos, Rob!

You really captured Queen Mary 2's magnificence!

Such a wonderful week. Such a fabulous ship!

You'd think I wouldn't need a QM2 fix so soon after embarkation, but from the feelings your photos evoke, evidently I did....

Thank you, so much, for sharing with us.

A ship? Not a passenger (or guest)? Not a human who is a fan of the Cunard line?

I am confused and chagrined and retract some of what I posted on this thread…

Forgive my ignorance. I do learn a lot from the CC board, but not all at once…

Yes, I was on the ship last week and the description of Churchill's and starboard side of Commadore's Lounge was exactly as 3rdGenCunarder described in her posting.

I agree with Capnpugwash' speculation that inadequate ventilation is an underlying cause for this situation.

Hey Brigitte,

Should I start a thread "what is a unique Cunarder?"

I think I much prefer all the many, many unique Cunarders I have met (on-ship and online)…

They are who have made each and every Cunard-day live in my heart.

…Pass the Pol Acker before you answer : )

My DH shared this memory, which I had forgotten…

Captain Wells, at the party where various nationalities were being tallied (% from this country % from that country), instead of just saying "Australian", said "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" which produced a thundering "Oi, oi, oi!!!" back in response… It was great!

He isn't a flat-guy, delivering canned lines. He is a thinking participator with warmth and a sense of humor.

DreamingofSunnyDays, I know you will return with positive memories of Captain Wells yourself : )

Happy Sailing!

Sometimes, one's arrival at the terminal is determined by factors not under one's control---such as coordinating arrival time with other transportation or check-out time of a hotel.

Ideally, everyone should arrive at their assigned time, but that is not always what is feasible.

The amount of embarkation queueing is always variable from voyage to voyage--even at the same port.

Our horror story was three and a half hours in Ft Lauderdale, boarding the QM2, mostly without seating available. People literally fainted.

After that, I have an entirely different perspective of what is a "difficult boarding" and just try to bring along (for the occasion) some extra patience as well as compassion for my fellow travelers...

As a reminder: anyone with standing difficulties can ask for assistance, if a situation becomes extreme. All ports provide wheelchairs, if one is necessary. Maybe, one doesn't have standing difficulties under normal situations, but better to ask for help than to have pride cometh before a fall…

(Just my opinion)

Another characteristic of the true Cunarder is an ability to mystify others with patient explanations of the dress code, while-- at the same time-- dressing just like "normal folk" (no insult intended) themselves.

See Ocean Terminal, Southampton May 9, 2014 (sorry, I don't know how to make photos appear in a larger size)