jimmybean

I understand the verbiage on Cunard website regarding dress and appreciate those who have cited it.

I was just sharing observations from my 5 QM2 crossings and 28-day segment on the QM2 and a 36-day segment on the Elizabeth.

From my observations: some ladies do wear formal-looking pants (trousers, if you are English) with "fancy tops" on formal nights.

My interpretation of "mother of the bride" suit is formal-looking attire, just with formal-looking pants.

Possibly my interpretation is incorrect.

Here are photos of a couple ladies who wore trousers (which they--not I-- decided were appropriate as formal wear).

On the QM2 (top photo on the left. I think this is a Cunard advertisement, not "real passengers" Note it says "formal night")

http://www.pinterest.com/cunardline/relax-at-sea-on-board-queen-mary-2/

These photos are from QV (lady in white to the left of the man in the kilt) http://www.reviewfromthehouse.com/travel-blogues/ballroom-dance-cruising-round-british-isles/day-8-formal-night-pictures

Here is just photos of real people along with Cunard advertisements representative of formal nights on QM2. Some people might be thought more attractive than others (particularly those in advertisements), but none of these ladies, in my estimation, should have been thrown overboard for dressing inappropriately. https://www.google.com/search?q=formal+night+qm2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nbQ4U5DhOvLjsATAuIGYCA&ved=0CCUQsAQ&biw=1186&bih=568

I guess I answered quickly without really knowing exactly what your clothing looks like. But, I am not a member of the fashion police. I'm just someone who has had some experience with formal nights on the QM2 and wanted to be helpful.

If you think your mother-of-the-bride suit would fit in with the clothing you see in these photos, Carolene, please bring it and wear it!

I'm now going to walk the plank for being foolish enough to voice an opinion (any opinion) on the topic of clothing…

Happy Sailing All!

I "met" S J Bolton in the QM2 library a couple years ago. Well, I met one of her books. Quite a story-teller and I enjoy the UK settings, because they are novel to me. I've read several of her books since that time and all have held my interest. (I've also found her books in my US library)

Have a pleasant crossing!

Sounds very attractive and appropriate. You will see ladies in a variety of formal styles. You will fit right in.

Hello Robbiechops,

Since you are new to CC message boards, I wonder if you have found the roll-call board pertaining to your specific sailing date yet?

Lots of information on that message board that will be specific to your voyage.

Will you be crossing on May 9th? If so, you and the Queen Mary 2 can celebrate birthdays together.

Have a wonderful voyage!

I so agree, Classiccruiser777!

You have ticked off some of our poor communication experiences with Cunard land service, while naming your own.

People say that Cunard pays attention to what is said on CC messages boards. Do you think that is true? Is so, I would think it would be easy for them to identify deficiencies and make moves to correct them…

As Underwatr notes: there can be reasons for a "bad day" ---which would be forgivable, if only Cunard's mediocre phone service in the USA wasn't the best they can do on "good days".

Meanwhile, I try to ignore service issues (on land) and just enjoy sailing on Cunard ships.

….I do think there has been some improvements on the Cunard website. Can't quite put my finger on "how improved" but finding various subject matter has seemed easier lately. Also, I emailed Cunard a question last month, which they did answer in a timely fashion…

Anyway seeing improvements on their website, maybe in time, their phone service does have a chance to improve. I hope so.

I remember two separate couples, on two separate "long" voyages on two different Cunard ships, who renewed their gin supply regularly at various ports along the way.

Some people like a quiet drink in their staterooms before dinner every night. Difficult to bring "enough" for long voyages (a month and over) when you first come aboard.

Everyone puts belongings through the scanner when re-boarding a ship, but there never seemed to be any objection if "belongings" included a new bottle…

Happy sailing!

I agree: reaching a specific number of "days" means nothing mid-voyage, although you will be bumped up accordingly at the start of your next.

However... even as a Seggie, we were bumped up mid-voyage last year--because after we bought as a single segment (36 days) the same port-to-port was later sold as two separate segments to other people...

We thought it was nice of Cunard : ) We got more perks and renewal of our free internet time.

According to website http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

Queen Elizabeth (Cunard)

09 May 2014 Arriving 06:30 - Departing 16:30 at QE2

Queen Mary 2 (Cunard)

09 May 2014 Arriving 06:30 - Departing 16:30 at Ocean

Queen Victoria (Cunard)

09 May 2014 Arriving 07:00 - Departing 16:30 at City

Website says: Please be advised that the Cruise Ship Schedule is strictly provisional and is subject to alteration without prior notice (Please refer to our Disclaimer). More precise details can be found under 'Planned Movements' (left) within six days of the indicated arrival date.

Oops! Thought you said "full World Cruise" not segment…

Not so many perks as a Seggie.

You will accrue "voyages" if your ship time is more than one segment.

Sorry to muddy the waters...

We have never sailed a full World Cruise, but I have had the impression passengers on a full World Cruise are "bumped up" to some additional benefits…

Or, maybe it is that after a World Cruise, so many days have been accrued that passengers jump to (at least) Platinum.

Or, as each segment of the World Cruise is completed, you are awarded those days (or a "voyage") so your status is re-tallied as your travel along…

Could someone more knowledgeable clarify, please?

In any event, you will certainly have more opportunity to "rub shoulders" with the captain. He (or she) will host gatherings exclusion to "Worldies."

There are a large number of Diamond and Platinum members of the Cunard program. Boarding the QE a year ago in San Pedro, it seemed the majority of passengers boarded from the "elite" queue. : )

We do enjoy the free internet, extra "parties," free wine tasting--happy perks after not-so-many voyages...

I've been reading Celebrity messages, because we will be trying that cruise line for the first time… Many posting about impossible phone service (being disconnected, not getting through at all, etc etc). Not dissimilar to the experience you described. Except maybe worse.

The world is becoming a large Target store, where there is no one in the back of the store to direct or help you.

It IS a frustration!

You are neither fuddy nor duddy to be put off!

Cunard, I admit, can be lacking in good customer service skills. It is no longer an expectation I have. Nonetheless, I do like traveling on their ships.

I hope their customer service improves in the future, because it IS important.

Happy Sailing to you, Jim'sGirl.

We always bring earplugs.

We have sailed over 60 days on the QM2. Only had to use them during one voyage.

Poor seal in the door to an adjoining cabin. Could hear conversations---could hear them rattle ice in their ice bucket! Could hear their wake up calls at 6 a.m.

The earplugs muffled all noises.

Most cabins and locations are fine.

Deck 5 might be a "quieter" location because there are cabins above and below.

They don't sell earplugs on the ship. Pack some, just in case, but don't worry. You will have a wonderful time!

Hi JimmyBean,

 

This lasted the entire voyage, but I had a friend in another stateroom who let me use her other bed for sleeping at night (as she was out all night anyway).

 

The noise seemed to be coming from underneath, yet no one could hear anything on the deck below. It was very odd, and they were not able to find out what it was or fix it. The cabin steward heard it and said he had not heard it before this. It was constant, particularly since the sea was very rough.

 

I've heard noises on the ship before, but this was like being next to a construction site.

How awful! Fortunate that you had a friend to offer a quieter sleeping space. So often, there just isn't another (unoccupied) cabin, where one could be re-assigned during a voyage.

Noise can be much more than unpleasant and more than just a nuisance. A good night sleep is important for us all.

What a puzzlement! I can think of no explanation for such noise. Must have been related to the rough sea. I picture some large heavy "nonessential" ship part becoming dislodged and rolling around, under the flooring.

I admit such a sound would have made ME nervous!

Again, your report displays your patience so very well. Sometimes, we just have to make the best of something.

I'm very happy that this experience didn't put you off the QM2 : )

Happy sailing and may all your ship accommodations be quiet in the future as you well deserve!

 

 

 

Actually I have traveled on Cunard many times and regularly (transatlantic) and have experienced various noises, none to make a fuss about.

 

However, on one occasion the banging was so loud (like a jackhammer, no exaggeration) that it was impossible to sleep for more than 10 minutes at a time. It was absolutely horrible. I have never heard anything like it, the cabin steward had never heard it before this, and no one seemed to be able to figure out what it was or to fix it.

 

I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything like this, to try to solve this mystery, and also to make sure it is not now a more frequent thing that I would have to watch out for.

 

I am certainly not fussing about minor creaks and noises, which are normal on any ship.

How interesting and unusual (and certainly unpleasant)!

Where was your cabin/stateroom located? Was the noise from above, below, or behind a wall? I wonder if location on the ship could lead someone to venture an explanation as to the cause of such a loud noise at such an odd hour…

This happened on just one night and not the entire voyage?

Even ghosts and metal drums couldn't create such an occurrence. Hard to believe it would be a repair in the middle of the night. But, an emergency repair would explain not delaying until daytime hours.

We have rarely needed them, but we do bring earplugs when we travel. It doesn't sound like earplugs would have been much help, though, in your situation.

It sounds like you took this experience in stride --with good spirit-- and didn't let it ruin your trip. Each voyage is an adventure! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It puts everything in perspective, doesn't it!

Yes excellent report from the QM2. I noticed

I notice lots of live reports from people on cruise ships.

Do you use your wifi plan ? It can be costly

Writing from the ships on the Internet .

Enjoy the cruise

Not to answer the question you posed to Pushka, but I'd like to comment that our experience with internet on the QM2 had been very, very s-l-o-w connections and some frustration when using. We noticed internet connections were much, much faster on the Queen Elizabeth.

I don't know it this had to do with ship location or if it was the kind of internet "systems" used onboard these two ships. Does anyone have any explanation of my observations?

In general, internet time on any ship IS expensive---until your level as a repeat customer affords you some free time.

When you enjoy traveling on Cunard ships, that can happen more quickly than you would think. A few years and some nice voyages and internet is absolutely free!

NO NO NO the 55 gallon drums have been replaced with card board boxes with a plastic bag full of wine in them. Always a classy thing to bring on the Best Ocean Liner in existence. oops sorry don't mean to offend any box wine drinkers. Some even come with pre packed plastic cups. I just cannot stop myself. :o

No, No! I have to add my disagreement. Clanging and banging are explained by those 55 gallon drums rolling around in our inside staterooms. Those box-things could never explain such noise.

BTW, we love to drive through Tennessee and think Nashville is one of the friendliest cities in the US. We had a minor car-problem (Honda, not that anyone should be interested in this) driving through Nashville during a state-to-state relocation---car heaped full of houseplants and things not fitting into boxes--and had a $5.58 repair at the Honda dealership (the one north of Nashville and just off I 65). Most honest car repair imaginable.

I've enjoyed every drop of wine I have had on the QM2. Never thought to bring any onboard. ...Just learned there is no scientific basis for 12-step programs and too little success from attending AA… Maybe, there should be some restraint in bringing those 55 gallon drums of alcohol onboard. Too much drinking might lead to unkindness.

We are a small world and should celebrate our commonalities, respect our differences, and (on sage advice of newjoisey and cunardaddict) drive the cars we want to drive… DH and I drive to ports and have left our cars for a month (or more) at a time while we sailed on Cunard ships. Our Lexus (second cousin to the Camry) particularly enjoyed a month at the Brooklyn dock, just a month before Sandy hit and flooded that area.

Or, maybe the clanging and banging on the QM2 is just the dinner gong?

Thank you for sharing your blog, Pushka.

I have been enjoying your remarks since before your countdown clock got to "zero" and it was your time to board the QM2.

I look forward to following your travels in the future.

Hey Debjo,

Those are great questions! We have only crossed in the fall, so this spring crossing will be a new experience for us, too.

One website I've enjoyed viewing just before sailing has wave height projections.

http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display.cgi?a=natla_height

QM2 has time to maneuver away from storms (to some degree) now that it crosses in 7 days instead of 6.

The largest wave height we've personally experienced was 21 feet, which felt like "nothing" on the Mary.

Most of our crossings (granted they were all in the fall--but that is hurricane season) were in calm seas---to the point fellow passengers began to express desire for greater wave action.

I can't wait to learn what others have experienced in previous May crossings.

Thanks for asking the question!

Hi Nanny2Trey,

Your query strikes a cord for me and brings back a memory...

We dined with a lady from Virginia-- in 2009-- on a 28-day voyage on the QM2, who brought attractive and practical (for packing) formal-night clothes--ALL (she told me) from Chico's. I remember she had a beautiful wrap, or two, which added color to a simple, long black dress, worn on more than one occasion. ….She looked lovely. Mostly, I remember what an interesting conversationalist she was and what a pleasant person.

Tasteful doesn't mean necessarily expensive. Tasteful has to do with fit and how well a particular style looks on someone.

I've noticed outfits chosen for Cunard ships tend to be less "flamboyant"--maybe--than some clothes seen on some other cruise lines. My impression is that British women tend to pick out subdued dresses (maybe black). Men, in general, tend to wear tuxedos, although it isn't unusual to see some dark suits in the Britannia dining room as well.

You will see an abundance of costume jewelry, but again, I think "tasteful." You also will see some ladies with "the real thing."

I agree with CruiseBelle: Have fun and enjoy yourself!

We are trying our first Celebrity cruise in a few weeks and are excited to find out why Celebrity has such great reviews on CC. I hope you enjoy your Cunard experience.

Redhydra, I understand you have self-disembarked from other cruise lines and understands what it entails. My comments that follow are intended for others reading this thread who are unfamiliar with the process.

We have self-disembarkered Cunard ships seven times---in Southampton, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles--- sometimes dragging one bag apiece, sometimes two.

I would not recommend this method to someone unable to handle ALL of his (or her) own baggage in a completely independent manner.

We observed a woman struggling to drag her two large suitcases up and over a hump, which preceded the gangway off the Queen Elizabeth a year ago.

Cunard staff just watched her struggle--obviously instructed not to lift a finger, ever, to help anyone self-disembarking. She held up the entire queue while her husband dropped his bags and returned to help her---all within two feet of Cunard staff, just standing and watching.

Self-desembarkation works well for those of us who can manage all baggage ourselves. Some luggage rolls easily and multiple bags are not a problem for some people. In other situations, for other people, self-disembarkation is not the correct choice. It is a long hall to exit any of the cruise terminals so self-disembarkation requires an amount of strength and stamina equal to the task. Weight of suitcases, age, and fitness are all things to consider.

During a short voyage--like a crossing-- one probably does not have the amount of baggage taken on longer voyages. Southampton is point of disembarkation for both crossings and world cruises. Maybe, it is a good choice to self-disembark in Southampton after a crossing, dragging one bag. Maybe, it is a poor choice after a world cruise on which one has taken several pieces of luggage.

BTW, I think I do remember a few seats at the end of one of the Southampton terminals by the doorway--I think Ocean--but certainly no place to rest mid-way through the terminal as Pepper noted.

Pepperrn, In addition to admiring Commodore Warner's social presence, we had a chance encounter with him in an empty hallway and he stopped and, as you described, conversed with us as if he had time and interest for dialogue with each and every one of his passengers. What a special man!

I emailed Cunard and they answered. Here is the reply regarding May 9th sailing:

Thank you for your enquiry.

Thank you for your email.

I can confirm the Captain will be Captain Oprey.

Kind Regard

Aimee

Cunard Line

DeWalt---You didn't quote me completely.

I said that things like shaming people STARTS WARS.

I was not advocating shaming anyone--ever. My point is there really isn't a way to force compliance--only spread more conflict.

I thought it was obvious that "starting wars" was not a good thing---not the way to handle problems and disagreements. Obviously, I was not clear or you didn't read my post beyond the sentence you quoted.

I think "starting wars" is a very bad thing. I think "shaming" anyone is both ineffective and wrong.

My guess would be:

Not the first or last night of your cruise.

Not on any day with a port-stop.

We cruised Princess in January and I didn't notice any non-compliance in relation to passengers wearing formal clothes on formal nights, but I can see how it would be upsetting.

I do believe in following "rules" and I believe that rules should be enforced.

I also see it could be difficult-to-impossible to stop improperly dressed individuals from entering the MDR as the horde of waiting diners is passing the MDR threshold.

What about fining these people (like people smoking in their cabins are fined)? People have assigned seats in the MDR, it's not like their names are unknown to waitstaff. What about taking photos of their poorly dressed states and posting them on MUTS as a way of shaming them?

I'm afraid that is how wars start.

I don't know why people can't get into the spirit of what is intended. But, some people never do.

I remember the last time we were at Disney World, overhearing a couple disagreeing (loudly), dropping F-bombs in front of their children, my child, us and everyone within a 50 foot radius. Going to Disney, for so many years, had been… well, more civilized.

Societal changes can be disheartening. There is nothing I can do beyond expressing my opinion and trying to ignore "the bad" and focus on "the good".

….If we HAD seen improperly dressed people (as many of you have) I wouldn't have let it spoil MY cruise--but I would have been a great deal less than pleased...