Aquaphobic

What an interesting thread. I've sailed both many times and I enjoy what both lines have to offer. My favorite is Cunard, especially transatlantic crossings on the QM2. But I also enjoy the occasional Boston to Bermuda cruise on NCL, which is a great getaway when I just want to relax for seven days.

It is certainly true that Cunard is much for formal than NCL, but I find the crew to be equally friendly on both lines and it's been a pleasure to get to know many waiters, bartenders and cabin stewards on Cunard over the years.

One area where Cunard beats NCL hands down is in the variety of live offered music on board, with big band, jazz trio, rock 'n roll band, string quartet, harpist, several cocktail lounge pianists, Dixieland jazz, pop and classical singers. There are usually guest performers on board ranging from opera singers and concert pianists (and violinists) to a really good Motown band and the Juilliard Faculty Jazz Quartet. And of course ballroom dancing to a live orchestra.

I've found my fellow passengers to be equally friendly on both cruise lines.

BON VOYAGE!.....Smooth Sailing....

Thank you for the kind wishes!

Isn't that some site Aquaphobic...Always trying to fit the whole ship on the camera view display for a shot.

Five weeks from today I'll be doing exactly that.:cool:

We've walked to the pier from this hotel several times and much prefer walking to hiring a cab or limo. It's an easy walk and, as BklynBoy8 said, you're rewarded with an amazing view of the QM2 as you approach the terminal.

Bon voyage!

Bring along a copy of John Maxtone-Graham's "The Only Way to Cross" (the copy in the library will probably be gone by the time you get there), find a nice proper deck chair and unless it's pouring with rain, sit outside and savour the subtle pleasures of a good book, the damp salt air of the North Atlantic and the most sublime of all destinations: mid Atlantic on an ocean liner.

Your post has caused the level of excitement I feel for my upcoming back-to-backs in August to go up a notch. Several notches, actually. I need deck chair therapy NOW!

Cunard bears enjoying an NCL cruise:cool:. Sorry, couldn't resist sharing this photo!

I've heard that story, too. Didn't know she was put off the ship.

 

Last summer, someone hijacked the dryer I was using. I got back to the launderette, opened the dryer door, and was surprised to find unfamiliar clothing there. I turned, and found my wet stuff in a laundry basket--very wet, they must have made the swap about 5 minutes after I started the dryer. That's so rude! Although I'd heard the chocolate story, I did not retaliate. Tempted, though...

I'm glad to know you resisted temptation:halo:.

A new use for pillow chocolates

This thread reminded me of a launderette story I heard on board QM2 in January 2016: a lady discovered that someone had removed her things from the dryer, thrown them on the floor and put in their own laundry instead.

She retaliated by putting pillow chocolates in the dryer, which not only ruined their clothes but also ruined the dryer. She was apparently let off at the next port.

We always arrive at the departure port at least 1 day early, unless we're sailing out of our home port of Boston (30 miles from home).

That said, our most stressful embarkation was in Hamburg, Germany, where we had spent the whole week before. Boarding was on a Sunday, and we went about our business attending the morning service in one of the historic churches. Then, back to the flat where we were staying to retrieve our bags. Having spent the week using public transport, we knew how to get around and were confident we'd have no trouble arriving at HafenCity on time; just an easy bus ride from where we stayed to the Main Station, and then another bus to the port. Easy peasy.

What we didn't realize was that the annual Hamburg Bike Race was that day, meaning ALL the main streets were closed between the main train station and the port and thus there was no bus service to the port. The new subway line to HafenCity was still under construction, so that wasn't an option. So we hired a cab thinking the driver would know another route. It was a no go. He ended up dropping us near the station where we started, and we realized we'd just have to hoof it the 1 mile to the port on the hottest day of the year! We were in our early 50's at the time and somehow made it on time, having walked full speed ahead while dragging our bags. We were NEVER so grateful to board the ship as we were that time.

I guess this goes to show that, even if you arrive in the departure port a week early, things can still go wrong.:o

The rudest behavior I've seen in a captain's Q&A was on the Queen Victoria with Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, who happens to be a woman. Most of the audience treated her with the same respect they would have used towards her male counterparts, but one elderly 'gentleman' addressed her by her first name instead of her title. His tone was quite 'fatherly', as though speaking down to someone beneath his stature. I thought his patronizing attitude was quite insulting.

As I said to my DW afterwards, I'll bet he wouldn't have spoken like that to a male captain!

Thanks!! We love Beverly - my daughter graduated Endicott! Love Hale Street Tavern. Thanks for the wishes and I'll be sure to post about it when I return.

 

~R

My pleasure!

Beverly here also! 👋 What is your MBTA route? I haven't decided whether to drive to the port or take public transportation.

 

Valerie

Hi Valerie,

I take the commuter rail to North Station, then the Green Line to Park Street, then the Red Line to South Station, then the Silver Line to the Design Center (right next to Black Falcon).

All of the stations listed above are fully accessible with elevators between the platforms, so lugging cruise baggage around isn't so bad.:cool:

You'll love cruising from your home port! I live in Beverly and always take the MBTA to Black Falcon. What a joy to not have to deal with airplane flights and hotel reservations.

The only difference in how I pack is that I don't worry about having too many liquids or gels in my hand luggage, since TSA rules don't apply at Black Falcon. I also carry an empty shopping bag for all those Bermuda rum cakes I buy.

Have a wonderful time and please tell us all about it when you return!

An interesting thread! My DW and I enjoy cruising together on Cunard and go at least once a year, and she has gone alone once or twice when I wasn't able to get leave from work. I've cruised solo on the NCL Boston to Bermuda run 3 times and have enjoyed it immensely. We both know that NCL would not be to her liking (the polar opposite of Cunard!), but she's perfectly happy for me to go as long as I return with a suitcase full of Bermuda rum cakes. ;)

Absolutely stunning video! Thank you for sharing!

QM2 westbound 15 December, no trays at breakfast & lunch in King's Court. I asked the servers at the head of the lines policing the plates and utensils, was told it was

"a test" and in a few weeks the company would assess passenger feedback. Trays night return, might not. Asked Purser about no trays, was told the same "a test" story. No speculation cutting trays will cut costs re storage, cleanup, food consumption, but so it could be. We may have seen the end of buffet trays. I've people on the eastbound now, have asked them to go check.

Hello Ab Ovo,

On board now; I've seen many older people struggling to carry liquids (soup, tea, etc.) without spilling some on the floor, and there have been more instances of dropped crockery especially since we've had rough seas. I think that whomever decided to conduct this 'test' needs a reality check.

I remember on a Silversea cruise saying to a fellow British passenger that I enjoyed chatting with the staff.

 

She looked absolutely horrified and replied that they were just there to take her orders.

Thank you for your post. My DW and I regularly 'chat with staff' and have gotten to know many dinning stewards, wine stewards and a few cabin stewards rather well over the years. By and large they are charming, well educated and interesting people worthy of respect.

I find it offensive when some passengers (like the one you mentioned) regard them as lowly servants.

Actually, we met a very nice couple on board QM2 a few years ago. We ran into each other on several occasions. One night, the husband explained that his wife was having a horrible time, and was resting in bed, in great pain because of a dental problem.

 

The ship was due to dock in NYC in a few days, so I asked if he wanted me to call my dentist in Manhattan to see if he could see her while they were in port. No, he said, they had a flight arranged back to the UK, and she would be treated there. I urged him to take his wife to the medical center on board - if nothing else, the doctor could evaluate, and anti-biotic could be prescribed if signs of infection was present. He was having none of that.

I've often wondered how she fared during the flight: high altitudes and a serious dental problem don't mix well.

 

I related this incident to my dentist weeks later, and he suggested that the medical center on board QM2 could deal with a dental emergency on board. (Why he was so certain of that, I don't know) Anyway, I visit the dentist for a checkup before taking a cruise (not that is any guarantee no problems will occur - ship happens, and teeth chip !)

Going to the dentist before a cruise is an excellent idea.

Had I been in her situation, I would've headed strait to the medical center; had they not been able to help me, I would have gone to the Commodore Club for some serious pain medicine.;)

I would think that on a Cunard trip.....emergency dental services would be far more practical than the morning after pill. :)

That's the best laugh I've had all weekend; thank you!:)

Agreed. But, alas, Onslow, was a bit of a snob about "dining with the crew".

True.:) One would expect that from Hyacinth; not Onslow.

Cunard's online FAQ provides this interesting juxtaposition:

 

Dental & Other Services

 

We do not offer dental services.

We can also supply the 'morning after pill.

Interesting juxtaposition indeed!:rolleyes:

Thank you for your wonderful report; the tour is on my list of things to do.:)

Regarding the medical center, does anyone know if they are able to handle dental emergencies? With so many passengers aboard, surely they must deal with the occasional chipped or cracked tooth and broken crown.:eek:

I confess I'd LOVE to have Onslow as a table mate.:D He's my favorite character and a thoroughly decent chap, despite his slovenly ways.

I was saddened when Geoffrey Hughes passed away two years ago.

Here is a link to some photos from the crossing last week. Lots of different weather and sea conditions. I really enjoyed sailing on QM2 for the second time, especially with the anniversary celebrations.

 

 

Rob

Greetings Rob,

Thank you for posting your excellent photos. It was a wonderful crossing; but it's hard to believe that more than two weeks have already gone by since we all dissembarked. Too much reality already!:eek:

Greetings Pepperrn,

May I add my thanks for your wonderful photos of the 9 May crossing. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to see you on board again in the not too distant future.:)