north east girl

If you do decide to eat in an upcharge venue.....I highly recommend the Asian Tastings in Kings Court. The food and service is absolutely outstanding. Personally, I'm one that is more than happy with the food and service in Britannia, but the Asian Tastings is really a special treat. Enjoy your trip. :)

Hi brigittetom, Thanks for the tip on the Asian Tastings, will have to try that in August.

Catherine

20th August from Southampton

 

 

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Hi, I'm on that trip. There is a roll call if you wish to join us.

Catherine

Why pack everything in one bag. Aside from exceeding the recommended weights, splitting the total into two means if one bag goes missing you are not left completely bereft.

 

And do we need to take so much? We are as guilty as most people and have vowed to cut down on our next trip.

 

David.

On our last trip on QV we realised that one of the bags was a few kgs over the 20k so we bought a cheap case in Southampton before going to the port. I don't think anything would have been said but we were worried about it.

Catherine

My first ever trip on QM2 was a transatlantic to New York. Didn't know what to expect when we boarded, I was blown away. She just looked amazing inside and out. I loved the sailaway with the band playing New York New York. I just knew that I would be booking another trip and that was the start of my love of sailing with Cunard on all their Queens. That was 5 years ago and I can't waiting to be boarding for our B2B in August from Southampton.

Catherine

Hello

 

Thank you taking the time to share your experiences on this cruise. I have sailed on QM2 15 times, QE2 15 times, Queen Victoria twice and QE once. I looking forward to my next crossing on 8/27. I look forward to reading your next installments. I wish I was on board

 

Please do not take offense, but I find it incredibly annoying, insulting, snobbish and misleading to describe Britannia passengers as "Rowers." You are not alone in describing non grill passengers as such. Others describe Britannia passengers as being in "steerage" as if they are at the bottom of the barrel and hardly worthy of space on a lifeboat if the ship should encounter an emergency.

 

I imagine you and others are jesting but for those many people who have never taken a Cunard ship it may lead them to think that they are in a for a very substandard experience and will be treated poorly if they are not in grill cabins. It may discourage them from even trying Cunard Line. To me that is most unfortunate especially since we all know sailing on a Cunard Ship no matter in what category is a very special experience.

 

I wish you the very best on your trip. Take care.

 

Deck Chair

Hi Deck Chair, I'm on the eastbound 27th August, there is a roll call if you wish to chat to us before our trip.

Catherine

Well thank you for the kind reviews! It's so nice to receive positive feedback from people and I did not expect to get such good comments from seasoned Cunarders. I'm very excited to be booked on a roundtrip trans Atlantic on QM2 in August, so maybe I will be privileged to meet some people on this site on that crossing.

Hi, I was just going to thank you for your review and photos. Brought back memories of our trip last November.

I'm looking forward to a B2B in August maybe it is the same one. When are you on board?

Catherine

Hi North east girl. Maybe someday when the time and tides permit, I will follow your lead and experience a trans-Alantic crossing on QM2. I would not consider a crossing on any other ship - only an ocean liner would due, and there is only one. Happy sails, -S.

 

P.S. Any information I can supply regarding your day in NY, I would be happy to provide.

Thanks Salacia, I'm waiting to board before booking a Cunard excursion, I'm worried we might not get back on time if we go it alone.

It has took us 5 years to do a B2B, our first TA was for our silver wedding. This was westbound, we stayed in New York for 3 days then flew back home. Really looking forward to this one.

Catherine

Hi Roland. Thanks for taking the time to post your review. I really appreciate that you researched your voyage prior to sailing, and then sailed with realistic expectations. Also, I must compliment on your taking a trans-Atlantic crossing as your first voyage. That takes guts! Oh, and I agree with you about Kings Court later at night: a midnight cup of tea and a slice of cake while seating in a alcove looking out at the mist falling on the dimly lighted Promenade deck while the ship quiets down, but the ocean roars...

Hi Salacia, Our first trip on QM2 was a TA five years ago. I simply loved it, we have had a few voyages with Cunard since. Can't wait to experience a B2B in August. I enjoy the sail away especially when it's for New York.

Catherine

By the way, folks, there can be advantages to booking your next QM2 cruise whilst enjoying your present one. Visiting the Voyage Sales Office near the Royal Court Theatre entrance port side on Deck 2 may yield reduced deposits and additional OBCs for next time.

Nice tip thanks.

Catherine

Great post Roland787, looks like you had a great time on QM2. I have a B2B booked in August can't wait to be back on board. Like you once I'm home I start looking to book something else.

Catherine

My husband and I are sailing on August 20th Westbound, we originally asked to be seated at a table for six (Brittania Dining Room), my sister will now be joining us on this voyage, can she be seated with us? If yes, should I contact Cunard now or should we wait until we board? Thank you.

Hi Willjan, we have a roll call for a B2B on 20th August. Come and join us we are just a small group at the moment.

Catherine

This thread has been brilliant for information in regard to excursions on B2B in New York. We have a B2B booked in August. I think for myself I would be worried about getting back in time if we don't book a Cunard excursion.

Catherine

Does anyone know what a deck 6 Balcony on the QM2 is like?

 

What is a deck 6 cabin like regarding noise, and the promenade deck above?

We have had deck 6 on a transatlantic was never bothered by any noise, going to have another deck 6 in August for our B2B transatlantic not worrying about the noise.

I can only speak as I found, others have said otherwise on previous threads.

Catherine

Thanks everyone for your comments, what I really wanted to know is is it really worth paying over 50% more for a Princess Grill cabin. I know that it is one sitting for dining and that you get access to the grill lounge and grill deck, better service but are these things worth the enormous hike in the cruise fare. David.

I would say yes, some would say no. It's a personal thing, only you know can say if you want to spend that much money on one trip.

Catherine

I've not had a princess grill cabin on QE but have experience of princess grill on QM2. What I can say is I enjoyed it very much. The pluses for me was the larger cabin, walkin wardrobe, any time dining within the stated times. The grills lounge also the grills deck.

The dining area is not as big as Brittania which makes it less noisy, the food was amazing and the service was excellent. Although food and service are good in Brittania I thought princess grill was much better. Certain meals are cooked at your table, something Brittania doesn't do.

Forgot to mention you get a bath and shower in Princess grill, no bath in Brittania cabins.

You get priority boarding with the grills cabins as well.

Catherine

Aboard the QM2 bound for Halifax ,then New York then returning back to Southampton. Currently in the middle of Atlantic and after 5 metre waves and force 5-6 winds ,it is now calm although weather is murky.We left Southampton late last Thurs, after 6 pm due to late running repairs and missed time slots.

Ship seems in fine shape witha mixed bunch of English, Americans and many Germans who joined at Hanburg.

Food is still good and we are going to book our free lunch at Todd English soon, For finally becoming Diamond members .

Enjoying the crossing,just hope the sun comes out !

Hi violette, I'm doing a B2B in August, hope you have a great time. Will be watching for the next instalment.

Catherine

Update ; -)

 

Yesterday we got our assignment from Cunard. Our Oceanview Guarantee has been turned into a 5th deck Sheltered Balcony.

 

Starboard (sun side) even!

Hi Sara, that's a great up grade. We booked a deck 6 aft sheltered balcony and have not been given an upgrade as yet.

Catherine

Great photos Pepperrn, can't wait to be back on board in August.

Catherine

Hi Ray66,

 

This was the only tour that I know was offered to "in-transit" passengers on 16th May (there would have been more that the passengers I spoke to didn't know about. This is the only one they were told about).

 

NYC142 NEW YORK HIGHLIGHTS. 4 Hours. Sightseeing drive of Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Theatre District, Empire State Building, St Patrick's Cathedral, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Financial District, Fifth Avenue, Central Park. Visit St Paul's Chapel built in 1766 housing 9/11 exhibit. Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty across the bay. Tour may vary depending on traffic and sequence may vary. Due to street closures/traffic some sights may not be accessible. Depart 07.45 am. return 11.45 am. $69. Activity level; Low.

 

The leaflet suggests visiting the Tour Office Grand Lobby Deck 2 ext 22034 for other options and further details. It also sates that there are a "large variety of tours, from fully guided to more independent options".

 

I'm sorry that I can't be of more help with this. When I inquired at the Tour Office they seemed very reluctant to go into details or commit themselves to precise information of other tours on future crossing dates as "they tend to vary according to on-board demand at the time".

 

My advice would be to hold back until you board, there were places available on the above tour during my crossing, so you shouldn't lose out, and you may be offered others (all day?) you much prefer. How much were they charging for this tour booked in advance? ($69 booked on board).

 

Hope this helps a little :)

Hi Peppern, Just noticed this thread, we are doing a B2B in August. Think I will wait to book a tour sounds like you get a bit more choice once on board. Also we have OBC to use up.

Catherine

We've Booked!!!!!!!!! Deck: 6 Room: 6217!!!!

 

:D

I'm sure you will have an amazing time on QM2. I'm counting down to our B2B in August. This has been booked since Christmas Eve and I've been excited ever since.

Once home I start to check out my next trip to book. Please let us know what you think of QM2 when you get back.

Catherine

Hi beekat, I was anxious when I first boarded QM2 for the first time 5 years ago. I was worried I would not like the feeling of being on a ship. However when the ship started to move you could hardly tell it was moving.

Since then we have done many trips with Cunard I just love being on board. I'm sure you will feel the same.

Catherine

I just love the overall feeling of being on board the QM2. No other ship does that for me.

I'm with you on this brigittom, I just adore being on board.

Catherine

Thank you Thaxted for the info. We shall also join the roll call!

Hi, Do come and join us on the roll call, it helps the time go past faster.

Catherine

I don't think anything is ever perfect.....it's how we handle things that counts. I totally agree with the above except I do like KC for the convienence. Just about the time I decide the staff in KC are a waste of space, one of the nice friendly ones come along...and all is good. With some, I wonder how they keep their jobs.....and with others, I wonder how they manage to keep their nice disposition dealing with rude passengers. Either way...I'm always happy to be there. :)

 

We're shoveling snow as well. :eek:

I'm with you on Kings Court, it is very convenient. I love QM2 and can't wait to be on board in August.

I'll be a very happy bunny as soon as we step on board.

Catherine

Maybe the live music in the lounge is just on QM2, I don't think we ever went to listen but I remember seeing it advertised at some point.

 

Either that or I'm imagining things ....

Hi Hattie, You are right about the live music on QM2 grills lounge. I remember being invited to attended some musical event in there. Not every evening though.

Catherine