Leucothea

Biological terrorism? The world is a volatile place, but I suppose there is no use worrying about it too much.

 

I saw the film "Melancholia" the other day, about a huge planet colliding with the earth. Now that might be worrisome.

Question is, is BT a risk on a ship? It is a good question. It's not healthy to worry, but is that relative to how much you value the advantage of actually being here?

A planetary collision would not be fun, but when I see such a disaster flick it just reminds me of the beauty in the simple aspects of being on this earth. Just the amazing splendor of nature and the natural world is enough of a reason to be here.

Salacia, Cunard does not call at ports of countries where Ebola is a risk. I would assume that the source of passengers also does not include this country. Flying certainly is a riskier way of travelling.

I think the only likely way such virus could be a risk on a Cunard ship would be if it was intentionally brought there. Someone booking at the last minute--- although there is no way to tell if disease symptoms are really Ebola or something else until it has become debilitating. Or perhaps through bringing aboard infected meat, since this originated from animals and meat.

Everyday we wake up, there is a likelihood something will happen: maybe something good, maybe something bad - or most likely, just another normal day.

 

But in direct reply to your question: people will remember certain dates on the calendar and associate those dates with increased risk. I think that's a normal reaction. And it is a credit to everyone who goes about their business on 9/11 as they would despite any concerns.

 

On a more practical level, if any specific terrorist threat was detected (and the boffins are pretty good on picking up chatter), my guess is that the ship will would not sail.

 

Just my personal observation from someone who was in NY on 9/11 and more importantly, had several family members working in lower Manhattan that day - We will not cower.

 

Leucothea, I wish your friends a pleasant voyage. We'll keep the lights on for them :) Regards, Salacia

Thank you. I hope your family members are safe. I was living in downtown NYC on 9/11 (Village), and as it did for all of us, it shook me to the core. But you're right, to cower is wrong.

There's always a visible police presence associated with a ship arrival or departure in New York - boats, helicopters, etc. I don't think it would vary much by date - or need to.

I don't suppose anything could happen in the middle of the Atlantic. I think my friends were a bit spooked by these recent airplane disasters and the plane that was shot down.

Some friends of mine might be coming over to New York in September and were a little concerned about the fact that they would be sailing on a "sensitive" (for lack of a better word) date in September. Is there any risk at all I wonder? I know QM2 is very "well known", etc... I told them not to worry, but I had never thought about it before.

I've crossed in May in a near hurricane, however, I think May is a better option normally if you want to avoid rough weather.

I've done winter crossings and they were always rough, and usually extremely rough. I don't mind that as long as I have good seasickness meds. I have some that work well without drowsinesss, and so I quite enjoy the winter crossings.

I crossed in November once and it was a smooth ride nearly the whole way. It really gets rocky by December.

That's the thing about upgrades. Before you ask for one, you had better be sure that you would be willing to be upgraded to anything above your category. If you are seasick in rough weather and you are upgraded to a fore or aft stateroom, it won't be so good.

I will only take the upgrade option if I know I could accept anything in the grades above mine.

I was in Britannia Club once and found it to be very pleasant. The restaurant is quite intimate, and the service and food were very good.

Does the Cunard website seem odd to anyone else? I was checking the QM2 2015 stateroom availabilities for the January westbound crossing and the stateroom categories seem all mixed up, etc. It looks as though the site's been tampered with.

Anyone else notice this?

Sorry to disagree, but nothing we ate on board the ship tasted like this smell. This was definitely NOT a cooking smell. Frankly, it smelled like a porta potty that needed to be emptied or a baby's dirty diapers. Kitchen waste it was not - sewer waste, yes. By our last day at sea it was even noticeable at the entrance into the afternoon tea. If the ship is going in for retrofitting in 2015 I certainly hope they can do something about this.

Yes, unfortunately I know that porta potty smell. It seems to happen as these ships age. QE2 had a distinct odor sometimes during her last years. I suppose it's the plumbing that is wearing out. With thousands of passengers and continuous crossings/cruises, I guess it's difficult to keep on top of it. Although, really, on a supposedly high end line this should never be an issue.

I have also noticed mildew smell occasionally in the bathrooms, for which I have sometimes brought my own little can of Lysol spray (needs chlorine bleach really).

As a veteran of at least half a dozen winter crossings, mainly on the QE2, it's easy to romanticize the past. Winter seas can be rough, we have had the dresser drawers fly out on us. In the dinning rooms, no places were set until people sat down and could hang on to their plates and silverware.

 

In the Queens Room, dancing was impossible while the ship lurched up and down. Yet there were crossings where the North Atlantic was smooth as a lake, it's just impossible to plan a crossing for good weather.

 

The cabin crawl was more interesting on the QEII, It almost seems that no two cabins were identical, we once had one with bunk beds, two singles and a couch that converted to double. In the newer ships, they were all made with the same cookie cutter.

 

I felt sorry for those who paid extra to get a balcony - they are way to cold to use in December and January. But there was a sheltered area at the stern of the QEII where hearty souls could sit outside. It was staffed by an attendant who issued heavy "horse blankets" and actually tucked these brave folk in.

 

I was told that Kindlychap passed away from his ailment some time ago.

I remember the flying dresser drawers, along with an unhinged door or 2 on QE2. On QM2, the most severe storms made it impossible to sleep, at least for me, because of the violent jerking motion.

Ballroom dancing was/is certainly difficult with the lurching, but for some reason it makes G32 great fun, since dancing there is very free-form anyway.

I did like the quirky cabins on QE2 also. QE2 had more of a real ship atmosphere. QM2 is more comfortable though.

I'm sorry to hear about Kindlychap.

I've been on a few winter crossings and they have usually been rough to extremely rough most or all of the way. Once you get a handle on any possible seasickness, it's quite fun, especially dancing in G32.

I hear there are severe thunderstorms in the NYC area tonight (July 2nd) so you are all lucky to have missed that. According to the weather forecast, Halifax should by clear tomorrow, but stormy on Thursday. I hope it's not the case, but storms are expected (Weather Channel) Thursday and Friday in Boston. But then, fireworks are not usually cancelled because of rain.

Hi Tom,

 

Just got back from the 10th Anniversary QM2 Crossing, which was, of course, great fun. The service and food in the Britannia Restaurant was fantastic!

Anyway, years ago Princess registered their ships in London. Next time you have the opportunity to watch an old episode of "The Love Boat" and there is a scene of one of the ship's tail ends the port of registry will show London.

 

Frank

I had no idea. Well there you go, not such a new thing after all. "The Love Boat", that was a long time ago! I suppose I overreacted (I'm on a perpetual diet and it's making me very cranky :rolleyes:).

Princess has recently reflagged the DIAMOND PRINCESS and SAPPHIRE PRINCESS, and their registry is now London. Is there any chance that Cunard might return to once again being able to use their old motto of, "Great ships of British registry since 1840"? I for one would greatly appreciate such a return to British registry.

Well :eek:! And these are not even British ships. There's a dreadful new reality show called "Ladies of London", in which the "ladies" are nearly all Americans, and the worst possible representation of Americans---you know, more bleached blonde LA types, plus brash, loud and tacky. I've also noticed "British" movies lately with mostly American characters, all living in London. The inverse of British invasion? Well most of Paris seems to have moved to NYC lately, so I guess musical countries is a general theme of this era.

Nobody gets imprisoned for insulting others. Not in your country - not in the UK or anywhere else in Europe.

I am British by the way; I was not meaning to compare countries. This has been a tumultuous beginning to the century, on a global scale. Hopefully we will save the environment and create a peaceful, thriving remaining 21st century, with optimism and vitality for all! :) And long live QM2.

Nobody gets imprisoned for insulting others. Not in your country - not in the UK or anywhere else in Europe.

 

As you obviously prefer to get confirmation for your clichees and have the last word I'll leave it with that.

I did not mean to offend. I think kindness, respect and consideration toward one another are essential in life. No one should be saying hurtful or harmful things to others. Perhaps I am wrong in my perception of the UK right now; I've been living overseas. Anyway, politics...always a sensitive subject and not for cruise forums.

Freedom of speech ends where others are harmed.

A racial motivated insult can be hardly be under the freedom of speech.

But where do you draw the line? What if someone insults another because think they're fat or ugly or stupid? Prison for that too? That's totalitarian no? Dangerous. They don't imprison people for saying nasty things in countries such as the US, but they will certainly criticize and ostracize them for it, or sue them.

lol, well yes however one hardly wants to shell out good money and dress accordingly only to have it spoiled by someone showing up dressed like the dinner of a dog and having terrible table manners. So in that way I agree with some "snobs".

Well of course, but come on, it's still very funny.

this is how i feel in the MDR on some other lines.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=013LkCe2mJM

That is very funny. We often do take ourselves much too seriously in our society.

I hope that suitable action was taken when you reported the incidents!

First of all, I have never heard anyone use such language on Cunard. I would assume that anyone who does is very uneducated indeed, and very unkind, rude and nasty.

Secondly, are you serious Capnpugwash? I know in the UK there is no such thing as freedom of speech and you can be jailed for saying the wrong word (the UK, not North Korea???:eek:), but in the US this is not the case.

May I ask where you are finding these? The website doesn't show any discounts, and I asked Cunard and they said there were no discounts, and no balcony staterooms for $1705.

If they are in fact having discounts somewhere, what about Princess Grill?

Thanks.

Has anyone here changed their stateroom at the last minute before embarkation (I don't mean upgrades)? Can you change your stateroom after you have paid the full fare? Has anyone here changed staterooms, for example, a week or 2 before sailing?

I've had enough voyages with Cunard to be almost at diamond level, and I've only encountered immigration on board once. On that basis I would say it's extremely unlikely that you will encounter them on a 2-day voyage.

 

However, when they are not there, I gather that all the paperwork is viewed before you even dock. On the other voyages I have not even seen immigration. I walk off the ship, collect my luggage and walk through the 'Nothing to declare' channel without encountering anyone.

 

Cunard will probably keep your passport for a while in order to check things out, seeing you are Australian. Those of us from the EU get to manage our own passports on most European itineraries.

That's odd. On every trip NY to Southampton I've been on there has been on board immigration. From Southampton to NY, no. (Perhaps you are referring to the cruises rather than the crossings?)

However, the first few times I traveled on QE2 and QM2 I believe they did not have it yet. I can't remember when it started, but I think it was quite soon after QM2 launched in 2004, maybe a year or two. Perhaps someone else who knows exactly when it started can correct me.

I do remember arriving in Cherbourg, I think it was on QE2, and there was no immigration at all. You just walked right through. And I didn't begin traveling on Cunard until 2002, so this was after all the changes were made in terms of security.

Everyone of the Purser's Office knows precisely each disadvantage of any stateroom. It is part of their job description. All complaint handeling is regulated accordingly and to be followed by the staff. None of them is 'nice' - they do exactly what they are instructed to do by the management.

 

Every ship or hotel has rooms with serious issues.

I do wish they would tell us about it, but then I'm sure that would not be good business. However, I think it would be nice if they could warn passengers, and offer discounted rates for those staterooms. After all, you don't pay a substantial fare to spend 7 days on a construction site.