dides

We just disembarked QM2 after having purchased the premium plan for our eastbound crossing. We used it to check email, watch some videos and use various social sites. Didn't have any connection or speed issues until the day before we arrived in Southampton when it was very spotty for a few hours. We did a speedtest every day after leaving New York and these are the results (two readings on the problem day): Didn't spot any reference to Starlink - the provider displayed as Equinix EMEA Acquisition Enterprise B.V each time.

How strange. My other half had grilled chicken breast again tonight for Gala night in Britannia.

Did you ask about 'always available' options in the Britannia? Our waiter on the first night confirmed my other half could select from sirloin, salmon or chicken breast. He went for the chicken with mashed potato:

Actually it was mentioned during the shipyard tour too so it is kind of official as a speciality dining venue - the shipyard workers were calling it 'altitudes'for the time being.

We have just seen that exact view from the scenic elevator on the other side - found the Library and Bookshop (bought a lanyard and magnets for our collection). Then up again to the Commodore Club for a coffee & hot chocolate. Then the marvellous scenic elevator up to the Atlantic Room and Observation Deck (which was unfortunately closed off).

Insights Lectures for the first 2 days: Ben the Royal Marine was excellent - searingly honest and so positive. I zoned out on the Global Village lecture but my other half loved it. Hoping to catch the Forensics lecture on the stateroom TV later.

Thank you - he should be fine with chicken or beef as his go-to's ☺️

Hi all, we boarded today too and it was very smooth as the OP reported. Our first QM2 and crossing as well. I have one question if anyone can help? Not intending to hijack the thread! My other half is a picky eater and cannot find any entrees on the first night's menu in the Britannia restaurant that he could eat. I have read that there might be 'always available' alternatives but what are they? Thanks in advance.

Agreed, we were on the Majestic and Sky inaugurals and there were no special gifts or mementos - just the excitement of being the first paying passengers. You might get to spot some Princess/Carnival corporate VIPs doing the rounds. The ship usually has a preview/shakedown cruise beforehand to iron out any kinks. The only issues we had were minor for us (on Majestic) where they didn't have all the ingredients for the new restaurant/bar menus and no working launderettes.

We also try and make a note of any crew members names if we received great service and mention them in the post-cruise survey in the hope that it helps in their performance reviews (and chance of being promoted).Just another form of gratitude.

Most of the information has actually been covered by Richard Parker before in his presentations - almost word for word in fact. As well as the coffeemaker answer as mentioned above, I noticed some additional nuggets/nuances: - the secret black door was mentioned as being "adjacent to crooners". Which almost confirms it as being that Coming Soon area next to the Casino on deck 8. aka The Magic Hour Bar on the cruisemapper deck plan. - the promenade deck actually flows from mid-ship to aft - well we knew it wasn't 360. - the MDR room starts with more traditional dining and a longer seating time on deck 6 and gets faster as you go up to deck 8 (a slightly different description of the dining experiences from before). - even though it's on the cabana stateroom layout, this is the first mention that there will be a multi-leaf door leading from the cabana to the balcony And there was an additional rendering of the Lido deck pool from the other end:

Thanks - compared to the menu from last year shown below: - New Texas Burger and Prime Burger (which seems to be the old Classic Burger with a pickle and only cheddar cheese!) - New Chicken Strip Basket, Coney Island Dog and Reuben Dog - No North Carolina BBQ Sandwich or the two Street Taco offerings

I'm no expert but it looks like a crew only area - maybe it's where they have the galley?

Both are totally separate to the MDR. Reserve Collection restaurant Signature Collection restaurant: Both on deck 7 - Signature is mid-ships, Reserve mid-aft while the MDR is aft and on decks 6,7 and 8.

It wasn't my picture so I couldn't say but you would assume it was available - there's a live from thread just starting for Enchanted Princess so worth asking if they could confirm after they board on Saturday...

Yes, you are right! I got completely the wrong end for the canopy and the cabanas because the rendering is from a different side. This is the reserve cabana deck on deck 9. Does look a bit overlooked!

Ah thought you meant the arrow pointing forward and it didn't scream tan to me 😀 The area behind the forward arrow is the Sea View Bar area and outside pool (which starts inside the Dome) on Deck 17 leading down to the Sea View Terrace on deck 16. This is open to all. There is a wrap around deck down at the prom deck level but not clear from the deck plan if it's for public use.

You mean this deck? This is the Wake View Terrace A more detailed rendering:

Yes. there does seem to be more of recess on the those higher deck balconies forward of the Sphere. I took a closer look at the new rendering that came out last week and it doesn't seem to be that pronounced on that. One new feature seems to be a white canopy overhang over the prom deck aft of the sphere So any higher balconies looking down will see the canopy and maybe some of the cabana deck and purple reserve deck cabana balconies?.

Enchanted Princess now has O'Malley's Irish Pub off the Piazza on deck 5 which should have meant more beer options but so far that hasn't included Guinness for some reason! These were the beers/ciders they had on tap a couple of months ago...

It seems to be pretty common on ships on the XL platform - Carnival Mardi Gras & Celebration, P&O Iona and Arvia all have their lowest deck with cabins as deck 4 and none have aft elevators (or even stairs!). Princess share a lot of features with this platform but have thought to include a staircase.

We don't get refundable deposits in the UK either. It seems this could be a fleet-wide change for US customers and deserves its own thread rather than using the Sun Princess thread?

That was one of the questions asked at around 58 minutes in on the Princess Webinar today - they said they have been focussing on these larger infrastructure pieces first and haven't mapped out where the basketball and pickleball courts will go yet.

Some of the other renderings with the press release Lookout and The Net, Coastal Climb and Splash area Infinite Horizon Firefly Park Someone uploaded these before the press release but again: Neon Grove The Underground

Actually Royal class ships do have showers as part of the gym - 2 next to the men's lockers and 2 next to the women's lockers - one being accessible - we took some pics on request while on the Sky Princess Med inaugural. Here are the ones in the women's section: