wripro

I love sea days no matter how much they do or do not cost. Lest we all forget Trivia is only played on sea days.

Fortunately, cruise lines don't have star ratings except for the ones they bestow upon themselves.

If you are comparing crossing on QM2 with a luxury liner there are several things to remember.. The QM2 crosses the North Atlantic which is much rougher then the South Atlantic which the cruise ships use. I have crossed several times on Silversea and Seabourn and it was always very smooth. These are repositioning cruises to get their ships from Europe to the Caribbean or vice versa. However, if you want a true crossing experience then the QM2 is the way to go. It's six or seven days nonstop the way it was in the old days. As long as you're aware of the caveats I mentioned in my earlier post you'll be ok. Remember that despite peoples' claims that Cunard's ships have a class system that is only true about where you dine. The rest of the ship is one class and that is why you won't have the same experience as on a luxury line. Still, I'd say go for it at least once.

If you are considering a crossing on QM2 I think you would be all right. However, not on a cruise where you have to disembark and embark at ports every day and you are competing with thousands of other people for space. Just be prepared not ti have the same sort of intimate experience. That said, I repeat that the food and service in QG were excellent.

I have sailed Seabourn and Silversea extensively and also done Queen's Grill on the QE2 and QM2. IMO the food and service in QG compares to the luxury lines, it is really excellent. BUT, and this is a big BUT, the minute you leave the QG and its lounge you are in the midst of a mass market ship with 2600 other passengers and the atmosphere and service there do not even come close to the Seabourn or Silversea.

There is a sticky which relegates all requests for and replies to referral coupons to one thread. It is at the top of the board.

You could not find a more friendly environment anywhere than on Seabourn, gay, straight or undecided!!!! Dan is right, everyone including guests and staff are like a family.

When I was there a couple of years ago they would only accept local currency for the wall. glad to see it has changed.

No, you cannot use euros for the Wall. You must pay in local currency.

Keeping in mind large luggage I'd say your most convenient option is a water taxi. I know it's expensive but it's worth every penny when you think of the alternative of having to drag your suitcases on public transportation, then through the streets.

Thanks. I think I'll give it a try.

jcjbloca,

When your eyeglasses arrived did the frames fit properly? I worry about not trying glasses on after the lenses are inserted. Thanks.

Helen,

On a longshot do you remember if the article said they could make progressive lens prescriptions in such a short time as well, or only single lens? Thanks.

Tayl,

I understand. SB posters are like a family. I just thought you might get a broader range of experience there to supplement what you get here.

Tayl,

You might want to post this question on the gay land lesbian board where there will be more experience with these matters. (Perhaps you already have.) Whichever you wind up choosing should be a great experience.

uk1,

you misread my post. i said it was NOT the end of the world if SS goes country club casual, just the end of SS as we know it.

To me "privileged passage" is a sign of "floundering bottom line." If SS were filling all its ships with the current dress code they would never experiment with country club casual. But in an effort to reach a new market who do not like to dress up they are willing to sacrifice what has made them so special in the first place. They would never give up the $400 per couple they charge for early embarkation and late disembarkation. I know it's only one cruise. For now!!!! But if they sell that one out you can bet it will be followed by many more. Now, this is not the end of the world....just the end of SS as we know it.

uk1,

When I said it didn't cost me an extra dime I meant that I didn't have to pay $200 for early embarkation as I would have on Silversea in order to enjoy a nice leisurely lunch in the dining room. According to your logic those who do not elect early embarkation on Silversea are paying for something they will not receive as they cannot even board until 3PM.

Years ago, starting in 1994 when I first sailed Silversea, there was never a problem embarking at noon. If the suites weren't ready we were allowed to sit in the Panorama Lounge and have tea or a drink until we could get in. I'm not sure when this strict embarkation at 3PM started and they began charging for early embarkation, but it goes against the feeling of being a guest rather than a paying passenger.

On my last Seabourn cruise we embarked at 11:45 and our suites were not ready so we were invited to go to the dining room for lunch with the in transit passengers. By the time we finished the embarkation process had begun. And it didn't cost me an extra dime.