BobBranst

14 on mine.  However, I would be more concerned with buying a quality tux shirt rather than worrying about the number of pleats.

13 hours ago, eroller said:

 

 

I guess that is an easy statement to make being retired.  Many of us are not, and still travel ... but rely on internet to stay connected for work reasons and personal.  Seeing people use their smart phones around the ship (on any cruise line) has no influence on my enjoyment.  Now if they were talking on the phone while watching a performance in the theater yes that would be annoying, but I've never experienced that in over 100 cruises.  In most cases it's just people quietly checking email, viewing social media sites, or reading the news.  Quite passive.  

 

Taking a cruise to completely disconnect is simply not a reality for most people anymore.  I suppose if you really want to get away from it all, a private island with no TV or internet access might be the best bet.  

That may be "an easy to make being retired", but only a very small percentage of us retired folks who chose to travel on Cunard have had the luxury of being able to take "over 100 cruises" in their entire lifetime.   To be able to do this while still working full time is something unheard of in our generation.  Most retired folks live on a fixed income,  so each cruise or crossing is something very special and we want to keep it that way, not just something to do to get out of the office.

Of course Fort Lauderdale is a vey popular cruise ship port and just a hop and a skip away for those living there.   However, how many of your 100 have been on Cunard ships?   

I don't believe that anyone would object to inproving the speed and reliability of the in-cabin WiFi.   
However, demanding that the internet be the same as found at home is an invitation to ruin the experience we have come to expect on Cunard.  Do we really want a ship with people walking around the decks or other public spaces constantly using their  phone or device instead of being curious and interacting with their fellow passengers?      

Yes,  you can turn off the technology, but that is an decision that you have to make before you ever step foot on the ship.  Although I am now retired, I previously worked as a corporate IT systems analyst  and I am quite familiar with and use modern technology at home.   However when I'm on vacation, I dial back using this technology to an absolute minimum enjoy the Curnard experience to a maximum.   

2 hours ago, eroller said:

 

 

This would not surprise me either.   Honestly I don't think Cunard has a large enough market share within its typical base (UK, Germany, North America) to support a 4th ship.  They are very popular in Australia these days so a ship dedicated to that market seems like a logical step.   Either that or make some of the changes I mentioned to enlarge the market share and make Cunard more attractive to a larger base.  Of course doing that would alienate the existing market share that likes it just the way it is.  

As the old proverbs says:  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

1 hour ago, eroller said:

 

 Personally I think you will see format changes when the new ship comes online.  A less formal dress code (its already been dumbed down), less structure, more speciality restaurants, and the option for open seating in the main dining room.  This is the minimum that most people demand in a cruise vacation today.  Do I want these changes?  Absolutely not.  The structure and formality is a big part of what makes Cunard, Cunard.  Make all those changes I mention and they become like every other cruise line.  Unfortunately I think it will happen, possibly starting with the new ship first and moving to the others, but I think Cunard will take steps to broaden and enlarge their potential market share.   I hope I'm wrong but time will tell.  Meanwhile technology and enhanced internet is something that all demographics can utilize and demanding more and more, and Cunard really needs to upgrade its platform.  

There is no way that either of us can possibly know what will happen with this still unbuilt ship.   If (which I doubt) the new ship were to have the changes you suggest, it would more likey be confined to an area where casual dress is the norm.   Such a ship might be permanently stationed in growing Australia market , which does not have a long history of classic ocean crossing formality.   If Cunard were to become just like every other line, I would have no reason to voyage with Cunard.   

12 hours ago, eroller said:

Surely it has to do with both lines catering to a more senior crowd even though neither wants to admit it.

I don't think that Cunard has ever tried to hide it.   Little things like being much more formal than other lines and having a large ballroom with a live dance band instead of being a floating amusement park are kind of  give aways.  

Its all a matter of demographics.  If seniors with money to spend were not filling the cabins and coming back year after year,  Cunard/Carnival would likely change or scrap their ships to accomodate a younger generation (with lots children running wild on the decks).   There are many, many other ships that cater to that younger demographic , but these ships are a bad fit for many seniors.

It would appear that the present generation of Cunard customers has not listed the internet as a top priority in customer surveys.   This willl no doubt change over time, but for many of us, the present internet is quite adequate.  

15 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

 

If you plan on using your phone for WiFi access, run-off automatic app updates, automatic uploads of photos, etc. Otherwise, when you connect the phone to the ship's WiFi the first thing it does is try to catch up on all of its syncing activities, just when you're trying to get your email. Couple that with Cunard's generally slow internet and you'd be setting yourself up for significant frustration.

Good advice.   I can only add that you will need to become familiar with the Cunard internet sign off procedure before you use it for the first time.   If you do not sign off properly, the system will continue to subtract time from your package (as though you were still on) until you no longer have any time left in your internet package.  

I speak from the experience of having once sent an email in the morning before leaving on a port excursion and returning to find I no longer had any time left.    

Although there is a charge for the QE on-board internet package, it is probably the best choice.   On-board phone service is very expensive.  If you use free WiFi hotspots in ports,  be sure to use a VPN (virtual private network) to protect your privacy and security.  

19 minutes ago, wripro said:

A ny decent American steak house now offers Wagyu beef. Just look at the right side of the menu....you'll be able to find it by its price.

I guess it all depends on what is your definition of a "decent" American steakhouse and where you happen to reside.   It certainly is not commonly found in this part of the country on either the right, left or midde of the menu.🐄

We are looking forward to trying the Wagyu beef in the Verandah on our next QM2 crossing.  Not something that is on the menu of most American "Steak Houses".

Our previous Verandah experiences have been mixed.   Although the service has always been excellent, IMO, the meal quality was not much of an improvement over the original Todd English - quite good, but not memorable.

1 hour ago, Stella1250 said:

OK, I will be the one dissenter here. I use my vacations to unwind from daily life. So, I completely disconnect from the internet and all other modes of technology. I don't even put on the tv, except to see the daily specials and schedules. I am glad that Cunard may be upgrading the internet equipment, but it won't effect me and my family at all.

While we do not completely disconnect, we seldom use more  than a fraction of the "free" minutes we get as Platinum WC members.   When we did our first TA crossings on the QM2,  I brought a Mac laptop.  For the next few crossings, I would bring an iPad and leave the laptop at home.   Now we just bring an iPhone and that is mostly for taking photos.  We're usually so busy with onboard activites that there is not much time left for the internet.   

They have the full menus for each of the specialty restaurants available for you to peruse at the reservation desk. 

We make it a habit to stop by the purser's desk daily and ask for a printout of the charges.  We once were charged for some drinks in the Commodore Club that were actually for someone else.  We pointed this out to the Commodore Club manager and they rechecked the bar charge receipts for the previous day.   The charges were corrected on the next days billing.   

There is also a low power razor outlet in the bathrooms of Britannia staterooms.   It is located above the mirror and accepts US style plugs (and possibly others).   Many use this outlet for their electric toothbrushes, travel waterpiks, etc.  

However, Cunard cautions against using their personal hair dryers as they may draw too much power for the stateroom circuits.  A hair dryer is provided in one of the  desk drawers.  

16 hours ago, MarkBearSF said:

 

Even in full formal mode with Dinner Jacket/Tuxedo and formal shirt and studs, very many (if not most) skip a cummerbund these days. (Personally, having a bit of a "cruise belly," I always found that they often shifted and seemingly had a mind of their own so I switched to waistcoats/vests. 

I also have switched from cummerbunds and now wear waistcoat/vests instead.   I did this at the suggestion of another ballroom dancer.   Tuxedo jackets do get hot after dancing Quicksteps, Rumbas, or ChaCha's for any length of time.  With a tuxedo vest, you can remove your jacket and still look "dressed".  Not so much with a cummerbund.  I usually bring 2 or 3 vests so that I can wear one more appropriate for the theme of the night.   They are light weight and don't take up much space in a suitcase.

1 hour ago, nancynana9950 said:

 DH has to buy a new jacket anyway so we will look for a nice black one. I am sure I can find a bow tie and cummerbund. 

If he isn't going to be wearing a tuxedo jacket, a cummerbund is not needed (unless he is also planning to wear a tuxedo shirt with studs and cuff links ).

11 hours ago, old fool said:

Yes, i think it's about $150 for rent the whole kit for men's formal wear once you are on board.

The Cunard FAQ says:

QM2 and QV

Yes, gentlemen can rent tuxedos, including shirts, pants and dinner jackets, on board from the shops

Tuxedo packages range from $90 for one night up to $250 for 5 nights

We do not currently offer a rental service for ladies formal wear on board, however a range of women’s evening wear is available to purchase from our on board shops. 

1 hour ago, bluemarble said:

 

Yes, that's an option. See the FAQ for the question Can I hire formal wear? for general pricing information.

 

Unfortunately, it is an expensive option.   You can actually purchase a suitable tuxedo for less than the rental charge for 5 nights on the QM2.

For many, if not most, their first transatlantic crossing on the QM2 will not be their last.  If you purchase a tuxedo at home prior to your first crossing, you will have it available to wear for many more Cunard crossings/cruises as well as your own special occasions  in the future at no additional cost other than an occational dry cleaning.  I'm still wearing the tuxedo I bought for our first crossing 10 years ago.

21 minutes ago, nancynana9950 said:

We are in a similar position. DH and I have booked QM2 eastbound April 2020. We will be touring England and Ireland for three weeks and returning late May on the westbound trip. Because we will be lugging our cases on trains, ferry and buses without porters we must pack light. Absolutely no room for formal wear. We plan to wear smart casual including sports jacket for DH for dinner in Britannia on non gala evenings. Regretfully, we will have to dine elsewhere on gala nights. This will be our first trip on Cunard. This trip involves a great deal of planning so I am trying to not obsess about our wardrobe not being quite up to the standard. Really looking forward to traveling on QM2! 

Many of us who do transatlantic crossings on the QM2 and spend time in the UK and other European countries  between crossings take one suitcast just for formal wear and then use the Cunard luggage storage in Southampton.   Once we board the ship in NY,  we don't have to carry this bag again until we disembark back in NY.   Cunard picks up your formal wear suiitcase outside of your stateroom in Southampton and returns the suitcase to your new stateroom for the return voyage to NY.   It's the best of both worlds.

We normally dine about 5:30 or 6:00pm, so early dining just feels right for us.   It allows us to plenty of time to go to the theater after dinner for a show or have drinks in the Chart Room and still have lots of time for dancing in the Queens Room.   Then, of course, nightcap(s) in the Commodore Club.

It should be noted that many of the tables for 2 in the QM2 Britannia restaurant are situated so that they are only about 12-18 inches from another table for 2 or more people, so that you can choose to ignore the people next to you or strike up a converstion if desired.   We have met many nice, interesting people while sitting next to another table.   

Cancellation for a July 7th embarcation could be expensive.   Cunard has a cancellation penalty of 25% of the fare (or the deposit if less than that) if 120 - 91 days prior to sailing.   

We have done 9 TA crossings and several WC segments on QM2 and always request a table for 2 in early seating when booking.   We have always received our requested seating when we booked more than 9 months advance of the cruise date.   We were not given our request when we booked less than 4 months before the cruise dates.  However,  the maître d was able to get us a table for 2 a day or two later in all but one case.   Unfortunately, there are a limited number of tables for 2 and it will all depend on how many others request them before you.  Since the late seating is less popular, the odds of getting a 2 are better.   Good luck.  

2 hours ago, Shellbackx3 said:

Thanks Daisy, yes, we were surprised too. Hopefully, the Cunard agent was wrong.  Agree that not all the hosts are great dancers, but most we have seen are better than we are!  So, maybe lessons from one of them might be a good thing.  Thanks for your response.

 

Keep in mind that the pro dance couple usually teach International Style ballroom dance as opposed to American Smooth Style found in most US land based ballrooms.

For Us:

ChaCha

Quick Step

Rumba

We also like Waltz, but unfortunately there are frequently dancers on the who don't appear to know about line of dance