canoncruiser

I was at the Purser’s Office early this morning; young staffer very helpful AND they are placing two staff members in Connections later today😊. May 10. 

I also think their new wi-fi choices are unhelpful; but I am a Luddite when it comes to IT.☹️ 

I live around the corner from the Empire State Bldg. -  please take the whoo-ha about NYC crime with bit of salt- not a large bit bit a bit-grab a yellow cab and you’ll be fine. NOTE, cab fares have gone up sharply. You might want to book a car to be sure of the cost - which will be somewhat more expensive. I use Call 7-

212 777 7777; Call7.com. I find them very reliable. If you arrive on a Sunday morning the traffic will be easy-peasey.😉

Hey Ho,

I’ve just been in Belfast and there was QV in dry dock at Harland & Wolfe. All her boats were off and there were several cranes above-but there was no activity that I could see- it was Bank Holiday. Spent all my time at the Titanic Museum-it is wonderful.😊

If you decide to take a cab from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, use the lime green NYC cabs if one is available. They are restricted to pick-ups in the outer boroughs (everywhere BUT Manhattan) and they usually most efficient within Brooklyn and Queens.

I’ll be on the Getaway to Southampton on the 24th and I transfer directly to QM2 at Southampton on the 8th; I checked with NCL and they do do free testing onboard prior to disembarkation.😃

WOW this pre-travel testing is getting CRAZY😖

For those who are sailing from NYC-BEWARE of street kiosks. I had a test at one adjacent to my local Walgreens-seemed very efficient -next day I got a text saying my test result ‘is ready’ - that was it and that was four days ago-nothing more despite attempts to find out😡-now I find that there is a lot of angry controversy on the Net about the outfit that runs those kiosks. 

Fortunately I will have a PCR at  NYU Hospital, where my PC is based, before I sail on an NCL ship BUT-I will be transferring directly to QM2 at Southampton on the 8th of May. So I hope I can get a test on the NCL boat. I’ll check the NCL board.

I was on the QM2 on Dec 13 -January 10 and NO BAR SERVICE signs did diminish the the whole tone

and normal spirit of the bars. Would anyone presently onboard let us all know when bar service resumes.😊

Norway in March should be right frosty🥶!!!!!

Will there be any connected sailings with QM2 transAtlantics? 😕

More than occasionally folks on this Forum ask about Red Hook-QM2’s New York City destination( usually). Well there is an interesting, dare I say charming, piece about Red Hook in the March 6th issue of the New York Times-Metropolitan Section. Do check it out.😉 

I used their  VISA service a few years back for an around SA  cruise on the late lamented Prinsendam. They were efficient and very helpful.I’ve also used them for a  World cruise on Cunard which required a lot of VISAs-again they were  excellent😉

Hi all, the City is ‘back up and running’; there’s lots of new construction 😖and the traffic flows-'sort of'. Most folks are still masked on public transit-the subways are ‘OK’ .Just make sure you are on the right train going in the right direction🤔 As in any strange place keep your wits about you-avoid and do not stare at disturbed folks. If a  situation feels uncomfortable move away.

Our homeless problem is the result of 60+ years of the availability of hard drugs, of neglect of the drug addicted, the closure of state facilities, and the dispossession of the poor from neighborhoods that have been redeveloped and are now trendy.

Where QM2 docks used to be a ’no go area’- now not so much.

There is a lot to do and you must manage your time and commitments. Welcome, you will enjoy this wonderful town!

I’m on the 2023 World Cruise BUT given what’s erupting in the Ukraine-and boiling in China, East Asia and the southwest Pacific- who knows what will happen where we hope to go. 😟

I was in Princess Grill once on a TA a few years back-very nice. I was upgraded-so no extra cost for me😊 More drawer and closet space  than I had clothes! I did not perceive a significant difference in food from Britannia - maybe a little.  I did enjoy the Grills Lounge.It was a fierce winter crossing so the grand balcony was out.  Once,  I was in Club for half of a World Cruise on QM2-I was with a friend, she preferred a comfortable dining time @ 7:30-we had a nice table with very nice folks; there were extra options on menu and a full cheese cart. Normally I travel in Britannia, Deck 5 balcony, far forward-my fave. It’s quiet and I can reach the Library, Commodore and spa with ease☺️ I really like SouthAsian cuisine and Coriander is very good-I think they do a very nice makeover of that section of  Kings Court for specialty dining; the chefs are from SouthAsia-they know what they are doing!😉 .

Queen Anne was the name of the liner in the Astair and Rogers movie-“Shall We Dance"😊

It’s clear that there is a lot of speculation about the new ship as to external appearance and interior amenities and whether there will be a ‘proper promenade’. A couple of years ago Stephen Payne told a group of us that the hull for the Vista Class ships for Cunard -QV and QE HAD to be lengthened 30 feet as there HAD to be a Queens Room. I  expect that there are substantial modifications in order to achieve the Cunard look and style.

As to sea-keeping questions, a friend and I where on a QE westbound crossing to New York; the sea was very rough and Commodore Warwick and his wife were with a large table at the very back of the Britannia restaurant. We were in a following sea and waves were crashing up against the windows. The stewards were have great difficulty with trays and service dishes . It was so rough that sections of ceiling panels broke away in the corridor outside the Club restaurant , and also in the Commodore Club later that evening.The Captain came on with words of reassurance when it looked like this brand new ship was coming apart. 

So we’ll see😃

Hi all, Just booked the WC on board OM2 in December- half the world is closed at the moment so we’ll see. HK and Australia - SA is a mess- Lord only knows what will happen between now and January.

Oceanview cabins with windows do not open.

I booked on QM2 and got a 3percent break. Not a lot but something.😉

Can someone sailing on any of the Queens please let us know when sitting at the bar becomes possible in the Commodore Clubs, Chart Rooms,Golden Lions and other venues. I had a great time on QM2 -13 December-10January ; but not being able to enjoy the socializing that comes with being at the bar is definitely a downer😞

Talk about being OFF PISTE!- I love sheltered balconies and I was in one for the above discussed voyage.

Sorry for the digression.🤭

Just back from QM2 Southampton - NY- BWI - Southampton  adventure!!!! We were only able to land at Barbados there for 3 days not always docked- no Tortola, St. Kitts or St Martin - sailed directly to Southampton from Barbados. Many other liners in and out so QM2 has to move in and out of harbor;QV stood by as an accommodation ship fore replacement crew.Due to not returning to NYC, folks were flown to NY and UK on charter flights from Barbados.Up at 5 AM to disembark, they were not happy campers! I really enjoyed it ANYWAY! The Covid virus has a long tail!

The crew appeared really happy to be working and anxious to please. Restaurant and room stewards were excellent. Sailing back to UK with a much diminished PAX load was rather weird. Embarkation at Southampton was a HORROR but I don’t think Cunard was at fault-much more the UK health mavens and ABP. The shipping lines must do what they are told -or else. QM2 was in superb shape; maintenance was constant as usual. I had my lap top with me:  

Discovery: To get a proper WiFi connection one has to prop the cabin door open - with a shoe or book-as the system is wired down the corridors!!!!! Suggestion: rewire into cabins at next major refit😉

The Covid testing regime is getting ‘very old’; I was anxious as I had to be tested again before flying home to NYC. Very unnerving😔 and tiring.

I'm back on my favorite ship in August-who knows what the future holds; I hope it will be brighter.

Daisymabel’s contribution was spot on.- All is calm on a bright, warm, windy day.  Really feel for those who had to disembark this morning at 5:30☹️

We're cruising around and disembark NY bound folks this afternoon. I think they fly at about 7PM.

I’m on QM2 at this very moment-

I think that the CDC is covering itself  politically after Sen. Blumenthal’s hysterical outburst. There are cruise ships coming and going here in Barbados  - folks are very conscious of the problem - we had to be fully vaccinated before we could sail-there are lots of 'anti-vaccers’ but they’re not here. 

Hi all,

Just changed rooms-as per booking-the staff was as usual very helpful and accommodating . Had another COVID test in the Queen’s Room, had lunch and I’m now unpacking and awaiting test results. New cruisers coming aboard. It is sunny and cold. Got my tour tickets-so I’m ready for El Sol!

No self service  in the King’s Court and I think I’ve got the hang of the new 2nd sitting process. Last night I was a delightful table of folks from San Francisco and New Jersey. One lady was with a university press for many years and she is now has horses - fascinating!-she is very petite and was training a 16 hand stallion. Whoa! That is a big boy!

Had lunch in the Verandah-very well done-staff superb. 

ONLY DOWNER- Having to change rooms, but that was my fault for changing bookings when the December 3rd and Christmas Markets trips were cancelled.

The general attitude about these regular tests is that they are annoying but necessary.  Most folks are good natured - though I feel for my fellow PAX who are very infirm.  We sail in a couple of hours barring late transfers or some such. 

We have another PCR tomorrow-before boarding starts so I hope I’m still negative and can sail on to the 

islands in the sun. Can’t agree with SCROSSO’s relatives. But then differences are what makes the world go ‘round.