QM2: I wish I had known that!

[Surfgirl]

I'm taking my first voyage on the QM2 Oct. 29th and really looking forward to it!

 

Are any things you wish you had known prior to your first trip on QM2 that you'd like to share (no matter how trivial)? Anything from dress code tips, to seating, to finding the best place to read a book and relax.

[Hamburg Avon Lady]

:) Why don't you post your questions on the Queen Mary Roll Call --- just

look for the date of your sailing -- I am sure you will find the answers. ;)

[Surfgirl]

Thanks for your reply. I'm posting it here, because this is not a voyage specific question... it's about the QM2 in general. I'm hoping to hear from anyone who has sailed her before.. whether it was a TransAtlantic, Autumn Cruise or Around the World.

 

A year or so ago, someone asked a similar question on another cruise line folder, and it made for quite an interesting subject. Even seasoned cruisers of that line were surprised at some of the things they learned.

 

Soo..... anyone want to jump in?

[Runners]

At the Captain's welcome party they serve champagne. If you are not into champagne and you would like a different drink, just walk up to the bar and you'll get what ever you desire.

[brigittetom]

The dress suggestion is just a little bit more formal than other cruises. Casual is really more elegant casual. After that, Formal, the people on CC can call it anything they want to. You will see everything from Jodpurs with fancy shoes to mirco mini formals. Elegant formal wear no matter what you perceive it to be, you will be appropriately dressed. Best advice, you can never go wrong with Traditional Elegant.

[AviGirl]

At the Captain's welcome party they serve champagne. If you are not into champagne and you would like a different drink, just walk up to the bar and you'll get what ever you desire.

 

When does the Captain's welcome party usually take place?

[Runners]

Captains party is normally the second night of the cruise and this is also the first formal night.

[Alycidon]

At the Captain's welcome party they serve champagne.

 

They certainly do not serve champagne. It is some absolutely dreadful French sparkling wine which no self respecting Frenchman would consider touching with a barge pole.

[Q-step]

Here a few items that may help:

1. You can upgrade a 3-day spa pass to a 5-day pass by just paying the difference.

2. If you want a seat at the Maxtone-Graham lecture, come early. Other lectures are not that well attended.

3. If you want a seat in the Pub for lunch, go early. Especially if there a jazz band or other entertainment as people tend to stay there from 11:30 through the end.

4. Commodore Club closes early. No after dinner drinks on most nights.

5. On formal nights they have multiple stations set up to have your picture taken. The fake backgrounds change each night. Allow time before dinner to have your picture taken everywhere. You will have a wide selection of shots and backgrounds. You only pay for what you want.

6. Ask for large tables at breakfast and lunch. It’s a great way to meet people.

7. Instead of waiting in line to meet the Commodore, the captain’s line is much shorter. You can meet the Commodore later. You just don’t get a chance to buy the $25 picture.

8. If you need to do laundry, bring some fabric softener sheets. They have soap, but not softener.

9. We used far fewer internet minutes than we purchased. By about 50%.

[Boytjie]

4. Commodore Club closes early. No after dinner drinks on most nights.

 

That's quite different from our Labor Day 4-nighter: we closed the Commodore Club every night around 1 am. :D

[skyking]

Last year we did the New York to Lauderdale, with 8 days in the Caribbean...We had such a wonderful, and really enjoyed the voyage. The QM2 is such a unique Liner and I look back on it now as one of our better cruises.

 

Make sure you have tea at tea time, a very cool experience, Try out G32...We were there everynight, but not a lot of other joined in for the fun, be prepared to see the ship a ghost town after 10pm, I was shocked how NO ONE was in the public spaces after 10 or 11pm. I will think of more later im sure:) ENJOY!

[Beyondships]

If you are looking for a place to read, the library has windows that overlook the bow. The seats looking out of them are taken quickly.

 

How late the ship stays active depends upon the itinerary. Some itineraries attract a more active crowd than others.

 

The enrichment program is very good. As an earlier post noted, the lectures by John Maxtone Graham always fill to capacity. Of course, he is not always onboard as he is an independent writer. However, there are other lecturers that can and do fill the house. Also, some of the lesser known lecturers turn out to be quite interesting.

 

When the captain's welcome party is depends upon where you are dining. On a crossing, there are separate parties for each sitting in the Britannia on the second night and a party for the Grills on the third night.

 

I have done 17 voyages on QM2 and am still discovering new things.

[Surfgirl]

These are outstanding tips! Thanks! Please keep them coming. :)

[lannp]

This cruise is port intensive with the last day being your only sea day. You will find that on a busy cruise like this it will be quieter later in the evening because people are tired out from touring and have to possibly get up early the next morning.

With it being only a one week cruise you might not need to do laundry, but most cabin decks have a laundry room with no charge washers and dryers, soap packets are provided and there are two irons and ironing boards. You can of course send laundry or pressing out.

Not to be missed : the Library, afternoon tea at least once in the Queen's Room and in my opinion because the QM2 is my favourite - EVERYTHING.

[Summergee]

When leaving the theatre everyone queues for the lifts (elevators) to go up. Go down and then you will not have to wait so long to go up to your deck. One evening we were waiting for ages, and we were one of the first ones out!

[VirginCruiser II]

Here a few items that may help:

1. You can upgrade a 3-day spa pass to a 5-day pass by just paying the difference.

2. If you want a seat at the Maxtone-Graham lecture, come early. Other lectures are not that well attended.

3. If you want a seat in the Pub for lunch, go early. Especially if there a jazz band or other entertainment as people tend to stay there from 11:30 through the end.

4. Commodore Club closes early. No after dinner drinks on most nights.

5. On formal nights they have multiple stations set up to have your picture taken. The fake backgrounds change each night. Allow time before dinner to have your picture taken everywhere. You will have a wide selection of shots and backgrounds. You only pay for what you want.

6. Ask for large tables at breakfast and lunch. It’s a great way to meet people.

7. Instead of waiting in line to meet the Commodore, the captain’s line is much shorter. You can meet the Commodore later. You just don’t get a chance to buy the $25 picture.

8. If you need to do laundry, bring some fabric softener sheets. They have soap, but not softener.

9. We used far fewer internet minutes than we purchased. By about 50%.

 

Great tips apart from the Commodore Club? Closes early? No after dinner drinks on most nights? Sorry, but I have to say that on all my trips on QM2 - beit transatlantic crossings or port-intensive cruises (Caribbean and Norway) - I have never seen the Commodore Club quiet, let alone empty or closed:eek: even after lingering late in the restaurant on second sitting!

[Summergee]

Turn up in time for lunch and enjoy every possible minute on board.

[AviGirl]

If you are looking for a place to read, the library has windows that overlook the bow. The seats looking out of them are taken quickly.

 

How late the ship stays active depends upon the itinerary. Some itineraries attract a more active crowd than others.

 

The enrichment program is very good. As an earlier post noted, the lectures by John Maxtone Graham always fill to capacity. Of course, he is not always onboard as he is an independent writer. However, there are other lecturers that can and do fill the house. Also, some of the lesser known lecturers turn out to be quite interesting.

 

When the captain's welcome party is depends upon where you are dining. On a crossing, there are separate parties for each sitting in the Britannia on the second night and a party for the Grills on the third night.

 

I have done 17 voyages on QM2 and am still discovering new things.

 

What are John Maxtone Graham lectures usually about?

 

I'm looking so forward to spending time in the Library... should I even bother to bring my own book?

[AviGirl]

Besides the library... where can one sit out in the open and read a book in November? During warmer months I'm sure everyone sits around the pool - does this happen in the colder months?

[cinta]

Hi, John Maxtone-Graham is a maritime historian who has a wonderful knowledge about all things Cunard. It is worth going early for his lectures as the other posters have said. We have bought a few of his books on Amazon. He is worth googling.

 

As some of the others have said, we have never found the Commodore Club quiet & we usually 'wobble' at about 1am. Late enough for us!:D

 

Most of all enjoy!

[DKNYC]

That's quite different from our Labor Day 4-nighter: we closed the Commodore Club every night around 1 am. :D

 

Same here on the Tandem EB crossing ( Oct 2008) on QM2:D

 

Also I did not know that the Commodore AND a captain are on the ship. When I cruised they were one and the same.

 

Denise

[twroths]

We have done 2 November TAs (3rd set for 11NOV) and we have always found folks hanging around the "indoor" (the one with the sliding roof) most parts of most days. It is a lovely place to have a drink and read.

 

I concur with the CClub...we closed it many times at 1AM....that is a killer when you are EB and need to get up early to meet folks for breakfast. :)

 

Also, on deck 2, I believe, there a lovely seats next to large windows. It can be a bit chilly at times, but still a nice place to sit, have coffee, read, or just watch everyone walk by.

 

-Tom

[Boytjie]

Same here on the Tandem EB crossing ( Oct 2008) on QM2:D

 

Also I did not know that the Commodore AND a captain are on the ship. When I cruised they were one and the same.

 

Denise

 

Maybe its just us city folk. :D

[Alycidon]

Also I did not know that the Commodore AND a captain are on the ship. When I cruised they were one and the same.

 

There are always two officers of the rank of Captain. The Master (big chief) and Staff Captain (little chief). The Commodore only sails as the Master and will have a Staff Captain to assist.

[Q-step]

There are always two officers of the rank of Captain. The Master (big chief) and Staff Captain (little chief). The Commodore only sails as the Master and will have a Staff Captain to assist.

 

There are two main entrances into the Queen's Room. The Commodore will be at one door and the Captain will be at the other door. You can get your picture taken with either. We entered by the Captain as the line was shorter and we knew we weren't going to buy the picture anyway.

 

As for comments on the Commodore Club: On our TA the ship was a ghost town by midnight. By 12:15 all the bars except for the disco were closed. Even the casino bar was closed. Two times when we missed last call in the Chart Room we asked them to check if the Commodore Room was open. They called up there and told us it was closed and only the disco bar was open. They told us that they only keep the bars open if there is activity around the ship. And the ship was dead. There were about 30 people in the disco, not more than 5 people in the casino and a few souls walking around the decks.

 

It was surprising to us as we were on a westbound crossing and were looking forward to using the extra hour for some extra partying. I guess each cruise is different. But it was a real disappointment as we had visions of us sipping martinis until the wee hours of the morning.