QM2: I wish I had known that!

[Bispham Boo]

On our April TA we certainly had drinks in the Comodore Club after our 2nd seating dinner. The CC is also a lovely place to sit and read in the morning, with a cup of coffee. Good latte.

We had pre-dinner cocktails in the CC most nights, with canapes. If these don't appear, just ask.

Afternoon tea in the Queens Room is lovely, albeit very busy. You may need to share a table.

Drinks and wine in the Britannia were reasonably priced.

We ordered tea and juice in our cabins every morning via Room Service.

We ventured in to the outdoor pool and jacuzzi one day - great fun on a

cold but sunny day.

Be aware some of the seats in the Planetarium don't recline (broken handles?) so check and move if necessary.

 

But most of all. just wander round and enjoy your trip!

I took some books (as I get twitchy at the thought of not having a book to read ;)) but didn't open them as the Library was very well stcked.

[AviGirl]

On our April TA we certainly had drinks in the Comodore Club after our 2nd seating dinner. The CC is also a lovely place to sit and read in the morning, with a cup of coffee. Good latte.

We had pre-dinner cocktails in the CC most nights, with canapes. If these don't appear, just ask.

Afternoon tea in the Queens Room is lovely, albeit very busy. You may need to share a table.

Drinks and wine in the Britannia were reasonably priced.

We ordered tea and juice in our cabins every morning via Room Service.

We ventured in to the outdoor pool and jacuzzi one day - great fun on a

cold but sunny day.

Be aware some of the seats in the Planetarium don't recline (broken handles?) so check and move if necessary.

 

But most of all. just wander round and enjoy your trip!

I took some books (as I get twitchy at the thought of not having a book to read ;)) but didn't open them as the Library was very well stcked.

 

It all sounds so wonderful! 6 more weeks!! :D

[miz66]

Hi we sailed our first TA on 29th August and just got back after a further 2 weeks in New York. Just enjoy yourself and don't eat too much I can see myself getting fatter in all my photographs, but I enjoyed the food so much. I'd do it again even though I got sea sick on the 3rd day though some of the girls in the shops did aswell.

I'm envious, have a great time.

[patwell]

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.

 

If the Commodore is in command he will be at the main door for the reception. The other entrance to the Queen's Room will be hosted by the Staff Captain ( or as Alycidon says, "the little chief") or perhaps the Hotel manager...I have seen both of them there on different nights. If the Commodore is on vacation then the Captain who takes his place will be at the main door.

 

i have made 6 trips on QM2...the Commodore Club is our standard hang out...I have never gone in there late after dinner and not found it active...cruising or crossing.

 

Cheers, Penny

 

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

 

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

 

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

 

July 30, 2009....transatlantic again...some “Affairs” just get better

 

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

 

2010....the “Affair” is indecisive, but booked for at least 10 days somewhere

[patwell]

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!

 

John Maxtone Graham speaks only on a limited number of crossings in the summer generally. He's extraordinary!! I was privileged to enjoy 4 talks by him this summer as well as get 2 of my books signed by him...unfortunately return airline restrictions from Germany didn't allow me to bring ALL of his books, which I have and love.

 

Cheers, Penny

 

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

 

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

 

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

 

July 30, 2009....transatlantic again...some “Affairs” just get better

 

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

 

2010....the “Affair” is indecisive, but booked for at least 10 days somewhere

[NomDePlume]

Speaking of "Wish I had known that", I can't think of a better introduction to QM2 than Penny's "An affair to Remember"...just follow the link in her signature.

And here is a link to the other review that got me hooked on QM2--Pepperrn's own: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=514324

With photographs here: http://community.webshots.com/user/pepperrn

 

[flag fan]

Todd English is a great place for lunch. It is cheaper than dinner and not crowded. The menu does not change; it is the same every day

[DKNYC]

Maybe its just us city folk. :D

 

Well Peter, they don't call it the City That Never Sleeps for nothing.:cool:

 

Thanks Alycidon for the clarification about the various Captains.

 

Denise

[pepperrn]

Speaking of "Wish I had known that", I can't think of a better introduction to QM2 than Penny's "An affair to Remember"...just follow the link in her signature.

 

And here is a link to the other review that got me hooked on QM2--Pepperrn's own: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=514324

 

With photographs here: http://community.webshots.com/user/pepperrn

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for the compliment, and for highlighting both links, to the review and to the photos, very kind of you.

 

Penny's review is full of outstanding, evocative and emotive writing. Everyone should read it...

 

Thanks again, with all good wishes

[rsquare]

There is an odd little deck called 3L which we didn't discover until halfway through our crossing. It allows you to go from the Queen's Room forward, bypassing the dining room if it is in use or being set up, and is also (on one side) where the ship's photographers display their prints. You either go half a flight down or half a flight up, depending on whether you start at 3 Deck or 2 Deck. It pops up again forward flanking the Royal Court theatre, between the theatre and the planetarium where there are swivel chairs by large windows for reading on one side, and for board games on the other.

 

The outdoor promenade which goes around the ship is on 7 Deck. When you get to the front of the vessel, there is a steel bulkhead with windows to protect you from the rush of air from the ship's forward motion. You can go through one of the doors in this bulkhead and you will be out on the Observation Deck; when you see it, you will understand why the crew calls it "Bladehenge." Great place to be coming into port on the last day.

 

You can get a good deli lunch at the Chef's Galley; only place on the ship that can be done, as far as I know.

 

On several QE2 crossings, people we've sailed with have seen dolphins following the ship. Never me, regrettably, and I did not hear anyone mention dolphins on our first QM2 crossing this past spring. Something to keep an eye out for, though.

 

On the last full day of the crossing, there is a grand sale of merchandise, including some awful watches for $15 and some QM2 logo stuff. There will have been periodic "sidewalk sales" before then, but the last day has a certain desperation to it, and a bit of a Lower East Side feel surprising considering the affluence and sophistication of the typical QM2 passenger.

 

Enjoy your crossing; there is nothing in the world quite like it.

[Surfgirl]

Thank you so much for the compliment, and for highlighting both links, to the review and to the photos, very kind of you.

 

Penny's review is full of outstanding, evocative and emotive writing. Everyone should read it...

 

Thanks again, with all good wishes

 

Did you take those fabulous photos? I was blown away at how professional they are. So far, I've only looked at your QM2 TransAtlantic 2006 photos, and will watch more, but was so impressed by what I saw, I had to post something to you!

 

Are you a professional photographer?

[heywood]

I agree with rsquare re the Deli lunch at Chef's Galley- usually only a short queue or none at all and lovely friendly chefs. If the area is quite busy, you can carry your food through to the Winter Gardens area to eat too.

 

Some of the sales are awful (tacky and seem quite out of place), but I bought some gifts- a designer watch which I have priced in England and saved quite a bit of money and the perfumes also compared favourably with prices at home.

 

It's great to just wander about everywhere and explore.

[cinta]

Speaking of "Wish I had known that", I can't think of a better introduction to QM2 than Penny's "An affair to Remember"...just follow the link in her signature.

And here is a link to the other review that got me hooked on QM2--Pepperrn's own: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=514324

With photographs here: http://community.webshots.com/user/pepperrn

 

 

OMG, you just made me cry with happiness. Penny & Pepper's reviews are wonderful!!

 

Sharon

[Bugslyboo.com]

In no particular order of importance, our favorite things:

 

• Trivia and that all important first drink of the day in the Pub. Early enough that you almost feel ashamed...
  
• Lunch at Todd English!
  
• Walking the upper deck (way up top) alone - just the two of us - early in the morning.
  
• LATE night drinks in the Commodore Club (man that must have been one boring TA if they closed that early!).
  
• The noon ringing of the bell in the grand lobby.
  
• The lectures.
  
• Our daily fast walking laps (9) around the promenade deck in EVERY kind of weather after breakfast.
  
• Discovering and re-discovering the details that make QM2 the greatest ship ever to sail
  

[VirginCruiser II]

In no particular order of importance, our favorite things:

 

• Trivia and that all important first drink of the day in the Pub. Early enough that you almost feel ashamed...
  
• Lunch at Todd English!
  
• Walking the upper deck (way up top) alone - just the two of us - early in the morning.
  
• LATE night drinks in the Commodore Club (man that must have been one boring TA if they closed that early!).
  
• The noon ringing of the bell in the grand lobby.
  
• The lectures.
  
• Our daily fast walking laps (9) around the promenade deck in EVERY kind of weather after breakfast.
  
• Discovering and re-discovering the details that make QM2 the greatest ship ever to sail
  

 

Wow, amen to all that.

Yep, it doesn't get any better than this!:)

[pepperrn]

Did you take those fabulous photos? I was blown away at how professional they are. So far, I've only looked at your QM2 TransAtlantic 2006 photos, and will watch more, but was so impressed by what I saw, I had to post something to you! Are you a professional photographer?

 

Hi,

 

Thank you so very, very much for all your kind comments about the pictures. It is really kind of you to post, much appreciated.

I did take all the pictures on the site except 6 on page 1 of the transatlantic 2006 photos which were taken by my father as QM2 departed Southampton (as I was on board at the time!).

I'm no professional, just a lucky amateur. And lucky that my camera is so good at taking pictures. But thank you for the compliment.

 

There are some shots on "QM2 Cruise 2007" I enjoyed taking.

 

With very best wishes and my most sincere thanks for all you've said.

[pepperrn]

OMG, you just made me cry with happiness. Penny & Pepper's reviews are wonderful!! Sharon

 

Hi Sharon,

 

Wow! What can I say except a HUGE thank you! You're very kind to comment, much appreciated. 2006 seems a long time ago now, how time passes.

 

I'm taking a voyage on the Queen Victoria soon, at the moment I plan to write a review of that trip, it may or may not get written, depends on how she grabs me, what's good and what's bad. But after 3 years it's about time I wrote another review. I wrote about QM2, I didn't write about QE2, I should write about QV.

 

Once again, many, many thanks.

[patwell]

OMG, you just made me cry with happiness. Penny & Pepper's reviews are wonderful!!

 

Sharon

 

Hi Sharon....you really are too kind...thank you so much. It seems like so long ago that the "Affair" started but now 6 trips later it is still going strong and I am still writing about it. This time QM2 took us on a magical trip across to follow the footsteps of our immigrant parents from whence they came, Norway and Germany....what fun this is to write. I can assure you the "Affair" continues with each trip.

 

Thanks again Sharon....

 

Cheers,Penny

 

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

 

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

 

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

 

July 30, 2009....transatlantic again...some “Affairs” just get better

 

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

 

2010....the “Affair” is indecisive, but booked for at least 10 days somewhere

[Andrew Bowden]

We don't have reservations for this cruise (Wish we did.) but if Maxtone-Graham is speaking - you need to be there. He is wonderful!! We feel fortunate to have attended all of his lectures on NCL Jewel Transatlantic in fall 2007.

[patwell]

Hi,

 

There are some shots on "QM2 Cruise 2007" I enjoyed taking.

 

And weren't those wonderful! I remember what fun we had jostling to see who got the best "Normandie" bow shot as the catamaran passed in front of QM2. I'm still not sure whose was best but it was a great day and a fantastic cruise.:D

 

And Surfgirl, I can assure you pepper's photos are all worth taking time to view. I've had the privilege of seeing a vast assortment of his photos that are not online and he has the most exceptional eye for detail and lighting.

 

Cheers, Penny

 

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

 

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

 

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

 

July 30, 2009....transatlantic again...some “Affairs” just get better

 

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

 

2010....the “Affair” is indecisive, but booked for at least 10 days somewhere

[NomDePlume]

We don't have reservations for this cruise (Wish we did.) but if Maxtone-Graham is speaking - you need to be there. He is wonderful!! We feel fortunate to have attended all of his lectures on NCL Jewel Transatlantic in fall 2007.

 

Wonderful in person but if you miss it, they will re-play it all day on one of the ship's television channels--I usually catch up with missed lectures while dressing for dinner.

[pepperrn]

I can assure you pepper's photos are all worth taking time to view. I've had the privilege of seeing a vast assortment of his photos that are not online and he has the most exceptional eye for detail and lighting.Cheers, Penny

 

Penny, thank you. Very kind of you. I'm just lucky with the lighting, but thanks!

 

And, to keep my posts on topic, the thing I wish I'd known...

First voyage (QM2)... When disembarking, I didn't have to go to the room (eg QM2; The Royal Court Theate) that they suggested and wait for my "colour/number" to be called. It was annouced all over the ship.

After my 2nd trip (QE2, self dismbarked)...

By voyage 3 (QM2) I realised that if I went to the Kings Court and had coffee and more breakfast while waiting, I could make the most of my time on board (mind you, at the end of that voyage, they took so long starting disembarking that I lost patience and just left the ship long before they called my ticket. I had one day in New York, didn't want to waste it looking at Brooklyn from deck 7).

On voyage 4 (QM2) I waited, in the sunshine, next to the deck 8 pool, lovely! No rush to leave, no train or plane to catch.

Voyage 5 found me back in the Kings Court having several coffees while waiting.

And so on...

Please don't tell the other passengers, I don't want everyone in the Kings Court!

[WriteAtSea]

...I read your post below. And since G32 is so large, I hope I can still find it quiet.

 

Anyway, I often go to G32 during the day. It is usually absolutely empty. So you can find a quiet seat at a table or even nestle into the box near the window to read or write letters, etc.

 

Actually, I guess I gave that secret away in "Juliet's Opera", so maybe all the portholes will soon be taken. oh, no...

 

So if you are looking for a very quiet place to read and you (somehow) cannot find another spot about ship (hard to believe) try G32 during the day.

 

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!

[imacruizer]

But after 3 years it's about time I wrote another review.

 

I couldn't agree more! Get busy, my friend!

 

Beth