First timers - QE2 questions

[OzCanuck]

Greetings everyone. I've been lurking for some time, and have finally decided to step up with a couple of questions.

 

Here's the situation. On more or less a whim, Mrs. OzCanuck and I decided to book a cruise last year. We've never cruised before - in fact, we've never even considered cruising before. We're very much independent travelers, though recently we've done the occasional resort getaway. We are fairly well traveled, mid-thirties.

 

We decided we're not into the 'party boat' kind of scene we heard so much about when we lived in Canada (Caribbean cruising with twentysomethings), and quickly checked out our options for cruising down here (Australia), especially options for cruising in Asia. I wanted to try the 'classic' style of cruising, dressing for dinner, the whole nine yards.

 

Well, that same week a large cruising travel agent was finishing up what I thought was a very good deal on the QE2. (And subsequent price checks have confirmed that yes, we did get a great deal). So the sale ended on a friday last year, which was the day after we started doing our research. It seemed like an opportunity too good to pass up, so we booked it.

 

Basically, we're joining the QE2 for the Singapore-Dubai portion of the world cruise. Obviously we could have joined her in Sydney, but since we live here that didn't seem too exotic.

 

It was of course, only a few months after we made the initial booking (last April) that I started doing some more research about the whole thing, and now it's only about two months away, and I'm getting a bit nervous about it. Hence, I've got a few questions that I hope someone can answer. I've trolled through all the posts about the QE2, read people's travelogues (thanks transat_jon), and tried to gather as much info as possible. But - I still have some questions.

 

Ok, so in no particular order:

 

1) Smoking. We're definite non-smokers. What is the likelihood of our cabin having been recently inhabited by a definite smoker? I respect everyone's right to choose to smoke or not; however I've checked into many hotel rooms when this situation has occurred and have been easily able to change my room. I know we won't have that luxury on the QE2 - is there any sort of cruising 'code' where people limit themselves from lighting up in individual cabins? What about meal time? We'll be in Mauretania (more on that later).

 

2) Cabin choice. We ended up booking M2 becuase it was a good price-point for us. As this was all done and dusted within about 24 hours of the first thought of cruising, I had no real time to research different cabins, except that 'outside' sounded better than 'inside'. I've now looked at the deck plans, and can see that all the M2 rooms are either right at the front, or right at the back of the ship. Reading one of transat_jon's reviews, I'm a bit worried about noise from the screws. Might this be a major problem?

 

3) Food. Ok this is a big one. We're both vegetarians (I will have the occasional FINE steak, like once every 4-6 months, just 'cus I miss it.) I discussed this at length with the travel agent who assured me it wouldn't be a problem. He suggested that I discuss it immediately with the maitre'd to make arrangements. When I say vegetarian, I mean it - fish is not a vegetable (in fact my wife is allergic to fish and seafood). Cheese and egg are ok. Often when forced to go to a fine restaurant that doesn't seem to have any vegetarian options, they'll try to put something together which usually end up being mediocre pasta with mediocre vegetables. Any thoughts on how the QE2 will handle this? I don't mind eating only dessert for a couple of days, but after a while it's going to get tedious. How do the meal selections work in Mauretania?

 

4) Casino - what games are there? Table minimums?

 

5) Age. So we're mid-thirties. Have we absolutely chosen the wrong cruise ship (Especially on the world cruise) for our first time? In general I think we usually gravitate towards older people we meet while travelling - like I said we're not into the party scene at all. What will the mix be on the world cruise?

 

6) Itinerary. Any idea if Cunard is still going to go to Sri Lanka?

 

Finally, as she's going to be in Sydney for a couple of days in February, If anyone on the world cruise is interested in getting together for a drink or somesuch while you're here, we'd be happy to meet up.

 

Thanks for any advice.....

 

OzCanuck

[transat_jon]

Hi OzCanuck

 

Because you are well travelled, especially as an independent treveller, and not particularaly into the party scene, I feel the QE2 is a perfect choice for you.

 

Here are my answers to your questions :

 

1) Smoking : QE2s air conditioning does put a lot of air through the ship, although the temperature control can be less than perfect. It does mean that smoke gets removed from cabins fairly quickly. If you are unlucky enough to get a cabin after a chain or cigar smoker, tell your room steward imediately and tell them that it is unacceptable to you and they will do something about that, up to changing all soft furnishings and shampooing carpets.

 

2) Cabin Choice : Outside cabins tend to have less problems with noise and vibration than inside ones. Cabins towards the front of the ship should have less issues though. You can specify a cabin to your travel agent.

 

3) Vegetarian food : I do not have a full answer on this.

There are vegetarian choices on the menu, although they are often curries from memory. I suspect that if you ask, a wider choice of vegetarian options would be available. On the subject of steak, beef and steak is something that Cunard do well.

 

4) Casino : I think the tables start at £1.00US

 

5) Age : I am younger myself, there is usually a wide mix of ages on QE2, altough the average age is older.

 

6) Sri Lanka : Don't know.

 

Other people can tell you more.

[Oslo Dutch]

Considering you will be on a segment of the world cruise I would imagine the avarage age of your fellow passengers very high. mind you , they will be very experiened travellers.

 

Have heard throughout the years these cruises are very nice and relaxed but tend to be a bit sedate.

 

Reint

[mufi]

As to smoky cabins, we entered ours at the start of one cruise and almost choked. If this happens just go to reception and ask for them to send the housekeeper along. He/She can arrainge for the cabin to be de- smoked with some sort of an ionising machine they have (so it can't be an unusual request) It worked perfectly for us.

 

David.

[jbailey]

I have rather strong physical reactions to smoke. In May 2002, I found the ship to be very smoky and had a lot of trouble breathing through my nose after a few days. My first stop upon arriving in London was a trip to a pharmacy for decongestants and nasal sprays. The cabin, however, was fine.

 

In October 2003, I found the situation much improved and the crew more likely to enforce non-smoking areas.

 

Tell Cunard ahead of time to make sure your cabin does not have the smell of smoke. They do wash bedspreads between passengers and this does help, as does the ionizing machine, and a carpeting cleaning, if necessary. I also have checked out of smoky hotel rooms but my cabins on QE2 were fine.

 

I'd suggest you make sure you take some decongestants and nasal sprays along with you just in case, since I was unable to purchase any of these onboard.

 

In any case, I wouldn't let this or the age of passengers discourage you from this terrific opportunity. I found that some of the oldest passengers had the most fascinating stories to tell, since they were so well-traveled. If you are not into the party scene, as I am not, you will love this ship. And don't worry about needing to bring a book or two along because it has the best library afloat!

[cecparkinson]

Hi there i will try and help with some of your questions that have not already been answered. both the wife and I have just returned from the carribean cruise onboard so we speak with up to date information. This too was our first ever cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The old Queen is beautiful we can't wait to sail on her again. just wish we could take the time off work to carry on with her world cruise.

We too are non smokers and didnt find the cabin a problem but maybe the occupant before were non smokers. The public rooms we noticed the smoking in were the lido and the grand lounge, conveniantly the rooms are split in two, port side smoking and starboard non smoking. unfortunately sometimes these venues were full and one had no option than to sit on the smoking side.

With regard to vegatarian meals i have a menu from the mauratania restaurant and ill write the choices down for a one night to give you an idea, post your email address and i'll send it you. Every night they have a vegie choice.but when you see the menu youll see that you shouldnt have any problems.

With regards to the age of the passengers there are about 220 doing the whole world cruise, out of the 6 we met three were female pensioners and three single men in their 40's.

We too are in our late thirties and most nights we were tucked up by 10.30 you must go to the show though which is on every night.this is entertainment for all tastes, depending what sitting you are on depends what time your show is on. Shows start at 8.45 and 10.30. So we usually headed to bed after the 8.30 show.

With regard to the casino minimum bet is $5 with $1 on the roulette there is also a black jack table with minimum $25. Hope all this information is helpful

CEC

[signman]

There are several blackjack tables. Minimum bet is USD 5. I also noticed a Caribbean Stud table and roulette. I did not pay attention whether there was a craps table or not. The casino is not that heavily patronized. If gambling is a form of entertainment for you, you should have no problem.

 

As far as the vegetarian thing goes, one thing QE2 does very well is a pasta course most evenings. Sometimes it is meant to be appetizer sized, and other times more suitable for a main course. These are delicious. You should have no trouble getting as much as you want. There are plenty of salads and veggies served in the Lido Buffet, and eggs cooked to order in the morning. The Lido is not as fancy or as large as the buffets on most newer ships, but I like it more than the buffets offered on Celebrity, which brags about its food. And there is a full buffet served late each evening from 11:30 until 12:30.

 

Smoking is there on the ship just like you will find it on land. YOu will find places to sit to avoid it.

 

I just returned from the 15 -21 December transatlantic crossing and met some full world cruisers. Many are younger than you would think.

 

Have a great time. I know I would.

[signman]

Let me be even more specific about the evening menus in Mauretania. There will be an appetizer course, followed by soup, salad, pasta, and then the main course. One could very easily be satisfied before the main course just from an assortment of all that is available before.

[OzCanuck]

Hey everyone, thanks for your thoughtful and detailed replies. I'll definitely put in a call to Cunard about the room in terms of smoking. It would be unfortunate if the whole trip was ruined because of the room.

 

cecparkinson - my email is ozcanuck1 at yahoo.ca - any info anyone has is greatly appreciated.

 

I will definitely have pictures and a trip report when it's all done.

 

Dave