QM2 5/21 Eastbound TA

[mike14c]

Have no fear! There will be a very diverse group on board if past experience is any guide. Although it is true that overall the age skews upward (I'm 45, and the reason for this trip is I'm taking my (older but fabulous) sister to celebrate her xxth birthday.). But there will be lots of fun FOD's of all types. A couple of years ago there was a gay bicycle cop from LA who was hot hot hot, but that's another story. I'm leaving the husband home this time, and am looking forward to many a fun late night in the often surprisingly fun disco.

 

You'll have a ball. Just bring plenty of costume changes and some body glitter (I never leave home without it, seldom use it, but it's nice knowing it's there...)

[Bigmike911]

Jim and Robert, welcome to the thread. Count on having a good time aboard. Since I have been such a good boy, Cunard has given me four upgrades, From a Q5 to a Q4 east and west bound, and then today to a Q2 for both legs.

 

Let me tell you we are going to have party time. Starting with the sail away party as we overlook the pool and deck where the party is held. And Mike, of course your Amazing Sis is also Invited.

 

Any other travelers for either east bound 21st May or west bound 1st. June?

 

Mike

 

Mike

[Bigmike911]

Robert, Sorry, the global BB works unless turned off. I hope its a company BB because the roaming charges are fierce.

 

California Mike.

[Capitalflow]

Robert, Sorry, the global BB works unless turned off. I hope its a company BB because the roaming charges are fierce.

 

California Mike.

 

That is good to know, so thanks California Mike! And to think Jim once gave me grief about using the BB on vacation/holiday/weekend/wedding/christening/etc(s) . . . (I was issued one in 2001) so there, SkyHigh! “Put it away, put it away!” [He knows.]

Thanks for the posts today, gents, and so far it sounds like things are shaping up for a few lively conversations.

Question: we selected a table of 6 for dinner. Thoughts?

 

. . . 8:57 p.m. CDT; still in suit-n-tie from the office. Why in the world would I want to wear on holiday?

[Bigmike911]

Not a business suit and tie, a pleasure Tux, winged shirt and Bow Tie, pleasure dress up gear.

 

As for the table of six. one of the pleasures of a cruise are the people you will meet, both straight and gay. It certainly give options. The Queens Grill by its nature are generally older couples mostly straight. My pal (of 35 years) Ron and I get a table for two or four as this time we have a friend along with us.

 

We have met some very interesting people over the years. There was on a crossing in 2007 a table with a very elegant lady, her female companion, and was, as we learned from the FODs meeting, traveling with two of her attorneys and their spouses one straight, one gay. She was delightful as were her table mates

 

On a trip to the caribbean in 2008 we sat accross from two gents From Little Rock who we meet at the FODs, And had a great cocktail timewith them in either their or our suite or the Grills Lounge. On a summer atlantic back to back, in 2008 we sat next to Dr. Ruth Westheimer who as you can imagine was a hoot.

 

We have stayed in touch with many of these people, in fact were having drinks and dinner in London with a great straight couple we met last year.

 

The two by two tables are close enough to get to know your neighbors, if you want to, and if you don't, a quick evening greeting is all it takes.

 

Bottom line, a table for six might be interesting, and if its not askthe maitre 'd for something else. Your not stuck.

 

You will enjoy this crossing.

 

Mike

[mike14c]

BigMike you lucky devil!! At what point do they just give you the Captain's quarters and pay you to cross? You must be so excited!! I've been being especially kind to animals and the elderly for weeks now in the hope of jumping from Q5 to Q4, but no such luck! I guess my three previous trips don't rate yet.

 

Well, Cheers to you -- you'll just love that big gorgeous duplex!

[Capitalflow]

I see the difference between the Q4 and Q5, but what's the difference between the Q6 and Q5? The amenities appear identical on the Web and the SF is the same, as best I can tell. Are the views better from the Q5 midship and the sailing smoother? Just curious.

[mike14c]

Q6 is identical to Q5, just more midships. I actually prefer Q6, as it's further back abd the life boats aren't right beneath you, but it wasn't available when I booked. Q4 is called a "penthouse"; it's considerably larger, with a dining area. It is my upgrade goal, but BigMike seems to be getting all the luck in that department!

[Capitalflow]

Q6 is identical to Q5, just more midships. I actually prefer Q6, as it's further back abd the life boats aren't right beneath you, but it wasn't available when I booked. Q4 is called a "penthouse"; it's considerably larger, with a dining area. It is my upgrade goal, but BigMike seems to be getting all the luck in that department!

 

No doubt - but the upgrade pixies must like him more than you and I. :)

 

I see that you booked a trainer every day - @ 8:30 a.m. - dude - what were you thinking?!? I am all for a good workout but, uh, well. Seriously, though, how did you contact Canyon Ranch? I downloaded the spa menu but it looks like a wise decision to do this way ahead of time.

 

Rob't.

[Capitalflow]

Big Mike - I see that on the Roll Call you mentioned something about a friend of yours book on Continental - and that you booked in FC but somehow the equipment was changed to an ERJ. Where is he departing?

 

We are IAHLGA that morning. Was planning on taxiing to the Terminal. Unlikely that we'd need a driver scheduled in advance. Was planning to take the train from Southampton into Waterloo - rooms at the Le Meridian in Piccadilly (stayed there just a few weeks ago - liked being close to the theaters).

 

Rob't.

[Bigmike911]

Rob't. We are flying in from Los Angeles, and while I am a life Premier Executive on UAL our pal Tom, is flying in from Jacksonville and he is the guy who got down guaged to an RJ after paying for 1st. We have to get to EWR in order to meet his plane, actually we will arrive about 1.5 hours later, but he will be taken to the Pres Club in the A terminal I presume, and when we arrive I will fetch him. He has difficulty seeing and doesn't feel comfortable traveling alone. So his family will put him on the plane in JAX and we will meet him.

 

The whole down guaging is a bit of a bummer. He could have taken Jet Blue from Jax and we could have taken UA's PS to JFK, but didn't.

 

We're flying on Wednesday to make sure that we have plenty of time to get to NYC in case there are any issues (like volcanos). That also gives us a chance to wine and dine in NYC before we wine and dine aboard.

 

We are also taking the train from Southampton to Waterloo on Friday 28th and staying near you at the Cavendish in St. James's. In Jermyn St and Duke St. directly behind Fortnum and Mason. I have been staying there for years.

 

My last 10 working years I managed a group located first in Farnborough, then Aldershot, and Always stayed at the Cavendish and commuted to the country side. There is nothing going on in either Farnborough or Aldershot.

 

The Cavendish is a modern hotel, built to replace the original blitzed Cavendish which was run by Rosa Lewis, the Duchess of Duke Street. Its recently undergone a refurbishment and looks very trendy. I actually prefered the old bar off the lobby when it was called the Sub Rosa, it seemed much more decadent then.

 

Oh, and the driver I am ordering is for my trip to and from LAX, we will grab a taxi at EWR. If I were alone I would take the train, but with Tom, we have to have short walking trips. and getting about to the train is just too difficult. In London I like to take the tube too, but I am sure we will have to use taxis in London as well.

 

We're going to be there til 1st June and we will head back to Southampton for the Westbound-a six day crossing, then back to LAX on 7th June.

 

Finally as for the upgrade pixies, here is my secret, given me by my Cunard agent. Unless you have a particular space in mind for some reason book a category guarantee. In my case I book a Q5 guarantee. This gives Cunard the opportunity to move people around to maximize their bookings. It also helps to be a frequent sailor on Cunard, and these crossings are our ninth and tenth TA along with a caribbean and an 8 day cruise around the British Isles last October. We have also booked a 14 day LAX-Hawaii-LAX on the QV for next February,

 

Well, enough of the story of my life. We are looking forward to meeting you and yours in about 5 weeks. BTW. I was born and grew up in Houston, and have family still there.

 

Mike

[Skyhigh]

Mike14c, glad to see that somebody else plans on trying not to "let it go" during the voyage. I keep looking at the menus for the ship and i think i need to buy a new set of clothes with a larger waist size for after the trip. Have you taken any of the exercise classes on the ship before? Also, do you know if access to the spa facilities (saunas, water baths, etc) is included for QG? I think i've read on here that it isn't, but a representative for Cunard says it is.

 

BigMike, you mentioned on the roll call that you got an OBC for "buying the advance cruise on board". Can you help a neophyte out for what you mean by this? Should be look into getting more OBC before the trip? Also, have you ever looked at taking a prebooked car into London from Southampton? I've seen rates for about 54gbp per person into London, which doesn't seem like its too much more than a taxi, train, taxi into london without the hassle of transferring luggage. thoughts?

 

Thx!

 

We are going shopping for tuxedo updates today.

[Bigmike911]

Sky, as far as I know the spa treatments are not complementary for QG customers. As its a concession I doubt that it ever will be. The use of the gym, machines and free weights is complementary. You can buy access to the therapy pool, sauna and steam for a modest price, even less per day if you buy the whole crossing.

 

As for OBC or onboard credit, if you buy a future cruise credit, which costs $300 per customer per trip, You get several things. First, the $300 serves as your initial deposit on all but the world cruise. You also get on board credit in various amounts from $200 for a 6 to 13 day trip, $400. for 14 or more.

 

If your a Carnival CCL shareholder you can get another $50 to 150 obc for the statroom, depending on the cruise. Between the two of us on the east and westbound we have $1000 in free money to spend aboard. The $13 per person, per day tip pool takes up some of it, and drinks and wine more.

 

If you want to use the OBC for the Casino there is a 3% surcharge. I find that I spend about $1000. per person per direction, not including the additional tips I give to the Butler, Waiters, Bartendress in the QG lounge, and I get amazing service.

 

The original $300 future cruise payments are applied to your cruise cost, and if after 4 years it hasn't been used, its refunded to you. The advance cruise office is the future booking office, which I believe is on 2 deck foward (B Stairs). I usually buy two sets, but this time I am going to buy three sets. We're planning a Venice to Ft. Lauderdale cruise on the Victoria for November next year already.

 

As for travel into London, I consider the train (first class GBP 55) to be my best bet. It takes you from Southampton Central to Waterloo in 1 hour 20 minutes and fast trains run every half hour. Its less than GBP 10 from the docks to the station (five minutes at best) have them drop you on the London side of the station- track 1 and you don't even have to haul your suitcases up and over. You can get a taxi from Waterloo to your hotel for another GBP 10. The first class carriages are at the front and back of the train, if you go left on the platform and take the one at the front, your first out at Waterloo.

 

This trip there are three of us with assorted bags, and travel in a car would be cramped. but its mostly the time. You save at least an hour taking the train. There is an at seat buffet service, restrooms, e.t.c. Three quick stops, and your there.

 

Because we are going west bound on 1st June, we store two very large bags with Cunard in Southampton, so We only have roll aboards for the train. You might consider using White Star Luggage Service to send your big bag back to Texas when you get off the ship. I swear by them. If you have received your travel booklets, their number is in it, Else I can post it for you.

 

The only thing I can say about your first cruise on QM2, is that its likely not to be your last.

 

Cheers Mike.

[mike14c]

Hi: I know -- 8:30 am does seem ambitious, but I know from experience that if I don't do the gym first thing , I won't do it at all. I have taken classes at the CR spa, and yhet are very good, and they are free. The personal trainer, of course, is not.

 

To book treatments in advance, the below is copied from the Cunard website:

 

Queen Mary 2 guests may pre-reserve all SpaClub services 21 days or more prior to your sailing date; if less than 21 days, bookings need to be made onboard. To reserve your Canyon Ranch SpaClub® services, please call Reservations at toll-free: 866.860.4662.

 

Have fun!!!! We're just a little more then a month from sailing,,

[Capitalflow]

The only thing I can say about your first cruise on QM2, is that its likely not to be your last.

 

Cheers Mike.

 

We are already considering our next trip - I'd like to sail next on the Queen Victoria. I mentioned to Jim the Med. sailing in November but alas, I was rebuffed; "I don't want to spend another two week vacation this year on another boat."

 

But considering the amount of money we spent this weekend on attire, we better get some use out of it!! (Plus yesterday we bought an Electrolux dishwasher and a Samsung Refridgerator - who knew Samsung made 'fridges? Jim laughed when the sales clerk was showing it to us -- he rolled his eyes and said; "Samsung is making the television we just ordered.")

 

Mike 14C: I'll ring CR tomorrow. I might try the accupuncture - never have and despite being in excellent health, I hear that it is good for boosting energy levels.

 

Cheers -

 

Rob't.

[Bigmike911]

Rob't the Venice to Fl Lauderdale is November 20, 2011 so you would have a whole 18 months to work on Skyhigh. However, there is a lovely little 14 day cruise from LA to Hawaii and back next 17 February which I think will be fun.

 

I have only done one on the Victoria, A year ago January from NYC to LAX the first leg of her then world cruise. She is a very different and smaller ship built for cruising, rather than TA.

 

The new Queen Elizabeth will be an exact copy of the QV and will be doing the World Cruise through the Panama Canal next year. Vicky will be lounging around in the Caribbean, Panama and Hawaii at the same time. Most of the Qs are Q6 with only six Q5s aft. I have booked a particular suite on 8 deck because is has a very large terrace, which I thought pleasant for the south Pacific.

 

For Venice, I am booking a Q5 guarantee to see what the Pixies can do. Crossing the mediterranian and mid-Atlantic in late November suggest that a large terrace probably isn't going to add much.

 

This whole ship travel business can be very addictive.

 

Mike.

[Skyhigh]

Thanks gents for the friendly advice. Hopefully we will look look very dapper for dinner after our shopping spree yesterday. I have a feeling the sales clerk is already celebrating making his sales goal with 12 more days to go in the month.

 

We haven't received any documentation yet. Should we be worried?

 

Cheers,

Jim

[Bigmike911]

Jim, did you receive a confirmation from Cunard for your initial booking. It will have a six character confirmation number (like the airlines). You can log into Cunard.dot com and click on the voyager personalizer button on the lower right of the home page.

 

It will take you to the detail personalizer, where you can input your personal details, emergency notification, passport information. You can print out the voyage details, and your etickets. With these documents and your passport your good to go. If you need White Star Luggage service number its:1-888-491-0774.

 

If you don't have the confirmation number, a quick call to your TA can get it.

 

I am sure that you and Robert will look quite dapper. I fancy we will be a quite dapper group entering the QG on formal nights. Just don't get caviar on your cummerbund. I always travel with three or four tie and cummerbunds including my family tartan which I ordered in Edinburgh a couple years ago. I may also bring my tartan trousers to wear with my tux jacket. I get a kick out of getting dressed up.

 

I didn't ask if you were going back with us on the 1st, or flying back. It looks like the air situation is beginning to break over there, so you should not have any problem getting back. As a back up, we check with Cunard for our pal Tom, and can put him on our sofa bed westbound for about $2,600 if it comes to that.

 

The cruise is five weeks from Friday, and we're flying to NYC five weeks from tomorrow. I am getting excited already.

 

Mike.

[Skyhigh]

We have our booking confirmation # and have already entered in all of our details for the personalizer, but i was under the impression that we would receive information in the mail.

 

We are spending a few days in London before flying back. Unfortunately I'm chained to the desk most of the time and my VP likes me in close range. I guess that's a good thing in times like these and for what its worth i tend to be the only one in the office who takes "long" vacations. Can't decide whether to come back on Monday and maximize the London time or come back on Sunday to give us a day to acclimate. We were just in London a few weeks ago to see some great plays (Kim Cattrall spat her muffin into the 2nd row and onto Robert in Private Lives) and we will miss our puppies a lot while we are away. Of course there is always the early flight back to Houston on Monday with the great brunch menu option on Continental, but the flight is sooooo early. Too many decisions.....

 

cheers, Jim

[Bigmike911]

Did you get a chance to see "Love never dies", We have tix for 31st May? Its gotten interesting reviews, but it should be fun.

 

Its nice to be wanted at work, but I remember for a while I was the only one who could deal with "stuff" which usually involved a 10 to 14 hours trip. No I don't love Joburg, or Kuala Lumpur or even Milan with certain people.

 

Enjoy the time at sea, turn the BB off and say the sat dish was out of position, have a great long weekend in London, and arrived back fully recharged. Your boss will love it. You will have so much energy.

 

Plan to join us for the sail away party on Friday 21st. Send me an email at Bigmike911@aol.com and I will give you details and time. You too Mike 14C

 

Mike

[mike14c]

Just shot you an e-mail, Bigmike. Thanks!!

 

So, I was looking at my tux, and its still in fine shape (though what was I thinking with the shawl collar?) but I'm thinking with four formal nights I may buy myself a spare. Stopped in Saks yesterday, and there house lable really isn't so expensive. Of coure, I also have my off-white dinner jacket, which I wear without any compunction in the summer , but I think its too earlyto wear for this mid-may voyage -- don't you guys?

 

Mike

[Bigmike911]

Mike, go for it. I have seen White DJs in all seasons. You will look dashing.

 

Mike

 

PS got your email and sent you an invite.

[Capitalflow]

Did you get a chance to see "Love never dies", We have tix for 31st May? Its gotten interesting reviews, but it should be fun.

 

 

According to the NYT, it should be titled, "Paint Never Dries." So we didn't see it. But I am not always in line with the critics.

[Capitalflow]

Of coure, I also have my off-white dinner jacket, which I wear without any compunction in the summer , but I think its too earlyto wear for this mid-may voyage -- don't you guys?

 

Mike

 

No, not at all. Keep inmind we are from Texas, where our summer season starts in March.:) Seriously, late-May is perfectly acceptable and if its any consolation, Mike, I plan on wearing mine.

 

Rob't.

[Bigmike911]

Gee, now I am wondering if I should bring my white to the wear on the Westbound in June, or save it for the trip to Hawaii in February, not summer as we know it, but oh so tropical, and with 8 sea days I am sure there will be many formal evenings. Well that makes my mind up. Black on the Atlantic, White on the Pacific.

 

See you all in 4 weeks.

 

Mike.