JUST RETURNED FROM QM2 back to back

[bkecky]

Actually, no. All they have to do is rotate shifts. Those that work late shifts, start late. Those that get off early, start early. Same with the Casino. We've been told that the casino has to close early to allow the casino staff to "get their rest". Please.....there are shifts. We have a friend who has a daughter working on Celebrity. Her favorite nights are when a "fellow worker" is getting off the ship to go home. The plan is to close the casino as early as possible so they can have the going away party downstairs. Obviously all the staff work very hard jobs but the bottom line is still...they obviously chose this job and it does involve passengers. :)

 

Casino staff I can understand (especially as they have those nice port days off!) but the bar staff I think is a different matter. You still cannot expect them to work unlimited hours until the passengers decide it's time for them to close. Just as your wouldn't expect a bar at home to stay open until the punters decided it was time to close. They need free time (even if that does include time to let their hair down) and rest otherwise they would go insane! There is a reason that Cunard provide White Star Parties for the crew. I know from having worked similar hours as a bar waitress abroad, it can really make you ill if you don't get that down-time. And even if those crew may not be working, they still have other duties they may have to be up for, such as emergency drills, IPM, cabin inspections, staff meetings etc. OK, if you are opening Cafe Carinthia at 6am, you will be let off around 10pm. However if you are working the "late shift", it's not like a bar on land where you will be working the next evening. I had a close friend on Cunard and I know that closing the pub could still mean that sometimes you would be there again in the morning. Yes, you are compensated by a longer afternoon break but still... They have to have firm closing times otherwise you would get some passengers (probably including myself :eek:) there until REALLY late. I'm sure if Cunard felt there was a financial benefit to extending opening hours, they would accommodate them. As it happens, I have rarely seen much of a "busy" nightlife except on odd occasions on any Cunard ship since the QE2's Yacht Club, with the exception of the odd night here and there. And even that was dependent on the cruise.

[deck chair]

Hello

 

Thanks for all your comments and contributions. You are all so awesome and I have learned a lot!!!

 

While I love the Commodore CLub especially when Campbell Simpson is playing the piano it does have its limitations. While it does have spellbinding views of the bow, even when it is foggy and it is great place to listen to the fog horn......It does not have the wider great views that the Commodore Club on Queen Victoria enjoys. First the windows are much smaller which limits the views and when the sun sets, the blinds must be lowered so as not to interfere with bridge operations. All of a sudden this room that was so open becomes rather closed up as if you are in a closet...

 

I wonder if during one of the refits if more windows can be added and the existing windows enlarged to allow a more sweeping view. From many sections of the club you cannot really see much at all. I don't know about you but I am on a ship to watch and be next to the sea!!!

 

By day I really enjoyed settling into a comfortable chair and reading. It is a quiet venue during the day....Late in the afternoon it serves as the meeting point for Friends of Dorothy....it is amazing to me how many passengerts don't even know this lounge exists...of course the ship is so big it is hard to discover every corner if you are first time passenger....okay first time passengers, it is located on deck 9 way forward. I know it can be a bit of a walk but well worth it!!! What a nice cozy space it is...

 

The service in this lounge is really great especially if you are a regular and the staff gets to know your preferences. During the cocktail hour hot treats are served to somplement the drinks. As always at night, there are enough candles burning to inspire anyone to write a novel or to propose marriage...enough candles to compose a symphony or a poem...enough candles that you never want to get off...enought candles that you can be happy forever!!!!

 

Of course on a Transatlantinic crossing the weather can be all over the board....what I think would be fabulous is if the entertainment director scheduled a sunset event (depending on weather) on the aft deck with music by the strings to celebrate the setting sun on the stunning sea. I think so many passengers would attend it could be a real money maker as of course, everyone would want to toast the setting sun with their lovebird. EVERYONE WOULD WANT TO TOAST THE SETTING SUN TO THE STRINGS ON THIS TREMENDOUS LINER AS IT MOVES SO GREATLY AND GRACEFULLY THROUGH THE SEAS.

 

Right??? WHAT DO YOU THINK????

 

TO BE CONTINUED

 

DECK CHAIR

Edited October 18, 2011 by deck chair

[Calliope]

 

While I love the Commodore CLub...it does have its limitations. While it does have spellbinding views of the bow, even when it is foggy and it is great place to listen to the fog horn......It does not have the wider great views that the Commodore Club on Queen Victoria enjoys. First the windows are much smaller which limits the views and when the sun sets, the blinds must be lowered so as not to interfere with bridge operations. All of a sudden this room that was so open becomes rather closed up as if you are in a closet...

 

I wonder if during one of the refits if more windows can be added and the existing windows enlarged to allow a more sweeping view. From many sections of the club you cannot really see much at all. I don't know about you but I am on a ship to watch and be next to the sea!!!

 

 

Unfortunately, having larger or more windows across the bridgefront could have deadly results. One playful slap of a North Atlantic wave has been known to have deadly consequences. I forget which of the Italian Line sisters was hit by a wave during a crossing and the forward superstructure collapsed killing two passengers.

[deck chair]

Hello

 

I think that most passengers who sail on transatlantic crossings on board QM2 very much appreciate that it is a learning experience as well....with so many days at sea there are opportunities to gain new knowledge...

 

On my back to back crossings this is what was available during the voyages:

 

1. Demystifying the night sky

 

2. Watercoloring lessons.

 

3. Bridge lessons.

 

4. Dance lessons.

 

5. Computer lessons.

 

6. The mystery behind art.

 

7. Lectures by BBC war correspondent MArtin Bell

 

8. Acting lessons by RADA

 

9. Lecture on Saudi Arabia

 

10. HIstory of navigation

 

11. ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: The dawn of science.

 

12. Maritime lectures.

 

13. The Arab invasions of North Africa.

 

14. Napkin folding lessons.

 

15. Jewellery lessons.

 

16. Military intelligence in the MIddle East.

 

17. Living in the atmosphere of the sun.

 

18. History of Impressionism

 

19. Revolutions in the Arab world

 

20. Cooking demonstrations

 

21. Book club discussions.

 

22. The search for life: Are we alone?

 

23. The serious side of stealing...(How to avoid being a victim.)

 

24. Tunguska's legacy.

 

Those are the lesons and learning experience on the 8/22/11. Is there something for you? Of course there even more on the voyage back 8/29/11. So please stay tuned for those....

 

Deck Chair

Edited October 22, 2011 by deck chair

[eratog2]

Yes, one or two on there that interest me - I am sure there will be lots more by the time the cruise comes around. :)

[Mysticalmother]

Hello

 

I think that most passengers who sail on transatlantic crossings on board QM2 very much appreciate that it is a learning experience as well....with so many days at sea there are opportunities to gain new knowledge...

 

On my back to back crossings this is what was available during the voyages:

 

1. Demystifying the night sky

 

2. Watercoloring lessons.

 

3. Bridge lessons.

 

4. Dance lessons.

 

5. Computer lessons.

 

6. The mystery behind art.

 

7. Lectures by BBC war correspondent MArtin Bell

 

8. Acting lessons by RADA

 

9. Lecture on Saudi Arabia

 

10. HIstory of navigation

 

11. ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: The dawn of science.

 

12. Maritime lectures.

 

13. The Arab invasions of North Africa.

 

14. Napkin folding lessons.

 

15. Jewellery lessons.

 

16. Military intelligence in the MIddle East.

 

17. Living in the atmosphere of the sun.

 

18. History of Impressionism

 

19. Revolutions in the Arab world

 

20. Cooking demonstrations

 

21. Book club discussions.

 

22. The search for life: Are we alone?

 

23. The serious side of stealing...(How to avoid being a victim.)

 

24. Tunguska's legacy.

 

Those are the lesons and learning experience on the 8/22/11. Is there something for you? Of course there even more on the voyage back 8/29/11. So please stay tuned for those....

 

Deck Chair

 

Well said....But you have also forgotten the learning experiences of playing Baggo, silly skittles, paddle tennis, golf, deck quoits and shuffleboard for the first time...new sports for many!

[capnpugwash]

Napkin folding has changed my life.

[shinyshoes]

Napkin folding has changed my life.

 

And a good thing too. You have far far too much fun.

Shiny

[WillH]

Hello one and all!

 

 

A NEW CONTROVERSY OVER PARTIES: This needs to be said: As I noted I have sailed with Cunard many times and am at a DIAMOND level. On every previous voyage I have recieved an invitation to the World Club Party and the SENIOR OFFICERS PARTY even when on board for connecting voyages. NOT SO THIS VOYAGE!!! I received an invitation to the World Club party and Senior Officers party for the Eastbound sailing and a World Club party but not the Senior Officers party for the westbound which I found to be very odd. When I inquired, I was told those on the connecting voyages would only be going to one Senior Officers affair. When I softly complained, did find an invitation in my cabin. BUt why should I have to complain? Of course, I realize this change was initiated to cut costs but at what loss?

DECK CHAIR

 

Does anyone know if this restriction still continues ? We are just about to embark on a 3 segment QM2 voyage and wonder if we will be invited to 1 or 3 rounds of World Club and Senior Officers parties ?

 

Many Thanks

 

William

[Runners]

Does anyone know if this restriction still continues ? We are just about to embark on a 3 segment QM2 voyage and wonder if we will be invited to 1 or 3 rounds of World Club and Senior Officers parties ?

 

Many Thanks

 

William

William………………we sailed on the QM2 2010 World Cruise and Queen Elizabeth 2011 World Cruise. On the QM2 we were invited to the Senior Offices party, welcome aboard Party and World Cruise Party every segment. On the Queen Elizabeth World Cruise we were only invited to the World Cruise Party every segment. We were no longer wanted ant the other parties. We expressed our displeasure with this new policy but to no avail. We are Diamond Members but this did not carry any weight. If their policy has changed, please let us know.

[WillH]

Runners - Many thanks.

 

I'll update based on our experience of the trip starting this Friday.

 

William

[deck chair]

Hello one and all

 

I thought I would bring this thread back to life....since this voyage, I have sailed on the Queen Mary four times....every crossing is fabulous....I leave again on 8/27 and return on the 9/8 sailing....let me know what you think..

 

Deck Chair

[pmb1]

My wife and I will be on that 19-day jaunt too; it (at least the first leg) has a roll call if you're interested. Bon Vovage!

[sarafinadh]

I've always wondered what was so special about sitting at the Captain's table. Yes I know it's quite a fun idea (well to me it is, rather than daunting), but this whole idea of "meeting the captain" is beyond me.

 

Karen I had to laugh as I read your post.

 

Somewhere around here, floating around is a post with the story of a cranky older lady on board who was invited/assigned to the Captain's Table and complained bitterly about 'having to eat with the staff!!'

 

So not everyone views the Capt's table as a special treat ; -)

Edited July 16, 2014 by sarafinadh

[pmb1]

Karen I had to laugh as I read your post.

 

Somewhere around here, floating around is a post with the story of a cranky older lady on board who was invited/assigned to the Captain's Table and complained bitterly about 'having to eat with the staff!!'

 

So not everyone views the Capt's table as a special treat ; -)

The last word about dining at the Captain's table was uttered by Onslow 56:30 into this Keeping Up Appearances classic video.

[snoozy]

The last word about dining at the Captain's table was uttered by Onslow 56:30 into this Keeping Up Appearances classic video.

 

so funny, I've just watched the whole episode for the very first time. thank you for making my day.:)

[pmb1]

so funny, I've just watched the whole episode for the very first time. thank you for making my day.:)

You're welcome. I'm sure that all the Cunard captains enjoyed it as well.

[MsDeva]

You're welcome. I'm sure that all the Cunard captains enjoyed it as well.

 

God bless Mrs Bucket....:)

[pmb1]

God bless Mrs Bucket....:)

... and all who sail in her.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for the report.

[capnpugwash]

Thanks for the report.

 

It was 2011!