QM2 - January 3, 2006

[first time cunarder]

10:00 PM at the Commodore Club for a couple of beers is fine with me. Then off to G32 to dance.

 

2:00 PM Tuesday in the Chart Room sounds great as well particularly for those who might not make the Commodore Club the night before.

 

Peter

[lk4xits]

10:00 PM at the Commodore Club for a couple of beers is fine with me. Then off to G32 to dance.

 

2:00 PM Tuesday in the Chart Room sounds great as well particularly for those who might not make the Commodore Club the night before.

 

Peter

 

 

 

Jon, Peter,

 

We will make it to the Chart room,and give the Commodore room a try on sailaway night. Four of us are taking a stretch limo to the ship, from Queens, and should be ready for a long evening on January 3rd.

 

So far the NYC transportation strike has had little effect on me personally as we are out on Long Island most of the time. Hopefully it will all be a sad memory by this time next week. Less then two weeks to go!!!!

 

m:)

[travel-to-go]

Jon, Peter,

 

We will make it to the Chart room,and give the Commodore room a try on sailaway night. Four of us are taking a stretch limo to the ship, from Queens, and should be ready for a long evening on January 3rd.

 

So far the NYC transportation strike has had little effect on me personally as we are out on Long Island most of the time. Hopefully it will all be a sad memory by this time next week. Less then two weeks to go!!!!

 

m:)

 

Well, you know that I will be there- Hopefully for both- Although, after a long day and satisfying late dinner, Someone may have to find a rolling chair to wheel me to the Commodore!

 

As I posted in another thread, I spent the better part of the day with my lame mapping software trying to figure out how to get to New York. I'm terrified of getting lost, going around in circles and ending up in interminable traffic jams and missing the ship! My plan is to take I-84/684 into the city from Connecticut, to the Hutchinson River Parkway, then hit the Henry Hudson Parkway (I think- maybe it goes striaght from the Hutchinson to Cross County) over to the Cross-County expressway to Route 9A which goes along the Hudson River all the way down to the piers with very few entrance and exit ramps. That will make it very difficult for me to get lost, stuck in the wrong lane which takes me over the GW Bridge, or end up in a traffic jam. It apears the strike is affecting the East side more than the West side (I'm so proud of myself, Three days of reading maps has taught me one from the other! <LOL>)

Does that make sense to you? Or to anyone else from the area?

 

And BTW, What part of Lawn Guy Land are you from? I do a BIT better there (though not much) I've ventured down to Jones Beach all by myself on occasion for the Buffett concert, and I've also gone over to Southhampton. (Now that's a trip by ferry and then dealing with all of the little cuts and the ferry betweeen the North Fork and the South Fork!)

 

I'm getting crazy now, trying to figure out what to pack, last minute shopping, etc! I'll be glad when i am safely on board and whatever I forgot to do or bring, it's just too bad!

 

Karie

Ready for that Mojito NOW (Though Marc did make me a Mangorita tongiht!)

[lk4xits]

Well, you know that I will be there- Hopefully for both- Although, after a long day and satisfying late dinner, Someone may have to find a rolling chair to wheel me to the Commodore!

 

As I posted in another thread, I spent the better part of the day with my lame mapping software trying to figure out how to get to New York. I'm terrified of getting lost, going around in circles and ending up in interminable traffic jams and missing the ship! My plan is to take I-84/684 into the city from Connecticut, to the Hutchinson River Parkway, then hit the Henry Hudson Parkway (I think- maybe it goes striaght from the Hutchinson to Cross County) over to the Cross-County expressway to Route 9A which goes along the Hudson River all the way down to the piers with very few entrance and exit ramps. That will make it very difficult for me to get lost, stuck in the wrong lane which takes me over the GW Bridge, or end up in a traffic jam. It apears the strike is affecting the East side more than the West side (I'm so proud of myself, Three days of reading maps has taught me one from the other! <LOL>)

Does that make sense to you? Or to anyone else from the area?

 

And BTW, What part of Lawn Guy Land are you from? I do a BIT better there (though not much) I've ventured down to Jones Beach all by myself on occasion for the Buffett concert, and I've also gone over to Southhampton. (Now that's a trip by ferry and then dealing with all of the little cuts and the ferry betweeen the North Fork and the South Fork!)

 

I'm getting crazy now, trying to figure out what to pack, last minute shopping, etc! I'll be glad when i am safely on board and whatever I forgot to do or bring, it's just too bad!

 

Karie

Ready for that Mojito NOW (Though Marc did make me a Mangorita tongiht!)

 

Hi Karie,

 

We are from Queens, Bayside and Flushing.

Like your drivimg plan one thought,at the end of 684 can uou take the cross westchester to the saw mill river parkway south to 9A?

 

m

 

Had two great Mojito's in the new Wynn Hotel in LV didnt help the cards though. See you soon!

 

m

[first time cunarder]

Hello All:

 

The excitement really started when I watched the QM2 depart on 12/20 around 7:50 pm on webcam. I had set it on my computer around 5 and kept checking back every ten minutes. Finally it started moving bit by bit. It was great knowing that we'll all be on it when it next sails away.

 

10PM the Commodore Lounge, I'll be fortified by a few Boddingtons by that time.

 

Happy Holidays to All.

 

Peter

[cruiserking]

Looking forward to meeting everyone at our double barrelled meetings on Sailaway day and first Sea day. Not long till start dusting off the old suitcase...

 

Long range weather forecast for January 3 calling for overcast skies with high of 36, two weeks tomorrow we're in St. Thomas.

 

Happy Holidays Everyone!

 

Jonathan

[travel-to-go]

Hi Karie,

 

We are from Queens, Bayside and Flushing.

Like your drivimg plan one thought,at the end of 684 can uou take the cross westchester to the saw mill river parkway south to 9A?

 

m

 

I had originally worked it going all the way down the Saw Mill, but it is pretty narrow in places, I remember, with no break down lane, and tooling along at 55, then suddenly, out of nowhere- a stoplight!

 

I will look at taking the Westchester over. I am so unfamiliar with driving around there. Most of what I learned was from a trip to and from the Philly area a year ago August! Different trip in the winter, I am sure!

 

I just want to leave as easy as I can to be sure to leave time for getting lost. Our boarding time is set for 12:30. Map software estimates 3 hours 39 minutes and 59 seconds! I'll call it four hours to be safe! (We are in Eastern Connecticut- sort of near the casinos, but not really that close- a bit north west of Mohegan)

 

As for Mojitos- They may not have helped the cards- It's like beer and bowling! You may not bowl better, but you either THINK you do, or you don't care! (or you have an excuse for all those gutter balls and not making those easy pick-ups!)

 

Can't wait!

It's like being a kid, waiting for Christmas!

 

P.S. Thanks for giving me some warm fuzzies that we may survive the drive down! <G>

[first time cunarder]

Hello: Travel - to - Go

 

Are you having friends drive you to the pier or are you leaving your car there? We left our car at the pier last November which was very convenient but I am hesitant about doing it in mid winter.

 

I am thinking about taking something called the limo-liner bus from Boston to the New York Hilton weather permitting. It's a luxury bus with only 20 seats, snack service, etc. and the fare is about the same as the train. If not we'll take the train. In any case we are going down on Monday so my wife can see the 5PM Christmas show at Radio City Music, the lights, window displays, etc. I'll settle for the ND - Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Game that is also scheduled for 5PM.

[cruiserking]

Good News, confirmed by Travelgals currently aboard the QM2 that indeed Commodore Wawryk will be at the helm of our January 3, 2006 voyage.

 

Bad News, current weather predictions for January 3 in New York a mixture of snow and rain, I really hope the weather patterns shift around otherwise we could be in for a bumpy night.

 

Jonathan

[lk4xits]

[Bad News, current weather predictions for January 3 in New York a mixture of snow and rain, I really hope the weather patterns shift around otherwise we could be in for a bumpy night.

 

Jonathan

 

Strangely we encountered snow of all things in the foothills of Los Angelas the night before our Mexican Riviera cruise on NCL Star last thanksgiving.

Of course we were so far south that it was 60 degrees before you knew it and 80-90 farenheit the rest of the way down to Acapulco.

 

I have never cruised in snow conditions. I would imagine this is common in the North Atlantic in Winter. When my wife first came to America, as a child she crossed the Atlantic from Gdansk on the old MS Batory (spy ship) in 1948. The crossing was rough, she remembers rain in Southampton but no snow.

 

Should be interesting. May have to switch from Mojito to dry martini with triple olives the first night.

 

Would I be violating any protocal if I had a vodka Martini instead of one made with Bombay Gin?. Anyone do flights of tequila?

 

What is Boddington is it a beer like Bass ale?

 

Marty:)

[travel-to-go]

Should be interesting. May have to switch from Mojito to dry martini with triple olives the first night.

 

Would I be violating any protocal if I had a vodka Martini instead of one made with Bombay Gin?. Anyone do flights of tequila?

 

What is Boddington is it a beer like Bass ale?

 

Marty:)

 

Hmm, I disaprove of Vodka for Martinis- Vodka is for people who don't like the taste of booze! But to each his own. I like you, so I'll let it go! <G>

Flight of Tequila? Well, sometimes I THINK I can fly without a plane after it! <LOL> And the first time I ever did tequila shots was with the skydiving club after the day's jumps were done! I assume that's what you mean by "flights"?

 

<sigh>

I hope we don't have to test your theories on cruising in snow. I've flown in snow squalls. In fact, I have the coolest picture of the plane in one, with snow in one spot and bright sunlight in another!

Since I'm driving to NYC, I don't need to deal with the extra hassle of snow! We've decided if it seriously looks like snow for 3 January, we may go down on Monday and stay somewhere outside of NYC- Like maybe White Plains (Which they WILL be, if it snows! <G>)

 

Karie

 

P.S. If I do Sapphire Martinis, you can have my olives, Marty. I don't eat them.

[cruiserking]

Origionally posted by Lk4xits

Flights of tequila

 

Not quite sure what that is, a dry martini sounds like a good bet, save the mojito's for the balmy days in the Caribbean.

 

Just learned how to upload pictures with the assistance of Globaliser on the help boards. Here's a sight I long to see, The QM2 glowing like a Christmas Tree. A stroll down the gang plank in Curacao will bestow us with this technicolor vision.

 

 

Jonathan

[lk4xits]

I like you too!! I will switch to Gibson's (gin and triple onions):) Flights are like shots yes! I drink various tequilas mostly reposado's straight with Sangrita (not Sangria) and of course Margaritas on the rocks or straight up.

 

Seriously I would hope for clear weather for those driving and or flying in on 1/3/06 or earlier. Would a car service be too expensive from North Eastern CT. Incidentally we were in Westbrook CT this summer on the Sound at the old "Bill Hahn". Our summer cottage is just 20 minutes west of Danbury in Hopewell Junction, NY But North East CT is quite a distance.

 

Soon............

 

m

[lk4xits]

Absolutely fabulous.

 

m

[travel-to-go]

I like you too!! I will switch to Gibson's (gin and triple onions):) Flights are like shots yes! I drink various tequilas mostly reposado's straight with Sangrita (not Sangria) and of course Margaritas on the rocks or straight up.

 

Seriously I would hope for clear weather for those driving and or flying in on 1/3/06 or earlier. Would a car service be too expensive from North Eastern CT. Incidentally we were in Westbrook CT this summer on the Sound at the old "Bill Hahn". Our summer cottage is just 20 minutes west of Danbury in Hopewell Junction, NY But North East CT is quite a distance.

 

Soon............

 

m

I'm a couple of hours East (and North) of either Danbury or Westbrook. Hmm, Bill Hahn's I'm not familiar with, but I know someone by the name of Bill Haun!

I suppose I could sneak on board some Cabo Wabo, which I finally decided to try, despite its rock origins. It's actually good! or some Milagro Reposada and Don Julio Anejo. I have an unopened good sized bottle of the Don Julio I bought in Cozumel last Christmas! As for the Mojitos, I've never heard of snow in Havana. Maybe the Mojitos is what keeps it away! <LOL> Oh, and Margaritas- Rocks, no salt for me! Salty 'ritas always reminds me of wiping out on my surfboard s a teen in Daytona! And I can always tell if they've accidentally made it with salt, then wiiped it off or tossed it into another glass. Nowadays I make them take it back. It tastes like drinking salt water! UGH!

 

By the way, if yo're bored, and want to look it up we live in Colchester, CT- Down Route 2 from Hartford. I work in Rocky Hill, South of Hartford on 91. It is 30 miles from my house to work.

 

Karie

[rgreenba]

Could someone please review the times and locations for our group get-to-

togethers. Also, has anyone used the washing machines aboard the ship? Thanks.

[cruiserking]

rgreenba,

 

First Meeting : We are meeting on January 3, 10 pm at the Commodore Club on deck 9.

 

Second Meeting: 2 pm on our first sea day, January 4, at the Chart Room Lounge on deck 3.

 

I've not used the washing machines, but, they are located on almost every deck, are free of charge and detergent is complementary.

 

Jonathan

[travel-to-go]

Hello: Travel - to - Go

 

Are you having friends drive you to the pier or are you leaving your car there? We left our car at the pier last November which was very convenient but I am hesitant about doing it in mid winter.

 

I am thinking about taking something called the limo-liner bus from Boston to the New York Hilton weather permitting. It's a luxury bus with only 20 seats, snack service, etc. and the fare is about the same as the train. If not we'll take the train. In any case we are going down on Monday so my wife can see the 5PM Christmas show at Radio City Music, the lights, window displays, etc. I'll settle for the ND - Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Game that is also scheduled for 5PM.

 

Sorry 1st-timer! I missed this post earlier.

We are driving.

I looked at a few different options and by the time you schlep luggage around and find and pay a cabbie from bus/train station and tip several times for handling luggage, I would just as soon have the luxury of dropping the luggage off, parking the car, and paying the $150.00 to park there, When we get ready to leave, one of us can stay with the luggage while the other brings the car down, and we're on our way! We don't have to keep to anyone else's schedule. The parking is in a fenced area with 24 hour security.

[lk4xits]

Sorry 1st-timer! I missed this post earlier.

We are driving.

I looked at a few different options and by the time you schlep luggage around and find and pay a cabbie from bus/train station and tip several times for handling luggage, I would just as soon have the luxury of dropping the luggage off, parking the car, and paying the $150.00 to park there, When we get ready to leave, one of us can stay with the luggage while the other brings the car down, and we're on our way! We don't have to keep to anyone else's schedule. The parking is in a fenced area with 24 hour security.

 

Dear Ms K,

Four of us are sharing a stretch limo round trip. How about Connecticut Limo round trip and leave the driving and schlepping to them??? It may cost a few bucks extra but less aggravation. Of course this is none of my business lol but I like you and I want you and your SO to get to the ship safely.

 

m

[travel-to-go]

Dear Ms K,

Four of us are sharing a stretch limo round trip. How about Connecticut Limo round trip and leave the driving and schlepping to them??? It may cost a few bucks extra but less aggravation. Of course this is none of my business lol but I like you and I want you and your SO to get to the ship safely.

 

m

 

Where are you taking the limo from?

I kind of looked into it, also Arrow Line, it was about twice as much, easily, and I would still have had to drive somewhere and leave my car. The regular CT Limo service to JFK doesn't do much for me, and For just the two of us to rent even a town car (which might not hold all of our luggage easily) was pretty high.

[lk4xits]

Where are you taking the limo from?

I kind of looked into it, also Arrow Line, it was about twice as much, easily, and I would still have had to drive somewhere and leave my car. The regular CT Limo service to JFK doesn't do much for me, and For just the two of us to rent even a town car (which might not hold all of our luggage easily) was pretty high.

 

Karie,

 

Some car services provide a station wagon for,extra luggage.Small stretch is more costly, Our limo will make two stops in Queens. Of course we have two families sharing the tab.

 

m

[first time cunarder]

I saw a couple of notes I will try to answer.

 

Boddington's is an ale and it's not heavy tasting. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I used the self service washing/dryers on our trip. Had to search about 3 decks to find washer not in use. And, someone took my clothes out of the dryer when they were dry but before the cycle ended. The dryer was spinning and the culprit was waiting for it to finish so they could put their clothing in it.

 

Of course that was nothing, wait until the half price sail on t-shirts and baseball hats. It matched anything I heard about or saw at Filenes Basement. That might have been because it was the ship's first season.

 

The photo in an earlier message is beautiful. The ship looks like a true Queen.

 

We can all take tomorrow off and then the countdown can begin.

 

Happy Holidays to All.

[rgreenba]

Is Cunard strict about the embarkation schedule? If I'm scheduled to embark at 1:30 p.m. will they let me on at noon or do I have to wait? (Is this a perk for loyal customers?)

 

Also, how fast should I get my luggage.

 

And last but not least, is there a way to disembark early to catch a flight home?

 

:rolleyes:

[rgreenba]

When I tell people I am going on Cunard they respond with digs such as "Cunard is so stuffy and snobby". As a veteran Celebrity cruiser I can appreciate the level of sophistication it has over other lines such as Carnival. Now I'm wondering just how "stuffy" is Cunard or is it? Are these people just jealous?

 

:confused:

[lk4xits]

When I tell people I am going on Cunard they respond with digs such as "Cunard is so stuffy and snobby". As a veteran Celebrity cruiser I can appreciate the level of sophistication it has over other lines such as Carnival. Now I'm wondering just how "stuffy" is Cunard or is it? Are these people just jealous?

 

:confused:

 

Although my third Cunard Cruise this is my first "Queen" I suspect that those critics are incorrect. We look forward to the QM2 and the new friends we will make while on board.

 

We did an eastbound on the Brilliance of the Seas last spring and will do the Jewel of the Seas to Scandinavia and Russia this spring. People who travel on Ocean going trips are generally more sophisticated as you indicated, not stuffy or snobby. I wonder of anyone of these people you have spoken with have ever cruised with Cunard before?

 

Of course let me hasten to say this is my opinion; meanwhile time is fast approaching!!

 

Marty:)