QM2 post-refit TA log

[3rdGenCunarder]

Very disappointing to learn how disorganized thing have been. Embarkation is often a mess, although yours surpassed even the worst ones I've had. But towels??? Glad they appeared at last. I thought maybe you'd need to run over to M&S at the mall in Southampton and pick up a few towels just in case. :eek:

 

As for the lobby lights, those can be disabled permanently if enough people complain. Sounds unbelievably tacky!

 

If I understand correctly, the deck 2 and 3 cabins have blocked off what had been public hallways? Doesn't that reduce the options for getting to the Queens Room? (my memory is still sketchy on those routes, and now they're going to confuse me further!)

Edited June 22, 2016 by 3rdGenCunarder

[3rdGenCunarder]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write those great reports along with the pictures from the first voyage on board an almost brand new ship!

Very interessting to read. Some may love the new carpets, upolstery or whatever, some may not- they ( Cunard ) can hardly achive to please everyone.

The new carpets in the hallway´s are really something- quite daring I should say. First I thought they forgot to remove part of the plastic wrap. LOL!

WHAT DID I JUST READ- NO MORE EIGHT BELL´S ! I CAN´T BELIEVE MY EYES!!! WHERE IS THAT BELL??? SUCH A GREAT TRADITION!!! OH OH I CAN ALREADY FEEL THE OUTCRY... !

Again- thanks! I can´t wait to board the Mary in New York on July 6th - two more weeks to go!

 

Perhaps the bell was put away somewhere for safekeeping and they just haven't found it yet? I hope they put it back. Whether they continue to ring eight bells or not, it was just a lovely touch having it there.

[BlueRiband]

Visited Illuminations this morning – it looks untouched to me. I don’t see any seats taped over as broken but then again I haven’t tried them. There is a disconnect for me when Cunard advertises the “only planetarium at sea” and then the seats to view it are broken. Let’s hope they’ve been fixed, especially after all of the other work boasting of a complete “remastering”.

Just before 8:30 a crew member in Illuminations told me that Catholic Mass was cancelled because the chaplain didn’t board in Hamburg as expected. Just then a very elderly man wearing a clerical collar came in and said, “I’m not the chaplain but I can have Mass.” He was traveling as a passenger and expected to concelebrate. I was impressed with how quickly a bare stage was set up. Maybe they had crew masses during the refit because all of the accoutrements needed were quickly found and set up. (I’ve seen him on board before. He’s obviously of very advanced age but surprising is very energetic in this speech and possesses a very sharp intellect.)

Another thing missing: her teak promenade deck chairs. A table mate tells me that they all came off in Southampton on the EB before dry dock. He tells me they also came off in other trips from Southampton to Hamburg because, as he says, “Maybe the Germans break them.” The bins for holding the cushions are being re-varnished so there is an obvious intent to restore them.

Nobody from CC shows up in the Commodore Club, so I’ll see if this changes after Southampton.

Some operational notes. We did a speed test 0-20 knots - 43 seconds.

Tomorrow we are due to dock at 6:30AM after QM2 is escorted in by her "little sisters".

[BlueRiband]

Just some answers to some queries here. I'll have to check access to the Queen's room on the starboard side. It's possbile to access it port side by passing by the deck 2 solo cabins but they make it hard to find - apparently to discourage this.

 

I hope it means that they also did something about the speedo-clad bathers who tried to short cut through the former Todd English.

 

No, I didn't notice which bars were open as I'm a Friend of Bill. Is Cunard allowed to open the bar while in port?

[Bostonjetset]

Thanks for the updates! It is great being able to travel vicariously through you.

 

I also am not a fan of the new lobby/lift bank carpets but perhaps they will grow on us? The previous carpets really did seem more elegant.

 

The one thing I was truly shocked at was when you mentioned Michael Kors!! Really, Cunard? There was no other brand you could put in that space? Perhaps a nice English brand with heritage and high quality like Smythson or Mulberry? They picked an American brand that produces most of their goods in China; goods that are not even close to the level of quality that the previous occupiers of that space produced. They certainly are downgrading the shopping on board. They went from Hermes to Chopard to MK?? What's next? Forever21? Ok, rant over.

 

I do hope the bell returns to stand proudly in the grand lobby. :D

Edited June 22, 2016 by Bostonjetset

[3rdGenCunarder]

Thanks for the updates! It is great being able to travel vicariously through you.

 

I also am not a fan of the new lobby/lift bank carpets but perhaps they will grow on us? The previous carpets really did seem more elegant.

 

The one thing I was truly shocked at was when you mentioned Michael Kors!! Really, Cunard? There was no other brand you could put in that space? Perhaps a nice English brand with heritage and high quality like Smythson or Mulberry? They picked an American brand that produces most of their goods in China; goods that are not even close to the level of quality that the previous occupiers of that space produced. They certainly are downgrading the shopping on board. They went from Hermes to Chopard to MK?? What's next? Forever21? Ok, rant over.

 

I do hope the bell returns to stand proudly in the grand lobby. :D

 

Chopard never seemed to do much business. Perhaps it was their decision to give up the space?

 

On our first trip on QE2, they still had mini-boutiques of British brands. I remember Laura Ashley and Burberry were there. People were SO excited to see them! It wasn't a big deal for me, as I was working in NYC not far from 57th, where all those stores had their shops, and I could go there any time. (Onboard prices were not better than the city shops.) But the "Britishness" of it felt appropriate. A year or two later, when we were on our second QE2 voyage, all of that was replaced by the usual cruise ship shops.

 

I don't think Forever 21 will show up on the ship :eek:, but maybe Next is next?

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your posts. I am enjoying your observations regarding the changes to the QM2. I will be sailing aboard the QM2 in September (recently made my final payment). I am looking forward to seeing the changes in person.

 

Thanks,

 

Chuck

[Lanky Lad]

Thanks for the updates. I am having trouble imagining the lighting in the Grand Lobby, but maybe that's because I don't want to.

[babs135]

Can't wait until December before seeing all the changes for myself. Could do with winning the lottery so that I can book something earlier :D

[Winchester Ranger]

The one and only recommendation I had for Cunard was to double the size of the Golden Lion pub, I could never get a seat in there unless I waited in line for it to open.

 

Otherwise she sounds pretty nice, just so long as the Commodore Club (aka Ten Forward) is still there.

[MJM88]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the details. As someone who has used the kennels multiple times when moving to and from Europe, I would greatly appreciate any more details on the kennels refit. Sounds like the kennels utilize a larger footprint on deck 12. Very interesting. I expect to use the kennels again when moving back to Europe for work and would live to hear more about the new setup.

 

Many thanks!

 

Great updates!

 

Regards,

 

MJM

[sfbearcat]

Very disappointing to learn how disorganized thing have been. Embarkation is often a mess, although yours surpassed even the worst ones I've had. But towels??? Glad they appeared at last. I thought maybe you'd need to run over to M&S at the mall in Southampton and pick up a few towels just in case. :eek:

 

As for the lobby lights, those can be disabled permanently if enough people complain. Sounds unbelievably tacky!

 

If I understand correctly, the deck 2 and 3 cabins have blocked off what had been public hallways? Doesn't that reduce the options for getting to the Queens Room? (my memory is still sketchy on those routes, and now they're going to confuse me further!)

 

The lighting has always been there.. it just changed colors very few times and were blue in the evening hours..Thou they have not been working or have been tuned off for some time ..It seems they have been updated to LED and are very bright and change colors to fast..

[MarkBearSF]

The one and only recommendation I had for Cunard was to double the size of the Golden Lion pub, I could never get a seat in there unless I waited in line for it to open.

 

Otherwise she sounds pretty nice, just so long as the Commodore Club (aka Ten Forward) is still there.

 

Agreed re the Pub - but unless the Purser can give up space, it doesn't look likely. As for the crowds, when we were aboard last month, it was crazy at the start of lunch, but by 1:00 or so, things settled down and it was easy to get a table. (I seem to recall that they served until 2:00-2:30 or so)

[Germancruiser]

That´s what I hope 3rdGencunarder- maybe it is still in the process of getting cleaned- same with the outdoor chairs on Deck 7. Taken away in case the Germans break them- oh dear- I never tought of THAT! LOL! Tell your tablemate we German´s - at least I think so- have no intention to break them...! So Cunard- get that bell done and those chairs out before I board in New York in exactly two weeks time!

[pmb1]

Thanks for all the details.

...

The balcony teak loungers are replaced with two wicker-like loungers. An ottoman holds the seat cushions outside of daylight hours so cushions no longer have to be placed between the curtains and windows.

Boo! No teak. Yea! Ottoman for storage.

 

...The deck 6 pool looks new and the aft kiddie water-cannon area now has an oval hot tub. The Pavillion Pool on 12 now has wind screens on the exit doors to the open deck.

Boo! Disarmament. Yea! Wind screens.

 

...One viewing area lost – at least on TAs – was the aft area on deck 12. This is gated off to allow more room for the dogs in the kennel to exercise.

Yea! More opportunity for the dogs to relieve themselves on the Grills-only deck 11 aft below (if it still is such).

[mariposa777]

I would miss the aft area on deck 12 - one of my favourite spots on board.

 

I do concede that the dog exercise area needed to be larger though.

[CABINET]

Thanks so much for all the information you have provided - it has been really interesting to hear about the changes.

 

It has been mentioned in another thread that there is now no smoking allowed in G32.

 

I wonder if you could confirm this?

Edited June 23, 2016 by CABINET

[BlueRiband]

I had some trouble with my login last night and was only able to resolve it when the Connexions desk opened. Here is my report from last last night:

 

As we pass into the English Channel a lot of other ship traffic is noticeable. As I write this very early Wednesday morning we’re experiencing an at-sea thundershower.

I previously mentioned that the teak lounge chairs on the PG balconies have been replace by two wicker-like cushioned chairs and an ottoman. The plus side is that they fully recline to a flat bed where the teak chairs did now recline that much. If one really wants to sleep in the ocean air, it eliminates an excuse to prop open the balcony door.

The Commodore Club is again upholstered in a white leather like covering and it is accented by black and silver accent pillows.

Though I didn’t dine there, the Verandah entrance has been arranged so that there is no visual connection to deck 8, so this may cut down on the persistent problem of bathers using it as a short cut.

All pools remain closed, including the Spa pool. A number of hallway clocks are not working, especially those along D stairway. Perhaps the deconstruction yanked out the synchronization cables?

Dining room service is very slow. With so many Germans on board for just the 2-day segment they’re making sure that they are getting their dining room service. There are a lot of “red cards” on the ship.

One thing that I thought unusual is that the Southampton-New York itinerary is being treated as a separate voyage. I’ve been given a new key card to use for the TA.

It will be interesting to see what might be planned for the sail away, which is listed as 4:30 in the program. I certainly hope that embarkation goes a lot better than it did in Hamburg.

[CruisinChris]

I think a lot of the issues with embarkation had to do with not being at the usual pier - in addition to all the restocking stuff. I am sure Soton will be fine.

[Ray66]

As of 7pm UK time, the QM2 is still moored in Southampton. The QE and QV left between 5 and 5.30pm.

[Bell Boy]

Waiting for more supplies to be loaded . Today has been a very busy day, both onboard and at the terminal . One big celebration of the Remastering ! I'm just enjoying the local TV evening news direct from QM2.

[colonialinnkeeper]

Question from a newbie--what are "red cards"?

[Salacia]

Question from a newbie--what are "red cards"?

 

Key cards have a color bar that indicates that passengers World Club Status. Red is for those passengers who are taking their first Cunard cruise.

[Cassandra14]

I had some trouble with my login last night and was only able to resolve it when the Connexions desk opened. Here is my report from last last night:

 

As we pass into the English Channel a lot of other ship traffic is noticeable. As I write this very early Wednesday morning we’re experiencing an at-sea thundershower.

I previously mentioned that the teak lounge chairs on the PG balconies have been replace by two wicker-like cushioned chairs and an ottoman. The plus side is that they fully recline to a flat bed where the teak chairs did now recline that much. If one really wants to sleep in the ocean air, it eliminates an excuse to prop open the balcony door.

The Commodore Club is again upholstered in a white leather like covering and it is accented by black and silver accent pillows.

Though I didn’t dine there, the Verandah entrance has been arranged so that there is no visual connection to deck 8, so this may cut down on the persistent problem of bathers using it as a short cut.

All pools remain closed, including the Spa pool. A number of hallway clocks are not working, especially those along D stairway. Perhaps the deconstruction yanked out the synchronization cables?

Dining room service is very slow. With so many Germans on board for just the 2-day segment they’re making sure that they are getting their dining room service. There are a lot of “red cards” on the ship.

One thing that I thought unusual is that the Southampton-New York itinerary is being treated as a separate voyage. I’ve been given a new key card to use for the TA.

It will be interesting to see what might be planned for the sail away, which is listed as 4:30 in the program. I certainly hope that embarkation goes a lot better than it did in Hamburg.

I haven't seen any mention of the Queens Room...any refurbishment there?

 

Sent from my SM-T230 using Tapatalk

[BlueRiband]

I haven't seen any mention of the Queens Room...any refurbishment there?

 

Haven't had the chance to see it yet but I believe it was just re-upolstered, the floor refinished, and any dinged up furniture repaired. If you saw one of the contractor images, at one point it was piled high with boxes like a warehouse.