QM2 post-refit TA log

[3rdGenCunarder]

Well said 3rdGenCunarder,

 

I've thought the same since my second trip on QM2 (after seeing the Pavilion on QE2). However, as you point out, galley provision/space aft of the spa might be an issue (plus uptakes for the ovens/grills etc).

(I presume that the limited cooking that does on in the Carinthia can easily be provided for, unlike a full-scale resturant galley).

 

Can you imagine how popular a Deck 8 casual eatery would be on cruises, with "concertina" glass doors, tables and chairs under the awning, the bar, and the pool beyond?

 

Happy sailings.

 

Yes! Your description is exactly how I pictured it. QM2 has no outdoor dining space, although I do sometimes take my KC tray out to a deck chair and dine with an ocean view that way. (I know that QM2 has the Boardwalk, but it's rarely open, so I never think about going there)

[Pushka]

Of course. An open air eatery would be fantastic. Sheltered by its aft position. One of our favourite places on Solstice class ships.

[Cassandra14]

Yes! Your description is exactly how I pictured it. QM2 has no outdoor dining space, although I do sometimes take my KC tray out to a deck chair and dine with an ocean view that way. (I know that QM2 has the Boardwalk, but it's rarely open, so I never think about going there)

I was lucky enough to be on QM2 across the Indian Ocean last year and had lunch on deck outside the Boardwalk Café every sea day. The downside was that there were never any sun umbrellas up and it was HOT. Are we ever satisfied 😉

One thing is certain that she feels like a different ship in sunny climes when all the open decks are in use. ..

 

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[pepperrn]

I've been told that (posted on a different cruise forum) someone currently on board has tried/tested many of the reclining seats in Illuminations and all the ones that were tried have been repaired. Also the projection registration problem has also been fixed.

If so, this is excellent news.

Edited June 27, 2016 by pepperrn

[harpy3]

Enjoying your reporting. We're doing TA East and West next year--first time on Cunard. You make a great case for not doing a maiden voyage or even a re-mastered maiden voyage. I'm sure by next year the issues will be resolved.

[Underwatr]

For what it's worth, the planetarium seats appeared to have largely been repaired last Christmas. At least there were no areas roped off. I didn't test many of them, just the ones I was interested in occupying.

[pepperrn]

For what it's worth, the planetarium seats appeared to have largely been repaired last Christmas. At least there were no areas roped off. I didn't test many of them, just the ones I was interested in occupying.

Ah! The plot thickens!

 

Last few times I've been there I've seen/sat in several seats that were reclined back out of line with the others in the row and wouldn't come upright. Or others that wouldn't recline (which I only found out once sat down).

One passenger I saw in my row, sat down... the seat collapsed and he ended up on the floor.

 

So I've seen reports that nothing is resolved, they were missed during the remastering :mad:, and heard that they have been fixed :).

 

I'll be very careful where I sit in November :D .

Edited June 27, 2016 by pepperrn

[sfbearcat]

That's because there is no easy way though!

 

So much about the placement of that restaurant is poor--the walkway issue, the "view" at lunch of people sunning themselves. It would have been better to use that space as a casual lunch/breakfast place for people using the pool, much as Lido restaurants on other ships are on pool decks (or the Pavillion on QE2). It's too bad they couldn't relocate Verandah to the Winter Garden, but I guess galley space decrees that the restaurant must stay where it is.

 

Your right about the placement. All the main food service lifts up from the galleys and stores are in here..if you notice stewards are always pushing sealed carts thru kings court to the buffet serving areas as food is coming up those elevators...The placement of this restaurant was probally a compromise

and would be cut in half if a corridor to the pool was constructed. Cunard needs large clear signage in this area for pool access information and doors from the Veranda sealed as emergency use only

[BlueRiband]

The ritual of taking a late evening walk around her Promenade Deck never gets tired. We’re in the middle of the ocean yet QM2 has her night time illumination on. I’ve not seen this when we were nowhere near a port. Earlier in the evening an automobile carrier had passed pretty close to our port side. Looks like that crew wanted to photograph us. I’ve over tried to picture the sight QM2 on the horizon as she crossed and other vessels spotted her.

Outside the deck 7 aft area for the smoking lepers is pretty lively. If you’re ever lonely for company go there. This area was probably maintained as there is an overhang in case of bad weather and the area is reasonably close to rest rooms.

The propeller deck is open, but the new deck 14 is closed due to high winds. On the port side, at a stairway leading from deck 12 to 13, what looks like some kind of security office is lit. On the wall is a diagram I would love to have: starboard and port profiles of QM2 in her current configuration.

This is the first full week of the Remastered QM2, and the glitches clearly make this a Beta version. As I pass the windows of the new Kings Court tables are already prepared for breakfast service with napkin-wrapped cutlery, coffee mugs and condiments. This is a clear improvement.

The sky is partially cloudy so the only stars burning through are those that one would normally see in a city sky. The sea is pitch black, with only the waves illuminated by QM2 visible. The seas have been so calm that it has been hard to realize that we are on a ship and not in a building.

[rgaudet]

I love the evening/night promenade walks!

 

 

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[turquoise 6]

The ritual of taking a late evening walk around her Promenade Deck never gets tired. We’re in the middle of the ocean yet QM2 has her night time illumination on. I’ve not seen this when we were nowhere near a port. Earlier in the evening an automobile carrier had passed pretty close to our port side. Looks like that crew wanted to photograph us. I’ve over tried to picture the sight QM2 on the horizon as she crossed and other vessels spotted her.

Outside the deck 7 aft area for the smoking lepers is pretty lively. If you’re ever lonely for company go there. This area was probably maintained as there is an overhang in case of bad weather and the area is reasonably close to rest rooms.

The propeller deck is open, but the new deck 14 is closed due to high winds. On the port side, at a stairway leading from deck 12 to 13, what looks like some kind of security office is lit. On the wall is a diagram I would love to have: starboard and port profiles of QM2 in her current configuration.

This is the first full week of the Remastered QM2, and the glitches clearly make this a Beta version. As I pass the windows of the new Kings Court tables are already prepared for breakfast service with napkin-wrapped cutlery, coffee mugs and condiments. This is a clear improvement.

The sky is partially cloudy so the only stars burning through are those that one would normally see in a city sky. The sea is pitch black, with only the waves illuminated by QM2 visible. The seas have been so calm that it has been hard to realize that we are on a ship and not in a building.

I quoted your whole log. Very interesting , I can relate

Can you telll me who are some staff ? Captain , host , MaitrD Britannia

Thanks

R

[BlueRiband]

The weather is becoming warmer as we get closer to New York. This afternoon two carpet workers were fitting some edges into a track in front of Sir Samuel’s. The carpets fit into a track – one can’t exactly tack them into floor boards. An added feature for purchase is Godiva chocolate. There’s a stand where about a dozen or to varieties can be purchase by the piece. The turn-down pillow chocolates had been those with the Cunard 175 wrapping, but they are now two Godiva foil wrapped squares.

 

Tonight was the third of four formal nights on an eight day crossing, and while didn’t police Britannia the Grills were in compliance. Men cannot go wrong with black tie, and the guys don’t have to agonize over long vs. short. ;-) I also see a few kilts.

 

Some of the outdoor clocks have been returned but they’re not yet synchronized. The ones that are back are those at the aft end and up on 13 where the seldom used Regatta bar had been. They have not yet been returned to the promenade deck. I’m also noticing more loungers on the promenade deck – especially further forward than I had remembered them. Probably they are the ones that had been on the QG and PG balconies.

 

I wonder if they will be any special welcome in NY? As we had approached Southampton a large-window boat was constantly ahead of us - probably hired by Cunard for photography. Mostly, I hope that embarkation goes a hell of a lot better than it did in Hamburg and Southampton.

[BlueRiband]

Internet speeds had been improved until today - as I write this at 1:30AM ship's time it's almost at dialup. Either somebody is hogging bandwidth or something konked out.

 

A few items to answer as I glanced over this thread: Captain Wells replaced Captain Oprey in Hamburg so QM2 is flying the Blue Ensign. As for the Todd English/Verandah location - Payne had mentioned that the Grills on 7 were put there due to both the higher tween deck height and the accessibility to provision storage on lower decks. Special elevators connect storage with the galleys so this was probably the case with deck 8 as well.

 

The ship could easily rectify the passage way problem by removing the exterior door handles and make it an emergency exit. That's what the did to the exits in the Corinthia Lounge. Now one has to go out through the A or B stairway. They don't want a windy blast coming into the Lounge.

[babs135]

Unless I've missed it, I've seen no mention of the dreaded 'potholes' :D

 

I assume they have been dealt with?

[Aussieflyer]

With your comment about carpet laying in front of Sir Samuels (and the chocolate for sale) I take it that the coffee shop remains as it always has? It was one of my favourite spots so hope it's still there. Though does the new Corinthia Lounge do the same sort of coffees?

[pepperrn]

Unless I've missed it, I've seen no mention of the dreaded 'potholes' :D I assume they have been dealt with?

I would hope that they took the opportunity to remove ALL the faulty material under the carpets, rather than simply patch areas (as I saw in the Grand Lobby once). Whatever they used, it seemed to break down with use; the entrance to the Casino was esp bad. Let's hope they've chosen something better this time around...

[Pushka]

With your comment about carpet laying in front of Sir Samuels (and the chocolate for sale) I take it that the coffee shop remains as it always has? It was one of my favourite spots so hope it's still there. Though does the new Corinthia Lounge do the same sort of coffees?

 

 

I think it has expanded to include chocolates? I cant recall if they are free like the pastries used to be. So hope those pastries are still there.

And I agree - the new lounge looks very tempting.

 

 

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Edited June 29, 2016 by Pushka

[Aussieflyer]

I think BlueRiband said that the chocs were for sale - no matter, I'll eat them :)

[BigMac1953]

Whatever they used, it seemed to break down with use; the entrance to the Casino was esp bad.

 

The pot holes were put there on purpose to trip you up, and remind you that you were on the "naughty" deck with gambling, drinking and dancing, and you really shouldn't be there.

 

Stewart

[Pushka]

I think BlueRiband said that the chocs were for sale - no matter, I'll eat them :)

 

 

I will be bringing Fruchocs and Haighs chocolates :p

Edited June 29, 2016 by Pushka

[Salacia]

The pot holes were put there on purpose to trip you up, and remind you that you were on the "naughty" deck with gambling, drinking and dancing, and you really shouldn't be there.

 

Stewart

 

Steward, it might have been the "naughty" deck, but it had a hole-ly floor :D

 

Salacia

[Aussieflyer]

I will be bringing Fruchocs and Haighs chocolates :p

Just cos you have upper class ones where you live :D

I have to make do with Cadbury.

[quandrea]

Yum Godiva. And it's peanut free. My daughter will be able to eat her pillow chocolates. She's six and this will be s big deal. We've always had to take them away or ask the steward not to leave them at all. This little thing makes me smile and makes my day.

[Captain Rhone]

So what is the planned arrival time at Brooklyn tomorrow? Is it the usual 6 am or is it 7:30 like the AIS is saying??

[OceanMonarch]

Have the table numbers stayed the same in the Britannia Restaurant? The last time we sailed (in Dec 2015) they were pretty much in line with this plan submitted by Whitemarsh.:)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=36601903#post36601903