HappyHeart13 Posted November 21, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 21, 2017 My husband and I (in our late 50's) are taking our first journey across the sea on the QM2 in January and need advise on several subjects. First, seating time, 6:00 or 8:30? What are the pro's and con's. We don't want to miss out on seeing NYC and going under the Verrazano Bridge. That brings me to my second question, where is the best place to watch the ship depart Brooklyn? Any suggestions to help make our first crossing memorable would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted November 21, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 21, 2017 The question of whether to choose early or late seating for dinner often generates a lot of discussion here. You are doing an eastbound crossing, so in that case I would recommend the late (8:30) seating for a couple reasons. First, you mention you want to see the ship pass under the Verrazano bridge. The ship is scheduled to depart at 5:00pm but it is often more like 5:30pm when she actually departs. By the time she reaches the Verrazano bridge, it is usually close to 6:00pm and quite often a bit after 6:00pm. With the late seating, you are more likely to be able to see the passage under the bridge and still make the first evening's dinner on time. Second, on an eastbound crossing the clock is moved ahead one hour at noon on five of the days to adjust for the five hour time difference between New York and Southampton. That makes for a rather compressed time period to take in lunch, perhaps afternoon tea, and then dinner. Having the late seating for dinner helps expand the time between lunch and dinner on those five days when the clock is moved forward at noon. For your second question, there is a sailaway party on deck 8 aft that can be good fun especially for a first timer and offers good views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty as the ship departs from Brooklyn. Then, I would suggest moving to the observation area on deck 14 forward to view the passage under the Verrazano bridge. Here's wishing you a great voyage on the QM2. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart13 Posted November 21, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted November 21, 2017 John, I appreciate your thoughtful suggestions. Very helpful. January can't come quick enough. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_kerry_ Posted November 21, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 21, 2017 John makes good points. We always do first seating. I couldn't eat so late in the evening. We usually miss first night dinner cause I enjoy sail away. This summer we booked alternate for first night @7:30. This worked out great. East crossing is tough cause you do loose that hr. If you want afternoon tea or happy hr you'd be smart to book late seating. We enjoy watching sale away from our balcony. The front of deck 11 is great You can run back & forth between city & statue & be the first one under the ship. . Enjoy Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted November 21, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 21, 2017 We always do early seating. We don't like to eat late. But I do agree with other posters who found the compression of the afternoon difficult. For us, the main problem was going to lunch in the dining room, having a congenial meal with lots of chatting, and then realizing time had jumped ahead and we'd missed a lecture we wanted to go to. Going up to the Observation Deck to see the bridge is a lot of fun. Be warned, it will be COLD and probably windy, so wrap up well. But it's worth it. QM2 is so tall that for a moment, it looks like she'll hit the bridge. (In fact, the height of that bridge was a constraint for QM2's designer) Lots of people will be up there to see what I call the "bridge illusion." Have a wonderful crossing, and do come back and ask any questions you have in the meanwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted November 21, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 21, 2017 We tried Early Seating recently after many cruises @ Late Seating (or Anytime seating on other cruise lines) . Going back to Late , not because we like to eat late . but because of what previous posted called making "the compression of the afternoon difficult. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tv24 Posted November 21, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Regarding the dinner seating: You need to think about when you normally eat at home and when you go to sleep. We are night owls, especially at sea. At home we eat at 8:00 and sleep at midnight, so the late seating is the only option for us. And we like to stay up late on the QM2, listening to jazz in the Chart Room or playing cards in the casino. And then sleep when we feel like it. Breakfast is not important. So ask yourself whether you are an early person or a late person. The sail away under the Narrows Bridge is extraordinary. But it is a bit late usually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAAmerican Posted November 22, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Dear HappyHeart, The QM2 is a wonderful vessel the only Oceanliner now. On seating for youall's eating.. it is your personal choice. The most desired from most is the early seating. That is why it is usually Waitlisted first. Having a window seating is great especially while /whilst leaving the Port of Call. If the QM2 does leave late as it may depending upon so many factors.. haaving a window seat in the Maion Dining Hall shall be a benefit. As outside temperatures in January are chilly to say the least and coming to your first dining seating in parkas? When the QM2 departs from Brooklyn, NYC, NY it is a nice illusion when it does pass under the Inter Borough Expensive Bridge (USD 18.00). BTW did you know a young lad called them on the misspelling and they replied first it was too expensive to correct the Bad Mispellings.. Thye did finally correct the bad signage after many more supported the young lads view too. If youall are forward near the bow and not going towards the stern in the going aft area of the dining hall you get the best view IMHO. Inside I do suggest as at 12 knots and the chilly month it is wise to be inside.. What evwer you do choose may your cruise across what was the Old Cod Pond be well and hope the swells are not large as they do cause a nantucket Sleigh Ride.. My husband and I (in our late 50's) are taking our first journey across the sea on the QM2 in January and need advise on several subjects. First, seating time, 6:00 or 8:30? What are the pro's and con's. We don't want to miss out on seeing NYC and going under the Verrazano Bridge. That brings me to my second question, where is the best place to watch the ship depart Brooklyn? Any suggestions to help make our first crossing memorable would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted November 24, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 24, 2017 I'm an early seating person and do a coupe of things differently. I cannot remember for sure if I've done this on Cunard but have on other cruise lines and would certainly be open to trying it on Cunard. If we are late leaving I would get an entree in Kings Court and join my table for coffee and desert after passing the bridge. Especially if it's chilly I like to hang out by the Pavillion pool as we sail down the Hudson and just pop out on deck at the key sightseeing points. I've had very good views passing under the bridge from there. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAAAmerican Posted November 24, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 24, 2017 Dear rafinmd, It is great to see your consideration of the ships wait staff too. When we miss seatings and/or late we also tell our staffing people, when possible, that we shall be late and/or eating at anpother location etc.. that way it opens the table and/or seats too for others. Oh BTW/FYI did you know the Hudson River begins in NY and NJ about 57th street ( midtown) right next to the Passenger Cruis Ship Terminal .. pier 88? The rivers actual name and on all nautical and charts is the "North River". .................. HappyHeart13 Once aboard your best way too may be to alert the Head Waiter etc.. as they do table assignments as well changing just after you come aboard. I wager they will appreciate your kind consideration for them this way . That mutual respect you give goes a few thousand nautical miles...full speed ahead.. I'm an early seating person and do a couple of things differently. I cannot remember for sure if I've done this on Cunard but have on other cruise lines and would certainly be open to trying it on Cunard. If we are late leaving I would get an entree in Kings Court and join my table for coffee and desert after passing the bridge. Especially if it's chilly I like to hang out by the Pavillion pool as we sail down the Hudson and just pop out on deck at the key sightseeing points. I've had very good views passing under the bridge from there. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmybean Posted November 25, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Top of the ship for best experience swooshing under the bridge. It is a thrill. We always sign-up for first dinner seating. I agree: timing of dining is a matter of personal preference. I struggle with time-changes going east. I'm good for about four days and then feel like a zombie. My suggestion to you is: nap. Don't miss the day-time lectures. Really! Cunard arranges the best speakers. You will love the ship! Happy Sailing! Jimmybean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLadyBlue Posted December 28, 2017 #12 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Hi Happy Heart We are on the January TA as well. Also our first time on Cunard. Chose the late seating due to time changes. So excited as it's almost here. Just received an "upgrade" from DF8014 to BC11124 so hope that's a nice cabin. See you on board. Happy sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfwguy Posted December 31, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 31, 2017 we love the 2nd seating- dinner at 8:30 and out around 10. The extra westbound hour is very much welcomed. The best place to watch the bridge? We loved deck 12 ! Just pick out a spot and enjoy. It is a wonderful experience that you will treasure. ps. be sure and check out the kennels - we loved watching (and petting) the dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 57eric Posted December 31, 2017 #14 Share Posted December 31, 2017 we love the 2nd seating- dinner at 8:30 and out around 10. The extra westbound hour is very much welcomed. The best place to watch the bridge? We loved deck 12 ! Just pick out a spot and enjoy. It is a wonderful experience that you will treasure. ps. be sure and check out the kennels - we loved watching (and petting) the dogs. Isn't access to the kennels restricted to dog owners? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare babs135 Posted December 31, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Isn't access to the kennels restricted to dog owners? I believe so, but there is the odd occasion when you might see a dog actually out of the kennels area so I suppose you could pet it then. Last crossing we were doing our usual walk round the deck mid morning when we came across a couple in evening wear. Did initially think it was odd until I realised they had a dog with them plus a photographer so I guess they were having a 'family picture' taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted December 31, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 31, 2017 ... ps. be sure and check out the kennels - we loved watching (and petting) the dogs. Isn't access to the kennels restricted to dog owners? There is an exercise area along the starboard side and aft of the kennels where dog owners and the kennel masters walk the dogs several times a day. Here is a link to a photo of this area from the "3,430 Photos of Queen Mary 2" sticky (with no dogs present unfortunately). https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/queen-mary-2-qm2-294/kennels-312901/kennels--v14200697/ As the signs in the photo indicate, this gated area is indeed restricted to pet owners, but we try to make it a point to visit this area at least once during each crossing to view the dogs from just outside the gate when they are out exercising. We have found quite a few of the owners are happy to bring their dogs over to the gate to give us a closer look and sometimes even allow us to pet them. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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