Jim_Iain Live QM2 - New York to Southampton Oct 25 - Queens Grill

[Pushpit]

42 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Just checked and it say only Arrival Time 12:15

I wouldn't worry about it, it's not that precise a process. Personally I would have taken the ferry to Red Hook, just because it's a fantastic way to arrive and takes a little more time, but it looks like you are over in New Jersey so it's more complex to do. But if you arrive a bit early - or a considerably later - it will all work out fine. The queues are shorter later on, so if you don't like queues you best go later. If you don't mind a bit of waiting around, well 11:45 is fine.

 

Also with hotels, they won't get too bothered if you slide out of the door 15-30 minutes late. If you are at the Hilton I think you are in, they will give a 1pm check-out, though being a Friday means you'd have to beg a bit.

[Jim_Iain]

Looks like perfect planning.   We would arrive right on time.  
 

[amias]

We had planned to join you on this crossing but unfortunately, major surgery got in the way. Have a wonderful time and don't miss cocktails in the Commodore, lunch in the Golden Lion and the insight speaker lectures, many of which are fascinating. Oh, and if you are dog lovers go up to the kennels. You can stand outside and admire the canine voyagers. Bon voyage!

[Jim_Iain]

We haven’t departed yet.  There was a medical issue and a guest needed to leave by ambulance.  Last announcement was at 5:30 and said it would be about an hour.  It’s 7:20 now and no movement. 

[Mareblu]

1 minute ago, Jim_Iain said:

We haven’t departed yet.  There was a medical issue and a guest needed to leave by ambulance.  Last announcement was at 5:30 and said it would be about an hour.  It’s 7:20 now and no movement. 

I hope the guest needing the ambulance makes a rapid recovery.  It’s been a long day for you both.

[Jim_Iain]

The Captain just came on and said we are being further delayed due to a mechanical issue which is almost complete. 
 

Our Pilot had to leave as she was no longer legal and they hope to have a new one around midnight.   
 

 

[Germancruiser]

I had a wonderful time- thank you!  Two weeks on my favorite ship- nothing can beat that- well yes- four weeks would have been even better. LOL.

I hope everything get´s sorted soon and you can depart. On the other hand a night departure from New York is also something not to be missed.

Edited Saturday at 12:22 AM by Germancruiser

[Sweigert]

Wow,  thanks for the information!  My Neighbors are on the ship and I was watching it on the map and wondering why it wasn't moving.   Hopefully it sails soon.  I sure they can speed up a little to make the arrival time ok

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Thinking of you and hope by the time you read this you are at sea. 

[happiness is cruising]

Good Morning…Just came upon this post!  How lovely you are writing this.

My Boston Sister is on your crossing..First time on the QM2.  I live In Manhattan..and have done one crossing and two 4 July cruises.

    Two tips…CCL stock can be used for OBC…you only need 100 shares and you can get to Red Hook..from Manhattan for $4.50 per person!!
 No need for Uber or Lyft!!!
      News York Waterway ferry!,, Wall Street Pier.  The ferry goes right to the port…a simple to walk to the terminal,
       CCL stock is Carnival…now at $20.00 a share.

        Happily following along!!!
        Ann

[Host Hattie]

I hope you're settling in and the delayed departure wasn't too disappointing. 

[ExArkie]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

The Captain just came on and said we are being further delayed due to a mechanical issue which is almost complete. 
 

Our Pilot had to leave as she was no longer legal and they hope to have a new one around midnight.   
 

 

That would be the reason my watching the NY harbor Webcam until about 7 PM did not show the QM2 leaving. 
 

I hope this doesn’t hamper enjoyment of the trip…although it obviously will for at least one person who was supposed to be on it. 

[Jim_Iain]

Time to get caught up. 
 

Arrived at the port right at our 12:15 arrival time. 
 

Very organized port.  Uber was directed to a parking spot right in front of a porter.  
 

we walked across the parking lot to the entrance of the terminal.  

They have two lanes.   Those with printed boarding passes and one lane to have them print one for you. 
 

 

 

 

Since we preprinted ours we were directed to our first queue.   Security check. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Pushpit]

My reading of the trackers is that she left at 01:25 Eastern, which is 05:25 GMT, 06:25 BST.  Speeding along at 22.7 knots at the time or writing.

[Jim_Iain]

Time Check. 12:35

 

Next the line was split into two lines.  Grills and upper loyalty and all others. 
 

There was a rather long line.  They also gave us a boarding card which was never used. 
 

 

 

 

 

Not too long of a wait. 15 minutes later (12:56) we got to checkin.   A quick photo of passport and of ourselves.  (Why bother uploading your photo). 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We were invited to board the ship without delay. 
 

 

 

 

We set foot on QMII at 1:00 pm.  
 

 

Edited Saturday at 02:27 PM by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

We were aboard at 1 and with excitement was directed to our next queue.  Elevators queue. 
 

 

 

They only had 2 lifts in operation.  50% of the elevators were full.   I guess wheelchairs board on the deck below and would leave no space for our line. 
 

 

 

Made it to our floor at 1:15. 
 

To be honest Celebrity has Cunard beat 100% on embarkation.   The norm for a Suite guest on Celebrity is less than 10 minutes. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 02:35 PM by Jim_Iain

[NE John]

If you haven’t noticed yet, you just walked past the Grills Concierge lounge on the left. Very helpful so you don’t have to go to the purser’s desk downstairs. Coffee and light snacks are served during the day too. Please take advantage of the Concierge. 

Edited Saturday at 03:06 PM by NE John

[exlondoner]

11 minutes ago, NE John said:

If you haven’t noticed yet, you just walked past the Grills Concierge lounge on the left. Very helpful so you don’t have to go to the purser’s desk downstairs. Coffee and light snacks are served during the day too. Please take advantage of the Concierge. 

Almost invariably the concierges are great. So helpful.

[Caipi]

46 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We were aboard at 1 and with excitement was directed to our next queue.  Elevators queue. 
 

 

 

 

 

They only had 2 lifts in operation.  50% of the elevators were full.   I guess wheelchairs board on the deck below and would leave no space for our line. 
 

 

 

Made it to our floor at 1:15. 
 

To be honest Celebrity has Cunard beat 100% on embarkation.   The norm for a Suite guest on Celebrity is less than 10 minutes. 

 

 

I suppose that all depends... but I don't know on what. 🙂 On our one cruise in Hamburg we steerage-guests were in our room - which was ready - in 30 minutes or so, and there was no queue at the elevators at all. Or maybe we just chose the right ones from elevator banks A, B, C and D, I don't remember. Our room was near A and we knew that in advance. 

Edited Saturday at 03:21 PM by Caipi

[exlondoner]

50 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We were aboard at 1 and with excitement was directed to our next queue.  Elevators queue. 
 

 

 

They only had 2 lifts in operation.  50% of the elevators were full.   I guess wheelchairs board on the deck below and would leave no space for our line. 
 

 

 

Made it to our floor at 1:15. 
 

To be honest Celebrity has Cunard beat 100% on embarkation.   The norm for a Suite guest on Celebrity is less than 10 minutes. 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the room ready for you on Celebrity? I seem to remember people having to wait, albeit while having a drink.

[Bell Boy]

40 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Is the room ready for you on Celebrity? I seem to remember people having to wait, albeit while having a drink.

Exactly, In 2023 I boarded 'Silver Moon' ( Silversa) No check -in or arrival at the terminal until 2pm . 

Checked -in at 2.45pm and able to embark .  Once onboard had to sit around in the lounge  (copious amounts of Fizz offered - long lines at the snack venue)

Finally allowed to the suite at 4pm 👎 - all this whilst juggling with hand luggage & suit carriers.

Edited Saturday at 04:07 PM by Bell Boy

[Caipi]

3 minutes ago, Bell Boy said:

Exactly, In 2023 I boarded 'Silver Moon' ( Silversa) No check -in or arrival at the terminal until 2pm . 

Checked -in at 2.45pm and able to embark .  Once onboard had to sit around in the lounge  (copious amounts of Fizz offered - long lines at the snack venue)

Finally allowed to the suite at 4pm 👎 - all this whilst juggling with hand luggage & suite carriers.

 

I read at their website that at Celebrity you can drop off your things in your stateroom and then you have to leave and wait until it's ready. But I will be in steerage of course. 😄

[exlondoner]

16 minutes ago, Bell Boy said:

Exactly, In 2023 I boarded 'Silver Moon' ( Silversa) No check -in or arrival at the terminal until 2pm . 

Checked -in at 2.45pm and able to embark .  Once onboard had to sit around in the lounge  (copious amounts of Fizz offered - long lines at the snack venue)

Finally allowed to the suite at 4pm 👎 - all this whilst juggling with hand luggage & suite carriers.

Yes, there are few times when I don’t welcome a free drink, but one of them is when encumbered by hand luggage and desperate to get to my cabin and relax and unpack.

[billc23]

18 minutes ago, Caipi said:

 

I read at their website that at Celebrity you can drop off your things in your stateroom and then you have to leave and wait until it's ready. But I will be in steerage of course. 😄

All classes on Celebrity allow dropping your things in your stateroom. You will also pick up your cruise card on the stateroom door. Then muster scan, lunch/coffee/tea... until all rooms are fully ready - typically around 2pm. Really nice answer easy.