New To Cunard - QE2

[Flyingfish]

We're thinking of booking the QE2 for next Nov. (07) in the Med. for 16 days.

We've never sailed Cunard, we're basically HAL fans. Looking at a C2 cat., rooms 1094 or 1097. Has anyone sailed in these cabins? Would love any info regarding this lovely ship. Thanks.

[captain_rad]

http://www.deluxecruises.com/cunard/cunard_information/qe2_deck_plans_and_categories_queens_grill.htm

 

One deck in the rear is a smooth ride. The link above will let you look at the size of all the cabins and is a better ship layout than Cunards.

[carlmm]

I have not sailed in these cabins but looked at a detailed deck plan: Both of them are nicely shaped and have a full bathroom as well as a walk-in closet. The latter is a big advantage found only in a few of the Caronia cabins (vs. in all double Grill cabins.)

As former first-class cabins on deck one they are probably very nicely appointed.

[Flyingfish]

After I posted this, I talked to the TA and we booked up a little. We're in a C1, 3136 - Thanks for your responses! Anyone out there with some QE2 info, hints, ... anything, I'd like to hear from you.

[Fifer]

After I posted this, I talked to the TA and we booked up a little. We're in a C1, 3136 - Thanks for your responses! Anyone out there with some QE2 info, hints, ... anything, I'd like to hear from you.

Flyingfish,

 

You have chosen a fabulous itinerary. We did the same cruise last year and had a great time. You get a real feel for the ancient world by the time you have been through The Pyramids, Ephesus, the Acropolis and Ancient Rome - although it is questionable whether the Pyramids are really worth all those hours in a convoy of coaches when you do the day trip. With hindsight, we might have done the overnight stay in Cairo.

 

As far as hints and tips on the QE2 are concerned, there are many posts in this forum which can tell you about this unique ship and her undoubted charms. Just don't expect any climbing walls, Las Vegas shows or loud parties!

 

Enjoy it when it comes around - we are counting the days until our Christmas cruise on the 'old girl'.

[Flyingfish]

Thanks fifer, we're really looking forward to this cruise. Thanks for the helpful hints... and you enjoy your Christmas cruise. By the way, we're looking for peace and quiet, with a little "bending of the elbow" along the way!

[Kindlychap]

You get a real feel for the ancient world by the time you have been through The Pyramids, Ephesus, the Acropolis and Ancient Rome - although it is questionable whether the Pyramids are really worth all those hours in a convoy of coaches when you do the day trip. With hindsight, we might have done the overnight stay in Cairo.

 

If the ship docks in Alexandria then there is a long trek to get anywhere other than Alexandria itself.

 

I know it is about three hours from Giza to Alexandria, having done it by car, but as it is only a relatively short trip from Giza to the Cairo Museum, I doubt whether you'd actually save much time.

 

Can one book to get inside the Great Pyramid as an extra with Cunard? It is certainly worth it, although it is very hard work!

 

On the other hand the Cairo Museum can keep you entertained for weeks. Tutankhamen's treasure is the big attraction, but that is only one small part of the glories there. Unfortunately (unless it has had major work) the exhibitions don't live up to the exhibits. Anyone who has seen the Tutankhamen Mask in the cabinet with other cabinets around it will know what I mean....

 

The mummies are worth seeing. Looking on the face of Ramses II (The Great) is an experience and a half....

 

My own view is that (relatively speaking) the Sphinx is an anticlimax. But Sakkara and Memphis were better than I expected them to be.

 

I haven't been to Egypt by sea, so can't comment on the way Cunard deal with any of these.....

[Fifer]

Kindlychap,

 

You have summarised the issues - travel and 'attractions' - admirably. How Cunard handle it is by coaching around 1200 people (at least that was the figure on our trip) to Cairo by coach in a veritable convoy, with a police escort all the way.

 

The options are to do it in a day - 3 hours in coach, visit to the pyramids and sphinx at Giza (including access to the Great Pyramid), lunch, shopping opportunity, 3 hours in coach - or overnight - all the above plus an overnight in Cairo and a visit to the Cairo Museum very early the next morning then 3 hours by coach back to Alexandria for a midday departure.

 

You see more on the overnight but the timings are punishing. We did the day trip and regretted not seeing the Museum. Next time perhaps!

[carlmm]

Fifer, do you remember if there were any tour options for Alexandria itself. I am considering the same cruise but would prefer not to treck to Cairo as I have already spent a couple of days there.

Did any passenger report about his experience in Alexandria?

[Fifer]

Fifer, do you remember if there were any tour options for Alexandria itself. I am considering the same cruise but would prefer not to treck to Cairo as I have already spent a couple of days there.

Did any passenger report about his experience in Alexandria?

carlmm,

 

There was one non-Cairo option offered by Cunard. This was 'Panoramic Alexandria' - a 3 hour coach ride covering the 20 mile long Corniche, the main square, the city centre and "many other landmarks along the way". Specific elements included the Montazah Palace, the Salamlek Hotel, the Mosque of Abu al-Abbas Mursi (a modern building) and the 15th century Mamluk Fortress. The tour was offered on both port days.

 

I did not chat to anyone who took this tour although I did talk to one couple who had wandered Alexandria independently but found it somewhat daunting and less then interesting - I suppose a port is a port is a port. Whilst we were there there was much talk about security issues and the ship was guarded by armed police at all times. This may have contributed to their feeling of discomfort.

 

One other thought; the tours were organised locally by Abercrombie & Kent Egypt. I would be confident that they could organise an independent itinerary for you if you wished - at a cost of course.

[Kindlychap]

There is actually a reasonable amount to do in Alexandria.

 

It is not an alternative I'd recommend if you've not been to Egypt before, but I did a day trip to Alexander by car once, and had an interesting day.

 

I'd go for the overnight option - and then crash out. Egypt is a fascinating place and the Cairo Museum is something again. But I've spent a week in Cairo so may have a different perspective.

 

Not sure what I'd do if I were on this cruise - although I'd probably leave it to my wife to decide as she's not been to Egypt.

[cunardqueen]

Hi

Having just returned from a similar cruise on QE2 last week, You might find the weather might not be as hot as you expect. We had our fair share of rough weather, and couldnt get into Malta owing to the wind and sea conditions so much so one of the tug ropes snapped, and boy did it make a noise to those of us on deck!

 

The Egypt tour is well organised by Abercrombie and Kent with the usual postcard that they send free of charge! security was very tight with each coach having an armed guard as well as the police escort for around 1400 passengers at 0830. On a previous cruise the overnight trip was a sell out with 500 people.

 

I did the Pyramid and nile in style (cruise) possibly one of the best tours l have ever done!! it was superb, ran to time and the nile boat boat a very nice experience, a view held by a large number of people.

 

If you do decide to go down inside the Pyramid it is tough going so be warned, a fellow passenger likened it to 5 deck:eek: but that was a bit unfair l thought, lm pleased to have done it, but never again. But a welcome sight on returning to QE2 was the line up of waiters with water orange juice and other soft drinks.

 

Alexandria is a place lm very happy to pass through,non stopping !! and after the experience on my first visit l have no wish to stop there ever again, and the views from the coach just confirmed my own thoughts!

 

Toying with doing a review of that cruise and the previous back to back mini cruise.

cheers

Myles

PS Kindlychap, l note that we are on the same cruise next year:D

[Kindlychap]

I suppose the passage to the Grand Gallery is much like deck 5 - although the Grand Gallery is truly spectacular.

 

I've noticed we're on the Med trip next year too - seems ages, doesn't it?

[Therapst]

Alexandria is a place lm very happy to pass through,non stopping !! and after the experience on my first visit l have no wish to stop there ever again, and the views from the coach just confirmed my own thoughts!

 

Since we plan to be stopping at this port (for the first time) early next year, we wonder if you might elaborate on your experience there?

 

Thank you,

[Kindlychap]

Since we plan to be stopping at this port (for the first time) early next year, we wonder if you might elaborate on your experience there?

 

Thank you,

 

The ship stops at Alexandra simply because it is too big to go down the Nile! :D

 

Whilst I'm not quite as dismissive of Alexandra as some others on the board appear to be, anyone on their first visit to Egypt who chose to stay in Alexandria needs throwing overboard.

 

It's Giza and Cairo you're visiting for.

[berry22192]

http://www.deluxecruises.com/cunard/cunard_information/qe2_deck_plans_and_categories_queens_grill.htm

 

...The link above will let you look at the size of all the cabins and is a better ship layout than Cunards.

 

 

Oh! Wish I had had this information 11 months ago. For the QE2 particularly (a ship that exalts in staterooms of many shapes and sizes) such a roadmap showing square footage of each cabin can be a better indicator than mere price. (Although I must admit the knowledge that particular staterooms are initially reserved only for those passengers on the World Tour who sign up for multiple segments).

 

On the other hand, if one were to be eventually assigned a cabin designated as "noisy" (see Captain Rad's link) at least one could complain about it before arrival.

 

Chris

[cunardqueen]

My experience of this port was during the QE2s Med trip in 2004 in

that l went ashore with a fellow passenger a RC Preist and thought we would take a taxi to the market for a look round as we were both doing the full pyramid tour the next day.. of we walked, past the line of taxis and horse drawn carriages waiting by the ship At the port gates the taxis are lined up. we asked the taxi man how much to the markets (his english was quite broken) and he said $5 which we both said is fine so we both get into the back seat and of he goes down the street the wrong way!, meantime we are both chattering away and l mentioned about cheap whisky, and with that the taxi man said he knows a friend with many cheap whiskys and he can take us there, we both said is it bottles no no no its glasses... after a bit we explained we wanted a bottle but dont worry just take us to the markets... of we drive again and end up in a cul de sac and he says markets $20 !!! quite aggressively!! realising we had no idea where we were we said No its $5 you said to the markets and this isnt markets ... with that he gets out of the car and opens our doors and says $20s markets !!! realising this is not middle England we are in!!! we both decide to get out.... the fact his hand was in his jacket pocket and he was pointing something at us ( maybe a gun??? or his fingers ) we both felt now wasnt the time to argue so we handed over $5 and said that was all he was getting and took to our heels and made a hasty exit through some godforsaken back streets of Down town Alexandra and back to the sanctuary of QE2, Of course it only hit us back at the ship just how serious it could have been!! Our tales that day certainly made the talk of our dinner tables that night.

So that basis yes l am slightly dismissive of this Port, and is it any wonder why.

Of course hindsight is a great thing and when the coaches carry an armed guard, it does tell you something of the place.. none the less it was certainly an experience!!!

[Flyingfish]

That's quite a story! I'm glad you and your friend are around to tell it! It appears intimadation was at work here, but who knows? I wonder if the open carriages might be more to our liking. Of course we'll do the pyramids too. Thanks all for the "expertise."

[pnhmrk]

Miles - That is a terrifying story:eek: . It's made me decide that I won't risk going on my own in any port that isn't reliably "Western".