QM2 for Rookies

[Percentages]

We have never been on a cruise, but, our favorite choice right now is 10 nights on the QM2.

 

Is jumping in the deep end a mistake or a good thing to be doing in your more experienced opinions?

[pnhmrk]

Is jumping in the deep end a mistake or a good thing to be doing in your more experienced opinions?

 

Given the various caveats regarding dressing up, etc I'd say go for it:)

[KenC]

We have never been on a cruise, but, our favorite choice right now is 10 nights on the QM2.

 

Is jumping in the deep end a mistake or a good thing to be doing in your more experienced opinions?

 

You're starting right at the top - so nothing will ever compare, but there again that's how a first cruise should be. Enjoy the experience :D

[cusyl]

You started at the top, you will forever be comparing all other ships to the QM2. You will fall in love with her.

Enjoy...:D

[jonmar]

My wife and I took a crossing for our 5th anniversary in 2004 onboard QM2. We went on another in 2005 and are now onboard this April 2. I can tell you it was our first cruise, and since we wont consider another line. We know we started at the high end and would feel disappointed in our holiday if we 'slummed' it aboard the rock climbing, wave pooled, floating blocks that are available. Start with QM2, you will pine to be back aboard the moment you step off.

[lannp]

Go for it! But I must warn you , you will be spoiled forever. Some of us find the "Big lady" very addictive. The space to passenger ratio never makes it feel crowded and after being on this ship you'll notice it on others. Not to say you won't enjoy the others but to me this ship is special.

[CruisinCindy]

Hi,

 

I think you're doing the right thing by looking at Cruise Critic and doing some homework about cruising. Having never cruised before, there are some things to consider before you jump in.

 

1. What kind of vacations do you normally take or prefer? For instance, if you like the great outdoors, hiking, and being able to explore the town you're visiting, that's difficult with a cruise. The ship deposits you in town for a day and there's usually just time for a short excursion and exploring the town or shopping before you have to get back to the ship. But, if you like a spa/resort style of vacation, then a cruise is perfect, with the added draw of being able to visit several places without having to pack your bags and move to a new hotel everyday.

 

2. Like being pampered and served? A cruise is fantastic for that, and the many amenities on board today's ships allow for a lot of different activities, interests, and food and drink. Check out the ship reviews of the different cruise lines to see which line fits your lifestyle or preference - wild nightlife vs. nature lectures, older vs. younger vs. family passengers.

 

3. Like long vacations, or get homesick? Believe it or not, there are some people who can't be away for more than 5-7 days, or get bored and want to go home. This will help you decide on the length of your cruise. Personally, I like them at least 10 days. It takes me a couple of days to get the layout of the ship, get familiar with the activities and restaurant offerings, and develop my preferences, especially on a ship or cruise line that's new to me. I don't want to think about packing up a few days after that!

 

In reference to my title, you are setting the bar high, depending on your experience with the QM2. I started on Princess, Royal Caribbean, and have moved up to Celebrity as my favorite line so far. I have booked on that QM2 10-night cruise for Dec, and see it as another possible step up. It's been hard to look back once you find a level you like (I used to book inside cabins only, then tried Celebrity's Concierge Class with Balconies, and can't go back!).

 

Anyway, I hope I haven't dragged on too long, but I know what you're going through in deciding. I was fortunate to be able to try my first-ever cruise as a short 3-nighter - but after the first night we were hooked and didn't want to get off!

 

Hope this helped a bit. The most important thing to remember is to be open-minded and flexible - cruises are travel journeys and anything can happen, whether delayed by mechanical, weather, or international incident reasons and those are best handled with a positive outlook and good humor. Good Luck and enjoy your cruise!

 

Cindy

[pisces1]

I have been on the QE2 twice and the QM2 twice, but that does not stop me from experiencing other cruise lines. I loved the crossings on Cunard, but I also look forward to trying other ships. We are booked on Holland America for Alaska, and I am excited to experience a smaller ship with different standards and services. Something new is always fun.

[travel-to-go]

%'s

Let me echo what so many others have already said.

Our first cruise was 13 years ago. I had just been released from the hospital after nearly dying. A friend was showing around her cruise pictures when I returned to work. I mentioned that I had always wanted to take a cruise. ... LIGHTBULB SNAPS ON Hmm, Life could be short! "What have you got?" I asked our travel agent friend. She had a ridiculously cheap Guaranty on the Cunard Crown Jewel. I've dated a millionaire and been chauffeured in a limo and a Rolls. Never before did I experience the feeling of being like a Princess than I did on that ship. Awe and Wonder do not describe it. It was Disney before Disney turned trite, Television before we all found out about the man behind the curtain.

The difference is? Cruising on Cunard is still like that first time. Still like your first kiss, graduating from college, seeing the first flower of spring peeping through a light layer of snow. It is singing in the mountains, the power of waves crashing on the shore, tied inexorably to the past, going on forever into the future. Once you have sailed Cunard, any other ships is "just a ship"

If you are looking for a floating frat party on a too-crowed beach with Beer Busts and drunken revelry, then Carnival is your line. If you want stodgy, not too much activity planned so as to not wear you out, go HAL; if you want Life on the Midway at the Tri-State Fair, go Royal Caribbean. If you want James Bond in Casino Royale, mysteriously charmingly sexy, with all the latest gadgets, but still the warm woods of a British Pub, with smoky Dark Ales and camaraderie and conviviality, go Cunard. If you want the South of France or Monaco, with a British hunt lodge and the Proper English Tea rolled in, and the Canyon Ranch Spa takes you away, instead of Calgon, Try the QM2. If you want fabulous culinary fare served in an unrushed manner- smaller portions than Americans are used to- Not super-sized, but right-sized, so instead of being stuffed and bloated, you are satisfied, and have just enough of each masterpiece, slowly enjoyed, and your body has enough time to ponder it, instead of gulping it down quick before the next onslaught comes, well then Cunard is where you need to be. Elegant, and also casual, despite what some would say- You can have fun all day, but when the sun dims in the west to a few lines of gold, slipping slowly, silently beneath the horizon, elegance takes over. You'll feel special, pampered, elevated. It's as though the very stars in the sky twinkle to light the way, and show you the magic.

 

If this sounds like your kind of ship, welcome aboard.

But be forewarned.

The entire Cunard experience is addicting. It will ruin you for any other ships afloat. And I should know. I've been on many of them in a relatively short time.

 

 

Karie,

who hopes she shall see you on board. Many times!

[cusyl]

You are so right! You know how to write the words I can only think of in my head. There is just something special about Cunard, especially the QM2. :D

[We2Cruzers]

My husband and I took our first cruise Dec. 2005 aboard the QM2 for 12 days. We absolutely loved the ship, and believe it or not, I really wasn't ready to get off even though we had 12 days aboard.

 

When we were making our reservation the TA told me that I was starting high and that it will be hard to match our experience. And for us, she was right. We went for another cruise this past December and although we ended up having a very nice experience we spent two days saying - it's not the Queen Mary :( The two experiences were very different. But once we relaxed we could appreciate the joys of cruising even if we weren't on a Cunard ship.

We are booked aboard the QM2 for a transatlantic crossing this year - and we are really looking forward to it.

In my opinion you are making the right choice.

LK

[Nanci]

Karie: How wonderfully written !! You must be a journalist!

[CL-JW]

Go for it. The QM2 was our first cruise, and we loved it. We have gone on a number of other cruises since then and love them all. We did not even think twice about starting at the "top". Every ship is different so no cruise will ever be the same. We will always love the QM2 as it was our first cruise, but other ships have been just as nice.

 

Enjoy the QM2 as we are always on the look out for a good deal in order to get back on board her.

[travel-to-go]

Karie: How wonderfully written !! You must be a journalist!

:o Aw, Gee, thanks!

Nah- Just a frustrated technician who would love to put to sea more than I do, and who has never lost the wonder.

I guess the ships and the voyages just inspire me!

 

Karie,

who is just a humble cellular technician

[Johnsy81]

first cruise, and first time on QM2! How I envy you.

 

Everything that has been said on this board is true...you are starting at the top of the pile. There are many wonderful ships and cruise lines out there but none can compare to Cunard and the Queens!

 

QM2 is an awesome ship...she is majestic and awe-inspiring. The service we had was impeccable, and we met wonderful people (Hi Karie!). Her cabins are spacious (we've booked inside both times and had plenty of space). Be forewarned though that bathrooms on ships are very functional but not spacious. Plan to have lunch in The Golden Lion Pub (no charge), where selections include "traditional" English fare (bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, etc.) Take a walk on deck 7...which is completely open the entire length of the ship, and breathing in the sea air...the best there is. Plan on spending time in the Canyon Ranch Spa, and seeing the planetarium show in Illuminations - the only planetarium at sea.

 

QM2 is a formal ship...you'll see lots of tuxes and evening gowns on formal nights. Go and enjoy the experience! We ask only one thing of you...please come back here after and let us know what you think.

[pb82]

Let me add to Johnsy81's suggestions:

 

the Commodore Club

the Library

the Observation Deck on deck 11

(If you were going transatlantic, I'd have to add the Kennels on deck 12,

if only because a dog there once peed on the exclusively Queens Grill deck area just below. See http://annabeld.blogspot.com for 11/28/2006.)

 

Bon voyage,

Paul

[Percentages]

Many thanks to everyone for their very positive feedback and inspiring comments.

Special thanks to Karie (travel-to-go) for an unbelievably eloquent post that seemed to summarize exactly what we were both looking for, and not looking for, in such a precise and concise manner. Someone who had known us for 30 years couldn't have hit the mark better, and we don't (yet) know Karie at all!

A good vacation for us, today, is not so much about the venue/location/itinerary, it is more about the people........and this thread illustrated that we are going to share our vacation with people we have a good chance of making friends with!

The decision is now made.......we will be on the QM2 for the Caribbean Voyage leaving NYC on Dec 10th.

Of course we now have 100's of additional questions, which are purely curiosity things........forgive us for asking please, we are now just very excited rookies!

[travel-to-go]

Many thanks to everyone for their very positive feedback and inspiring comments.

The decision is now made.......we will be on the QM2 for the Caribbean Voyage leaving NYC on Dec 10th.

Of course we now have 100's of additional questions, which are purely curiosity things........forgive us for asking please, we are now just very excited rookies!

 

% s

Welcome to Cunard!

I am so glad that we, here, have helped you to make a decision I am sure you will not regret.

 

Perhaps our paths will cross on some voyage.

I'm glad I my experiences were able to help someone else.

And thank you for the praise (<blush, blush!>)

 

I'm sure you will have a marvelous time!

 

Karie,

who REALLY needs to get down to business to book something SOON!

(I think there's about a foot of new snow outside!)

 

P.S. Strangers are friends you haven't met yet!

[msk68]

Cunard is fabulous!

 

I really am spoiled to any other cruise line - not that I won't do it but only b/c it is a cruise going somewhere that Cunard is not traveling LOL. We're already planning our 10th Anniversary cruise back to Alaska - I can still hope that Cunard will start going there by 2010 but I doubt it.

 

Enjoy the fantasy that will be the trip you take. It is like departing for another world but one filled with luxury and grandeur that we associate with bygone days.

 

I sincerely hope you enjoy it and look forward to seeing you around these boards more.

 

Morrie

 

p/s - You should also consider a crossing at some point. A crossing and a cruise are really not the same. It took me doing both to figure out which I liked better.