QM2 Stateroom Options/Family Experience

[Cortesefam]

We're planning our first cruise with Cunard to sail eastbound trans-atlantic in August, 2008. We plan to reserve two connecting cabins, and are torn between A1 balcony staterooms on Deck 11 and B1 staterooms on Deck 6. The staterooms look to be the same size and configuration, with the balcony size and deck making the difference.

 

Any recommendations from experienced QM2 sailors would be much appreciated. My sense is that the ride may be a little smoother on Deck 6, but I'm not sure of the difference between "sheltered" vs. "open" balconies.

 

This will be our first trans-atlantic sailing after several family cruises in the Caribbean and Med. It's something I've always wanted to do, but remain a little anxious for our two kids, who will be 12 and 15 next summer. They've enjoyed 10 and 12 day cruises, and love days at sea. We would welcome advice from any families who have made the crossing!

 

Thanks

[SeaFlint]

We're planning our first cruise with Cunard to sail eastbound trans-atlantic in August, 2008. We plan to reserve two connecting cabins, and are torn between A1 balcony staterooms on Deck 11 and B1 staterooms on Deck 6. The staterooms look to be the same size and configuration, with the balcony size and deck making the difference.

 

Any recommendations from experienced QM2 sailors would be much appreciated. My sense is that the ride may be a little smoother on Deck 6, but I'm not sure of the difference between "sheltered" vs. "open" balconies.

 

This will be our first trans-atlantic sailing after several family cruises in the Caribbean and Med. It's something I've always wanted to do, but remain a little anxious for our two kids, who will be 12 and 15 next summer. They've enjoyed 10 and 12 day cruises, and love days at sea. We would welcome advice from any families who have made the crossing!

 

Thanks

 

We like the deck 6 staterooms much better than the deck 11 we tried. Especially for kids, it is the best route.

 

The balconies are enclosed and the rails are a bit higher. But for the kids the best thing is ease of access to the rest of the ship. The Kid Zone/Zone are on deck 6, aft. The buffet is up one flight of stairs as is the promenade.

 

From Deck 6 you can actually see where the ship meets the water, which is neat for the kids. Do not worry about them falling overboard, though, either on deck 11 or deck 6.

 

The adjoining rooms are excellent since you have a large living space yet can close or partially close the door. You can even bolt their door and only use your door, if you'd like.

 

I strongly suggest booking the deck 6 option. Deck 11 is great, too. But I think you'll like deck 6 best.

 

Enjoy!

[lannp]

On a crossing you will not spend as much time out on your balcony, depending on the weather. I would suggest deck 6. Also, if anyone is prone to motion sickness, you do not want to be on deck 11 if you get any rough weather. The roll up there is much more noticeable. You also spend more time on the lower decks, e.g. theater, dining room, buffet is only 1 up on deck 7.

[Casshew]

We took an A1 on Deck 11 with an inside cabin D4 (I think) directly across. We are putting the 2 kids in the inside for sleeping but in the day time they can hang out in the balcony cabin.

 

I didn't like the look of the hull balconies with the solid steel wall, I wanted the panoramic glass balcony on the higher decks. I also didn't like the idea of side by side cabins with the kids having a balcony of their own. I feel better with them in an inside cabin.

[lexxity]

We had a deck six balcony last year on a crossing and it was great, we used it rarely but when we did it meant we were totally sheltered from the weather (and there was some of that). It's a great location. As someone else has said the kids zone is on 6 aft so to be on the same floor is really handy.

 

Try and get midships though the motion is much less noticable there. Our next cruise on the QM2 we have a balcony on 8, it should be a lot calmer (famous last words) as it is the Caribbean.

[Cortesefam]

Thanks all for your comments--lots to think about.

 

We're currently holding connecting staterooms 6160/6164 on Deck 6, almost exactly midship--hoping for that smooth run. We're booked on the Aug. 7 crossing, which will afford time for short visits to London and Paris before returning for the start of school.

 

For those who have traveled with 'tweens and teens, did you use the King's Court dining options at all, or stick with the Britannia Restaurant for all evening meals? Our two enjoy the dining room on ships, but it sounds like the Asian and Chef's Galley options would make for interesting evenings.

 

Also, any experience on how Cunard segments the kids by age for activites?

 

Thanks

[lexxity]

We ate in the Lotus one night and it was really nice actually, but we really enjoy dining in the Britannia as a couple. We put Leo to bed in the nursery and he is taken care of until Midnight. I do know that for the older children they do a "sleepover" type affair where they show films and they are also looked after until Midnight.

 

The age brackets are 1-6, 7-12, 13-17.

 

http://www.cunard.co.uk/OurShips/default.asp?Ship=QM2&main=int&sub=pro&sub2=protzo

 

This is a very well kept secret it seems. We were thrilled with the Childrens program. In fact, I was looking at the schedule from November for the 1-6 age group just this morning!

[Cortesefam]

Lexxity: Thanks for the report. While my wife and I started cruising before we had kids, we really became "hooked" once our daughter arrived--she went on her first cruise at 7 months--a Halloween sailing on Costa where she was a big hit in her trick-or-treat toga!

 

We've had a further family conference, and are now weighing whether we want to cross eastbound or westbound. We originally thought it would be better to arrive in the U.K. with no jet lag, and start our touring off the ship. Upon further reflection, we're considering whether we might be better off flying over, and touring Paris and London, and enjoy the return crossing before heading back to school and work. We may simply reverse our plan, and look at the westbound crossing on August 13.

 

We'd welcome any views on the pros/cons of east vs. west bound crossings!

 

Either way, we're committed to making the trip next August.

 

Thanks

[whylion]

On the westbound crossing you get an extra hour to sleep (or not) on 5 of the nights -- on the eastbound you get and hour less.

[Casshew]

We may simply reverse our plan, and look at the westbound crossing on August 13.

 

 

If you choose that crossing, you and I will be ships that pass in the night, as we embark on August 19th, 08 ~ Eastbound :) Don't eat all the scones.

[travel-to-go]

If you choose that crossing, you and I will be ships that pass in the night, as we embark on August 19th, 08 ~ Eastbound :) Don't eat all the scones.

 

Questions I was actually thinking about the other day (thanks for giving me the entre)

Are scones hard or soft? Like a bakes biscuit or like an English Muffin?

 

And Cashew, I LOVE your web page, that ranch out west looked really cool! Your girls are very lucky to have so many fun family adventures at their age.

And the drum thing That looked really neat!

It impressed me so much (your web site that is) that I have bookmarked it, for trip ideas! You know more about Disney than me, and I lived there when it was being built, plus I have had training as a Disney specialist (But as soon as you learn stuff, they change it all!)

 

Anyway, that's all. Thanks for a peak into your family's marvelous vacations!

 

Now, about those scones....

 

 

Karie,

who is crossing in April on QE2 and back on the QM2

[pnhmrk]

whether we want to cross eastbound or westbound.

 

Why not do both?:confused: That would mean no jetlag and no luggage restrictions:)

 

Are scones hard or soft? Like a bakes biscuit or like an English Muffin?

 

Neither - Thy should be light and fluffy in the middle with a relatively hard crust:) (Karie - do you mean you've never has a scone?:eek: )

[Casshew]

Are scones hard or soft? Like a bakes biscuit or like an English Muffin?

 

Well, most scones are a little dry on the outside, but moist/crumbly in the centre. With butter, preserves & clotted cream :eek: they are absolutely decadent, but I usually have mine plain with a cuppa.

 

And Cashew, I LOVE your web page,

 

Thank you so much, what a nice thing to say. :)

 

I have some new photos to add as we just came back from universal Studios & Sea World, I'll be putting the photos in soon.

 

Thanks again

[msk68]

I'm a westbound fan because you can exhaust yourself sightseeing with the knowledge that you can fully veg on the way home and arrive relaxed and rested. Plus since I can drive to the port, it is nice not to have to worry about shopping and extra baggage weight etc. Plus, the arrival into NYC is an experience unto itself without regard to the place the ship docks. So overall, I would recommend westbound completely.

 

My kids are a little bit younger than yours but I wanted to say how much we LOVED the Play/Kidszone. It has been over a year and my son still brings it up from time to time - how much he wants to do it again.

 

As far as avoiding jetlag - I would suggest taking a day flight. You'll arrive in London in the afteroon and still have time to settle in and have dinner before getting a good night's rest on London time. I have never been one who handles arriving in London at 6AM with an entire day's agenda in front of me well. Traveling and time change are exhausting, taking a day flight totally enables me to enjoy the rest of my trip without a feeling exhausted - it is totally worth the extra night's lodging.

 

Just my .02 for what it is worth.

 

Morrie

[southwestie]

scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam, real butter and hot english tea

 

 

How can you convey that scene to anyone over the pond, in fact outside cornwall, devon, somerset you proberly wont even get a real cream tea.

 

Malcolm how about we start a small tearoom over there somewhere lol give them a real treat.

 

Karie I hope you find one when you come over

 

 

[Traveler Nina]

My kids are a little bit younger than yours but I wanted to say how much we LOVED the Play/Kidszone. It has been over a year and my son still brings it up from time to time - how much he wants to do it again.

 

 

Morrie

 

Morrie, How old are your kids? We are on the 5Nov08 QV sailing with you. Are they boys, girls, a mix? Glad to hear they loved the Play zone!

[cruiseluv]

Hi Cortesefam,

 

We just came back from an eastbound crossing with our kids , ages 13 and 18. We all loved the experience. My daughter was thoroughly entertained in the teens group. My son was too old to be in any of their teens group , but he loved the cruise as well ( made friends while playing Texas Holdum poker in the casino!).

 

My husband and I had a B3 sheltered balcony on Deck 4 which we enjoyed. i wouldn't pay extra for the "open" balcony category. Our kids stayed with my sister in an inside cabin across the hall from us. Had my sister not been in the cruise I would have probably booked a connecting cabin for them.

 

 

I would also recommend a westbound cruise. In the eastbound you lose an hour each day, whereas in the westbound you gain an hour each day. Plus, like it was said before, you can relax from sightseeing in London or wherever in Europe ( assuming that you were planning to spend some time in Europe).

 

I just read your subsequent post , that you are indeed planning to spend time in Europe. Then, definitively, learn from my mistake! Book the westbound crossing!

[travel-to-go]

Why not do both?:confused: That would mean no jetlag and no luggage restrictions:)

 

 

 

Neither - Thy should be light and fluffy in the middle with a relatively hard crust:) (Karie - do you mean you've never has a scone?:eek: )

Well, I'm reaslly not sure. I've probably had something someone called scones, which are undoubtedly not even a close cousin.

 

 

scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam, real butter and hot english tea

 

 

How can you convey that scene to anyone over the pond, in fact outside cornwall, devon, somerset you proberly wont even get a real cream tea.

 

Malcolm how about we start a small tearoom over there somewhere lol give them a real treat.

 

Karie I hope you find one when you come over

 

 

 

 

 

Rob, I don't intend to wait that long. I hope to find some (scones, that is, with all the accoutrements) on the QM2 in October. I'm really going to try to make it to tea at least once!

 

If I fail, there's always April!

 

Thank y'all,.

They look yummy.

Although I wasn't that impressed with clotted cream (which I havehad) I just didn't quite know what to make of it.

 

 

 

Karie,

who promises to try them all!

[pnhmrk]

How can you convey that scene to anyone over the pond, in fact outside cornwall, devon, somerset you proberly wont even get a real cream tea.

 

You can get clotted cream anywhere in the UK (at least you can if there's a Tesco near by:p ) but it's flavourless stuff - nothing like the real thing.

 

I don't intend to wait that long. I hope to find some (scones, that is, with all the accoutrements) on the QM2 in October. I'm really going to try to make it to tea at least once!

 

We expect you to make it every time, missing it only once if you can't help it. None of this "I'll try it once" nonsense!

 

If I fail, there's always April!

 

They do have scones on the QE2 but they don't seem to make anything like as bigger thing of them as the brochure implies they do on the QM2.

 

Although I wasn't that impressed with clotted cream (which I havehad) I just didn't quite know what to make of it.

 

Try the real stuff - from Devon or Cornwall or homemade. :)

[Cortesefam]

We did ultimately reserve the August 13, 2008 westbound crossing, booking connecting hull-balcony cabins. All the advice and counsel was much appreciated--I'll continue to watch these boards for more great ideas!

 

Thanks

[lileague]

Hi Cortesefam,

 

My Fiance and I will be on the same crossing, August 13th 2008. It will be our very 1st cruise together. I'm so excited and have spent way to many hours reading these forums but am so thankful to all for what I have learned here.

I have had quite a fews laughs too.:) (this is my 1st post)

 

I'm not bringing my kids, ages 17 and 22, on this trip. We are booked on Deck 4 in a hull balcony stateroom.

 

Looking forward to meeting you and your family!

 

Cheers,

Peggy

[Cortesefam]

lileague: We booked the crossing nearly 8 months ago--its been a long time to wait, but much fun monitoring these boards for ideas and impressions. We are now in "packing/planning" mode, as we intend to ship formal clothing to the ship via Cunard's service.

 

The crossing will be an interesting experience for our 12 and 15 year olds--they're looking forward to the vacation, and figure the crossing home will be a great chance to relax.

 

Thanks

[pb82]

Here is some information about the QM2 Children's Zone, including one photo of Mr. Lexxity (rear view).