What's not to be missed on the QM2?

[pnhmrk]

Anyone else found love on the QM2? we have become really friendly with a couple that met on the QE2 six years ago, proposed while we were away on the QM at Christmas and introduced me and my partner to each other.... how romantic!

 

Not the QM but the QE - I met my partner (11 years ago in October) through a mutual friend who I initially met on the QE2. We finalised our agreement for a Civil Partnership last Christmas while on the ship and we're off on honeymoon this Christmas, again on the ship. (The reason our partnership ceremony is in October is to give us the discount on the cruise!)

 

So QE has turned into quite a significant figure in our relationship.

[travel-to-go]

She was there when we were but we thought she was a bit of an odd ball!! we tried to chat with her and she was quite offensive, maybe we weren't her cup of tea!

 

To answer someone elses comment about Paul, he was from Norway, makes great dolphins out of bananas!!

 

Well, you are right in that she is brusque at first, and rather stand-off-ish. My guess is that she has been hurt and is a bit reluctant to make easy relationships. And living on the ship for many months, I'm sure it is hard to make new friendships over and over, when you know these people will be gone in a week. Still, I find that a person like that makes me want to reach out and show her that people can be nice, and that she is worth making a little extra effort (to me, anyway) to be firendly to. I don't know her story, but it doesn't matter to me. If I can bring a smile to someone's face or a little light into what may (or may not) be a dark life, then it makes me happy, and I feel I am a better person for it. It really doesn't cost much. The trick is to understand that people sometimes have different reasons for acting the way they do than it appears on the surface. It is something that has always been - I don't know- maybe a gift? Of mine, and a burden, all the same, as it is painful to feel someone else's pain and not know what to do with it. Maybe my own past makes me a little more "tuned in" to others' pain, when it isn't obvious to the world. People are rarely "mean" or snotty just because. Usually there is a reason. Most often it is related to fear, feelings of (and fears of) inadequacy, fear of rejection, fear of sounding stupid, fear of getting hurt- so they push people away, or erect barriers to others reaching out. But in reality, most people, even the most offensive acting in a one-on-one situation, really want to know that they are worth pushing through that wall for. Gee, don't ask me how I know this. <G>

 

This is just me, and I certainly don't think everyone should be the way I am. What works for me might not work for others.

 

On to brighter subjects!

Well, I never got a Banana Dolphin from Paul, and I am most hurt <sniff>!

 

I shall have to seek him out for such a marvel in September.

 

As for love- How marvelous for both of you, having "Queen" (M or E) related romances! And congrats (in advance) pnhmrk on your upcoming vows! (Can I call that nuptials?) Marc's father and his father's new wife, who will be with us on the September cruise got married in 2004 a week before we did a HAL Christmas Cruise on the Westerdam. They never got the chance to take a honeymoon, for one reason or another, so this will be there belated honeymoon!

 

And SS Norway- You could have worse addictions. I say unless you stop paying the mortgage to go on cruises, go for it!

 

Karie,

Who would love to have the wherewithal to pay for that addiction more often!

[patwell]

hey Karie...how'd you like the Westerdam? We're looking at a cruise next year on her...she's doing a neat itinerary that we thought looked interesting.

Cheers, Penny

[SSNORWAY]

Hi Pnhmrk

 

Thats Fab! All the best for your arrangements, and enjoy the honeymoon.

 

I cant wait to sail on her again, the last QE2 trip for me was two years ago for my 40th, i'm un-naturally excited about the prospect of my trip in only SIX WEEKS, I was looking in the brochure this morning and cant believe the value of the Sydney to Singapore trip next Feb, 31 days and flights for about 3K, just really annoyed that reality prevents me taking that long off work :-(

 

 

And a note to Karie...

 

I suppose we were a large party of vibrant drinkers (oops!) we thought she would appreciate an invitation to join in, but you're right she probably thought we were a bunch of English w----rs, and it is very possible that the book was much more interesting :-(

 

I've got a pic of the banana, that's how sad I am taking pics of bananas!!!

 

It's amazing what can be done with a banana.... a cherry and a cocktail stick.

 

As for the wherewithall, My mum and dad were always popping off for cruises and I thought I would never be able to afford to go on one. I had a burning desire to revisit the SS Norway as I had returned from Canada on the SS France when I was 5, luckily I went on it in the February before the explosion in May 2003, since then i've managed to get some amazing offers and been on lots, I suppose the next two or three I have booked at near enough full price, are cramming in as much as I can on the QE2 before anything serious happens to her engines, as i'm sure it wouldn't be viable to Cunard to replace significant parts of the engines, especially when the new non-liner comes on board next year. God knows what I will do then, I do like the QM2 even though it looks like some crazy person stuck a block of apartments on top of it, and it is one of lifes miracles that it doesn't fall over when you see how much is above and below the water line!

I have been on an NCL and a Celebrity shoe box in the last six months and dispite the bright lights and glitz, they have absolutely no appeal to me at all, I suppose I will be left with the QM2 and maybe the Marco Polo then, oh and by then I suppose some of the saga ships....

 

Its quite easy to get into a rant once you start isn't it!!

 

Thanks for your replys... Mark

[Mustangs]

Hello,

 

Reading the last several posts have brought back many fond memories of the QM2.

 

First of all, the Commodore Club would not be the same without Paul. He was terrific! Our group missed the first martini clinic, so we spoke with Paul about holding another. He organised a private clinic for us. We became "regulars" every evening.

 

Concerning the Sunday worship service, it was held in the Royal Court Theatre. Commodore Warwick conducted the service, which was well attended. Hymns were played by one of the officers on a portable keyboard, and all were well known standards. One thing we found very amusing, is that several officers were seated in the first row, and participated in the service (readings). We were in the second row, and when the Commodore entered, all of the people in the Theatre stood up, except for the officers in the first row. The Commodore stopped, looking at the officers, and quipped "Stand!", at which point the officers bolted to an upright position - something we will always remember. Oh, if looks could kill!

 

Alan

[travel-to-go]

And a note to Karie...

 

I suppose we were a large party of vibrant drinkers (oops!) we thought she would appreciate an invitation to join in, but you're right she probably thought we were a bunch of English w----rs, and it is very possible that the book was much more interesting :-(

 

I've got a pic of the banana, that's how sad I am taking pics of bananas!!!

 

It's amazing what can be done with a banana.... a cherry and a cocktail stick.

Mark

First let me say that some day I want to find a secluded corner of the ship with you and find out what you can do with a banana a cherry and a cocktail stick! I'll send my Marc off to some other corner of the ship so we can have our privacy! <LOL>

 

And you WILL send a copy of that picture... Under brown paper wrapper of course!

 

And had I seen you and your group of rowdi.... I mean lovely social drinkers, I should have been MOST delighted to join you!

 

As for your luck in getting on the Norway and in finding the right cruise at the right price, congrats! How marvelous! Serendipity, getting on the Norway before her sad explosion. And I agree, get all the cruising/crossing in on the QE2 that you can while you still can. One never knows. I still have not yet had the opportunity. I really can't run over and do the mediterranean, what with adding air and all. I really hate to fly at all any more, even though I am a pilot and own a plane (I don't fly it, either!) But I hate dealing with secuirty, going so early, luggage limits which are unrealistic, seats which are crammed together, and alas, I am much bigger than I used to be. i tend to sit huddled miserably in a corner so as to not infringe on others "airspace" It has become a rather miserable experience for me. And I used to love flying, even commercially. The airlines have beaten that out of me, and the government sealed it off. So I would have to be able to afford back to back crossings- which I would really want to explore England a bit if I made it over there! Go see a friend in London (just emailed him yesterday- He works for Nokia there, which has just announced merger with Siemens)

So I haven't found the right QE2 at the right price. And god forbid if a bit of denim accidentally made it into my suitcase or my evening gloves weren't the proper length or I had to take off my heels after dinner to salve my bloody feet from wearing those torture devices! <G> And what if I picked up the wrong fork- say the desert fork for my salad or the pickle fork to eat my shrimp! Horrors! The might keel haul me, you know, or put me in the galley to row with the rest of the low class mob! So I guess I will have to stick with the QM2. Unless they announce an "all politically incorrect social misfit classless dunderhead cruise!" Then I'll be the first to sign up! <G>

 

I'll get on her yet... I hope!

 

Karie,

who hopes she and the Queen both make it long enough to get together.

[Mixed Up]

I do like the QM2 ... it is one of lifes miracles that it doesn't fall over when you see how much is above and below the water line!

 

And it doesn't fall over because ... ???

[pepperrn]

And it doesn't fall over because ... ???

 

... because a Queen knows how to keep her underside hidden from view.

 

... because a Queen never drinks enough to fall over (well, one almost did once in Hong Kong, although the french family next door have had members who have been known to fall over both at home and when away in America).

 

... because it might spill someone's gin and tonic.

 

... because, although her namesake stared (under an assumed name) in a movie about it once, her name isn't Poseidon.

 

... because one just doesn't do that sort of thing.

[patwell]

Quote Mixed Up "and it doesn't fall over because???..."

 

Because... it would seriously ruin my cruise, not to mention scaring the daylights out of me....thus possibly causing me to demand compensation, on-board credits and a free round the world trip!!!;) ;)

Cheers, Penny

[travel-to-go]

Quote Mixed Up "and it doesn't fall over because???..."

 

Because... it would seriously ruin my cruise, not to mention scaring the daylights out of me....thus possibly causing me to demand compensation, on-board credits and a free round the world trip!!!;) ;)

Cheers, Penny

Can I sign up for that?

 

Karie,

who NEEDs a round the world cruise!

[SSNORWAY]

Mark

First let me say that some day I want to find a secluded corner of the ship with you and find out what you can do with a banana a cherry and a cocktail stick! I'll send my Marc off to some other corner of the ship so we can have our privacy! <LOL>

 

And you WILL send a copy of that picture... Under brown paper wrapper of course!

 

And had I seen you and your group of rowdi.... I mean lovely social drinkers, I should have been MOST delighted to join you!

 

As for your luck in getting on the Norway and in finding the right cruise at the right price, congrats! How marvelous! Serendipity, getting on the Norway before her sad explosion. And I agree, get all the cruising/crossing in on the QE2 that you can while you still can. One never knows. I still have not yet had the opportunity. I really can't run over and do the mediterranean, what with adding air and all. I really hate to fly at all any more, even though I am a pilot and own a plane (I don't fly it, either!) But I hate dealing with secuirty, going so early, luggage limits which are unrealistic, seats which are crammed together, and alas, I am much bigger than I used to be. i tend to sit huddled miserably in a corner so as to not infringe on others "airspace" It has become a rather miserable experience for me. And I used to love flying, even commercially. The airlines have beaten that out of me, and the government sealed it off. So I would have to be able to afford back to back crossings- which I would really want to explore England a bit if I made it over there! Go see a friend in London (just emailed him yesterday- He works for Nokia there, which has just announced merger with Siemens)

So I haven't found the right QE2 at the right price. And god forbid if a bit of denim accidentally made it into my suitcase or my evening gloves weren't the proper length or I had to take off my heels after dinner to salve my bloody feet from wearing those torture devices! <G> And what if I picked up the wrong fork- say the desert fork for my salad or the pickle fork to eat my shrimp! Horrors! The might keel haul me, you know, or put me in the galley to row with the rest of the low class mob! So I guess I will have to stick with the QM2. Unless they announce an "all politically incorrect social misfit classless dunderhead cruise!" Then I'll be the first to sign up! <G>

 

I'll get on her yet... I hope!

 

Karie,

who hopes she and the Queen both make it long enough to get together.

Hi Karie

 

Thanks for your amusing reply!

 

I'm new on here, I may use the dolphin banana pic as my signature!

 

It's a shame to have been a pilot, have a plane and not be able to fly :-( It's like being a mermaid and allergic to water!

 

Keep smiling, hope you have a good week x

[patwell]

Can I sign up for that?

 

Karie,

who NEEDs a round the world cruise!

 

Think about this Karie...we have to tip over to get this free trip....you NEED it that badly?:rolleyes: Cheers, Penny

[travel-to-go]

Think about this Karie...we have to tip over to get this free trip....you NEED it that badly?:rolleyes: Cheers, Penny

 

Hey! I'm used to it!

I tip over all the time! I 'm just usuallly not on a ship when I do it! <G>

 

Karie,

Who is NEVER tipsy~Much!

[micropooz]

Back to the original question, maybe I should call this "What not to do!"

My husband and I were on the QM2 Nov. '04, to the Carrib. We had become friendly with the Senior Assist. Maitre'd (sp?) in Britannia and on the afternoon of our last formal dinner he called us. We were dressing for our early seating. He asked if we would like to sit at the Hotel Manager's table that evening. Someone had taken ill. Of course, we said "YES!"

 

We arrived at Britannia for the late seating and our wonderful waiter through out our entire cruise, was waiting to take us to the Hotel Manager's table on the lower level, near the Captain's Table. I took our waiter's arm and he began to escort me down the Grand Staircase (port side, if your interested) with my husband right behind. Halfway down, I slipped and fell down the rest of the steps to the dining room floor. My husband said there was a collective gasp from the many people who saw this, followed by total silence. Although it happenned in an instant, I remember it in slow motion. I was not hurt (bruised knee, really nothing) but the had the wind knocked out of me. I landed on my left side with my front towards the floor. My legs were still up the stairs and all I could think of was whether my ball gown skirt was covering up what needed to be covered up. What I remember, was about ten waiters hovering around me. Being in such a strange position with my legs up, I had trouble getting up. I lifted my head and said I was fine but embarrassed. When I said that, all but two waiters instantly disappeared. I regained my footing and my escort waiter was very protective of me as we walked to the table. Later, my husband told me that the skirt of my gown only revealed some ankle! I was very relieved and it has been a standing joke ever since. BTW, the Hotel Manager was an old gas bag nearing retirement and we laugh about that, too!

[micropooz]

I'm so sorry! My previous post was intended for another thread! Sorry!

[travel-to-go]

I'm so sorry! My previous post was intended for another thread! Sorry!

 

Don't apologize!

I am wiping the tears from my eyes as I type!

It's been a tough week, and I have to get up and pack in the morning and drive an arduous (mostly) drive to try to get somewhere as early as possible, wear mysyelf out and then drive back the other way the next morning (then to work on Monday- and, no, with about 2 1/2 weeks to go, I still do not know what will happen to me and my job) Well, at least I get an hour and 15 minute "Cruise" each way! On the car ferry! Closest I'm getting til September!

 

ANyway- I'm so sorry to laugh at your horrible misfortune and glad you are allright- But I had an asthma attack laughing so hard. I could just see myself doing that- Only I would probably be doing the "Breakfast at Tiffany's dragging the mink down the curved staircase (that was in that movie, wan't it?) and trip over the damned thing and go @$$ over teakettle and end up sprawled on all fours!

 

Karie,

Who doesn't usually laugh at others' misfortunes! I guess I just needed the release and what's better for that than a pratfall... after we know everything is all right, that is!

[heywood]

And it doesn't fall over because ... ???

have you ever tried life saving clad in denims and diamante?

 

I have to confess I haven't been reading this thread too much and what I have missed!

 

pnhmrk - congratulations and enjoy the honeymoon.

 

micropooz - unlike that heartless Karie (who knows I love her posts), I gasped- me heart fluttered - it's that nervous recognition of self that does it!

 

heywood

[micropooz]

Once again, I am mistaken! This was the thread I meant to post on!!!! I hoped everyone would find this anecdote funny because we certainly did, esp. just after it happened!

 

Actually, the poster who made the comparison to seeing the Egyptian pyramids hit the nail on the head. We were in line for 3 1/2 hours in NYC (totally unacceptable - hope Brooklyn is better!) and when we finally boarded we went straight to our cabin and by some miracle, our luggage had already been delivered. We decided to get the unpacking done and busied ourselves with that.

 

Being November, the sun set early and we looked out our Deck 11, port side balcony and saw a beautiful sight. 12th Street on the west side of Manhattan looked like a spectacular diamond and ruby bracelet! Traffic both directions was grid-locked. But the red tail lights and white head lights of the cars were brilliant. I'm not sure my words can do it justice. We felt like that had been placed there for us! It was our 25th Anniversary trip, in a beautiful stateroom, on the most magnificent ship in the world.

 

Our 5:30 departure was delayed until 8pm because the Captain wanted more water loaded for our long trip to the Carrib. islands, so we had our first seating dinner in port!

 

This worked out quite nicely, because after dinner, we bundled up and went forward to the Deck 11 outside area below the Bridge. It was cold and crisp and we waited quite awhile until the Queen let out her "Great Bellow," signaling departure. We felt quite special having found such a great location to watch our Queen in action. Everyone was silent and had their eyes focused on the foc'sle, waiting to see movement away from the pier. It was so slow and precise; hard to believe such a huge vessel could move so precisely and minutely. Slowly, slowly, she moved. It was cold outside and it took quite awhile to get away from the dock. The approach to Lady Liberty was magical and the Verazzano Bridge passage almost heart stopping! Would the Queen really pass safely? Of course, she did!

 

Those moments are never to be forgotten, for us. This was a good thread. I hope more people post about this. I can't imagine anyone leaving the QM2 without some touching memory.

 

Malinda/micropooz

[heywood]

Malinda,

what a fabulous description! We are sailing from UK so won't see that - but on the positive side we can think about it for next year!

Thanks for sharing

heywood

[Freckles67]

I have no advice since my QM2 cruise is yet to come (Dec. 16, 2006). I find these tips very valuable. I'm copying and pasting some of these into a Word document, and will print it out for my cruise notebook.

[Cruiseiker]

I like your question, it has brought back lots of memories...

 

The Commodore lounge, I was there with my 11 year old neice who has never been in a bar before, Paul made her feel so special every day making special non alchoholic drinks that looked better than ours, she looked like a child looking in a toy shop christmas window! oh yes and the incredible model of the ship and the funny stories they tell you about it.

 

Meeting my other half and having romantic nights on the observation deck above the bridge (hoping we had dodged the cctv)..... and the Atlantic room isn't just for cards.... however be warned the lights are timed to come on at 5am

 

Christmas carols around the tree in the grand lobby on Christmas eve.

 

The fabulous tender stations, we didn't need a wheelchair, but I was amazed they had a lift on each one (4) that allowed wheelchairs to be rolled directly onto the tenders. They are massive flaps which open just above the sea like its own quayside unlike most ships I have been on that have all manner of contraptions dangling off the side to get onto the tenders.

 

The rolls at dinner! I put on about 14 pounds in two weeks and i'm sure it must have been those rolls and not the lobster, creamy sauces, wine or the Jack and Cokes. we were only in the Brittania but the food was fabulous every night (except the last one for some reason?)

 

A night club that actually had people in it after Midnight! In fact it was usually buzzing till at least 4am. Most ships I have been on have huge empty clubs with no character or other passengers, The G32 is a very weird place it is not particularly big, well designed or that nice to look at, but it always seems to be busy and they play great music, what more could you want?

 

Its got me thinking now.. I may have to come back with some more

 

I was following this thread because we were thinking of doing a crossing with our 13 y.o. niece and were wondering if there is enough for her to do for 6-7 days. Looks like we'd enjoy the QM, but what did your niece do to keep occupied? Our niece could be classsified as very mature BUT she's still a 13 y.o. !!!

 

SSNorway or anyone else's thoughts.......DEAL or NO DEAL?

[SSNORWAY]

My niece is 12, she made friends on the first day and met up with them all over the ship, but particularly spent a lot of time in the pools, every time she checked in with us she was filled with vitality and was realing off all the names of the girls and boys she had been playing with, there is a well organised kids area but I dont think any of our kids even looked in there, by the indoor pool on the top deck with retractable roof there is also a table tennis table which the boys liked too, you can get a sticker put on your nieces on board credit card for about $50 so that soft drinks are unlimited for the duration of the cruise, the bar tenders can make fun looking drinks without alchohol to make them feel special, these were included in this offer except in the restaurant where I think our strange wine waiter wanted to extract as much 15% as he could from our group. the ones they liked best were called roy rodgers and..... oops I cant remember the other one, will edit if it comes back to me.

 

They are all still talking about their experiences now, nearly eight months later i'm sure your niece will love it.

 

Mark

[Freckles67]

I have copied and pasted the suggestions from this thread into a Word document. I printed it out for my husband to read, and will take it with me in my cruise notebook when we sail. There is a lot of really good advice here. Would it be possible to take a copy of these suggestions to the QM2 library to be placed with the Cruise Critic sign in book? I'd love to share this with future cruisers, but don't know if it's OK to do this.... anyone know? It could be checked out like a library book. Just a little "perk" for the CC members.....

[Cruiseiker]

Thanks Mark, we're working on the details now.....sounds like she'll have a good time!

[Texwell]

I have copied and pasted the suggestions from this thread into a Word document. I printed it out for my husband to read, and will take it with me in my cruise notebook when we sail. There is a lot of really good advice here. Would it be possible to take a copy of these suggestions to the QM2 library to be placed with the Cruise Critic sign in book? I'd love to share this with future cruisers, but don't know if it's OK to do this.... anyone know? It could be checked out like a library book. Just a little "perk" for the CC members.....

 

I did just that - copied and pasted the suggestions and took them with me on the 7/8 crossing. It was our first and those suggestions (as well as many threads on this board) helped us to become quickly acquainted with the ship and saved us much time. The only thing I didn't have time to do was tea in the Queen's Room but we'll save that for next time. And there will definitely be a "next time". We love the ship! Thanks to all for contributing to this thread!