Michael

To return home after a trip to Munich, I've booked a westbound crossing for this December on the QE 2 from Southampton, UK to New York City. Does anyone have any fun or easy suggestion on how to get from Munich, Germany to Southampton? Or should I just fly to London and take the Cunard bus the pier in Southampton? Also, I've heard a December crossing of the North Atlantic can be very rough ,which I think is exciting! Or will it be just plain cold and miserable? I made the crossing on her once before but it was in August. A answer or opinion on this, and any comments on the QE 2 would be welcome!

Michael

Is anybody out there?

Tricia

I'm pretty sure the Southampton airport is only for small, private planes. <BR>As for the QE 2, I'm sure her stabilizers and size will keep the rolling to a minimum. Have a great trip!

Jack

Wasn't the QE 2 delayed by 36 hours once during a rough late-year crossing? <BR>I, too, think it sounds exciting! But I can't comment for sure, for like Michael, I've only crossed the Atlantic in the summer.

Al

Having served in Navy ships on the North Atlantic run, I can say that the sea can be very unpredictable, summer or winter. <BR>The roughest trip we ever made was in June one year, with storm after storm. <BR>December can be a millpond, or it can be quite rough. The best way, in my opinion, to go from Munich to London if you are in no hurry is to buy a train ticket, transferring at Frankfurt, with direct service on to Waterloo via the Chunnel at Calais. But to save wear and tear (if not money), fly Munich to London and come down to Southampton on the bus. You will have a great passage, no matter which choice you make. Remember, westbound you are passing through storms more quickly than if you were eastbound on the Atlantic. Once, coming from Halifax to Greenock, we were in the same foul weather the entire crossing.

Vickie

Michael, <BR> <BR>I've done various crossings on the QE2 and recommend the dreaded bus from London to Southampton. Dreaded because once your cab leaves you at Victoria Station (the bus terminal, not train), you have to lug your baggage through the station to the special depot for the QE2 bus, wait for bus, wait for all latecomers, ride for about 2 hours to the port and then mill around waiting to board. Frustrating, but I've found it's the best way. Tried hiring a driver once - but cost about $250; if money is no object, Cunard does have a deal with Orient-Express to take a special train from London right to the pier. It usually involves a meal and is very smooth - about $300. <BR>

Patricia

I am scheduled to for the late October repositioning crossing from Ft. Lauderdale to Southampton (with stops in Hamilton, Bermuda and Funchal). I, too, would like to know how the weather will be like as I am unsure what to pack. Have not found any site online that gives such info. They talk about casual deck clothes, and the formal dinners (there will be 2 this booking), and it is mentioned that most other dinners are dressy as are the nightclubs. So I am perplexed. Can any of you give me advice for my trip? Also I am physically challenged, using a cane, walker or wheelchair (depending on how I feel each day) so what will be my limitations on mobility on board or on shore excursions?

Rusty

I did the trip in april. One day it was very rough. You really could not go outside, Very windy and cold. Lots of people who were green. We took the train from London to southhampton. Its the only way to do it. The bus is pretty full and waiting around is pretty long. We saw a couple in our hotel who was taking the bus and we were in the train. They were pretty frazzled by the time they arrived. we were cozy and the train was actually a lot of fun. <BR>Let me know if we can help any further. <BR>P.S. Wear pants that stretch !

Vickiee

Patricia: Have been on the QE2 many times and am booked on their 11/30 trip from Cape Town to Southampton. Generally speaking, it is a dressy ship. The formal nights are truly formal (floor-length gowns are the norm) and semi-formal nights are cocktail dresses. Casual nights are what I'd call "country club casual" - no shorts, t-shirts, etc. I'm always surprised at how well dressed many people are during the day - again, country club style (coordinating outfits, blazers, not many sweat suits). Weatherwise, it will probably be coolish (say 60-65 degrees daytime), so bring a raincoat/jacket/sweater. From a mobility standpoint, I'm not sure - certainly, I've seen other passengers in wheelchairs and using canes on board. The problem could be getting out on deck - as I remember, many of the exits onto the decks have a lip, or if there's no lip, there are several steps. (No ramps, I think.) That reminds me that all the cabins also have the lip - both at the doorway into the cabin and at the door into the bathroom. You've probably already arranged for a wheelchair accessible cabin, but if you haven't, do it now!!