tom d

for my retirement our kids would like to give us a cruise to europe. they have come up with QE2 going over and flying back on the concord. since i know they can afford it, i'm very intersted. has anybody done this and what is their opinion please. also how does theQE2 compare with other ships today. thanks for your help

Simon

<BR>Tom I`ve just returned from QE Trans Atlantic.There are 3 grades of dining: mauretania 2 sitting, caronia 1 sitting and grill class the highest rated restaurants afloat. It all depends on how much your kids want to pay.The food is very good. <BR>The ship is 30 years old and does not have the glitz or razzamataz of todays ships- I`m pleased to say ! <BR>The staff in all areas were superb. There was plenty going on to keep you occupied but at the same time if you wanted total relaxation then it was just around the corner.The entertainment was good and varied,they offer theme cruises so if you have a particular intrest then ask your travel agent to see if its featured. <BR>The QE is the Old Lady of the seas however in November the company are spending millions on refurbishing her so you may want to wait till next season. I`ve travelled on many ships and it is impossible to compare them with the QE as she is unique. <BR>Cant tell you anything about concorde but I`m sure its a great experience and it gets you home a lot quicker. E mail me if I can be of any further help. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Simon.

Vickie

I have been on the QE2 several times, and did the Concorde deal once, and would recommend this experience! Concorde was fascinating and the red carpet was really rolled out at the airport. <BR> <BR>The QE2 is difficult to comment on - I agree with the bulk of Simon's thoughts. I have always sailed first class, which means dining in the Caronia restaurant and have no interest in either the Queens or Princess Grill (too small, so don't get the socializing aspect; have heard reports of snobbery; etc.) I have sailed on other upscale lines including Crystal and it is an impossible comparison. Although the physical attributes of QE2 (decor, furnishings, cabin size) are somewhat deficient (especially when compared to Crystal), there are other unique advantages. For me, those are: being served English tea (complete with scones and little sandwiches) on the Sun Deck, from china cups, etc.; dancing in the Queens Room to a live band; and meeting the wide variety of people who travel on this ship. I find that most other lines carry a majority of Americans, and I like to broaden my horizons while on vacation, so the QE2 appeals to me with their variety of nationalities & ages. <BR> <BR>My suggestion is that you do some research to determine if the ship's pros and cons meet your needs. Get brochures from your travel agent and study them (and the photos) closely - also, most travel agents have video tapes you can borrow. Also, check the cruise guidebooks out and travel magazines who've published "my trip on the QE2" type of articles. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

Stacy

Are there any ways of getting huge discounts for this? Thanks

Rod Hoots

If you haven't been to Europe before, I would recommend a cruise starting and ending in Europe that includes several cities. My wife and I would recommend the Crystal Line cruises in the Baltic or Mediterranean. We are retired and find them perfect both for relaxation and visiting interesting places. <BR>