Leona

I am a new poster on this site, as I have really never wanted to take a cruise.

However, I saw the QM2 this morning, docked in NY harbor and now I would love to cruise to Southampton. The problem is that it is 6 days on open ocean. Any experienced cruisers want to comment on this? What should I expect going through the North Atlantic in late July?

Thank you.

triathlete

It would seem to that choosing a vacation based on the fact that you like the look of the one ship you've seen might not be the best way to go about it. I would suggest that you site down with an experienced travel agent and talk over all of your options before deciding.

Cheers!

Frank

Leona: Read Cindy Adams column in the Post for this past Mon. Tues. and Wed. She was on the maiden voyage of the QM2 from England. After you read it, let me know if you still want to take a trans Atlantic cruise.

For a first cruise, I would recommend a more traditional cruise out of New York to Bermuda, Caribbean, or New England/Nova Scotia. You might even want to try a 4 or 5 day cruise as a sample. I believe the QM 2 is also doing some of these types of cruises.

BeachBoi

Leona......Hot of the Press.......
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Northeast....ap/index.html

Leona

Thank you all.

I've decided that we will start w/Bermuda & I've contacted a travel agent.

Frank

Good Decision, our first 3 cruises were from New York to Bermuda. Check prices on Cruise411.com, we've used them several times and were quite pleased with the price and service. If you prefer to call (1-800-553-7090), speak to Megan.

adisim

I don't know why everyone seems so eager to dissuade you. I'm not your average cruiser (I'm in my late 20's) but was on the QE2 several times in the mid and late 90's and loved every trip-- if you have the time, a crossing is beautiful. The air and ocean changes constantly-- you will have sunny days where you can swim outdoors and lie out in the sun, misty days when you can walk for miles on deck, stormy hours when you truly feel the isolation (although you are surrounded by a few thousand people)-- you look out and see nothing but ocean and sky and realize just how far away from everywhere you are. There are nights when the sky is darker and the constellations clearer than you can believe and if there is a full moon the path on the ocean is breathtaking. And then you go inside and dance or chat or have a drink, read a book, people watch... And there is no pressure to get up early to visit a port and tour-- that will happen when you get to Europe. But until then you are really on vacation. I'm not saying it's for everyone but it is for more people than you might imagine.

JuneAnn

I agree with Adisim. Storms are not unusual in the North Atlantic in April. July should be much smoother sailing. I would think that an elegant, gracious 6 night cruise would be perfect for a person new to cruising. I saw the QM2 this morning as it came into the Harbor and it is regal. I love the idea of being part of this experience. We are on a translatlantic on the QM 2 is early July.

Leona

Frank,
We've booked our Bermuda cruise on the Norwegian Crown. Have you ever cruised on NCL? Or specifically, the Crown?

Thank you.

Frank

Leona:

We sailed NCL for the first time last June on the Dawn. We really enjoyed the cruise, and thought NCL did a bang up job. The Freestyle cruising concept with anytime dining won us over. I'm not specifically familar with the Crown, but do know that it's an older ship originally built in 1988, but refurbished several times since than. Check out the ship review on cruisecritic at:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/...cfm?ShipID=164

I remember our first cruise was on a 1930's liner (The Britanis) to Bermuda, and we haven't looked back since. Going on our 14th cruise this Fall.

Have a great cruise.

Leona

Thank you, Frank & the same to you!

codytravels

I just took the Maiden trnsatlantic on the QM2, and found it to be the most beautiful ship I've been on, maybe because it was all so new and modern, but with a great Art Deco feeling. That said, I would not do it again because I find the class system to be silly. I had the luxury of being in the Queens Grill(First Class) and a beautiful suite (with a butler) but thought that the snobbish people's attitude was unnecessary.I din't find that to be the case as much on the QE2. I think I'll try another line where it's less formal (and stuffy)..
That's just me!

Cruiser

Thanks, Codytravels, for taking the time to write your short review and give your opinion.