Need advice: we have a stateroom on QM2 back to NYC and want to have our black tie/formal attire for special evenings ... but we do not want to lug it around the UK prior to sailing.

Can we ship our formal attire to Cunard and have it waiting in our stateroom the afternoon of embarkation?

And, does anyone recommend using Cunard's bus service from London to Southamption the day of departure?

Any ideas are welcome. Thanks

Hi, you may want to try cruisecritic.com's message boards. I seem to recall seeing the same ? regarding Conard's bus service. Hope this helps. Will be doing the same route in May 2005 and can't wait!!!!

Interesting, just called about the May 10th cruise and the Trans-atlantic crossing.. Is the ship very formal and where on the net can I find more info.

Parrotmom, from what I've read on cruisecritic & cruisemates, the ship is pretty formal, as in TUX formal. I think it is not unusual for the gentlemen to wear jackets on "casual" nights. And from what I understand even if you dine in the pay restaurant Todd English the dress codes still apply. Now I do believe there are 4 restaurants besides the main dining room to eat, I would think at least one would be non dressy

Hi - I'm on the October 14th sailing ... sort of a return adventure since I did sail twice on the Queen Mary before Long Beach bought her. Those times I was in C-181, well below water ... this time, oceanview.

One funny aspect: Cunard failed to tell me about the free flight to the UK included in the price, not until I'd transferred FF miles for a one-way ticket ... imagine my shock. Of course I rectified that fast.

Yes, there are formal evenings, so balck tie is appropriate and necessary. Todd English is the only restuarant where one needs to reserve. You'll be asked for a seating time in another restaurant, and table size when you make the reservation. All very smooth. You can change this mid-voyage.

I've heard the Cunard bus is best ... they handle your luggage hotel to stateroom, whereas the train requires you to get everything into the Cunard terminal at Southampton. You may board at 2 p.m. for the 4 p.m sailing.

I am still not clear on shipping black tie in advance. Asked Cunard but no response yet.

If you visit the Cunard website, you can do a 360 degreee trip and read the FAQs. Good luck with your booking, and have fun.