England via the QM2!
Aug 5th, 2012, 10:54 AM
#21
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We had asked for a table for 6 but when we were moved to the Queen's Grill we were at a table for 4 with a Scottish couple. They were lovely but we didn't eat every meal with them as our schedules didn't always coordinate and we tended to eat about 30 minutes later. We enjoyed them but I think a table for 6 would be better.
Aug 5th, 2012, 07:20 PM
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What a great report! I've been curious about the QM2, even though I'm not a cruiser. taconic, your report is including all the kinds of details I'd like to know!
As for posting in another forum (in this case the Cruise forum), an easy way is to start a new post designated for that forum and paste the URL of this one into it. Another would be, once you finish all the cruise parts of this TR, paste them into a new post on the Cruise forum (and then also include the link to here).
As for posting in another forum (in this case the Cruise forum), an easy way is to start a new post designated for that forum and paste the URL of this one into it. Another would be, once you finish all the cruise parts of this TR, paste them into a new post on the Cruise forum (and then also include the link to here).
Aug 6th, 2012, 08:17 AM
#26
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Taconictraveler-- In answer to your question regarding table size:
Eastbound, I was seated at a table for eight, westbound a table for four. It worked out both ways since everyone got along & I even felt like old chums with some by the end of the trip. However, I think given a choice I would go with a table for eight, since it increases the chances of having a dining companion with whom you really click. After all, I found that it tended to be one's dining companions that ended up being your "hangout buddies" on board more than the other passengers.
In fact, westbound, wishing to enlarge my social acquaintances on board, I broke the invisible barrier between our table and the very close neighbouring table of four by introducing myself. This worked out well since it was a very agreeable family from Kent seated beside us who would then on later occasions chit-chat with me when we went to the drama classes.
Eastbound, I was seated at a table for eight, westbound a table for four. It worked out both ways since everyone got along & I even felt like old chums with some by the end of the trip. However, I think given a choice I would go with a table for eight, since it increases the chances of having a dining companion with whom you really click.
After all, I found that it tended to be one's dining companions that ended up being your "hangout buddies" on board more than the other passengers. In fact, westbound, wishing to enlarge my social acquaintances on board, I broke the invisible barrier between our table and the very close neighbouring table of four by introducing myself. This worked out well since it was a very agreeable family from Kent seated beside us who would then on later occasions chit-chat with me when we went to the drama classes.
Aug 6th, 2012, 10:57 AM
#28
Have been on the QM2 twice.... and both times enjoyed dinner at the Lotus restaurant which was in the casual Asian area in Kings Court during the day. At nite it was converted to a very pleasant spot. (Which certainly doesn't describe Kings Court!) I hope it's still operating (last trip was
3 years ago.) Also, last trip we were in Britannia Club class. Britannia Club has it's own room within the big Britannia Rest. It offers the same seating at all 3 meals and there is no set time for
dining. (No seatings.) Many fond memories of the Commodore Bar-
3 years ago.) Also, last trip we were in Britannia Club class. Britannia Club has it's own room within the big Britannia Rest. It offers the same seating at all 3 meals and there is no set time for
dining. (No seatings.) Many fond memories of the Commodore Bar-
Aug 6th, 2012, 11:02 AM
#29
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Gwendolyn: i'm curious. How does one qualify for Brittania Club?
We have who do two crossings every year to their home in Scotland, and I know they dine in Brittania Club, but I can't ask them since they are still in Scotland!
We have who do two crossings every year to their home in Scotland, and I know they dine in Brittania Club, but I can't ask them since they are still in Scotland!
Aug 6th, 2012, 12:21 PM
#31
Our cruise agent recommended it. Cost a bit more but as I recall not enough to turn off my husband - I wasn't aware of it before her suggestion. It was nice not to have to pay attention
to the clock at meal times. As far as the cabins go... I didn't see any difference. B. Club was on the 12th Deck (just 3 decks up from the Commodore Club. )
The agent I used was with http://www.cruiseprofessionals.com/
They're located near Toronto but that was no problem. I've dealt with a lovely woman there
named Violet DuBeau. Again... it's been a few years.. but I hope she's still there.
I wasn't aware of it before her suggestion. It was nice not to have to pay attentionto the clock at meal times. As far as the cabins go... I didn't see any difference. B. Club was on the 12th Deck (just 3 decks up from the Commodore Club. )
The agent I used was with http://www.cruiseprofessionals.com/
They're located near Toronto but that was no problem. I've dealt with a lovely woman there
named Violet DuBeau. Again... it's been a few years.. but I hope she's still there.
Aug 6th, 2012, 03:42 PM
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Yay, DH did the reservations today QE, Aegean. BUT, I was at work and not with him so he did dinner second seating. Not good--cuts out time for shows, for lots of post-dinner dancing, etc. He has to go back to Cunard and beg for mercy and change to first seating. Yeah, yeah, I know some will argue with me, but we had first seating last time and it worked out great.
Aug 6th, 2012, 04:04 PM
#34
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Irishface: There are two kinds of balconies. I'm sure there is a proper name for them, but some have solid metal "railings," and some have clear plastic of some sort, so you can see the ocean when sitting down, both on the balcony, where we sat when we could, and from inside the cabin. It just gives more of a feeling of spaciousness.
DAYS TWO THRU SEVEN (CONT.)
For those who are interested, here was our Wednesday on board, which was somewhat typical of what we did all day:
AHEM: Please be warned, this report contains tangents.
After a very nice breakfast in the dining room with H & H (our companion friends) the ladies went to a lecture by Allen Hamilton, MD. This man is a neuro-surgeon from the South West, and tho' unknown to us, has written some books, and some of you may have heard of him.
His topic intrigued us, since it covered How the Spiritual Invades the Atheist Mind. (You can always get me with a topic like THAT.) He called it, I think, The Ten Most Important Lessons I've Learned the Hard Way.
He basically talked about how things he observed in patients and in surgery, surprising outcomes, etc. made him, an atheist, rethink whether there really IS something going on and that maybe we aren't in control. Hmmmmm.
We enjoyed it very much, and he was an extremely good speaker.
That day, we had lunch in the King's Court, where I had discovered how to put together a really good salad, which is my favorite, though possibly boring, lunch.
In the afternoon, we went to see a movie, called "The Vow" which was very sweet.
By the way, there is a very nice theater on board, the center part of which is also a planetarium.
We experienced the planetarium show one day, which is like the Rose Center at the Museum of Natural History, with those seats that "lean" way back, so you can see the show, which is on the "ceiling." Be aware though that these intricate seats don't all work correctly, so it took us a while to find seats that actually worked!
Sometime that day, Jim signed up for the golf competition, which was way up top by one of the pools, (I forget, at the moment, its name!) because for him, anything that smacks of golf has got to be good. It was some sort of driving competition, but there were many golf fanatics signing up.
He didn't win, but he didn't care, it was fun.
We managed to fit in a canasta game in the early afternoon. We allowed the guys to win (again) but we were gaining on them!
That evening we dressed up for the Todd English dining room, and enjoyed excellent lamb, and a South African Pinotage, which we don't see often enough where we live.
By the way, the wines are pretty much the same ones you can get in the Brittannia dining room, and at the same prices.
Chocolate mousse finished our meal, and I just found a note that this dining room cost us about $50 extra per couple.
One of the things we very much enjoyed was the Captain's noontime message to all aboard. He reminded us to set our clocks back one hour each day at noon (except for Day One) and then gave us interesting tidbits of nautical information, with a light touch. His name was Christopher Wells.
There are also nightclub-like acts and live theater offerings, but I'm not much for late night stuff, (any more!) There is also a disco way back in the stern, which we visited just for fun one evening to see what the "scene" was, and it was hopping! So I guess not everyone on board was gray haired!
(In fact on that note, we saw lots of families, and darling little kids who seemed to enjoy dressing up for dinner!)
So our days were sort of like that with new discoveries each day, including the day that Jim decided to find the laundromat. I may have mentioned in other trip reports that my husband is a clean laundry fanatic (it could be worse, right?) and he cannot go more than a few days without doing his laundry. Never mind that he could send it out, he wouldn't dream of paying the prices for that!
So off he went, and came back with new discoveries, and having met a few people. Apparently there is a laundromat or two on each deck, almost each deck.
We lost our husbands now and then, and we all went off in different directions most days, and met for meals. We all had different habits about going to the gym, etc. so no one felt obliged to do anything. That's one of the nice things about old friends.
I'll try to wind up the QM2 part of this trip in my next post, and then perhaps go on to another thread about our week in England.
DAYS TWO THRU SEVEN (CONT.)
For those who are interested, here was our Wednesday on board, which was somewhat typical of what we did all day:
AHEM: Please be warned, this report contains tangents.
After a very nice breakfast in the dining room with H & H (our companion friends) the ladies went to a lecture by Allen Hamilton, MD. This man is a neuro-surgeon from the South West, and tho' unknown to us, has written some books, and some of you may have heard of him.
His topic intrigued us, since it covered How the Spiritual Invades the Atheist Mind. (You can always get me with a topic like THAT.) He called it, I think, The Ten Most Important Lessons I've Learned the Hard Way.
He basically talked about how things he observed in patients and in surgery, surprising outcomes, etc. made him, an atheist, rethink whether there really IS something going on and that maybe we aren't in control. Hmmmmm.
We enjoyed it very much, and he was an extremely good speaker.
That day, we had lunch in the King's Court, where I had discovered how to put together a really good salad, which is my favorite, though possibly boring, lunch.
In the afternoon, we went to see a movie, called "The Vow" which was very sweet.
By the way, there is a very nice theater on board, the center part of which is also a planetarium.
We experienced the planetarium show one day, which is like the Rose Center at the Museum of Natural History, with those seats that "lean" way back, so you can see the show, which is on the "ceiling." Be aware though that these intricate seats don't all work correctly, so it took us a while to find seats that actually worked!
Sometime that day, Jim signed up for the golf competition, which was way up top by one of the pools, (I forget, at the moment, its name!) because for him, anything that smacks of golf has got to be good. It was some sort of driving competition, but there were many golf fanatics signing up.
He didn't win, but he didn't care, it was fun.
We managed to fit in a canasta game in the early afternoon. We allowed the guys to win (again) but we were gaining on them!
That evening we dressed up for the Todd English dining room, and enjoyed excellent lamb, and a South African Pinotage, which we don't see often enough where we live.
By the way, the wines are pretty much the same ones you can get in the Brittannia dining room, and at the same prices.
Chocolate mousse finished our meal, and I just found a note that this dining room cost us about $50 extra per couple.
One of the things we very much enjoyed was the Captain's noontime message to all aboard. He reminded us to set our clocks back one hour each day at noon (except for Day One) and then gave us interesting tidbits of nautical information, with a light touch. His name was Christopher Wells.
There are also nightclub-like acts and live theater offerings, but I'm not much for late night stuff, (any more!) There is also a disco way back in the stern, which we visited just for fun one evening to see what the "scene" was, and it was hopping! So I guess not everyone on board was gray haired!
(In fact on that note, we saw lots of families, and darling little kids who seemed to enjoy dressing up for dinner!)
So our days were sort of like that with new discoveries each day, including the day that Jim decided to find the laundromat. I may have mentioned in other trip reports that my husband is a clean laundry fanatic (it could be worse, right?) and he cannot go more than a few days without doing his laundry. Never mind that he could send it out, he wouldn't dream of paying the prices for that!
So off he went, and came back with new discoveries, and having met a few people. Apparently there is a laundromat or two on each deck, almost each deck.
We lost our husbands now and then, and we all went off in different directions most days, and met for meals. We all had different habits about going to the gym, etc. so no one felt obliged to do anything. That's one of the nice things about old friends.
I'll try to wind up the QM2 part of this trip in my next post, and then perhaps go on to another thread about our week in England.
Aug 7th, 2012, 01:56 AM
#35
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The laundry was not my favorite place on the Queen Vic, narrow cramped space with all the annoyances of big laundromats, people leaving their finished wash in the machines, then put out that their laundry had been taken out and put in a basket, people (usually the same ones) expecting dryers to be held open for them because their wet wash was ready for a dryer. No place to sit to wait. Our table mates told us that earlier on (they boarded in Los Angeles) two families were put off the ship for a fight over laundry! Love it.
Aug 7th, 2012, 09:26 AM
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Taconic-Really enjoying your report. We have been on the QM2 a few times, but just once for a transatlantic. We ususally do NY/New England/Canada/NY. The transatlantic was the most relaxing trip we ever took. Lots to do if you want, or, you could just sit on your balcony and read and watch the ocean slip by.
We always go for the bigger tables for dinner, as stated before, that is a good way to meet people and we found we would do things together on the ship.
When leaving NY we always start in the Commodore Club (which is also where we would go every night before bed), then we head to the top deck to watch how close the ship comes to the Verazzano Bridge. They had to alter the ship's design a bit so that it would fit under the bridge.
We are looking forward to another trip on the QM2, and also want to check out the QE and QV.
We always go for the bigger tables for dinner, as stated before, that is a good way to meet people and we found we would do things together on the ship.
When leaving NY we always start in the Commodore Club (which is also where we would go every night before bed), then we head to the top deck to watch how close the ship comes to the Verazzano Bridge. They had to alter the ship's design a bit so that it would fit under the bridge.
We are looking forward to another trip on the QM2, and also want to check out the QE and QV.
Aug 7th, 2012, 12:22 PM
#37
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CThinjoetown: that's why I didn't go to the laundromat!!
travelatty: thanks for the support. Are you also a lawyer?
One of the things I loved was that when we checked in at the dock, we got "credit card" that was the only thing we had to carry around with us all week. It got us in to our cabins and could be used to buy drinks, books, etc. I took along a "lanyard" that I had gotten at a college reunion in May, and slipped the card in that, so I would always have it on my person. ( thanks to a Fodorite's tip)
Then, we discovered by trying out the casino that, in there, they would punch a hole in your card and give you a retractable coiled plastic lanyard type thing to use with your card. Very handy, and all your other valuables could stay happily in the in-cabin safe. The only thing I had to worry about was my eyeglasses that i notoriously lose constantly lol.
travelatty: thanks for the support. Are you also a lawyer?
One of the things I loved was that when we checked in at the dock, we got "credit card" that was the only thing we had to carry around with us all week. It got us in to our cabins and could be used to buy drinks, books, etc. I took along a "lanyard" that I had gotten at a college reunion in May, and slipped the card in that, so I would always have it on my person. ( thanks to a Fodorite's tip)
Then, we discovered by trying out the casino that, in there, they would punch a hole in your card and give you a retractable coiled plastic lanyard type thing to use with your card. Very handy, and all your other valuables could stay happily in the in-cabin safe. The only thing I had to worry about was my eyeglasses that i notoriously lose constantly lol.
Aug 7th, 2012, 12:57 PM
#38
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Taconic-Yes, I am a lawyer in the Mid-Hudson region.
Our first cruise was a weekend trip on the QM2 to Canada-there was a hurricane out to sea and the water was quite choppy, but we did not feel it on board-that was when we realized that cruising is not a bad way to go. We have been on the QM2 enough times that I finally gave in and bought a tuxedo. Reading your trip report makes me want to get it out and take another trip!
Our first cruise was a weekend trip on the QM2 to Canada-there was a hurricane out to sea and the water was quite choppy, but we did not feel it on board-that was when we realized that cruising is not a bad way to go. We have been on the QM2 enough times that I finally gave in and bought a tuxedo. Reading your trip report makes me want to get it out and take another trip!
Aug 7th, 2012, 05:02 PM
#39
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Well, well, so am I! I am semi-retired and now do mostly Mediation.
Spend most of my legal life in Dutchess County.
(But we would rather be traveling! And writing this report makes me want to go back on the QM2 or another Cunard ship asap!)
LAST DAYS ON BOARD
We were sad on our last days as this restful but interesting crossing was coming to an end.
We went to another fairly useless lecture on Venice by the Italian Artist who we did not think was up to our standards, and I'm no expert, but have been to Venice, and our friends have been there upteen times. She could have given a better lecture.
So, the quality of every offering was not top drawer, but no matter, there was plenty to keep us busy. EG: We ladies won at Canasta by a landslide; we lost the husbands for quite a while, so went to the Whirlpool and vegged out.
That evening we had another dinner at the Todd English: excellent salad with those crispy fried artichokes, followed by grilled diver scallops, with a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Our last day we attended a talk by our Captain and learned his story, (e.g: how loong he's been in the service (38 years), how long he's been married (15 years) how many children he has (3); plus we learned: Why the clocks are turned back at noon (they tried evening and nobody got to dinner at the right time) why the shades are drawn in the Commodore Bar at dark(the light would shine on the bow of the boat and the glare would blind the pilots on the bridge).
We heard a very informative lecture on Winston Churchill's Ties to The United States, followed by another sound trouncing of the men at Canasta.
Our last dinner was in the elegant Britannia dining room where H & H sprung for a bottle of Brunello as a farewell offering. Very nice indeed.
Arriving at Southampton very early in the morning caused me enough excitement to wake up very early, although Jim can sleep through anything! We had to put our bags out the night before, which is understandable, and after breakfast, we mustered in one of the large theaters (there were several groups sent to various places, depending on your plans after leaving the ship.)
We waited rather a long time, but that was the only hitch. When we got on the dock, our bags were easily found, and we were on our own, to make our way to the Car Rental, which we did by cab.
Our cab driver was all upset, not with us, but with the prospect that he would have to spend the rest of the day picking up muddy back packers who were coming off the Isle of Wight in droves, after a rock concert cut short by huge amounts of rain. Since his cab is owned (?) or licensed (?) by the Town of Southampton, he must pick up any fares that come along.
I did feel rather sorry for him, because he had a spotlessly clean cab!
We were sad to leave our friends, who went by arranged bus in to London, and then to a few days at Wimbledon. (but we were to join them again for an overnight later in the week, way up in Wharfedale in Yorkshire.)
We picked up our rental car, drove off, on the left, heart in mouth, on route to Oxford.
We were also sad to leave the Queen Mary II, which had given us a delightful week.
I will start another thread for the rest of the trip - our week again at last in England!! I'll just call it "England via the QM2, part II."
Spend most of my legal life in Dutchess County.
(But we would rather be traveling! And writing this report makes me want to go back on the QM2 or another Cunard ship asap!)
LAST DAYS ON BOARD
We were sad on our last days as this restful but interesting crossing was coming to an end.
We went to another fairly useless lecture on Venice by the Italian Artist who we did not think was up to our standards, and I'm no expert, but have been to Venice, and our friends have been there upteen times. She could have given a better lecture.
So, the quality of every offering was not top drawer, but no matter, there was plenty to keep us busy. EG: We ladies won at Canasta by a landslide; we lost the husbands for quite a while, so went to the Whirlpool and vegged out.
That evening we had another dinner at the Todd English: excellent salad with those crispy fried artichokes, followed by grilled diver scallops, with a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Our last day we attended a talk by our Captain and learned his story, (e.g: how loong he's been in the service (38 years), how long he's been married (15 years) how many children he has (3); plus we learned: Why the clocks are turned back at noon (they tried evening and nobody got to dinner at the right time) why the shades are drawn in the Commodore Bar at dark(the light would shine on the bow of the boat and the glare would blind the pilots on the bridge).
We heard a very informative lecture on Winston Churchill's Ties to The United States, followed by another sound trouncing of the men at Canasta.
Our last dinner was in the elegant Britannia dining room where H & H sprung for a bottle of Brunello as a farewell offering. Very nice indeed.
Arriving at Southampton very early in the morning caused me enough excitement to wake up very early, although Jim can sleep through anything! We had to put our bags out the night before, which is understandable, and after breakfast, we mustered in one of the large theaters (there were several groups sent to various places, depending on your plans after leaving the ship.)
We waited rather a long time, but that was the only hitch. When we got on the dock, our bags were easily found, and we were on our own, to make our way to the Car Rental, which we did by cab.
Our cab driver was all upset, not with us, but with the prospect that he would have to spend the rest of the day picking up muddy back packers who were coming off the Isle of Wight in droves, after a rock concert cut short by huge amounts of rain. Since his cab is owned (?) or licensed (?) by the Town of Southampton, he must pick up any fares that come along.
I did feel rather sorry for him, because he had a spotlessly clean cab!
We were sad to leave our friends, who went by arranged bus in to London, and then to a few days at Wimbledon. (but we were to join them again for an overnight later in the week, way up in Wharfedale in Yorkshire.)
We picked up our rental car, drove off, on the left, heart in mouth, on route to Oxford.
We were also sad to leave the Queen Mary II, which had given us a delightful week.
I will start another thread for the rest of the trip - our week again at last in England!! I'll just call it "England via the QM2, part II."
