We are contemplating taking the QE2 to Europe on our next trip and wondered if anyone has any recommendations and or good web sites to do some research. Thanks, Jim

Did that trip in August 2001. The nice thing about it was that once we arrived in London, we did not have jet lag. The food was so-so (having been on Celebrity cruises before). Great website for cruises is www.mytravel.com and www.cruiseaddicts.com or www.cruise-addicts.com for more info on cruises and www.londontown for london - was able to purchase the Eye on line, etc. which greatly helped in not waiting. When we contemplated this crossing, it was in the mind frame "a once in a lifetime experience". I wouldn't do it again.....

I considered doing this last year when I went to Europe for 8 weeks for my 40th birthday. The thing that held me back was that the price of your cabin determines which dining room you are assigned to eat in. Since I'm a 2-star hotel/4-star dining person I decided I didn't want to pay what it cost to get into the nicer dining rooms.<BR><BR>lstjohn2002 I'm curious which dining room you used. Were you in the nicest one and only thought the food was so-so?<BR><BR>My 50th isn't too far away to start dreaming.

Jim, you're right - I forgot all about that. For this cruise, we stayed in an inside cabin as we though the extra monies spent on a porthole crossing an ocean where you can't see anything wasn't quite worth it. I believe it was the Mauritema (sp?) restaurant. But basically it wasn't prepared poorly, just that I didn't think it was sophisticated enough (more old fashioned (or english?), i.e.,well done meats, lots of curry dishes, etc. But please don't get me wrong - I have fond memories of the cruise and met wonderful and enchanting people on it. Service was good and was invited to lots of cocktail parties! L.

Thanks for the inputs. One more question, I was reading somewhere that there is a dress code, especially for dinner. This included a couple of fairly formal dinnerware requirements. Can you comment on that? Thanks, Jim

Jim, I saw both tuxes and dark suits for men. However, recently reviewing the 2 cruise websites I gave you earlier, it appears that most men are now wearing dark suits (at least for Celebrity / Royal Carribean / Princess category) - this could be a new trend. Another great site is cruisediva.com which has great tips, etc. Also, if I recall correctly, everyone kept to the dresscode and did not switch back to casual dress after dinner (which I know sometimes happen). I believe that those traveling on the QE2 have an appreciation for the ship and its world classiness. (Even saw white tuxes (summertime) and men in their military uniforms).