3rdGenCunarder

You had me at "nice-looking bakery!" I like the restaurant for its peace and quiet if I'm in PG. But, for me, an advantage of the buffet is portion control. I can have a large serving of fruit instead of a few pieces artistically arranged on a plate. The same is true of salads at lunch. I was in PG the last time I was on QE, and I ate breakfast and dinner there, but almost always ate lunch in the buffet because their salad bar was so good.

Missing items could be things still in the hold somewhere, so perhaps the cereal will appear at some time. How daring of you to brave the buffet!!! Any observations to share, or was it only a quick look for the All-bran? Do they still have the Twinings Assam? And, dare I hope, has the Darjeeling returned?

I've done several New England and Canada cruises and always enjoyed them. QM2 is a beautiful ship. I am a fan of the sheltered balconies. On a port-intensive cruise, you will likely be off the ship a lot of the daytime, so whether the balcony is glass or enclosed isn't a big deal, at least not to me. And the sheltered balcony is less expensive.

That sounds like a new version of the journal, although it also sounds like the kind of condolence book that is put out for guests to sign at a memorial service.

You're right. Every company you do online business here wants to remember your password and store your credit card details. Easily declined, but you have to pay attention. And I just realized that I already got a plusbid upgrade for my cruise more than a month ago. I was in Britannia, bid on PG, and got it rather quickly. But PG was pretty open at that time and I guess they were willing to fill cabins at a discount. I'm surprised that I got an offer to bid up to QG after already successfully bidding up once. I guess plusbid knows nothing of my price history?

Good for you!!!! "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing..." (Thomas Jefferson) said that and I quite agree!) Now I have to pack my red shoes for my next cruise.

They have to be careful not to deplete the experienced crew on the other ships just for the new one. We were on Caronia not long after QM2 arrived, and there were too many new waiters. Lots of mistakes, and even basic things like dropping a fork when setting tables and putting it on the table anyway. I saw which table it was, and after he moved on, I took the fork and put it on my finished lunch plate so it would get washed. But who knows how much of the silverware I had just used had been on the floor?????

The T&C of the bidding offer require that you register a credit card and if your bid is accepted, the card is charged and there's no option to change your mind. But I'm sure there are chain upgrades as you describe. My cruise is two weeks away and I have not had an answer from Cunard on my upgrade bid. I don't expect an upgrade, as QG has been showing sold out for a while and there's no way for QG passengers to upgrade to give me a place. I'm surprised my bid is still on the table so late. When I did an upgrade bid on QV last fall, I think the "sorry, no upgrade for you" email came more like 3 weeks out, maybe more. Waiting so long to place passengers probably contributed to the overbooking situation.

Checking out the laundry is part of my tour of exploration the first day on a ship that is new to me. Lunch, library, and spa before that, but I do like to have an idea of what my chances are of getting a machine when I need one. Sorry to hear there are only three instead of the four on other ships. And if some are out of order, there could be interesting stories...

Oh no! I had been hoping you wouldn't get one of the wall tables. I had my doubts about the QG lounge, and I'm sorry to hear them confirmed. I love that the lounges on the Vistas face and have access to the terrace. But even so, when I've been in PG, I've been more inclined to got to Commodore Club than the grills lounge.

So do I.

Yes, that's how it has worked for me in the past.

HAL's pinnacles have more movement in the back than their Vistas or Cunard's Vistas in comparable conditions.

So happy it worked out for you. That is great news!! Relax and have a wonderful time!!!!

Bon voyage! Nice that you have good weather to start your cruise.