rtdiva

See my newest post. ann

Just returned from our 80 days around the world cruise. Clothing- surprisingly the ship had a “ second hand Rose” sale event. Passengers could donate their unwanted items. I donated a bunch plus bought two tops. One of which was kept. I threw away a pair of well worn short heels. In order to downsize our luggage, I gave other clothes including shoes to our room steward. You must label the bag with the stewards name otherwise they cannot take them. Nor can they take items from the trash. I found it difficult to organize a time to find charity shops. I also found it difficult to part with much loved by probably dated tops. Popular day time styles were printed linen tops or dresses. White crochet combo cotton outfits. I had three different colors and fabric pants with tops. Cunard requires evening wear for dinner plus formal clothing. I took one long dress, two satin pants, a variety of tops and chiffon “ kimonos “. Bunches of jewelry. That said: Most men wore jackets, tux or suits. Women a variety of styles. Day wear- almost anything goes!

You go girl! Strut when you can, cause sooner than expected your stuff falls! I’m turning 79 next week, if I’d do it all over again (2 decades of cruising) I’d play the dress up game! But darn it, playing how little to pack, is where I’m at now.

Are fireworks only traditional for World Cruises?

I love watching passengers dressed in their finery, my complaint is when others dislike others choice of dress. We choose Cunard for transit to destinations not for clothing choices. So, yes we enjoy traveling on other lines too. And yes, a tux is packed with a long evening dress. The 20’s style evening so excited me, I suggested the same theme for a ladies luncheon here. Over a hundred women enjoyed dressing in costume. On Cunard I’ve noticed it is often the organized dancers who use the ballroom, taking the advantage to theme dress.

Ah! You are correct! Most of us do not know how to dress formally, as we are plebeians, not royalty or invited to the White House. Well I was once. Most of U.S. Americans think the word gown refers to what Disney Characters wear. 20ties a formal night? No, it is a costume party. While I too, do not prefer to wear costumes, Cunard is encouraging passengers to do so. On that note; time is flying, have fun, dress as it may be the last dance.

I too, have a limited palate, not refined, however that said, I’m bringing on all future cruises a selection of seasonings. I have seldom used salt on any dishes in the past, now I do. We sailed six cruises this past year on four lines, I don’t expect the best cuts of meat with exotic names, just a tasty mouthful in the MDR. For awhile I thought I had tastebuds affected by covid, or as some of you have pointed out is it an ageist thing? Turned grizzled? Or numb?

We’ve an WC coming soon: South Pacific - Southampton. We are interested in performing and visual arts. While performing arts are often included in excursions, I don’t find “ arts in action” offered through the normal sites. Stuff like artist or crafters making art. Any suggestions to links or YouTube would be appreciated. Ann

Julia, Our first of now over fifty cruises was a short four days from Southern California to Mexico and back. I knew nothing about cruises, nor did I do research. A short cruise was a way to find if I would get sea sick, claustrophobic or simply didn’t like it. I LOVED IT. I loved the lively Mexican music, the Caribbean limbo, the choices of tasty foods, the rooms were cleaned, beds made, I was spoiled. The crazy games people played. Cultural entertainment onboard. I gained eight pounds which is a lot for someone who is 5’3” tall. It was a good thing I had brought a pair of loose fitting pants. Now twenty years later, I do research via CC or YouTube for excursions, we choose itinerary and price over which ship to sail on. We’ve sailed Carnival to Cunard, Celebrity to Azamara. Princess to Holland America as well as others. We’ve sailed through the Panama Canal as well as the Suez. We LOVE Australia. One of the reasons we cruise is to enjoy the company of others. We can live our lives only once but it sure is exciting to enjoy other’s experiences through friendships made on a ship! welcome to cruising! ann

This particular voyage had many elderly who had to be evacuated, I believe once while sailing the southern coast of the states, before we boarded, once in NYC and then sailing north from NYC towards Halifax. The last was during the most intense storm I’ve witnessed on sea. The ship had to divert itself behind an island, a peninsula, in a bay, (???) to allow a helicopter to be successful in the evacuation. It was during the late evening after multiple attempts to land the helicopter. I’m also under the assumption we stayed overnight in that area. So I’ll say to answer your question about a day from N.Y.C closer to land. QM2 handled the storm well. The remaining days after the storm passed were fine. We’ve not any hesitation to doing the same crossing again.

My advice: After wearing a lightweight fleece jacket topped with a hooded weatherproof windbreaker on deck, go inside, have a cup of tea with Fireball Cinnamon whisky. Or just stay in!

The pic is of a crossing in January 2020. The crew made snow angels! An absolute thrill!

On the QM2 and all other ships we sail, we select rooms that have cabins both above and below us. I prefer for convenience, near stairs or elevators .

Either way has special views of N.Y.C. You haven’t addressed where your cabin should be located. We’ve found an inside cabin works for us on crossings, as there isn’t anything to see until the morning of your arrival or afternoon departure; A quick jog to the promenade will give you the “aw” and save a few bills used towards excursions ( there aren’t any) or drinks! Or specialty dining.