Any 12/9 QM2 cruisers online? Embarkation

If any of those on the 12/9/06 QM2 Caribbean sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale are checking in here on CC, we were just wondering if the embarkation process in Lauderdale has gotten any better??:confused:

Hi, Molly:

I doubt it. Judging by the posts from the last several cruises, I don't think it will have changed, unfortunately.:eek:

But, if you get the chance to post after you get on the beautiful lady, let us know if it went any smoother for your cruise. We are the next sailing right after you on Dec 23.:)

Molly...I was on the Dec 2nd and it was awful!! LONG lines and we got there at noon, and the line was already unreal. My suggestion is to bring water. I understand as the afternoon wore on they did pass out water but while we were there (for 2 1/4 hours from arrival to boarding) we got nothing. And don't drink out of the water fountain...it was actually yellow and dreadful last week and the coffee from the concession smelled and tasted like it had been made sometime in 2004. Bring a snack too...we had cookies thankfully and I brought a bottle of water for each of us. They all laughed at me til they saw the line. Thanks to Solboys who were on the previous trip I knew it had been bad. Enjoy your trip..it will be fabulous and the decorations are wonderful.

Cheers, Penny....wishfully "Live from the QM2" ;)

Our first cruise on the QM2 in 2004 (inagural) it was also awful- thought maybe because it was a new ship at the time, etc.- Guess that is not the case- :rolleyes: :eek: :confused: - since we are driving I was planning on noonish arrival-maybe arriving later would be better- just no telling- thanks for the info-

Molly....we drove too and I thought the same thing, but in speaking to others who had come later it hadn't improved much. Perhaps it is our final shoreside penance to be paid for being so fortunate to sail on this ship. Wear comfy clothes...it got awfully hot once we got in the terminal and had to sit in the rows of chairs waiting for the line to advance...so much body heat from hundreds of people. Our boarding picture looked as grim as we felt by then!!!

If you are parking at park and Fly, we had an awful time getting the van when we got off. I had to call 3 times, so start calling them when you get right off the ship...we were on the sidewalk for 1/2 an hour an didn't see one go by. Then after all my calls, we finally saw some but by the time they got to our side they were full and passed us by. There is no marked place to stand for them to find you so be warned not to stand right in front. Our driver told me they were not allowed to stop there so if you are using them, go out the terminal doors and bear to the right and stand past the big support pillars. We exited from the last door at the end of the pier as that's where our luggage was.

Just be prepared for a less than enjoyable experience and focus on what you'll have waiting for you onboard.

Cheers, Penny...wishfully "Live from the QM2"

We are leaving Saturday and I have a question. My boarding info does not say anything about Ft. Lauderdale but that deck 11 boards at 12:30 in Southampton so I figured that was our time as well. Now, I'm planning on arriving at 12:15. Should I go earlier??? We live in Boca so it is just a matter of calling the car service and changing the time. TIA, Linda

Penny,

You got chairs?

In Brooklyn, we had to stand. I think I probably waited in line much of an hour. The people were pleasant and people-watching was fun, and we did not have nearly so bad a time as you- Marc and I got there late- My fault, but then Cunard tells you you are better off to arrive later!

Of course with my problem with my leg going numb, it was excruciating for me at times. It was hot and there were no chairs at all, save a row of about six of them over by the (empty) Grills entrance.

They do not seem to understand that it can often be difficult for people to stand on line like that, especially schlepping their carry-ons, which begin to get very heavy, or you put them down, (and purse, and jacket , and whatever else you are carrying) only to have the line snake (inch) forward, so you have to pick it all back up, while you are certain that everyone behind you are boring holes through the back of your head., and staring at you fumbling with all of your stuff. And you wonder why you brought it all. It was cold and rainy in New York that day, so include umbrellas for many, hats, jackets, sweaters. Not that that two feet we just moved will get any of us there any sooner!

I swear, next time I am asking for a wheel chair. I feel like I am cheating, but I really am not. I am in agony. but being overweight, I have this awful feeling that people are looking at me just certain I am plain lazy, and no doubt that is why I am so fat to begin with!

You would think they could figure a way to make this easier, especially with people inching forward and carrying sutff (including fidgety children!)

Oh, And by the way, Since everyone love Manhattan, which was grungy, dingy and dreary. There, they added insult to injury in this cavernous hole. They had one horrendously long line for those of us in Stee... Uh, the steering committee <G> and a large roped off area of well spaced seats (and I mane HUGE area) in the center of the area this lo-o-o-ong line inched by, for the grill passengers.

Yep! Cunard is still trying classism to sell upscale space! The dowagers with their fox stoles, foxy's tail clamped firmly in his teeth below his glassy eyes, lovely purses and maybe one dainty or jaunty bag (the chauffeur probably already took care of everything, even the carry-ons. And they probably don't lose people's luggage in the Grand Suites, or take three hours getting it to your room) Oh, and of course, young ladies with clipboards, solicitously bringing them bottled water and seeing to their comfort, while we wretches shuffled in our worn only pair of shoes, newspapers stuffed in them to ward off the cold and rain, shabby threadbare rags masquerading as overcoats. chattering in myriad foreign tongues, none of which are the oh-so-chic French, single cardboard suitcase held together with twine in hand,.... Oh, no wait! Sorry Wrong story!

Karie,

Feeling particularly evil. I tell you!

I guess we'll pack a lunch!!!:( :p

Linda...our boarding info was for Brooklin and told us to come at 12:30!! Since we had to check out of our hotel and get the car to Park and Fly, we opted to just go at noon and take our chances. I'm not sure there is a good time to come!!:( So just go and bring provisions!!! Where on Deck 11 are you? We were in 11059 and it was a great location we thought. More midship so we could go either way easily. If you get a cabin steward named Arnel, consider yourself lucky. he was an absolute jewel to us and especially me when my ankles swelled and I needed lots of ice. He made sure I had it all day long and even came back just before bedtime to make sure I had fresh. We gave him a White Star card...he'd more than earned it.

Karie...yes dear, we had chairs...inside. And they were set up in rows so we basically kept playing musical chairs as the line snaked from one row to the next...sort of like a busy McDonalds with chairs.

Cheers, Penny...still wishfully "Live from the QM2

No chairs in Ft. Lauderdale until we got to the actual check-in area. I'm starting to re-think our NYC cruise next year. It sounds like the excuses they gave us (the ship didn't clear and passengers were still debarking at noon) were just that -- excuses. I saw someone get into a wheelchair at some point. She clearly was not overweight, had a very big "know it all" mouth and copiously placed monitor probes on her chest. I don't know if she was wearing a Holter monitor or not. But she was the ballabusta (a Yiddish word meaning literally the mistress of a home who is very efficient at cooking, cleaning and hosting) And, it was she, who demanded a special wheelchair line at check-in!

Embarkation has never been a more unpleasant affair than what we went through a couple of weeks ago.

--Judy

Penny, we are 11.149 which is aft on the starboard side. We're the furthest regular cabin aft - there is a suite next to us. We were upgraded so did not pick a cabin (we WERE B4 but are now A2). Our TA is a friend and he is on the cruise with us hence the upgrade I guess. I really loved your postings and looking forward to it very very much. Did you use the hot tub aft on deck 11? It looks like fun hanging over the back of the ship. Linda

I'm starting to re-think our NYC cruise next year. Judy

Judy, don't cancel your cruise because of a bad embarkation. We have sailed on the QM2 three times - twice in Fort Lauderdale and once in Bayonne. Each time, our embarkation has been easy. I realize we have been lucky. I have no doubt that you experienced a dreadful embarkation. However, they are not all bad. Hopefully you will have a smooth one on your next voyage. So just concentrate on the wonderful voyage ahead and don't stress out over the embarkation.

Beth

This is our second time on the QM2 and like I think I had said, the first in 2004 was NOT good- I don't know if someone should cancel a cruise because of it, but it is not good- We had high expectations first time around as the QM2 is probably 1 1/2 times more expensive than the other cruise lines, so we expected a higher level of service and to not get that from the point of embarkation is a letdown- Yet, still no 12/9 cruisers have been here to comment as to if it is any better and by the time they get here we will all be "there on line":eek:

Judy, don't cancel your cruise because of a bad embarkation. We have sailed on the QM2 three times - twice in Fort Lauderdale and once in Bayonne. Each time, our embarkation has been easy. I realize we have been lucky. I have no doubt that you experienced a dreadful embarkation. However, they are not all bad. Hopefully you will have a smooth one on your next voyage. So just concentrate on the wonderful voyage ahead and don't stress out over the embarkation.

 

Beth

I am under the impression that embarkation in NY will be better than Ft Lauderdale. Hopefully the Ft Lauderdale problems have been eliminated. We are not going to cancel the November cruise!!! The problem in FLL was attributed to the fact that it was QM2's first embarkation into Florida in quite some time. I suspect things will only get better. I also believe that the NY portside staff has it more together.

--Judy

Cruising tomorrow- no word from any 12/9 cruisers on the embarkation process or if it was any smoother- guess it's gonna be what it's gonna be- Will have the anwers 26-28 hours from now:p :confused: I have my water and my crackers ready!!!!

Bon Voyage Molly...don't let the embarkation color your judgement of the QM2...once you board, any unpleasantness is quickly replaced by the wonders of the ship itself. While our embarkation was the pits, it rapidly became a distant memory and one not worth holding on to. Believe me, the service and everything else you encounter onboard will more than make up for it. I called it required penance in preparation for fantasyland...try that philosophy. It'll helps as you wait...and wait. And who knows...by tomorrow all may be smooth! Enjoy

Cheers, Penny...still wishfully "Live from the QM2"

Well, I can't tell you about embarkation, but judging from the webcam, she is close to parking!

and hasn't "left the gates" yet!

Karie,

who is not on this ship right now. (boohoo!)

If any of those on the 12/9/06 QM2 Caribbean sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale are checking in here on CC, we were just wondering if the embarkation process in Lauderdale has gotten any better??:confused:

Just back. Embarkation went fine as we arrived around 11:30 - 11:45.

It took no time to get on the ship.

Debarkation was easy but they called us off entirely too early at 9:00 am for the Cruise Connection bus which didn't arrive until 10:30 .

:D :D

Do hope you had a wonderful voyage - all too quick I'm sure.

Just wondering, did they manage to rectify the bow-thruster problem?

Bob.

Yes, we had a wonderful time...she's a great ship. We found that eating all meals in Britannia was better than doing the buffet thing for breakfast and lunch that we usually do.

We felt just the slightest vibration in Britannia when they were getting under way., hardly noticable at all so I think they must have fixed the problem. We did not have any delays in any ports and heard a rumor that they had flown in divers to repair it while we were in port.:D

Yes, we had a wonderful time...she's a great ship. We found that eating all meals in Britannia was better than doing the buffet thing for breakfast and lunch that we usually do.

We felt just the slightest vibration in Britannia when they were getting under way., hardly noticable at all so I think they must have fixed the problem. We did not have any delays in any ports and heard a rumor that they had flown in divers to repair it while we were in port.:D

dear cusyl:: thanx for all you help!! it was great cc meeting with one and all!! we looked for you and everyone else that was at the cc meeting the only one we stayed in touch with was mudhen (and captain caviar of course) it was truly a great cruise !! however we found the inital meeting at the terminal confusing and the staff rather rude!!! but once inside everything went well!!! the chap directing the line up outside the terminal @ 11:30 named allan was rude and insulting to some of he pax!!! best regards jim and angela

We were on the Dec. 9th cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, and had no problem with the embarkation process. The only weaklink in the entire affair was the transfer from the airport to the ship terminal. Once we got to the terminal it was basically a walkthru. I guess we hit it just right, timewise, because there was virtually no waiting or long lines.

Sincerely,

Don

P.S. The transfer process needs looking into. It was also bad on the return, and several passengers were very up set and highly vocal about it. I would give more details but it doesn't fall under this topic.

We were on the Dec. 9th cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, and had no problem with the embarkation process. The only weaklink in the entire affair was the transfer from the airport to the ship terminal. Once we got to the terminal it was basically a walkthru. I guess we hit it just right, timewise, because there was virtually no waiting or long lines.

 

Sincerely,

Don

 

P.S. The transfer process needs looking into. It was also bad on the return, and several passengers were very up set and highly vocal about it. I would give more details but it doesn't fall under this topic.

luv to hear the details!! seems that these problems are a fort lauderdale problem!!!nyc was always great for us this was the first we sailed from fll best regards

Our embarkation at around 11:30 went pretty smoothly , better than most.

Getting off again on Saturday was also better than average ( we chose the "self help" option ).

The cruise was pretty good, loved the ship and the historical pictures and artifacts from previous Cunard Liners. The layout of the ship is fairly complicated and not well suited for disabled passengers

We found the food selection in the main dining room to be too fancy for our humble tastes, an "always available" New York Steak or Salmon on the menu like other ships would have been great. You could custom order them but expect to wait a long time.

One sour note was the rancid smell of stale cigarette smoke on decks 2 and 3 , probably due to the casino and / or Golden Lion pub. It was the first thing we noticed when we stepped on board.

Grand Cayman was standing room only due to the presence of at least nine mega liners.

The lunches in the Golden Lion were pretty decent, but in other areas we had repeated problems with undercooked meat (both beef and pork).

Despite some rough weather, the ship was smooth as glass due to her size and hull shape.

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