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We had to move our Northern Lights in November and decided upon another P1 Westbound TA in May 2021.

However, given the impact on global travel, the threat of a 2nd wave and for us the biggest issue being the impact on the Cunard experience, we will if req move this again (thank goodness for booking the Cunard fare!)

When I say the biggest issue being the impact on the Cunard Experience i'm talking about the "new normal" and what it looks like.

Would you want to wear a face mask whenever outside of your cabin, dressed in evening wear?

How about attempting to go for a pre-dinner Martini in a socially distant Commodore Club or Chart Room?

"Sorry Sir .. one couple out, one couple in policy but first the seats need to be anti-bac."

Not attempting to be flippant or sarcastic but these really impact on how the future of cruising looks like for guests.  

I just hope Cunard can ride this out or come up with some way of protecting its guests and its brand. 

Fingers crossed x 

I couldn't agree more with you re: the Spa. It was in such a poor state of repair with three features closed the last voyage we were on that I had to speak to the SpaMgr and had my 7 day price plan refunded to my onboard account. 

My POV was if this was in a hotel it would be shut down immediately for routine maintenance and refurbishment however because we are at sea some leeway could be given, but only so much....

On 12/29/2019 at 4:00 PM, Mich455 said:

I purchased the 7 day spa pass on my recent transatlantic and thought $120 was a pretty good deal. I do think they sell a few too many passes though. The sauna/stem room and aqua therapy pool are very good but it was sometime a struggle to find loungers to relax on

They are limiting the number of 7 day spa passes (They did in Aug West TA and we hope this still stands for 3rd Jan) 

I believe it was approx 40 due to the number of people using the spa environment and it limiting the amount of space avail for those having treatments, who then also get to use the general facilities etc. 

Its the first thing we always buy once onboard QM2 especially for the winter crossings where the SPA is a welcome space to unwind and relax. 

11 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

You can get some fairly long HDMI cables...

Choice is fairly limited here in the uk if you are going for a branded product, although cheaper copies available online with varying lengths.

Not much use when you are already on the ship with a standard cable length, as we found out lol.... I'd suggest the HDMI cable plus iPad/lightning connection with a length of about 100cm+ and that should reach the desk in the stateroom, failing that fashion a support system with chairs to support your iPad as we did. 

You need to purchase an  HDMI cable need and the adapter fro your generation iPad. 

Simple to use and you can then download movies to rent on iTunes- Do not open said movies until onboard as they have a time/view limit. 

The only problem is in Britannia cabins with the TV wall mounted as the iPad has no where to sit and the HDMI cables aren't long enough. 

We fashioned a stand from the desk chair and a rolled up towel to support the iPad and then opened a bottle of something and ordered room service!

Perfect for one evening if you choose not to go formal- especially on the longer voyages. 

(stating the obvious but remove iPad and cables when leaving your stateroom)

Ever heard the proverb...

"If it sounds too good be true, then it probably is....."

This drink package has been designed to make Cunard money in the long term as from experience unless you always drink a "house" spirit and pump soda splash or a small glass of wine you will eventually hanker after something different over the course of a voyage. Hence the 20% discount on other drinks over the threshold limit.

Our advice: treat yourself to a favourite bottle of something special and bring it onboard, purchase a selection of mixers if you wish, and have this as a pre dinner drink and/or post evening tipple in your stateroom.

Then go to one of the gorgeous bars onboard and have decent martini or CUNARD:bottle-pop::cocktail: cocktail and watch the world slip by.. life is for living I guess.

We are booked on the 2 night QE Bruges trip (following a lengthy conversation with Cunard and a good price) for a weekend away leaving 30th November returning 2nd December.

I'll make sure I'll make sure I take plenty of photos.

Good news! Glad you had a great time, fingers crossed we have a similar pleasant time on QV in May (It's "make or break" for any potential future short trips)

We're home now unfortunately, I'm not quite sure what you are asking.

There were quite a few groups of friends and family groups on board. So a nice mix of ages, some Germans finishing their South American trip and some just onboard for one of the 2 day trips.

I only asked as was curious to see what the guest compliment was like, we have experienced stag parties, hen do's, full on booze cruisers on some of our shorter trips so i was interested to see if that was the case for you. I'm not trying to be contentious merely curious.

Host Hattie, Glad you are enjoying QV, May I ask what the guest compliment is like?

(we have had very mixed "short trip" experiences)

If we had visited Guernsey beforehand we might have been tempted with a trip to Sark, having heard some great things about the way of life and feel to the island. Pen and paper in hand and starting to make a list, who doesn't love a list of things to do? lol

Host Hattie, Wow what a quick response, thank you.

Thats this evening activities sorted!!! x

Despite previous issues with the very short voyages, we've booked ourselves on the QV in May to Guernsey for a short getaway.

Our change in mind is to get back onboard the lovely QV and see if the refit has changed the ship we really enjoy and secondly to experience Guernsey for the first time, having heard so many lovely things about the island.

So CC experts can you recommend what we should do on a self lead day trip, we've decided against official Cunard excursions this time.

Its a tender port and we will probably give ourselves 4-5 hours on the island.

Many thanks.

:ship:

Sorry forgot to say, why not pack a bag with things for your amazing trip that you don't require for the voyage and then Cunard can hold load this bag for you and deliver it at Southampton.

Your dogs will have the most amazing time and they really are the star attraction/guests onboard the ship.

I'd agree with you that you will spend the majority of you time with your dogs (they are like family after all) and the new kennel sitting area has been created so you can relax with them.

re :Dress code, rent a tux for formal nights and if you want a change in dinning make sure you try the alternative dinning experiences. However now that Kings court has had its upgrade its actually quite a nice environment and the choice of food should appeal to most tastes.

Have a wonderful crossing and take some pictures of your dogs onboard to remember a treasured and unique time away with them.

The TA we have always enjoyed is the final Eastbound crossing of the year before the World Cruise commences in Soton.

Normally leaving NYC 3rd January, its nicknamed the 'winter crossing club" from the legacy of QE2's Winter Crossing Club days.

On this TA back to the UK we invariably see familiar faces and high proportion of Diamond and Platinum World Club members who have flown out to NYC at the start of the new year to return home on this TA.

I mention this specific TA because it is attached to the Christmas Voyage, with QM2 having returned previously from the Caribbean.

Every time we have joined the ship in NYC we have seen and heard a variety of stories mainly from the crew about the atmosphere on QM2 and how it changes on that last 7 days back to the uk.

Obviously people new to Cunard, family groups, young adult families etc look to book the Christmas Caribbean voyage becasue it allows families to escape the clutches of Winter etc. It also allows people to relax and enjoy themselves, yes a party atmosphere is encouraged apparently.

The 3rd January is normally when the schools in the UK start the new term so a lot of guests fly home to avoid the potential bad weather en-route home (although bizarrely one year we had snow, sea fog, then brilliant warm sunshine for 4 days before returning back to winter conditions in UK waters)

Now the reason I mention this is of course the best gossip can be found in the laundrette and often we hear guest's opinions on the long 26 Soton-NYC-Carribean-NYC-Soton voyage.

Families falling out with each other, arguments in the dinning room and children/young adults (16+) wandering the corridors of the ship desperately bored. Its not uncommon to hear that some of the guests had a wonderful trip but the final 7 days make it too long and they wish they had left the QM2 in NYC.

My thoughts are that the ship really isn't designed for the Caribbean combined with lots of families, young adults, children etc.

The reason Cunard send QM2 down there is that it books out every year and the cost of the basic balcony can be £4,000 per person which essentially means its a very profitable voyage for Cunard.

Now getting back to the original thread, we all know that QM2 has made money for Cunard/Carnival and continues to do so at quite a rate. I would just like to see more of this money invested back into the ship, its catering and her onboard facilities which would invariably mean loyal Cunarders booking repeat voyages and not being tempted by the array of new cruise companies who are looking to grab the higher end premium traffic, it might also mean QM2 has another 25+ years of service...who knows ... we can all wish

Reading the posts I have to agree with some of the comments posted. My partner and I are keen "Cunarders" with several transatlantic voyages on QM2 and European/Med on the sister ships.

It is difficult to compare the Britannia experiences across the sister ships as each has their own style and atmosphere for example we found the crew on QV to be more bonded as a team and "old school" with many having worked on QE2 therefore the dining experience was fantastic.

Qm2 sufferers from several issues, firstly the sheer size of the Britannia dinning room is a wonderful space, but lacks atmosphere, IF in our opinion you sit in the Deck 3 level in towards the centre of the room.

The upper levels seem to work better especially nearer to the desirable windows tables and the waiting staff seem more cohesive in their team work and delivery.

Our gripe, and believe me as I type this I realise it truly is a first world problem, is the repetition of dishes.

It's always the same and mostly in the same order on a transatlantic voyage.

We now go to the Veranda on certain nights because In Britannia, although its a perfectly nice dish I don't want to eat lobster tail with jollof style rice and tempura prawns for the 5th time or the beef wellington for the 3rd, each presented exactly the same way as previous crossings.

I guess its incredibly personal how you enjoy your dinning experience but i would agree that Cunard needs to listen and respond more to those who are loyal to the brand engaging on social media etc and not resting on their history and reputation to fill the every growing ships .

For us as a couple we are the new generation of Cunard customers, middle aged and potentially several decades of voyages ahead however I will say our heads have been turned by other companies and sometimes we just wish there was a little more to offer.

Churchills on QM2 is for pipe smokers and cigar smokers only.

Cigarettes are strictly not permitted in this room (smoking is permitted aft deck 7)

Dress code applies as this room adjoins the Commodore Club which is one of the most formal areas on the ship post 6pm.

The room has a certain amount of air conditioning but the dry cleaning onboard QM2 would most likely turn a suit around in a few hours if you pay for the express service.

The staff in the commodore club are excellent and very accommodating but they must ask you to adhere to the dress code especially on formal nights.

Hope you enjoy your voyage, the QM2 is the most amazing ocean liner

Having worked in the aviation industry, many airlines have a similar term (smart Jeans) for staff travel re: what is suitable and acceptable for our premium cabins.

The definition would be dark navy or black jeans.

Not frayed, ripped or torn and without any additional decal.

They would be relatively new looking without excess colour loss/discolouration/fading at knees.

When embarking QM2 my choice of outfit is either Brogues or Oxford design smart shoes/Deck shoes navy or brown along with "smart navy jeans", shirt with jumper or suit jacket.

We have managed to do this whilst on QE.

Go to an APPLE store and purchase a Digital AV adapter cable (think thats what its called) you can then connect your iPad to the TV set and watch your movies. (only thing you might have to do is balance your iPad on top of the Tv or on a chair dependant on length of cable)

What we do on longer voyages is have a "night off" formal dining and dressing up, its comfy clothes, room service and a few movies which we hire from iTunes. The benefit being you don't need wifi to watch these films having downloaded them at home and can enjoy them in your cabin.

(I imagine those savvy enough could happily watch season 2 of The Crown, having downloaded it from Netflix in their stateroom this way!!)

 

While talking about battenberg cake, I have a lovely story to tell. On one cruise I kept going to the Queens Room to see if this cake was being served. The person in charge told me I could speak to my head waiter at dinner and ask for one to be made for my dessert the next day. I did not feel I could do that. (I'm only in Britannia.) A few days later he told me the same thing, then said he would arrange it for me. He asked for my room number. I went back to my room and about 20 minutes later there was a knock on the door. Someone had arrived with a freshly-made battenberg cake for me. They'd had the Queen's Grill kitchen make it specially. Freshly-made was definitely best. It was moist and I could taste the almond.

Now if only I knew this was the way to get Battenburg Cake on our QM2 TA's we seem to miss out on this each and every voyage despite asking or wandering through the KC or Queens Room..

On QE last May the Staff in the BR & Lido were fantastic, we had 12 nights of superb food selection, it almost seemed better than the QM2 TA menus, which if you travel frequently you will know the menu selection is rotated just in different rational placement each voyage.

The only items I'm becoming bored seeing on the Cunard menus are

*Lobster tail served with tempura prawns and spicy rice

*Mushroom risotto with asparagus (consistency similar to Pollyfilla on some occasions)

*Baked Alaska... I've only ever had a decent one of these on QE when they were individually baked rather than sliced as per the current offering

Re-reading before posting does make me realise how lucky I am to be bored of lobster and baked Alaska however i will just add that on a serious note we have noticed the food portions becoming smaller and the quality in BR less than 5* but have put this down to economics and the need to save money.

(Don't get me started on the recent trend for lack of caviar and ice sculptures on our TA Captain and senior officers parties! ;) ... )

Both my partner and I have just returned from a EastB Transatlantic. (AUG)

Sunny weather Weather aside I prefer Winter crossings for several reasons.

*Very few Children onboard - my opinion and I realise it may not be popular but Cunard ships aren't designed for children and having just crossed the Atlantic to find groups of teenagers hanging around the gym and public spaces it became quite annoying.

*Cunard reg often choose winter TA (There was a winter crossing club for QE2 regulars)

*I find the dress code is adhered to more on Winter crossings as opposed to Summer TA when sports wear is still visible after 6pm on deck and in public spaces

*QM2 is designed to really ride the North Atlantic in Winter and there is always a spectacular view from the library or commodore club when the conditions worsen.

My view - go for a winter TA, enjoy the North Atlantic and the amazing scenery