Germancruiser

Well it has been a while but I thought to write a review anyway! It was all about two weeks of relaxation and getting spoiled from the great “ White Star Service” as Cunard calls their Service rules.

This cruise took place December 2013 ! From Southampton to Southampton! Canary Islands!

Pre Cruise stay:

Prior the cruise I stayed three night in The Goring, London- Belgravia!

Now THAT was an experience in itself- dear me! It is a very small Hotel, compared to the other Hotel chains!! Still family owned and it still bears the name of that family- Goring!

After an hour everybody know ones name, how they do that I have no idea!

The ideal spot for people watching, which I love, was the Lounge, Bar and Tearoom.

Very elegant but a bit over the top- anyway I enjoyed every minute of it- and would go there in a heartbeat!

For example I ordered my usual tea, the first cup was poured from the white gloved waiter. When this delicious cup went down nicely and I was about to pour my next cup- out of the blue or somewhere a waiter appeared ( in white gloves – of course) and took the teapot out of my hand and said that is his job to do. Dear me, heaven and hell!

When my sandwich arrived- I was hungry as usual- I waited and waited – that some waiter may appear ( in white gloves- of course) to hold the sandwich whilst I bite on it.

Well he seems to have been busy- I went through the ordeal of eating it with my own ungloved hands. That just won´t do- and a complain letter is already on it´s way. LOL! ( THAT was a joke of course…)

The Goring is very close to almost everything weather by bus, cab or in walking distance- depends how much “ walk “ one can take!

Ground- Transportation:

Then the time came for Cunard to take me from the Goring to Southampton- I expected a bus with fellow cruisers, who were taken on at the airport. No such thing!

A nice limousine was waiting in front of the Hotel – the driver already waiting for me to leave the Hotel. I was nicely seated in the back, two bottles water next to me – well that’s a way to go Cunard I thought. The bus would have suited me perfect – but I won´t complain about this nice , fast and very “ posh” transportation to Southampton!

Embarkation in the Queen Elisabeth Terminal in Southampton was also quick and painless- worked like a charm – very, very well done Cunard!

The Queen Mary 2, the Service , the Style and the “ Royal Show” :

The cruise itself was great, the ship , well, QM2 is not to compare with any other ship, she is unique- VERY VERY BRITISH!

As I like it! ( oh well that sounds almost like a Shakespeare Play)

Even though I sailed her before I forgot how big “ Proud Mary “ really is- quite a walk from there to there- which is good, helps burn calories.

What I love is that wonderful real teak outdoor promenade which wraps around the whole ship with wonderful views out to the sea. There are no Rock Climbing walls, no ice rings and so such things. Gives one the real ocean liner feeling.

In the Service and food compartment Cunard is to compare with Celebrity- in some ways Celebrity shines, in some Cunard!

What I found a bit too much or in this case “ overboard” were the many formal nights- five all in all in ten days. THAT IS – even for me ( I have no problem with dressing up – still…) a bit too much!

Informal means , Jacket required , tie optional . We had a simple ( well as “ simple “ as Cunard goes..) Gala, then a black and white ball, a fancy dress ball, Royal Ascot ball- that´s how they called or themed their formal affairs! The Royal Ascot Ball was something not to be missed- many Ladies with a hut in the Dinning room and afterwards in the Queens Room. They made a “ Lady with hut parade” the one with the best hut won a bottle of bubbly ! That´s what I called “ The Show” – so much fun to watch- and all served with this great British Humor!

The Destinations :

The Canary Islands were great ( Madeira and Tenerife were my favorites) - but almost in the way- and I thing they experiences there were all over these boards often anyway! For me the ship is much more the destination than the port of calls!

The post cruise experience:

The Debarkation went as well the beginning- so only praise for Cunard here as well! The drive from Southampton to London Heathrow – well that was the bus then, but as soon as I sat down I fell asleep anyway- happens always with me in buses – I don´t know why! Went as well as could be! Fast and efficient!

Final Thoughts:

All in all a very recommendable cruise experience and a very very recommendable Ship! If Cunard would get the right deals for both solo cruises and couples I would exclusively sail Cunard- but their prices are sometimes a bit over the top- in other words you get more days at sea or more time on board for the price you pay on the other mass market cruise lines! Preferably HAL or X – which are also mass market- of course , but more in the premium segment, with little touches other cruise lines have long forgotten or fell victim to the all too obvious cost cuts.

Well it has been a while but I thought to write a review anyway! It was all about two weeks of relaxation and getting spoiled from the great “ White Star Service” as Cunard calls their Service rules.

This cruise took place December 2013 ! From Southampton to Southampton! Canary Islands!

Pre Cruise stay:

Prior the cruise I stayed three night in The Goring, London- Belgravia!

Now THAT was an experience in itself- dear me! It is a very small Hotel, compared to the other Hotel chains!! Still family owned and it still bears the name of that family- Goring!

After an hour everybody know ones name, how they do that I have no idea!

The ideal spot for people watching, which I love, was the Lounge, Bar and Tearoom.

Very elegant but a bit over the top- anyway I enjoyed every minute of it- and would go there in a heartbeat!

For example I ordered my usual tea, the first cup was poured from the white gloved waiter. When this delicious cup went down nicely and I was about to pour my next cup- out of the blue or somewhere a waiter appeared ( in white gloves – of course) and took the teapot out of my hand and said that is his job to do. Dear me, heaven and hell!

When my sandwich arrived- I was hungry as usual- I waited and waited – that some waiter may appear ( in white gloves- of course) to hold the sandwich whilst I bite on it.

Well he seems to have been busy- I went through the ordeal of eating it with my own ungloved hands. That just won´t do- and a complain letter is already on it´s way. LOL! ( THAT was a joke of course…)

The Goring is very close to almost everything weather by bus, cab or in walking distance- depends how much “ walk “ one can take!

Ground- Transportation:

Then the time came for Cunard to take me from the Goring to Southampton- I expected a bus with fellow cruisers, who were taken on at the airport. No such thing!

A nice limousine was waiting in front of the Hotel – the driver already waiting for me to leave the Hotel. I was nicely seated in the back, two bottles water next to me – well that’s a way to go Cunard I thought. The bus would have suited me perfect – but I won´t complain about this nice , fast and very “ posh” transportation to Southampton!

Embarkation in the Queen Elisabeth Terminal in Southampton was also quick and painless- worked like a charm – very, very well done Cunard!

The Queen Mary 2, the Service , the Style and the “ Royal Show” :

The cruise itself was great, the ship , well, QM2 is not to compare with any other ship, she is unique- VERY VERY BRITISH!

As I like it! ( oh well that sounds almost like a Shakespeare Play)

Even though I sailed her before I forgot how big “ Proud Mary “ really is- quite a walk from there to there- which is good, helps burn calories.

What I love is that wonderful real teak outdoor promenade which wraps around the whole ship with wonderful views out to the sea. There are no Rock Climbing walls, no ice rings and so such things. Gives one the real ocean liner feeling.

In the Service and food compartment Cunard is to compare with Celebrity- in some ways Celebrity shines, in some Cunard!

What I found a bit too much or in this case “ overboard” were the many formal nights- five all in all in ten days. THAT IS – even for me ( I have no problem with dressing up – still…) a bit too much!

Informal means , Jacket required , tie optional . We had a simple ( well as “ simple “ as Cunard goes..) Gala, then a black and white ball, a fancy dress ball, Royal Ascot ball- that´s how they called or themed their formal affairs! The Royal Ascot Ball was something not to be missed- many Ladies with a hut in the Dinning room and afterwards in the Queens Room. They made a “ Lady with hut parade” the one with the best hut won a bottle of bubbly ! That´s what I called “ The Show” – so much fun to watch- and all served with this great British Humor!

The Destinations :

The Canary Islands were great ( Madeira and Tenerife were my favorites) - but almost in the way- and I thing they experiences there were all over these boards often anyway! For me the ship is much more the destination than the port of calls!

The post cruise experience:

The Debarkation went as well the beginning- so only praise for Cunard here as well! The drive from Southampton to London Heathrow – well that was the bus then, but as soon as I sat down I fell asleep anyway- happens always with me in buses – I don´t know why! Went as well as could be! Fast and efficient!

Final Thoughts:

All in all a very recommendable cruise experience and a very very recommendable Ship! If Cunard would get the right deals for both solo cruises and couples I would exclusively sail Cunard- but their prices are sometimes a bit over the top- in other words you get more days at sea or more time on board for the price you pay on the other mass market cruise lines! Preferably HAL or X – which are also mass market- of course , but more in the premium segment, with little touches other cruise lines have long forgotten or fell victim to the all too obvious cost cuts.

Sandals may be okay for ladys- but not for gent´s, I totaly agree - Men- AVOID THEM! ( Esp. when your foot or nailcare is not " up to date" ! )

I most certainly do miss Auld Lang Syne at the end of the cruise! Such a nice touch! I suppose it does not match with X´s new ways to bring " moderns luxury" to " younger bunch of people! THAT was there worst decision ever! Stick to what are you good at doesn´t mean one has to get old fashioned- or maybe " a bit old fashioned " is what some crave- seek for??

Ah I so loved the Cova Cafe- much more than All Bacio! That wonderful china- wonderful experiences!

I know what you mean Tony- I do volunter work twice year for a home were handicaped people of all ages live together- I do really not much but what one get´s back- and if it is just a smile- is unbelievable!

I know RCI- staff to be considerate and helpful esp. to people in wheelchairs or such. I so loved my first RCI cruises on board Grandeur and Enchantment- by then considered as one of the biggest ships in the world. LOL!

Have a great weekend!

Michael

It so great to read that there still people who care for family- friends- we live in a time were some tend to live to the *****- " every man to himself" - so to speak. Happy Cruising and many many fond memories!

Greetings

Michael

I fear you are right Tommy- such a shame- love the Milli Size- !

I am a strong believer in what goes around comes around. You will get your rewards for doing such a wonderful thing for you beloved brother and giveing him such a great time and such quality time for the two of your!

I suppose X will comeing up with a bunch of newbuild during the next years- in about 5 years more or less- they will get rid of the Millenium Class- so they NEDD replacements! Preferable ships the same size as those of the Millie- Class ships!

My first X cruise after beeing very loyal to Royal, was on board Millenium- old livery- old style inside, Notes and Books still at place- barely 2 month old. I loved every minute of it and almost banned Royal completely !

Infinity and Summit together in St. Thomas from Paradise Point

Wonderfull pictures- thank you so much for shareing them with us!

Greetings

Michael

Oh Dear- what else than a joke. Some can read between the lines... there is still hope.

I sailed both X and Cunard- more X than Cunard though. I like the Cunard experience. I love their QM 2 - feels like a real ocean liner! For me the most elegant ship afloat- but that is just MY personal opinion. YES it is MUCH more quite on board Cunard Ships- NO constand background music. High tea and the whole Queens Room expierience is not to be missed!

Food and service are NOT better then on board X- ships! NOT AT ALL! Equal I should think! Only thing that keeps me from sailing Cunard constantly is their pricing- ridiculous. One get´s definatley more seas days for the price payed with X then with Cunard!

Thanks cruising girl- maybe we should upgrade to a Neptune- we curently in Signature!

Tststs nobody smokes on this board. What a question! There only GOOD persons here!

just a quick question from a HAL newbie- is laundry in a suite for free? Is that in all suite categories??? Thanks

Michael

Ah good old Enchantment- always brings back nice memory´s - I did the Maiden Voyage on board Enchantment back in ´97- wonderful experience with Petula Clark as main entertainer! From recent pictures I saw, i thing RCI did a great job in maintaing her! Of course she is 17 years old now! If she ever come back to Europe ( which I dout very much) I would be tempted to sail her again.

That is exactly what I am curious to find out in october, my first HAL Cruise- on board Zuiderdam!!! I usually cruise with X. I expect mainstream with some nice touches- Douglas Ward wrote about HAL: You may run into people in unsuitable clothing- nothing to do with premium, or some such phrase!

So I can´t wait to see for myself!

X has still some nice touches, which are all described in this thread already. I am one cruise from elite plus but still choose HAL for change. Constand blaring or tuned down background music made " run away" . LOL!

I think it is a given fact that people like titels and statues - and love the regonized as such! Some people more some poeple less- they only thing that bothers me is the fact that it takes me another cruise to get to the Elite Plus level. :D

when one does not light up a cig first thing in the morning but to check the boards of CC ( the computer was online during the whole night of course) if a new smoking thread has appeared!

When the functin did not work I just rebooted- then it worked like charm!

What wonderful people are around here! A tip on the head from over here- may your burdens be as light as possible!

This ist not absolutley not aceptable and has nothing to do with how old a ship is- that is plain and easy sloopyness - of the Hotel department along with the Hotel Director- I wont blame it on the stateroom attendant alone. One can get so eaysy rid of that mildew problem. I don´t blame the husband that wont allow to book X again ( well I know he did in the end)- I had a few issues with X- so I try HAL for a change!

I agree- completley!