KHAPicard

I was on the 13 July crossing. Found it very calm and do not recall much movement if any at all (it is the QM2!). Agree with laktex - difficult to speak of anything being usual. On that roundtrip crossing we had beautiful sunshine, fog, rain, hail, and gale force winds - all within 14 days. Have been on her during a winter storm - you could feel that for sure and made you thankful you were not on a cruise ship.

A few things I can think of (probably more) [edit: This applies to the QM2]:

- Lunch in the PG restaurant on embarkation day

- Tea in the Grills lounge in the afternoon

- Consierge service (deck 9), including checking your onboard account there rather than at the Purser’s desk

- Grills deck (just a small place with deck chairs and a hot tub - but gives a nice view of the stern and allows you to be outside when it is pouring down)

- “Private” concerts in the Grills lounge (see invitation on the table in the restaurant)

- Tour of the Grills kitchen (at least on Transatlantics) - ask the maitre’d when

- Ordering off-menu deserts such as crêpes suzette, bananas foster, and strawberries jubilee

I do very much like Cunard, but was not at all impressed with the QG restaurant the one time I tried it (on the QM2). I do like to think it was just a one-off bad experience.

To be honest, I never really felt welcome in the restaurant. The MD barely looked up when we entered (except when we had to fill out the end-of-voyage questionnaire; then it was pointed out that anything but top-grade was too low for the QG), we were never escorted to the table (except for the first day), and we were never asked for any off-menu wishes (not even the usual deserts).

I had been looking forward to trying the caviar. When asking the waiter, I was told that was not something I could order but I could try to speak with the HW. The HW told that was not something he - but only the MD - could order and he did not really think it was available. When talking to the MD I was asked if I was aware that was an off-menu request. He did agree to it - which was good - but when served the waiter did not hesitate to let me know, again, it was an off-menu item I had ordered and they hoped I would enjoy my off-menu item. The second time I tried to make an off-menu request - nothing out of the ordinary - I was simply told that was not on the menu. I gave up after that. Should probably have talked to the MD and I am certain any misunderstandings would have been sorted out, but did just not feel like it at the time.

Again, do not get me wrong. I love Cunard and do believe it was just a bad day (week) for them. But my one QG experience was bad. All my PG experiences have been absolutely outstanding.

Smiths for Airports are excellent.

It took place yesterday (18 August). Was announced by Captain Howarth around 11AM and the helicopter arrived 11:45AM. Took about half an hour. QM2 was slowed down to about 5 knots and turned against the wind - decks 12, 13, and the port and starboard side of deck 7 were closed. There was no subsequent official information regarding the state of the passenger.