bunny76

We mostly chose our cruises according to the ports. We are avid snorkelers and while we do snorkel from the beach, we particularly enjoy catamaran snorkel trips. I know that some catamaran trips on other cruise lines have an age limit of 70 or 75yrs. There are several Cunard Caribbean cruises that I am interested in. Does anyone know if there are snorkel catamaran trips on Cunard Caribbean cruises ( QM2 or possibly Queen Victoria)and whether these have age limits?.I did phone Cunard but was told it is not possible to see the shore excursions available until I have booked and made a deposit. However I was told if I book and don't find any catamaran snorkel trips or that they are over my age limit I cannot cancel the cruise without losing my deposit, even if I am very quick looking at the shore excursions online.(They would not look for me). Other cruise lines let you see the available shore excursions and age limits before you book the cruise- so why not Cunard? Perhaps someone who is on a Caribbean cruise on QM2, (or Queen Victoria) or has been recently, could tell me if there are any such shore excursions? Also does the online 14 day cooling off period for distance shopping not apply to cruises?

If you could do without your phone, I sewed a fabric zipped pocket inside my swimsuit to hold my credit card ( for food and drink) , driving licence( in case I needed photo ID- instead of passport) and cruise ship card. All worked well after swimming in seawater.

I've had cream with breakfast room service on QM2, as Host Hattie says, and also had the choice of pouring (single)cream or whipped cream when I asked for some in Kings Court.

Thank you Pushpit- that's helpful -it seems quite similar to shorter cruises- I do hope there will be an afternoon insight lecture. "Indeed when one has nothing to do - no cooking, no bins to take out, no tidying up - it's amazing how fast the time goes.".😂 yes indeed

O/H is keen to do the 35nt cruise to Caribbean on QM2 in Jan 25. I hate flying and love sailing from Southampton so it sounds good. However-I'm dragging my heels re booking as there would be 18 sea days altogether and wondering if I would get bored in the afternoons? Do they put on extra afternoon entertainment on such longer cruises? Can anyone tell me the kind of entertainment offered in he afternoons for a long voyage on QM2? We've thoroughly enjoyed all our previous Cunard cruises - most of them 3 or 4 days but including a 12 night cruise on Queen Vic to Canaries and also recently a 7nt cruise on QM2 to Norway.

I contacted Blankenberge Tourist Office regarding transport from Zeebrugge to Blankenberge ( without going via Bruges)and had the reply shown, from them (in italics). The trams are indeed running from Zeebrugge to Blankenberge in November 🙂 . When I had previously checked the De Lijn operator of The Kusttram trams and put my November date in , it showed there were no trams available - It seems this was because they only publish their timetable a month in advance. The trams run all year round for this route. Looking forward to our cruise and the day in Blankenberge :). I just contacted “De Lijn”, the operator of the “Kusttram”. They guaranteed that, also in November, the tram will operate as usual which means that there is a tram between Zeebrugge and Blankenberge at least every 20 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to get from Zeebrugge to Blankenberge. In case the tram cannot operate due to unforeseen cirmcumstances, a bus service is always provided. I hereby send you the link to the “route planner”: https://www.delijn.be/en/routeplanner/ As from about 1 month in advance, you can check the time tables.

Are the shuttles from the cruise port to Blankenberge run by the individual cruise ships or Zeebrugge authorities? We're looking to go from Zeebrugge to Blankenberge(and back) this Nov,(Sat 18th). It seems no direct trains or trams in November and takes almost 2 hours to go via Bruges. It's quicker to walk (90mins) but not sure if it's a feasible walking route ? It seems you can't prebook a taxi? and I could only see 3 taxi companies so it would be tough trying to get one.

apologies - have re-read and found the answers 🙂

Ah yes- that's a good idea - so I've just bought one on ebay. 🙂

I didn't know you were allowed to bring flowers on board! Thank you for that information :).

I was wondering what the buffet is like on Sky? Can you self-serve tea and coffee? Is there cutlery( silverware) already on the tables ? (We were not allowed to self-serve tea or coffee on Regal in Nov 2022 so hoping perhaps with the easing of covid rules, that has now changed on this class of ship?)

Has anyone on here , who didn't make the maximum offer for Yacht Club balcony, succeeded in having their offer accepted?

Thank you for all the food pics, Mittens101- are you allowed to make your own tea and coffee in the buffet now? We will be on Sky later this year and wondered if cutlery(silverware) and serviettes are placed on the tables in the buffet or do you have to ask for them? When we were on Regal Oct 2021 buffet service was chaotic as short-staffed and had to ask for everything as not allowed to do our own drinks so everything took ages to come -cutlery(silverware) water, tea etc, but it was still emerging from pandemic then, so hoping things have gone back to normal?- as on previous Princess cruises you could serve yourself drinks in the buffet and cutlery( silverware) was on the tables ready.

For smart attire after 6pm, I found that a silk or chiffon pashmina with a sparkly necklace can dress up an ordinary top and skirt. A black or navy blue skirt can be worn more than once with different tops. On a 21 day cruise no-one will notice if you wear the same outfit twice. Men no longer have to wear jackets after 6pm so that will save some room. I write down in advance of the cruise what I plan to wear each day, noting any mix and match outfits , so that I don't overpack. Shoes are the biggest issue- (I would take more if I could Lol ). I always put one of my evening dresses plus shoes/bag into my husband's suitcase in case my suitcase gets lost. I hope you enjoy your first Cunard cruise and the week in Italy afterwards.

Hope you're having a great cruise - looking forward to hearing more, as thinking to book a short trip on Virtuosa (Bella category) to try it- never sailed on MSC. Is there a free sauna in the ladies gym / changing rooms on Virtuosa please?

I've just looked up Loen and found there is a shuttle bus from Olden to the Loen skylift , from the top of which you can see the Jostedalsbreen glacier.( plus a nice warm restaurant at the top). 🙂

I never thought about sailings from Dover - I'll have a look at Hurtigruten- thank you.(I would be sailing with my husband ).

🙂

Thank you all for your replies. Cublet - what time of the year and which fiord would you suggest please? I would have to see if any suitable cruises going from Southampton.. I was hoping to be able to see a glacier from the warmth and comfort of a ship- I have no desire to stand on a glacier lol and wanted to avoid a long trek in the cold. If no definite fiord for glacier viewing from a ship - then Olden on QM2 in May might be my best option with one of the golf buggies to minimise the trek?. I know QE2 does Hubbard and Glacier Bay viewing from ship ,which would be more spectacular, but that involves long flights and I hate flying, and I think I would be quite content to see the Briksdal one. 🙂

- I meant the Glacier Express- but I don;t think the Bernina Express goes past a glacier now either?

I don't think you can see a glacier from the train any more as they changed the route some years ago?

I would like to see a glacier but I hate flying, so would prefer to sail to Norway ( or Iceland?) from Southampton so that I could view the glacier from the deck of the ship. I know about tours on land at Olden, but wondered if there are any fiords that a glacier can be seen whilst cruising past? Itineraries that have interested me include the QM2 7th - 18May 23 but I don't know if any of the cruise-bys offer a chance to see a glacier - Innvikfjiorden. Nordfjiord, Lustrafjiorden, and Sognefjiord.? (also there is a port stop at Alesund.) If anyone has been on a Norway ( or Iceland cruise) and seen a glacier from the deck of the ship, I would be grateful for information.

That's great- thank you