BiggDawg

7 minutes ago, Se1lad said:

the closest cars to the terminal are the ‘authorised car service’ ones pictured above - the greeters try to encourage you to get in one of these.  A row further out are the bright green taxi cabs .

Of COURSE they (the greeters) do!

Like many products in  the USA, and most services in NYC, there is a "pay for placement" going on here.

25 minutes ago, Se1lad said:

No

Not quite right - not all regulated cabs are yellow.  The ones that operate in Brooklyn are lime green - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_New_York_City

Thanks for that.  I learn something new every day, and stand corrected.

I moved out of Brooklyn before 2013 when the linked article said these started to appear, and have pretty much used car services instead.  I've actually never seen one of these.  😜

I really don't understand the conflicts here.

I mean, I get why some people don't want to dress for dinner, sure.  No judgements there.

But, when provided a dress code, why is there so much resistance?

Who would, upon receiving a formal dinner invitation clearly stating "Black Tie" or "Black Tie Optional" accept the invitation, then show up in casual clothing, knowing that the hosts and most attendees will be dressed in black tie, and then complain about the dress code?

There are plenty of more casual lines.  If the dress code is such an issue, why not choose one of them instead?  I opted for Cunard because of its history and tradition.  Specifically.  No way will I then insult the style of my hosts by dressing inappropriately and complaining about the dress code.  Who would do that aside from a sociopath?

My first cruise, in the 80's, was on Carnival.  Even there they had a "Gala night," where "Black tie optional" was the dress, and at least one other in a 7-day cruise where jackets were requested.  I'm not sure that Carnival still does that.  We have dumbed down the dress code so many places in our civilization, do we need to lower the standards everywhere?  Brand distinctions allow for some brands that are casual, and some that are less so, and passengers can "vote with their dollars (Pounds, Euros, Yen...)."  If people don't like the more formal dress code then Cunard won't be successful, but they are specifically because some of us still like the old world service and style, and are willing to pay for it.

12 hours ago, Bigmike911 said:

You might consider checking with your bank to see if they can provide you with a small amount of GBP before you leave home.

If you are a AAA member they will also be able to do this for you.

Our local AAA won't do more than about $100 exchanged, though (or was it GBP100?  I forget.)

But, opt for a minimum, since the exchange rate will not be favorable.

If I understand, many if not most Southampton cabs take cards.  I am sure that there are ATMs in the port area, are there not?  Usually using an ATM with your own card to withdraw in the local currency will get you the best rate.  Check with your bank to see if they are going to charge you an "exchange fee" on top of the ATM fees (if they are, get a different bank!).  Mine not only doesn't charge an international fee, but will rebate the ATM charge from the other bank.

Since so many votes for Dial7 here, I'll add one for Carmel.

We have used Carmel regularly from airports (including Newark, as well as JFK) to an from various hotel locations in NYC, and will fall under the "Swears by them" group.

We have often called in advance, and they were present when we needed then.

They also have an app.

1 hour ago, Se1lad said:

There are also regular Brooklyn taxis (if I recall they are bright green) - they were good value if travelling within Brooklyn - I paid about $12 to the Brooklyn Hilton

There is no "one" cab company in New York, there are many.   Cab operators run from the individual driver who leases his cab for a shift, to relatively large "fleets."  The are regulated as to behavior at fares, and are yellow (see picture).

There are car services, who are legitimate and also regulated, and "gypsy cabs" who may be other colors, but are not regulated (actually, they ARE, but flout the regulations).  Use the gypsy cabs at your own risk.

8 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

I am always somewhat surprised by the reluctance of so many to dress appropriately for a sailing on a Cunard ship.  Are there really that many men who do not own a suit (or never have occasion to wear one)?  

 

Agreed!

Why would a person accept a invitation to a "Black Tie Optional" dinner party, only to dress in shorts and sandals because "dressing up" is just too inconvenient?  Much less, why would they pay extra and travel farther to do the same?  It is honoring the wishes of the hosts, and of the other attendees, to dress appropriately for the occasion.

There are plenty of other ships and itineraries where shorts and flip-flops are de rigeur, it seems that in most cases rejection of the dress code on Cunard is just making a statement, and one that won't change the culture nor probably be cared about by anyone else.

My first cruise experience was on Carnival, in the 1980's  In those days even on the basic Caribbean cruise there was a "formal" night where full-on black tie was perfectly common.  How far the industry has dropped with respect to dress. Brand differentiation is a good thing, patrons can vote with their money and have different experiences.  Why try to drive the experience to be like all of the less formal?

1 hour ago, lovetotraveltx said:

What neighborhood/area of Manhattan is best to stay for a night or two before boarding the QM2. We would like an easy time getting to the ship the morning of our sailing. Thank you!

I would recommend the MIDTOWN / Times Square area, or the Theater District (pretty much a similar location) if you want to see anything, shop or have easy access to the most restaurants.  However it is farther from the dock.

Alternatively, you could go to the Financial district, which will have quicker/easier access to the docks (just a tunnel or bridge away), but it pretty much closes up after 5pm and on weekends, so not much to see other than Battery Park and WTC memorial.  May get lower rates for this area on weekend nights.

1 hour ago, lovetotraveltx said:

How many formal nights will be on the Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing to Southampton. And, we are new to this line. Is a Tie absolutely required? Thank you

1 hour ago, Host Hattie said:

There will be 3 formal/gala nights on a typical crossing. A tie is required if you want to use the Main Dining room and the majority of the bars/entertainment venues after 6pm.

Just to clarify,

a tie is not required on the nights that are not "gala" (i.e., formal), the other four nights.  However, for gents a jacket IS required even without a tie.

On the (probably three) gala nights, a Black Tie ensemble is preferred (why would you wear black tie, without a tie?), but a dark suit WITH a tie is acceptable (i.e., "Black Tie Optional" code).

16 hours ago, Phil_and_Cyndi said:

Can you use this stock onboard credit in the casino and then cash out whatever you don't use for cash?

It says, specifically, in the Shareholder Benefit document (see attachment, above):

     "This benefit is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and, [sic] cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account."

The management may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night!  😎

On 2/16/2019 at 9:04 AM, 13cheermom said:

This is the response I received when submitting my 2 cruises for later this year.  I think this answers both questions.

 

(Thank you for submitting your shareholder brokerage statement. The shareholder benefits are currently only applicable to sailings through July 31, 2019. In order to apply your onboard credit on your reservation, you will need to submit a current statement after March 31, 2019 when the new shareholder benefits are released.)

Currently available for voyages through JULY 31, 2020.  Must be booked by Feb 28, 2020.

Must submit documentation at least 3 weeks before embarkation.

76892160_2019CCLShareholderBenefit.pdf

15 hours ago, tabbie cat said:

Hi:

We are booked on the Aug 25 to Sept 01/19 crossing from Southampton to NYC.  Does anyone know which guest speakers will be on board?

Thanks,

Brian

Best guesses see:

Of course, they will change, and probably be added to, before you embark.

13 hours ago, OCruisers said:

 

So true  .... all under the Carnival Corp umbrella -- Carnival Cruises, Costa, Cunard, HAL, P&O, Princess, etc. -- are operated as seperate brands and each is totally different.  

2 hours ago, Wiltonian said:

Except that both Cunard and P&O have recently launched inadequately-tested new web sites, which look very similar, and have all the same problems!

All THAT implies is that they both use the same, poor, vendor for their websites.  And, while that is an unfortunate mistake, apparently, it does not mean that they are the same.

To link them together through their website quality is no more valid than suggesting all automobile companies are the same because they all used defective Takeda airbag systems.

On 4/14/2019 at 10:50 AM, BiggDawg said:

 

 

And yet, on the Cunard VP site, for ground transfers, they apparently (still) refer to it as "De Vere Grand Harbour."

On 4/14/2019 at 12:43 PM, cruiseluvva said:

It hasn’t been part of De Vere for years.

On 4/14/2019 at 11:16 AM, turnip eater said:

Well, surprisingly 🙄 Cunard’s VP website is incorrect. 😀

I’ve driven past the hotel and its very long sign is visible along the front of the canopy over the main entrance and the Grand Harbour name running along the side of the canopy over the main entrance. Confusing. 😁

Not so much "wrong," maybe, as stuck in the past?

😬

On 4/14/2019 at 8:34 PM, BklynBoy8 said:

Since we use the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to sail out of, after unloading our luggage out of the vehicle, we typically tip the Porter 2-3 dollars each bag depending on the size and weight.

We appreciate their service and they appreciate our gratitude....Their job isn't easy, it's understandable...

Yeah, I get that.

I'm familiar with US tipping custom, and certainly even NYC, which is different.

But I'm looking at Southampton (LGW to SOU), where the tipping is clearly not like US.

So, I booked an airport transfer, private vehicle, through the Cunard VP site.  They confirmed and charged my card for the full charge in advance.

Now, as a YANK and our tipping culture gets confusing when dealing with other cultures, am I supposed to add a (cash) tip as well to the driver? 

5 hours ago, turnip eater said:

The Grand Harbour is now called the Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour...trips off the tongue! 

Not to be confused with the Southampton Harbour Hotel Ocean Village.

And yet, on the Cunard VP site, for ground transfers, they apparently (still) refer to it as "De Vere Grand Harbour."

16 hours ago, msears101 said:

Sorry. I should have included the link.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2019/04/11/carnival-cruise-ships-docking-judge-threatens/3433559002/

 

Cunard is owned by Carnival.  All Carnivals brands would be banned, if they are banned.

Won't happen until at least June, when the next hearing is scheduled.

As shameful as the practice was, it would be naive to assume that this was not happening all over the world, frequently.  There are always incentives for people to violate the laws and our sensibilities.

However, an outright ban is not likely.  No judge, who is competent enough to have reached the Federal bench, is unaware of the unintended consequences that a total ban would have on the cities, passengers, and payrolls involved.  The port cities, especially cities like Miami, would take the brunt of this penalty.  Those whose livelihoods depend on the ships, and secondarily the tourism would be devastated, and stranded passengers would be seriously penalized.  Together these impacts would be far worse than what the judge would get from Carnival Corp.

And she knows it.

And Carnival knows she knows it.

So, this will likely result in BIG HEADLINES and probably a BIG fine, but then business goes on.  Hopefully the fine will be large enough to get CCL to improve, and maybe enough clean up some of the mess that may have been caused, but not so large as to put the company that operates fully 1/3 of the world's cruise ships out of business.

JM 2c.

Freeport.

We saw absolutely no reason to ever disembark there again.

Does LYFT operate in Southampton (I despise Uber...)?

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

My question is do passengers travelling in the same cabin have to clear U.S immigration at the same time

No.

Customs and Immigration don't really care what your accommodations look like (how would they know?)  as long as you have your own passports, ESTAs, or whatever documentation is required in you individual case.

2 hours ago, Bigmike911 said:

My experience has been that it is offered late in the voyage. 

Isn't later in the voyage where it would be most useful?

I mean, after all, I'm not going to embark with laundry needing service, it's later, after it gets soiled that I would appreciate it.

Just doing the quick arithmetic:

  You would need to drink Seven Drinks Each,

  Every day, day in/day out for the voyage

  All $11 or less, since over $11 are not counted! It's not that you get $11 per drink credit, they simply don't count.

before the package makes sense.

Isn't there a per-day maximum, as well?

Add to that for a 7-day voyage, it would run $966 for two people in a cabin...

I know that drinks onboard are expensive, but that is a lot, anyway.  And, given that the really expensive (over $11) specialty drinks are not included for any amount, I know we are going to pass on this as not good value.

13 minutes ago, nhlangfeld said:

BiggDawg I assume we will be on the same TA crossing (leaving 14 July from Southampton).

I am!  (We are...)

13 minutes ago, nhlangfeld said:

That's a good point that it wouldn't matter on the first day since we are staying overnight.  I haven't seen any of the excursions posted yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they are.  

That is what prompted me to start looking at private excursions, because Cunard has not posted any.  First Mate wants to get ducks in a row, or at least think about what may be the options.  Cunard should get these up so we can compare, lest they lose the business.

Cruise Critic shows a page of potential private excursions in the "Shore Excursions" area for Reykjavik and the surrounding area.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/shore-excursions/port/490/

We are not looking at private excursions on any of the other port calls, since they are not overnight.  But then, ports of call were not the reason we chose a Transatlantic crossing, anyway.  If I want to visit cities again, I'll just do that.    So, for us, port excursions would just be secondary (especially the short ones in Canada, no offense to my Canadian neighbors, but the cities chosen don't seem to be the most interesting, and the stopovers are pretty short.).

9 hours ago, nhlangfeld said:

I will be traveling on the TA Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to NYC via Iceland this summer and I'm wondering about booking shore excursions.  Do most people use the Cunard excursions or do some book their own from independent tour guides?

4 hours ago, Lanky Lad said:

We usually book a ships tour if we are going more than a short distance from the ship.  They are more expensive, but at least you know the ship will wait for you.

Not wanting to be the subject of a YouTube "dock runners" video, I get the the potential benefit of knowing that the ship is waiting,

but,

nhlangfeld didn't say which crossing in the Summer.  I am doing a 14-day crossing that stops in Iceland, as well. But ours, and I assume nhlangfeld's as well, is overnighting in Iceland.  If we take a non-sponsored excursion on the FIRST day, I should think that the ship leaving should not be a concern...?