WAsplasher

HI. Three QM2 crossings. One (crossing) each on QE and QV. If anyone chooses to sail with Cunard based on food, know this - you have not made the best decision. CUNARD is not known for its culinary excellence in Britannia. However, the Grills offer a different dimension of dining at sea. I did have the privilege of crossing in a PG suite on my QE crossing - it was nearly flawless. Oceania does deliver great food, some of the best. Cunard's buffets on QV and QE are average at best, serving the same fare each day and in limited fashion. Very limited. QM2's Kings court is good with much more variety and fare than the twins.

 

Now, the QM2 is like no other ship. Period. Sail on her for the legacy, the tradition and the greatness of this fine ship - she is an ocean liner as we all know. Don't expect an experience anything near that of a cruise ship. On QM2, you can walk around the promenade in 25 foot seas at 22 knots. On any other ship - forget about it. Even the pools are open in really bad weather, in January.

 

Cunard has done the best job with the Vista/Signature class platform (QE & QV). The Interiors are awesome and carry on the Cunard tradition offering a wonderful array of lounges and spaces that are far superior than any other ships (and there are many) using this footprint of ship. It will be intriguing to see how Cunard outfits their new ship, comparing that to the Koningsdam which I have sailed on and was seriously disappointed with the fragmented design and layout of that ship.

 

I began my cruising life at age 10, 50 years ago on the SS Rotterdam. I like old world, old style, traditional voyages and today, I find that it is only CUNARD that can deliver those memories in any type of manner or fashion. I tolerate mediocre food and shower curtains. I sail CUNARD because they still produce what this whole business was founded on - a seafaring experience. No rock climbing, no skating rinks, no neon. It's about the only pure, authentic ship line left and that said, it is a stretch. It requires a certain level of tolerance and CUNARD is not for everyone. The trade off is worth it. I love CUNARD.

I was so relieved to read this post. I leave in a few weeks for my first QM2 experience, 21 days which,as a solo traveler, is costing rather a lot. And now yesterday I was delighted to receive an email informing me of an upgrade! But then I went online and saw so many negative reviews and started to worry. But your post has eased my mind, I now know what to look for and what to ignore. And I’m happy again :)

I just got off the Queen Mary 2 yesterday, what a wonderful ship. I also was concerned about daytime dressing and I can assure you for day time " casual is the way too go" even boarding the ship most people were dressed in a casual manner. Later on I am going to write a post with some tips you may find useful.

I look forward to seeing your comments, im excited about my first cruise on QM2 next year.

Jacqueline

Cue for my own "horror story" again. On a TA last year, in QM2's theatre for the evening show, there was a [gentle]man in jeans, a T shirt and a "Vote Trump" baseball cap.

Oh well, that all seems perfectly self explanatory to me :')

Naughty Nana, Having recent experience on all 3 QUEENS ( within last 18 mo.) let me assure you the real-live people on board are not as judgmental as some of the posters, here. I've never seen anyone turned away from anything on formal nights., everyone I've seen has been nicely dressed...altho S O M E do dress Way over the T O P with almost 'costume-like' formal dresses. Refined and respectful really describes the clothing of most of the guests. And, as has been correctly pointed out,

if you want jeans and a sweatshirt..... you won't go hungry in the buffet.

Jeans? After 6? 😮

I understand this. I wanted to do a Crossing and I've wanted to try Cunard. Now, I'm looking forward to the experience. I believe I will find kindred souls on board and be able to limited and control my packing, while meeting, exceeding, or working around the dressing. I'll fly international to board in Southampton, so I will be limited in luggage -- but I'll also have sometime in Europe pre-cruise, should I need to add to my wardrobe.

 

What fun we'll have on our upcoming cruises!!!

:D I know! So exciting. I hope you have a fabulous time.

Sometimes it's not so much choosing Cunard, it's about finding a ship that's going where you want to go on the days you want to go there. I will be sailing on QV next year and it will be my first time on Cunard. I didn't specifically choose Cunard, but needed to line up a specific itinerary at the conclusion of a land tour, and this was the only one that ticked those boxes for the date I required. I have no issue with "dressing up" but I will probably be at the lower end of what is acceptable - no tiaras for me! I must say, the more I read this thread, the more I am thinking it is not going to be very enjoyable if the majority of the other passengers are as judgemental as some posters on here!

 

Regards

Jan

I wouldn’t be concerned Jan, I chose my cruise for exactly the same reasons as you, I had no idea about the dress code but I have to admit that I’m rather looking forward to it. In any community there will be all kinds of people, I’m sure you will find some friendly faces and kindred souls, as I hope I do also! :D

Yeah, ROTFL is a common one but what does PRINCESSTHE BEST’s “WHATSR” mean?

 

 

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Did we find out yet?

Nope - you got me! [emoji854]

 

 

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Me too! Give us a clue 🤔

Hi, I’m Jacqueline, I live in Falcon, West Australia. 2016 I did a fabulous river cruise with Tauck, and a cruise up the to Scotland and the Faroes on Marco Polo. 2018 in April I’m traveling from Dubai to Portsmouth on QM2, very excited! Would love to chat to other solo travellers about cruises past, present and future and other travel experiences.

Of course I know a blazer isn't formal, I just wanted to know if it would 'do' on formal nights--it will on most cruise lines but I do realize Cunard is more formal. All I wanted to know is if they will let him in the dining room on formal nights with a nice blazer. If not, he will buy at least a suit if we go on a Cunard cruise.

 

We don't mind dressing up, kind of like it actually, but he would have to buy a new suit or tux due to weight gain. What I meant by life style is that in our normal everyday life he has no need for a suit and definitely not a tux, so it would probably not be worn much.

 

We enjoy trying different cruise lines and I'm sure would enjoy a Cunard cruise. It's just good to be prepared and to know what actually is required. While of course we like relaxation and a casual atmosphere at times, we enjoy the more formal nights too. They aren't mutually exclusive. I mean, he has a tux and likes to wear it if only it fit! Buying another one just for Cunard is what I was wondering about.

 

I know, losing weight would solve a lot of problems, but that's not always so easy!

:') I feel your pain! Desperately dieting now to fit into my own evening wear! My friend reckons I’ll be one week onboard and all my buttons will pop off.

This is by far the best response to the "Do I really have to follow the Cunard dress code?" question.

 

Well said. My travel agent knows I like Cunard and has directed me away from cruise lines that I will not like. BTW - My "life style" does not require frequent formal or even business dress. "Dressing up" does not come natural. But I like the ambiance of Cunard. It is like going back in time and the dress code makes it possible.

I agree. I am really looking forward to that aspect of my QM2 cruise in April, I live and travel alone, so while I ‘lunch’ often, dinner out is no very regular and I’m very much looking forward to taking a bit of time in the evening for dining and feeling a little bit special :)

Dressing up at night is okay, but if it was 'smart casual' during the day as well, I couldn't do it. This is why I've never taken the Orient Express, the dress code etc is all a bit too restrictive, though I suppose I could put up with it for a one or two night train trip :)

I took the OE Venice to London last year and it was a wonderful experience. You shouldn’t let a bit of dressing up get in your way, I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

Here is a PDF I downloaded previously about Balls. It is from 2013 but I am sure things haven't changed too much

I found that really helpful thank you. Can't see myself as Cleopatra though, and there are three of them!

Not with me you're not.

 

David.

That's ok, it isn't mandatory.

One tip for unaccompanied ladies in Dubai is to always use the pink, all female driven taxis. As a (married) couple we found them excellent.

 

David

What an excellent tip! Plus you are supporting women working and driving there, which I understand is not encouraged.

Is this link of any interest? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1272724/FO-Dubai-travel-advice-Brits-No-sex-alcohol-holding-hands.html

Well it is interesting, but perhaps not relevant, you are allowed to drink in your room, both on QM2 and in your hotel in Dubai. Why do people go where there are these laws, then break them? I work in a dry community in Australia, I live there for 10 weeks at a time. I wouldn't dream of taking alcohol out there. You are allowed to hold hands though:halo:

They do sell a good selection of wine and champagne at DXB arrivals.

Something for every budget.

Personally I bring a few fav bottles of WINE from Oz (In the suitcase! Many post offices sell Styrofoam wine mailing boxes, if you are worried) buy CHAMPAGNE I buy in DXB.

These is a current price guide for some of the champagne...

https://online.dubaidutyfree.com/ddf/category/liquor-champagne/_/N-7xo

Thank you for the info and the link.

Yes, absolutely. Only issue I guess is whether they have the wine types you enjoy, but cannot think of any reason why not....certainly seems better than lugging from Australia, IMHO.

Oh I'm sure I can find something I like! Thank you for the information.:)

I assume you are flying, in which case there is a large duty free shop in the airport arrivals hall. There is no duty free at the port. Why bother bringing it with you, as the duty free in Dubai is cheap.

Alcohol is a very murky legal area in the UAE as technically to purchase or consume alcohol in the country you should have a liquor licence, but in reality the rule is not enforced unless you are unlucky enough to get arrested for something else......

Could you tell me if they sell wine and Champagne in the airport duty free also, and if so, in your opinion, would the duty free price make it worthwhile to buy it there rather than carrying it from Australia with me?

They are a cheaper cruiseline and they have an advantage that they don't have children at all. I went on a cruise up to the faroes with them on the Marco Polo last year and it was fine. My single cabin however, which cost the same as my two travel companions paid together in their twin room, was no more than a badly designed cupboard which could not have held anything other than a slender single bed. Happily it was only a week, and the ports of call made it worthwhile.

:')

:champagne-toast:Thanks for the explanation. Those booking categories aren't offered here but I have got onboard credit. And I am looking forward to the odd afternoon tea!

Hi,

 

I think Cunard is a good line for singles. The 175% price for solo travelers is better than most lines. I have cruised aboard the QM2 twice during the past year as a solo traveler. For both cruises, I booked an inside stateroom and was upgraded to a new single ocean view stateroom. In September 2016, I was upgraded to one of the new single staterooms on Deck 2 for a Canada/New England cruise. In April 2017, I was upgraded to one of the new single staterooms on Deck 3 for a World Cruise segment (Hong Kong to Singapore). The staterooms in both categories are beautiful and very conveniently located. The staterooms on Deck 2 have high ceilings and the staterooms on Deck 3 have two very large windows.

 

In my experience, Cunard passengers are very friendly. I have met many interesting people during my Cunard cruises.

 

Chuck

Gosh Chuck I wish I'd know that about QM2. I've book a single stateroom next April 21 days Dubai to Southampton, and I think the 2 windows would be much nicer that the picture window I'm getting on deck 5. :confused:

I'm a solo traveller and those supplements are a killer. I am also in Australia and the airfares are a shocker too. However some companies do great deals for solo travellers- Tauck don't charge a supplement on river cruises so long as you go on the lower deck (no balcony) and more and more ships are putting in solo cabins- you still seem to pay more but not 200% you just have to book really early, sometimes before even the cruise is scheduled. I wouldn't share for anything, having paid all that $ I wouldn't want my holiday ruined by a snorer, cougher, persistent throat clearer....... No bargains for us I'm afraid, but I choose my holidays based on destination. I spend little time in the room, so I don't need a balcony or suite.:cool:

Just logged into my own voyage personaliser to check, it shows 8.30 dining but it doesn't say anywhere that is is "Confirmed", however my understanding from when i booked is that it is confirmed due to paying the Cunard Fare.

 

It does have a section about saver fares which I have copied below:

 

Early Saver Bookers

 

Early Savers receive 2nd priority for dining. We will attempt to accommodate your request but this is not guaranteed. Dining will be allocated on board and cannot be changed. To register a dining preference please click on the below link.

Seems likely that while the voyage personaliser may have shown early seating, this was just showing your preference and wasn't a confirmation. Cunard's website is imo fairly terrible and riddled with mistakes/out of date info.

Mine is confirmed on my booking confirmation, not on the voyage personaliser