Queenvee

Yes, that's the cruise she chose as her "starter" cruise.  It seems odd to me that a scheduled cruise itinerary would be changed.  I was just in St John last month on a HAL ship and know it has limited berths, but for a cruise to have been scheduled and then moved to a whole new itinerary seems odd. 

I have a slight inkling that perhaps some of the Nova Scotia ports are limiting the number of cruise ship passengers allowed per year - I can't remember where I read that and can't find it on internet.  If that's the case, then maybe ships/lines with just one Canada port are being denied permission (in order to maximize the tourist dollars coming into Canada; in other words, if a ship is visiting St John, Halifax, Charlotte, they might be granted permission versus one that is only going to St John).  I'm just hypothesizing here!

I know they didn't televise any in May but that may be because they weren't playing then.  I'm trying to remember on prior Cunard voyages and I don't think I ever saw NFL or MLB games in the pub; they would show soccer, tennis, darts, and some others.

I was on QM2 in May for a trans-atlantic and since the Premier league standings were pretty tight at the top, I thought they would show the games in the Golden Lion pub.  No such luck;  I asked the bar tender and he said they only get one sports channel and it's programmed from leadership, so he can't change the channel.  I guess enough people must have complained so that the next day, they curtailed the scheduled entertainment duo to show the game on all the screens in the pub.  The next day, they did the same but actually listed the game in the daily newsletter.  There was a large crowd and the games were exciting.  I would THINK that the world cup games would be shown, at least in the pub and the theater would be a great idea!  But, no guarantees since things appear to have changed from prior years.  You might want to start advocating with the Purser's desk as soon as you board!

My friend has never cruised before but has been inspired by my cruising so she booked a short voyage on the Magic from NY to Novia Scotia and back in July 2023.  She just got an email that the voyage is now going to Bermuda!!  I've never heard of entire itineraries being changed, except for hurricanes, wars and other catastrophic events.  Anyone have any thoughts about why it was changed?  since she really wanted to go to Canada (and NY is a convenient departure), I've suggested that she work with her agent to find a replacement voyage.  Curious if anyone has any insights - thanks!

Thank you both for the speedy and helpful response.  Good news about the deck chairs and not so good about Lincoln Center...I guess I could arrive early and get a spot on one of the sofas, or at the back of the room.

I was just on the Nieuw Statendam and am considering the Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam for my next cruise in 2023 (TA or Japan).  I know they're a different ship class than the NS and not as new.  After many cruises, I know that two very important things for me are:  (1) sitting on a deck chair on the Promenade deck reading and watching the water go by and (2) the Lincoln Center stage performances.  I've watched various videos of these 3 ships but I figured I'd come to the experts for info!!  Re:  #1, do all these ships typically place deck chairs on the Promenade deck (weather pemitting)?  Re:  #2, the NS had a great space for Lincoln Center that provided seats in a lounge format (e.g. groupings in different areas of the room, set up for 2 or 4 people) but I saw a video for one of the other 3 ships that showed seating for Lincoln Center as rows of lined up chairs - like a meeting.  That would be reason for me to choose another of the ships, so I would be very interested in your information about the Lincoln Center venues for these 3 ships.  Thank you very much!

FYI... The Nieuw Statendam sailing from Copenhagen to Boston (7/16-8/3) was about 50% full - 1500 pax.

I guess it all depends on timing!  I walked off the ship at 7:50 am and was in a taxi by 8:30, so quick and easy for me.  

I think prices will come down over the next several months due to the economic situation so I will wait.

Cunard asked passengers to upload a head shot of themselves;  they provided detailed directions about how to do it, could be a phone photo, don't wear masks, take it against a light-colored background, etc.  This replaced the photo that they keep in their system so that staff can confirm it's you; they used to take the photo as part of the terminal check in process.  I was a bit skeptical since I'm not tech-savvy but it worked just fine.

Hah!  I was at SOU airport in plenty of time, but they had overbooked the flight and because I hadn't checked in online (due to QM2 WiFI issues), I was bumped to the 4:00 flight.  Sigh.  The good news is that due to a European Union regulation enacted in 2004, I will receive £220 as compensation since my new flight is more than 3 hours after the original one; plus £10 food voucher for use in the airport.

While it's a nice airport, it's tiny and I didn't want to spend 5 hours there; the LoganAir rep was extremely helpful and when I suggested that I might go into Southampton, she looked up train schedules for me and told me where I could check my backpack at the airport (£10 fee).  I took the train - station is right across the street from the airport entrance to Southampton Central Station and trip takes less than 10 minutes - and walked about 10 mins toward the center of town.  The Titanic museum has a new location and name (SeaCity Museum) and a good cafe, so that was a great way to pass 90 minutes or so.  Then I wandered through a park, along the pedestrian shopping street and the old city walls & gate.  Took the train back to the airport where my flight was delayed twice and eventually left at 4:55.  This created a bit of a scramble at the Glasgow end since I had to catch the last ferry to the Isle Bute at 8:00 but I made it.  Just another travel adventure!

I was on the May 1 TA from Brooklyn to Southampton and my embarkation process went very quickly and smoothly, contrary to a lot of peoples', so I wanted to pass along my tips of what worked for me.  It took me less than 30 minutes from the time that I arrived at the Brooklyn terminal to getting on the ship.

1. I read and completed all the instructions that Cunard emailed well in advance of the crossing.  I uploaded a photo; did on-line check in which included providing credit card info; uploaded a photo of my vax card; PRINTED MY BOARDING PASS; and brought the Covid test results (printed out).
2. At the terminal, everyone was standing in a long line outside the terminal;  as I was moving toward the line, I asked an embarkation rep what I needed for that line and she asked if a had a printed Boarding Pass, I said yes, and was directed to a much shorter line (about 4 people).  I heard the rep going up and down the long line asking people if they had Boarding Passes and directing them to the shorter line but the majority of people apparently had not printed their Boarding Passes.
3. Once I got through the two embarkation stations (one that checked my  Boarding Pass and Covid results and one for security where I put my luggage and carryon bags through the machine), I was directed into the main terminal room where there was a LONG line of people waiting to check in.  Even though the Cunard communications had indicated that there was no priority embarkation for Diamond level passengers, and there were no signs, I asked an embarkation rep who checked with a colleague and I was directed to another line with 1 person in it.  The check in process itself was very quick since I had done the on-line check in and they don't give you your key card at this step (it's placed in the mail holder outside your stateroom).

Doing all the on-line check in steps was crucial, as was following Cunard's checklist instruction to print the Boarding Pass.  And keeping my eyes & ears peeled to hear any guidance from the embarkation reps plus politely asking them if something seems questionable (like the Diamond level priority embarkation).  My experience with embarkation reps is that they are unfailingly polite and helpful.  Naturally, I know that if I wasn't Diamond level (and hadn't asked), I would have stood in the terminal line but at least I would have bypassed the outside line and my time at the two stations was very quick.  I admit that I felt like I got a lot of messages from Cunard with links to "what to bring to the terminal", checklists, "have on hand", updated health info, etc. but for me, it was definitely worth reading them all and following their steps.  Hope this is helpful to future Brooklyn embarkees!

I've returned from my TA (May 1, NYO to SOU) and wanted to provide an update on the disembarkation process and timing.  I opted to do "Fast Track" (which used to be called Self-Help and means that you have to carry ALL your luggage off the ship yourself - no putting it out the night before and collecting it at the terminal but you are the first group to disembark, at approx 7:30 am).   Note that where there used to be an option on the "Disembarkation Transfers" form to select Fast Track, that disappeared so I told the Purser's Desk and they updated my record.  I had to select either 7:15 or 7:30 am as my disembarkation time (and they told me I could go a bit later, but no later than 7:45 since the large groups of disembarkation start at 8:00 am).  The announcement that the ship was cleared came at about 7:00 am so I wheeled my luggage off at about 7:30.  No line to disembark from the ship itself, just wheeled through the gangway tunnel into the terminal, took the elevator down to ground floor, walked through the area where they were organizing luggage and out the door.  Took a taxi to Southampton airport which was a flat fee of £28 (strikes me as very high but no other option).  So, as long as you can handle your own luggage, and have made your own forward travel arrangements, Fast Track/Self-Help can be a great option.

Just got off the QM2 (May 1 TA) and was told by member of entertainment staff that they are facing serious staff shortages since many people in the hospitality industry (a) got other jobs while cruise ships were idled; (b) don't want to deal with the hassle of wearing masks and weekly COVID testing; and (c) can get higher paying jobs in other fields.  

Yes, all staff are wearing masks even though masks for passengers are now "recommended", as of the May 8th crossing.

I was on the QM2 2019 Literary Festival crossing and have booked the 2022 and 2023 Literary Festivals.  There were a few events held in ConneXions that were only open to people who had booked through the Sunday London Times, however 90-95% of the literary events (e.g. lectures, book signings, meet the author, literary quizzes, etc.) were open to ALL passengers. 

exlondoner:  thank you for this input.  I've done many TA crossings and they typically don't arrive late (other than a few minutes perhaps) and since I won't have bought anything, I hope I'll make it through Customs quickly.  So, I think I may live dangerously and book the 10:55 flight.  Very helpful😀

I'm hoping that anyone who has recently disembarked in Southampton can provide some input on this.  I am doing the May 1st TA, reaching SOU on Sunday, May 8th.  Typically, I disembark as an "independent" so I carry my luggage off the ship and independents are usually the first group to be allowed off, approx 8:00 am.  Since I carry my luggage, I usually go straight through the cruise terminal to the taxis so it is a very quick process.  On May 8th, I am flying to Glasgow from SOU and would like to take the 10:55 am flight; before I make the reservation, I'm trying to find out if there are new COVID-related processes either on the ship or in the terminal that will slow down disembarkation.  The next flight isn't until 4:00 pm, so would prefer the 10:55!!  Any insights will be appreciated!

BTW, in reading the info Cunard sent me for my May 1 TA on QM2, it states that due to COVID priority embarkation (e.g. Diamond level) is no longer offered, at least at the Brooklyn terminal.

I am considering the 2/23/22 Caribbean/Panama Canal voyage since the current promotion includes a discounted single supplement.  (I've done dozens of cruises on Cunard, HAL & Azamara but Viking is usually too costly for me as a solo traveller.). I studied the deck plans and a happy to see a real promenade deck - are there lounge chairs on the prom deck?  Typically, the mid-ships pool areas are crowded with rows of lounge chairs, music blaring and generally not "peace and quiet".  Are there areas on the Orion that are less crowded but provide sunning opps and water views?  

As a solo traveller, I enjoy eating dinner with different people in the dining room - some ships call it "free" dining, where you show up whenever you want to eat and the maitre d' seats you with a table with various people.  Does Viking offer this?  (and especially now). Thank you for any info!

Regarding the cancelled November 14th voyage, which I was booked on, Cunard is offering a full refund or a 125% future cruise credit.  SInce this was rolled over from a cancelled 2020 voyage, I will roll it over as an FCC again.

FYI... QM2's first cruise is Nov 14, Southampton to NYC (I know because I'm booked on it!)  It would be nice if Cunard uses some of this downtime to do the re-fit since they won't want to take it out of service in 2022.

Jimdee3636 - I'm glad you asked this since I've been wondering the same thing!  Although I'm Diamond level w/Cunard, a full world cruise seems like too many days at one stretch for me so would prefer to do segments (and some of the segments look very appealing!)  I have an October 2020 QE voyage booked (Japan) which I may cancel and move my deposit to a segment of a world cruise.  With all the positive responses for doing a segment, I'll while away pleasant hours pondering!

As a long-time ballroom dancer, solo traveler, I'll chime in about hosts and dance cruises.  As many have said, the dance hosts on Cunard are generally mediocre, from the perspective of a trained dancer.  They are there to dance with the women, chat with them a bit and allow the women to enjoy the music and dancing, regardless of how "well" they dance.  I think that's important to keep in mind, since the majority of people who want to dance with the hosts are not "dancers", although the "dancers" are more conspicuous by their steps and poise.  Being a host is not an easy job, since they are all of retirement age or older; the physical demands are much:  pre-dinner sets; dance classes; about 3 hrs of dancing (8-11); all of which include dancing with people of varying ability which may require a gentle pushing/pulling of their partners.  They take limited breaks, and it gets quite hot (I still remember one seemingly quite elderly British host who would put a crisp handkerchief against his sweaty hand so the women didn't have to touch his sweaty hand, but he nearly always had a drop of sweat hanging from his nose...)  They are considered (correctly or not) to be representatives of Cunard, so they have to be pleasant and sociable at all time - on deck, in the Lido, etc.  They share cabins with other hosts.  So, it's not as great as it sounds "travel the world and all you have to do is dance with ladies".

In terms of cruises with dance groups, I've been on three ships with groups - twice as a regular passenger, detesting the way they take over the floor and the seating area and once as a member of the dance group (since it sounded like a great idea - cruise with the group's dance hosts, plus dance with the ship's hosts).  One of the larger US groups is dancers at sea (google that and you'll likely find their web site).  They have a list of cruises that they'll be sailing on for at least one year ahead.  The one time I was a member of their group was enough to decide never again.  So-so hosts; annoying women (groups of women vying for the attention of the hosts, resenting anyone younger or better dancer, etc.)  Over the past few year, Cunard has evolved to be my cruise line of choice (i have two voyages booked for later this year) and I bring my dance shoes, go to the Queen's Room on the first few nights to check out the hosts, and then stop by once in a while during the rest of the trip.  I'm pleasantly surprised if I have an enjoyable dance and otherwise, am entertained by the music and the spectacle.

On 3/3/2020 at 10:14 AM, Gary999 said:

Here is the wine day. Hic. https://cruisewithgary.wordpress.com/2020/03/03/celebrating-south-americas-love-affair-with-the-grape/

I'm leaving next week for a 32 day circumnavigation of South America on a HAL ship, so have noted your choice of Valdivieso Chilean sparkling wine from Jumbo.  I'll buy a few bottles for my balcony!