maggielou362

Just disembarked in Sydney this morning 😢 

On embarking in Perth crew were still taking extra precautions, but they had relaxed somewhat by the end of our journey. Crew are very meticulous with cleaning, but I did notice that many passengers were still sneezing into their hands, and others were very quick to grab at and point ( i.e. TOUCH!) food/tongs, cutlery etc even though staff will get it for you. Use the dining rooms, avoid the buffet. I think it's other passengers you need to be mindful of. Just be very careful and diligent with handwashing, cough/sneezing etiquette, and use the offered hand sanitiser at every opportunity and you will be fine. It's a beautiful ship.

Probably apologies due to your travel agent, I misunderstood. Looks like they actually did contact Cunard who then told them that Cunard will contact you, so his/her job done. But contact Cunard yourself, don't wait. And yes, they are a very helpful lot on this discussion board aren't they? Bon Voyage.

8 hours ago, Pushpit said:

...I'm tempted to say focus on the kid, cranky parents can sort themselves out!!!

Agree, the youngster's allergies sound more critical than trying to appease fussy people regarding eating times. Surely 6:00pm is early enough for dinner, and surely there is food available pretty much any time around the clock for them to eat as frequently as they like. Also, what is your travel agent doing if you "told the travel agent who advised me that Cunard will contact me directly"? They should be following it up for you. Do as the experts here suggest: contact Cunard Customer Service yourself, advise them of your child's food requirements, speak to the maitre d' on embarkation to confirm the special dietary needs are noted and then enjoy yourself. You are on holidays too, not just your parents!

Oh GREAT idea, Nora! Now I need to make some more space for my breakfast and afternoon tea outfits too. 

Just adding, I mean I am the showpony, NOT Nora!

10 hours ago, maggielou362 said:

 Wish there was a ladies' equivalent. 

Actually, who am I kidding? I admire and respect your abilities to collate an elegant minimalist wardrobe, @Victoria2 and @rhiannon84. Very versatile and classy.

Much as I'd like to have a capsule of beautiful separates, I am in truth more like @D&N's Nora, perhaps more of a princess showpony! I am packing two suitcases for ME, and stealing some of my husband's suitcase space as well because I am going to dress up to the nines for my first QM2 voyage. Have already budgeted for the excess baggage charge on the flight to Perth.

7 hours ago, tv24 said:

I wear black blazer, black slacks, white shirt.  It gets me into all the venues on Cunard and gives me some clothes I can wear while traveling.  Versatile and compliant.

Versatile, compliant but also timeless and elegant. Wish there was a ladies' equivalent. Any thoughts, Cunard girls?

Thanks so much, @Victoria2, and to all on the Cunard board, you've all been so very helpful. I have had every query addressed and had lots of laughs. Just over a week now until our QM2 voyage, first of more I hope.

Edited to add: I am by no means a fine wine connoisseur, so I expect I would enjoy P.A. A Bellini sounds just the ticket for unpacking, though.

I had actually thought of that, @exlondoner 😁 so I am planning on doctoring the much-maligned Pol Acker with some peach puree and perhaps some peach schnapps to assist with unpacking. 

Thank you, Winifred. That sounds like a sensible plan.

So do you pack your wine bottle (wrapped safely) in your checked-in luggage or do you carry it on yourself in hand luggage? Just want to do the right and sensible thing, not trying to "sneak" anything onboard.

And it's certainly not confined to ships! Anywhere where people congregate and touch provides the ideal environment for it to rear its head. Didn't mean to sound panicky, just a little wary since I have been eagerly waiting for two years to board the beautiful ocean liner. Heading to Fremantle in a few days and feeling a little dampened by the news. Oh well, lots of proper handwashing, nothing else for it. (and the hand cream afterwards)

There is a current passenger on QM2 who documenting his voyage via Youtube. He reports that there is an outbreak of norovirus since departing Durban. Not wanting to substantiate or speculate, just sharing what this gentleman is saying on his Youtube video. He says the crew are doing an exemplary job of minimising the spread. Host Hattie, not sure if I should have started a new topic for this, please merge with the Queen Vic gastro thread as appropriate. Sorry to bear these negative tidings. SOAP AND WATER, everyone.

@Jean C, me too! I haven't even been on my cruise yet and my husband and family think I'm an expert. My comment re echo chambers etc was certainly not aimed at anyone on Cruisecritic. I was just expressing my opinion on the blessing and curse that is the internet and social media. Thank you CC community, you inform and entertain 😃

Thank you, @MicCanberra, that's just what we are planning to do! Not so bothered about later boarding time, just want to get the bags checked in and out of the way.

On 2/1/2024 at 12:59 PM, gbenjo said:

... This is the problem on this forum, so much ill informed speculation  by self proclaimed experts  about things that they really know nothing about which gets read and believed by others and then suddenly we have problem.

Not just this forum, the entire global social media circus. Echo chambers. Remain sceptical, curious, and open-minded.

On 1/28/2024 at 9:56 AM, Aus Traveller said:

On our 14-day cruise that ended, we saw only two little tables outside cabin doors. This could be from COVID, RSV or (less likely) Noro.

Sorry, I am new to cruising. What do you mean by "little tables outside cabin doors"? Is this where the staff place food etc for guests who are confined to their cabin because of infectious diseases?

Hello Cruisers,

We have a 14:45hrs check in time at Fremantle (Australia) on QM2 soon. Our checkout time at hotel is 11:00hrs.

Is it possible/advisable to drop off our luggage early (e.g. 11:15) and then come back to check ourselves in?

Many thanks

Thank you, @LittleFish1976, I will 😃

We have a 14:45hrs check in time at Fremantle (Australia) on QM2. Our checkout time at hotel is 11:00hrs.

Is it possible/advisable to drop off our luggage early (e.g. 11:15) and then come back to check ourselves in?

Many thanks

You might think your knowledge is limited, but thank you, @D&N for sharing all the details that affect you, your posts have been most helpful to me as a new Cunard passenger, along with so many other "regulars" on this board. I feel very fortunate to live in my beloved Sydney, but sometimes I wish I could more readily access a Transatlantic, especially a B2B. I would be planning many more Cunard voyages for the future too, if I could. 

My impression is that drinks packages on any cruise line are for convenience and simplicity, not to save money. That's why we have bought a drinks package for our upcoming voyage. I am by no means a drinks/wine connoisseur so I expect I will be happy with the $13.50 and under offerings. I don't want to be mentally tallying up each order and worrying about a big payment at the end of our holiday. It's an expensive initial outlay, and we will probably also buy a couple of nice bottles of wine for dinners, but in the main it's a psychological thing for me. However, if your travel companion doesn't drink alcohol and is not a caffeine fiend it wouldn't make sense to buy a package. But I am a new sailor, pay more heed to @Pushpit and @D&N, they seem to know their way around everything Cunard.

Thank you both 🙂

Are there open and closed hours for the launderettes on QM2?

I wouldn't dream of using any of the machines late at night, but as a bit of a night owl/insomniac,

I was wondering if it would be ok to do some ironing while my husband sleeps?

Just wanted to get everything pressed and hung as soon as possible after embarkation.

On 1/16/2024 at 6:35 PM, Victoria2 said:

We usually leave it as we have plenty of other stuff to drink but you're right, it's more than acceptable as a mixer and when well chilled, it's also not as bad as tradition seems to demand it is, on its own.

 

 

I've never tasted it, but I am heeding the advice here and taking a little bottle of peach schnapps and some peach puree (sold as organic baby food, in a sachet 🤣) and making us some Bellinis to have as we unpack.