RevCo0219

Hi all,

So far just me but will probably be joined by a friend for this year's Christmas cruise out of Brooklyn.  I'm a big QM2 fan, retired and am truly looking forward to hearing that horn go as we pull away.
 

Have been on QM2 4 times, all crossings, including once for my honeymoon.  Marriage didn't last, don't ask.  

Anyway, I've been in Queens and Princess Grills and Brittania. This time I'm trying Brittania Club and am looking forward to it.  QM2 is my safe and happy place in life!  A staff member friend I've made over the years (love the Cunard tradition of getting friendly with crew), told me that the Christmas cruise was the best itinerary and nicest atmosphere of all the cruises throughout the year.

Hope others reply here and to see you in the Commodore Bar for a Friends of Dorothy 5p regular get together!

Thanks everyone for the continuing dialogue. I'm learning a lot and it's really helpful as I continue to think about this. 

I'm a big Cunarder (QM2) guy so I'd probably do a piece of the word cruise, maybe half.  A staff member that I've made friends with over the years on QM2 (just had his first baby, yeah!) whose done the World Cruise many times tells me it's actually not the best (his favorite is the Christmas cruise from NY to Caribbean) except in smaller bites. 

So that gave me pause about the whole World Cruise thing, though, having said that, it was really interesting to hear if you buy the whole thing you may get tips (I was wondering about that) and other expenses covered. When doing the cost analysis I'll make sure to factor that in and, wherever possible, bartar! LOL

Anyway, thanks again, I look forward to reading more of everyone's thoughts.

I'm a Myers-Briggs expert and have fantasized on actually providing coaching services to guests for room/board or something. "recovery crossings" is sort of the concept and as a professional coach it would be facilitating people's journeys, from what they're hoping to get out of it to hopefully facilitating a great experience, all while learning more about their and their spouses personality and, in some cases, helping folks use the journey as a deeper renewal and resolution of issue thing, eg. a spouse grieving over another needing to envision a new life, etc. (Think of me as the guy who would facilitate the Love Boat results!)

Anyway, you get the idea, it's coaching on the seas. I currently do that at nonprofits around the country and it would be truly enjoyable to do it for folks while they're cruising.

Which ships or lines have the best thelassatherpy pools, whether public or in the spa.  I know Queen Mary 2 is great as is NCL Escape and Gem class ships.  I'm not crazy about the public ones like on Celebrity Summit, prefer the priate in the spa type. 

Wondering about:

Holland America

Royal Caribbean

Princess

MSC

Thanks

I'm coming up on retirement and I'm thinking that I may like to share 4-6 months a year on ships and am wondering if there are others on this site that are doing that?  I'd love to learn from people how they manage it, vis-a-vis bookings, stay with one line, not another?  Just about anything people are willing to share, I'm open to learn.  Thank you.

Where my Commodore Club Friends of Dorothy friends at for the 8/26 crossing?

I'm accompanying a friend with her two kids and wanted to see if there are other FOD on board?

Will be my 4th crossing on QM2 - looking forward to the week's break from the crazy world.

Forgive me if there's another thread - feel free to add this to it if possible but I didn't see one.

Stu/Kasius11

Ah, thank you Matelot60, that explains the confusion. Well spotted.

Yes, the Queen Elizabeth pulled out before us with the customary salutes sounding.

I'm glad I wasn't on the Elizabeth through Angus. I don't think she's got what QM2 has in taking on weather of that nature.

I see storm Angus is in full fury in the South of the UK. How’s QM2 handling the blow? It looks like she’s going to sail right through it. :eek:

Yes, we sailed right through it. I was aboard in a rear PG cabin on Deck 10. Never experienced anything like it before. Winds were 115 mph (100 knots as reported by Captain the next day) and I literally could not open my balcony door. A few genuinely frightening hours at its peak.

In retrospect QM2 handled it incredibly well. We didn't know, or at least those of us who hadn't bothered listening to weather reports prior, that we were heading into hurricane like conditions.

A trip to remember, for sure. Captain, prior to leaving Southampton spoke of expecting swells the following day, never mentioned a storm. Thus why many of us were confused and scared for a bit.

Just back from 11/19 crossing.

PG is not very different from prior to refit. Grey colors in the dining room and cabins are very nice accented with Cunard colors. Overall tones and textures very nice.

Atila was great. Got a table for two all the way in rear on our own. Overall food was good. Didn't feel as creative in dishes as last time on was PG on QM2 but was completely acceptable. Ordered off the menu whatever I wanted without issue. I had yearn for roast beef/yorkshire pudding/potatoes/veg normal Sunday afternoon dinner and it was prepared and served, off the menu.

Also beef wellington off the menu arranged without problem.

Were in cabin 10090. Great location for all things toward middle and rear of ship though many long walks for spa, gym and all things at front of ship.

And then there was Angus. I hadn't followed weather before boarding but on Saturday night we plowed our way through Angus. 115 MPH winds, the largest seas I've ever witnessed, and from what I understand from very experienced QM2 folks, the roughest weather they'd ever seen.

My faith in the ship has grown, even if it faultered during the storm. Some scary few hours I must admit.

Hubby and i are thinking about doin TA for our 20th. Trying to decide if we should book a QG room or not. What are your thoughts......what is the difference in the dining rooms?

Ok, so I've done both and now I go PG Guarantee only. I prefer the PG dining room. All that 'off menu' nonsense, well, you get how I feel about that.

The PG dining room is more spacious (less people than QG suites) and frankly, I've had better service in the PG dining room.

Yes, the PG suites are smaller yet the balcony is plenty big and though the bathtub isn't a jacuzzi, it's more than adequate.

Whatever decision you make, happy 20th!

HI all,

I just read that the wooden deck chairs on the PG balcony have been swapped out for wicker. Though someone described them as more comfortable there was something so classic about the teak wooden ones with the green cushions they had. :cool: Not sure how I feel about something that's pretty trivial... but I sort of felt like Sabrina on the old ones! Now it'll be a modern moment I guess.

I have just completed a 30 day NYC round trip to Norway in the Princess Grill. I am Diamond and have traveled in all Cunard grades. I normally book a P2 guarantee. I sometimes get what I pay for, but have been frequently upgraded to a P1 or Q6 and Q5. I was once upgraded to a Q1 on QV, a truly magnificent experience. The P2 is the best value for money on Cunard. The only drawback is the long, long, long walk to the dinning room.

 

I’m normally a lurker but feel that my observations might contribute to this discussion.

 

The selection of a good table is subjective. Some want a window and others do not like the walkers staring at them. In the QG table selection is based on grade. If you are in a Q1 you get the best table, best service and most attention from the Maitre’ D. In the PG table selection is based on booking date. The earlier you book the better the table. Both Grills try to accommodate specific requirements stated at the time of booking. I always ask for a table for two by a window with lots of light. (My wife does not see too well when they turn down the lights in the evening). I normally get it.

 

Without a doubt the menu and choices have been reduced. Rack of lamb has reappeared on the PG a la carte. There are indeed fewer choices on the a la carte menu and no deserts. Some of the choices are terrible. Everyday I ordered shrimp cocktail. It was excellent. Halfway through the cruise it suddenly changed its name and became to a bowl of guacamole with three small shrimp on top. Many of the former a la carte entrees now appear in rotation on the regular menu.

 

The lunch menu is the same in all restaurants. Until recently the dimmer menu was the same except that some of the Britannia choices never appeared on the Grills menu. For instance, when Britannia served roast turkey it never appeared in the Grills. Now the Grills dinner menu is totally different from Britannia’s.

 

Special order is still available in PG. You just have ask nicely and not ask for anything too complicated. For instance, a couple of times we had roast chicken served by a head waiter at the table and other times we asked for one of the lunch entrees to be served at night. Each time, it was freshly cooked not held over and warmed up. We frequently had fish that was not on either the main or a la carte menus. The Maitre’ D always had to check with the Chef to see if it was possible. We were never denied our choice.

 

It is still possible to get hidden entrees at lunch such as cheeseburger and fries.

 

I have not sat in them, but the new chairs in QG look uncomfortable, especially for men with wide shoulders. I noticed that a few chairs had been temporally replaced with the old chairs for a voyage segment.

VERY very helpful, thank you. And I agree, P2 gtd is the way to go. I actually prefer the PG dining room to QG. And from what I read about new QG chairs it's still better - certainly more spacious.

Thanks again.

As for PG and QG dinning tables, I prefer one QG table and hardly feel it is priority seating. As well, I think David, Mississauga has it right: "I doubt there is much difference in Princess Grill because, of course, all staterooms are the same size and the only fare difference between P1 and P2 is based only on location. Our first crossing in PG was an upgrade and we were allocated an excellent table.

Because of the vast difference in Queen's suites in size and, naturally, in fares there is more likely to be advantages given to some passengers over others. We have met some people in Q4 and above and they said they got priority seating if they wished it. There was no doubt that some people were fussed over more than others (from overheard conversations they were very frequent travellers) but we never felt we received substandard service in any way.We are fairly "low maintenance" and not too fussy about our table location. We didn't feel we were given any less attention because we were in basic QG accommodation. As with our first time in PG, our first time in QG was an upgrade and we were assigned to an excellent large table. The second time in QG was on a special fare (one of those where you pay PG and get QG) and again we were seated at a large table in a desirable location and received service that could not be faulted.'"

 

Having a feeling that on the nose re the refit, I learned of the ship the other day, having three unrelated sets of friends on, in P1, Q4 and Q2. None upgrades, nor were any expected just because they'd booked. Seeing the ship "re-mastered" in the way they usually traveled was the goal. From all I got a feeling how QM2 will be for me 15 December. I've a new hip to show off!

 

Here's what they, just off QM2 westbound said … no, there's NOT major changes PG vs QG after the refit. There HAS been a tightening up in favor of the company that runs Cunard ships. Whether entry-level PG (what I've always felt the best bang for the buck Cunard offers on all its ships) or at its highest rate, PG original cabins remain the same size, same areas, have a bathtub. In PG dinning, no more paying the least money and expecting to always order off menu as if in QG. No, the menu hasn't been dumbed down, there may be fewer choices, entrees might be five-six nightly offerings (out of a dedicated kitchen for both Grills) instead of ten. No there's no more PG ordering as you please off menu, which to me makes sense for a cheaper room. The famed Cunard party-pieces still appear during each voyage, usually one a night, just not three or four listed nightly. (Still, often the staff quietly obliges sincere wishes.) The seating-count may have gone up by eight. The Grill Lounge, still as industrial-looking as ever, remains. There's enough "refreshing" in the carpeting and fabrics that those experienced enough and wanting such can be pleased, or can righteously quibble they aren't colors they'd use. QG accommodations remain the zenith on the ship, per cabin-pricing, size, linen and general feeling this isn't how you live at home. I've seen one couples three homes, personally feel the "Buckingham Apartment" doesn't quite come up to two of them, but that's just me. All the QG daily perks remain. The Concierge Lounge remains the same. As for the QG dinning menu, few changes or downsizing was noted. Yes you may order off menu as was usual pre refit, but why? It isn't a cdrwdential. But if you want meat, or fish, every night, just say so, it will be done. In QG. Possibly the room has added eight to its seating. As would benefit dinning for the most costly accommodations, QG offers a menu more enhanced than PG, merely that. Please, let the hand-wringing stop. Hearing news "fresh off the boat" belies all the internet twaddle about the Grills I've read here and elsewhere. As for the ship, there was no mention of The Heathen in shorts, jeans and tank tops. Formal night dressup in the Grills sounded a delight to see. A walk through Britannia dinning seemed to enforce that. In the shows and clubs, the nightly code seemed adhered to. High marks were given to the brand-new Carinthia Lounge. From the sound of it all I can't wait to board! TA 15 December, westbound. For me, a P2 is still a great deal. Jus' sayin'. :)

Yep, totally agree. Truth is, with same size restaurant (QG/PG) the PG has actually about 20 less seats making it a wee bit more spacious. At least that's my experience.

Have a great trip.

Appreciate the information - thank you both.

Sounds like what you said, they tried to take it down a level and were met with immediate resistance and quickly brought it back. Not a good look to be touting a refit to have it in reality be a downgrading of the dining room that's at the heart of the experience for many.

I'm going to stay with PG for now and hope I'll be able to have the rack at least twice during the week. I'm also hoping they'll do a crumble at least twice in the week too for a sweet, but we'll see.

Thanks, again.

:)

I'm reading different things about post refit dining.

I've historically preferred PG dining room to QG (less tables, just about same menu) but now am reading PG menu downgrade?

The left side always available rack of lamb, chateau etc not there any more?

If not, is there a bigger difference to QG now?

I'm booked PG 11/19 but would upgrade if menu inPG is closer to Brittania now.

Help! (Honeymoon so important!)

We're in the city. Look forward to meeting you. I'm assuming Dorothy's hour still is a thing in the Commodore late afternoon?

We [Jack and Brent] are also on this crossing, plus the east bound leaving NY on Nov. 12. Hope to see you on board.

That's great... where do you guys live?

My partner and I just booked the 11/19 sailing. I looked for a thread but didn't see one. If there is one, please let me know and I'll delete this and post there.

Looking forward!

:)

Did just a bit of it but highlights were the cirque de soleil type act and the jazz band outside LeBistro. Music was nice there. The comedian was awful and the magician OK.

Something mechanical. "Divers are working on it" whatever that means.

She's great. Love her. I had similar happen last year on Breakaway. Got to Nassau 6ish so we will have an extra sea day and overnight in Nassau.

Thought I posted but maybe not. I'm on Gem too. Looks like Stirrup Cay is out with possible early arrival in Nassau for overnight.

I've noticed you ladies in Cagneys at lunch. Glad you're having a good time and winning some money.

Not sure. I'm in the haven but do t know what's happening beyond some divers under the ship, tomorrow's visit to stirrup cat is cancelled and we will sail to Nassau early

Leaving the partner at home and travelling with my niece for this quickie 7 day vacation. Any other friends of Dot on board?

Looking forward to a nice break. Travelling with my niece for an Uncle/Niece bonding trip.

Splurging on the Haven as I'm hitting 60 next year! Oy vey.

Wondering if other FOD will be aboard.

I'm travelling with someone who likes yoga. Does anyone know if the Gem's classes include Yoga? Or where I can get a list of all the classes?