Cruise NH

Blame it on my grandmother, I was going to say kettle, but remembered she called it a hob and wrote that. She was from Leeds, maybe it was a brand name? I know she used to call vacuum cleaners hoovers for some reason.

First, let me say that I saw someone else has also talked about this crossing. I think their comments were great, I just wanted to add a few things. We are diamond members and have done over 10 crossings. Last time on the QM2 was the 2020 World Cruise. We were in a sheltered balcony cabin. Embarkation - was very smooth, as diamond members we flew through the process. We were never asked if we took covid tests (we did and they were negative) they just asked if we had any changes to our previously submitted health assessment. On Board - No diamond welcome party by the Captain, or any other party of that type. Typically we're not big party people but we really missed this aspect of the crossing. We never did see the Captain or any of the senior officers. Felt off from a crossing veteran perspective. There were no classes offered in the Connections area (previously would have excel, photoshop type stuff). Games are not left out by the tables on deck 2. You have to go to the library and 'check them out' and only for two days at a time. Of course you can do that numerous times during the trip. Jigsaw puzzles were set out however, go figure. Insight lectures were not great. We were so disappointed we love that aspect of Cunard and always find something interesting. Among other things, there were two lectures, by two different people on Princess Diana's death...IMOP one would have been to many. Mask wearing by the crew appeared to be optional. We were okay with that. The internet was spotty. It used to be diamond members got 8 free hours of internet, worth $135. The $135 is the same but there is now a premium plan offered for the whole voyage for $140. So if you're diamond, and you choose that plan, you're paying $5. The food was good but somehow the choices weren't at time. A few times we chose not to eat in the main dining room because there simply wasn't anything on the menu we really liked. On one night I ordered the always optional chicken breast with baked potato and veggies. Disembarkation - We self disembarked and were walking off the ship at 6:33 AM. Could not have been easier but it did cause a problem with our Luggage Forward pick up. The great on shore staff from Cunard helped us with that problem. So glad we decided to take the train to Boston rather then fly, the fog cancelled a lot of flights. We used Dial7 for a private transfer, they were great. Other things... Driving up to the ship in Southampton we thought the ship looked it's age but we love her anyway. For years on this forum I've read posts from UK cruisers talking about a 'hob' and there need for it. Previous to getting on the ship, we traveled around Ireland, Scotland and England for several weeks. Now we get it! You need a hob! Please don't read this as a negative review, it's not, but I wanted to point out what's changed from previous crossings. We love Cunard and the QM2. I mentioned we both tested negative just before the cruise. When we got home Tuesday night my husband started having chills and a fever. We tested him and sure enough he has covid. I tested negative and feel fine. He's feeling a little better today but he's in isolation now. We didn't wear masks on board, the vast majority of folks didn't, but we did keep our distance from people and felt we were otherwise careful. You just never know.

Exactly!

They were only doing guarantees for this crossing when I booked it. Thanks for asking.

Oh, okay thanks

Could you tell me who gave you a quote of 110 pounds? I asked for a quote from blacklane and it was 250. This would be from the Westminster bridge area to Southampton.

I can see us staying out in Santa Monica actually. Downtown LA isn’t interesting, Hollywood seems kind of creepy and we can’t afford Beverly Hills. Once we pin down exactly what we want to do we’ll look at our options. Thanks.

We love San Diego and have been there several times before so we’re looking further afield. I agree with you though, there are several days worth of things to do there.

Well we were going to take the train 🚂…but you probably know what happened to that. Just heard it on the news so our plans will change. I was going to use Uber to get around, maybe even the metro. Now we might have to go with a car after all. Just have to find a hotel where parking doesn’t cost the same as a room.

I did think of the hotel idea but thought it might be a pretty big ASK, so it’s good to hear it worked for you. I don’t think we want to deal with driving in LA or trying to find parking. There are so many left luggage places in Europe, it’s frustrating we don’t have them here, Thanks for posting.

We’ll be arriving in San Diego on a cruise and then depart on another cruise about 10 days later. Some of that time we’ll be in San Diego but we also plan to go up to LA, etc. The problem is, what to do with our excess luggage while we travel. I know there are some companies that use stores and the like for storage as a business model but I don’t like it that idea. We just want to safely store our luggage for several days. This would be in January’23 if that makes a difference. thanks.

This thread made me check to see if my cabin had been allocated for the Oct 18th crossing. It had, and technically it is an upgrade from the obstructed view category we bought, however it’s not a cabin we would ever had chosen. We would rather be up on deck 8 with an obstructed view (nothing to see on a crossing anyway). I’m not happy but we once did a crossing in a small inside one because it was all that was left so I guess we’ll live. I hate guarantees!

Agree with earlier posters, try Firefox or Chrome. You’ll see a difference.

I'm surprised to read so many glowing reviews. I sent them an email with a simple (I thought) question about medical evacuation insurance (as in that's all we need). I got no response at all, and yes I did check my spam file. Very disappointed and not a good first impression.

Oh, I missed that it was a different line, but the storage is there at the pier (or nearby) so I wonder if it's still worth asking the arriving cruise line if it can be done.

We’ve used Cunard’s storage doing just what you described many times. I don’t remember the cost but you sign up for it at the pursers desk and you get special tags for the bag. This may not be the cheapest alternative but it is the most convenient. The bag will be delivered to your cabin for your trip home.

I don’t know if they started these again but my husband took one on the QM2 a few years ago and loved it. As I recall it wasn’t cheap. You don’t visit the engine room but you do visit other areas of the ship and meet with the senior officers from the departments, including engineering. They went backstage at the theater and got to see how those quick costume changes are made possible for example. At the end of the tour they met with the Captain in an informal setting. He loved it.

Cunard is already doing this for departures from the UK. People have been lying on those boarding health forms for years.

Did you self disembark by any chance? We’re wondering if they would be there that early.

The first thing I would suggest is to see what coverage you already have so that you don't duplicate coverage (and the cost). We found our BCBS plan covered us medically any where in the world (we held onto it even though we are now covered by Medicare). It doesn't cover evacuation back home, only to a covered hospital where ever we are, so we know we have to buy a medical evacuation plan.

I can’t find the faq that addresses your question at the moment but I did see it and they said no you can not just leave it on board. Search Cunard’s faqs if you want to see for yourself.

Is there the facility to store my luggage in New York or Southampton? Answer Yes, it is possible to arrange for your luggage to be stored in New York or Southampton. This is available for guests disembarking the ship in New York or Southampton who plan to return to New York or Southampton to embark the ship again within a few days. Please speak to the Pursers Office once you are on board who will be able to check availability for you. New York. If there is availability you will need to place your luggageoutside your stateroom the night before disembarkation between 6.00pm and midnight and attach your standard luggage labels. You will then need to collect your luggage from the baggage hall which is in the cruise terminal ashore, attach your second set of luggage labels to your luggage and drop your luggage off at the dedicated luggage Concierge Stand after going through Customs and Immigration.

Depends what you have in it 🥴

I was going to advise going to the gym but your idea is much better. I have gone to the gym weighed myself and then picked up the luggage to get the weight (it wouldn't balance right on the scale without being held and that effects the weight).

Well isn't this all going to come down to money? For example, the Caribbean market is very competitive, you have lots of cruise choices. So if you're a couple wanting to go on a winter cruise, you take time off work and you fly down to Florida...but one cruise line wants you to show proof of a negative test to get on. Testing positive means no cruise for you. Another line doesn't require it...so there's no risk of losing out on your vacation. Which one will they pick?