LadyL1

I wonder to what % of UK WC members they sent this survey out? My husband received one, but I did not. He had the task of spending 40 minutes completing the questions.

Last month we flew BA long haul and I completed a survey for them, I thought that was long at about 10-15 minutes, and it had the option of terminating the survey after certain sections.

I hope Cunard make use of this voluminous information they have gathered!

For the 2012 QE Christmas cruise, we had a chosen cabin, but our family had opted to book a G'tee cabin. Theirs was issued 3 days before sailing, and that was a fully booked out cruise.

How about smart and comfortable. Forget the high heels! More people dress this way for embarkation, but on leaving the ship I think you will see a distinct dress down by most folks.

Enjoy your trip. QM2 is wonderful.

If the Celebrity cruise you are looking at goes to any of the following destinations you will have plenty of scenic cruising.

Molde (stunning), Geiranger(World Heritage site), Olden (quaint), Flam (the railway journey).

Alesund is a delight but not deep in the fords, and ships dock right in the centre of the little town. Oslo is a wonderful city to visit but again not in fjord land.

The ports beyond Molde are lovely but not the scenic routes you crave for. Also late May, June and early July are probably the best times to visit, because the snow melt makes the waterfalls a sight to behold. Later in the summer they become more of a trickle. I hope this helps.

I have to agree with Jim Avery, in that the restaurants on QV & QE for the Grills guests are really lovely; the location far more superior than the QM2. On a warm weather cruise it is very pleasant to eat in the Courtyard, and the sun decks are spacious!

A few years ago we were on the QV in similar conditions, but not so cold. Snowbound on the ship! However, some magnificent snowmen appeared.

We are now docked in a wet windy La Corunna after another gale force night travelling north off the coast of Portugal. Yesterday the Captain had given us prior warning that this stop might not be possible, but we made it into the port with the assistance of 2 tugs. There were many who really did not relish an extra day in the Bay of Biscay.

We have really seen weather extremes on this voyage: some beautiful days in the Med and everything the elements can throw at us in the Atlantic.

The talented string quartet is now a trio, as one of the performers broke her arm. Not sure if this was weather related or an accident, but very unpleasant for a musician. I do hope that this does not impact her career.

For those of you travelling on the next few voyages you will be relieved to know that we remain clear of NV. It just beggars belief that some of the older folk on this ship have a severe aversion to using the sanitisers unless forced to!

This has been a 3 generation family Christmas holiday, and we have all enjoyed it regardless of the weather and the initial problems. It really is what you make it, but for us it has been an added pleasure to be with the grandchildren, even if we have note seen a lot of them because of their busy "socialising" emanating from The (children's) Zone.

So it seems we will arrive back to a stormy and flooded UK, as it has been since we departed on 23rd December into hurricane force winds. Never mind, all good things must come to an end, but unusually we do not have any further voyages planned. It does appear very likely that we will be on an eastbound TA sooner rather than later: hopefully during the 10th anniversary, as I think that will be very special.

Happy New Year to all!

Yesterday was a beautiful day for our visit Corsica. Returned for the celebrations to find the ship decorated and ready for last night's party mode! Very good menu and the midnight buffet was truly spectacular. You would be hard pressed to find fault with anything.

A little information for those who might be interested. The dress code is alive and very well on this cruise. It is hard to find a gentlemen without a black tie when so required, and the informal nights most where a tie. Having said that because of the average age of those on board, one would assume that they are of the generation when correct dress was an absolute must! There are also some stunning gowns/dresses worn by the ladies.

The speakers on board are first rate. Stephen Payne, David Henderson (aviation) thoroughly entertaining, as many on this subject are just too droll. Lastly, Richard Terry ( think David Attenborough) film producer and cameraman. Many of you may have seen his programmes of "Living with the Bears". He is due to lecture again and I am sure his success will spread around the ship. This is the first time that he has undertaken an Insights programme, and sure it will not be the last.

There are about 80 under the age of 18, and the largest group of these must 14-18. Regrettably a few are rather foul mouthed. A shame because this tarnishes them all.

Heading now for Gibraltar tomorrow, and to see what the Atlantic has in store for our passage home.

Thankfully NV now seems like history, but understand that the crew were severely afflicted by this. Perhaps this is why there was such a cut back in the alternative restaurants.

Good news! It seems "red alert" is now over and the Lido is now self service again. The pool bars are open and it feels so much more relaxed. All the stringent measures taken against NV have at last proved to have produced the required result.

A fabulous day here in Monaco, and as luck would have it, we have docked in the port, port side to. We are on starboard side and from our balcony have the most wonderful views of the mega yachts and The Principality.

So at last we are back to normal cruising, I hope for the remaining duration of this trip. Perhaps Cunard will see fit to give us another Christmas present. How about the suggestion of a credit on a future voyage? After all, we paid a premium price to be on this trip, when the last few cruises were virtually given away. One can always hope! I know it is almost certainly not Cunards's fault that we boarded a ship with NV, but on the other hand the limitations are not what we paid for. I have not said this to whine, as we have really made the best of what we have, and still enjoying this family holiday trip, which seems all the better as the sun shines upon us.

Rome tomorrow.

We departed from Barcelona slightly late due to the no show of two passengers. We were informed the ship sailed without them!

On the NV issue there is no change. However, the Captain keeps us well informed and pulls no punches in the daily address as to hygiene etc. Yet I have still seen the odd person trying to evade the multitude crew around the ship with sanitisers. It really beggars belief.

The evening optional dining areas in the lido have been suspended. Also the bars and grills on the open decks are closed as are some sections of the library. The puzzle table remains bare. Even the sales tables on deck 3 remain empty, but for me that is no great disappointment.

All said, we are enjoying this family Christmas break, and hopefully we will have another warm day in Monaco.

The moaners and groaners on this cruise, should really appreciate how the hard the crew are working to give us as much enjoyment through the existing limitations we are experiencing.

Expecting gale force winds again tonight, but I am sure nothing to compare with 2 days after leaving Southampton. That was really something to remember!

Arrived in Cartagena a few hours late yesterday because of our enforced slow progress early in the voyage. At least the sun has shone for the last 2 days!

We are still feeling the effects of having NV on board, remaining at red alert.

Sadly The Verandah restaurant will not be open until 1st January, because of the restrictions. Other venues also closed.

Nothing exciting to report at the minute; perhaps that might come tonight when the first cocktail party is held! On the other hand if we go to the Commodore Club, away from the hoards, it might be a better option. One can just imagine the conversation every officer will have to endure.

I am beginning to wish we were on the QM2 instead of the QE! We are still locked down with NV as we have been since leaving Southampton in perilous weather conditions. Just hope things improve for the New Year.

Glad you seem to be having a great time on the QM.

Yes, we had a very adventurous few days. Left S 'ton and were soon experiencing hurricane force winds, and had been warned of this from Cap'n Wells. Left terminal late because of problems boarding passengers because of the high winds at QE11 terminal.

The NV virus was apparent and there was a deep clean before we boarded but seems to be being handled very well. Still on red Alert.

I fear that there have been some passengers who have suffered greatly because of the combined forces against the QE. Yesterday the list was very noticeable as we crossed the Bay, with the high winds blasting us. Wonderful viewing from the Commodore club!

The good news was that Santa made it to give the children their presents, and we enjoyed yesterday enormously. Food has been wonderful, but one has to feel sorry for the restaurant staff in these conditions.

Today we are basking in sunshine before passing through the S of gib later this evening.

A couple of years ago I was on QM2 when she called at Cherbourg, and quite a lot of people joined for a T.Atlantic. At Cherbourg they have restored the old terminal, and there are full customs facilities.

If you have a good travel agent ask to arrange this, or go directly to Cunard as they are very obliging.

FYI, earlier this year on a QE cruise, one of the family joined at a port in Norway after finishing business there. A deviation from the norm is quite possible. I hope you get what you want and enjoy it!

In the very early days, afternoon tea was held in the Winter Garden. Truly lucky to find a seat then! It soon changed to the Queens Room.

The fares have certainly reduced for most trips since 2003/4.

She still cannot be beaten for a passage across the Atlantic, whatever is said!

I am not sure if this is new, but if already known, please excuse me.

Today, we attended the interview with our charming lady Captain. She announced that she would be transferring to the QE to become its Master. No date given for this in 2014.

Cruising over Christmas on QV. Thinking of giving cabin steward a gift - any thoughts and ideas?

I notice some of your posts on this board are exactly the same as being asked on another site, but under a different name!

If you are directing questions about Cunard(or any line in particular) I think you will find this the better place to get answers.

Certainly agree with keithm. I think you would struggle in a non-handicapped cabin. Also you will find those few rooms for disabled persons are larger (in every category), so if you are lucky enough to get one it should all help with pleasures of your cruise.

By the way, the dining experience in the Grills is wonderful!

If you are sailing from Fort Lauderdale I would take the port side if you want to be on your balcony at the sailaway. Always fantastic to see. On the other hand if you are crossing the Atlantic west to east if the weather is kind, you will be able to enjoy the sun on your balcony for a greater part of the voyage ,visa-versa east to west.

Enjoy your Transatlantic experience whatever you choose.

Thank you for your post and photos. So looking forward to being onboard QE again at Christmas, but it maybe wishful thinking for perfect weather in the Med at that time of year.

We also had the email this morning.

I wonder what sort of incentives (if any) will be given if you book onboard. I will find out later this month.

Last year we travelled with the family. The grandchildren (7 & 4) slept with their parents but were frequent visitors to our room. The steward, when realising we had guests, made an array of towel animals, his speciality seemed to be a monkey wearing glasses!

Never had them before and certainly not this earlier this year. A fantastic amusement for the the young, but I agree with others, I think the stewards work hard enough without having to worry that this "extra" should be expected.

I know all three Queens will be in Southampton on the 9th May 2014. Does anyone know what if anything is planned to mark the occasion?

 

I will be on Queen Victoria heading for the Baltic :)

Lanky Lad - a long time since our paths crossed!

In 2008 we were on the QV when QM2 & QE2 were also in S'ton. QV was at the City Terminal and the QE2 at Mayflower, although she did not sail that evening. The QM2 left the Ocean Terminal and came down to the bottom of S'ton water, turned, and came very close in to the smaller Queens. A magnificent sail past on a fabulous May evening; thousands of people on the decks and the dockside as well as bands. A great privilege to to have been there.

I hope they do the same for you, and have a wonderful trip to the Baltics.

Having gained a friendship with this man over the years, we actually asked him about this same subject, when we were on the Norway cruise last month. He gave us the impression that the QM2 was "his ship" and he would be there for the foreseeable future.

Let us hope whatever ship he is on, it is with Cunard, as his talent is immeasurable; we enjoy listening to him in the Commodore Club or at a more formal recital.