shippmates

I love being a on ship doing what I want, when I want. When we worked we did the 10-14 day cruises to the Caribbean. Now that I am retired, I have been sailing out of NYC to Europe on the Queen Mary 2. I love the lectures they have on the sea days, all the live music everyday, the movies, the Planetarium, the English Pub, the ballroom dancing and the English tea every afternoon. I also enjoy the free shuttles they offer into town in Southampton and Hamburg. I am counting down the days until my next crossing in May. I also appreciate by doing a crossing, visiting Europe, and then returning to NYC no long flights and NO jetlag.

I did my first real solo cruise in August on the Queen Mary 2. It was to be a milestone anniversary sailing but did not work out as planned. It was booked and planned so I just decided to go anyway. Had made a promise to my husband and I had to fulfill this. I had a wonderful time and met so many nice people. You must remember the demographics on this line are in the older/retired group. Cunard did a wonderful job of putting people at table. I was at a table for 6 and we were all singles and had a fantastic time. We spend many evenings together after dinner, met for drinks prior to dinner. Some of us are even planning a reunion sailing. The fares are high but it is such a different experience from any of the other cruise lines. I have my next sailing on QM2 is in May from NYC to Norway and back. 26 days can not wait.

Remember to close your drapes when you are in your cabin changing clothes. The cabins across the ship are able to see everything you do in your cabin.

I did a roundtrip crossing om QM2 in August and the sea was very smooth the entire sailing. It was a wonderful sailing and I am doing a crossing in May from NYC.

To me Royal Caribbean is more of a caste system. On most of the cruises which are many on Royal, you see passengers wearing there shirts, hats or any other visible items that all state they are Pinnacle. I heard someone stopping to a passenger and called them Pinnacle as they thought it was their name. I have no desire to advertise what level I am with a cruise line.

We always joke since we are not in a suite or above we were sailing in steerage. We had just as much fun as the suite passengers did. Am looking for my crossing from NYC including the Fjords in April.

Our Flam stop was May 13, 2023.

I am on a Norwegian Fjords cruise on the QM2 and the stop in Flam was of great interest to me. Several weeks ago, I received an email stating Flam was removed from our itinerary due to the changes in the protocols. I was disappointed but the other ports are still great.

I print mine every cruise. It is easier than standing in line searching on your phone looking for it and holding the line up behind you. I get frustrated when the person in front of me has been standing there for 5 minutes trying to find their copies. I am thinking why not move aside and let me go as my paperwork is in my hands, Sorry for the rant.

I am really excited also even if I am from the US. Hope we have a massive celebration when we are on board on May 6th.

You will enjoy your solo cruise. I have done several and it is nice to be able to do what you want when you want, see the shows, sit on the deck or your balcony and just watch the world go by in the quiet. You will meet other singles on your sailing and may decide to do some stuff together. Enjoy and safe travels.

You have to make sure you check both types of rooms. I have found on some cruises the solo cabin is more than paying the single supplement on a regular cabin.

I have done 3 solo cruises and did enjoy them. The 2 I did on Royal Caribbean where ok but not the greatest. I did 1 solo cruise on the Queen Mary 2 and it was amazing. I have my another one booked on QM2 in May. They had such great entertainment including guest speakers, movies, and beautiful artwork. There are many quiet places to sit and read and watch the world go by. I just wish the cruise lines would not charge so much for a single supplement. Enjoy your upcoming cruises.

I would go with the fixed seating. On my sailing on the QM2 in August, my first solo cruise I was at a table for 6. It was a group of all singles in the same age range. We all got along great and did things together during the day and after dinner. We would meet for a pre dinner drinks. We had a wonderful 23 days. We are trying to plan a reunion trip. Enjoy your crossing.

Charlene so sorry to hear about your home. Thank goodness your neighbors are safe. I really enjoyed you blog as I will be on the Rotterdam in October. Stay safe.

How easy is it to get around Alesund using a mobility scooter. I am visiting in May and do not want to be stuck on the ship and not see any of this wonderful port.

I enjoy the slower service in the MDR. I enjoy being served and meeting new people. I will once in a while go to Lido for breakfast if I do not want much. Eating in the MDR is one of my favorite things to do as I eat alone most nights.

I was on the QM2 in August and did see all the broken seats in Illuminations. In a way they were nice because they were a great way to distance each other during the shows. I look forward to seeing the completed repairs when I board again in April 2023. Merry Christmas to everyone.

57eric I am also from the US so it would apply to the OP.

Do you have your own account on Cunard.com. If you have your booking #, you should be able to pull of your booking and get your confirmation.

Thank you Buchnan101.

I know this is not an aft balcony but I have my concerns about cabin 8118 on QM2. This is a sheltered cabin and now I am worried about the noise from above. Has anyone stayed this cabin or one close to it and can tell me how noisy it is?

We loved our cruises on the Maasdam many years ago.

Happy Thanksgiving. Please check with your travel agent and make sure that a lactose diet has been requested for your husband. They will bring him the menu during dinner so that he can pick his dinner for the following night. They will be made to meet his dietary needs. Enjoy your sailing.

I was on QM2 in August and I requested a diabetic diet. Every night I would pre order my meals along with my dessert. I would pick 2 items and they would make one of them sugar free. Several nights I order a blueberry or peach crumble with sugar free ice cream. This was not on the menu but they make it for me when I ordered it. It was delicious and one of my favorite dessert. I found several no added sugar desserts in the Kings Court.