capnpugwash

We will be returning to the States on this cruise after 10 weeks in Europe, the last two in the UK. Our original plan was to use the International Friends excursion from our central London hotel (St Giles) via Stonehenge to Southampton.

Cunard's change of embarkation timing has forced the carrier to cancel the excursion that we had already paid for.

 

Our question, are there any Cruise Critic members in a similar situation and can we share costs of a private driver to accomplish the original goal?

 

We can obviously take a train from London to Southampton (and the requisite taxi to the pier), but we were curious if others are interested in the proverbial "two birds with one stone" approach?

You will be very disappointed with Stonehenge as you can't get within 50 yards of it and the traffic has the chance to be dire.

Q508. Scheduled docking time was 8.00a.m.. Arrived at that time. Was this later than normal?

Yes, they normally dock at 6-6.30am

What cruise line automatically adjusted your fare when the price dropped?

Celebrity

Has there been a change, Jim? I have never had a problem with my internet time carrying over whether it was a short 5 day trip or a transatlantic. Katherine

Well the service and the staff used to be provided b MTN and they were very approachable and normally willing to go along with things. A few months (maybe a year) ago Cunard took the staffing side (and possibly the satellite) in house so they sometimes are less co-operative and follow the rules to the letter.

Returned on 13 June from QE cruise QE 508. Wonderful cruise. Ship did not dock until 8.00, with disembarkation starting at 9.30. First time it has been so late. Is this unusual?

You answer your own question by saying that this is the first time it has been so late.

Or go back from whence you came, as they would already have allocated your old cabin to someone else.

Best investigate seasickness medicine. A lot of people swear be sturgeon, ginger, wrist bands.

It is a clever fish! Not only does it produce caviar but now it appears that it is an anti-emetic :):):p

We have booked the saver fare' date=' just two of us, on QV in the Med in October. Which seating are we most likely to be given or is there no probability?[/quote']

 

A lot of people inexplicably want first sitting therefore the chances are you will get 2nd, if you get first and want to change it there will be no problem at all in getting the MD to accommodate your change.

I'm frequently not as mobile as Id like, and therefore spend time with my feet up or relaxing more. I do tend to watch movies a lot, and I wondered if anyone has had any experience with hooking up your iPad or other Apple device to the TV in your cabin and watched movies you have stored on the device. Same question for folks who have movies stored on Windows based PC? I know I can't stream movies from Netflix or Amazon out in the middle of the ocean unless I were just bent on spending money and being frustrated.

 

I know I need an adaptor and an HDMI cable, but has anyone actually done it, or are the TV's in our cabins disabled for this function?

 

Thank you for any help or advice.

They work and have either RCA plugs or HDMI capability or both.

We're arriving at Southampton on August 27 and will need quick and hopefully economical transportation to Gatwick. Any advice? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

You can get a train via Brighton, takes about 90 minutes. Google Southampton to Gatwick.

Just to clarify this, if I may, we are booked on the 3 night Queen Victoria cruise in November, followed by 14 nights to the Canaries. Booked separately, and in different cabins, different grades entirely in fact.

 

Will we REALLY get the full internet package - in our case 4hrs pp - for the 3 nighter? And like the TAs, will that carry over to the 14 night cruise or must we "use it or lose it?"

Well what should happen is that you get two internet packages and can only use one per booking, but it depends on how you speak to the internet man as to whether he will allow the 3 day balance to be carried over. He might or might not, some of them are nice but others are charmless nerks.

You stated you ordered just what you wanted every night.

We will be in the Princess Grill this trip. Does that mean you can order anything you want to eat even though it is not listed on the menu? Do you need to let them know ahead of time? For example: can you order different veggies not listed or even a special entrée like steak Diane?

Of simple easy like I would like some cookies?

Also for room service, you can use the regular menus from the Princess Grill to order for your room?

Thanks for your help.

The off menu ordering is a QG perk unless you have a very amenable head waiter or your request is minor. Yes you are able to order from the menu to eat in your cabin.

To clarify, can Australian citizens buy Carnival shares and qualify for shareholder benefits? What benefits are offered - I gather OBCs, but on every cruise? Discounted fares on every cruise? And what is the minimum shareholding required please. I've not seen any advertising or information publicised about this here in Australia. All advice gratefully received, thank you.

Gwenn.

you need 100 shares and you receive OBC for each trip you make. The amount depends on the number of days involved and the maximum is USD250 for 14 days or more. There is no discount on fares. The benefit operates on bookings on any of the Carnival brands.

I have sent them a copy of my share certificate but they are still emailing me back saying they need a fax from my banker or broker with proof of ownership that is less than two months old.

My broker can only state he got the shares for me in 2011 and my bank has nothing to do with my shares.

What current proof of ownership can I send?

Why can't they check the share register to check I am currently in possession?

I feel hitting my head against a brick wall.

I shall sell my shares and stop cruising.

I'm a diamond member on Cunard and elite on princess so I'm quite experienced

nobody seems to want to help!

You might try calling them 001 800 872 6779 ext 30317, I've always found them helpful. They are on Pacific Coast time though which is 8 hours behind UK.

Logout.com or just 1.1.1.1 (without the .com). The 1.1.1.1 alternative is an IP address so it doesn't need the .com.

Very true, my mistake.

Applies to passengers equipment. Do you know if the ship computers allow this. I know they used not to do.

 

David.

You're discussing the pre-writing of emails etc I think, and I believe that it isn't possible to do that using the ship's computers but you can still use the PAYG on them although if your typing speed is anything like mine the costs could be quite high.

I have heard you can get a package of 120 mins for $48, is there a smaller package available, we are only on a 3 day cruise so don't need 120 minutes. I presume there is no free wifi???

You can just do a PAYG on board but the per minute cost is about $0.75 per minute, your choice really. Logout.com or 1.1.1.1.com are the logouts. I would advise to prepare all emails and posts offline before connecting and then having connected squirt them up and get off asap.

Don't swallow the food.

A BTB can be booked as 2 separate trips or as one single round trip, you should be aware when you book it as each leg is priced individually and sometimes it is cheaper to take the separate option. You would have two separate references as well. I have done a BTB before and had to move cabins in NYC but it was painless, all you do is pack the washing gear and perhaps the contents of the drawers and the stewards move it all to the new cabin and rehang it. You will need to ensure that you collect your new cabin key on the morning of arrival in NYC from the Purser as they can't give it to you earlier as the cabin that you will be moving to will probably be occupied. I would get you TA to call Cunard to discuss the possibility of occupying the same cabin for each leg as it will save the little bit of hassle.

Thanks Underwatr. Other than my laptop's backpack, my other bigger bag is 63x40x18 cm / 24.8x15.75x7.09 inchess exactly. I believe it might fit into the scanner.

 

By the way, I've seen there is a similar post at this address:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1828483

It seems travelers are carrying all kinds of stuff with them. One person warns against porters who seem to be very fast at taking away your belongings also![/QUOTE]

 

Normally only an issue in NYC if you're also holding some folding for them.

Woke up this morning with a spring in my step and this was of course noticed by she who has known me for over 45 years. "Why are you so perky ?" came the comment, I replied, "It's June, we have to pay for our next cruise this month". Strange to be so happy at handing over lots of pounds, but I was/am.

 

After all of these years and cruises, there's still a bit of magic in paying for your cruise which then tends to make it more of a reality, should really book more cruises more often if it makes me feel this good, or is it the child in me just getting over excited ?............................

If paying for cruises excites you, I wonder if you'd like to pay for mine and your cup would runneth over :):)

Will the club balconies you turn up for dinner anytime between xc and xx ,no set sitting. Bit like p and o s freedom dining.

It isn't that similar to P&O as the passengers occupy the same table for all meals during their cruise.

Hello,

Does anyone know if there's a tailoring service onboard QM2? Thanks in advance.

I think that the answer to your question is no, but I have had hems and seams altered and repaired by the housekeeping staff before but that obviously depends on their skill levels and willingness to help.

Many times I have read that cash tips have to be handed in to the tips pool.

 

Surely this ignores the human element and the quite reasonable attitude that if I get a tip for giving good service it's into my pocket it should go, rather to the idle guy further along the corridor who gets no tips.

 

So are all the hotel staff on the ship ideal team players who dutifully follow the rules?

 

I doubt it.

 

David.

It is hard to believe that the rules are followed but I believe that they are, the result of pocketing the tip is non-renewal of the contract which clearly has far reaching consequences for the individuals and their families. Life on board is like living in a small village where most things that happen are widely known and well discussed by the crew.

How much luggage could you fit in a standard sheltered balcony room, similar to what you are suggesting? Also, is there any where to store or pay for luggage that does not fit?

How much do you want to fit in?

Never cruised before, but considering a transatlantic cruise. Can anyone tell me about luggage restrictions, in terms of quantity on a QM2 transatlantic crossing?

Also, what is the difference between the various sheltered balconies and how do you determine which is the best room to reserve?

TIA

There are no restrictions on the amount of luggage that you can take, as long as it fits in your cabin it's fine.

Cabin choice is very personal, I like the sheltered balconies as they are on decks 4 to 6 and near the sea, others prefer higher glass fronted balconies which are more open to the ocean winds.