BklynBoy8

For those Cunard Passengers transiting to/from NYC and Upcoming Personal City Excursions, Fare Hikes are coming in the Month of August to the city.

As of August 20th, City Buses and Subways fares are rising from 2.75 to $2.90 a ride.

Those using Express Buses fares are rising from 6.75 to $7.00.

Those heading into the City by personal transportation (car) the 9 Crossings - Bridges & Tunnels will rise on Aug 6th to $11.19 and $6.94 for EZ Pass owners.

Just wanted to share this information with those heading to New York City and also to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Keeping in mind those Touring the Big Apple while staying in the city.

Happy our last September and recent June voyages many happily complied with the dress code.

Really couldn't complain about those sticking out. 

IMHO....during the sailings, couldn't count more than the fingers on my hands during after 6....

Commodore Club was happily and elegantly well dressed..as so the Chart Room.

35 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Sure there are a few passengers who wander the ship in their own, definitely down market, version of the advised Smart Attire, but they really stand out

Bon Voyage.....

Maybe during the voyage they will get a hint what travelling on a Queen means.

Sore thumb version...huh....

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I have one of the oversized QE2 plans, bought on ebay. I would love to have one from the Norway! I think those were given to travel agents so that they could tell their clients the details of the cabins. Years ago, there was an online agency that had QE2 deck plans with the square footage of each cabin.

 

My first cabin on QE2 was on 5 deck forward, upper/lower and only 98 square feet. And that's when we had the roughest crossing I have ever experienced. It's the only time I've been seasick and it was my own fault--I looked at the view from the bridge on the TV, and that only reinforced the up and down motion!

Kathy,

We used to book Deck 4 Mid Ship then Deck 3 by the Atlantic Shop that was Harrods once, by the Staircase. 

Next was Deck 2 across Pursers Office then 1.. then a surprise to suite on Boat (Promenade) Deck. Right outside the Queens Grill Bar/Restaurant entrance.

Loved having Afternoon Tea privately.

2 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

 

I treasure those huge deck plans. I have one that was issued before the QE2 entered service and a few from afterwards. There was a separate deck plan issued for cruises because the cruises were one-class as opposed to First and Tourist classes as on crossings.  I have an equally large one for the S.S. France and the Canadian Pacific and Union-Castle liners. 

 

The detail on those plans was incredible. You could see the location of every chair, wardrobe, toilet, etc. With modern ships' cabins built in factories there is no longer the need for such detail, although many people like to know which way the bed is facing.

They are a keepsake and Great!

As I have mentioned a lot on the boards, after 6 you feel a certain aire of distinction.

Sort of James Bond-ish....lol....

Also, it feels good to participate with others in Your Finest !

Very Blessed many of our restaurants participate in the neighborhood.

7 hours ago, BruceMuzz said:

The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) that is part of the US CDC inspects all foreign flag cruise ships that call at American ports.

These inspections are always random and a surprise, and happen at least twice yearly.

If a ship gets a low score - or fails the inspection - it may be legally prevented from sailing with passengers. In extreme cases, it could be banned from calling at US Ports in future.

Note that these procedures, standards and inspections are for Foreign flag Cruise Ships only.

The few existing American Flag Cruise Ships are inspected by the FDA - which is also under the umbrella of the CDC.

But the FDA standards and requirements are more relaxed than the VSP requirements for oforeign flag ships.

 

What would happen if the VSP wanted to inspect your local restaurant, using the same strict standards and regulations?

The answer is easy. Your local restaurant would fail the inspection.

Foreign flag cruise ships are required to maintain much higher standards than local US Health Departments require.

Many of the procedures and standards required of daily F&B Operations on ships are completely unknown in land-based restaurants.

 

Does this mean you are at risk when eating in your local land-based restaurant?

Generally no.

But it does mean that you are much safer than you might imagine when eating in a restaurant on a foreign-flag cruise ship.

In NYC, our ratings are A,B,C.

C being the lowest will still allow the restaurant to operate and stay open and serve till next inspection. 

C- The restaurant has numerous food safety rules violations that can put it at risk of closure.

During the 54 years sailing, we feel extremely safe on board and never got sick. Yes, we do look once in a while at our particular ship inspection but does not prevent us from booking. Just make us aware of their possible faults.

1 hour ago, NE John said:

What are the hours for your museum?…

Private invitation only.....

We even have from a World Cruise signed by the Captain, a small plate we have hanging on the Wall as a remembrance. It's inscripted with the information related to that World Cruise. We got it as the last leg gift of a World Cruise from Brazil to NYC...

At the end of the World Cruise, not sure if they still do it, they have an auction for items passengers bought but have too much to bring home. So on the QE2, one afternoon in the Theater, they were auctioning off these items for the Seaman's Fund. A lot of interesting items of all kinds and from everywhere they were purchased. You can only carry so much home from a World Cruise I guess.

My DW pickup a piece of Art Work from Africa someone was parting with. She has it in her work study. Beautiful! It was a nice way to always look at it and know how we got it and where we got it from.

17 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

I have my parents pins, plus their wonderful world cruise souvenirs. Sadly, I threw their menus and paper memorabilia away as that was pre our own Cunard cruising, which only started in 2011. I guess I’m a second generation Cunard cruiser.

I started to keep from first sailing of Cunard. QE2 was a wealth of memorabilia too many things to mention.

One think don’t know how many have, the Deck Plan of the QE2, which is as big as a State Road Map. Folded neatly like a map. Not at all small like they hand out now. No Way. If I can pull it out someday I will take a picture. 

We have two large blanket boxes of Cunard, programs, menus, stationary, etc....I piece of each, some - more.......

Even tour excursion forms of tours.  QE2 use to offer helicopter tours of the Caribbean Islands on some. 

Once in awhile, we like to pull it out.

The latest cruises we keep items to but not too thick of folder. Enough to refer to on future bookings if we have a question to look up.

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

The current flag pins look cheap. I think the nicest pins were the crests. I have a Platinum one (yes, it's real platinum, don't tell me it isn't!!!), and the even nicer Diamond pin, which is black with a diamond on it. (Do not tell me it isn't a real diamond. 😜)

 

Mom gave me her collection of blue and gold pins and I dumped out mine, and I managed to make two matching pairs. I had cufflinks made for DH and earrings for me. 

Kathy,

Yes the high end pins are really nice. I inherited my parents pins and very careful with them.

I even got better jewelers backings to attach securely when wearing during a voyage.

I like the original Black Round Pin w Gold Lion Inlay we got on the QE2 in the Felt Pouch.

In also have lots of the old QE2 Themed Menu Covers. We have 2 large drawers w Cunard memorable artifacts. 

6 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

Having been far forward in rough weather on a crossing, I'll happily take low and midships. I like that I can get fresh air any time without being blown around by the wind. And the price is good. 

Agree past experience with midship lower decks. But eventually we moved uptown...lol

I was in the Computer Center on 2 forward once at midnight and WOW!

Had to take meds once finished in my cabin.

2 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

I've been sailing with Cunard since 1988. Back then all we got was a pin--very pretty gold lion on a blue background. I don't even remember if it was called World Club, and if there were levels, we were too lowly to know about it. 

 

Then there were levels--bronze, silver, gold. I think gold was 7 voyages. Whatever it was, when they set the levels, we were already at gold. I don't remember WC parties from then, but there may have been. I do remember that gold got a bottle of Dom for sailaway. I think Silver got Perrier Jouet or Veuve. I remember we took a cruise with my parents, who were only Silver, and we enjoyed comparing our champers.

 

Over the years, the levels and pins and perks changed, but we always had enough voyages and days to sit in the top level. 

 

My goal is to have 365 days on Cunard. I'm getting close. 

Kathy,

I remember the Old Days too with the collection of pins we were going. And we still have them as keepsakes.

One of the pins we received from Senior Captain Warwick was a Gold Sailor's Knot w Cunard printed in Red. We were the only one's that receive them on that trip and still have a picture of Captain Warwick presenting them to us.  

And yes, the WC Cocktail parties were much more less crowded and you could find seats in the QE2's Queens Room w those fluffy sink in brown leather chairs. The next day we got personalized invites to the Senior Officers Party in the Officer's Ward Room. 

The levels were more basic named. Don't remember when these names were established being used now. But with consistent sailing of 13+ days, the levels rose.

Those were the Day's....

4 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Have you actually tried it? You might be surprised, as I was, when I had it forced on me.

Fortunately we are Upper Deck - Balcony Cunarder's

Interesting opportunities everyone has on the take of CWC, Loyalties, Tiers.........

From the first time we sailed with Cunard at Midnight on the QE2 to the Caribbean in a Oceanview Cabin for 10 days, is when we started our personal account of days and voyages we sailed.

And each time we booked voyages, one after the other after the other, we booked the sailings to enjoy and not how it would impact our CWC level. And were surprised and happy when we happen to reach the next level. And yes, see now we can experience more added benefits.

We appreciate our CWC level benefits and how we can use them during a sailing. So we are LOYAL but we are also are a Cunarder and always look forward to sailing on the Majestic Queen and maybe other vessels. 

No matter what the next level is, we would appreciate the what would be offered to us.

Not sure if it helps us to be bumped upgrade to another accommodation but seeing that open view of the ocean and landing on another part of this planet by water and not by flying is a real joy.

I do respect all the opinions of my fellow Cruise Critics but I still don't see the reasoning I would consider selecting a Sheltered Cabin for a voyage.

To be lower than Deck 7, be in an enclosed balcony and close to the water, those days are over when we graduated from the Oceanview Cabin to outside balconies.

I still can get on a balcony in unsettled weather with a certain amount of protection. 

But I know and understand how we all gather our likes and dislikes on the accommodations we select. But if  I were unable to book a cabin on a certain sailing with the cabin we would like, I would past the opportunity if shelters,oceanview or inside were only available. There is always tomorrow.

Sorry, just not attracted to the experience. 

Just saw on Facebook Cunard QM2 that Captain Hall announced that during the upcoming refit,

all cabins will have wifi installed.

That's what I saw.....Hope so...

42 minutes ago, Se1lad said:

The current Diamond benefits are pretty mediocre so I wouldn’t take them away - just add some better benefits for the higher tiers.

Would appreciate better benefits upgraded.

But gaining level status, should not be too easy. DW and I enjoyed our trips and happy adding them to the count.

Reward now Priority Boarding while wishing those on the longer line good sailing and one day being on the shorter line as we gained. 

We have no problem enjoying and participating in group activities part of the level ex. wine tasting....DW appreciate Laundry benefit.............

3 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Or even better.  Loss of one level for every year missed.

Beg to differ..

3 hours ago, NE John said:

That move will really thin out the crowd! 
But WC should have a ratio of both nights sailed and frequency between bookings to reward truly loyal pax. 

Beg to differ.......

1 hour ago, PORT ROYAL said:

New levels above Diamond?  - 150 nights
just a thought……

 

Red - up to 24 nights - current Silver benefits

Silver - 25 nights

Gold - 50 nights

Platinum- 100 nights 

Diamond - 150 nights 

Next Level above Diamond - Countess - 250 nights

Above - Carinthia - 350 nights 

Then - Caronia - 500 nights - Receiving the current full Diamond benefits, with a stretched sliding scale (downwards) to Silver level benefits 

Nice,,,,,,But Can Do A Bit Better......some thought....

46 minutes ago, tring said:

That is very true, sorry to hear you had disruption to your itinerary and poor weather.  I am very conscious that we will be sailing down and up that coast in mid September, so hoping we will not encounter a storm tracking up to that area from a Caribbean hurricane.  We have three tender ports, which can easily be missed even without a bad storm in the area as well.  All chance though as you say, we are hoping we will be more likely to have good weather, most itineraries seem to be OK, just hoping I am right about that.

All The Good Luck! Bon Voyage!

Speaking about the CWC Cocktail also, that too is very crowded to attend on our last sailing in September.

Typically in the past one session would be held on the Second Day after sailing for Grill Passengers and the following day would be for all other Passengers in the CWC.

But because the increasing number of those in Platinum and Diamond, these gatherings are becoming overly crowded.

I spoken to the Travel/CWC office near the Royal Court Theater and they have agreed for the last few sailings, Cunard should consider a initiating a new level above Diamond to even out the number passengers at these gatherings. We were even thinking what should be the name of the new level.