BklynBoy8

33 minutes ago, NE John said:

After being part of the recent TA that detoured to Halifax for the medical emergency and reading many negative comments regarding Cunard based on that sad event, I’d like to take a moment out for a few comments. 
I worked for the Port Authority of NY and NJ and also in local politics in Brooklyn centering on waterfront issues. My DW worked for the actual Port of NY and NJ and worked closely with the harbor pilots and Coast Guard. Based on our experience, I can report that any vessel entering any port has to take orders from the Coast Guard, port pilots, or any port authority: Cunard, container ships, recreational boats - - every ship has to comply. Cunard has little to no control on whether the QM2 can tender in into a port, which port they can rush to in an attempt to save an ailing crew member or passenger, or when they can leave the port. Cunard has no control over the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal either. In addition, maritime work rules may prevent kitchen and wait staff crew from working after a certain time in order for them to rest for breakfast preparation the next morning (I am guessing about this last one but there are many maritime labor rules that are beyond Cunard’s control). 
It is very unfair to blame Cunard on many of these horrible events that have happened over the last couple weeks that is outside of their control. 

However, to me, Cunard failed utterly in providing communications to affected pax and the compensation of $25 OBC is insufficient   More empathy and acknowledgment from Cunard that many people suffered as they embarked would go a long way. 

To those saying Never Cunard Again! after one messed-up voyage, I believe it’s reasonable to give them another chance. We’ve been on their ships since 2008 and, while not as perfect as their marketing proclaims, we’ve enjoyed our time onboard along the itineraries we participated in. 
To close this sad note, I heard the baker passed away in Halifax from the heart attack he suffered onboard. 

Ditto to John's explanation and comments.

My DW & I and my departed parents have sailed with the Cunard Line since 1983. Our first sailing was with the Queen Elizabeth 2 also a Ocean Liner in her times.

We have had very, very memorable times we can recall during all our voyages and favor the Lines practices and traditionals.

But we too have had situations that we had encountered that were disappointing but understood them and as many said "Found The Silver Lining".

We expect to remain with the Cunard Line and especially our favorite vessel - QM2.

Thank you John....

We brought a friend for the first time with Cunard and the QM2 this past July.

This was her first time on the QM2 and previously sailed a long time ago on other ships not as big.

And she came out thru out the trip with my DW asking where is where?

And comedically I told her how to get to where she wished to go. She still felt she was lost.

I must have good senses of direction and never get lost. 

My method is to master the elevators. Elevator Bank A, B, C, D.

A is far forward, B is Mid Forward, C is Mid Aft and D is in the rear.

The Commodore Club is far forward by Elevator Bank A on Deck 9.

Kings Court can be accessed by either Elevator B or C on Deck 7.

Main Britannia Dining Room is by Elevator C Deck 2 or 3....depends on your assigned table.

Passenger Decks 4,5,6 and 8,9,10, 11 and partial 12 run from front and back straight line.

Deck 2, 3, 7 are Public Decks with Offices, Bars, Lounges, Theaters, Shops, etc....

Hope some of this helps you. When we take new people with us and others, I suggest that for some time before boarding to study and become familiar with the Deck Plan of the QM2...

Others will have more suggestions. 

15 minutes ago, versuco said:

Thank you, I will assume Holland America will be the same.  Husband will be happy!

Of course, if you will be sailing early in the morning and coming close to the shore they may keep it closed due to local custom regulations. At night when we left around 6 within 1 hour tables were open. You should ask on the HAL board. Best information from those that sail the Line.

We were on a ship excursion and was disappointed.

On Cunard yes

5 hours ago, JVes said:

I'm sure this topic has been said before, but I couldn't find it. SO:

JUST BOOKED MY FIRST CRUISE!

And I am SO excited. And collecting all the cruise advice I've found. And SO EXCITED (just in case I hadn't mentioned that).

Welcome to the World of Cruising...... After our cruising for 54 years you will look forward to each booking and choosing which sailings you would like. There's a large world out there to sail.

We have done Caribbean, Norway, Transatlantic, Panama Canal, New England and Canada etc...

So you have a lot of choices in the future to pick.

What ship have you picked? Where are you going? How many Days?

You will learn over the years what you will need to pack for the trip. REMEMBER...not to over pack....

Each location will need certain clothing..and toiletries like sunscreen........

The Professionals gave private dance lessons to individual passenger twice we saw.

Each time was btw 2-3 in the Qx Rm just before Bingo was being held.

Music was supplied by one's phone thru the sound system of the Qx Rm.

Just recently off the QM2 - Britannia Club and had it as the traditional first breakfast the next morning after embarking, Double Eggs Benedict with accompaniments.

It was not being offered on Disembarkation Day so I took it the day before departing.

It was a favorite in Britannia Club by many of the tables around us. 

4 minutes ago, McFins said:

Hi.  We missed out on booking excursions for Quebec City on an upcoming Sept cruise.  we would like to tour the city and from what I understand we should visit Montmorency Falls. Does anyone have experience doing this on their own or booking with a company outside of the cruise line?  Any advice is greatly appreciated. 
Thanks

Visiting Quebec last September was a thrill.

You do have to visit Montmorency Falls, the Niagara Falls of Quebec. You can view it from the observation deck below. Or if have time, you can walk up to the top of the falls.

We did a tour of the city with the ship and Quebec is a marvelous city to tour during the day but especially at Night all lite up. If possible, do find time to grab a meal in one of the many restaurants. Dinner Time should be a memorable experience.

And of course please visit the Chateau Frontenac Hotel and walk the Board Walk in front of the Hotel.

A beautiful view of the Harbor and Waterway.

Enjoy Quebec.

9 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

and the Old Town area which for some that may have ADA issues a bit of a Climb...

6 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

St. Thomas: Shuttle to town ($4)

That is from Havensight and Crown Bay........Not if you are tendered to the area in front of and along Veterans Drive as our Ship does. You are in the heart of the shops, restaurants and even near the Post Office - Outdoor Market

1 minute ago, Joebucks said:

 

Disagreed. This make it sound like a generic port. The big city is completely within walking distance. Maybe to get to ALL of it is a climb.

Disgreed...

There is the Port Side area  and the Old Town area which for some that may have ADA issues a bit of a Climb...

15 minutes ago, Topdog52 said:

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

St. Thomas, Virgin Island

San Juan, Puerto Rico

St Maarten - Our ship does dock and the town a bit of a walk is near the dock for walking around.

St. Thomas, VI - Some ships dock and some tender into the mid town area along the Main Street.

Havensight is a docking like Crown Bay. Those are a bit of a distant from the Main Store Area. Havensight and Crown Bay does have mini malls with shops available.

San Juan, PR - Shops are in walking distance. But the Old Town is a climb to get to that area.

Cunard Line does it as a 14 day NY-NY.

Our two 7 day sailings from the Mid Point was last September. We opted for the

14 days and loved it.

Portland, ME; St. John, NB; Halifax, NS; Sydney, NS; Bar Harbor, ME

12 minutes ago, nybumpkin said:

Sorry to say that was our experience the week before, and the others at our dinner table had problems as well. We weren't even planning to get internet, but husband's boss was having trouble with a project and needed husband's input. (We figure we'll try to get work to reimburse half the cost.🙂) We made do, and husband was able to do what he needed to get done. I found a good signal in the Commodore Club so every day at 2:00, while husband was rehearsing with the guest choir, I went up there, ordered a gin and tonic, and caught up on the news.

nybumpkin,

We were going to not get a package at all on this sailing last week since we could connect to the land base connections 3 times at our visiting ports. But since we are Diamond and we applied our 135 internet points, why not do so.

Last year my DW did also work on board while we were in Princess Grill and had no problems in the Cabin on 10. Best was in the Concierge Lounge on 9 available to us. There was a router we could sit right under. WOW was it strong. But this past sailing we were in Britannia Club - 12 and poor signal.

Unless I wanted to go to the Pavilion Pool or suggested to me, any Public Room to attain a strong signal.

We do hope this longtime problem could be solved before our next sailing on the QM2.

Hope you enjoyed your G&T....my favorite in the summer refreshment......lol...

2 minutes ago, KKB said:

I see a lot of threads about Celebrity allowing vaping in casinos on a couple ships even tho they are NS casinos (which I love).

Overall I am rarely bothered by smoke in casinos--most in Vegas have pretty good "smoke eaters"

But there have been 3 ships in the last 4 years where smoke was so intolerable that I just didn't play or wore a mask! 

(I have sailed 29 cruises on 20 different ships)

NCL Getaway (Encore wisely made a smoking casino area separate)

Discovery Princess (strangely have not noticed it on other Princess ships!)

MSC Preziosa (Europe cruise)

Anyone else notice it bad on particular ships?

No Smoking in Casino on Cunard...

2 minutes ago, KKB said:

 

11 minutes ago, Lady Hudson said:

Just a quick question.  On another line when I purchase the internet package I am able to use wifi calling to keep in touch with home.  Is this available on Cunard ships?  Katherine 

Hi Lady Hudson,

Bklyn Boy 8 from a past Roll Call.........How R U....

Just off the Qx. There are two packages:Essential and Premium plans. Being a Cunarder with Loyalty you get Points to use towards the Packages.

You can only use it on one device at a time. You need to sign off one to use it on another device.

Others will share more info with you.

So nice to see you on the boards. Take Care...

Yes, Happy Another Booked but (20 months + away)

1 hour ago, NE John said:

WiFi quite good on June 23 TA. Not as horrid as I’ve been reading. 

John,

Sorry but read you ok but our trip WiFi was not at all great.

Many going to Internet Office for help and also to the Pursers Office.

Don't know why you and Welshred were good and us trouble with a Capital T...

Hoping better the next time.

On this past sailing a week ago we were on the QM2 and assigned for BC to report to the pier at 12:45PM. In 12/17 we were assigned to report to the pier at 12:15PM.

In last September 2022 we were in Princess Grill and were assigned to report to the pier at 12:15PM.

Both at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

1 hour ago, NE John said:

QM2 has had a rough time over last few months: funnel repairs, canceled TA’s, medical emergency to Halifax, delayed cruise/debarkation/embarkation, and now this bad news out of Halifax.

John,

So So Sorry that the Crew Member on the Trip Before us passed. Everybody still felt very sorry about the Crew Member on my sailing. They are so hard worker in every part of the ship that we appreciate all they did for us. We even took picture with all BC Dining Room Staff to so remember them.

Very Very Sad to hear. May He Sleep Peace, Amen. Sympathies to the Family he was returned too!

Just now, cruiserking said:

Ugh, that sucks. Ship issues huh? Hopefully you can sleep on board overnight. 

 

Jonathan

Yes

630 8 breakfast 

8 on disembarking starts

We 1100 and don't mind at all

Just now, cruiserking said:

Coming home at Midnight tonight