BigMac1953

Ladies may wear hats at lunch, or even afternoon tea. However, in the evening no hats, only jewellery (tiara type). At no time whatsoever, is it good manners for a man (Note: not gentleman) to wear a hat at any time indoors. The exception being the military or police on official duties, but "mess dress" has no hats. With Cunard now having Gala "themes" there is the possibility that some will take it too far and, as BellBoy put it "drag out the dressing up box". That's fine for Hallowe'en night, but not for a black tie evening. ...and while we're on the subject, why do some men turn up wearing white silk scarves? ...and another daft addition is the ladies who wear fur stoles, even in summer. A few years ago, on QM2, we saw a chap every day wearing a striped blazer and boater. Why?

Quite right!!

We were on board QM2 for 2 weeks in August, and like WOV only used the Verandah because we had the free Diamond lunch. It was okay, but as we always travel QG, it was no big deal. We still preferred the QG restaurant. The previous time we were on board QM2 we actually forgot about the free lunch. The food, service and attention was excellent on QM2. Our special orders were all perfect. Not one single criticism.

All included, unless you order fizz or spirits. We always bring along 5 or 6 bottles of champagne.

Should you decide to invite a few new friends to your room for drinks, your butler will arrange extra seating, extra mixers and beers, extra ice buckets if required, canapes, crisps and nuts. If you want, your butler will pour the drinks. On one occasion, we asked our butler to serve the first drink, then quietly slip away.

Two weeks ago on QM2, we spotted a man wearing his smart dinner suit, white shirt and bow tie, with WHITE trainers! Looked ridiculous.

Interestingly, on our recent TA round trip, there were no table numbers showing and neither was there a card in our room, so we had no idea where we would be sitting, until we arrived at the QG.

Well, I don't think they will be allocated a sharing table, because, as my son told me, mostly it's tables for 2. We only travel QG and always have a table for 2.

Just get a table for 2 and avoid all the social problems

On our crossing, which started on 11 August, on the west bound, we saw whales, then a pod of dolphins that were jumping about 3m out of the sea. Extremely calm, both ways, unfortunately. You could very easily forget that you were at sea.

It's actually a better view from INSIDE the bridge (last week).

Just off QM2 today. In QG, I'm sure we had 3 x 13A sockets.

On board QM2 at the moment. We brought along 6 x champagne. Take what you want.

Helicopter now leaving after approximately one hour overhead. Hope everything will be okay.

We're told to keep off the decks and balconies. Helicopter due any time. Conditions: a bit foggy, so here's hoping.

Hi QM2 now diverting towards Newfoundland for emergeny casevac. Awaiting helicopter.

We booked some time ago for April, 2025 on QM2 to Rome and back.

We're still on board. I must agree with Winifred 22. One lady spent 20 minutes complaining to the Concierge that she only got one workshop session and she had tried to book every one. She thought the APP must be broken.Over and over again, it was explained to her that it was ENB who were responsible and they set the max numbedrs at 30 in a first come basis, but she would not accept that as she had only booked the crossing because she wanted to participate. I lost count how many times the concierge politely explained that there was nothing he could do, so she demanded that her complaint be escalated to Carnival HO. Just when I thought it was all over, her husband chimed in with the same complaint and he wouldn't accept the explanation either. It went on and on and on.... The poor conciege deserved a medal for keeping his cool. BTW she was over 70 and I can't imagine her pirouetting.

It seems to be 2 Gala nights per week on a crossing and 3 per fortnight on a cruise.

A good TA will also have access to your history.

The big show is tonight, so best wait until tomorrow for the review. We went to one of their rehearsals. Only six dancers. Personally. I wasn't sure it lived up to all the hype.

On your first Cunard trip, your card has a red strip. Your second is "silver" with a silver strip, then gold, then platinum and finally diamond which is black.

We are too, and I also commented on the high number of red tops. If I find out the percentage, I'll post, but I'm going to guess it's about 60%.

..and in Glasgow, what do you call a person wearing a suit? ..the accused.

There is no question about it. Standards have dropped. Even in QG (where we are at the moment on QM2), on an informal night, probably not more than 75% of men are wearing jackets. Some are wearing "trainers" instead of shoes. Earlier, I was talking to a couple from Illinois, who, wanted a QG room but they were sold out, so they're PG. The reason they chose Cunard, was because it would give them a good reason to dress formally as it's not often in their town that the possibility arises nowadays.