Whitemarsh

Had a ball Whitemarsh.

 

Company on table 75 was wonderful. Thankyou very much. ;). A real treat.

 

NZ 2015 is calling me.

 

Are you platinum yet?

I thought 75 was in a fantastic location. Loved that spot. And yes, I am Platinum. I went Platinum in San Francisco. 😎

Why thank you Pushka. :)

Gosh, 2012 seems like a lifetime ago…..

I hope you enjoyed your most recent cruise.

Thanks for the link Pushka. Enjoy the hosted table and have a great time.

How was your Voyage Whitemarsh?

It was great thank you. The itinerary was amazing, especially the Panama Canal - everyone should do that. Loved Hawaii, I'll think I'll go back there for a holiday.

The suite was amazing and I have to admit the Grills area on the Vistas is better than the equivalent on the QM2. The views from the QG are fantastic.

Whitemarsh:

 

It could be that QE and QV attract an older crowd than QM2. That seems to be the case judging from what I've seen on these boards.

I haven't been on QV, but I think this may well be the case. QE is certainly smaller that QM2 and takes less time to get around.

It also depends on the itinerary. New York to Sydney via the Pacific doesn't tend to attract younger people - lots of sea days is possibly part of that.

I don't see why younger people wouldn't like sea days. I'd be surprised if your upcoming Mediterranean cruise on QE doesn't skew older, despite the lack of sea days.

I hope that you didn't feel isolated on board?

Rest assured that I didn't feel isolated, however it was very clear that people in their 30's were pretty much nonexistent, with people in their 40's just as rare. I've never experienced a cruise before with such a disparity between the generations.

And that's not to say I don't find older people interesting and enjoy talking to them, because I do, but I prefer a mix of generations.

Was the conversation excellent, or we're people distant and boring?

Well it depends who you're talking to doesn't it. :)

Grills I assume?

Yes, Queens Grill.

I have just disembarked off of the Queen Elizabeth in Sydney after 39 days on board. It was a brilliant cruise and great mix of people. No-one had to dress up on theme nights but I did like the fact that Cunard do have a dress code. We had 11 formal nights on this cruise and it is so nice to see lovely long dresses and men in dress suits. If people want to be casual they can cruise with another line. Whitemarsh, it was great to meet you.

You too Pat. And I love the formal nights as well, I agree that everyone that dressed up looked lovely.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/the-cruise-director-the-queen-mary-2-20140227-33jwa.html

 

I love reading travel articles, especially ones about Cunard. However, I must say I am rather disappointed with a recent commentary on the Cunard Queens that appeared in Australia's Sydney Morning Herald.

 

The writer commented on the themed nights in what I would consider an inaccurate way. She used the phrase "to further complicate matters" after commenting on formal night etiquette. I felt that this implied that Cunard dress codes were difficult to comprehend and rather strict.

 

While I have no issue about strict dress codes (I prefer them), I really disagree that dressing for dinner on Cunard ships is 'complicated'. There is no obligation to attend theme nights, or to pack costumes - yet I feel the author is suggesting it is mandatory by the way the article is written.

Yes, I think it's inaccurate too. Only a couple of people get into the themes so it's a bit silly to suggest that it "complicates matters" when next to nobody actually dresses up for the themes.

Furthermore, she recommends Cunard to the senior citizen crowd. I found my Cunard experience to be a real mix of ages.

So did I - until I boarded Queen Elizabeth.

Do you think travel articles such as the one above are damaging to Cunard's plans to diversify its passenger base?

Based on my recent experience on QE, I can assure you that Cunard has no plans to diversify its passenger base beyond people in their 60's and above.

I can always go down and complain about having nothing to complain about. :)

Actually, I have just thought about something I can complain about. The ship's photo lab is adding a really soft focus to all the portrait pictures they take on the stairs etc. It's hilarious, everyone's skin has this weird glow about it and no one has any wrinkles. I couldn't purchase a couple of the pictures they'd taken as it really didn't look like me. I mentioned this on the Behind the Scenes tour when visiting the photo lab, but got a curt reply in the form of "well we have to try new things".

What do you reckon, the soft focus on the pictures has to be worth a couple of hundred dollars of extra OBC. ;)

Hi again,

Here's an update from somewhere off the Californian coast about six hours from San Francisco. Well so far everything is nearly perfect! So perfect that I haven't yet been able to go down to the Purser's desk and seek any extra OBC, not a single penny.

As you know, the Verandah restaurant was open on the first night I went there for dinner (some days it isn't open you see). I didn't like what I ordered that night but that can happen anywhere. I returned a couple of nights ago and really enjoyed the dishes I ordered. It's a nice change from your allocated restaurant and I will certainly be going again.

Speaking of allocated restaurants, the Queens Grill is just as lovely as ever, the head waiter did an amazing steak diane the other night, it was delicious. The following night he did a special pasta dish, which was also delicious. The sauce was quite spicy and had a nice kick. A couple of days later I asked him to do a variation on it using a cream sauce and scallops and it was really good.

The sommelier and I have been quite adventurous with my wine selection. We've done a white and now I've moved onto the red. The first bottle of red she suggested was fantastic, the next bottle not so much. I offered it to the table next door as one of the gentlemen on it is a wine buff. He didn't really like it either and neither did his wife. The next day the sommelier advised me that they weren't going to charge me for the bottle which was a nice surprise.

Also, I got my money back on that less than impressive experience in the spa. The following day I went and spoke with the assistant manager and explained what had happened. Pleasingly she didn't try to make excuses or challenge what I was saying, she just offered a refund which I gladly took.

With regards to the entertainment I have to say that I'm really impressed with the Cunard singers and dancers. Palladium is a great show, as is the one that just involves the singers. The hotel themed show I can live without seeing again. I'm convinced the four singers on this cruise are the best I've heard on a Cunard voyage. The dancers are excellent too. Last week we had a performance in the Queens Room by "The Manhattan Dolls' a trio of girls who sing music from the 40's & 50's. I thought they were very good and enjoyed the show immensely. I also thought the Queens Room looked better at night than it does during the day.

Bill Miller's lectures have been very enjoyable and I also caught the last lecture by Derek Fraser which was on Margaret Thatcher. The entertainment director is a lady named Jo something. She's really good, I quite like her. She's getting off in Sydney and Amanda gets back on.

The Behind the Scenes tour was very enjoyable, some areas were a surprise - the dressing room for the dancers is minuscule - and others weren't - the medical centre looks like a medical centre. We saw them make bread in the bakery, visited the printing room, saw the recycling/garbage area, had a tour of the Royal Court Theatre and saw where all the luggage comes in and out on embarkation/disembarkation days. The bridge was very interesting, I learnt that the chief engineer and captain have the balcony cabins just behind the bridge. After the tour they delivered the commemorative photo that had been taken. Unfortunately I wasn't in the photo as it was of the other tour they had that day. I rang the Purser's desk to advise that I had been given the wrong photo. "What's wrong with it" she said. "I'm not in it" I replied. I still haven't received the correct photo but I live in hope.

Today someone won $750 at jackpot bingo. I was disappointed that it wasn't me.

I went to the Senior Officer's party. Unfortunately they were all under strict instructions not to say anything remotely controversial or interesting. I'm not a fan of the midday cocktail party, especially when they want you to wear evening clothes for it. Seems a bit silly to change three times in a day (casual, cocktail party, back into casual then back into the night's dress code at 6pm). I have read some comments that the officers don't go up and chat to people. Well that maybe true, but you just have to go up to them.

There are 1400 people disembarking in San Fran, so that means that we'll have a brand new ship. Depending on who you listen to we will have a big Asian or Australian contingent boarding. One (or both) of those rumours are wrong. Quite a few of the crew are leaving too, including the DJ who, by the way, has improved since I last put pen to paper. I'm informed that the new DJ is a man in his sixties named Michael Jackson. Yes, really.

Hi again,

Well I tried the Verandah but unfortunately I made bad choices when it came to choosing what to eat so I didn't really enjoy it that much. My dining companion went in the opposite direction and picked all the delicious options, so when I try it again I will have what they had. FYI the pork rillette is a no goer.

I also tried out the spa today, it's quite nice but I am not sure about being able to look through the windows and see everyone out on deck nine; I think I prefer the sanctuary feel of QM2. I do prefer the Canon Ranch operation with regards to letting you use the spa all day if you book a treatment, as opposed to Steiner (on QE) which only allows you to use the spa for an hour before or after your treatment. Also, I wasn't impressed with the therapist, she had zero personality and rather than stay for the whole treatment I left half way through - obviously I still had to pay for the whole thing, but at that point I would have paid extra just to get out of the room.

Last night Nexus (the QE Caribbean band) was out on deck nine for an outdoor party which was very well attended and everyone seemed to be having a great time. The upshot from this was that Nexus wasn't playing in the Yacht Club. The DJ seems to have had a change of heart and played an excellent set, the music was great and lots of people were up dancing, including some officers. I was really surprised, what a fantastic night! And the clocks went back an hour so that's always good.

The CWC party was on this evening and I made good on my promise to engage the captain in some conversation. Chalk one up for me. He gave another good speech and a bunch of people were recognised for spending thousands of days at sea. It was quite an enjoyable little party. They had two sessions, one at 17:30 and one at 19:30, and the invitation said to attend the time slot of your preference. The only party left on this sector will be the Officer's party - I'm presuming.

The Queens Grill is still excellent, tomorrow night I am having steak diane, which I wouldn't normally order but another table ordered it as an off-menu request and the preparation of the dish by the head waiter was a sight to behold. I didn't realise steak diane was such an art-form, I am looking forward to tomorrow night's performance.

The weather has been great, plenty of sun and lots of people are out on deck. I would use the grill decks but there is no shade, which is an oversight I believe, they need some sort of shade cloth up there.

I happen to see inside the Q5 suites that bookend decks 4, 5 and 8 at the stern. Trust me when I tell you that they are not as spacious (inside) as the three Q6 suites in between them, I was quite shocked. If you want to be at the stern, book a Q6 and tick the no upgrade box (unless you're booking a Q1 in which case you don't need to worry).

Tomorrow we arrive at Limon and some of the shore tours have a very early 7:30 start.

Austcruiser is right, this thread has brought out all the usual suspects with their chants of "snobs, snobs". Oh well, there's no accounting for intelligence.

Meanwhile, on board QE, everyone is getting on with enjoying their cruise. In complete opposite to this thread, the dress code is not an issue and no one seems to have any dramas in following it. Coincidentally, no one is walking around the ship calling people "snobs" either, which proves the point that it's very easy to call people names whilst sitting at home behind your computer tucking into a bucket of KFC.

The best thing of all is that the people that post on Cruise Critic are a small minority, so the chances of meeting anyone that runs around calling people snobs are slim to none on a Cunard voyage.

By the way, we had a formal night tonight and everyone looked great in their formal gear. :D

Hi again,

This morning (or very early in the morning) we sailed past Haiti or Cuba or some other similar island where Cunard doesn't offer shore tours. I've made an appointment to register my complaint down at the Purser's desk and seek extra OBC (just kidding). The weather has certainly turned for the best and it's quite warm and somewhat humid. There are quite a few cruise ships plying their trade in these waters and I saw two last night and one today.

This continues to be a very enjoyable cruise on a lovely ship. We have just had two formal nights in a row, the first night being the Captain's reception for Grills & Britannia Club guests and the second being for Britannia passengers. On the Grills night there was a ten minute wait to meet the captain prior to entering the Queens Room. I'm used to zero small talk with Cunard captains, so after being introduced I did the usual routine: 1) extend hand for the handshake 2) smile and say hello 3) turn and face the camera with another smile 4) walk away. As I was walking away I was surprised to hear the captain say "that was painless" with a grin on his face. I'm not sure if he was expecting a chat and was surprised, or he was just thankful that I didn't expect a conversation. I'm going to attempt a conversation during the CWC reception, I'll let you know how it goes.

It was an enjoyable captain's reception, partly because I had two glasses of champagne to accompany the couple of drinks I had up at the FOD. The captain was at pains to stress that this was the 2014 world voyage as I'm told that at the same event following Southampton he welcomed everyone to the 2012 world voyage. There are over 900 Brits on board, about 700 Americans and 45 Australians. There are also many other nations represented but as I've covered the important ones I won't bore you with the rest. Oh, and I could have been slightly tipsy, but I am quite sure that he said there was one person from Afghanistan on board. He's got quite a sense of humour this captain, I quite liked his speech.

The Queens Grill restaurant continues to shine. The views are, quite simply, to die for and the service is excellent - as is the food. I haven't requested anything outlandish, but what preferences I do have they are quite efficient at ensuring they're available. For example, there is a particular bread I like that for a couple of nights wasn't available by the time I was dining - I guess everyone else likes it too. To prevent this from happening again they now have the bread ready on the table at lunch and dinner whether I turn up or not. Also, Crepes Suzette wasn't available on embarkation night back in New York, so the head waiter advised that it will be on standby for me every night in case I want it. On the day we were docked at Fort Lauderdale they had a CDC inspection and so weren't able to make any sorbet. I had to make do with just mango. The waiter asked me what flavours I would like in the future and I replied "all of them" (with a wink and a smile of course). The following night I was was presented with a bouquet of sorbet, much to my delight. In a nutshell, the service is excellent and the waiters are adept at remembering your breakfast order and pretty much everything else that you regularly order. It's also pleasing that the maitre d comes around in the evening to see how everything is and chat with guests; it's a very friendly restaurant. Oh, and I have to mention the sommelier. She is extremely knowledgable and has steered me in the right direction every time. Additionally, she is very fast and efficient and all wine orders are quickly brought to the table and glasses refilled promptly. There is no waiting around for a glass of wine in this restaurant.

Tomorrow night I am dining in the Verandah Restaurant, which I am very much looking forward to. I mentioned this to the maitre d and he talked about the ethos of the Verandah Restaurant and gave some suggestions on what dishes I might like.

Before I forget, I will mention that I asked one of the waiters if the daily menu in the Queens Grill is the same as that in the other restaurants (not including the a la carte menu). I was told that it is the same except that the Queens Grill daily menu has additional appetiser and entree dishes on it that the other daily menus don't have. I asked because I'd forgotten if I had asked before (on a previous voyage) and what the answer was, and I know the topic comes up on Cruise Critic from time to time.

Since it was such a lovely day today I spent the entire day on the balcony reading and decided to have lunch out there. I ordered from the Queens Grill menu (because it's there) and was pleased that the butler asked if I wanted to have lunch out on the balcony and then proceeded to set up the outside table including laying the tablecloth, cutlery, salt and pepper shakers and all the nice stuff that make room service in a QG suite so pleasant. Honestly, the butler and steward couldn't be more obliging.

By the way, another QG guest told me that her butler offered to unpack for her on embarkation day. I've read on here that this isn't the experience of everyone so it's nice to hear that it does happen.

I saw a new show last night "Royal Hotel". It was pretty good, I enjoyed it. This is the first time I've seen people in the theatre boxes getting the chocolate and champagne treatment after purchasing the theatre box package. I hope they enjoyed it.

I do like this ship, she has a pleasant decor and the Grills location is very well situated. I do think that that the gym could have been better organised as there are only five or so treadmills that you can use if you want to run as the others are under the very low ceiling which makes running impossible for anyone over five foot. Another passenger observed that the corridors along the passenger cabins are quite plain and I have to agree. Additionally, only the Q1s and Q2s get doorbells. But these are minor quibbles.

In the afternoon the weather got a bit sulky and the waves started to pick up. For some reason, and I do not know if it is weather related, the ship appears to have developed a permanent slight list to starboard. I could be imagining it but I don't think I am as the dance floor in the Yacht Club was definitely on an angle. There is certainly more movement on this ship than Queen Mary 2.

There was indeed an internet outage a day or so ago. I was told by one of those affected that they are being credited time back as a result.

In the grand Cunard tradition, the DJ is less than impressive. Tonight's 11pm set was entitled "Thru the decades night" in the daily programme. Sadly the programme neglected to mention that "the decades" didn't include any music from the year 2000 onwards. That's 14 years of contemporary music which didn't get a look in. I do understand that not everyone on board is under 40, however, I don't see why music from the last decade and a half (nearly) couldn't have been included. I'm pretty sure there are people on this ship (older than myself) who listen to the radio and have at least one favourite song from the last 14 years.

On the plus side the DJ did play a song that I requested from the 80's. Yes the request was played 48 hours after I made it (following on from a follow up request for the same song tonight) but hey, better late than never. (Full disclosure - that sentence is in fact dripping with sarcasm).

To answer some of the questions that were asked:

1) There is a "casual" night coming up that we have been pre-warned about. An information sheet outlining the dress code for this sector alerted me to this on the second day. The casual night means that men don't need to wear a jacket and women can wear a "summer dress" or equivalent. I'm not 100% sure about the "summer dress" part but I am pretty sure that's what it said.

2) I asked for Pepsi Max (which they don't have) and so got Diet Pepsi instead.

3) I think you should have taken the upgrade.

OK you lot thoroughly enjoying yourselves on this trip, we folks living vicariously need an update here. How was the meet and greet? Numbers? Gossip? Details for formal nights. Anything? :o

Hey Pushka,

I have heard a few things:

1) Last night a reliable source informed me that a man (apparently known to enjoy a drink) got aggressive with another man in Churchill's and there was some kind of altercation that resulted in a broken chair. From what I remember of the story, the victim was pushed back on his chair and fell over (which is how the chair was broken) but don't quote me on that. The reported aggressor wasn't seen the next day (we thought perhaps he'd been locked in his room) but he was seen walking around on deck today. Apparently he likes to start controversial conversations on religion and politics - essentially he appears to be looking for a fight. I wasn't there, so this is all second hand.

2) One of the aft suites on deck five received a call at 4:30 in the morning from Purser's Desk requesting access to the suite because a crucial access panel (to some kind of pipe) was located there. The occupants agreed and shortly after, when the knock on the door came, there were six men standing there waiting to get into the room - so that would have been unexpected for the occupants. It turned out that a water pipe had burst on deck five resulting in a deluge of water cascading down on six cabins at the stern of the ship on deck four. Reportedly the six cabins had to be vacated to allow for the carpet to be replaced and all sorts of rectifications to be completed. The occupants were relocated elsewhere and have since returned to their cabins. Again, this is just what I have heard.

Reflections on the first couple of days:

Dress code - everyone is getting into the spirit of things and they all look great. Essentially, everyone is adhering to the evening's dress code. There have been no formal nights since I boarded in New York so I can't comment on that yet. Pleasingly, Cunard is enforcing the dress code as passengers who are in public areas like the Commodore Club after six, and are dressed casually (blue jeans and t-shirts), are being politely reminded about the dress code and asked to leave.

I went to the M&G on the 19th, which was hosted by lovely Maggiemou, (who is just as nice in person as you would imagine). It was remarked that I looked nothing like my avatar. Scrapnanna is organising a wave when the ship enters Fort Lauderdale. Participants have been asked to wear a red shirt (from memory) so they should be highly visible for anyone that is watching that cam.

Embarkation in New York was a shamozzle. The ship was late arriving, which had a cascading impact on everything that followed that day (or so I believe). I'm pretty relaxed about most things but even I thought embarkation was poorly organised. There was only one loudspeaker announcements and no one seemed to be telling the terminal staff what was going on - or they were telling them but the terminal staff were not communicating amongst themselves. There was no area for priority staff to wait, until one lady complained, and then they created one by having us sit on the opposite side of the terminal to the non- priority guests. This proved to be slightly awkward (sitting there looking at each other) so one of the Grills guests asked the terminal staff to have the non-priority guests turn around and face the other way (just kidding). After sitting and waiting for ages we didn't get our priority boarding as the terminal staff stuffed up again and let the wheelchair passengers onboard before the priority guests. So it wasn't a great start.

QE is a very pretty ship - inside - (outside not so much) and I like the decor very much. Two things struck me immediately: 1) that the ceiling heights are very low in places (I can quite easily touch the ceiling in a lot of public areas) and the Grand Lobby is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The Veranda Grill decor is stunning (haven't eaten there yet) and generally speaking the ship appears to be well laid out and looks very smart. The only gripe I have so far is that the laundries are all the way forward, they aren't spread out like QM2. I guess it's too bad if you're near the stern.

I can only comment on my Queens Grill suite (haven't been in any others) which looks great. I had an "oh wow" moment when I opened the door for the first time. The decor is very pleasing to the eye and everything is well located with loads of cupboard space. It's certainly very spacious and I love the two separate doors to the bathroom (and the internal bathroom door that allows you to separate the bath and shower area from the toilet and handbasin area) as well as the separate shower. The suite was very clean on embarkation day, which was really pleasing. Luggage took a while to arrive, not sure if that's a QE thing as it's always been very prompt on QM2.

The butler and steward are very obliging and have followed though on my few requests (including responding to a frantic call to provide me with an emergency cigarette lighter after mine went missing - the butler was already on his way with my morning coffee and had to turn back to get me a lighter). On embarkation day I got two bottles of champagne (the good stuff and the Pol Acker) as well as the usual chocolate covered strawberries etc. I was asked what alcohol I wanted and they were prompt in restocking the bar fridge with the soft drink of my choice (instead of the stuff that was in there). They do an excellent job tidying up the room and so far everything is great.

The Queens Grill is proving to be a delight and I am enjoying the view from the windows (which I am seated right next to). I can see why everyone says that the views from the Grills on the Vista sistas are far better than QM2; there's no comparison really. Caviar is back on the menu (no requirement to order in advance) and the serving sizes are generous. The service is wonderful and so is the food. The staff are all very friendly and professional, I really can't fault anything (not that I am looking to).

The QG lounge is very nice and the staff there are very good. Afternoon tea revealed a shocking development - they don't have those little fruit tarts that I love!!!!! - they have some kind of fruit tart boat thing which is not at all the same and is very disappointing in appearance and taste. I was told that the fruit tarts are a QM2 thing and QE does the boat tarts. Cue the sad face.

The Grill sun decks look good, but, as you would imagine, they have not been utilised yet during the world cruise. Apparently the crossing was quite rough.

I played Bingo and won my $20 back. They play bingo in the pub and not in the Queens Room like they do on QM2.

As you walk around the promenade deck on QE you can look into the Britannia Restaurant. Why does this not get mentioned when people are complaining about passersby being able to look into the Grills restaurant on QM2?

Anyway, the weather is slowly getting warmer and everyone is looking forward to being able to fully utilise their balconies (today was the first day that some ventured out there for extended periods) and the pools.

So far this has been a great voyage with some lovely people onboard.

I am onboard QE now!

 

The daily program placed in the cabin prior to departure had a list of the dress codes for each evening so people could plan their wardrobes. It listed that night as optional formal/ informal.

 

Please do not assume that which you can not possibly know.

Thanks for clearing that up for us. It was illogical, and dare I say incredible, for anyone to suggest that on any given day the captain (or someone else) changes the dress code based on the height of the waves and their own personal beliefs as to whether it's too arduous to put on a bow tie.

Although, if that was the way Cunard was going to organise the dress code I would be talking with other interested parties about having a whip round and shouting everyone an expresso so that we could have an additional formal night that evening.

Oh, and it's raining in New York.

Thanks Scrapnana. Say hello to Whitemarsh for me. He's probably already at the pier waiting.

 

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like pictures of me in travel photos.

 

Will try watch the Harbour Cams.

Not yet, it's too cold. I have one more day in New York, planning to visit the Frick Collection, go for a swim, and have one more meal at The Spotted Pig. What a find, my new favourite restaurant in NYC.

Whitemarsh, I am surprised by your post, given all your dedicated efforts to encourage haute couture costumes for passengers, especially women. Yet surely, for women, formal attire does not mean putting on a bow tie. And if putting on a bow tie was all that was required of men, the ship would look like an it was holding an audition for Chippendales.

If I genuinely felt tired & worn out (from a sea day??????) then I would go to bed, I wouldn't be heading down to the restaurant for a meal and then out to the pub or evening's entertainment on the ship.

Anyone who can get through a sit down meal (including conversation) clearly isn't so exhausted that they couldn't manage to put on formal gear.

FYI - the Chippendales are so passé.

BTW, No one is required to eat a three (or more) course meal, nor is alcohol mandatory at any time.

Of course not. And, as everyone knows, a cruise is the likeliest place to witness restraint when it comes to the amount of food eaten. :rolleyes:

Anyway, didn't you dedicate an entire thread to affirm your opinion that newly revised dress code was all for the best, and that it worked out well? The newly revised dress code indicated that the dress code can be altered according to circumstances on board. Happily, from reports, it seems everything worked out well on board :) -S.

Does it? Then chalk one up for the new year Salacia, you got me on a technicality. :)

I never imagined "circumstances on board" to include "we think you might be too tired to wear formal gear tonight".

I bet we never see them add an additional formal night because "everyone seems so energetic today".

Rather than worrying about whether people are "too tired" to put on clothes, perhaps Cunard should be concentrating on making sure the daily programs are accurate and taking steps to alert passengers to any inaccuracies.

Right, no land tours on a crossing...but angry seas can leave some passengers tired and worn out, to the extent that formal attire might just be too much to ask. Or so I have been told.

They still have to put on clothes to dine in public areas. If they're too sick to put on a bow tie than they probably should be resting in their cabins anyway, not eating a three course meal. And if you're well enough to enjoy a three course meal with alcohol than you probably could have managed to put on a bow tie.

I certainly don't doubt your experience, but on most (if not all) of my QM2 voyages, the Britannia maître d' stopped by our table to ask how everything was, and exchanged a few sociable comments. No time for a prolonged conversation, but considering the ground the maître d' needs to cover in the MDR, I think they do a fairly good job, all things considered.

That's good to hear, the maître d should make an effort to come around and speak with guests, doesn't matter what restaurant. Glad to hear that my experience wasn't the norm.

I didn't realise that the Grills was filled with paupers whilst billionaires roam the Britannia Restaurant. The things you learn on here. :eek:

More interesting people in Britannia? I don't see how anyone can make that claim, or even suggest it. It's pure luck who you find at your table, doesn't matter whether you're in Britannia or the Grills.

Of course everyone makes mistakes. It's the way they are rectified that is the important thing.

Yes, I completely agree. It's a wonder no one did come and put up a sign or make an announcement over the PA.

Patu is great, too. He was replaced by Osman in NYC at the start of the Christmas cruise. We had Oliver and Ionel in PG - they were great to us.

 

I had 5195 for the Southampton-New York portion of the 2012 world cruise. It was a great stateroom with a large balcony. The crossing was very rough, however, and there was enough motion in the stateroom for an amusement park. I'm a good sailor who never gets seasick; in fact, I always welcome heavy seas on Queen Mary 2 and the great QE2. On QE, while I was fine and enjoyed the experience, I was keenly aware that the QE & QV were not meant for high seas passages as a norm. I remember watching QV struggle through the large sea swells from QE2 when QV sailed to NY for the first time in tandem with QE2.

 

Are you far aft as well? How far are you going on the cruise? Home to Australia? I did a full world cruise a few years ago, and most of the voyage from New York to Sydney was fairly calm, even the Tasman Sea. You'll be fine with the seas.

 

Bobby

I'm as far aft as you were for the 2012 world cruise. And yes, I am going back to Australia. Not long now.

So tonight..... it was always meant to be a formal night but they have announced that we can choose on an individual basis whether or not to be formal or informal.... what are they on?

How bizarre, and you're in the middle of the North Atlantic so it's not as if people are tired and worn out from all day touring.

That's no good at all. I hope they don't do that after New York.

On our third voyage, it certainly didn't smell as nice as you say it does. We notified the steward who got maintaince on it. Sometimes some blockage can cause less than pleasant smells. It was fixed after a few days. Never encountered it on future trips.

I was joking. :cool:

I am so grateful to all of you. I respect the opinions of everyone here who has posted, even if Whitemarsh has not chimed in yet. :)

All of you are the ones I had hoped to hear from.

I am trying to push the idea of the PG on my husband. We can easily afford it, but have always been very careful with expenditures. Salacia and Cap'n Pugwash, you and I are on the same page as to the cost/value ratio.

The carrot of a potential upgrade for such a long voyage is presently my tactic of choice.

The price I booked at is the same price that a Britannia Club balcony was going for. I took the PG2 guarantee. I swear it was a one day only thing and I was somehow supernaturally drawn to look at the Cunard site that day. Naturally, I think that I am positively brilliant. :D

I have until February 10 to make a final decision. I promise that I will keep you all abreast of the decision and also the outcome. (Because we all know I will end up taking the PG2 guarantee option.)

CruiseLuvva, greetings from one Welsh cruiser to another. My signature photo was taken when we emigrated, oh so many years ago.

I'm "chiming in" now. :)

If you can afford it, there's no reason not to do PG; the layout of the suites are lovely and the PG restaurant is wonderful. I've never minded the location of the Grills restaurants on QM2, so what if a few people look in every now and then.

Deck ten is very pleasantly situated as you get a great view that is not as impacted by close proximity to the lifeboats, as deck nine is.

The best place to sit in the PG (in my opinion) is one of the larger tables down the end of the restaurant overlooking the stern. You will get a sea view from that location during the day.

I'm assuming from the tone of some of the responses that you all work for companies that have never ever made a mistake - not ever.

No they don't. They smell of rose water and jasmine.

Thanks everyone, couldn't see my posts and now have posted three times. Promise to be more careful. Sheesh!

Hi, don't worry about it. You won't get in trouble from your husband as on formal nights the vast majority of the men (over 80 or 90%) will be in tuxedos.

As Pugwash said, no really does anything for the balls except the masquerade ball where quite a few people wear masks (which you can buy during the day).