ClipperinSFO

I realize Hapag-Lloyd is small and specialized, but think it deserves a dedicated chat board here on Cruise Critic.  During my attempt to research my upcoming cruise on HLC’s Europa 2, it was really hard finding any information at all from English speakers, and once I did it was buried deeply as one thread under “Other Cruise Lines”. Ponant (small and French language oriented) and Ritz Carlton (just once small ship at this point) both have their own boards.  Hapag-Lloyd although is and small (5 ships) and German-language oriented,  two of their ships are “international” (for non-German speaking guesrts) and no-doubt generate enough English speaking followers to warrant a separate, easy-to-find board. 

To whom should I address myself to remedy this?

24 minutes ago, jeff74 said:

 This one blogger named Gary Bembridge is currently on the inspiration so ideally he will post some good info on this topic.

I second this — I have also been following Gary Bembridge’s posts during his current trip.  He is a non-German speaking Anglophone so his review will be especially pertinent and give you a good feel for the ship and the over HL cruise experience from an English-speaker’s perspective. 

@frogfish12 We leave in 2 weeks for the Europa 2 Norway trip, and are all booked for our shore excursions.  There were multiple English language options in each port, and I was happy with the selection. Neither of us speaks German fluently, beyond a few rudimentary phrases, so we will be depending on the English skills of the crew.

As for the food, I am especially looking forward to the cuisine aboard, both in the main dining room and the buffet. The speciality restaurants on E2 also look very very tempting indeed.  I am a big fan of German breakfasts so am greatly looking forward to what’s on offer each morning.  Full report upon in return in mid-September! 

13 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

 

P.S.---We've been on Cunard's QM2 and QE, and are booked on the still-being-built Queen Anne for a 14-night Baltic/ Scandinavia cruise next June and July. It will be our first time in Britanna Club. The Club dining room on QA looks much nicer than on the other Cunard ships, and the cabins are in better locations.

Thanks Jim -- we are hoping there will be some nod to Hapag Lloyd's history on board, although likely it won't be on the Cunard level.  I recall seeing a large stylish caricature of (I think) Albert Ballin in one of the lounges of Europa 2, but not many hints beyond that.

We are also booked on QA for her first transatlantic in Jan 2025, ironically from Hamburg.  Something about Germany keeps pulling us in...   

We are booked one a 9 day Norwegian cruise in early September 2023 on Europa 2 out of Bergen.  While we have no previous comparison to HL and E2 cruises, will provide a report upon return.  We are normally Cunard guys, sailing back and forth across the Atlantic, so the ship size and cruise aspect will be a relatively new one for us.  We booked Hapag Lloyd based on the historic lineage of the line, and the fact that the ships are highly regarded.

31 minutes ago, Jacqueline said:

On QM2 now. My cabin (QG) is great. Pleased with the butler. I am fine with the big reusable bottles in the bath . Less wasteful. Also am fine with the daily program.

so far the biggest disappointment for me is the dining in the queens Grill. The service was only fair ( had to flag people down). I loved my Princess Grill experience in 2016. 
i did bring my concerns to the attention of the maître d. And things seem much better. In the other hand the menus aren’t great nor is the food at the same standard as previously. I will circle back at the end of the cruise. Hopefully I will have more happy news to report.

Fortunately the cruise has been wonderful and have met some nice people.

Is Osman onboard now as the QG maître d’?  I have always found him very responsive to any concerns or needs. 

On 11/15/2022 at 12:00 PM, BigMac1953 said:

Last month, our boarding time was 12:15. We were slightly early but already there was a couple of dozen pax ahead in the QG pen.

 

We had to sit until 1:00pm, and when we asked why there was such a delay, we were told it's a new rule from the Port Authority. Not sure if that's true or not.

We are due to embark in Brooklyn in 2 1/2 weeks and have been given a 12:15p check-in time.  Thanks for the heads up on the wait to 1p for security processing.  I am assuming that it’s probably still better to arrive at 12:15 vs closer to 1p, correct?  Do they first call Grills and other priority groups through security or or it come one come all when 1p rolls around?

Have only done TAs on Cunard (QM2/QE2), so I have approached the dress code in a strict and traditional way, meaning I wore black tie for the gala nights, and creative black tie for the non-gala nights, other than first and last nights.  Not sure how I would handle evening dress for a cruise where the old school rules guiding non-gala nights would seem a bit less defined.

Thanks all. We have opted for the car transfer service to avoid changing trains with a lot of luggage. If there had been a direct train (or we had fewer bags) we definitely would have gone by rail, but really appreciate everyone’s input, it helped in evaluating the options. 

On my last QM2 TA, I caught the heel of my shoe in the hem of my formal trousers.  The next morning I rang and gave it to the butler and asked if they could be mended in time for the next gala night. The following day there was a ring at the door and a very nice stewardess returned the trousers pressed, repaired and ready to wear.  It was so nice to have it all seamlessly sorted - pun intended. 

This has been a wonderful thread - it’s really put this cruise on the map for me and I hope to do it one day myself on a Cunarder.  Thanks for all your posts. 

Thanks again - esp versus the direct vs connecting trains info.  My only resistance to taking the train (and changing) is lugging around the various streamer trunks required for a crossing.  Car and driver came back at UKL195 which is a lot of money, so may be willing to do the lugging ourselves since we are in no rush.    

Thanks very much for this review.  Had a good friend on the ship this trip also doing his first crossing (but in Britannia vs QG) and so eagerly awaiting his review.

Key question, would you do it again?  Sounds like you would but in a lower grade of cabin (PG is lovely BTW).

Thanks for all the suggestions.

It's a mid-December Saturday. The cars are coming out quite expensive (GPB 150-200) and we are both relatively nimble with only one large bag and a couple of smaller ones each.  We are in no particular hurry, so the train journey looks to be quite appealing.  All I see are connections, either at Clapham Junction or Three Bridges.

We are disembarking in Southampton from QM2 on a Saturday morning and heading straight for Brighton for a couple of days.  Any recommendations for how best to make the transfer?  I am assuming we should use car service, (the trains look slow and require changes), but we are in search of a recommended car service for the run.

Thanks in advance!

At one point, wasn't pressing *included* for QG suites?  I seem to remember it was, although I am aware that now it is not.  

The great thing about men's clothes, especially classics like a tuxedo, is that the styles change soooo slowly.  Tailoring seems a small expense by comparison to having to get new garments all the time.    

Agree with your last post @carolina_yankee.  I would just buy a really good (used) tux now and have it tailored.  Before our crossing in May,  I had to visit the tailor to have jackets and trousers let out a bit.  I was reminded the human body does change over time and in choosing quality garments, they can (within reason) be easily adjusted.  Fwiw, my DH swears by Jos Banks, but regardless of our different strategies, we don't look too much like the sartorial odd couple.  

13 hours ago, Canuker said:

A while back, the QM2 captain announced that instead of sticking to our planned course which would have skirted alongside the storm, we would be turning to go straight through the middle of it.

Great story, thanks for sharing.  

We like the heavier seas to remind us that we are indeed crossing an ocean, and a storied one at that.  The flat calm crossings are of course nice but not nearly as atmospheric as the rough(er) ones.  This is one of the reasons we really like the winter crossings.  

3 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

We are on the sailing and look forward to a wonderful voyage. Getting reports from on board and nothing too interesting at this time in the past few days. We too are watching the weather reports and the real activities will be ahead of us. Maybe the first day which we in NYC are being warned like Rip Currents at the highest class along the shore.

 

We were on two before on the QM2 and even QE2 and made it thru.

Lucky you!  Hope you report in / let us know how it goes.

From looking at the storm and QM2 itinerary, looks like you may skirt the worst of it, since QM2's first stop is Boston and the storm will have passed well to the East.  Still if you're lucky there will be enough wave action to remind you you are truly at sea.  

Bon voyage!

On 9/20/2022 at 6:10 PM, Germancruiser said:

Count me in- nothing better than beeing in a force ten on board QM2- experienced that on two TA´s on board the Mary! One feels safe and sound in such great ship during a storm.

Just looking at the ship's position and the storm track.  Wonder what if any diversion will be needed after she leaves NY on the 23rd.  

And yes, very envious of those on the coming Atlantic Canada cruise, there should be a good rock and roll for the first coupe of days (well, relative to the QM2, which is a very stable ship). 

On 5/9/2022 at 1:05 PM, frankp01 said:

But that's the thing. I can't believe all of Carnival's divisions are as incompetent as Cunard. You'd think they'd share some IT expertise when needed. 

Preach brother Phil!  We are in the process of checking in for an upcoming TA and I remain disappointed by Cunard IT.  It's clugey, doesn't work, or just redundant.  Soooo many missed opportunities for engagement, good service and add on sales!  Love Cunard, but certainly not for their IT guest interface!  

Just now, rkacruiser said:

 

You are welcome.  The Bremen is one of the ships of the past that I regret not being able to have experienced.  For my first cruise, my choices came down between the Bremen and Rotterdam V.  Without any regrets, I chose Rotterdam V.  But, I have wondered for many years, what would that first cruise experience been like if I had selected to sail on the Bremen.  

Well in hindsight, the Rotterdam V sailed on for many many years more, so had one known that you could have done both easily. I smile on Rotterdam V and wish I had taken more pictures.  I remember some of her public rooms were gorgeous in that classic MCM way!  

Thank you @CGTNORMANDIE and @rkacruiser for the confirmation and added information!

Hi Everyone -- My parents crossed from NY to Cherbourg on the Bremen in April of 1960 at the start of their honeymoon, and I am trying to geotag a picture of theirs.  Any idea from what pier in Manhattan she sailed?  Pier 88?

Thanks for any info or educated guesses!