cadum

cruisr

RE Todd English (which we tried twice) ... no nothing really negative but why pay extra when the other venues are first-rate? As far as deserts are concerned again why pay when excellence is available at no extra charge.

Of course my “Bottom Line” is that the QM2 is tops in the Cunard tradition and nothing can top them. An Ocean Liner is an Ocean Liner.

PS: Small comment ... I still remember fondly the Vistafjord!!!

PS Again: Charlotte Vale - Bon Voyage ... wish we could join you!

cadum

Que Lastima!! What a Pity!!

Were you also on this trip? If only our Miss M. knew that you too were going to be on this NY-Quebec-NY trip she surely would have alerted both of us so that we wouldn’t have missed a get-together this time.

By-the-by apart from the main subject of this posting have you any special comments on the cruise? For us the QM2 again scored a 9-plus out of a TEN.

Our Comments: (Maybe should be separate posting)

POSITIVE OR ABOVE AVERAGE:

All the Breads and Pastries (especially breakfast items) were absolutely super. I wish I knew who was responsible to extend compliments ... maybe the main pastry chef.

Other food e.g. Britannia generally A-one.

Illuminations something to see.

Shows excellent

Queens Room - beautiful

Disco - not to be missed

Tender Service - very good

NEGATIVE (nothing really negative but just slightly less than Positive):

Deck 7 and all it sections need a little “fine tuning” especially the evening restaurants. One passenger called it a Disaster Area.

Purser’s staff (re courtesy) scored a less than a ten – only a two?

Accounting - we and others had to correct several errors - i.e. billing for services we did not get.

Todd English - Fuggedabouttit?? (spellings?)

Baggage - maybe just a fluke but for the first time in many many cruises one of our bags delivered very late (several hours) although both checked in at the same time and put on the same trolley as we arrived pier.

cadum

What a Reception!

Starting hours before Quebec City itself, as we progressed up the St. Lawrence the riverbank was lined with onlookers and the river itself teeming with large and small craft saluting the QM2. From time to time the QM2's booming salute brought forth cheers and responses of all sorts from shore and water.

The city itself turned out in force. According to the following morning’s newspaper the crowds numbered some 25,000 ...later said to be closer to 30,000. Truly a sea of humanity shouting and cheering. Of course as we neared the dock the number of boats including fireboats increased. Onshore the flash cameras gave the impression of a fireworks display.

Fortunately the pier is right in the city itself at the foot of the mount and day and night there was a constant stream of Quebecois walking by. Even tho this was a weekday the flow continued. It seemed as if the whole city took a holiday. Our 11pm departure the following day was equally spectacular as we pulled away to the cheers, music, singing (Auld Lang Syng) and of course the Bagpipers aboard.

We have heard so much about the spectacular reception in the Canary Islands but we doubt if it could have possibly surpassed this.

In April we were on the maiden westbound transatlantic voyage to NY and indeed the Sailaway at Southampton was unforgettable with marching bands, British and American Flags, and flowing Champagne (Gratis Incidentally) as was the arrival in our great home port New York but in all honesty the Quebec Reception was the tops!

Halifax the birthplace of Samuel Cunard also gave a great welcome as did Bar Harbor where a Holiday was declared.

All in all an unforgettable 12 days which only whetted our appetite for more and more of this Grand Dame.

cadum