MaisonRose

I’m going to request a setup for tea in my (humble ) cabin for FLL-SOU on the 16 April b2b. I’ll let you know what results I get.

Every  cabin on QM2 (Dec ‘21) had a setup with real China mugs: the best part of our crossing, other than daily tea time.

On 2/3/2022 at 11:37 PM, brisalta said:

Regarding gluten free diet:

 

In the Medallion app go 'My Preferences'

Select 'Dining'

Click on 'Next' button at the bottom of the page and it will go to Diet page.

Then select 'Gluten Free'

Select 'Next' then select 'Save'

You will receive an email in a few days regarding diet.

Make sure to do this well before the cruise embarkation date.

 

This used to be in the Web based cruise personalizer some time back and was easier to use then.

Thank you. Now it’s done.

crazy ????  Must all of this be done in the Medallion app?

I downloaded and started doing the profiles, etc, at least two weeks ago but nothing has arrived in the mail. Perhaps they have a ( Sailing date) chronological order. I refuse to 🤓worry about it.

Susan

Thanks: I’m following everyone’s information.

On 1/25/2022 at 4:29 PM, capriccio said:

I saw this yesterday.  The press released included "Sodamin is currently the master chef for Holland America Line , a position he will retain as he takes on his new role as head of culinary arts for Princess" and my first thought was '"this is a very busy guy."  Only time will tell if he has bitten off more than he can chew 😁.

 

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/princess-cruises-names-chef-rudi-sodamin-head-culinary-arts

For me, it’s a win win. I love the menus & food, on HAL ships, while my one experience awhile ago on Island, was let’s say shocking. I’ll add that QM2 was pretty boring in Dec. 

Anyway, WELCOME CHEF Rudi!

Money?  Soap?

Thanks,

Susan

On 1/30/2022 at 11:44 AM, MissP22 said:

I don't know how it's possible for you to even leave your house if your so paranoid of touching anything. Do you wear gloves & a mask at all times even when grocery shopping?

Maybe you have groceries delivered & disinfect them before touching them. 

Hi Hon: There was a time (I even remember ) when I DID wear medical gloves, goggles, an N95 mask and a face shield. Then we got vaccines! So with my three Pfizer’s it’s a different world.

We’re gonna laugh about this someday: I promise! 🤓🤣😀😂😆😁

Susan

5 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

Casual is more our preference. Formal wear takes up too much space the suitcase.

It’s the greedy airlines’ fault: they make millions on luggage fees, which is why we fly Southwest. Two bags free.

We  take the tux which is a pain, but if we don’t we invariably get caught out if it’s not to hand. I learned, finally, to tie the « real » bow tie on the QM2 in Dec. Funny: all the other men we asked pointed out their elastic under collar snaps. I would guess that about 70% of men were in formal mode and...many of the women were in long dresses out of the 30s: they looked so sweet. That’s the Queen.

OH, looking through a window into the Queens Grill we saw a dude definitely not in kit: we learned later that there was a rock star on board😅

Thanks for everyone giving your helpful advice. I was on the QM2 in Dec and was served white bread, GF, at dinner. Yuk..as we know, gf Bread is the pits except maybe UDIs.

On the Queen Mary there was only one soup, one lunch, that was gluten free. That was sad since potato flakes can be a decent thickener. I digress.

People with Celiacs know very well that there are thousands of wonderful recipes: my husband doesn’t know that he’s been eating GF for years! I wish the Chef would make an effort. It probably is driven by numbers: perhaps there’s not enough of us to make it worth their while. 🥴

Thanks again!

Susan

I haven’t sailed Princess in five years, so I’ve forgotten. I’m at an age that regards such things as tea and sweetener important, and of Course Gluten sensitivity something I must regard carefully. If you’ve experience with GF yourself, please describe the drill.

As for tea bag and sweetener brands, let me know what to expect. No complaints here as I’m willing to bring my own choices!

Thanks: we’re on the 23 day Emerald TA from FLL on 16 April

                  . ❤️ Bigelow Earl Gray & Sweet n Low.

Susan.

On 1/23/2022 at 9:01 PM, rdsqrl said:

This is the FLL-Southampton via Azores/Lisbon?  I think you can expect mild-to-warm weather until the Azores, and then it 'll probably turn cooler (60s).  I took a TA in early December Rome-FLL and the crossing days were all pretty warm-ish once we left the Med, so I'd think late April would be lovely.   I'd bring all three lengths:  shorts/capris/jeans and sleeveless/short-sleeved/3/4 sleeves, plus one hoodie or sweater. Can't imagine the need for mittens or a down coat unless there's a freak weather event.  

Once you get to La Coruna the weather might be rainy and definitely cooler, so a raincoat/windbreaker will be in order. Don’t travel with just shorts and short sleeves or summer attire, be ready for layering, especially on shore.  In fact, a light weight puffer would be perfect. I’m on the ship, too, and doing the British Isles segment. See you at Meet n Greet!

Susan

On 1/21/2022 at 12:10 PM, geoherb said:

It's showing up for my cruise in 15 days on the Regal. It's under the "Beverage Packages" on the "Onboard Services" tab.

Is this done on the Medallion app or can orders be made on the website? The Medallion is quite awkward, I’ve found.

Here’s a follow up now that we’re home. About those pink packets of Sweet n Low, which are not provided on QM2. My Dorset friends ordered many a packet from amazon so I had them on board. As a member mentioned in a reply, the pinkies from the UK are not with saccarine and the Canderel brand also tasted strange (I.e. not my cup of tea) so as it turned out I never had one satisfying cup of tea on the ship. From now on I will always travel with the brand sold in the USA. I don’t expect every ship to cater to me personally, after all.

Having said that, the brand of tea bags was a large mix of Twinings and one tea bag was perfect for the bone China teacups in the cabin: I remember English Breakfast and one other but supplied my cabin with Earl Grey from the Lido. Many flavors were available.

Having a kettle, spoons, teacup and saucer, tea bags, instant coffee, sugar, sweetener and « biscuits » next to the desk in our balcony cabin was my #1 treat on QM2. The instant coffee was preferred my BH who found the Lido coffee undrinkable.

As everyone agrees, the afternoon tea in the Queens Room at 3:30 was well attended and enjoyed.

As for the GF selection, I found the situation a bit awkward. The low point was being served a slice of GF white bread with dinner. Anyway, I gave up (just as well) and had one piece of GF toast from the Lido health section in the Kings Cafe: I then carried it to the main lido to enjoy with my PRECOOKED FRIED EGGS. The scrambled eggs were surely powdered.

There was a large bakery area: ask for a bagel to go with the smoked salmon garnishes. Ask.

After all, transatlantic wise this was the QM2’s first rodeo in two years and it showed. Things did not go smoothly and except for salads and desserts, the food was a letdown. Unimaginative. Overcooked. Boring. I was glad that I wouldn’t have to face those menus for the next two weeks  (my trip, the TA, began Dec 13 and returned to the UK some 28 days later, in Jan., 2022.).

Sorry for this long description so let me say that our goal was to get from Europe to the USA safely and Cunard delivered. I will wait though until the wrinkles are straightened out to head out on her again.

There are videos on YouTube about dogs on the QM2.

I am addressing here the entry into the UK from non red restrictive countries and my experience yesterday, Arrington by EUROTUNNEL from Calais to London. Dec 1, 2021

my CDC white vaccine card listing the date, vaxine name, batch and place given. My name.

eurotunnel required that I fill in a Passenger Locator Form and submit it...there are more requirements, too. This is not Cunard regulations but applies if you are sailing out of the UK.

THE LIST IS HERE:

https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

FYI. WITH A CDC VACCINE CARD I HAVE TRAVELLED IN EU COUNTRIES FOR FIVE MONTHS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. ALWAYS CARRY IT & your PASSPORT.

Just now, MaisonRose said:

Thank you: very good to know. I am visiting in the UK for the first ten days (in case we have to quarantine) and am fairly sure I can find them. I know that Euston Station cafes offer sweet n low, so they must be on sale somewhere. I am transitting from my French second home to the USA and after six months, I'm about to run out of my bulk boxes that I brought over...one box per month! I know by the internet that bulk is not sold in the UK. I absolutely can't stand Truvia so I'll come prepared: thanks for letting me know.

People think S&L might be unhealthy but I've been living with this saccharin for 60 years and when I tried to switch nothing tasted the same. Call me Grumpy Old Lady!!!

3 hours ago, Dranuc2016 said:

I could not find Sweet-N-Low on board (or any "pink" off brands).  There is another kind of sugar free sweetener available. I was glad I packed a handful of Sweet-N-Low packets.  They weigh almost nothing.

Fees, do we need to bring money or ...? Is laundry soap, softener, etc

available?

Pax Dec 13 QM2 and trying to nail down some rather trivial questions. About paperbacks, normally we can leave behind books for others. Has this changed because of CoVid?  I like to lighten the load at the end of my journey.

Secondly, what brand of tea bags are in the cabins and is Sweet n Low (those iconic pink packets) available or should I bring some?

Finally, has anyone followed a gluten free regimen on Cunard? I’d love to get feedback on GF menus. My cruise experience has ranged from « second citizen » to impressive adaptations from the kitchen. However, In some cases I’ve had to chase down GF bread at a distant station in a buffet, and sometimes... I’m hoping that the vast experience exhibited on this form will shine its light on my minor inquiries: thanks so much.

The last I sailed a Queen Mary was August, 1963.🤪

cheers,

Susan M.

On 10/29/2021 at 12:35 PM, Twolittleboys said:

Thanks! I did read somewhere you could bring on whatever but then saw some older posts that talked about just one bottle of alcohol (not really planning to bring on anything other than soda anyway) so thought I would check.

 

I will fly in from Germany two day before but plan to spend one day in London and then travel to Southampton in the morning. I was indeed planning on taking a fairly early train (and I guess if closer to the time it turned out that strikes/bad weather etc. are expected I might travel down the night before) but was wondering whether there is a way to get rid of the suitcase so I could explore Southampton instead of just sitting at the port.

I took Cunard Care when I book but I haven’t seen what it covers. Is there a link I can use? I’m a US citizen.

im really enjoying what I’ve learned reading the Cunard boards as well as the Roll Call.

There is TMI here & I’m a bit lazy today, and so I’m asking a quick. & easy question:

What can I expect at boarding (Southampton)  on Dec 13, 2021 thé QM2 TA to NYC?

We will already be screened entering the UK. But earlier in the week.

Thanks for indulging me.

Susan

In August, 1963 I sailed the QM to Le Havre and my experience may be an anomaly: a large number of Rhodes scholars and junior year abroad passengers in tourist class sat on benches at long tables somewhere down low on that elegant ship. No one wore jeans but we were all dressed like the students we were. We never saw the passengers in the other two classes, who no doubt were kitted out beautifully: the classes on the ship were physically separated! So much for the grand old days of sailing.

but along those lines perhaps the special dining rooms dedicated to suites guest could keep up standards with formal attire

Still, in December I shall wear my long dresses and DH will once more get to amortize that Brooks Brothers tux in which he looks so sexy. I hope to see Scots in skirts, too.

Paid in full for 16 June, no. Chance to rebooked til ????? . RQ full refund: very sad. Despite our progress, it’s clear that Europe isn’t ready for us vaccinated....and my destination, France, is averaging 30,000 cases a day.

If the westbound Dec Sailing goes, we’ll sign up anew.sad.

On 1/8/2021 at 9:16 PM, navybankerteacher said:

I am afraid that, in the US at least, there has been very poor planning on distribution -- or even knowledge about continuity of supply.  Tens of thousands of doses are sitting in various states because there was no plan in place for administrating vaccine.   The competence of the Federal Government at this point need not be discussed at all.

On 1/9/2021 at 12:36 PM, navybankerteacher said:

Production needs to be speeded up - that is a certainty;  but I have to wonder if not reserving enough for the second dose at the proper interval might  lead to iefficacy (ie. waste) of the first dose .   

On 1/9/2021 at 12:36 PM, navybankerteacher said:

Production needs to be speeded up - that is a certainty;  but I have to wonder if not reserving enough for the second dose at the proper interval might  lead to iefficacy (ie. waste) of the first dose .   

Maryland USA:  have both shots, husband tomorrow. All my (over 75) friends are almost done. Starting 60+ group. It seems that big cities are lagging a bit. But the problem seems to be more of getting accurate information rather than the actual jab: that part is rolling along better than a Ford assembly line.

However I am a bit concerned about the new varient coverage. If the Pfizer Shot isn’t effective enough we’ll be going nowhere for quite awhile. So cross fingers.

Just for fun, I learned this from my daughters: use your phone or iPad to take photos of everything...your ticket, passport, vaccine certificate...and if you need,  a Photo of your daily program. I create an album in Photos and name it QM2 6/16 or as needed.