From Onboard QM2, 11-16-04 New York/Caribbean Cruise

Welcome again from onboard the Queen Mary 2, 11-16-04 voyage from New York to the Caribbean. This is Part 2 of my earlier post and a continuation of some thoughts that might be of assistance to future travelers.

Luggage at embarkation - There is a lot of luggage to get onboard a big ship. Although we were able to board around 1:00, some of the luggage did not get to the cabins till 6:00. No problem, just have any essentials in your carry ons just in case, especially if dining at the early seating.

Statute of Liberty - Great view on the way out.

Dress Code - Our nights are: 1) Casual, 2)Formal, 3) Formal, Black and White night, Captain's Cocktain Party, 4) Informal, 5) Informal, 6) Casual, 7) Casual, 8)Informal, 9)Formal, 10) Casual. Probably 55% - 60% had on tuxes in Britannia, after all, it is the Caribbean.

Tables in Britannia Dining Room - We are at table 254, a six-top table. It is on the rail on the second level of the Britannia (Deck 3), overlooking the lower level and the Captain's table in the center of the lower level. Excellent waiter and assistant waiter. We thought a very good location. The cruise is completely booked so they were not able to do many changes.

Schedule Changes - The week before we left, we got a message from our TA that our schedule had changed slightly and that we were to depart Martinique at 6:00, but stay in Barbados till 11:00. Other than that, and being a couple of hours late departing New York ("to take on more water"), everything has been very on schedule.

Captain's Cocktail Party - Get there early to get a seat. There is plenty of champagne, a band playing and people were dancing.

Shore Excursions - Sign up as soon as you get on ship the first day. Some of them sold out early. You can fill out the form and drop it in the box at the Tour Desk, or sign up on the Interactive TV in the cabin, and can always cancel, usually until 5:00 the afternoon before.

Motorola FRS Walkie Talkie Radios - We take our when cruising, skiing, etc. This ship is huge and if you are travelling with someone and want to go different places and meet up later, they come in very handy. The 2 mile range ones worked from the Britannia (during the afternoon when it was empty) on Deck 2 aft, to our cabin on Deck 11 fore. The 5-6 mile range ones work better. If you buy some, make sure you get ones with the sub frequencies, or "privacy codes," as there are plenty of people on the main channels, especially in New York and other ports.

St. Maarten - We anchored and tendered. Always a great place. We wanted to go on the America's Cup 12 Meter Challange, but wanted to go on the 8:30 race to have the rest of the day available for other things. On the 11-16 cruise, Cunard only had the 11:30 race reserved and could not arrange any other. We still did it and it was very much worth doing. I asked the local tour office after were got back onshore about the 11-26 cruise, and was told that for that cruise, Cunard had arranged and booked the tour operator for 10:00. Those on tours get to get on the tenders first, so that should be fine.

Will try to send more later, but now it is time to depart in St. Lucia.

J Cruise

J Cruise: Thanks so much for the update it wil come in helpful on our 11/26 cruise. One question, the doc.s from Cunard state that informal is a suit and tie for informal nights. We are trying to decide what to take for my husband. What are most of the men wearing on the informal nights, suits or sport coats and on casual nights are you seeing many polo shirts? Thanks Joan

Hi Joan,

For informal night, a coat and a tie is the appropriate dress. I saw few men who did not have a tie with either a sports coat or a suit, particularly while dining in the Britannia Restaurant. For casual evenings, a polo shirt and slacks will be fine.

Have a wonderful cruise!

Cruise Junkie Joan,

I did not bring a tux - only a dark suit and a navy blazer. Darks suits fit in just fine on formal nights. For informal nights, men were probably 60% sport coats or blazers, and the rest suits. Collared shirts and ties are the best with the sport coat, blazer or suit on informal nights. On informal nights, such as tonight, it is hawaiian/caribbean short sleeve shirt, dockers and boat shoes for and most others, or comparable polo shirt. Dress during the day is fairly informal, especially while in the islands. Like I say, it is the Caribbean, Mon.

Most of the bugs have been worked out. The staff is extremely good and friendly. Don't worry about the horror stories of the earlier cruises. You will have a great time.

J Cruise

Was also on the 11/16 cruise & on the 12 meter Regatta -Stars & Strips we won (Kitty-pink shirt my mom was Captain). Had lots of fun as a Primary Grinder.

We still had a good time even with all the rain.

PatrickS,

Sorry we did not meet up. Your Mom must have been an excellent Captain, since she beat our boat. We had so much fun I forgot it rained. I posted a review of the America's Cup on the St. Martin board.