QM2 2018 Independence Day short cruise - Quick question

Hi,

The QM2 is my favorite ship (I have sailed aboard her six times). Most recently, I cruised aboard the QM2 from New York City to Quebec City (seven-day cruise in late September 2016) and from Hong Kong to Singapore (seven-day segment of the World Cruise in April 2017). Both of these cruises were wonderful. I think the ship is better than ever following the "remastering."

I am considering the five-day Independence Day Celebration cruise that departs from New York City on July 1, 2018. This would provide me with an opportunity to sail aboard the QM2 again and not take too much time off from work. However, for people who have taken this cruise in the past, is this a typical QM2 experience? Because this is during the summer, are there many children on board? Would I be disappointed?

If you taken this cruise in the past, I would appreciate your opinion.

Thanks,

Chuck

I've taken this short cruise three times, most recently in 2016 right after the refit. In my opinion time off from work constraints are the only reason to book this sailing. It's not the typical Cunard experience and the fares are higher due to supply and demand. But I live in New York City so for me getting to the ship was just a reservation with a car service.

I first booked this in 2012 and the one formal night was almost universally embraced. By 2016 I was seeing t-shirts in the Queens Room. Last month a member reported that casino tables were set at high minimums to accommodate a gambling group on board. (If you don't patronize the casino it's a non issue.) On the plus side the higher fares mean better menus including sirloin steak and lobster as both are popular with American passengers.

I don't remember many children on board but I was last in Britannia Club. So either the children's programs kept them busy or the parents didn't want to haul them on this sailing.

In summary, I would say book it if you want your QM2 fix and there is no other way your work schedule will allow a longer sailing. Otherwise I'd recommend saving your vacation time and money for a TA.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. This cruise is overpriced compared to a transatlantic crossing. Also, it only has one day at sea. Because I especially enjoy the sea days on the QM2, it sounds like I would be better off doing another crossing or World Cruise segment.

Thanks,

Chuck

Perhaps a small point, but tt seems a bit misleading for Cunard to state that there is an "overnight" in Boston on July 4th when the schedule calls for QM2 to dock in Brooklyn at 6am on July 6th.

As I see it, there are two sea days on this trip: July 2 and July 5 (when the ship departs Boston around 2am - not an overnight.)

Dear Chuck,

First, Future Wishes to a Bon Voyage what ever is your choice.

If you are considering the cruise later on there is a thread started by a member from this year's last 4th cruise for next year

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517859

We did this cruise this year for the 3rd and final time. Repeating it again would not make sense unless there were some changes to the schedule and contents. We found the cruise to almost be over so fast. Maybe if they added another port like Newport before the final 2nd day at sea. I too agree that days at sea are the best part a cruise experience. You also on this type of cruise not able to take advantage of built up World Club benefits that are typically offered for your grade of accomplishment ex. Platinum, Diamond.

Our most favorable cruise experience are Caribbean Cruises which we would never get enough of days at sea and visiting others islands and cultures not to mention better weather conditions.

My wife and I did travel Britannia Club on this past July 4th cruise and experienced the new 13th Deck Cabin recently added. We found them very nice and new in style but way too far a distance to travel (walk) back and forth from especially since the Britannia Club Restaurant is on the farest end of the ship 11 decks down. Good way to get hungry and work off your meals. If it seems we were disappointed with our placement while on guarantee, we were. We would not ask for this location again or choose it as a choice.

This reason for booking this cruise was sort of like your reason, but ours was concerning the caring of a family member back home. So we would have wished for a longer cruise.

On this past cruise, we really didn't see too many children surprisingly. And only adults were present in the Club Restaurant.

In 2007, we really did this cruise to try out the QM2 after a couple of decades of loyalty sailing on the QE2. Not flying anymore, our only choices of sailings are those out of NY Harbor.

Maybe one day we will treat ourselves to a BTB... Ah 14 days at sea...What Life and Experience..

Once again, Future Bon Voyage....

Dear Chuck,

First, Future Wishes to a Bon Voyage what ever is your choice.

 

If you are considering the cruise later on there is a thread started by a member from this year's last 4th cruise for next year

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517859

 

We did this cruise this year for the 3rd and final time. Repeating it again would not make sense unless there were some changes to the schedule and contents. We found the cruise to almost be over so fast. Maybe if they added another port like Newport before the final 2nd day at sea. I too agree that days at sea are the best part a cruise experience. You also on this type of cruise not able to take advantage of built up World Club benefits that are typically offered for your grade of accomplishment ex. Platinum, Diamond.

 

Our most favorable cruise experience are Caribbean Cruises which we would never get enough of days at sea and visiting others islands and cultures not to mention better weather conditions.

 

My wife and I did travel Britannia Club on this past July 4th cruise and experienced the new 13th Deck Cabin recently added. We found them very nice and new in style but way too far a distance to travel (walk) back and forth from especially since the Britannia Club Restaurant is on the farest end of the ship 11 decks down. Good way to get hungry and work off your meals. If it seems we were disappointed with our placement while on guarantee, we were. We would not ask for this location again or choose it as a choice.

 

This reason for booking this cruise was sort of like your reason, but ours was concerning the caring of a family member back home. So we would have wished for a longer cruise.

 

On this past cruise, we really didn't see too many children surprisingly. And only adults were present in the Club Restaurant.

 

In 2007, we really did this cruise to try out the QM2 after a couple of decades of loyalty sailing on the QE2. Not flying anymore, our only choices of sailings are those out of NY Harbor.

 

Maybe one day we will treat ourselves to a BTB... Ah 14 days at sea...What Life and Experience..

 

Once again, Future Bon Voyage....

Hi Brooklyn Boy. I believe there is a change in itinerary for 2018: St John NB will replace Halifax as the first port stop. -S.

Hi Brooklyn Boy. I believe there is a change in itinerary for 2018: St John NB will replace Halifax as the first port stop. -S.

Salacia, I know about the change for next year which speaking to many on board this past cruise actually attracted them to this years with not much interest in St John's. Unfortunately next year would not have attracted us with St. John.

I mentioned Newport as an added port to Halifax and Boston. This cruise really needs to be a 7 day/6 night instead to add a spark to it. This itinerary is getting a bit old.

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I agree that Cunard should offer some more variety with this Independence Day itinerary. The QE2 (my all-time favorite ship) used to offer more cruises from New York. I have decided to wait and book a longer cruise with more sea days. Also, I don't like the fact that I would not be able to enjoy any of my World Club Diamond benefits during this short cruise.

Chuck

It should be pointed out that Newport is a tender port. Wind or sea conditions are more likely to cause cancellation of a tender port than if the ship can dock.

Preliminary itineraries for 2019 show the trip being extended to 7 nights with a port call in Newport.

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Preliminary itineraries for 2019 show the trip being extended to 7 nights with a port call in Newport.

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WOW, thank's for the good news...Maybe there's hope for the future...With Newport being an inside bay less likely to have difficulty...Never had a problem with Newport all the times in the bay and like the port very much...Very interesting

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I agree that Cunard should offer some more variety with this Independence Day itinerary. The QE2 (my all-time favorite ship) used to offer more cruises from New York. I have decided to wait and book a longer cruise with more sea days. Also, I don't like the fact that I would not be able to enjoy any of my World Club Diamond benefits during this short cruise.

Chuck

Chuck, agree with you on both counts.

Use to like the QE2 Selections a lot in the past. Never had a problem with booking the cruises we liked and looked forward too. Each year without skipping a year.

QM2 use to keep Brooklyn Cruise Terminal very busy in the past before favoring Europe ex. Hamburg destination.

Also we should take advantage of our loyalty benefits earned....

Preliminary itineraries for 2019 show the trip being extended to 7 nights with a port call in Newport.

 

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hi jburton. ? Please share the source of your post. Thank you -S

hi jburton. ? Please share the source of your post. Thank you -S

Try post #8 in this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2534767

hi jburton. ? Please share the source of your post. Thank you -S

Host Hattie is correct for my source. If you go to the cruise critic cruise search and enter July 2019 and Cunard you can get the specific itinerary. No prices yet.

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Try post #8 in this thread

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2534767

Host Hattie is correct for my source. If you go to the cruise critic cruise search and enter July 2019 and Cunard you can get the specific itinerary. No prices yet.

 

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Thank you HHattie & jburton. -S.

Host Hattie is correct for my source. If you go to the cruise critic cruise search and enter July 2019 and Cunard you can get the specific itinerary. No prices yet.

 

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Thank you...

So happy to see Cunard suggesting this change in the future.

This change may change our minds to reconsider sailing the 4th cruise maybe in 2019 if we want a bit longer short cruise.

Thank you Cunard for considering this change..Maybe some day they may consider also Bar Harbor too...

Try post #8 in this thread

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2534767

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Thank you...

 

So happy to see Cunard suggesting this change in the future.

 

This change may change our minds to reconsider sailing the 4th cruise maybe in 2019 if we want a bit longer short cruise.

 

Thank you Cunard for considering this change..Maybe some day they may consider also Bar Harbor too...

 

 

 

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On-line North American travel agencies show a fare for the 7night QM2 2019 July cruise that is...well, it's just crazy stupid expensive.

Supply and demand, supply and demand.

This is such a money maker for Cunard that in 2015, when the ship was in Liverpool for the 175th anniversary, the 5-night runup to Halifax and Boston was rescheduled for later in July.

So Sorry To See How Conversational This Thread Is....:(

So Sorry To See How Conversational This Thread Is....:(

Brooklyn Boy, forgive me, but I don't understand why a conversational thread would result your disapproval. -S.

Well, it's too late now the ship is sold out. But, we are very happy to be cruising on QM2 for this 5-night July 1, Independence voyage.

The food and service is top-notch, it's something grand to look forward too. Cunard was practically giving away cabins a few weeks ago.

The Saint John, NB stop is a weak trade for Halifax, NS but, provides a great excuse to stay aboard this glorious ship all day and enjoy a spa day and some fish and chips.

Jonathan

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Jonathan

I am looking forward to visiting Saint John. So enjoyed this port several years ago. There is so much natural wonder to visit while in this port. Additionally, I experienced some of the greatest hospitality in this port I've ever experienced on a cruise. I for one am so glad to be heading back to this port on our short cruise.

Jane

We recently booked the 7 day 2019 cruise. Really looking forward to it. It'll be our sixth voyage on her, so if it's not quite the usual QM2 voyage, that's really not a problem, we know what she's like on a crossing. My husband has never been to Boston (I lived there briefly in 1976 and have visited a few times for business since) and we'll be traveling with a large group.

I recall taking a 4 day cruise to St John over Labor Day in 2009. On the second and final sea day, the whole ship must've decided to try afternoon tea while they had the chance. The queue to the Queens Room was long and when they opened the doors, people rushed in, tripping over each other. It looked like the opening of the doors for Black Friday sales at Walmart.

I recall that the passengers obeyed the dress code (Basically. There were a number of sportcoats with ties on formal night)

 

...

 

I recall taking a 4 day cruise to St John over Labor Day in 2009.

 

...

 

I recall that the passengers obeyed the dress code (Basically. There were a number of sportcoats with ties on formal night)

We were on that 4-night Labor Day cruise too. Do you remember me I was the guy in the tuxedo with the QE2 pin.

Jonathan

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