QM2 review...My Affair To Remember

[cusyl]

It is our first cruise for 40 years.

 

Wow, you are in for an amazing experience! You certainly picked the best ship in the world. The QM2 is easy to navigate if you remember to go to the stairway elevators closest to where you want to end up and then take that elevator. Very easy to get from point A to point B.

Don't forget to sign the Cruise Critic log book in the library. :D

[patwell]

Great shots MeatyPetey....And I was up top in front of the funnel looking back at the Carnival ship docked where you are and felling quite special. Thanks for coming back and sharing these. When you're on her at sailaway you don't get the full sense of how awesome she is with all her lights on...really nice!

 

Cheers, Penny

[Scrumpy]

Penny,

Wanted to thank you again properly for this. I now have 54 pages of reviews and information for our cruise and it is immensely helpful. Must also thank Pepper again as you two have covered almost anything a person would want to know in your wonderful narratives. :)

Cheers!

[patwell]

thank you Scrumpy...I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I can't wait to revive "the affair"...Watch for me as you board...I'll be the one being dragged off kicking and screaming!! Unless.....my attempts to hide are successful...what cabin are you in? have you room for me and my evil twin? I do keep her restrained as much as possible and she does travel light.....

 

You will have the time of your life!

 

Cheers, Penny

[Scrumpy]

Penny,

You're welcome. I enjoy well-written reviews that put you right there in the moment :)

 

I have an unbelievably HUGE suitcase (that *usually* never sees the light of day). We could just wheel you right back onboard :D No one would have to be the wiser.

 

I don't know which cabin yet. For the first time, we booked a guarantee - this will be a new and somewhat exciting experience. I'm sure we could squeeze you in somewhere. Maybe the sofa makes a bed?

 

Hope you have a great time. It's so hard to wait. We've never booked this far in advance. I don't know how people do it regularly. The anticipation is killing me already.

[patwell]

Very kind offer...I might just have to accept. Now how to tell the other half that I won't be riding home with him. I can't help on the guarantee thing as we booked a specific cabin but I'm sure others can help you with that.

 

And I do understand the anticipation frustration. Last time we booked over a year in advance and i thought I'd be a crazy woman by the time we left. This time I think the other 3 deliberately held off on agreeing to book just so they didn't have to listen to me for so long!

 

What a fabulous experience you have ahead of you. Just keep reading and start a roll call for your trip...helps the time to pass. Ours is still going strong after last year...(Dec 2nd)

 

Cheers, Penny

[travel-to-go]

i thought I'd be a crazy woman

 

Cheers, Penny

 

Uh, Penny?....

 

(anon)

[patwell]

Uh, Penny?....

 

(anon)

 

Shhhhh...don't be telling little secrets....we don't want to scare these nice people.....:eek:

 

Cheers, Penny....only crazy once in awhile, usually caused by thoughts of a big ship named QM2:D

[imacruizer]

For those who will be sailing on the QM2 -- Enjoy!

 

Beth

[keela1eva2]

I am reading your review having just booked 3 weeks ago for the BTB Qm 12-24th July. Yes just 3 weeks from today!

I have not completed reading your review as I started from the beginning but I want to tell you the effect your review is having on me.

 

My spine is tingling and the hairs on my arms standing on end. The sheer beauty of your writing and as an avid reader I have always loved the long descriptive passages better than the action part of the story.

 

Your review is having a profound effect on me. I am travelling alone and at times doubt whether I am doing the right thing.

This will be my second cruise with Cunard and my 4th T/A cruise. I have cruised with Celebrity and this QM2 came out of the blue when I saw a fantastic offer on my Teletext. I called the TA and expected them to say that they no longer had these rooms. Of course I have had to pay a 200% supplement but fear not I will have the room to myself and can do as I please. I adore the long sea days and the true relaxation it affords.

 

I did the T/A on Celebrity Millennium arriving back home on the 2nd April. I then booked a Med. cruise for October on Celebrity Century. I returned on Monday after spending 6 days in Ireland and now in 3 weeks I will be off again.

Oh the joy of retirement!! I live in Harrogate in England but by birth I am Irish. I moved here 9 years ago following the death of my beloved Husband in 1996. He was 56 years old. It was a terrible time for me but now I feel that I honour him by going on living.

I have 4 grandchildren 2 here in Harrogate aged 11 and 9 now and in Ireland 2 little girls of 3 and almost 5 years old. They are the light of my life. I am going off to my Daughter's in about 15 minutes as they have a school appointment for Dan who will start High School in September. I love them to bits and I am greatly loved in return by them.

 

I will continue reading your review later and in fact have saved it to my toolbar so that I can access it easily.

 

Thank you again for the joy you have released in my soul.

 

Sue

[patwell]

WOW...thank you so much!! What an incredibly generous thing to say. I don't think I"ve ever made anyone's spine tingle!! That's just absolutely the highlight of my day to know I touched someone that way. I do hope you'll enjoy the rest of my "Affair"...I won't spoil the ending for you, I'll just let you see for yourself what happens.

 

I am truly saddened for your loss but applaud your determination to live your life in a way that will honor him. Now that touches me!! How blessed you are with such wonderful family to share your life with.

 

I wish you the most wonderful voyage on my beloved QM2. I'll think about you strolling her decks but you must promise me that you will spend much time in the fabulous Commodore Club just staring out over that beautiful bow. No place on board spoke to me as much as the Commodore Club...now IT made my spine tingle, day or night. And when you sit there in those white seats overlooking the bow, please do say hello to her for me.

 

And thank you...your words make me proud. And don't forget to come back here and tell us what a grand time you had. I love a TA!! And what a ship for it!!

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[keela1eva2]

Thank you for your post. Yes I am still reading and enjoying your review. It just gets better and better!

It is very late here and so I am off to bed. Have had a busy day.

Looking forward to picking up where I left off tonight. I want to savour every word so I don't want to gloss over it.

 

How glad you are making me in booking this cruise!! Just need to get those evening gowns checked out in case of dry cleaning. I adore dressing up on holiday as it is really the only occasion I have to wear formal long gowns.

 

Problem is that I am instantly drawn to those dresses and especially if it says SALE on the rail.

 

Bye for now

 

Sue

[patwell]

Thank you for your post. Yes I am still reading and enjoying your review. It just gets better and better!

It is very late here and so I am off to bed. Have had a busy day.

Looking forward to picking up where I left off tonight. I want to savour every word so I don't want to gloss over it.

 

How glad you are making me in booking this cruise!! Just need to get those evening gowns checked out in case of dry cleaning. I adore dressing up on holiday as it is really the only occasion I have to wear formal long gowns.

 

Problem is that I am instantly drawn to those dresses and especially if it says SALE on the rail.

 

Bye for now

 

Sue

 

 

Hi Sue...do hope you're enjoying your reading....I'll be interested to hear what you thought of the ending;) You'll have to read a few posts past the end to my epilog (I think) to get the real ending....

 

I'm so pleased that it's helping you to look forward to your own cruise...that was my purpose. That and sharing my personal feeling about this wonderful ship. When people would tell me how eager it made the, then I felt like I'd done well.

 

Such fun you have ahead of you....don't miss a thing, stay up way past your bedtime like I did and be sure to find those great cookies in Kings Court. They're worth a special visit! I really hope you'll come back and let me know how much you enjoyed it. And do get those gowns in readiness...that was one of my favorite times to dress to the nines and feel like a princess. I just can't resist a new gown!!!

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[keela1eva2]

Hi Penny,

 

I have just sadly finished reading the complete board. What a wonderful feeling as others have said I feel myself right there with you. I love that sway when it rocks and rolls a little. Long gone are my days of travel sickness!

We are having the worst weather rain wise for 50 years and I don't care. In just over 2 weeks I will be on board YOUR QM2! ( am happy to say that I am not flooded as so many are here in England and are in emergency accommodation tonight)

I don't know how I am going to live up to the Regal Lady who left QM last December! I do hope I bump into her twin even if she is not like the Penny I have grown to love through your wonderful writings.

Seriously I do think my experience will be different from yours as I am travelling alone. I don't particularly like to sit in a bar on my own although I promise to sit in the Commodore Club during the day. Simply Must do!

The reference to the Scots accent for the Bond is that the first JB was of course Sean Connery and he is a Scot and it is always his accent that people use when they do the Bond James Bond thing!

I have a Scottish accent although I am Irish and I live in England. However despite it being 52 years since I left my native land and despite accent change (as happens with children) My heart will always remain in those Hills of Donegal!

 

Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for the sheer joy your writing has brought me.

The finish surmise is that you are booked to sail or your beloved QM2 in November or have you truly written a book of some sort on your travels?

Do please let me know as it was the your feelings which were evoked by your sheer love for this ship that touched me most of all. Yes I will see it all myself but I will carry in my heart your words as I get lost more times than you would ever do. I have no sense of direction whatsoever and even when I look out of the windows to see which way the ship is sailing I still get it wrong.

 

2 weeks today I will have the glad rags ready to put in that suitcase and yes I am going to take my lovely dresses with me if I don't wear them all on what will be a 6 dayXtwo trip but I will take 6 long evening dresses with me and see how things go.

Also I am waiting on a shop I buy quite a few things from starting their summer sale. I know the Manager Carole quite well and she tells me it will be at the end of June so plenty of time for me to add another dress to my collection before 11th July.

I do have a further cruise booked for October on Century and who knows may well book something for the end of the year or the beginning of 2008.

 

Yes I learned the hard way that nothing in life is guaranteed and I did not expect Brian to die at such a young age. He had a brain tumour a grade 1V Glioma just as bad as it gets.

He did retire at 53 but we had not waited until Brian retired to do things together and especially we wanted to do as a family before our children flew the nest. We cruised,visited USA taking our children to Disneyland etc.

Later we took a Safari holiday in Kenya spent 4 weeks in Australia and cruised again as well as many other wonderful holidays.

These memories are what sustain you and something that can never be taken from you.

I was happily married for just over 30 years and I thank God for those years. Brian's brother died aged 29 also from cancer. He was married for only 5 years and left 2 small boys aged 2 & 3 so Brian and I were indeed blessed to have so much time together.

 

I wish you every good health happiness and most of all continued blessings in the years ahead.

I will be eagerly awaiting your next "AFFAIR"

 

God bless you

 

Sue

[imacruizer]

Sue,

 

Now that you have read and thoroughly enjoyed Penny's amazing "affair", don't forget to read Pepper's equally entertaining and informative review of his transatlantic voyage: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=514324

 

Do you enjoy dancing? If so, you might enjoy spending some time in the Queen's Room in the evening and dancing with the gentlemen hosts. They are so professional and curteous. They are truly "gentlemen".

 

I do believe that you have a flair for writing yourself. So we will all look forward to your review when you return.

 

How wonderful that you and your husband took the time to enjoy so many wonderful experiences and create so many happy memories. I applaud your continuing to travel and living life in a way to honor him.

 

Have wonderful crossings.

 

Beth

[patwell]

Hi Sue....I can't tell you how much your words touched me tonight...thank you seems quite inadequate for all the lovely things you said. I'm flattered and very honored and so very glad that my "Affair" reached out to you. No, sadly no book....it swirls around in my head on a regular basis but just doesn't seem ready to let itself out. Perhaps that's where it should remain til the next time...or maybe never. I loved writing this...so easy when I had such a wonderful subject as the object of my affections. And while you will travel alone, I'm quite sure she will work her magic on you as well. She is an addiction that grows on you each day you are away from her and you count the days til you board again. In my case it's 138 days, but who's counting!!;)

 

My heart goes out to you for your loss Sue. I am truly sorry and can only imagine the anguish you went through. How wonderful for you all that you made the time to make those memories together....no one can ever take them away and they will be in your heart for all time. Knowing that somehow helps to ease the pain a bit I hope.

 

Ahhhh, and you picked up on our little James Bond silliness....of course he was Scottish but I told my friend Pepper I'd be very happy with a "posh" English accent as a substitute. Somehow the Commodore Club just resonates with the feeling that Mr Bond will alight from that glass elevator at any moment and one must be prepared. And do take the glass elevator to the Commodore Club...it's really the only way to arrive....please, do it for me, OK?

 

Now, listen to my friend Beth (Imacruzer)...please do go out and about in the evening...with all those gowns you must soak up all the ambiance. Please!! You will not feel awkward or out of place....you will find people are very friendly, that shipboard commaraderie one finds. I understand what you say about not wanting to go to a bar alone in the evening...I'd not do that at my age either any more. But the Commodore Club is not like that...it's not just a bar...it's a wonderful place to absorb all the delights of this ship and you'll not feel out of place at all. I would go there alone all evening were I you...it's that kind of place. The staff is so attentive, the pianist so good and you'll feel so at home in there...honestly. Please do try it once for me....dress in one of those lovely gowns and delight in the sophisticated feel of that room....IT IS NOT A BAR!! Not in that sense, truly.

 

And Beth, you beat me to it...I was about to leave Pepper's link for Sue tonight. Sue, this is THE review that I took with me when I went...I referred to it regularly for all the wonderful insight to the ship that Pepper conveys so eloquently. And since he took a TA on her, it's especially appropriate for you. And Beth is right...do dance in the Queen's Room..it's a must. The hosts will make you comfortable.

 

Should you wish to chat with me off the forum, please feel free to email me at, patwell at earthlink dot net Replace the at and dot with periods of course. But do put QM2 in the subject so I'll know to open it. I'd be happy to help you in any way that I can.

 

So glad you're not affected by all that rain...how sad that some have been displaced by it. I do hope it doesn't affect you and that it stops soon. We could use some of that over here where I live in the south. We're desperately dry at this point with the heat of summer about to hit full force. rain would be a blessing right now.

 

Thank you again....you have truly made my day with your kind post. I'll look forward to speaking with you again. And in case we don't til your return, please, please, don't let anything stop you from experiencing all this wonderful ship has to dazzle you with. Perhaps some day our paths will cross onboard...I'd love to meet you. Be well and travel safely

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[travel-to-go]

Sue,

Penny id right about the Commodore. there were plenty of unattached people there. At times I was one of them, when Marc got tired and sacked out early. It never felt like people were trying to pick each other up, if they were there alone, but just like a group of friends, or soon to be friends. The trick is to be friendly. Sit at the bar. Make friends with one of the bartenders. And make conversation. It is natural to ask people on a cruise where they are from,

and so on. It's not a meat market kind of place at all. Just a relaxing atmosphere. Or pick a friendly group with an extra chair and ask if you may join. Above all, go to the roll call meet and greet. You will undoubtedly meet others traveling alone, with whom you may just naturally make friends. It never felt to me like it was all couple-y. Often one partner might want to go to the casino while the other didn't. Or one would play the trivia contest, while the other did something else.

 

You'll have as marvelous time. It's an easy ship to make friends on. Make sure to sit at a larger table. get to know some people. I love learnign about people from other pales and other cultures, even if it is just a couple of states away, or a world away! What people do for a living, how they came to be cruising. There are a million things in this world to learn! You can learn a lot on a cruise ship!

 

Karie,

who always had a marvelous time meeting people and learning abut them.

[pepperrn]

Sue,

 

Now that you have read and thoroughly enjoyed Penny's amazing "affair", don't forget to read Pepper's equally entertaining and informative review of his transatlantic voyage: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=514324

 

Beth

 

Beth,

 

Thank you for that, very kind of you. It feels like only yesterday that I was walking her decks.

 

I must, once again, say how much I enjoy reading and re-reading Penny's "affair", it's so very well written (that's British understatement). Each time I settle down to read it I find that I'm grinning, smiling, laughing, my heart soaring as I read her words, Penny captures the essence of a cruise on QM2 with the sheer joy and the eloquence of her prose.

 

Very best wishes

[pepperrn]

quote=patwell;10608877]

And Beth, you beat me to it...I was about to leave Pepper's link for Sue tonight. Sue, this is THE review that I took with me when I went...I referred to it regularly for all the wonderful insight to the ship that Pepper conveys so eloquently. And since he took a TA on her, it's especially appropriate for you.

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053[/quote]

 

 

Penny,

Thank you, you are most kind. You know how I feel about QM2 (we've discussed it often enough!) and esp. the Commodore Club. To arrive in that wonderful room, after a splendid dinner in the Britannia Restaurant, in formal dress, from one of the outside glass walled lifts. To see that subtle lighting, take in the sophisticated atmosphere; listen to the quiet playing of the piano, the murmur of conversation. You sit in one of the oh-so-comfortable white chairs and glance at the huge illuminated model of the queen of the oceans behind the bar as a steward brings you your favourite drink (you don't have to tell him what it is, he remembers from last night), you see old friends (that you only met yesterday!), a lady passes by in a stunning gown, everyone is smiling, nothing is hurried, it is so relaxing. May you never have to leave this room. But there is so much of this huge ship to explore, should you go down to deck 2 and the casino? Maybe to the Queens Room where you can step onto the largest dance floor at sea? Or further aft to G32 and some late night atmosphere and dancing 'til dawn? It's a long walk from here at the bow all the way aft.. maybe another drink first, there's no hurry, it will all be there, waiting for you, meanwhile the pianist is playing another of your favourites and there's more new friends arriving from dinner, you invite them over "will you join me?".....

[pepperrn]

 

. I don't particularly like to sit in a bar on my own although I promise to sit in the Commodore Club during the day. Simply Must do!

 

Sue

 

Hi Sue,

 

As Penny and Beth have said, the Commodore Club is not just a bar, it's far, far more than that. And it's certainly not the sort of place that a lady travelling alone would feel uncomfortable in, in fact I don't think that any bar or room aboard will make any lady feel alone or ill at ease. You'll find you'll make friends very quickly, there will be many ladies around who'll love to chat to new friends such as yourself. I never saw or heard anything that was "out of order" so to speak. It's not that sort of ship. Please be assured that, if you do go to the 'Club one evening (please do!) you'll be hooked, it's quite the most wonderful room on this fantastic ship.

 

Have a great time and tell us all about it when you return please.

 

Very best wishes

[patwell]

......more new friends arriving from dinner, you invite them over "will you join me?".....

 

Pepper....who could resist your invitation after that description??!!;) :D is that the elevator I hear arriving?;)

 

Sue...now do you see what we all mean? All of us know that ship...we all know you'd never feel uncomfortable in the CC or anywhere and I can tell that you're the kind of person who would make friends easily. Beth, Karie and Pepper all were helpful to me before my first trip...you can trust what they say. So quickly, pull up Pepper's review...print it off like I did and take it along. It will help you find your way around and make sure you don't overlook anything special...like the whole ship!

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

[keela1eva2]

Thank you Penny and all those of you who are encouraging me to use what you all found a wonderful area on this fantastic Ship.

I was in tears this am when I read your posts I was so moved that everyone cared so much that they were reaching out to me. I am very grateful to all of you!

I don't have a problem traveling on my own in fact I enjoy it. After cruising and taking someone and paying for that second person I now prefer to be on my own. Other than my Sister I would not share with anyone again. I am going on the Century cruise with my friend June. We did the same ship slightly earlier last year and we had a lot of fun and much laughter.

I have also found that often the table companions are wonderful and they have drawn me into to their group. I have always been very aware of not attaching myself to people and intruding on their privacy. I am aware enough hopefully that I can detect the difference.

 

Thank you also for your wonderful review. I was directed to it by someone on the Cunard Roll Call. It too is equally a wonderful and I am reading it again as the BIG day. I am now filled with wonder as I contemplate what lies ahead for me.

I love to travel and to cruise in particular. Once again thank you all so much.

 

Sue

[keela1eva2]

Sorry I didn't read my post before I submitted it. First of all I mean as the BIG day approaches and on my Century cruise June and I each have our own room which suits us.

 

Just had a Grand daughter who today has lost 2 teeth whilst at school. She has also lost the teeth and is wondering whether the TOOTH FAIRY will come around! OH the joy of being 9 again. Delight that she is!

 

Now it is down to some serious reading!

 

Sue

[imacruizer]

Sue, you should be returning from your back to back crossings soon. Hope you had fabulous voyages. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Beth

[keela1eva2]

Yes I did get back on the 24th July and I fell totally head over heels in love! No just with the great QM2 I loved every inch of her and every minute I spent on her. I was glad that this was a voyage and that I didn't have to get off even for a moment for those first 6 days.

By the time the big day arrived I had forgotten my nerves in the last minute rush of getting off to the Airport etc.

Got down to S/Hampton and stayed overnight at Jury's Hotel which was lovely and I had a room overlooking the Park.

I went out in the morning to buy those extra toilitries I had not wanted to carry with the weight restriction. Believe it or not I was 1.1K over and I had to pay £5.50p They really are mean these days.

 

Got back to the Hotel and arrived at the Ship at around 1.20pm. The taxi driver said that he had been taking people since 10 am. Boarding was supposed to begin at 12md but my time was for 1.30pm.

The wait was around 20 minutes to board and I am not used to this as I have priority boarding with Celebrity Princess etc.

Got on board and whilst there was a great line of crew and I am not sure why they were there as there was no walking you to your room as I am used to but I knew this and I got lost for the first time going on the odds instead of the evens. Got the bottle of French sparkling which was I think better than that glass as you walk on board Celebrity. Walking to the room whilst thinking about baggage etc is not quite the same as having that Glass of vino as you get ready for dinner!

This was the beginning of the miles I walked over the next 12 days and even towards the end I was still at it. Kept me fit! Even when I look out at the sea and think I knew which way I still got it wrong!

 

My inside room was a good size and a huge bed which I love even though at times here I seem to sleep on the edge mine here at home. Strange arrangement in that the telephone is not by the bed. Could not quite work that one out.

I loved her from the minute I walked on board and looked with wonder at all the truly beautiful art work. I just loved those pictures of the stars and days of old and I felt that I too was transported back to that era. We can but dream! I felt young and filled with energy and ready to embark what I felt was going to be a great adventure. I had no sense of

anxiety about anything and immediately felt that I was home!

 

I had lunch and then started to look my tour going to your much loved Commodore Club. Yes it is a beautiful room and there is a great sense of peace especially if you have a front PEW and such comfortable seating.

I also went to the Library but oh such a long walk to both and as I walked form one end to the other and usually in the wrong direction I simply didn't care! I was happily getting lost and it was not until near the end of the cruise someone told me that the lowest numbers meant that I was at the front! If only I had known this earlier I might have been 2K or so heavier oh those desserts at dinner. I always seemed to have 2 and always extra goodies as my waiter noted that from the first night when ordering dessert my reply is ALWAYS 6 of everything. Believe me it has happened in the past that 6 plates have come over my head and how we laughed and those who only ever ordered 1 dessert were very eager to help me out of my predicament.

 

Oh how tired I am since I got back as I have the decorators in and the Grandchildren here and it is now after 11pm so I will get myself to bed and see if my bed is turned back and that extra chocolate on my pillow.

I will write later about how very much I enjoyed EVERYTHING and most of all I surprised myself by my new found confidence and my time spent dancing around the Queen's room. It took me back to my youth and I had forgotten how much I loved to dance and in fact met my Husband at a dance as in those days so many of us did.

 

Penny I am off to the land of nod for now but keep dreaming! Your next AFFAIR will be upon you before you know it!

 

Sue