oscietra

Rather than a Trip Report, I thought I'd set out the things I learned as a first time cruiser on a two night Southampton-Cherbourg-Southampton Taste of France cruise.

Hopefully, this will be of use to those considering cruising for the first time, and add some practical hints and tips for your first time on board a ship.

Booking


I decided to book directly via www.cunard.com - the deals were very good, and I could have saved a small amount booking via www.thomascook.com/cruise/ but I trust the "booking direct" approach and reckon they probably give preference to those who book direct when it comes to upgrades etc.

We paid £379 each (£758 in total) for an D1 Britannia Inside with Atrium View Stateroom (159 sq ft) which included $20 each on board credit. This cabin had a window overlooking the Grand Lobby Staircase and was the top grade Inside Room; as it was winter and we did not intend spending much time in the cabin on this short break, the balcony didn't seem important.

You can see the windows of these cabins in the upper left of this photo:



Ensure you join the Cunard World Club Loyalty club before you book; the fact we were "first timers" was noted on the booking and may also have influenced our upgrade experience.

There is an option called "guaranteed cabin" whereby you are assured a cabin at least as good as the one booked, but can be moved to a better cabin category if needed. That's what we did, and I'd recommend it as we were sent an email about two months prior to travel and upgraded to a Deluxe Balcony B2 cabin (269 sq ft):



Transfers

For the short duration of our trip, driving to the Cruise Terminal in Southampton seemed the best plan. About 1h 30m from London.

You can pre-book parking via the Cunard website, a company called CPS seem to have the monopoly and charged £31 for Friday-Sunday, which didn't seem ruinous. On longer trips, train or coach or being dropped off by a relative might work better.

One tip would be to book parking online AT LEAST four days before you depart as a window sticker is posted to you in advance, and so it's smoother if you have this with you on arrival at the Terminal.

One tip if driving might be to have breakfast at the Little Chef on the M3 at Popham - it's been restyled by Heston Blumenthal, and well worth trying out!

Ensure your keyfob is just your car key, without Tesco clubcard or other keys on it.

Car was valet parked once we had dropped our bags off.

Boarding

Boarding time was noted as noon, with our tickets stating 3pm boarding time; my advice would be to get there as early as possible especially on a short trip - best to plan to drop the car 30 mins prior to the earliest boarding time so you're good to go the minute they start welcoming people on board.

We had placed the bag tags which had been sent to us with our voyage pack on our bags; these were taken from us prior to check in so make sure you've retrieved everything you'll need (passports, sunglasses, jumper) for the next few hours. Our bags arrived outside our cabin within an hour of boarding, but it could take longer so plan ahead!

Check in line was fast, waited about five minutes, and very friendly.

There is a station for pre-booking wine for your evening meal; as it can take a while for them to deliver at the table, it's worth doing this at boarding on the first night. Champagne is relatively good value, with Vintage Veuve Cliquot at $90/bottle.

First Few Hours


Only the Princess and Queen's Gill restaurants were open for lunch at this time. In Britannia class we had to make do with the King's Court; think motorway service station, but with excellent food.

This first impression was particularly poor; possibly because of the short duration and low cost there were some pretty gluttons people piling huge amount of food onto their plates, and it was noisy, crowded and not at all a premium experience.

You'll be quite peckish at this stage, so you'll need to eat something unless you'd had something en route.

There was no Afternoon Tea served on the first day.

Baggage Delivery


One thing to note is that your bags are left out in the corridor outside your stateroom; not hugely secure so make sure you keep your valuables on your person, or lock your case. On balance, I'd have kept my rollaboard size bag with me (it would have fitted through the x ray machine).

The Balcony Stateroom


The room was cosy but well appointed, and getting the balcony was a great idea; a real benefit especially for your first time on board.

Shower only for this Britannia/economy class of cabin; Princess and Queen's Grill (business and first class equivalent) get (at least) baths with showers above.

We had a half bottle of French Sparkling wine in an ice bucket to welcome us, champagne glasses and a fridge.

We had bought a large bottle of sparkling water and bottle of decent fizz with us; this wasn't a problem.

Things you might consider packing for a longer voyage:

- champagne stopper
- radio
- iPod dock
- your own pillow
- some fruit
- water and wine/champagne
- hairdryer (theirs is OK, but not great)
- corkscrew (ensure no blade attached)
- two ply toilet roll
- mini kettle for making tea

Powerpoints were both US and UK.

Toiletries were Gillman & Soame; adequate but not terrific.

QG and PG passengers get complimentary water, fruit and a pillow menu.

Plenty of hangars and a small safe; bags stored under the bed so not in the way.

Note the free QM2 postcards and stationary in the ShipGuide inside the desk.

TV was now flatscreen (photos all show CRTs) and had good selection of movies, BBC World and Sky News, but no Music Channel.

Booking Todd English


The Premium restaurant is Todd English; I understand on longer voyages you can book in advance for this and other "special events", but on this one you had to do so by phone the minute we boarded; annoyingly only one night was available as there was a private event the second night. We booked lunch for a $25 premium each; worth it - though horrid view of ugly people in their swimsuits wasn't ideal.

Laundry

...is VERY reasonably priced. Just $3 for a shirt, delivered within two days.

There is also a free launderette facility on five decks; just remember to bring your own detergent. Handy of you're on a long voyage.

Afternoon Tea


QG and PG can have this in their private lounge area; the rest have the Queen's Room, which is rather like a Butlin's Ballroom circa 1956.

It's crowded, so get their early. For a 3.30pm start, the line was over 100m at 3.15pm, so I'd suggest rocking up shortly after 3pm if you want to guarantee a seat in the first sitting.


Other Tips


- book a massage for the day of departure; there's a 30% discount (so $90/50 mins) on that day

- it's nice to sleep with the door to the balcony open and enjoy the sea air

- Room Service isn't available for the day of disembarkation, and breakfast was busy on the first morning and we were pleased we'd booked Room Service Breakfast for that morning

- smoking is unfortunately permitted upstairs in the G32 nightclub, and is currently allowed in cabins as well; make sure you get a smoke free room! Policy is soon to change, I understand.

- book up for the champagne tasting or mixology class in the Chart Room (not available on shorter cruises)

- make sure you visit the Bridge observation area (between 9am and 4pm most days)

- would suggest being on the very top deck (11) for the departure. that way you can walk from one side to the other and fore to aft easily, and have a super view.

- don't forget a jumper or windjammer and sunglasses for the departure

- plan to get back to your cabin to retrieve your lifejacket and then on to your muster station for the emergency rehearsal

- got the impression that the $20 on board spend was per person so make sure you both charge something to your state room, if one of you is in the habit of signing for everything

- BIGGEST TIP is to take dollars as everything is price in $ and you can avoid credit card surcharges by depositing dollars at the purser's desk to settle your account.

- You'll need dollars if you want to play in the casino, but they aren't regulated at sea, so odds even worse than onshore.

- bags need to be left out for collection the night before, or sign up in advance for self-check out and you can disembark at your leisure keeping your bags with you.

BingBongBoy

Thanks so much for the information, very useful.

I have my first trip on the QM2 in May, then Transatlantic in October...

A quick question if I may... You mention a small kettle to make tea. I was under the impression that because it was a UK registered ship, you were not allowed to have such things in the room, as they present a fire hazard. Did other people you spoke to mention having them?

Glad you had a nice time. I am very excited about my sailings...

merijn

I'm sorry but i expected something better from the QM2.
This review sounded like something between a truckstop and an camping experience.
People wearing swimwear in restaurants, luggage dropped outside your stateroom, 2 days for laundry service, 100 mtr lines for food, you must be joking.
I have to admit, i never travelled on a big cruiseliner as i like a personal touch and service.
If i read this i would never use a cruise like this and stick to the smaller higher quality cruises.

BingBongBoy

Well... I think you have pretty much answered your own statement. If a 2,600 passenger vessel is not for you, then best stay away.

And just to correct you, as you must not be aware of the layout of the QM2, but the people in swimwear are not in the Todd English restaurant, but on the deck outside, of which the windows from the Todd English restaurant look out onto. Unlike sections of other restaurants on the ship which overlook the sea.

Also, in terms of a 100 meter line to get food, again, taken slightly out of context. Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room opens at a set time, so this was people waiting to access the Queens Room to be seated for afternoon tea, not stood waiting whilst food is served to other people.

JanePond

I found the QM2 to be tolerable only if in one of the Grill Classes. I do find friends are using it more and more to cross the Atlantic rather than paying the airlines for FC or Business fares. Arriving relaxed has it's benefits. And some other friends just do a B2B and never get off. That too can have it's benefits.

Linda VH

We did a 7 day Carib when it was fairly new. Enjoyed ourselves and didn't find the lines too long. No cruise ships allow 2 ply toilet paper as it gums up the works for them (they won't know of course but just sayin'). Usually electronics like an iron, steamer or kettle are not allowed.

Mora

Thank you for this detailed report. I was thinking about doing the short trip with my mum for her 80th birthday and some of the things you said have convinced me to go for the Grill classes if we do this short-trip.

BingBongBoy

Be careful which "short" trip you book... A lot of the European short trips, such as this one, also the Southampton to Hamburg trips etc... Are akin to booze cruises and do not really represent the best of Cunard or are thought by some to be as enjoyable as the clientele are sometimes a bit different as travel agents sell them as "party cruises"...

Although, saying that, I am booked in Queens Grill for a 2 night crossing to Hamburg, which I am looking forward to!

JanePond

I have mobility issues and was more forward (or aft, can't remember) and closer to the elevators with a straight shot to the Grill and private lounge. It was about 4 blocks straight ahead the other way to get to the planetarium and library and other activities. I live in Philly and was looking for a cab! Crew were every polite and there really was a lot of room for everyone. But I never got off for a tour. The Spa is very nice, two floors.
Another reason for a Grill cabin is that the balconies are better. I would not sail where I Had to walk out and peer through a large porthole to see the sea. I think one of the short trips would be lovely!!

piper28

Do NOT do this. The systems on ships are designed for using the special toilet paper made for ships that breaks down really quickly when it gets wet. If you use regular toilet paper in the system, it can very easily clog the system up for entire sections of the ship. Yeah, the toilet paper sucks, but then so does having a large section of the deck with non-functional toilets.

oscietra

Quite right.

I think merijin has to put this in context; it was a two night "taster" cruise, with many people paying just $300 on a vessel which typically charges $1000 as a lead in fare.

So both the type of people and the type of short duration cruise were atypical of the norm for QM2.

To address three concerns; there is indeed a same day laundry service; the post I made highlights how economical the two day service was (especially if you were on board for a month or more).

Second, as BingBongBoy sets out, this 100m line was exceptional; it was the ONLY opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea on this short duration cruise, so it's only to be expected that it would be oversubscribed. The Queen's room did not open until 3.30pm, so naturally a large line of probably around 1000 people formed from shortly after 3pm.

On a longer duration journey, I doubt everyone would try to get Tea every day, which would reduce the demand.

We got there at 3.25pm and the doors opened at 3.30pm and we found a table and had tea and cucumber sandwiches in hand within five minutes. Hardly a "camping experience".

QG and PG people can opt to have Tea in their own private lounge, and avoid the throng.

Third, we had (a delicious) lunch in Todd English; the daytime view of bathers certainly wouldn't be a problem at dinner, few people would be out on the decks on a typical Transatlantic crossing, and the type of people on this cheaper "taster" cruise probably weren't the most health conscious types....

It is, nonetheless, a very large liner; one of the largest indeed accommodating over 3,000 passengers, and one does need a certain amount of patience and tolerance for others; if that's not your thing, then it's certainly best you stick to smaller cruiseliners.

QM2 is a liner, not a cruise ship, and that should also be taken into consideration.

My experience was that everything aboard the QM2 was of a very high quality, staff were without fail some of the best I've ever experienced, despite the fact we sailed in "Third"/Britannia class and that on a longer cruise all of the modest shortcomings would not have been a problem.

Some great deals out there right now, including QM2 Transatlantic at less than half price, £1599 each one way for the Queen's Grill/First class:

http://www.cunard.co.uk/Cunard-Offer...ays/Westbound/

oscietra

No-one else mentioned having one; but I'd be surprised if it was removed from you if you packed it carefully and didn't leave it in view.

I'd take a 900w travel kettle, proper tea bags and some fresh milk on a longer journey:

oscietra

On a longer trip, I'd entirely agree, but mainly because I think we'd have met the sort of people with whom we got on better (though the majority of the people on our table of 8 were lovely).

But the Britannia Grill was perfectly acceptable; food was great and the price was extremely attractive (I could easily have afforded a better cabin, but it was too good a price to turn down!).

And of course there's plenty of Britannia staterooms with balconies; in fact ours had a better view of the quayside comings and goings as it was in-hull and therefore not obstructed by lifeboats and had a direct view to the waves alongside:



Hmm. As stated above, I'd keep an open mind about Britannia Class. There's also Britannia Club - a sort of "premium economy" option which might suit well.

Though if it's a trip of a lifetime for your Mum and you can get a good deal, then PG or QG would be marginally better; I didn't see the value in it on a shorter trip, unless you'd not be in the market to shell out for those cabins on a longer trip.

I was pleased my first Cunard cruise was Britannia class; it was the shortest possible duration and therefore many of the benefits of Grills class weren't of the same value they would have been on a longer cruise (didn't have time to visit the private lounge, the private sun terrace was irrelevant, didn't have much luggage so plenty of space in the cabin - which we didn't spend much time in anyway - and we dined a la carte in Todd English (for a $25 supplement) for lunch.)

I wouldn't choose Britannia on a longer trip, so this was realistically the only time I would ever try it, and it's good to start at the bottom and work up!

PS good tip about the two-ply toilet roll!

tatia

just toss it in the trash can; don't flush it!

no longer atc

I have travelled on QM2 both in Queens and Princess grills. I did this same voyage and was sorely disappointed. Bars were crowded...standing room only in many venues. Having said that the transats are totally different..much less crowded.
The grills suites have jacuzzi baths, and way bigger bathrooms. Also the grills have a concierge lounge on deck 9, with snacks,teas,coffees etc available throughout.The concierge will also book stuff for you.I find it just as easy to pop down there for a tea than to call room service. There are around 4 self serve launderettes on board,and although the dry cleaning onboard says 2 days,in my experience it's usually much quicker,and remarkably inexpensive!