BingBongBoy

Hello All in the Cruise forum world!

So, the time to start planning has arrived... As my 39th birthday is a couple of weeks away, my attention is more drawn to what will happen next year.

I am a big fan of Cunard, and more so QM2 and a TA. I have done several TAs as well as a couple of short trips on her, all be it not been onboard for a few years, since before the re-fit a couple of years ago.

I vowed that, given my life is travel, and has been for the last almost 13 years, I was NOT going to set foot anywhere near an aircraft for my birthday trip. And thus far, the plan has not involved one!

My plan is to embark in Southampton, after driving to the port and staying overnight the evening before, sail to New York, pop into Manhattan for brunch whilst they are turning the ship around for the return, purchase a little happy in a nice store, then re-embark and sail back home. 2 glorious weeks on the high seas, no work, phone and computer in the safe unless there is a dire work emergency (which I don't plan on finding out about as said phone will be off), a few good books, good company, good food, dressing for dinner and generally just having a blinking good time...! Hopefully meet some new friends at the FoD gatherings and around the ship.

Currently in the throws of weighing up booking timing, who to book with and where...

Sorry to blab on...

Any other QM2 and TA fans here?

BBB

Randyk47

gretchendz

Sounds marvelous...hubby and I are taking our first QM2 TA the end of May. Very excited.
Love it

wrp96

I've not been lucky enough to sail QM2 but I absolutely love transatlantic sailings with all those wonderfully, relaxing sea days.

BingBongBoy

I adore sea days... I think because life at work is so hectic, and I am fortunate enough to go to many places for work, I am not that interested in seeing places... The idea of getting on and off ship every day fills me with dread Unless there is somewhere I really want to go...

QM2 is such a large ship, with a relatively low passenger number for the space, to me at least, it is never crowded or massive crowds all the time, plenty of quiet spaces to relax and enjoy a beverage during the day, afternoon tea in the ballroom and the likes whilst watching the North Atlantic rushing by at 26 knots... Bliss!

BingBongBoy

Oh I am a tad jealous...! I would love to make it onboard before next year... But alas, no time.

You will have a wonderful time onboard... I don't know if you are big cruisers or not, but a TA is very different, in a good way... Make sure you study the daily program the night before, as there is so much to do... Yes, not to everyones taste, but there is something for everyone!

Have a super amazing time!

BingBongBoy

That is the main thing for me. Relaxing sea days. No getting on and off ship, or having to be somewhere at a certain time, unless I chose to do it.

Room service breakfast every day, afternoon tea in the ballroom and then dinner in the Britannia Restaurant... A few lectures and shows and strolls around the deck... Perfect.

Randyk47

BingBongBoy

Its funny, but my father and his partner were not really cruise people, till about 10 years ago, when they booked one last minute and instantly loved it. Moment they were back on shore, the very day they got home, they were back at the travel agent booking another cruise. They are, and becoming were, very much the same as you with destinations and exploring new places. But, for similar reasons, they enjoy a more sea day heavy itinerary now and look for that when booking. Still enjoy a few ports, but not a new one every day. They still have not gone on a TA yet, but I think it is also starting to appeal.

I think the thing with QM2, and many people I know who go on her say similar, is that for the size of her (and yes, of course, she is a bloody big ship!) with a passenger capacity of just over 2600, and a crew of about 1200, she does not feel like such a big ship. Other lines with a ship that big would probably squeeze in a hell of a lot more passengers, probably over the 4000 mark, but with 2600, there is never really a crowd, always plenty of quiet spots, nice open decks, massive spa area and really beautifully done interior. So, maybe one day, tick it off that bucket list

MSPeconomist

gretchendz

My husband reminds me often how we thought about doing it and did not...and now it is much too late

Randyk47

Hoyaheel

I think the only way I'm going to get my husband to Australia will be on a cruise ship. It might have to be a World Voyage to get there and back - we'll see ;-) It's one thing we're looking forward to about retiring (or, inching towards not full ever retiring, if my in-laws are any example....)

I think this birthday trip sounds wonderful!! What sounds especially lovely is how much YOU are looking forward to it!!

BingBongBoy

Whilst I never got to see the offers for the QE2 and Concorde, a few years before Concorde was taken out of service, they used to offer deals to BA staff, where you could fly one way on Concorde, then back on a 747 in Business, for something like Ł600 or something, at low season when there were tons of seats available, and at the time, a friend tried to get me to go with him... and I said no... I could not afford it at the time. Oh how I regret it...

But, sailing is now my happy place... I never got to do QE2, but QM2 certainly holds a special place in my heart...

BingBongBoy

Its not a crazy idea...! A very good friend of mine did the same for his parents. They have a child who lives in NZ, and one of his parents has severe back problems, so flying to NZ, even in Business Class, is just an awful ordeal... But, they used, I think it was Queen Elizabeth, or might have been Victoria, I can't remember which, to get to NZ. Yes, it was more expensive that flying, but they got a wonderful trip out of it, got to see some lovely places on the way, went through the Panama Canal and saw the West Coast of the US too, before they headed over the Pacific to NZ and arrived in fine fettle!

And thank you, I really am looking forward to it so so much. I always like to have something to look forward to, and this is a biggy, which will keep me going for the next year!