Queen Mary II, July 2-8, NYC/NYC
Jun 8, 2008, 11:22 pm
#16
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Velma, are you looking at the 4 night on the QM2 starting September 4, 2009?
We belong to two different clubs that each have 5 or 6 formal dinner/dances every year. Last night was the last of the season for one of the clubs and they were talking about putting together a QM2 cruise next year. The choices they were considering were the 5 night commencing 7/1/2005, or the 4 night commencing 9/4/2005.
Everybody was all excited about the 50 x 60 dance floor and a 10 piece band every night. ^ Needless to say, these are all very devoted dancers.
We too, really love our at-sea days and they should be especially fun on the QM2 as I believe they offer several dance lessons per day on every at-sea day.
After Mass today we went downtown and shopped for a new sports jacket for Hunki. Nothing that he bought before we started working out will still fit him--he just got to buff through the shoulders. Fortunately we bought his Armani Tux and good suits after he started lifting weights.
We are really looking forward to this trip!
We belong to two different clubs that each have 5 or 6 formal dinner/dances every year. Last night was the last of the season for one of the clubs and they were talking about putting together a QM2 cruise next year. The choices they were considering were the 5 night commencing 7/1/2005, or the 4 night commencing 9/4/2005.
Everybody was all excited about the 50 x 60 dance floor and a 10 piece band every night. ^ Needless to say, these are all very devoted dancers.
We too, really love our at-sea days and they should be especially fun on the QM2 as I believe they offer several dance lessons per day on every at-sea day.
After Mass today we went downtown and shopped for a new sports jacket for Hunki. Nothing that he bought before we started working out will still fit him--he just got to buff through the shoulders. Fortunately we bought his Armani Tux and good suits after he started lifting weights.
We are really looking forward to this trip!
Jul 12, 2008, 8:03 pm
#17
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While we are still basking in our euphoric post-cruise bubble, I must post and tell you that this was the most amazing trip we have every taken.
We were in steerage,
but very much enjoyed our standard cabin and balcony. I am absolutely certain that there was no one on the ship who had anywhere near as much fun as we did, but, if I am wrong, good on the lucky winner. 
We slept in late every day, and had coffee, tea and juice delivered to our bed. We then went back to sleep and finally got up in time for brunch. After our day's activities which varied from shore visits, to dance lessons, to Shakespeare plays, and sometimes even naps, we ate an early dinner, danced a bit, went to a show, and then danced until the band gave up.
It was elegant and heavenly. I can hardly wait until we can go back again next year. ^^
We were in steerage,
but very much enjoyed our standard cabin and balcony. I am absolutely certain that there was no one on the ship who had anywhere near as much fun as we did, but, if I am wrong, good on the lucky winner. We slept in late every day, and had coffee, tea and juice delivered to our bed. We then went back to sleep and finally got up in time for brunch. After our day's activities which varied from shore visits, to dance lessons, to Shakespeare plays, and sometimes even naps, we ate an early dinner, danced a bit, went to a show, and then danced until the band gave up.
It was elegant and heavenly. I can hardly wait until we can go back again next year. ^^
Jul 13, 2008, 3:19 am
#19
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While we are still basking in our euphoric post-cruise bubble, I must post and tell you that this was the most amazing trip we have every taken.
We were in steerage, but very much enjoyed our standard cabin and balcony. I am absolutely certain that there was no one on the ship who had anywhere near as much fun as we did, but, if I am wrong, good on the lucky winner.
We slept in late every day, and had coffee, tea and juice delivered to our bed. We then went back to sleep and finally got up in time for brunch. After our day's activities which varied from shore visits, to dance lessons, to Shakespeare plays, and sometimes even naps, we ate an early dinner, danced a bit, went to a show, and then danced until the band gave up.
It was elegant and heavenly. I can hardly wait until we can go back again next year. ^^
We were in steerage,
but very much enjoyed our standard cabin and balcony. I am absolutely certain that there was no one on the ship who had anywhere near as much fun as we did, but, if I am wrong, good on the lucky winner. We slept in late every day, and had coffee, tea and juice delivered to our bed. We then went back to sleep and finally got up in time for brunch. After our day's activities which varied from shore visits, to dance lessons, to Shakespeare plays, and sometimes even naps, we ate an early dinner, danced a bit, went to a show, and then danced until the band gave up.
It was elegant and heavenly. I can hardly wait until we can go back again next year. ^^
-- not even on Carnival, and most definitely not on Cunard!
Jul 13, 2008, 7:52 am
#20
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My husband hates being on a cruise ship! Absolutely hates it! We've been on many cruises, so he says 'never again'.
Too many people and too much bother.
Too many people and too much bother.
Jul 14, 2008, 3:15 am
#21
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Oh, oldpenny, that's a shame.
Did he hate all of the cruises or did something happen on the last one that turned him off?
I always thought I would hate cruising as well, but it turns out I was wrong and, instead, love it. The more often I go, the more excited I become about the next one.
We are doing a little one-day in September and then a three-day, round-trip Seattle, just for fun. We are also looking at a seven-day to someplace warm in December. And, of course, we definitely plan to be back on the QE2 next 4th of July. That was just too much fun. ^
Did he hate all of the cruises or did something happen on the last one that turned him off?
I always thought I would hate cruising as well, but it turns out I was wrong and, instead, love it. The more often I go, the more excited I become about the next one.
We are doing a little one-day in September and then a three-day, round-trip Seattle, just for fun. We are also looking at a seven-day to someplace warm in December. And, of course, we definitely plan to be back on the QE2 next 4th of July. That was just too much fun. ^
Jul 14, 2008, 6:27 am
#22
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Punki, "And, of course, we definitely plan to be back on the QE2 next 4th of July. That was just too much fun." The QE2 will be taken out of service forever in Novermber 2008. You need to find another ship.
We cruised a great deal as escorts for his elderly family members. I think that is a factor. His mother planned and dominated our vacations for decades. Big guilt trip as they wouldn't go without us as they got older. As working folk we only got 10 days vacation a year and it was nearly always used for a family cruise.
Since he retired, he is so busy with his volunteer work that he doesn't want to cruise and 'do nothing'. He gets very bored and can't stand the crowds and set meal times. Also getting to a cruise port from the middle of the US is no picnic these days. The airfare can cost more than the cruise.
I'd planned on cruising for my retirement trip, but I think I need to change plans.
Go find yourself another ship.
We cruised a great deal as escorts for his elderly family members. I think that is a factor. His mother planned and dominated our vacations for decades. Big guilt trip as they wouldn't go without us as they got older. As working folk we only got 10 days vacation a year and it was nearly always used for a family cruise.
Since he retired, he is so busy with his volunteer work that he doesn't want to cruise and 'do nothing'. He gets very bored and can't stand the crowds and set meal times. Also getting to a cruise port from the middle of the US is no picnic these days. The airfare can cost more than the cruise.
I'd planned on cruising for my retirement trip, but I think I need to change plans.
Go find yourself another ship.
Jul 14, 2008, 8:43 am
#23
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Oops, my bad. I meant the QM2. 
My son feels the same way. He says that cruising is for the newly wed, the overfed and the almost dead. We offered to take him and his girlfriend on a cruise with us and he declined, although I must admit that I didn't see anybody particularly overfed or almost dead on that ship.
Fortunately for us, we both love cruising, especially the dancing. Since we aren't into gambling, or lying around the pool, I suspect that without the dancing, it would not be anywhere near as exciting for us either. We also love to get off the ship in ports and go exploring on our own, and somehow manage to fill up our at-sea days very nicely as well.
I am not exactly sure what we did with all of our time, but on this last cruise I never had time to even read one page of the book I took along.
My son feels the same way. He says that cruising is for the newly wed, the overfed and the almost dead.
We offered to take him and his girlfriend on a cruise with us and he declined, although I must admit that I didn't see anybody particularly overfed or almost dead on that ship. Fortunately for us, we both love cruising, especially the dancing. Since we aren't into gambling, or lying around the pool, I suspect that without the dancing, it would not be anywhere near as exciting for us either. We also love to get off the ship in ports and go exploring on our own, and somehow manage to fill up our at-sea days very nicely as well.
I am not exactly sure what we did with all of our time, but on this last cruise I never had time to even read one page of the book I took along.
Jul 14, 2008, 9:20 am
#24
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Punki, obviously the difference for you is the dancing. There are many cruise lines that have a mini dance floor and poor dance music. I would make a list and avoid those.
Friends just back from a Crystal cruise reported that the dance floor was not acceptable and the music not good for dancing.
Friends just back from a Crystal cruise reported that the dance floor was not acceptable and the music not good for dancing.
Jul 14, 2008, 11:14 am
#25
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Of course, it is the dancing for us. So far we have only been on QM2, Princess (nine times), and HAL, and we have had a ball dancing on every ship we have every been on.
I even heard some people complain about the music on the QM2, but our philosophy is that it is was it is, so we are better off enjoying it to the hilt while we can. If we don't enjoy each day as much as we possibly can, we certainly won't get a rerun.
I even heard some people complain about the music on the QM2, but our philosophy is that it is was it is, so we are better off enjoying it to the hilt while we can. If we don't enjoy each day as much as we possibly can, we certainly won't get a rerun.
Jul 18, 2008, 11:27 am
#27
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The QM2 really is a beautiful ship, and offers an amazing experience. We did our first crossing last fall from NYC to Southampton booked in a Princess Grill suite, along with our 10 yr old daughter. Each of us felt thoroughly pampered and enjoyed the many different activities each day. Our daughter was gone at about 9 am each morning and it was hard to get her to get back to the room later in the afternoon as she had made so many new friends from around the world and they kept themselves busy, while my wife also found it hard to get me out of the pub to get changed for dinner. 
The staff in the Princess Grill dining room were amazing, the Maitre D' was from Milan and on the first night offered to make my daughter his favorite childhood dishes every night instead of ordering from the menu, and every night she was surprised with an incredible dining experience that she really enjoyed. Thats the great thing about dining in the Grills compared to the Brittania dining room, if you don't see anything you fancy on the menu they will make anything you like if it is available, well worth the upgrade. It really was the best food we have had at sea.
There is nothing underwhelming about the QM2, we were so mentally refreshed after this experience that we were already planning our next trip which is another crossing on Aug 1 this time from Southampton to NYC, again booked in a Princess Grill suite, can't wait!
The staff in the Princess Grill dining room were amazing, the Maitre D' was from Milan and on the first night offered to make my daughter his favorite childhood dishes every night instead of ordering from the menu, and every night she was surprised with an incredible dining experience that she really enjoyed. Thats the great thing about dining in the Grills compared to the Brittania dining room, if you don't see anything you fancy on the menu they will make anything you like if it is available, well worth the upgrade. It really was the best food we have had at sea.There is nothing underwhelming about the QM2, we were so mentally refreshed after this experience that we were already planning our next trip which is another crossing on Aug 1 this time from Southampton to NYC, again booked in a Princess Grill suite, can't wait!
Jul 19, 2008, 11:23 am
#28
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Qm2 - Nyc / Fll 11/21/08
Mr. SFBarry and I will be on the QM2 NYC/FLL 11/21/08 8 days. B4 Balcony Cabin $3041 all in. Not bad for 8 days on the QM2 ^ Voyage M843N if any one is interested.
Stops in St. Kitts, Grenada and Bonaire with 4 days "at sea".
Stops in St. Kitts, Grenada and Bonaire with 4 days "at sea".
Aug 19, 2008, 6:05 am
#29
Join Date: May 2001
Location: midwest
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Which Dock
Being a total "virgin" to cruising can somebody advise which dock IN NY the Queen Mary II would use during a cruise the end of April 2009. Does this vary? Trying to ascertain airport that would be closer and provide for transportation to/from dock.
Aug 22, 2008, 12:36 am
#30
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I believe the QM2 always uses the pier in Red Hook, Brooklyn. AFAIK it is the Princess ships who will be moved over to Manhattan if the QM2 is in, and not the other way around.