Has anybody here done a crossing on Queen Mary II? | FerrariChat

Has anybody here done a crossing on Queen Mary II?

Discussion in 'Travel' started by Jack-the-lad, Jun 14, 2019.

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  1. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    On our way home from Goodwood next April we're thinking of doing a crossing on QM2.

    Does anyone have any experience, suggestions, etc?

    Thanks.

    Jack.
     
  2. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    My buddy has done one on a James Taylor cruise and said it was all top shelf !
     
  3. lopena

    lopena Formula Junior
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    Jack:

    I’ve crossed the Atlantic twice on Queen Mary 2 in the past four years...my wife and I love it! [we’re both in our mid-sixties, if that helps.]. I highly recommend it. We’ll be doing it again ourselves soon.

    It takes seven nights to cross. We just flew to England on Wednesday and were lamenting that flying to Europe is zero fun compared to a nautical crossing.

    Seasickness is usually a non-issue since QM2 is the only true “oceanliner” operating today (as opposed to a cruise ship, which has very different naval architecture). She has four stabilizers, as compared to the usual two, so she can slice through the North Atlantic waves with ease, even in the winter.

    I’d suggest you spring for the Princess Grill suite...larger size cabin, access to better restaurants and free drinks (up to $12 per glass).

    There’s plenty to do onboard and the entertainment is very, well, entertaining! And bring your dancing shoes...there’s ballroom dancing to a live band everynight and there’s also a lively disco.

    There’s a concert hall, casino, hospital, shopping area, library, gym, spa, etc. etc.

    Internet is slow as **** but you can get an email out.

    People dress for dinner (jackets & ties) and there usually are three “formal” nights when a tuxedo is required. That being said, the vibe is not stodgy...people are there to party.

    The crowd is oldish (60’s, 70’s and a few 80’s) and well-heeled. There are very few children or hipsters onboard. About 60% of passengers are Brits. There’s also a proper English pub on board with great ales, fish & chips and indian dishes.

    PM me with further questions.

    Good luck with your travels,
    Alan
    N.J.
     
  4. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks, Alan. That's very helpful. I'll send a PM this weekend.

    Jack.
     
  5. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Most ships that I've heard of have one formal night, so three seems like a bit much, especially since I'd have to rent a tuxedo which then might have to be shipped transatlantic to return it. In most current social situations, formal attire has gone the way of the dodo, so I wish they would downgrade the requirement to just a jacket and tie. Otherwise the idea of a traditional "ocean liner" crossing is appealing.
     
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  6. lopena

    lopena Formula Junior
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    Jim:

    While most people wear tuxedos those three nights, Cunard also allows one to wear a “dark suit and tie” to formal nights.

    Alternatively, you might consider biting the bullet and buying a cheap tuxedo at Men’s Warehouse for $500...in the long run it’ll be much cheaper than renting one.

    And you’re right...formal attire is rapidly disappearing in today’s society (as is ballroom dancing) which is precisely the reason a transAtlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2 is so much fun...it allows you to step back in time, get all dressed up, enjoy some classic cocktails and take your wife or girl friend for a spin on the dancefloor to the music of a live big band. You just can’t find this in many other places these days.

    Alan
    N.J.
     
  7. Alpintourer

    Alpintourer F1 Rookie
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    My one experience with cruising was with Holland America many years ago with my parents on their 45th Anniversary (I'm at #44 now myself). They had two formal nights and yes, they had the dark suit option. I've owned a tux (and a white, shawl collared dinner jacket) for decades. Have a dozens of cummerbunds and stud sets to go with them. I will have to look into this QMII crossing; sounds very elegant, and my wife and I both love to dance. My grandsons (5 and 9) both have tuxes. Personally, I think a man never looks better than when formally dressed. Ask 007!
     
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  8. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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  9. Alpintourer

    Alpintourer F1 Rookie
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    Inspired by this thread I found this video informative:



    The takeaway is that this is an Ocean Liner NOT a Cruise Ship.
    It's meant to replicate the Transatlantic elegance of a bygone era.
     
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  10. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Yes, which is exactly why I'm interested in it, although it does resemble the typical modern cruise ship...which look like container ships with staterooms in place of containers. Thanks for finding this.
     
  11. lopena

    lopena Formula Junior
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    You’ll never remember flying over the Atlantic yet again in an airliner, but you’ll never forget a TransAtlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2.
     
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  12. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    It looks like that because though even built as an ocean liner, it is designed to be able to do cruising in the warmer climes when the ocean liner run becomes less popular during the winter months. Cunard actually invented the cruise ship with their Caronia of 1948, which was the first ship designed to be able to do dual duty as both an ocean liner and a cruise ship. It had a green-painted hull and was nicknamed the "Green Goddess".

    I actually think of today's cruise ships as "floating condominiums" because all those balconies remind me of apartment houses. When I visited Ketchikan, AK a few years ago, the visiting cruise ships each day were the tallest "buildings" in town during their stays!
     
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  13. Steelton Keith

    Steelton Keith F1 Veteran
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    Jim...another recommendation for the Princess Grill. The Queen's Grill is exquisite and pricey. Info above about the 3 formal night is accurate and c'mon, a gentleman HAS to own a Tuxedo! You can wear it opening day at the Braves games. In addition to all of the entertainment listed above, there are numerous educational options, usually with a theme. Our theme coincided with D-Day and there were numerous speakers and presentations of WWII and D-Day. The speakers were engaging and experts, including a German PhD who shared her family's (ancestors) experience as Nazi resistors in the 30's and 40's. Sevice is impeccable and we found all of the boarding/disembarking services seamless.
     
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  14. lopena

    lopena Formula Junior
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    I was also informed by a crew member that the Princess Grill shares the same chef and kitchen with the pricier Queen’s Grill.

    The Queen’s Grill does offer the roomiest suites onboard but the Princess Grill suites are spacious, lovely and more than adequate.
     
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  15. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    This is very intriguing to me. Their April 2020 and 2021 Southhampton to NYC voyages occur, historically, just a few days after my Great Aunt attempted the same. She boarded the Titanic at Southhampton as well.

    https://www.cunard.com/en-us/find-a-cruise/M010/M010

    https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-victim/ida-sofia-strandberg.html#articles-and-stories
     
  16. Statler

    Statler F1 World Champ

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    we've crossed twice (east and westbound) and did a shorter European excursion hop too.

    was in regular balcony cabin one way and princess level suite the opposite.

    some basic ballroom dancing skills makes it a much more fun trip.

    It's a formal cruise. Your own tailored tux will be much more enjoyable than some rental.

    Happy to discuss details.

    Chris




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  17. Statler

    Statler F1 World Champ

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    That's a big part of the appeal. It's not an island/sand/swimsuit summer cruise. It's high tea and ballroom and bowties untied towards the end of the night. You either love it or hate it, but it's different. Think manhattans, not Pina coladas. Making an entrance at the top of the stairs is fun.

    The North Atlantic is cold, even in June.

    The QM2 is not like her newer Cunard sister ships. She is deeper and narrower. She was built for this crossing.

    We're planning another round trip out of New York for next summer.
     
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  18. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks for all the great information and experiences. Please keep them coming.

    I've reserved a Princess stateroom crossing east-to-west next April. I have until January to commit and pay.

    Sadly I donated my tuxedo to a charity thrift shop when I retired five years ago.....:rolleyes:
     
  19. Statler

    Statler F1 World Champ

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  20. Statler

    Statler F1 World Champ

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    Ask up in silver too. I bet several people have done this but never read down in the different unsubscribed forum sections.
     
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  21. lopena

    lopena Formula Junior
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    My wife (who’s 67) absolutely loves crossing the ocean on Queen Mary 2...here’s a shot of us taken by the onboard photographer a few months ago.
     
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  22. lopena

    lopena Formula Junior
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    If you have the chance, sign up for some ballroom dancing lessons (foxtrot, rumba, waltz and cha-cha) before you depart...it’ll make your time on the dance floor so much more enjoyable.

    They do give free group dance lessons onboard but over a hundred people typically show up for them so I found them pretty useless. YMMV.

    Alan
    N.J.
     
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  23. Steelton Keith

    Steelton Keith F1 Veteran
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    How on earth did you guys attract (and keep) such beautiful women?
     
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  24. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
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    You mean they don't read in steerage forum sections;)?!
     
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