Hi everybody,

DH wants to do a transatlantic crossing but, unfortunately because of the calendar ( i.e. school calendar!), we need to do it during the summer. So, we have booked on the QM2 for the 8/3 sailing out of NY and we'll take the kids with us.

I have mixed emotions about this. On one hand, I'm excited because I'll be cruisng again. On the other hand, I am aprehensive because the QM2 is HUGE!!! So, it'll be definitevely a different experience. I just hope it's better than a Royal Caribbean kind of experience.

Has anybody here done it or know anybody that has done it?

Anybody interested to come along???

Maria, it sounds exciting to me! You KNOW we are going to want first hand reports, I think your experience is going to be very interesting and I can't wait to hear about it!

Hi Maria,

I think you and your family will have a wonderful, new and exciting cruise experience on QM2. I will certainly be looking forward to hearing about your crossing. We can compare our journeys - QM2 vs. Regent's CROSS, in Nov.

We ventured away from RSSC last year, taking a Deilmann river cruise. We had some minor mixed emotions, having sailed exclusively with RSSC. However, we took the plunge and were happy we did so. I have no doubt your "plunge" will be equally gratifying and enjoyable!

Maria--I know you'll have a great time. We'll be anxious to hear about it. I wish you were going to be on "Cross" with us, but I understand about school schedules. Keep us posted!

Maria, while I have not been on the QM2, a partner in our firm did it with his wife two summers ago and loved it! There will probably be more to occupy the kids time with the larger passenger load, so I'm sure the family will have a great cruise!

Oh! The QM2. We loved it. Huge, but not RCCL huge.

Staterooms are fairlly well laid out, blond wood. Public rooms are beautifully decorated. Send a PM and I can email you some photos.

We generally do not like Huge. But we LOVED the QM2.

The one thing you have to worry about is the time zones.

You will lose one hour a day for five of your six days at sea, which can be discomforting.

We did a 10 day transAtlantic to Europe, and had a hard time adjusting.

But would I do it again -- in a heartbeat!

Frances

Some of the design decisions are a bit stupid -- to get to some of the pool deck area you have to cut through the Todd English restaurant.

The "Lido" deck dining is great for lunch. It's divided into four zones, with different types of food in each.

At night, they close off part of it to become four different reservations-requeted restaurants. We were not impressed with The Carvery.

We ate at Todd English one night. The food was sublime, the service horribly lacking. They were busy, with a group of 12 in one area and another large group in the private room, but they should be able to handle that.

Our favorite was the Golden Lion Pub for lunch. Limited menu, but oh so very British. Ploughman's lunch, fish and chips, shepherd's pie, cottage pie, and a side of mushy peas.

We were in the Brittania restaurant, and loved it. Some people were complaining about their wait staff, but ours was fabulous. And we liked the food.

We have to go to a wedding in Scotland in May 2008, and I want to come home on the QM2.


The only "bad" thing is, you are going the wrong way. You will have 5 time zone changes in 6 days, so you will lose an hour a day.

We did Ft Lauderdale to London in 10 days, and the 5 clock turn backs were very annoying to us.

B

Hmmmm

Don't know how things got out of sequence in that post. Can't figure out how to edit it.

Oh, well, you get the picture. We LOVED the QM2.

Hi again,

After spending the whole day ( and getting sticker shock!!) looking for hotels in London and looking at travel books I'm getting more into the trip.

Bob and Frances, it is sooo reassuring to read your post because I know you are Regent cruisers. So, if you liked the QM2 then it can't be bad :) !

I didn't even think about the change of time issue. I decided to do it Eastbound because I have always wanted to sail out of NY . I was afraid that coming into NY would be too early in the AM and I would be half asleep! That's what happened to me in the Baltic cruise when we sailed into Stockholm, I missed all that because if was too early.

Yes, I will PM you, thanks for the offer!

Maria,

We have sailed twice out of NY - it is a beautiful sail out including goose bumps passing Ellis Island and Lady Liberty. Probably one of my favorite sail aways!

We are also going on the QM2 on the July 18th crossing--we're "escorting" our son and daughter-in-law and their 3 dogs who are moving to Germany for a year. The QM2 is the only way for them to comfortably get the doggies over there...we've heard good things about the kennel situation on the ship. It should be quite an experience for us all!

Susan :)

Those doggies are sure going in style :) !

sorry. duplicate

I did it once many years ago and have to agree with you.

Susan,

We moved our little Yorkshire Terrier to England three years ago this month. She flew with me on Virgin Atlantic from Boston and the trials of getting a dog into England are numerous....I could write a book! If the QE2 had been available I would have opted for that. I am sure the doggies will enjoy their sea journey and much nicer than being locked in a cage in the hold of the aircraft.

Cheers, Pam

Arlene,

But you have the Staten Island Ferry! A cheap way to do it if you aren't on the QM II

Arlene and Kathy,

I am ashamed to admit that eventhough I lived for 7 years in Manhattan I never took any of those ferries, so for me this will truly be a new and exciting experience! Thanks for confirming that it is!

Growing up in NYC, we rode the Staten Island Ferry fairly often. Each and every time I'd experience the same reaction seeing that incredible Statue of Liberty - goosebumps, lump in throat, tears in eyes, and extreme pride in what Lady Liberty stands for! Awesome!

Maria, your sailaway will be a breathtaking and very memorable site to behold! And, you'll be taking it all in on a very beautiful ship, not a ferry!

Yes, as the days go by I'm looking more and more forward to this! Even if it isn't Regent, it's nice to look forward to cruising again!

Here is a wonderful picture near the entrance to Tokyo Harbour.



No need to sail out of New York to see the Statue of Liberty. :D

(Hopefully, Japan Today doesn't reuse URLs or who knows what this picture will show tomorrow.) :eek:

Maria - I'm sure you will have a wonderful experience. We did the QEII several years ago, NY to London, it was an incredible experience - to do a transatlantic is amazing, I couldn't believe we wouldn't see land for 5 days, but sure enough we didn't!
I think you picked the right thing for the family, and especially since you have teens going, and since its in the middle of summer, I'm sure your whole family will love it and it will be something you'all will remember all of your lives.

Marc, are you funning us, or what?

Olivia, of course not. :D

There is a replica of the Statue of Liberty on Odaiba Island, across from Central Tokyo. Behind the statue is the Rainbow Bridge which links Minato-ku (where we live) with Odaiba Island. You can also make out Tokyo Tower behind the bridge. Tokyo Tower is similar in design to the Eiffel Tower except that it is taller. If you want a closer view of the Tokyo Tower, come visit us and you can see it from our living room.

"If you want a closer view of the Tokyo Tower, come visit us and you can see it from our living room."


Oh you know how to entice.....right Arlene?? :cool: :cool:

Now, if they have a Sabrett hot dog cart, Carnegie Deli, and a Ray's Pizza on that island, we're coming to visit you!

Denise, sorry, no such luck. But if you want to bring over a Hot Pastrami on rye from Carnegie's, I would appreciate it.

Maria, sorry for temporarily hijacking the thread.

Sabrett hot dog cart,

YUMMMMMMMMM

Originally posted by Marc:

Quote

Maria, sorry for temporarily hijacking the thread.

No problem, I'm learning something new! When I first saw the picture I thought it was some sort of Photoshop job :D !

Here is the REAL Lady Liberty taken September 2004 from the top deck of the Navigator on the way to Boston at sunset.

Hi. I'm not a very experienced cruiser, but did a short QM2 cruise last Sep and I loved it. I also am turned off with "HUGE", but that was part of the fun of the QM2. It's size makes it part of the trip. Even with all those 2,600+ people, I didn't feel overly crowded. I could find quiet spots, take the elevators nonstop, etc. Somebody told me all this before I went, and I didn't believe a word of it. But it's true. I am sure you'll love the whole experience and I would go again in a moment.

Now for our Ms. Liberty Tokyo. Marc, should we really tell everyone the actual size of Ms. Liberty Tokyo??? The photo is real but the perspective is a little, well.. shall I say, "deceptive". I think we should have them come and see for themselves--and bring the Pastrami too.

Maria,
I've been on the QM2 twice in Britannia class, the maiden voyage from Southampton to Florida then a transatlantic last year from Southampton to NY. The maiden was spectacular, lots of positive energy and fireworks in almost all the ports but there were some issues with untrained staff, the food service etc. which is not unusual on a maiden trip. Very much improved in all respects in 2006. It's big but I've never felt like there were too many crowds. Favorites: great promenade deck, always lots of deck chairs for reading and napping, wonderful library, high tea, top notch Canyon Ranch spa (no pushing of products and services), history trail and art around the ship which is fun to tour and discover, Commodore Bar, late night hot tub looking at the ship's wake, tons of activities. I'm not a buffet person so can't really comment too much. More interesting at night when they convert the buffet area to several different cuisines...asian, italian, etc. Chef's Galley is fun for dinner if you're interested in cooking. Small area ...no real decor....where a star chef cooks and chats to a small group of about 15 or so people. Surcharge includes wine pairings. Like Todd English a lot but you must book right after you get on board. There's also a $20 (2006) surcharge here. I think they added the surcharge after the maiden because the restaurant was so overwhelmed that they needed to do crowd control.
It's a thrill to do the Transatlantic. 6 days at sea rarely seeing another ship. The QM2 handles beautifully. It's a joy to watch her slice through the North Atlantic with such authority. Truly an ocean liner, not a fat floating hotel like some of the mega ships. You'll love sailing out of NY harbor (I did several times on QE2). Will post if I think of anything else or you have questions. Marianne

Hii Funatabi and Marianne,

Thank you for posting. Yes, I am getting more and more excited about this trip every day. I think in a way her size is part of the allure. And I'll have 6 days non stop to explore her!

Can you comment on the Todd English experience? My husband, as a matter of "principle", says he doesn't want to pay extra to have dinner somewhere else. Is it special enough that I should push for us to do this?

Thank you!

Maria,

Hi again. Our trip was so short that we didn't plan on Todd English, so I can't answer from my personal experience, so can't help in that area.
But people I met onboard and who had gone there said it was good and didn't seem to mind paying extra. The lunch is less expensive than dinner. With your 6 or so days, you might want to consider one meal. If you don't, though, I think the Britannia and other dining options are fine.

The QM2 has 4 different types of buffets: Asian, Carvery (roasts), Italian, Deli and I liked the idea of having different types of foods instead of the same old buffet fare. The Deli omlettes in the morning are cooked to order and I found it quite relaxing to have breakfast there. They also make sandwiches to order for lunch too. For what it's worth, at least there are several choices of buffet foods at any one time and if you wanted, you could try a little of each at any one meal, but you'd have to do a little walking as they are spaced a little apart.

I've cruised the Pacific once for 8 days non-stop and it was so enjoyable to just experience the boat and people rather than hussle and bussle of excursions and getting on/off the ship. Totally relaxing way to vacation.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the QM2. I met many repeat QM2 cruisers while onboard, so there the QM2 has a big following too.

Hi Funatabi,

Thank you for your additional comments. They are very helpful.

I and specially my husband agree that it'll be a nice change of pace to have a cruise to "nowhere" ( well, I know it is to London, but without the intermidiate stops) where the ship is the main destination.

Frances,
My brother is getting married in Scotland in May, 2008. Maybe I'll take the QM2 home too!

Is that all it takes I'm on the next plane. ;)

Maria, I just returned from my first Regent Navigator cruise. I see why you like RSSC so much. I waited till now to respond because I have sailed the Queen Mary 2 and I wanted to compare. As long as your in the the queen's grill you will be fine. She is a huge ship but it didn't feel like that. I think for a crossing it is the perfect ship to be on. The entertainment was superb. The lectures were far superior to the Navigator.We had a wonderful time. The only negatuve was the entertainment. I look forward to my next cruise on Regent and Queen Mary. Enjoy your cruise.

Oh, oh...... We are not even in the Princess Grill :( !We are going "steerage" ;) What is so bad about Britannia?

Thanks,

Maria, I was comparing the Queen to the Navigator. I found the dinning in the Queen's Grill to be equal to Compass Rose. Also being in the Queen's suite gave you special perks equal to the Navigator. You will love the Queen Mary 2. It will just be different. She is far superior to the other mass market ships. I happen to think the Britannia dinning is the most elegant dinning room afloat. She is the perfect ship to do the crossing. There is somethng for every age on board. I loved the indoor pool. Enjoy your cruise.

Thanks Pat,

We are looking forward to it although I am sure it will be a different experience from Regent. It has been ages since I have cruised aboard a big ship so it'll probably take me the 6 days of the crossing to explore the whole ship!

Maria: That sounds like fun exploring whole ship!!!! It will be a fun experience I am sure!!!