cunard-qe24

Note -this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Robert
Email: rjh39@yahoo.com
Age: 39
Occupation: Carer, ex Food manager
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 5 July 2000
Itinerary: Transatlantic
Cabin: P2 Princess Grill
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 75
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 70
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff: 85
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 60
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 50
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 75
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 0
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 40/100
DiscoNightclubs: 75
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 75
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 80
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 13 Jul 2000
Time: 05:51:38
Remote Name: user38-14.jakinternet.co.uk
Remote User:

Comments

Trip of a Lifetime

We have never sailed before, so we have nothing to compare our experience too, however, we have
read over 50 on-line cruise reviews from the numerous websites, some helpful, some worrying. Here
for what is worth is our experience....[it’s a little jumbled]

We are an English couple, Carole is 34, I am 39. We have three children, from 2 to 13 - they stayed
at home with grandparents for the 6 nights. Carole has terminal cancer, so this was truly, to be a ‘’trip
of a lifetime’’.

CONCORDE to NY - July 4th [not with Cunard]

Concorde is everything BA says it is, the pre flight lounge at Heathrow is small, and poorly used until
the last 5 minutes of the 30 minutes check-in deadline. The free champagne, juice, finger
sandwiches, danish etc etc apparently is no draw to ‘normal’ Concorde patrons, but it put us in good
sted for things to come on QE2.

The take off is like something from a thrill ride, pushed hard into the backs of your seat you soar
skywards upto 55,000 feet plus. In good weather you can actually see the curve of the Earth.
Reaching mach 2, they are already into the 1 ½ - 2 hour in flight service, on linen, crockery and
silverware of course. The multi page menu already having been given out with your drink orders;
champagne, wine - the very best of course, etc.

The aircraft is old, and VERY small, just 2 + 2 across, no tv, no plug-ins etc, just a headset for music,
but loads of legroom on grey leather seats, which are very comfortable - with just 3 ½ hours to NY,
arriving before you left UK, who could mind anyway.

The loo [bathroom] is very small, just 3 for the 100 guests. In the seat pocket you find a
complimentary pack, 1st of 3. This contains a silver Concorde pen, logo stationary, and a certificate
you can have signed by the Pilot, when you visit the flightdeck.

The cabin crew..., well they ‘aint no NorthWest crew. They have great humour, time for everyone,
happy to chat, will meet your every request politely and quickly - they really ARE the best, apparently
last time there was a vacancy on the Concorde fleet - 7 in service with BA, 5 with Air France - BA had
over 1300 applications from INTERNAL applicants for just 30 positions.

Soon the mach display was dropping below 2.00 and down we came into JFK, of course ontime.

WALDORF=ASTORIA - Park Ave, NY.

Having taken the taxi into the underground carpark we checked our bags, just in time to see
President Clintons police escort departing, he having been in the hotel just before, ready for the Tall
Ships/Fireworks display later - oooh us and The President - wow !!!

We entered the lift and rode to the huge lobby and were overwhelmed by the ceiling decor, the
pillars, the grandeur - nicer than The Plaza [we had stayed 3 nights at Christmas in 99]. Checking in
for our booked 315sq ft Mini Suite we were allocated the [750 +sqft] 12H [Ambassador] Suite, my wife
twigging we had an upgrade, but I kept asking, "yes but what is our room number on the 12 th floor",
moving slightly so Carole could no longer kick my ankle, the clerk gave us they keycard and
explained again we had 12H, on the 12th floor.

We rode the lift [elevator] following the signs to Suite 12H, and wow, I mean WOW, yes I said W O W
- five rooms; a 15’ x 6’ marble Foyer with two huge horses, a desk, a pantry with coffee maker and
fridge - a mini kitchen if you like,; a huge bedroom with 6’ bed, tv, desk, sideboard, walk-in closet with
robes and slippers; from that we walked into the 12’ x 6 ‘ Boudoir with cheslounge, easy chair, phone
and wall to wall mirrored closets; from here we entered the grand bathroom, with multi jet shower
cubicle, huge tub with shower, two separate vanities, all marble and goldwork of course, and a
separate loo, with it’s own phone. There was a red heat lamp in the ceiling outside the shower cubicle
as well. Back through to the lobby, from here another door leading off to the sitting room, twice as big
as the bedroom, a corner room over looking Park Avenue and adjacent St. with a 3 seat sofa AND a
two seat sofa, coffee table with fruits and cookies, a desk with phone and fax and the 2nd tv, & two
armchairs. The room had a central fireplace and many reading books in alcoves.

There was a connecting door in the lobby, so this suite could be sold as a two bedroomed suite.

We had no chance, for the one night we had at the Waldorf=Astoria of using all the facilities, but what
an upgrade - thank YOU Eric Long.

July 4th FIREWORKS & NY

At the nominated time we took off on foot to find a vantage point, being in NY we just HAD to make
the effort on such an important date. After many mistrials, finding streets blocked by the police, we
settled for 1st Ave and 49th St, where we saw 20 of the 30 minute show - WOW !!!!, the noise, the
colour, the crowd - all FANTASTIC, and we were there.

We went to the Empire State Building to view the ship in port, at a distance, and see the skyline... DO
BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE and have them sent to your home or hotel - the queues for the
observation levels are H U G E, we went at 9.00am [first ticket sales at 9.30] and the queue was way
long - they open the decks at 8.30 for those with tickets already, so we got the observation platforms
to our selves [well maybe 5 others] - no crushed lifts, no smelly/sweaty waiting in long hallways etc.
BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE, It IS worth the surcharge; www.esbnyc.org/com.

Most [big] stores in NY don’t open until 10am, but trade late to 8pm.

Statue of Liberty - Queues - W A Y - L O N G - get the 1st ferry or forget it. beware, one line is for the
observation deck at base of feet, wait about an hour, the other is for the crown - way longer line -
upto 3+ hours, and once you’re in the spiral stairs, no bathrooms, little fresh air - it can smell man!!!,
and no way to exit/this is no Disney ride. Take the base line unless you NEED to do the crown - you
have been warned. The Flame deck is no longer open. Check you are in the right line, some staff
say use either - this is not true unless you can climb over a police crush barrier. Take only what you
MUST, the security check-in is strict, long delays due to tonnes of handbaggage. Know where your
metal items are and strip them off ready for the handover trays.

World Trade Centre - do go, well worth it, again long lines and longer lines for security check -same
rules apply - much better facilities up top -spend a few hours easily, don’t forget there is an outside
observation deck too at 102 floor - up the narrow escalator, after the elevator/inside deck. Go early.

MacDonalds at Broadway and Wall st - you’ll love it - do go - it’s a 5 star MacDonalds; doorman,
piano player, plush decor, placemats, table flowers etc, all at regular Big Mac prices.

Limo from the airport; why not. If this is a special trip, why not go that extra $100 bucks, as a surprise
for your lady. A taxi is about $40-60 and can take an hour, if you have just come into NY on
Concorde HOW can you put your lady in a yellow cab???, preorder a 10 superstretch, about $160,
and have that hour in sheer luxury and style. Those heads still turn, even in NY as you draw up at
your hotel - go on, you’ll spend the same on luggage tipping !!!

Hotels - don’t take a package - NY has millions of hotel rooms, all wanting your buck. Just fax/call the
FRONT DESK manager, not the hotels 800 central number, the day before you travel, same day if
possible, AND DO A DEAL [unless it is a holiday you WILL get a good deal], so perhaps that Mini
Suite at The Plaza or Waldorf is possible - the Front Desk manager does the best deals - HE has to
fill the hotel, and on ‘same day’ he is willing to give better rooms at very good discounts - it is
possible to get a good room at a premier site on same day, as a regular room at Holiday Inn style
on-line / early booking / 800 number.

QE2 - NY to Southampton 5th July 2000

Arriving at 12.30pm, our tickets had said 3pm, but we had read on-line they DO embark early, we
found that porters were at lunch until 1pm, but what crappy welcome, be we early or not, I would
expect Cunard would know that with 2000 due, some would come early, surely they could afford to
have SOMEONE kerbside, but no, you get dumped by taxi at the kerb, others like us milling about,
not knowing where to go, what to do, with loads of baggage... I left Carole stranded with the bags and
went upstairs in this awful building, to find a single Cunard rep, getting crosser my the minute with
people [not me] blaming him for the lack of services - no food, nothing to drink, or the wait they were
due to endure [this was our fault] but not the lack of meet/greet. Apparently embarkation at
Southampton is NOT like this, as Cunard we understand, own the terminal building, not hired for the
day as in NY, so they have it set out with proper 5 Star facilities.

Cunard - GET SOME STAFF AT THE KERB FROM 11 AM TO AFTER BOARDING to greet your
guests and direct them !!!!! & discount NY embarkation or match Southampton offer.

At 1pm they started check-in, to be seated in the ugly hall for an hour until 2pm when ship opened an
hour early. The greeting at the ship was nice, escort offered, and entry easy. No real wait at check-in
either, but is ‘pot luck’ sometimes queues [lines] were upto 20-30, other times less than 5 or even nil.
It is worth pre registering your credit card - saves a queue at Pursers desk on last day.

Entry to QE2 was fine, the ship is beautiful, the crew professional, the food a delight, and yes, you
can eat constantly - an onboard joke - you never have to wait for more than 30 minutes for the next
meal, and you can have two or three of each if you so wish - in different restaurants!!!

While all drinks are meant to be charged, incl sodas, you can be served with coffee, tea, juices,
hot/cold chocolate milk etc from the Lido bar, without charge any time, or from room service 24 hours
a day.

No room service on last morning, and rising is EARLY, having lost an hour with time change each
day, had ‘gotton used to sleeping to 10am, so 7am was a shock!!! On first night room service limited
to hot sandwiches etc, but otherwise room service menu extensive, but food could get luke warm due
to distance from kitchens. We used 4 times.

Boat Drill on first day, in port, was a shambles, not what I expected from Cunard. Tannoyed and
tannoyed for a set time. Then this pathetic ‘’alarm clock type’’ ringing over room tannoy 45 minutes
after announced time - we had all but given up. If this bell is the actual noise to wake you up to
abandon ship, I would be swimming - my watch alarm is louder. No alarms in hallways etc. Was told
the ships whistle sounds too in ‘real emergency’. Anyway trooped up to Muster Station, was NOT
checked off, we sought out the Ununiformed crew and were ticked off sheet - all very sloppy. Hope
better if they really had a problem. Lots of crew training visible during crossing - so maybe OK??

All public rooms elegant and beautifully clean. Lots to do, many shows, lectures etc.

Afternoon tea great 4-5pm, but here only crew seemed all to be annoyed and ‘’offish’’ service could
be slow and with bad will. Cakes arriving before the sandwiches, drinks sometimes not at all. The
Queens Room quickly filled up so had to go to Lido, plenty of room, and service better, but room did
not have the ambience for this ritual. Sandwiches are made at 10am, so corners could be stale.
Learnt this on galley tour.

Dressing for dinner was fun, but not as dressy as we had worried.

Received personal invites to Hotel Managers party in Y club, above Lido, Officers party in Wardroom,
Bridge tour and Galley tour - all very nice. Pursers office manned by ‘hassled’ crew, while polite,
many were untrained "I’m new", or had poor English, so you just new your request was not being met
and you would have to repeat it all again. I quickly learnt just to ask for an English crew member.

We just loved to sit on the Boat Deck chairs watching the ocean pass by and read a good book.

The shops were OK, a little pricy, but no more than WDW or similar ‘captive’ places. However, they
carried no childrens toys, games or clothes AT ALL, so we could not buy the expected gifts to take
home - Cunard - what about the kids ?? Some shop staff really need the Cunard dust - they have
washed it off long ago.!!!

The $10 a use Spa on 6 deck was very drab, not sparkling like brochure, so didn’t use, shame as we
had budgeted to use 3 times.

The Gym/pool on 7 deck was great, low ceiling, but very good facilities.

The Cunard Heritage Trail was VERY IMPRESSIVE, I took it twice, specifically with different guides to
see how they differed, pleased I did. This was no Disney Spiel, each presented differently so I learnt
a great deal more taking it twice - excellent, hope it is even better on QM2.

Computer Centre - "NOW HEAR THIS" - the e-mail service is NOT on-line, you CAN NOT check your
own e-mail. I sent an e-mail to thank The Waldorf for the surprise upgrade, the charge is $5, and
what you key, with others is stored, and rekeyed later by crew and sent off. Incoming text e-mail is not
charged. Good equipment and helpful staff, very busy at times.

Cabins - if this is a ‘once off’ very special trip, WAIT AND SAVE UP, until you can take a Q3 on 1 deck
- these are very nice, almost a mini suite. You could easily be disappointed in the P grades for the
price difference, esp. if you like to take naps etc and end up in cabin quite a lot. We looked at a M3,
THIS IS A BOX - do not expect anything else.

Princess Grill restaurant was FANTASTIC, select, beautiful, food to die for and service 110%, the
Maitre’D should be rightly proud of his operation.

Though the ship was 85% full we never encountered crowds or queues, except in Lido, reason we
only used it twice. Grill was soo much nicer anyway.

Our galley tour was taken by the Caronia [we were the only Princess Grill guests] Assist. Maitre’D,
she was excellent. Well done.

Kids - must have been about 60 onboard, only time you saw them was running wild on the stairwells
during evening or in the Jacuzzis on 1 deck.

Ooops - apparently we struck two ships leaving NY, but we just needed a paint job, and never knew it
had happened. Due to the tall ships the berths were busy and we did not have enough room, even
though we were 3 ½ hours late out. Thank goodness, what a sight - the NY skyline. We leant of the
ships kissing only on return and read it in the UK press.

Had read ship was difficult to find ones way around - you have to remember this ship is 30 years old,
and was BUILT for two classes, so most lifts do only go to either lower or upper decks - for obvious
reasons - but we found E stairs/lifts went to almost all decks so we used these mostly. This ship is not
difficult to navigate, it just needs a little appreciation and effort.

Photo shop was $6.95 for small, more for larger. Be ready for the routine snap at embarkation,
having sat for an hour in the terminal you may not look your best, and regret it when you see your
snap - make the effort to tidy up prior to boarding, drop the handbaggage unless you want it in the
snap, and tell the photographer WHEN you are ready - this snap may be important to you later. We
found one male crew member in this dept quite rude/unhelpful.

It is all-but impossible to get a photograph yourself of the ship, she is sooo big and you only see her
from the portside, with gangways, buildings in the way, so do get postcards sold onboard. Someone
asked during the Concorde/Pilot lecture where she could get a copy of a slide he showed of the UK
Red Arrows / Concorde / QE2 - he gave these details; tel + 44 [0] 20 8759 2233 negative # 860183,
however, this slide is sold as a 8x10 postcard onboard.

Caution; The loo [bathroom] after check-in, before security check/photo, is a disgrace. It is worse
than your local bus depot w.c - NY port authority should be ashamed at this offering, I expect they
charge Cunard and others huge sums for the building hire, and the w.c’s should represent this.

QE2 is beautiful, she is an elegant lady whom has been well cared for and helped into her latter
years. Yes if you are the type that WANTS to find fault to complain, you will find minor items, very
minor, should this be important to you - [:o) get a life].

Disembarkation in Southampton was a breeze - well done Cunard, called by 9.30, off by 9.35,
baggage EASY to find and collect, loads of porters, direct to taxi rank. Was ticketed for a 1700 flight
home, managed to catch the 10.30.

We loved the whole experience and would recommend saving up for Concorde and a Q3 1 deck
cabin if it is a one off trip. Always obtain the sq ft before booking and compare with a hotel room you
know.

If you have never sailed before, as we hadn’t, beware the ship does have ‘’sea movement’’ even in
calm weather, force 4 or below. This ‘movement’ may upset your balance/inner ear and may cause
severe discomfort - like a motion ride. The $20 jab in the rear will sort this but it is so strong you will
sleep for 4 hours after it - best spent $20 if you are prone to motion sickness.

If you have any questions regarding components of our trip do e-mail, rjh39@yahoo.com.

Name: Mary Crowley
Email: mcrowley@cruiseone.com
Age: 47
Occupation: Travel Agent
NumberOfCruises: 18
TravelAgent: Yes
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 10-22-00
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean
Cabin: 3168
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 25
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 65
CabinAmenities: 25
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 50
CabinQuietness: 10
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 25
FoodVariety: 65
DeckService: 65
ShoreExcValue: 25
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 60
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 50
TenderService: 10
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 25
WheelchairAccess: 50
ExerciseFacilities: 25
EntertShowLounge: 50
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 10
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino: 50
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 70
ShipCleanliness: 65
EmbarkDisembark: 70
DiscoNightclubs: 70
DeckSpace: 50
Stabilization: 10
ShopsOnBoard: 65
SpaceRatio: 50
OverallCruiseValue: 25
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 02 Nov 2000
Time: 07:57:10
Remote Name: ainop5.57.ainop.com
Remote User:

Comments

We sailed in the QE2, perhaps the most famous cruise ship in the world, in anticipation of a truly
elegant and once in a life time experience. Were we wrong! This ship is an aging, bucket of bolts that
needed to be retired 10 years ago. The noise and rolling motion were almost unbearable. The seas
were never more than 8 feet and the ship’s rocking motion caused a good number of guests, on this
sold out sailing, to become sea sick. Myself included. I have been cruising for 15+ years and I have
never been ill in all that time while at sea. Unfortunately, I can now say that I have suffered from this
awful ailment.

We chose an inside cabin on the Mauritania deck, 3. Our cabin was absolutely closet like in size.
There were t beds, which did not convert to a queen size bed, a dresser with limited drawer space, two
closets that did not accommodate our clothing and luggage, a tiny television which was perched on a
stand over the foot of my bed. Luckily it was bolted to the stand. I suppose I should have had a
premonition that we may be in for a rough ride when I first walked into my cabin and saw that the walls
were padded around the beds. Believe me, the padding was much appreciated. I fell out of bed twice.

On the QE2, your dining room assignment is based on your cabin /deck assignment. If you choose a
less expensive cabin, your dining room service and food follows suit. I can honestly say that the food
in the Mauritania dining room, along with the level of service was the absolute worst I have ever
encountered on a ship. There was no attention to detail. The food was cold and tasteless. The staff
never smiled. You felt like you were putting them out if you asked for water. The wine steward never
came to our table and we were never offered a wine list. The food in the Lido buffet area was awful as
well. I think that the head chef must have stock in a butter company as the overwhelming flavor of
butter in all of the selections was enough to make a person sick. It was all that you could taste. Also,
with so much motion on the ship while at sea, getting from the buffet line to your table in the Lido area
was next to impossible. It took me 3 days to stop rocking back and forth when I returned to solid
ground.

The ship was suppose to anchor off St. Croix at 8am and was unable to do so until well after 10am as
someone forgot to make arrangements for a tug to hold the ship in place. Our day in St. Croix was
ruined as the line to tender in was so long that we opted to stay on board and get some sun. The pool
are is very small. One tiny pool, two whirlpools, no outside bar, no music, no outside showers, no fun!

The entertainment lacked luster with the exception of a great female singer on the last evening of the
cruise. The comedian was so bad that I had people around me who were snoring so loud that you
could not hear his jokes. Definitely not the norm for most cruise ships.

The public rooms were smoke filled. There were many cigar smokers and no cigar lounge. The air
conditioning was minimal at best and not consistent on the ship. I spoke with one couple that had an
air conditioning unit like you would buy for your home , sticking out of the wall in their cabin , over their
bed, that dripped water on them all night long! Come on Cunard, you can do better than that!

I will say that the one and only positive I found on this ship was the library. This really is a great facility
and the librarians were great, and very helpful.

The hair salon, run by Steiner and not Cunard, was also a nice retreat. The stylists are well trained
and the service was good. The spa treatments were also good although the facility itself was in the
bottom of the ship and very dark with low ceilings. Incidentally, if you are over 6 and a half feet tall,
find another ship. You will not fit on some of the decks.

This was a 5 night cruise and I was ready to come home on day 2. I have never felt that way before
while on a cruise. I found myself close to tears on several occasions.

I am not a difficult person to please. I love to cruise and I love the cruise experience. This was not a
good experience. I was with 300+ of my colleagues on this cruise and I did not speak with anyone who
felt differently than I did about this experience.

Cunard needs to put the QE2 out to pasture, soon. Waiting until the new Queen Mary is built will be to
long a time frame to wait. In her day I know that she was a great ship, but unfortunately her time has
come and gone.

Name: P. C. Mar
Email: pcmar@netvigator.com
Age: 59
Occupation: merchants
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 5th March 2001
Itinerary: HK/VungTau/Laem Chabang/Singapore/Phuket
Cabin: M126
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 90
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 26 Mar 2001
Time: 07:42:47
Remote Name: imscache05.netvigator.com
Remote User:

Comments

The Lure of the QE 2

I've just returned from a 12 day cruise on the QE 2, embarking in Hong Kong, and cruising to Vung Tau
(Vietnam), Laem Chabang (Thailand), Singapore, and disembarking at Phuket, Thailand, March 5th -
17th, 2001. This is my third time on the Queen, all some segment of her World Cruise, and all in the
Australasian region.

But this time, I finally began to understand the magnetism and lure of the QE 2 that keeps pulling me and
others back to her each year. Many other cruise reviews slam her for small cabins, lousy food, indifferent
restaurant service, worn carpets, so-so entertainment, etc., but a sturdy band of stalwarts love her.

This review doesn't follow the standard format of most cruise reviews, but I will try to point all the things
that make that ship memorable.

Pre-embarkation - Anticipation builds as days, then hours, approach for 'returning' to the QE 2. What to
bring, and what to pack? Biggest problem for me, a male, is how many pairs of shoes to bring. Finally,
decide on three - one casual being worn, and two to pack, a formal/dancing shoe, and a rubber soled
casual shoe which can also be used for deck sports. Bring baking soda to be used for dancing, ie makes
the shoe soles glide better, and a sense of humour to not allow any problems to mar this cruise.

Embarkation - a car can drive practically to boarding ramp to unload luggage, walk into check-in room,
where there are about 10 check-in counters, and few people checking-in. Have pictures taken for
passenger card, passports checked and taken by purser's staff, credit card imprint made, and that's it - all
done in 10 minutes. Walk few steps to boarding ramp, where we run into Shetty, our waiter in Mauretania
Restaurant from last year. He leads us up the ramp into the main midship lobby, where we run into Warren
Smith, the dance instructor from prior two years. Warren is a legitimate dance champion from South Africa
and has competed in many events, including the Blackpool championships, where he came in fourth in the
finals of the Latin dance category. Entire routine takes no more than 15 minutes by time we are in our
cabin, and the luggage has beaten us to the cabin.

Cunard upgraded our room from an M3 inside cabin to an M1 cabin, with porthole. M1 rooms are probably
slightly bigger, but since this is our third time on Queen, we bring enough but not too much, so everything
fits into the two sets of drawers, two closets, etc. Room may be small compared to rooms of newer larger
ships, but the room is perfectly adequate for us. Bathroom has a shower closet and the toilet, and the
wash basin is outside in the cabin itself. At first, this seems like a good idea, but depending upon the
sleeping habits of the room occupants, placing the wash basin in the cabin itself is not practical. It's
difficult to use the wash basin in the dark for brushing teeth, etc., if the other occupant is still asleep and
you don't wish to wake him/her.

The QE 2 has a two day stopover in Hong Kong, and we board the day before departure, so Cunard has
graciously allowed us to invite four friends on board for dinner and to sample the dancing on the day of
our embarkation. We decide to eat the buffet in the Lido restaurant, rather than have dinner in the main
restaurants. And, we were never even questioned as to who was dining, no charge was made for our
guests eating dinner there, or later, at the midnight buffet, also in the Lido.

The Dancing - At the evening dancing in the Queen's Room, see many of the ladies who make this World
Cruise yearly. There's Lillian, who must be into her 25th or so World Cruise, Barbara - 18th WC, Dorothy -
6th, Doris, Doreen, and several others who we recognize but don't know. The music, as usual, is superb -
proper strict tempo ballroom dance music, good mix of latin and ballroom, and each piece not too long.
Wyn Davis and his 10 piece orchestra is back from last year, and the showband is Phil Clark and his 8
piece band. Later in the Yacht Club, the calypso band is Onlyne, not as good as last year's Opus, but OK.

The complimentary group dance classes are well attended, 50 - 60 people in each class, and Warren and
his wife in 5 - 6 sessions taught quickstep, samba, mambo, line, and tango. There were about 10
Gentlemen Hosts on this cruise, and they all work very hard, having to attend all the group dance class,
the departure dance party in HK, and both evening dance sessions in the Queen's Room. Unfortunately,
due to larger than usual number of passengers on this cruise (1400 out of capacity of 1700), there were
no afternoon tea dances in the Queen's Room.

Our private dance lesson with Warren is as usual very good, and his price very reasonable for a dance
teacher of his caliber. We learned the paso doble dance.

Deck Tennis - the first day at sea, I venture out to the paddle tennis court, and who do I see there, but the
regulars from last year. There's Dudley, Malcolm, Jim, Stan, Barry, and a few others. Why do they keep
coming back? Must be the paddle tennis camaraderie, and their enjoyment of shuffleboard, quoits, and
other deck sports and games, plus the daily tournaments that the sports organizers, Mickey and Lee
organize.

Food - Each day I have breakfast in the Lido, and then lunch and dinner are taken in the Mauretania
Restaurant. This year, the food in the Mauretania was far better than last year - consistent quality, fresh,
tasty, and well presented. All this cruise, I overheard not one negative comment from other passengers
about the food. The prior years, there were a lot of negative comments.

One of our waiters, Pyotr from Gdynia in Poland, made some interesting comments about the QE 2. His
wife works in the Princess Grill. He has worked also on Renaissance Cruise ships. He said, 'Working on
the QE 2 is different than working on other ships. Other ships may be like a BMW, Lexus, or even a
Mercedes, but this ship is the Rolls Royce. If a passenger wants anything, even if not on the menu, and
we have it in the kitchen, we can get it for them. Other ships, maybe only what's on the menu. My wife and
I are in the same cabin. Other ships, they don't care, they just assign you to share a cabin with some other
staff, and you have to make your own arrangement to change rooms, so your wife can be in the same
cabin with you.'

Religious Service - I attended two Roman Catholic masses on board. One had a baptism service for a
female passenger. The highlight of that baptism service was the singing of 'Ave Maria' by Gillian
Humphreys, who is the leader and head soprano of the singing/dancing troupe on board. I guess she was
especially asked to attend and sing just for this service, which was in the movie theatre, where the
acoustics is superb. It was a moving experience, and one I think the passenger who was baptised would
not likely forget.

Other - I only attended two lectures, both by Judith McNaught, who writes love/romance fiction novels, but
whose novels have sold over 20 million copies. She spoke on what's involved in being an author, how to
deal with literary agents, publishing houses, and the economics of the author business.

One negative was that this was the first time for the QE 2 to visit Vietnam, and each passenger was
charged US$65 for a Vietnam visa, whether we wanted to go ashore or not. As it turned out, the wind was
too strong, and the tender service was cancelled after a few passengers were offloaded. This charge
caused a lot of grumbling. I rarely join the tours organized by the ship, so cannot comment on them. The
bus service in Singapore was well run, and we did not go into the town of Pattaya, which is the town
nearest Laem Chabang.

Dis-embarkation - Finally, the morning of disembarkation day arrives, and sitting in the Lido restaurant
having the last breakfast, there is a great sense of sadness that this cruise and vacation is coming to an
end. One really doesn't want to leave this wonderful ship. I mean, where should I go for afternoon tea if
not to the Queen's Room, who's going to hand me the menu when I go for lunch or dinner, and who's
going to go get my vanilla ice cream with mixed berries if I happen to want that for dessert?

There's a phrase in Cantonese Chinese which phonetically sounds like 'Nm sey duk jeow'. There's no
literal translation into English, but it's the feeling of 'I know I have to leave, but I really don't want to - I wish
I could stay.'

And that is the feeling which I had on disembarking, and the feeling which I will have until the lure of the
Queen draws me back next year. I've become part of her family, or maybe it's the other way around?

Name: LTLeining
Email: cdlcompany@earthlink.net
Age: 25 & 50
Occupation: Self-employed/Attorney
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: March 5, 2001
Itinerary: Asia - Hong Kong to Bombay
Cabin: M3
FoodDiningRoom: 60
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 75
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 65
CabinAmenities:
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 60
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 65
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety:
DeckService: 0
ShoreExcValue: 20
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 75
TenderService: 60
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 60
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 0
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 60
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness:
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace:
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 70
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Mar 2001
Time: 15:49:04
Remote Name: nic-31-c29-092.mn.mediaone.net
Remote User:

Comments

We were on a segment of the world cruise which we described as the floating retirement community. You
walked through the hallways and people were sleeping everywhere. Everything closed early, including
the casino - they would just kick you out. The food was horrible - they catered to European people. I felt
as though the waiter wanted to beat me up because I would not eat every bite on my plate - it was very
uncomfortable. One morning I wanted a Diet Coke - at 10:30 a.m.... - there was not ONE bar open on
the ship. I had to go to my room and order room service to get a soda. There was not even ONE activity
by the pool. There were times that we were so bored that we would feel like crying. The only activities
were napkin folding or quack like a chicken bingo. This was the most boring cruise I have ever been on.
I would never go again. One other thing - the ship WAS smelly... Smelled like rotten eggs a lot and the
toilets were difficult to flush. You had to stand there and hold down the switch forever. The shore
excursions were SO bad that we marched to the shore excursion office and demanded our money back
- SO BAD! The QEII is a nice ship but make sure you are 70+ and don't like to do anything but sit and
look out the window, sleep, and read.

Back to Cunard QEII