QM2 Nov 30th Cruise

QM2 Nov 30th Cruise
Date November 30 – December 10 2007 Ship Queen Mary 2 Cruise Connoisseur’s Caribbean Itinerary New York Cruising the Atlantic Cruising the Atlantic Road Town, Tortola Basseterre, St Kitts Bridgetown, Barbados Castries, St Lucia Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas Cruising the Atlantic Cruising the Atlantic New York We had a great time. We cruised last year from Ft Lauderdale and made a deposit towards a future cruise while we were on board. This gave us an $800 cabin credit on this year’s 10 day Princess Grill trip. We did the same this year and will be going back on Cunard sometime in the future. This future cruise credit came in letter form and our travel agent was notified of this so we will make arrangements with her. We have four years to commit to another cruise or the deposit will be refunded. The drive to the ship took just 4 hours from our home in Baltimore; I loved not having to fly to the ship. Red Hook is very easy to find especially with our GPS. We arrived at 12:00 noon, dropped our luggage off at the curb and drove into the parking lot which I was told has never been filled. No lines at the counter for Grill check-in and we were allowed to board immediately. We entered the ship on deck three and were welcomed by officers and white-gloved personnel directing us to the B elevator lobby. Another white-gloved staff member kept things running smoothly with the elevators and we were in our cabin on deck 10 by 12:20. Our room steward, Eugene, introduced himself and welcomed us on board. Not five minutes later our six pieces of luggage appeared in our room. I still cannot believe our luggage came so fast. We set off to the Princess Grill for lunch and were sitting (at out requested table 13 in the aft section of the restaurant the same table we had last year) at 12:45. All of the Princess Grill personnel were different then a year ago. After inquiring about our waiter from last year our waiter told us that senior staff from the QM2 and QE2 were transferred to the QV “management wanted only senior personnel on the QV and personnel from Cunard and Princess were promoted onto QM2 and QE2”. This was reflected in the service difference from last year. Our waiter (from Princess Cruises) was always concerned that everything was “excellent not just good;” always looking out for those key words on the evaluation forms at the end of the cruise. His service did seem to even out after a few days but it was a different atmosphere in the Princess Grill compared to last year’s impeccable service. The first night we went to dinner and the other couple was already seated at our table for four. They seemed surprised that we were seated with them since they requested a table for two. We got along just fine, never a lull in the conversation, but as they left I noticed them speaking to the section manager. I said to Judy “I’ll bet they are trying to switch out their table.” As we were leaving the restaurant in walks the couple we shared table 13 with last year. We had no contact with them after last year’s cruise except for one email. What a surprise. Well, at lunch the next day Jim and Becky were sitting at our table. They didn’t like the location of their table for two and asked if they could sit at our table. So, as things work out the other couple requested a switch to a two top, we had our old friends from last year to catch up with and enjoy this year’s cruise. The first day at sea we had our Cruise Critic get together in the Commodore Club at 11:30 am; we had a nice turnout of about a dozen people. Attendees included me and Judy, Marleneann, Alan and Anne, Julie and Dick, Sandy and Rick, Steve and Christine, Jennifer (social hostess from the ship’s staff), Captain Rynd’s wife Julie and Captain Rynd also popped in for about 10 minutes. Mrs. Rynd’s’ daughter e-mailed her about our meeting and since Marleneann and Fred are from a neighboring town in Australia she though she might like to meet them. She was a lovely lady and Captain Rynd was very interesting, also. A few nights into the cruise, we ran into Marleneann and she told us that she and Fred were invited to the Captain’s table on the first formal night and had a delightful time. We all wanted a second meeting near the end of the cruise and Jennifer said she would get in touch with Judy to make arrangements. We had a second meeting posted in the ships activities for the first sea day on the return to New York that attracted a few more people. Mrs. Rynd and Jennifer also attended the second meeting. Jennifer told me that whenever they publish a Cruise Critic gathering she always get the question if this is were you go to make complaints about the ship. Jennifer also said that there are usually many Cruise Critic members on each trip that she may make 11:30 AM on the first sea day in the Commodore Club a standing activity published each trip. Warm weather was reached by the afternoon of the first sea day and the ship was rocking a bit the first two days but nothing like our North Atlantic crossing on RCLs Grandeur of the Seas a few years ago (flat bottom cruise ships are not meant to handle the North Atlantic). The return to New York was as smooth as glass and warm weather up until we pulled into New York. Tortola Okay port, but don’t need to go back ever again. We did not take a tour here but everyone that went to the Baths on Virgin Gorda spoke very highly of the tour. This is mostly nature and beach activity port, both of which we are not into. We walked into Road Town peeked into the few shops that they have and were back on the ship in about an hour. Also this is a tendering port which Cunard handled very efficiently. St Kitts The ship ties up at the pier. There is a major ongoing building project. When completed this will be a very nice shopping and restaurant area primarily for cruise ships. They have our favorite store -- Kay’s Fine Jewelry (the original store is in Aruba and there is second store on St Martin). We did some major damage to our credit card there. We booked the St Kitts Scenic Railroad tour and it was great. The railroad only covers a few miles but it takes about two hours to travel that distance with spectacular views all along the way. The train travels one way from the main town out into the countryside. You either take a five minute van ride to the train or a 45 minute van ride out to the train to come back to the town. The driver we had to take us out to the train was very proud of his country and was a fountain of information about each village we drove through to reach the train. There are five double deck train cars, the top is open on the sides and the bottom is closed in and air conditioned. Each passenger has two seats available, one upstairs and one downstairs. There was a hostess in each car that served drinks (rum punch or soft drinks) and homemade sugar cane treats. Entertainment was provided by a three person a cappella group singing us songs and a tour guide pointing out the sights. This was an excellent tour and all the people involved were very proud of their train and their island. This was the first night of Chanukah and Cunard provided a Rabbi and space (Atlantic Room overlooking the bow) for a nightly sunset candle lighting (electric) ceremony. We were the first to arrive and meet the Rabbi and his wife. There were about 100 chairs in the room and a table full of homemade latkes and kosher wine. Well the room quickly filled to overflowing and the hallways outside the room were jammed with participants. This was so gratifying to see. The next night, and there after, the candle lighting ceremony was moved to ConneXions to accommodate the crowd. Chanukah menorahs were displayed in every dining room and at the purser’s desk each night of Chanukah. Just a note there was a Catholic priest onboard and mass was said daily and Captain Rynd conducted an ecumenical serve on the two Sundays of the cruise. Barbados Barbados is a port that the ship ties up and the crowds that day at the visitor terminal were huge. There were four ships in port that day. We booked the Sugar Trail tour for Barbados. We were in Bridgetown two years ago and it was so run down compared to 1988 when we first visited Barbados, that we skipped the town and booked this tour. We traveled by van to the St Nicholas Abby sugar plantation built in the 1660s. I enjoyed the plantation house and film that we saw. Then our driver took us to a windmill that was under renovation. It was so hot that we did not sit in the cramped non air-conditioned hut in which a movie about the mill was shown. This stop could have been skipped. I have to say the driver hardly spoke a word during the hour long trip out to the Abbey and hour long trip back to the ship. We had the same experience with unpleasant cab drivers two years ago. One driver told us that the men in Barbados are angry and a revolt is on the way. Seems that women are in charge of the government and most executive positions in the country and men are treated as second class citizens. A couple we traveled with two years ago said their tour driver was so scary that they feared for their safety. St Lucia A tender port for the Queen Mary but there were several cruise ships tied up at the docks. We have been to St Lucia many times before and decided to book the Views of St Lucia tour. Downtown Castries is a busy city with few historical sites due to fires that wiped out the city within the past 60 years. So you need to get out of town to get a good feel for St Lucia. Our tour took us too many overlooks to view the wonderful scenery on both the Atlantic and Caribbean sides of the island. Our tour guide was great. She was funny she was informative and very friendly. She was very proud of her country and it showed. She gave us local beer and fresh bananas to taste and we fed the small goats our banana peels at a beautiful overlook. Our last stop was Stone Hill which is a private home that the owner opens up for these tours. They serve refreshments and we could stroll through the house and grounds. The house is sited on top of a mountain with a wonderful view of Rodney Bay Marina. This was one of the best tours we have ever taken and I think it was so enjoyable because of the wonderful tour guide. St Thomas The ship docked at the old sub base on the opposite side of the harbor from Havensight. The location is under construction with some very nice shops along the pier. A short cab ride dropped us off in town and we shopped and looked and strolled along the main shopping area. We have been to St Thomas many times since most Caribbean cruises stop here, but we never tire of this beautiful island. After taking my seventh (since 1981) picture from the same spot in Palm Passage we took a cab over to a new area near Havensight called Yacht Haven Grande. This is a very upscale yacht club that has lovely shops and restaurants. This is new since the last time we were in St Thomas two years ago. We had lunch in an open air restaurant on the pier overlooking enormous yachts and a bow view of a Princess ship tied up at Havensight. Lunch was wonderful and the shopping for Judy was great. The restaurant called us a cab and we were back on board in about a half hour. The P&O Arcadia was tied up along side of us in St Thomas and when we pulled out I think every passenger on board was at the rail to see us off. They actually gave us a round of applause as we pulled away. The Ship What can I say about the grea-*test*-('") ship in the world? Boarding on this our second time on QM2 was like coming home. The décor and ambiance of QM2 is wonderful. Unlike the glitz and over-the-top décor of many cruise ships, QM2 is refined and elegant. My favorite place on board is the Commodore Club during the day looking out over the bow on a sea day. Those comfortable chairs cannot be beat, and this year I realized coffee can be order from the bar. We did have problems with inexperienced staff in the Queens Grill Lounge during tea. Tea was served from 3:30 to 4:30; I guess you need to show up at 3:30 to get good service. Both times we went after 4:00 and just sat there waiting and finally asking to be served. We had to ask the Maitre d’ for service after which he seemed to be scolding the waitress for ignoring us. Other days we opted for tea in the Lotus area of the Kings Court, self service with plenty of selections. Entertainment was fine; we did manage to get to a couple of shows this time. Last year we did not make it to any of the shows. Dining in the Princess Grill is so relaxing this turns out to be our evening’s entertainment. Before you know it three hours have passed. Casino Can you believe it that we left the ship with more cash then when we boarded? Three big hits on the slots! Two non-smoking nights in the casino was a welcome surprise. This is the smokiest area of the ship and they experimented with a smoke-free evening early in the cruise. Later in the week we asked a casino staff member if there will be another smoke-free night and she said “I wish, but it was a one time experiment”. A few minutes later she came up to us and said she checked and actually tonight will be another some free time in the casino. We hit it again that night at the slots! Shops Hermes, H Stern, Chopard, Swarovski very nice shops along with the usual perfume shop, logo shop, camera shop, sundries and liquor shops. Judy purchased a scarf at Hermes and I purchased an Ammolite ring an H Stern. This time since we were not flying home I purchased the QM2 bottles of Gin and Vermouth. Todd English The food was just okay, but the service was abysmal. We convinced our tablemates to join us in Todd English. The service was so bad -- not that they weren’t asking us ever five minutes if everything was “excellent”. It just was not up to the standards of a year ago. They seemed to be rushing us through dinner. I don’t know why, three quarters of the restaurant was empty. Finally when we signed our two bar bills and left we discovered that we could not get into our room. The waiter gave us the correct bill but switched to cards. Our friends were having a terrible time with the purser who was telling them all four of our cards and accounts had to be changed. That is crazy, so after a while we were able to find each other and switch the cards back. Closing The QM2 is a wonderful ship and the service was great if we don’t compare it to last year’s service. I think once all the new staff members get up to speed on how things are done on Cunard rather then Princess they will be just as good as last year. We are looking forward to future voyages on Cunard. steve and judy

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