BOOKED TO LEAVE!!

Sprigged- Thats in us dollars! The webstite has some outregouus prices but if you check their C cabins ( the very basic), they are over a thousand dollars. but that is based on double occupancy, so for two people. We called them and they told us we could get a basic cabin and they could put beds for four (DH, myself and two teens) and that brings the price down even more. The dogs are five hundred a piece but you dont have to buy an airline crate so that saves money as well. That includes their kennels and food, water and walkies! And there are a few different restaurants that your food is already included in the fare as well as a few separate priced ones. Lots to do. pools, planetarium, movies, shops, excersise room. If you have six days I would say it should definately be a more pleasant trip than to fly.

'getting dressed up for dining'. could you elaborate on this? for me and daughter and son and DH. VERY dressed up or nice casual??

For the males, jacket and tie every night in the dining room with, I think, 2 formal nights.  Dark suits will see the boys through.  You and your daughter can go for the glamour if you like.  My mom wore one long black skirt with a variety of sparkley tops.  She decorated a pair of black canvas slip-ons with glitter pens.  No one knew there were $2 at WalMart.   I wore gowns and shoes that killed.  Should have listened to my mother!  The rest of the nights we wore dressed-up cocktail type clothes.

And just what is there for teenagers? it looks like from the photos on the website maybe a video gameroom? any movies? It'll be November, but how is the pool? and exercise room? lol, so many questions now. sorry.

The list of activities during the day is staggering.  The kids will not be bored.  You can always acculturate them by taking them to Bingo.    Movies on TV and in the theater, performances, lectures, computer room.  Arts and crafts.  There is a stitching group that meets every afternoon, so bring your workbag if you are at all crafty.

There are a number of pools.  They are heated and never crowded.  The exercise room is at the bow of the ship.  Great views and plenty of equipment.  The staff is the best.

Please ask because I love reliving the crossing!

You mean you can't get a signal in the middle of the Atlantic? 

Most US cell phones aren't triband, so, yes, blessed silence!

There must be immigration in Southampton?  Surely they just don't let you pop on through especially in this day and age of terrorism.

I am not kidding or exaggerating one bit here.  You bring your passport on your appointed day to the Immigration officer in the disco. (Really!)  The line moves faster than the food lines.  The IOs were chatting amongst themselves and not to the passengers.  Stamp, next, stamp, next.  It took them longer to find the next clean page than it did to stamp the passports.  After being grilled for longer and longer periods each time I go to the UK, it was a refreshing change.

Avoiding jet lag would be great!  DW would have an absolute fit being on a boat for that long, she couldn't stand it.  I suppose another downside is having to take 6 days to get across when you can do it in 7 hours by plane.

There is so much to do that you don't feel trapped.  Most A Types adjust gears quickly and have a great time.  And the ship is so big, it's like being at a resort instead of on a boat.  I highly recommend it!

Thanks Chrishamel10. I googled QM2  yesterday and found some sites with 'reviews', so got some insight there too. Wow. I was excited enough just to be going home. Now the trip home will be exciting as well! What is the food like? (yum). and what about the odd soda or snack during the day? whats available? Do they list anything scheduled? ( lectures etc). is seasickness an issue on such a big ship? Uh... I'll think of more

The food is basically English/American in the dining room with some specialty nights.  The Todd English restaurant is lovely foofey food.  They type that looks so pretty you know someone's hands have been all over it!  The specialty eating areas (food court?) are Asian, Italian, New York deli, and something else.  I forget what it is.

You can eat 24 hrs. a day in the food court.  I used to grab a glass of juice or a cuppa on my way through day and night.  What's available?  Damned near everything!  You just have to learn which location is serving what.

Every morning you will have a ship's newspaper slipped under your door.  The big deal lectures are announced early on in the crossing, but the daily listing is a great help.  It lists everything that's going on during that day.

This is so much fun!  I'm on my way to visit Mom in Sarasota FL today, so I might be a day or so before I can get back to you.

Chris

Wow! I best learn where the exercise room is! lol. I'm gonna be so spoilt. It sounds so lovely I think the time will pass quickly.  I think this is a good excuse for a few new outfits too. Dont ya think? Any more little things you remember, just let me know. Its helping to pass my time here waiting, just dreaming about the trip. Have a lovely time in Sarasota! its rained all this week in Jacksonville but its clearing up a bit now. Last week I took my daughter to Clearwater. We had a great time. It was her 16th birthday and she wanted to go parasailing in the gulf. It was just before the two recent shark attacks in the gulf.

You ARE going to be spoilt, Calle!     You won't want to leave the ship.  If Lily is your maid, you will think you are in heaven.  She is Russian and used to work on the Disney ships.  She makes folded towel animals for the beds.  She was our maid on the Mother's Day cruise.  I tried to change my cabin to one of her's for the crossing, but all of her cabins were taken.  :\\\'( 

If you are talking daytime wear, I'd go for things you can wear in the UK instead of Florida hot weather clothes.  Unless you will be living in the south, you really won't need tank tops and shorts.  And it will be cool while you are at sea.  I keep my Florida clothes packed in a suitcase while I'm in the UK. 

Your daughter could probably wear any of her dresses with a shawl or wrap when she's going to the dining room.  I'm stereotyping here, but I imagine she has some of those flirty, layered short dresses that are so popular with (and look so great on) teenaged girls.  Pull out the prom dresses for the formal nights.  Oh, and I don't think they allow parasailing on the ship, but it's one of only a few activities they don't have.

Let me tell you one travel tip.  Get one of those plastic multi-pocket shoe keepers that hang on a door.  Fill it up with everyone's toiletries, roll it up, and pack it.  When you get on the ship, unroll it and hang it on the bathroom door.  There's very little space in the bathroom, so this will keep everything neat and accessible.  And your room attendant will love you!

As I think of things, I'll post them.  Please ask away. 

Calle - you must be one of the last cruises that allows animals to kennel onboard....I was checking for next summer because it sounded like such a great option, and after November, they're ending that option.  Sadness!  Guess my doggie has to fly back, which is probably more tramatic for me than her, but oh well!

Sauve2uk-Are you sure they are ending it? they were only approved recently. When we called they said the last trip for pets THIS year. Maybe they just havent set the date for resuming next year. I would check back if I were you. They even built an outside run on deck 12 that is covered and fenced in so the dogs can get fresh air. Hopefully and surely they wouldnt just stop!

Chrishamil10- Hi! how was Sarasota? Bet its strange to come back and visit now.
I really appreciate all the tips. Yes, my daughter has lots of flirty little layered dresses and skirts, and even a few nice long dressy dresses thats she's worn to recent weddings. Problem is they are all for hot weather! we'll definitley have to invest in a few nice shawls or dressy jackets.
That multi-pocket thing is a great idea!! how convenient! Its so nice to not have baggage restrictions so that we can take a few more items with us instead of having to wait possibly weeks for our shippment to arive.
Oh, and I'll be looking for my animal folded towels.

Chrishamil10- Hi! how was Sarasota? Bet its strange to come back and visit now.
(snip)  Its so nice to not have baggage restrictions so that we can take a few more items with us instead of having to wait possibly weeks for our shippment to arive.

It's blowing about 20-35 mph with off and on rain.  It's my first himicaine in Florida, but I'm an old pro.  I remember seeing dumpsters rolling down the street like tin cans during Camille in New Orleans back in the Dark Ages.  Everyone here is taking the storm seriously, so I hope there won't be any casualties.

Part of the reason I sailed to the UK when I moved the rest of my stuff over was the baggage allowance.  I brought 6 huge bags and a cousin.  Between the two of us, 7 bags for 2 people looked almost normal.  The airlines say you aren't to fly with household goods in baggage, but Cunard didn't have any such restrictions.  My food stash lasted a good 6 months.   It was worth schlepping 6 bags on the train to Berwick.

It's blowing about 20-35 mph with off and on rain.  It's my first himicaine in Florida, but I'm an old pro.  I remember seeing dumpsters rolling down the street like tin cans during Camille in New Orleans back in the Dark Ages.  Everyone here is taking the storm seriously, so I hope there won't be any casualties.

Part of the reason I sailed to the UK when I moved the rest of my stuff over was the baggage allowance.  I brought 6 huge bags and a cousin.  Between the two of us, 7 bags for 2 people looked almost normal.  The airlines say you aren't to fly with household goods in baggage, but Cunard didn't have any such restrictions.  My food stash lasted a good 6 months.   It was worth schlepping 6 bags on the train to Berwick.

Hi. didnt realise you were still in Fla. We only had a little rain here on the east coast. So you remember camille? I went through Dora here in the dark ages. I was nine and the Beatles were playing here on the US tour. My sisters and I braved the rain and wind (leftovers from Dora's direct hit on us) and went to see them. Screamed right along with everyone else! 
Yeah? you can even take some food?? What about hair coloring? My sister actually colors mine and said she could load me up with a good stash to keep me covered for at least ayear to give me a chance to find a new hairdresser. Just what wont they allow per customs? I might need to buy yet another suitcase!

  The airlines say you aren't to fly with household goods in baggage, but Cunard didn't have any such restrictions.  My food stash lasted a good 6 months.   It was worth schlepping 6 bags on the train to Berwick.

household goods??? Could you elaborate??

Also-is there any restriction on bringing cat food into the country??? I would think they know you have to feed them when you arrive, especially if they are on prescription diets, but as far as the ag. dept goes...is it ok??

household goods??? Could you elaborate??

Also-is there any restriction on bringing cat food into the country??? I would think they know you have to feed them when you arrive, especially if they are on prescription diets, but as far as the ag. dept goes...is it ok??

I wanted to bring my sheets, towels, cds, delicate items, and other household items that weren't shipped.  The baggage section on British Airways' site forbids "household items," so I wasn't taking any chances.  It wasn't a lot either.

I've never had any problem bringing canned or packaged items either to the UK or the US.  Make sure the food is in the original unopened package though.  If the package is opened or the food is in Tupperware, it can be confiscated.

hmm...i can't find that anywhere on the bA site. Has anyone ever had a problem bringing sheets, towels, etc??

Yeah? you can even take some food?? What about hair coloring? My sister actually colors mine and said she could load me up with a good stash to keep me covered for at least ayear to give me a chance to find a new hairdresser. Just what wont they allow per customs? I might need to buy yet another suitcase!

 
Calle,  I read somewhere on some site that peroxide isn't allowed on flights, probably because it could explode.  Not a big boom, but what a mess in your luggage!  The only reason for bringing your own color is the cost of it in the UK.  I use L'Oreal and my sis uses Garnier.  Both are available everywhere we've been.

I never got to see the Beatles , but I did get to see Herman's Hermits.  Front row!

Snupy,  I'll try to find where I got that you can't put household goods in luggage.   I remeber thinking that I could just call the items presents.  Who'd know?