Thread: What will I do when QE2 retires?

I have three cruises booked on QE2 before she retires, but as a single passenger, I need to decide what to do next.

Do I dig deep and find the exta money and pay 175% on QV or 200% on QM2, or look elsewhere? If I go to another line, which one should I pick and why?

We're looking into this at the moment. Recommendations include P&O, Saga (you don't look old enough - frubels please, when you can, in your own time), Fred.Olsen and Princess.

Mary

We've still to decide. So far, we do like the look of Mrs Brown for cruising. We shall probably continue with P&O for cruises ex UK and Princess for further afield and use QM for transatlantics. We have never really considered QM to match up to others for cruising.

As a caveat to this, if a couple of 30-40000grt ships were to appear then I would probably veer toward these. We have tried Tahitian Princess which is one of the old "R" Ships and we loved her.
It did occur to me that these would have made excellent modern day replacements for Cunard's Caronia and P&O's Victoria. Downside is that they are only 20kt ships.

David

This is going to be difficult. Like Stephen, I have three QE2 voyages booked, so I my cruise budget is fully subscribed for the next year.

After that, I don't know. Mrs Brown will be based in Europe for the most part, as QE2 has been in recent years. I will probably give her a try--the couple we cruise with, who are going on only one of our threee QE2's will talk me into giving Mrs. B a chance (she--my friend not Mrs. B--keeps bringing up the subject of Mrs. B when we talk about travel). Right now, Mrs B looks rather pricey.

TAs on QM2, yes definitely. Cruises on QM2? Probably not. Out of NYC, the cruises are almost all Caribbean. One little 7-day to Canada next year. I'd do Canada on QM2 if the itinerary were longer.

Frankly, I was ready to say goodbye to Cunard except for TAs. But then they revamped World Club levels, and I want to have the diamond experience. (Still waiting for my diamond studded luggage tag)

For US-based cruising, we might try Celebrity or HAL. I am not a freestyle cruiser. I've tried RCCL and Princess, and they were OK, but I really don't like a megaship.

David, if you find those 30-40,000grt ships, let me know. That sounds nice, even at 20 kt. (I miss Caronia!)
Kathy

David, can I pick your brains please. We have been offered an aft balcony cabin on Arcadia (no. A150), which is larger the most, and has a larger balcony. BUT, it is right at the back. Not bothered about motion, but we are a bit concerned about vibration from whatever it is that vibrates at the back of ships. The other concern is that I've found a thread on aft cabins on the P&O site than mentions these balconies, are overlooked. Trust me, no-one will wish to overlook me

Any thoughts please?

Thanks, Mary

PS Have posted on the P&O boards, but I think they're all sleeping off their lunch.
And sorry for boring everyone else with a personal question.

Originally Posted by Lanky Lad

I have three cruises booked on QE2 before she retires, but as a single passenger, I need to decide what to do next.

Do I dig deep and find the exta money and pay 175% on QV or 200% on QM2, or look elsewhere? If I go to another line, which one should I pick and why?

I like the look of the Saga ships even though I am just old enough to go on them (yeah lucky me eh) I cant stand the thought of any ship with more than 1999 passengers, actually I wish the PS Waverley would extend its itinerary...I love her.

I would think about Saga Ruby, as I loved her when she was Caronia, but I am not old enough for Sage . I might have to give P&O a try. But then again with the new CWC grades, I am a diamond member. Do I really want to go to P&O and have to join the long queue and wait in the lounge with the "normal" people?

Originally Posted by TheREALSirMartin

David, can I pick your brains please. We have been offered an aft balcony cabin on Arcadia (no. A150), which is larger the most, and has a larger balcony. BUT, it is right at the back. Not bothered about motion, but we are a bit concerned about vibration from whatever it is that vibrates at the back of ships. The other concern is that I've found a thread on aft cabins on the P&O site than mentions these balconies, are overlooked. Trust me, no-one will wish to overlook me

Any thoughts please?

Thanks, Mary

PS Have posted on the P&O boards, but I think they're all sleeping off their lunch.
And sorry for boring everyone else with a personal question.

Hi Mary,

The aft balconies are bigger and I think that is why many people like them. However, they are overlooked. I have attached a picture taken from the Lido deck. You can see what I mean. It's great for voyeurs.
I have been told that the cavitation vibration has been cured but have not been on her since then.

Thank you David; oh dear, the photo has just engulfed Sir Martin. What a shame.

Well, they are a tad overlooked, but have now found another available HUGE one (350 sq ft), and I think we'll trade balcony privacy for the extra 100 sq ft. Am about to book it I think, as the itinerary is so fantastic.

Thanks a milliion; 'twas the vibration that concerned me, and you've put my mind at rest on that.

Have a wonderful holiday, and I hope you come back to find a job offer waiting for you.

Mary

Originally Posted by TheREALSirMartin

Well, they are a tad overlooked

A "tad" overlooked? There's no bit that isn't overlooked