Thread: Number of Formal Nights QM2

I'm a little concerned that the tours I am looking at there (arranged through the ship) are 10.5 hrs long and the ship is in port for 12 hours. As you can tell I tend to worry- any advice appreciated

That's the ideal thing about a ship's tour. If they organize it, they HAVE to wait for you to return to the ship! We often take tours on our own, but are aware of the time. If we're on a ship's tour, we don't worry.

Andrew

For Rome you dock at Civatavecchia and you spend close to four hours on the coach coming and going. I stayed on the ship that day. People who did tour complained how crowded it was and of course it was very hot. My dinner companions complained that he was unable to take a picture of the Spanish steps because there were so many bodies on the steps they weren't visible. It just sounded like it would be a marathon day and I didn't regret my decision.

Originally Posted by blazerboy

That's the ideal thing about a ship's tour. If they organize it, they HAVE to wait for you to return to the ship! We often take tours on our own, but are aware of the time. If we're on a ship's tour, we don't worry.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew now I can sit back and enjoy all the anticipation
Will need to do a smaller cruise in between I'll never last until June of next year

I, too, have had tours like Linda Ann's ship mates, but have also had some excellent ones. Sadly, it is a little bit of the luck of the draw. I have found that the "active" ones tend to be smaller, and therefore more personalized to the group, and move at a better clip. The "coach" tours where they describe the tour as "you'll drive around the edge of....and see views from the coach of....with a quick stop to..." should be avoided. Rome is harder because of the distance, but if you're the more adventurous type, try the tours advertized as "Rome on your own," or some such...you have a designated meeting point, and can direct the day as you see fit. With the internet, research isn't that hard, and often folks have good insights here. But, like you, I always make sure I'm near the departure point well before the bus leaves, and I always take the numbers for the cruise line's port office, just in case.

We've also resigned ourselves to the possibility of missing the ship if, and only if the next port is a trainride away...when we go to Livorno this Fall, we'll rent a car, and, if, after San Giminiano and some wineries, we miss the ship, at least it's only a pleasant train ride to Rome! Can be a real adventure! Never a good idea to risk it at the last port before the crossing, though!

just came from short QM2 trip; if you do not have a tux do not freak out; a dark suit is fine and there are plenty of nitwits that will even be in tux that will still make you look sharp in your suit! And like a early poster said, it is not a fashion contest; wearing the same suit is fine (would recommend clean shirts of different colors and different tie combinations!).

Definitely have seen folks who just bring dark suits, and, while not the majority, certainly acceptable to the line and fellow passengers. As the previous poster said, sometimes BETTER looking than ill fitting/old-and-worn formal clothes!