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The above information and picture is taken from the Cunard Website.
FIRST THINGS
FIRST
On the 7th February we
paid our deposit on this cruise and had to book and pay for our
return flights to New York.
I searched the web and found
accommodation at a reasonable price at
 Wingate Inn Midtown,
New York. It is a new hotel and the cost was $229.00
(plus tax) per night ...and this included breakfast!. This was arranged
through "Quickbook" via the internet. We decided to book for three nights.
Because we arrive late at
night we will get a taxi from JFK Airport to the Wingate Inn
Midtown. After many ,many, hours of flying I will probably sleep
for three days.
I am busy researching the
Caribbean tours on the internet.
Tours Booked:
TORTOLA
Booked
with Cunard TOV-105
ST
KITTS Booked with Cunard SKB-100
BARBADOS
Members
of the Cruise Critic Forum had high praise for
Glory
Tour so I booked a four hour private taxi tour with one of their
drivers.
ST LUCIA: After reading the
reviews of tours of St Lucia I just couldn't go past Bernard -St Lucia Taxi Man. His itinerary is for 5-6 hours.
ST THOMAS:
Godfrery's Tours
VI at
$25.00 p/p. This itinerary included shopping, touring and swimming
time.
CRUISE CRITICS
For some months now, I have been in contact with fellow passengers
of the 30th November sailing via the Cruise Critic Forum. They are a
friendly lot and it nice to go on a cruise with friends. I have
named our group "The Crown Celebrities".
"THE CROWN CELEBRITIES"
Judy & Steve
- Judy (55 ) and Steve (56 ),
Baltimore USA
Painter - Marleneann (63 birthday
12/9 ) and Fred (?) Deck 6 Early Dining Britannia, Australia
Mustangs - Alan (40 ish) and Anne
(40 ish) Deck 9
45640
- Julie (55) and Dick (61), Deck 11, Late Dining Britannia,
Charleston, SC, USA
VernonFaber - Chris (54 ) and Steve (54
), Q6 Deck 9, Devon , England
OrganizersSOS - Sandy (64, 12/1
birthday) and Rick (68), Deck 5, Early Dining Britannia, Prescott
Valley, Arizona, USA
Moyaroo - Joseph ( )
GracieM - Gracie ( )
CraigTomer - Craig ( ) and Tomer (
)
Movie
Buff - Gary ( ) and Brian ( )
Saraalijew -
Sddee
-
Malskept - Deb ( )
Donjarvis -
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
July 28th
I went on the Cunard Cruise Personalizer
and discovered we were given a cabin number. It is on deck 6 and is
6029. I am not sure about this cabin as some members on the forum
said it was below the Promenade Deck and it would be very noisy
early mornings with the passengers doing their fitness run.
I will just have to hope it is not as bad as has been reported.
August 29th
Today I
received an email from Todd my T.A. He said Cunard were wanting the
final payment for our cruise. I immediately acted on his request. I
have been so busy lately with interstate visitors and the birth of a
baby grandson I haven't had time to get into the holiday mood. But
now "woopie!"
October 1st
I
received a telephone call from my T.A. to say that our pre-cruise documents
had arrived. Todd said he was expecting our tickets, etc, to arrive
in about two weeks time.
November 10th
We have
received all documentation. I have finished packing and now just
happily wait for the 27th November, for flight to the USA.
NOTE:
The "Crown Celebrities" will meet in the Commodore Club on Saturday
1st December at 11.30am.
November 27th
6.00am
- We are on our way! All set to drive two hours to the Brisbane Airport
to catch our first flight.
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QUEEN MARY 2
PHOTOS
Just click on camera.
NEW YORK
CITY &
PORTS OF CALL
Just click on
camera.
Holiday/Cruise Review
After
very long flights we had a chilly weather welcome to New York. The
Wingate Inn Midtown was an excellent choice for our stay in
Manhattan. Only twelve months old this accommodation included
complimentary breakfasts and free internet service. Boy... did I
enjoy those make-yourself waffles! It is only half a block from
Macy's Department Store so the position was perfect. Very friendly
staff greeted us at the desk. We had two full days to explore the
city and take in the beautiful sights of the Christmas lights and
decorations. Unfortunately we didn't get to see a Broadway Show
because the writer's were
on strike.
We
arrived at the dock of the Queen Mary 2 a little after midday. I
couldn't believe how quickly we were onboard. We found our cabin and
then went and had a very nice lunch in the Kings Court. Our luggage
was in our cabin when we returned. Everyone was
very friendly and all the staff gave us a smile and a greeting. Our
Cabin Steward (Lou) spoilt us with excellent service during the
cruise. A few extra chocolates on our pillows some nights. Our cabin
was below the Promenade Deck and the early morning joggers. We can't
say it disturbed us too much but next time we would choose another
position.
We had
first seating in the Britannia Dining Room and shared a table with
four great table mates. Our only problem with the food was trying to
decide what to order. All meals were wonderful and our Table
Stewards Ronchito and Bernadett bent over backwards to please.
Now...I must mention how delighted we were to receive an invitation
to join Captain & Mrs Rynd for dinner. I found myself very relaxed and enjoyed the experience as
Captain Rynd and his wife Julie are especially easy to talk to.
Mrs Rynd also proved to be the perfect hostess at our Cruise Critic
meetings. She is also an Australian. This was our first Cunard
cruise and we couldn't believe our luck when we were also invited to
join Captain Rynd and Senior Officers for cocktails.
The
entertainment in the Royal Court Theatre was fantastic. Dancers,
magician, singers, etc, excelled our expectations. Magician Philip
Hitchcock was amazing. Outstanding evening with Jon Courtenay with
his comedy and piano talents. The Planetarium shows were
interesting. Harpist Meagan Davis presented some enchanting
melodies. The Caribbean Band Vibz set the theme for our
destinations. The Barbados Folklore Spectacular entertained us with
local traditions of Barbados and the fire limbo dancer had to be
seen to be believed. We didn't get time to try out the whirlpools but
they did look inviting. Purchased a pair of mystic topaz earrings
from a sidewalk sale in the foyer. After testing the perfumes just
couldn't resist buying a bottle of YSL Cinema. Attended a class in
napkin folding in the Queens Room while Fred went to check out the
workings of the ship. So much to see and do!
PORTS OF
CALL__________________________________________________________________________________
We
decided to take two tours with Cunard. (Tortola and St Kitts) An
easy way to do tours as Cunard staff are there to help every step of the
way.
We had
booked a taxi tour in Barbados with Glory Tours but had left
Australia before we received a reply. Sarah the owner/operator of
Glory Tours was there to meet us tell us the taxi was unavailable
and asked us to join her group. This proved to be a better option
then the taxi and didn't cost as much. A hot lunch and paid
admission to attractions were included in this itinerary. An
excellent tour!.
At St
Lucia we had a tour with Bernard (St Lucia Taxi Man) This was the
best tour we have ever taken. At a very reasonable price ($35.00 p/p)
Bernard spent six hours showing us his beloved island. He supplied
bananas, bread, biscuits, drinks and his own home made rum punch
free of charge. A big man with a gentle heart. We recommend
Bernard's tour most highly.
At St
Thomas we were a little disappointed that Godfreys's Tours didn't
meet us at 9.00am as per booking. After telephoning Godfrey he did
arrive at 10.20am. After a short time we were changed to another tour
and then changed again. We did enjoy seeing the island but I think
next time we would try another tour
company or do a Cunard tour.________________________________________________________________________________
I am
happy to say we did not encounter any class distinction on Queen
Mary 2. Not only were we accepted but we were made to feel
very special. This is a beautiful and stable cruise ship and we had
a fantastic time.
Fred &
Marleneann.
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