QE2 for ALL to enjoy

[Pete]

I was delighted to find this Forum where I could see how others have shared their experinces on the QE2.

I've just booked our 14 day trip on the QE2 in April 2002 - and we've never cruised before. My partner and I are looking forward to it soooooooo much - and the anticipation is part of the fun of it.

Reading some of the previous postings here made me feel that there was a bit if conflict going on aboard sometimes.

I came to read all there was here to learn a little about what we should wear etc. For men it's nice n easy - get a tux (dinner jacket.. whatever u wanna call it ) and you're all set. For my partner though - she's going out shopping for lots of evening dresses.

Okay, what I'm leading up to is this. Whilst I appreciate that people like to look their best on board - and dressing up is for some part of the fun, I am not going for a 14 day 'let's see who can out dress - out jewel - out class - out talk - out dine - out entertain the others' cruise. And that goes for the 'class' of cabin too. We've chosen our 'grade' of cabin based on what we want in terms of space and comfort.

What I was hoping was that on board when you meet people - you arrange to eat together in the Lido sometimes (as I doubt you can say 'Hey - upgrade yourself to our restaurant - they won't mind'). Is that not a sociable thing to do? After all - who can cope with 3 full meals a day? My waist can't anyway!!!!

As regards 'nationalism'......... actually - we're all in international waters - so let's leave our nationalism ashore and go to meet people regardless of class, nationality, wealth, age, creed, marital status etc etc etc.

I'm going to have fun on board with anybody who is also there to have a good time!!!! I'll respect the older people's wish to have a bit of quiet - I'll respect the wishes of kids to have lots of fun (and noise) in the pool(s).

Pete )
Ps. I'm a Brit. 40 y/o

[David]

Pete
We have been back for a few weeks from the Out Of Africa cruise, with stops at Madera, Cape Verde and St. Helena, then a few days in Capetown and flight home. It was our first time cruise also and - wow. You will have a great time. We are a little older than you - about 25 years but young at heart and we found the trip just about perfect. As to dressing up the dress code is a bit "straight laced" in the dining rooms, but we had all but dinner in the Lido and found that in some ways better than the formal dining because of the greater variety. I think we had around 20 different nationalities on board and we found all to be friendly, although Brits did tend to talk to other Brits more than others but that is only natural ( I think ) We had two American ladies sharing our table and they were really nice. Also I have shared e mails with our Hungarian waiter who is now back home in Budapest and rejoining the ship after the refit.
Please let us know how the trip goes eventually. We are already looking at brocheurs for our next one.
David

Pete,hope you had a wonderful cruise on QE2 and returned home safely and that QE2 was all that you expected AND MORE!!!! Good to see another Brit on this site! Guess we are few and far between?? cheers Myles