We only did 16 days out of the more than 100 it takes to go around the world but it was sufficient to placate the urge to see if the "Old Lady" still lives up to her billing.
You have to remember that this is a voyage of recivididists, that is to say a large number of passengers are on their 10th ,11th, and more, (many more) trips all the way around and quite naturally the program is geared to them. Get on the ship and it's old home week, you know all the people at the next table, and the next, you get the idea. They know all the crew and the crew knows them! Why not, that's where the money is? Despite that if you can mix it's not hard to become absorbed with the routine, and there's plenty to do. I will try to summarize the main headings on a ten scale with the best rating a ten. (never)
Travel. An 8, despite red -eye special. Transfers, embarquation and disembarquation very smooth.
All employees, shore,crew, table and cabin stewards were top-notch, as good as it gets!!!
Food. Cunard still has the little touches that others don't have, things like sugar bowls, not pouches, good midnight buffets, not the greatest beef but good fish and lamb. Give food an 8!!! Excellent desserts!
Entertainment. 6 out of 10. Stage limitations and the quality of group singers and dancers left me unenthusiastic, but some solo acts were really good. Dance music in the Queen's Room was uninspiring but the before and after strict-tempo canned music was really good. Floor to yourself! and a darned nice large floor at that.
Very good trivia, we played a lot, lectures, daily activities, plenty to do, good movies, sports, (lots of tournaments).
One annoyance is smoking, there are just too many places you can do it..
Yes, we agree with most of you, it's hard to control cabin temperatures and the plumbing is suspect, a sign of age,but it's age with dignity and this destination cruising, purposefully going somewhere, still turns me on. Enough to go again next year, don't think so, but the ship will still be there for a few years yet and won't change, so we may be back before she retires.
Re: QE2 World 2005
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