QM2 newbies

RetSol

My partner and I have the good fortune to be looking forward to being passengers on the Queen Mary 2 in the near future for three weeks.  Neither of us has been on a cruise before.

We are preparing as well as we can and I have, for example, already researched esims with a view to minimising onboard WiFi costs.  But we are bound to have overlooked something! 

I am interested to hear from Forumites with experience of cruises about the things they wish they had known (or thought more about) about in advance of their first cruise.

eskbanker

RetSol said:

We are preparing as well as we can and I have, for example, already researched esims with a view to minimising onboard WiFi costs.

Out of curiosity, are you looking at maritime networks or standard ones?  My understanding is that the former are prohibitively expensive, but the latter will only be available in or near ports/land, which may be viable, depending on your anticipated use pattern and itinerary?

daveyjp

There are now esims which use Telenor Maritime app which is a much cheaper option for at sea connection.  Red Bull mobile being recommended for cruise ships.

Mands

RetSol said:

My partner and I have the good fortune to be looking forward to being passengers on the Queen Mary 2 in the near future for three weeks.  Neither of us has been on a cruise before.

We are preparing as well as we can and I have, for example, already researched esims with a view to minimising onboard WiFi costs.  But we are bound to have overlooked something! 

I am interested to hear from Forumites with experience of cruises about the things they wish they had known (or thought more about) about in advance of their first cruise.

Have you explored any of the cruise-specific forums? They will answer most of your questions and usually have a dedicated area for both first-timers and roll-calls for specific sailings. Cruise Critic would be an excellent starting point. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Cruise Critic is a good call - they have forums for each cruise line and members will be exchanging info and tips etc.

As above - onboard telecomms can be very expensive - we only use 'phones when near a coastline where they pick up the land network.

As for WiFi - follow the crew when they reach a port of call, they know the locations to pickup service. Many ports have a seaman's centre area with WiFi service . Local cafes etc. are good if you buy a drink and snack.

RetSol

Many thanks for your comments so far.

It turns out that neither me nor my partner has a phone which supports esims.

I will take a look at Cruise Critic.

daveyjp

3 weeks on a liner not a cruise ship for a first timer is steep learning  curve territory, but you do have three weeks to have what should be an amazing experience.

Not a ship I've been on, but those I know who have say its a real labyrinth compared to a cruise ship layout,  but as you have no expereice of a typical cruise ship layout this won't be a problem.

Odd number cabins are on the port (left), even numbered on starboard (right),  useful to know as you will get lost!

To get some bearings avoid the buffet when you first board, it will be rammed.  Use the time to have a wander around to try and understand the general layout.  Find the theatre, the bars and most importantly your evening restaurant.

Youtube has plenty of videos, but don't research too much, you will be overwhelmed!  

Last time I saw QM2.  Somewhere in the Irish sea in early Autumn 2024.

Rosa_Damascena

The QM2 is great (albeit small) for the British cruise experience, if only for the afternoon tea, which is infinitely superior to anything the US cruise firms offer. I also loved the library. Definitely look at Cruise Critic!

One down side of cruising is poor on board connectivity: always expensive and not particularly reliable. There are lots of on board food and basic soft drink options included in the base price, and there is a daily entertainment programme. Prices start to mount as soon as you start drinking (hefty gratuities are added), participating in any additional "enrichment" activity and not tipping as recommended at the end of the cruise is considered very poor form indeed. Avoid cruise excursions if you can and opt to DIY - this is where the Cruise Critic forum really comes into its own.

ETA: prepare for more formal nights than the average cruise. I hate them, its dressing up for the sake of it in my opinion and doesn't enhance anything apart from the weight of your luggage.

RAS

Three weeks? How many sea days?

Mands

daveyjp said:

3 weeks on a liner not a cruise ship for a first timer is steep learning  curve territory, but you do have three weeks to have what should be an amazing experience.

My first cruise was a 2 week transatlantic crossing with no ports

That sort of itinerary is *absolutely* not for most people. But if they go in with eyes open and a plan they should be fine. At the end they'll certainly know if cruising suits them or not!

Rosa_Damascena

Mands said:

daveyjp said:

3 weeks on a liner not a cruise ship for a first timer is steep learning  curve territory, but you do have three weeks to have what should be an amazing experience.

My first cruise was a 2 week transatlantic crossing with no ports

That sort of itinerary is *absolutely* not for most people. But if they go in with eyes open and a plan they should be fine. At the end they'll certainly know if cruising suits them or not!

My plan was family time, lots of books and a single stop to Manhatten. Thankfully the double crossing was on relatively calm seas.