Christmas 2009

Shelia, how are things in Germany these days? Do you get as much snow as we in the Northern US? (Currently about 12-14 inches on my patio right now!) I do hope the dates work for you to join us, I'm sure it would be a vacation well deserved! Plus, I bet your husband would look just wonderful in dress uniform on formal night with your pretty smile beside him

Just giving this a , after all, it would be a shame to let 12 pages go to waste!

I'm A Cruise Junkie wrote:

Day Tripper wrote:

Ok, here's my situation, I've NEVER cruised before...yep, I"m a cruise virgin but, we're at a point in our lives that we'd like to stop and smell the roses and enjoy a more relaxing vacation and, every year we talk about taking a cruise. Well, the holidays for about two weeks in 2009 would suit our needs and scheduling perfectly but, naturally, as I'm sure most of you were, we're nervous about making such a huge commitment. I love the spirit of the this group (I've been following stealth mode for a while now) and from what I've read in reviews and brochures, I think Cunard would be a pretty good fit for us.

As a true first timer, would all be kind enough to let me know what I can really expect? How dressy is dressy? How much money I'll need onboard? And basically how all of this works. I'm totally lost but, would love to be part of this experience so any and all advice is need and welcome!

Thanks!

Day Tripper,

You're certainly starting at the top! Not that there is anything wrong with that (sorry for that Seinfeld pun everyone). Cunard is a bit different than most other cruise lines, it's definitely more formal and there are no "casual nights" in the way that other cruise lines offer. Cunard causal nights mean dresses, pant suits, sweater sets and the like - don't even begin to think jeans!! Semi-formal is cocktail dresses and jackets and ties or suits for gentleman. Formal...time break out your best long gowns and tuxedos for men. As far as money onboard, like most other lines, Cunard is on a cashless system - sorry, no that doesn't mean everything is include - what it does mean is any "extras" like alcoholic drinks are charged to your stateroom. At the beginning of the cruise during the check-in process you'll be asked to either make a cash deposit or give a debit or credit card to take care of these onboard charges. And, I don't want to scare you off, don't worry most everything is included in the price of the cruise and that includes all meals (except for Todd English which is the alternative restaurant). As a rule of thumb and this is just for me personally, I allow myself $200 per day for days at sea and $350 for days in port, per person. There are people who can get by on much, much less but, I have a bad vice...it's called the casino!! So that's why allow that much spending money for onboard.

Just keep asking us questions, we'll have you like you're an old pro by the time the cruise rolls around! You couldn't have picked a better cruise line or for that matter group to join for your first cruise!

Thanks for all that info!

AmbianceTraveler wrote:

Hello Day Tripper, So glad you are thinking of joining the group! Cruise Junkie answered most of your questions but here are a few more tips:

What to pack (at a glance)
Polo shirts, shorts and slacks, sports coat, a couple suits and ties, tux or formal suit for guys.
For ladies, Several cocktail dresses or pant suits, 3-4 formal gowns (depending on length of cruise) or formal coordinates. slacks, shorts and blouses for day wear. Sun dresses work well. You will see some people in jeans during the day.

The Caribbean tends to be a bit more casual due to the warmer weather.

For onboard you should expect at least $10.00 a day in tips per passenger and then the rest is up to you. As Cruise J. mentioned, the Todd English is $20-$30.00 per person depending on when you go and the spa will easily set you back $100+ a visit. Drinks vary any where from $3.50 on up and you can buy wine by the bottle from I believe $25.00 on up. A good shore excusion will cost between $50.00pp and $200.00pp depending on what you want to do. (Third party companies like www.shoretrips.com are very good and often a better value)

As to the process, for this group you would start by putting down a deposit (12-25% of cost depending on when you book) on the cabin you want once pricing comes out some time in March. Final payment will be due 90 days prior to departure. Once your cruise is confirmed I (as the group leader and assigned TA) will assist you with any other travel arrangements you may need. (Getting to the port, an over night in NYC first etc.)

You will need a passport for this sailing, (I recommend getting that now, they are good for 10 years).

Keep reading the boards and feel free to ask as many questions as you have. We are all happy to answer what we can

Ok next dumb question, is there really any difference in cabins, aren't you basically there to sleep? In other words, would I really need a balcony?

The difference in cabins is mostly in size and amenities. No you don't need a balcony but many people like them for the extra privacy and space as well as...

Nothing like enjoying your morning coffee in your bathrobe while sitting out on the balcony listening to the waves, feeling the warm winds and watching the island of the day come into view.

For those of us with kids we like them to be able to spend time in the fresh air or in a small blow up kiddie pool right "in" the room. Or to be able to sit out in the evening while they are asleep sipping a glass of wine and talking about the day.

A light dinner via room service is greatly enjoyed with the stars as your entertainers and the waves as your music.

Peace and quiet is yours while enjoying a good book in the afternoon while still enjoying the sunshine.

Or for the more adventurous...more risque sunbathing is always allowed in category A balconies.

No, you don't need a balcony and will probably enjoy your cruise just as much in an inside or oceanview stateroom. You will need to decide what your goals are for this trip (peace and quiet, activities and lectures, socializing etc) what is important to you space wise, as well as your budget.

For more details on each room category follow this link to the Cunard website:

http://www.cunard.com/OurShips/default.asp?Ship=QM2&main=acc&sub=

Hope this helps!

Hi all, yes I'll be joining you along with Sjoerd and my parents! Now, I just have to figure out how to talk my brother, sister-in-law and niece into joining us

Admin wrote:

Hi all, yes I'll be joining you along with Sjoerd and my parents! Now, I just have to figure out how to talk my brother, sister-in-law and niece into joining us

You sure you want to deal with Nick and me plus Andy on the same cruise Tina?!?!

Oh goodie, goodie, goodie

Hey, we forgot Patrick!

Thank you

Nah, the more the merrier! You know I love you guys!

Awwww

My, my, my - you're a chatty group! I'm going to fit in just swell with you all

For those that missed my HI, I'll introduce myself again here. So, Hi I'm Pam from Naples, Florida, originally from New York (Manhattan).
I was a Cruise Critic poster until 3 years ago when I got banned I was actually doing research for 2009 Christmas cruises and stumbled upon the Ajani blog, clicked the link and found my way
here!

And I know I'm going to like it here!!

Hi Pam! Welcome to the gang!

Thank you sweetie! LOVE your kitty! Do raise cats?

You're very welcome and yes, we raise Himalayans

Must the be night of introductions for those who don't already know me, hi, I'm Leanna, Nick's wife. Yes, I FINALLY made it on here, not that someone is a computer hog or anything

I'm looking forward to sailing with old friends and making new friends along the way and Nina...I'll be joining you at the bar

Please see my disclaimer statement

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything said, done, acted or in anyway associated with my husband Nick. If for any reason he is causing a disturbance...and chances are that he is...I can be located at the nearest bar and, yes I have bail money!

Leanna N wrote:

Must the be night of introductions for those who don't already know me, hi, I'm Leanna, Nick's wife. Yes, I FINALLY made it on here, not that someone is a computer hog or anything

I'm looking forward to sailing with old friends and making new friends along the way and Nina...I'll be joining you at the bar

Please see my disclaimer statement

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything said, done, acted or in anyway associated with my husband Nick. If for any reason he is causing a disturbance...and chances are that he is...I can be located at the nearest bar and, yes I have bail money!

Ladies and Gentle please take this as a serious warning Glad to see you here finally Lee!

Thanks Helen!! So glad to see you here!! I missed you guys!

Leanna you sound like my type of girl! Nice to meet you!

So glad you will be joining us Tina!! Hope you are successful in talking the rest of the family into it.

Wow, I should have refreshed my page before posting! Welcome to the board Pam sounds like you fit right in! And Leanna, so glad you finally got the computer away from Nick long enough to let us meet you! (I've been saving you a stool at the bar!)

Nina - Thanks, looking forward to sailing with you too!

Pam - Small world indeed! We were bennies in Spring Lake before moving to Sea Girt full time, we were on Washington. Where on Beacon? Did you know the Hydes?

Now the truth comes out! Tina was a bennie, Tina was a bennie LOL

For everyone else, I know it sounds like we're speaking another langauge but, in a way we are - people from NJ and NYC tend to have their own expressions for things and we abbreviate a lot for example:

GWB = George Washington Bridge
The Parkway or GSP = The Garden State Parkway
Down The Shore = The New Jersey Shore
Bennie = A summer or weekend resident at the Jersey Shore (someone who doesn't live there full time)

Hope this helps you decipher our chats in here, and, you aren't sure, just ask us!

I was beginning to wonder what you all were talking about but figured it must have been some regional slang and gave up! Thanks for the clarification Nick.