Other cruise ships only make the occasional 'repositioning' crossing, early or late season (maybe April and Sept.)They also do not take the 'classic route', but often go from Europe to Miami or vice versa - so there is little choice. You will need to check the major 2001 cruise line brouchures.

Check out the Cunard web site for the departure dates. Remember, you will not have to pay the full brochure price if you shop around for deals.

www.cunard.com

By the way, if you live in the UK it is probably more popular to sail to NY and fly back home. That way you get to cruise into the famous NY harbour!

As a regular travelpage.com-er you may recall that I came very close. because of illness, to canceling our long awaited and much looked forward to crossing. At the very last moment (following a CAT scan the morning of our departure) it was decided that a relaxing week at sea would do wonders - fresh air, good food, (I'd lost 13lbs in weight and was prepared to 'pig-out'), 1st class accommodation (Cat.C), Cunard pampering etc.etc.

Fresh air was plentiful and the ship rides beautifully - a very smooth crossing. Things went downhill from there.

What follows is not a review, rather, comments to friends, written a couple of weeks after our return on Sept. 17 from a trip that was a great disappointment. Here's my story -

"I've been trying to crystallize my thoughts on the QE2 - just seems to me that so much has been spent on outward appearances but little attention paid overall. Dress of waiters and waitresses is dowdy to say the least and not a bellboy in sight. May sound stupid but on the QE2 I really did expect to hear a gong sounded to announce dinner and perhaps a pillbox hatted bellboy to hand out after dinner mints! Our Cabin Steward, like most in CAT's C & M, was Philippino and could not have been more attentive - he wasn't under your feet but was there when you needed him. On most days I ordered breakfast and, on several occasions, lunch and/or light evening meal. Roger was prompt and cheerful. In fact, the Cabin Stewards/Stewardess appeared to be the only people who enjoyed doing their jobs.

Having guests on board did not work out well - they arrived at the appointed time and were processed and boarded - only to be sent back to the pier because we, the Hosts, had not arrived from London - our coach from the hotel got bogged down in heavy traffic - in truth, I believe the driver lost his way! We had ordered Deluxe Hot and Cold Canapés - they were there - more than ample for 5 people, attractively arranged under a somewhat crumpled and I'd swear, a previously used, piece of foil. There was a complimentary split of sparkling wine - trouble was said canapés had been in our cabin at precisely 2 pm - the Hot were cold and shriveled - the Cold had turned warm - smoked salmon and cream cheese lay limp and gooey - not surprising since we did not board until 3.55pm. Roger, our Steward, apologized but said there was nothing he could do - he was obliged to deliver when the trays were ready. The cost was $45.00 US plus, of course, the 15% service charge. $2.00 per head would have been excessive. We had brought our own wine on board so no problem there. The front office was not interested and no apology was forthcoming. We were not impressed!!!
Promptly at 4.30pm the call went out for muster station drill - no 'all ashore' call for guests had been made - poor, poor organization. With our names checked off, we headed for an open deck to wave farewell - didn't see our friends but we waved anyway! The band played, the horn blew and we were underway.
The Caronia dining room for we 'first class' folks is highly over rated - I only went for dinner three times -the food was never hot - service was slow and getting what you ordered was a sometime thing. Our Austrian Waiter was of the opinion that fresh ground pepper solved all problems - and was to be generously applied to everything. It became quite a joke. Dessert/Cheese platter and coffee to finish the meal was quite beyond our servers.
We had a delightful couple from Hawaii, a father and daughter from Florida and a single guy from New York - the banter just kept coming. Single seating has its pros and cons. Only for breakfast on disembarkation day were we all together and it's doubtful that any one of us actually received what had been ordered. We left a Jake, our single, muttering that he would have scrambled eggs even if it took all day - he'd already refused two orders - one fried and one poached!
The Lido (alternate dining) was a busy place - self serve of course but at least you got what you wanted - except mint sauce with roast lamb! We Brits like our mint sauce!
Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room was, we heard, a must - if only to 'soak up the atmosphere' as one devotee gushed. FORGET IT! About 30 minutes prior to the appointed hour the servers appear - all wearing white gloves and somber expressions - each cup, saucer, spoon and plate is carefully positioned together with the rectangular sugar container, cream and milk jugs. Said sugar containers must be placed parallel to the starboard side of the vessel, cream and milk to its port side. This information from the Head Steward - cross my heart and hope to die - it's in Cunard's Rule Book. The Harpist appeared and jockeyed her instrument into position - front and centre. Behind her silver trays appeared - the flattest, most tasteless sandwiches I've ever seen or tasted - sans crusts of course (I think they must have ironed them) were presented and served with silver tongs. Then the tiny pastries and scones - only offered once! The Harpist played and the servers dispensed tea from a silver teapot - lemon was by special request!

Feeling as I did, four formal nights in a row was too much. In retrospect, I doubt that I would have felt differently even if feeling up to par. I thoroughly enjoy getting all gussied up and certainly on any cruise/crossing always change for dinner - going the whole 9 yds. every night was just too much.
All cabins have television, hairdryer, bathrobe and phone - the TV is positioned in such a way that it cannot be viewed from the comfort of your bed - our outside twin (so-called 1st class) cabin had one tub chair and one backless stool - a kitchentype, arborite topped counter running the width of the cabin, under the porthole, accommodated the ice bucket, a securely affixed (6 screws) upright mirror and the leather-bound 'ship Information' book. The outlet into which the antique hairdryer could be plugged was sufficiently far from the mirror as to be useless - the hairdryer having a cord no longer than, maximum 15". Constant thumb pressure was required to produce heat! Closet and drawer space was more than adequate. The bathroom, with tub and shower, was adequate but the usual body lotion was not to be found.
Twenty-four hour room service was available with extensive menu and (very pricey) wine list. We passed on the "'Romantic dinner for two' served at leisure in your Stateroom" - presumably the backless stool served as the table - one sat in the chair whilst the other perched on the edge of the bed with plates on laps! We were not impressed.
What can I say - I wanted to sail the QE2 - I have - it was an experience - one I hope never to repeat.
I've read and re-read this blurb - it's factual - I admit to buying into the myth of the QE2 - I'm just sorry that I subjected hubby (European) to it . He has not complained but I'll wait a while before mentioning another sea trip!
This cannot be considered a review - normally I would have checked out various category cabins and attended at least a couple of shows/lectures etc. etc.. I did visit the Casino - heard many complaints about 'very tight slots' - I didn't win anything. Steiners, of course, was charging its usual exorbitant prices and pushing 'magic' lotions and potions on anyone who put so much as toe in the doorway - didn't even manage to snag a sample - there probably weren't any!.
Carnival's influence is much in evidence. Thank heaven the Alumini of HAL spoke quickly and strongly with one voice and refused to accept the changes Carnival thought it could impose.
Passenger breakdown - USA - 681: UK - 512: German - 193:
Canadian - 42: Netherlands - 40: Belgium - 31: Australia - 25: Switzerland - 18: Sweden - 13: Ireland - 11: Spain, South Africa, Luxembourg - 3 each:
Czech. Norway, Italy, Japan. Denmark - 2 each: New Zealand, Poland - 1 each
A service charge of $70.00 US per person was applied to our shipboard account - 15% was added to each bar charge. Those wishing to supplement this amount for exemplary service were urged to do so directly with the person concerned. Roger, our Cabin Steward deserved every additional dollar we gave him. For my part, the others would have received short shrift. The QE2 was an experience to be sure!
The review by Mark Goldberg and Christopher Smith,TravelPage.com, Cruise Editor and Associate Cruise Editor says much of what I feel.
There you have it - not the story I hoped to tell!

Cheers,

http://www.ncl.com/itinerary/05_16_farewell.htm

(Updated link!)

The SS France before she had a change of Identity and superstructure!

Lack of training was the problem. High time Carnival/Cunard took a close look at its Customer Relations guide book - for all personnel.
We've marked the trip down to experience and are moving on. Like your Princess experience,it's highly unlikely that we'll ever sail that Line again - already we're browsing Holland America Line offerings for 2001! P&O is receiving consideration too.

The Norwegian Cruise Line's SS Norway (built 1962) is one of the CruiseTalkers favourite ships. She was laid-up rusting for 5 years, until NCL purchased her!

Some folks say that her modifications are terrible - but in effect they saved her life. NCL turned her from a redundant and expensive to run, Transatlantic Ocean Liner, to a Cruise ship - without them she would be scrap by now. In simple terms they added two extra decks of suites. They also added two tenders carried on her bow, because she's the longest Cruise ship in the world (still)and is too big to berth at many ports. They also took two of her four propellers away. See:

http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/ships/fr_franc.asp

The fantastic "Liners" TV series shows and talks about her. It's on UK TV, CH 4, 7.00pm on Saturday 28 October. Don't miss it!

Above: The Norway at Southampton in 1988.

The SS France at NY Pier 88, 1968.

Pictures borrowed from an Excellent web site: http://dmscott.com/NORWAY/Intro.html )

Cheers!