OBSESSIVE BUYING?

Yes, I really think I must have an obsessive compulsive personality. Ever since I decided that we were going to go on the QE2 on a transatlantic crossing, I have got a bit over zealous in finding out as much as I can about the ship.

So most of this year, I have been searching and finding out about the QE2. I have bought videos, bought books and been buying bits and pieces on one of my most favourite sites: eBay. Also on Amazon and Alibris books

Here is what I have bought on eBay or other sites that is QE2 orientated (so far):

Books
* Cunard "Tribute to a Queen" hardback book (Berltiz 1987)
* QE2 The Offical Story Book by Potter & Frost (1969)
* 62 page Cunard Book "QE2 Transatlantic" (deck plans, photos, itinieries etc)
* "Murder She Wrote on the QE2" Paperback
* "QE2: Voyage of Discovery" - Carol Thatcher
* "Around the World on the QE2" - Alfred Armond Montapert and William David Monapert
* "Attack on the Queen" - Richard P Henrick (1997)
* "The Only Way to Cross: Golden Era of the Great Atlantic Liners" - John Maxtowe-Graham
* "QE2 - A Ship for All Seasons" - David F Hutchings (1988)

Brochures and booklets
* Cunard Brochures from 1976, 1980, 1983, 1989, 1992 (Transatalantic), 1993 (transatalantic) and 1993, 1995
* Accomodation Plans (Pre 1999)
* QE2 Tips to Cruising leaflet(early 80s)
* 1960s/70s Welcome Aboard the QE2 (with fold out deck plans and Guide)
* Cruise Trade Magazine Cunard QE2 1992
* History of the Cunard Line from 1840 to present day (bundle of cards, papers etc)

World Cruise Bits and Pieces
* 1977 World Cuise Memorabilia (Book)
* 1984 World Cruise Memorabilia (luggage tags, menus, hard cover book, certificates)
* 1985 World Cruise Memorabilia (more or less same as above)
* 4 menus from 1987 world cruise

Daily Programs and Menus
* 7 daily programs from the "Gallic Getaway" QE2 cruise in August 2004
* 1975 On-board folder (including: copies of daily paper for 7 days, 7 day of programs, menus, pocket companion book, embarckation leaflet etc)
* New Year Eve 2003 menu and program
* QE2/ QM2 Joint crossing commemorative folder/ menu 2004

Videos
* "QE2 The Royal Voyage" VHS
* "QE2 The Last Great Liner" VHS 1999
* "Coronation Street: QE2 Feature Length Special" (Only available on video) 1995

Other Bits and Pieces
* QE2 "collectable" spoon (why I bought this I have no idea! It is awfully tacky)
* Revell Model of QE2 (in sealed box) - one of those like Airfix type
* QE2 Cruise Bag from the 70s
* "History of Cunard Line" CD-ROM (www.schiffspost.com)

(And I left out some QM2 booklets and brochures in that list!). I think I have stopped buying QE2 bits... ALTHOUGH the one thing I would really like to get is a set of all the Cunard brochures from 1969 to now and beyond..... So let me know if you have any!

QE2 CROSSING: FIRST MATERIALS ARRIVE

Yesterday when I got home from work I got very excited! As in the post had arrived the first of the materials for our December QE2 crossing. It was in the form of 2 bound booklets that had our names printed on them and inside where various details about embarcking and disembarcking, with some offers on the Hilton for the night before and how to get to and from in the UK and New York.

They seem to have better deals on the limo pick up from home to Southampton than the one I booked through their CruiseConnection service on the website. But hey ho, we think we will leave it as it is. We are not sure what to do on getting from QE2 in NYC to Penn Station to get the train to Washington - there is a $19 bus or a $50 car. Think we may go for the car and go posh the whole way! Which reminds me, I need to book the train too.

Getting these made it seem even closer.. although still about 75 days away!!!!

The booklet was exciting to get but did not sure what expected as felt I wanted to know more after looking at it! There are 20 pages (and as mentioned nice as has our names pronted on them) and contained:
- General info on embarkation (but no specifics about times, just in options to get there that they offer) - information on visas and where to get help - an offere from the Hilton for the night before - general stuff about life on board (pretty much same as in the brochures) - disembarkation information and optiosn to book once en route)

QE2 PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

Always dying to see more of the ships (especially the QE2 that we are booked on for the 15 December crossing), I came across a promotional video on the Carnival Corporation (owners of Cunard) site: Worldleadingcruiselines.com.
The video shows animated shots of the QM2 with real video of the QE2, including what I think is a Q2 cabin in the 2nd last cabin shot (We are booked on a Q2): Click here to see the video (It should show in your default player).

Some other bits on the site worth looking at:
* Interactive "concierge" (tells you what of their lines is most for you): Click here

CRUISEMATES.COM

When I first started getting hooked and needed to feed my thirst for knowledge, I turned (of course) to the internet. I found many sites of varying quality and usefulness. Cruisemates.com is one that I found great - especially the quality and amount of reviews from both the editor of the site but more importantly from readers of the site. The latter for me always being the most interesting and helpful, and what I really like to read. This site also has some very good articles to help you get tips. It is more USA focussed (e.g. it does not cover in a lot of detail UK based P&O that well).

Suggested best areas in general:
* Cruisemates.com Home Page
* Readers Reviews (chose by Cruise Company/ ship etc)
* Articles and tips by topic by experts


QE2 bits due to my current QE2 obsession:
* QE2 (and other Cunard) Readers Reviews
* Articles on the QE2: So Many Choices, Commanding the QE2
* Readers QE2 Photos Galleries: Sydney, Transatlantic New York

NEW BOOKING: ARCADIA JULY 2005

Much excitement today as we have booked to go on the brand new P&O ship (Arcadia) in July to the Mediterranean. To find out more about the ship: Arcadia Mini Site

We had looked at the brochure and seen the price for a suite (which look amazing) on this adults only ship that comes into service in April 2005.

When I went through the online booking on the P&O website the price was a few £100 higher. I then remebered seeing on one of the most active Yahoo groups about cruising WeLoveCruising a lot of posts about someone with the user name YummyMummy who is a cruise manager at the Co-Op travel agents divsion called Travelcallcruise.co.uk . I made contact with her and she got a great deal of several £100 off the price. It is still expensive but better than we were prepared to pay!

We are going to be in "The Hong Kong Suite". The picture above shows what the suite is going to look like. Nice!! We are going on the 13 night "Mediterranean Magic" which is described on the site as: "Set sail for the warmth, culture and history of the Mediterranean! A few days at sea enables you to really relax and get into the holiday spirit before you arrive in cosmopolitan Palma. Sophisticated St. Tropez, the Renaissance splendours of Florence and the myriad attractions of Rome are all en route so whether you’re an art-lover, like to shop ‘til you drop, or simply soak up the sun and the atmosphere from a café with a view, this could be the perfect holiday!" It goes to Palma, St Tropez, Florence/ Pisa, Rome, Sardinia and Gibraltar"

A few days after we made the booking "YummuMummy" made a posting to the site saying she had been made redundant from the company.

QE2 TRANSATLANTIC DEC 2004

On 15 Dec 2004 we are heading off on the first trip on the QE2. It will be the famous transatalantic crossing from Southhampton to New York. We are booked in a Q2 cabin on the signal deck (see the layout of that deck in the picture). As I have been doing rather a lot of looking and finding out about the QE2, I will share in ths blog some of the sites and links that I have found very helpful on both the QE2 and for our new passion in cruising.
Visit the Cunard site

We originally spoke about going on the trip between Christmas 2004 and New Year . This was after we had also had a less than brilliant time, as we had a big break in at our flat and the people who did it really cleaned us out (taking just over £15000 of plazma TV computers etc) and left a huge mess as they had opened all the Christmas presents etc.

After we booked with Cunard, where we got a 30% discount. But a bit later (as I had kept looking at the site and various message boards) I noticed that they were offering 50% discounts and so the Q4 that we had booked was a whole £1000 each less! I called Cunard and they offered to upgrade us to a Q3 - but we eventually agreed to pay £150 each more and now have a Q2!! This has a butler service, is on the very top in what they call the "penthouse suites" with their own entrance. Above a Q2 is the Q1 and Qs suites which are the 2 roomed ones. But there are only less than 8 suites better than a Q2. So we are now VERY excited indeed. Our 1st trip on the QE2 will be in real style!!

We are in 8006 on the Sun deck. Reading in a message board one guy told me these are amoung the best of the Q2s.

MY P&O AURORA REVIEW

Below follows a review of the 1st proper cruise that we went on. And the thing that got us hooked! It was on P&O's Aurora. I had been on there before for short weekend Marketing Conference. This one was in August 2004 and a 3-nighter that went from Southampton - Zeebruge - Guernsey - Southampton. We had wanted to book a suite, but they were sold out and so we bookd a mini-suite (B229). It was great! As was the whole trip.

You can click on these links to read the review (posted on a number of sites):
* Gary's Aurora Review (Cruisecritic.com) .
* My review on Shiphappens.com
* My review on Cruisemates.com

And here is the full thing: Gary's P&O Aurora Review (August 2004)

"This was the first proper cruise that my partner and I have done. We did it as a trial as we have booked on the QE2 transatlantic crossing in Dec 04 and wanted to check a bit of a cruise while we waited.

This was a great experience. It was a 4 day/ 3 night "taster" on the Aurora that I assume is to try and get people like us to give cruising a try. Although, we only ever met people that were experienced cruisers who were using the short trip as a "top-up" to get their cruise fix before longer cruises!

The 3 nights involved going from Southampton - Zeebrugge - Guersney - Southampton. We had booked into a mini-suite.

The following are some observations and thoughts:

Check-in/ embarkation: Amazing The check in was so smooth and easy to do. More used to airline travel we were amazed at how efficient and organized it was. We barely stood in line. Once into the waiting area (which is neat and tidy but not very exciting) we felt that they could offer more for passengers to do. We had an priority boarding as we were in a mini-suite. We were taken to ANDERSONS bar and given a drink and sandwiches.

Cabin: We were very very impressed. It was a mini-suite (B229) and is around 350 sq feet. With a massive king size bed (I believe made from 2 singles), bathroom with Jacuzzi bath and 2 basins, lounge area with clever set up where a dining room table is inserted into a desk area. The balcony comfortably held 2 chairs and a lounger. There were chocolates, flowers and champagne to greet us.

Dining: We had second sitting in the ALEXANDRIA. It looked good. The service was so good it was almost invisible that you barely even realized it was all happening. Drinks were reasonably priced, and the food was varied and delicious. We had been put with a good set of people, 2 single travellers and a couple. All were regular cruisers and so we spent many happy hours chatting and getting their advice.
We had breakfast and lunch in the MEDINA each day as that had a served breakfast and lunch, preferring that to the ORANGERY which had a buffet. Service here was more patchy. Maybe as they knew that we would not be influencing their tips.
The formal tea was also in that restaurant. That was very good indeed with a lovely selection of pastries, cakes, sandwiches etc

Entertainment etc: We used the gym twice. It is well equipped and bright. It would be good if they had TVs or better music as the gym instructor played techno dance music all the time which was not ideal! - The spa was good, and we both had excellent and (compared to UK land prices) very reasonably priced back, neck and shoulder massage. - The shows put on by the theatre company (young dancer/ singers) were good. They have huge energy, and while clearly they had a good singing and dancing coach/ director they probably need some help on the staging and "book" as that was a bit amateur. But they were very enjoyable. - The casino was small and very smoke filled. - Tours on offer were varied and well organized.

Overall: We thought the ship was great. It was very clean and well maintained -and you never saw anyone doing it so like the restaurant service it is done quietly and so as you don't notice it.

The shops were terrible - and we felt a real missed opportunity as even though we wanted to spend money all they had was fragrance, some clothes if you had forgotten something and a bit of watches, chains etc. It is a large and beautiful ship and looks great too!