8 night transatlantics

[Thomas Hypher]

Hello all

Starting in 2013, it would appear that QM2 will be doing 8 night crossings of the Atlantic, which will be at an average speed of about 12 knots! I think that this is ridiculous as QM2 will probably never go at high speed again and Carnival will be able to milk people of even more money and line their pockets with it. On top of that, it would appear that QV and QE will do their crossings in 9/10 nights.

I discovered this in a cruise offers brochure/booklet.

Thomas

[Jeff Taylor]

It is ludicrous on one hand to run a 28 kt ship at something less than 20 kts, but if you have to cross quickly you're going to fly.  On the other hand if you're seeking the shipboard experience a slower crossing gives you more time to enjoy the ship.  I think it comes down to cost.  If Carnival is passing along the substantial fuel savings, albeit offset by the additional food (and their food these days isn't that great) and labor costs, then I guess it's not bad.  In truth, this is what comes from having no competition on the Atlantic.

[Rob Lightbody]

8 nights is just ridiculous.

The dream just fizzles away...

QE2 Gone
British Registry gone.
Docking in Manhattan gone.
Crossings extended first to 6 nights, then 7 and now 8. 

They HAD something very special in QM2.

[Peter Mugridge]

Does RMS now stand for Royal Mail Snail?

[Chris]

It pains me very deeply to see a thoroughbred like QM2 reduced to a transatlantic cruise ship.

For a comparison, the last Cunard express liners to take 8 nights to cross the Atlantic existed in the 19th century!!

[Cruisemarsh]

Ludicrious! Would be a shame to see them introduced and the experience of travelling trans Atlantic at high speed would be ruined for good.

[Matteo 91]

What a shame... 

[Rob Lightbody]

Is longer better for a Queen Mary 2 transatlantic?

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/04/cunard-queen-mary-2-crossing/666214/1


Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[Barrie Evans]

Is longer better for a Queen Mary 2 transatlantic?

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/04/cunard-queen-mary-2-crossing/666214/1


Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

Hi Rob. Thanks for posting the info for the Q M 2 next year. We are actually just working on some dates for 2013 to fly out to New York, stay for a few days, then return on the Q M 2. It will be nice to have an extra day at sea. At the moment it looks like Carnival are saying that there might not be an inrease on price from a seven day to a eight day trip!  Watch this space.

In friendship
Barrie

[Barrie Evans]

Hi Rob. Thanks for posting the info for the Q M 2 next year. We are actually just working on some dates for 2013 to fly out to New York, stay for a few days, then return on the Q M 2. It will be nice to have an extra day at sea. At the moment it looks like Carnival are saying that there might not be an inrease on price from a seven day to a eight day trip!  Watch this space.

In friendship
Barrie

Oh i ment to ask, can any one tell me what is the best side to book a balcony cabin on the eastbound trip back to Southampton. I E is it better port side to catch the sun if there is any about?

In friendship
Barrie

[Barrie Evans]

Oh i ment to ask, can any one tell me what is the best side to book a balcony cabin on the eastbound trip back to Southampton. I E is it better port side to catch the sun if there is any about?

In friendship
Barrie

Ive just found out that according to the new 2013 Cunard Voyages brouchure, the first 8 day Westbound Transatlantic Crossing is 2nd September
and the first Eastbound is  27th of October.
Barrie

[Peter Mugridge]

Westbound - port side.

Eastbound - starboard side.

[Barrie Evans]

Westbound - port side.

Eastbound - starboard side.

Thanks for that information Peter. Have you sailed on the Q M 2 on that route?

Barrie

[Peter Mugridge]

No, I have not been on QM2 at all I'm afraid, but as this is the northern hemisphere when you head west the Sun is on the port side.

This is, incidentally, supposedly the origin of the word "posh" to describe rich people whose only aim is a luxurious lifestyle.  Port Out Starboard Home - from the days when sea was the only way to cross the Atlantic and New York was one of the prime destinations for the rich British industrialists and their families.

[cunardqueen]

Well it depends, if its used as going from point A to point B as part of another holiday its a big chunk out of your holiday allocation.

Believe it or not l actually considered thinking about including a January crossing to get home from America, but then from my point of view 7 or 8 nights is simply much too long to waste on a crossing home.. when the time can be better spent within America.
To even consider a crossing cruise is something that surprised me, It didnt last long ,but the answer is No in my view. and for the foreseeable future that remains so.
 
Heck l remember it was possible to have holidays, zipping down to London, a crossing to NY, a day there, a crossing back home, more time in London and all within Two weeks. Then again it was QE2..... and it was quite some time ago. Progress and making money have a lot to answer for.

But consider the fact when you have fares as low as they are on some crossings are Carnival so strapped for cash that such savings are required.