London to Baja California ~ across America

[E60JPC]

v v,

I eagerly await your travelogue.

I just booked an eastbound cruise on the QM2 for my honeymoon in April. It will be the first time outside of North America for me and my future wife. Once in the UK, we'll be riding trains around Europe!

 

[user 6862]

v v,

I eagerly await your travelogue.

I just booked an eastbound cruise on the QM2 for my honeymoon in April. It will be the first time outside of North America for me and my future wife. Once in the UK, we'll be riding trains around Europe!

Congratulations to you both, amazing way to start your married life.

If you want any pointers on UK or Europe travel just ask, there are a few Europeans on this forum and quite a few of your compatriots are familiar too.

Best wishes from Rosie and me.

 

[user 6862]

Have decided to follow our original plans and travel to Baja California Mexico, but changing the where and how quite a lot and showing more caution. Here are the reasons...

It's a long story as to why we changed our minds a second time and decided to travel into a challenging Mexico, this is the short version! 

We read and re-read posts in this thread advising against travel to Mexico, we also researched other websites. Some close family don't think we should be in Mexico either, in particular at the moment with the Caravans. We took serious note of everything that was pointed out, all valued opinions, but we are very independent people and end up making our own decisions, right or wrong.

We weighed up everything we could read then used our own experience over 40 years of travelling. Decided it is a risk but to a lesser level than portrayed in the media, or frankly some of the understandable Government scaremongering. We have travelled in countries where our government didn't think it was a good idea to travel independently, we were advised only 2 years ago not to travel independently in Russia outside Moscow and St Petersburg, someone has got that piece of advice very wrong. We spent 2 months in an Arab country under martial law, the most welcoming country we have ever visited.

OK we may have got lucky in the past but we don't take deliberate chances, we are no longer agile enough to get out of the way of trouble.

Apparently the greatest risk in Baja is the northern half up to the border, we want to travel up to Guerrero ***** to whale watch extraordinaire, about half way up Baja. This is our considered plan.

Travel from SJD to La Paz. LP is less visited and we will get a feel of the place outside of an out and out tourist area. Hopefully talk with other travellers who know Mexico. If we are comfortable we get a daytime bus to Guerrero *****, again a bus that stops directly by a hotel. We stay only 2 full days and by then we expect to know a great deal more than we do now. If at any stage including from arriving at SJD onwards we are not comfortable we head back to the airport and get the first plane out, and here's the important point (for us)...  at least we will have tried.

If it all goes swimmingly we will bus up to Tijuana to cross the border there, now that could really be a trip report...  The high probability is return to SJD and fly to LAX. We had intended to travel to and internally around by bus for all our Mexico journey, we had intended to visit the Mexican mainland too including a large city. Most of this we have now ruled out except the bus to GN. We consider the bus safer than renting a car and being alone on remote roads, we have listened to advice.

We are not brave, strong or stupid, but do see frequently that fear creates more fear. We could get unlucky, of course we could, but so can every single person who goes out of their front door each day.

Phew, found that difficult to write, sorry if it causes offence.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Great post Jamie, I used to do the exact same things,when I wore a younger mans Clothes.

Wonderful Adventure for sure!

 

[E60JPC]

v v,

Are you still planning on taking the Copper Canyon Railway?

 

[user 6862]

v v,

Are you still planning on taking the Copper Canyon Railway?

Sadly no we will not and hadn't considered it anyway as it starts/ends in one of the Mexico zones that have the very highest risk. I think someone on this thread suggested it but it was never in our potential plans.

 

[cpotisch]

Have decided to follow our original plans and travel to Baja California Mexico, but changing the where and how quite a lot and showing more caution. Here are the reasons...

It's a long story as to why we changed our minds a second time and decided to travel into a challenging Mexico, this is the short version! 

We read and re-read posts in this thread advising against travel to Mexico, we also researched other websites. Some close family don't think we should be in Mexico either, in particular at the moment with the Caravans. We took serious note of everything that was pointed out, all valued opinions, but we are very independent people and end up making our own decisions, right or wrong.

We weighed up everything we could read then used our own experience over 40 years of travelling. Decided it is a risk but to a lesser level than portrayed in the media, or frankly some of the understandable Government scaremongering. We have travelled in countries where our government didn't think it was a good idea to travel independently, we were advised only 2 years ago not to travel independently in Russia outside Moscow and St Petersburg, someone has got that piece of advice very wrong. We spent 2 months in an Arab country under martial law, the most welcoming country we have ever visited.

OK we may have got lucky in the past but we don't take deliberate chances, we are no longer agile enough to get out of the way of trouble.

Apparently the greatest risk in Baja is the northern half up to the border, we want to travel up to Guerrero ***** to whale watch extraordinaire, about half way up Baja. This is our considered plan.

Travel from SJD to La Paz. LP is less visited and we will get a feel of the place outside of an out and out tourist area. Hopefully talk with other travellers who know Mexico. If we are comfortable we get a daytime bus to Guerrero *****, again a bus that stops directly by a hotel. We stay only 2 full days and by then we expect to know a great deal more than we do now. If at any stage including from arriving at SJD onwards we are not comfortable we head back to the airport and get the first plane out, and here's the important point (for us)...  at least we will have tried.

If it all goes swimmingly we will bus up to Tijuana to cross the border there, now that could really be a trip report...  The high probability is return to SJD and fly to LAX. We had intended to travel to and internally around by bus for all our Mexico journey, we had intended to visit the Mexican mainland too including a large city. Most of this we have now ruled out except the bus to GN. We consider the bus safer than renting a car and being alone on remote roads, we have listened to advice.

We are not brave, strong or stupid, but do see frequently that fear creates more fear. We could get unlucky, of course we could, but so can every single person who goes out of their front door each day.

Phew, found that difficult to write, sorry if it causes offence.

Sounds like a great trip and I really hope it goes well!

 

[user 6862]

14 December 2018  ~  Where it all begins, London to La Paz, Mexico (almost) without flying. Here is the start of the journey...

The local rail line at South Woodham Ferrers on the edge of Essex, UK coastal flat-lands



The almost completed itinerary is updated here. We'll try to enjoy the whole itinerary, but from experience changes will happen due to the reality that is local to the place, time and circumstance...  here's hoping.

London to Baja California ~ across America

Our estimated schedule, here's what we know so far...

Part I

14 December 2018 - Friday morning ~ South Woodham Ferrers (SOF) to Southampton Central...  via local 2 car train to Wickford, Essex ~ mainline train to Stratford, London ~ Tube  to Waterloo, London ~ mainline train to Southampton Central

14 Dec - Friday afternoon ~ local bus to hotel central Southampton

15 Dec - Saturday noon ~ Taxi to the QE2 Cruise Terminal, Dock gate 4, Southampton

15 Dec - Saturday 15:00 ~ Queen Mary 2 embarkation

15 Dec - Saturday c.18:00 ~ set sail across the North Atlantic in winter. From our cabin (stateroom) low down on deck 5 we'll have a close-up of the sea through panoramic windows. This is going to be 7 days of contrast to where we come from and our daily lives, can't wait...  especially Rosie.

16 - 21 Dec ~ North Atlantic

For those interested here is a nuts and bolts description of what this QM2 Transatlantic crossing entails, it's all new to us. Some of you will recognise the author as better known for compiling his worldwide rail website, Mr Seat 61. He brings the same matter of fact detail to this traditional Liner crossing too.

https://www.seat61.com/queen-mary-2-transatlantic.htm

22 Dec - Saturday ~ Arrive in New York Bay early, c. 05:00 - 07:00 am. Past the Statue of Liberty, past Ellis Island, round Governors Island and into the Red Hook Brooklyn Cruise Terminal berth. We can elect to dis-embark very early or mid morning. Too early doesn't work well for where we are headed that morning so will try to grab breakfast before we go and leave later.

22 Dec - Saturday morning. If the weather is poor, raining or bitterly cold we take a taxi to our hotel in Tribeca. If it's fine winter weather we take the local NYC South Brooklyn Ferry from right next to the Cruise terminal to the Wall Street Pier, apparently some very good views?

Turn left out of the pier and walk along the East River walk to Whitehall St and the subway entrance just a few meters/yards to the north. Subway through to Canal St, check into and leave a couple of small bags with the hotel then back to a different Canal St subway station/system about 300 m away (apparently there are 5 station/systems in Canal St) for a train to Penn Station where we'll check our large bag in for the next day's Amtrak Cardinal.

Then we're off to discover New York City at Christmas, with all the razzmatazz that goes with it. We're not usually interested in Christmas, at home will often see no-one or do too much, but we are interested in how this city celebrates it's Christmas so have planned a walk through an eclectic mix of sights in mid Manhattan.

22 Dec - Saturday afternoon/evening ~ walking mid Manhattan to some or all of these places...  Houdini Museum - New York Times Building - Times Square - Rockefeller Plaza (Radio City) - Trump Tower - Bergdorf Goodman - Bloomingdales - Urbanspace on Lex for food maybe - Chrysler Building - Grand Central Station - Empire State - Macy's - now booked for the last show of the day Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

23 Dec - Sunday ~ Up early, leave for Penn Station at 04:45, ouch! Hope we can get a hot drink in the Acela Lounge before the real adventure starts, trains to LA.

New York Penn to Chicago Union Station - Depart 06:45am Amtrak 51 Cardinal - Sleeper   ~   Arrive CHI 10:00am Monday 24 Dec

24 Dec - Monday ~ Chicago. If we arrive on-time leave carry-on bags in the Metropolitan Lounge, then another walk this time to the lake at Millennium Park. Back to Union Station and if time lunch at Lou Mitchell's (if open) on Jackson as there'll be no lunch on the Southwest Chief.

24 Dec - Monday ~ Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles Union Station - Depart 14:50pm Amtrak 3 Southwest Chief - Sleeper   ~   Arrive  LAX 08:00am Wednesday 26 Dec

25 Dec - Tuesday ~ We deliberately chose to be on a long distance train on Christmas day, just for the fun of it. As mentioned above we rarely mark Christmas day but hope this one is memorable.

26 Dec - Wednesday ~ LA. We've asked Milton not to be met at Union Station. He's not a morning person and would have to leave home at 06:00am if the Chief is on-time, and that's not fair. So it is the Ventura County Line train or even a Pacific Surfliner up to Chatsworth station, from there a short bus ride down to Roscoe / De Soto close to Milton's home.

All day for a catch-up on all our news, plenty to talk about.

If this plan works we will have travelled with minor stop overs from central France via the UK to Los Angeles without flying   -   7710 miles / 12408 km

Part II

27 Dec - Thursday ~ Deja vu. Outside forces have 'encouraged' us to book a night onboard the Queen Mary I at Long Beach CA. Yes it's a tough life sometimes, although at this rate we wont be travelling for another 3 years to give us time to recoup our finances. It will be strange only 5 days after leaving one QM to board another, but this time with known great company.

28 Dec - Friday ~ leaving the QM I and visiting Laguna Woods

29 Dec - Saturday ~ LA area  ?  undecided

30 Dec - Sunday ~ Volunteering for float building. Afternoon /evening at the La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses float building event. It's under the I 210 San Fernando Freeway at Hampton Rd and Foothill Blvd. If you are in the area come along and one of us will try to sell you a T shirt, all for a good cause. One of us will be working at the Floatique!

31 Dec - Monday ~ Recovering

1 January 2019 - Tuesday, New Year's Day. Milton has pre-booked grandstand seats for the Rose Parade for the 5 of us, we have to get there very early. He has all the arrangements in hand which is very nice not to have to plan that day. Heard there's a sort of football match on later too, aiming to find a good sports bar to watch the match in. Any suggestions of a good venue vaguely near to Roscoe Blvd?

2 Jan - Wednesday ~ Taking it easy and getting ready to head north

3 Jan - Thursday ~ Van Nuys Station to Monterey Transit Plaza - Depart 10:40am Amtrak 14 Coast Starlight - Business Class   ~   Arrive Salinas 18:28pm same day. Transfer at Salinas Station to Amtrak 3614 Thruway Bus. Depart 18:35pm   ~   Arrive Monterey Transit Plaza 19:25pm same day.

Transfer to hotel with a short taxi ride.

4 Jan - Friday ~ We like Monterey based on one out of season visit, Milton has never visited and is curious about our glowing description. Four things on the agenda for today. Walk through downtown, visit the seals in the harbour again, visit the aquarium (neither Rosie or I have visited an aquarium), and collect a car from the airport in the evening.

5 Jan - Saturday ~ Off after breakfast down to the coastal Redwood stands in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This, for all of us is the highlight of this trip. The remainder of the day a drive down the Big Sur to our lodgings at San Luis Obispo, possibly our favourite town in the USA.

6 Jan - Sunday ~ A gentle amble south sticking with the coast as far as possible, with at least one detour from Hwy 1. That's to Surf Station to the west of Lompoc, ending with returning to Milton's place in Winnetka.

7 Jan - Monday ~ Catch up with chores and return the car, getting ready for the off tomorrow

Part III

8 Jan - Tuesday ~ Pack light for the next journey starting today in the late afternoon. Now it's buses. The initial journey from LA up to Denver is across the Rockies by road, a first for us and even better as it's winter.

LA Greyhound Bus Station to Denver Greyhound Bus Station - Depart 18:40pm Greyhound Schedule 1684   ~   Arrive Denver 17:45pm Wednesday 9 Jan 

9 Jan - Wednesday ~ Arrive early evening, eat then to hotel

10 Jan - Thursday ~ Leave bags at the hotel and spend the day on two visits we missed out on last time. History Colorado Museum and the Colorado Capitol. The US has some magnificent capitols which we try to visit if we are nearby. Eat early as another evening Greyhound to catch.

Denver Greyhound Bus Station to Austin Greyhound Bus Station - Depart 19:35pm Greyhound Schedule 7309   ~   Arrive Austin 17:05pm Friday 11 Jan

11 Jan - Friday ~ Arrive Austin and if it all works out we get to take Bob Dylan to dinner after dropping our bags at the hotel, we are both looking forward to that.

12 Jan - Saturday ~ Various we'd like to do in Austin as Rosie wasn't too well during our first visit.

13 Jan - Sunday ~ Adieu to Bob and off to the airport. An afternoon flight to Dallas where we transfer to the San Jose del Cabo plane.

Austin to Dallas Fort Worth - transfer - Dallas Fort Worth to San José del Cabo   ~   American Airlines   Depart AUS 16:34pm   -   Arrive SJD 21:28pm

13 Jan - Sunday ~ Shuttle from airport directly to hotel in San José del Cabo (SJD). At last we are in Baja California (Sur), this is a staging post to travel further north over the next few days.  

14 Jan - Monday ~ San Jose to La Paz. A quick look around San José del Cabo then a bus through to La Paz. Maybe another few hours walking some of La Paz  and arranging a trip for the following day out to the Isla Espirito Santo, Rosie has her heart set on this.

15 Jan - Tuesday ~ La Paz. The Island(s) hopefully, then relaxing and preparing for the bus up to Guerrero ***** the following morning

16 Jan - Wednesday ~ La Paz to Guerrero *****. Undecided at the moment which of the 3 buses to choose, mainly it's what time we want to arrive than leave on the 12 hour bus ride. We are told Mexican LD buses are often quite superior to Greyhound, sounds like a touch of luxury to us.  Of course if we are not happy with the general Baja situation we could be heading back to the airport at SJD instead?

17 Jan - Thursday ~ For the next 5 or 6 days everything is provisional, this part of the itinerary will only be known on the day, so the next part of this schedule is how we hope it will turn out, reality may be different. At this point our main future deadline is the 23 January when we are due to ride the Amtrak 422 Texas Eagle from LA back to the north.

17 - 22 Jan - Baja / LA area, no fixed plans as yet

Part IV

23 Jan - Wednesday ~ Preparing to leave Milton and LA, never know if we'll be back again. Evening train to Normal, what a destination.

23 Jan - Wednesday ~ Los Angeles Union Station to Washington Union Station - Depart 22:00pm Amtrak 422 Texas Eagle - Sleeper   ~   Arrive Bloomington-Normal 11:01am Saturday 26 Jan. The Amtrak station is actually in Normal, not Bloomington.

26 Jan - Saturday ~ Bloomington-Normal Station to Indianapolis Station - Depart 15:20pm Amtrak 8890 Thruway Bus   ~   Arrive IND 19:30pm Saturday 26 Dec. We have been warned about Indianapolis station, some folk are for and some against. Soon have our own opinions.

26 Jan - Saturday ~ Indianapolis Station to Washington Union Station - Depart 23:59pm Amtrak 50 Cardinal - Coach   ~   Arrive WAS 18:19pm Sunday 27 Jan. Think we will get to see the gorge in daylight?

27 Jan - Sunday ~ Evening. Arrive Washington DC, subway across to our hotel very close to the Watergate Building. This is turning out to be a tour of major past and present political sights and events, and now we are at the epicentre!

28 Jan - Monday ~ Today we hopefully get to visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture, something we are looking forward to. It's obviously popular as it's difficult to book a visiting time due to being so busy. Here's hoping... 

Update 4 December: In January timed visits are only required at weekends, weekdays are 'walk in' days. Advice from a member of the Washington visitor center who has visited this museum more than once is arrive early. Apparently at any time this is a very popular museum and visitors spend quite a lot of time there.

29 Jan - Tuesday ~ It's the day for the Capitol and another peek at the White House. Currently Europe is fascinated by American politics so having a chance to visit such an important parliament and view one of the most important homes on the planet is a must.  

30 Jan - Wednesday ~ Leaving Washington late morning with an NER train. Washington Union Station to New York Penn Station - Depart 10:10 am Amtrak 174 Northeast Regional - Coach  ~  Arrive New York 13:35pm same day

By this evening we should be on a plane back to London, England, but we think we have enough time to visit Juanita and Bradley in New York for a cup of tea. We met Juanita on the Australian LD train The Ghan a few years ago now, what a happy thing this long distance train travel is.

Friday 14 December 2018 Day 1 ~ South Woodham Ferrers to Southampton, UKUpdated in Southampton, UK ~ Saturday 15 December

4 trains and 1 bus, went like clockwork. But each section was extremely busy which we hadn't encountered before on our route and time of middle of the day on a weekday travels across London.

The first train, a local 2 carriage is now a 4 car train and was almost full. The mainline train from Wickford, Essex hardly had a seat even 40 miles outside London. The Tube from Stratford east London was heaving, Then the main line south London Waterloo to Southampton Central train was 80% full when leaving, more people came on board at the various stops after. Are people in SE England using a lot more public transport than 9 months previous?

To be continued...

 

[railiner]

Bon Voyage!   

You have done an incredible amount of research and planning for your trip.  

I hope the weather clears up a bit, before you sail away...your Captain might take a southerly course to avoid the worst of it...

http://www.oceanweather.com/data/NATL-Southern/index.html  

If so the QM2 has ample reserve power to make up the extra time, and you might get the rare opportunity to see her use her pair of marine gas turbines for extra speed.

I wish you "fair winds, and following seas"....

And I'll be following your report, here....

 

[caravanman]

Thanks for the update, and likewise, best wishes for a safe and enjoyable trip.

It will be strange to get back to Normal after Mexico, but I am sure you will cope well.  

I guess you will be "off the air" while afloat, so I look forward to hearing about the crossing when you get any time to write, Stateside.

Bon Voyage!

Ed.

 

[cpotisch]

Safe travels! Four pages of advice and planning, and you're finally here! Have fun!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Outstanding! ^_^  Surely looking forward to your trip reports and seeing y'all @ the Long Dog Station in Austin! :hi:

And it sounds like British Trains are like Amtrak, the Claim is that No-one rides Trains anymore but somehow they are often Full!

 

[PVD]

Newseum, Holocaust Museum, WW2 Museum are also points of interest in DC that might resonate with people with an international perspective.

 

[cpotisch]

Newseum, Holocaust Museum, WW2 Museum are also points of interest in DC that might resonate with people with an international perspective.

This! I also strongly recommend the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where they produce US Currency. And ironically, admission is free!

 

[PVD]

They have a renovation going on and tour capacity is very limited....

 

[oregon pioneer]

I know this will be a memorable trip! I really look forward to hearing how the Baja part turns out (especially).

Yes, the east bound Cardinal will get views of the New River Gorge in daylight. I took it in November, and was in coach from CIN. I was awake and got good views at first light and we weren't even to the gorge, yet! It is nice to do it in winter, when the leaves are off the trees. If you are lucky, you will even have snow!

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Wishing you both an absolutely wonderful trip and looking forward to hearing about all your wonderful adventures!

 

[railiner]

Following the QM2 on the AIS...currently approximately 16W and 48 N   moving thru some nice waves....welcome to the "Winter Crossing Club"....

 

[railiner]

Looks like the weather wasn't bad enough for the good Captain to divert...the QM2 was built to handle the worst the North Atlantic could throw at her...currently approximately, 

19W, 47N....heading 253°  at 17.3 k

Current view from the bridge... from Cunard website

  

 

[cpotisch]

Looks like the weather wasn't bad enough for the good Captain to divert...the QM2 was built to handle the worst the North Atlantic could throw at her...currently approximately, 

19W, 47N....heading 253°  at 17.3 k

Current view from the bridge... from Cunard website

  

Can you post a link to that video? I’m not seeing it on the Cunard site...

 

[trainman74]

Heard there's a sort of football match on later too, aiming to find a good sports bar to watch the match in. Any suggestions of a good venue vaguely near to Roscoe Blvd?

Around what intersection on Roscoe? (Pretty much any bar, or restaurant with a TV, will have the Rose Bowl game on.)

 

[user 6862]

Friday 14 December 2018 Day 1  ~  South Woodham Ferrers to Southampton, UK  -  continuedUpdated in mid north Atlantic ~ Tuesday 18 December

From South Woodham Ferrers to our hotel room in central Southampton in 3 1/2 hours, very slick transfers that all worked.
Walked around the center of Southampton for a couple of hours in the early evening, never stopped here always driven through. Very impressed indeed at the blend of old fortifications and the very modern, can't say we've seen better anywhere. Well done Southampton to have retained the original character.

A part of Waterloo station, large south London station



Notice the sleigh and reindeer above the gate



Blend of ancient and modern



…  right next to this modern leisure center



Saturday 15 December Day 2  ~  Southampton to leaving on the QM2

Updated in mid north Atlantic ~ Tuesday 18 December

Raining cats and dogs this morning so time to catch up with some sleep. Even breakfast at the hotel was available until 11:00am so very relaxed.

Pre-ordered taxi arrived spot on time at 12:00 noon, and knew where Berth 101, the City Cruise Terminal was too. (The berth had changed 3 times since we made our booking, the other two terminals which are Cunard owned are apparently a little swisher according to experienced cruisers). And there was the Queen Mary II at it's borrowed berth, she towered over all the surrounding buildings and infrastructure, impressive.

We were due to turn up for check-in at 3:00pm but had to be out of the hotel by 12:00 noon, so at 12:10pm we were standing inside the terminal building looking for a place to wait for 3 hours. Had a thought, why not try to blagg it and see if we could check-in earlier. Asked what the procedure was. In turn was asked if we had all our bags with and on confirmation we had was told to go straight through...  so we did.

Entertaining 45 minutes queuing for check-in, the couple in front of us  complained they never usually had to queue, they had cruised before. He a bank manager and she previously flight crew were very pleasant and told us how they had unloaded their 9 (yes that is nine! large bags) at the previous to be used terminal and been transported to this one. Their car was being stored at the Cunard terminal until they returned in around 4 1/2 weeks. 
The QM2, which Rosie has shortened to just Mary goes off to the Caribbean after the New York crossing before returning to New York and Southampton. 
When he saw the incredulity on our faces re the 9 large cases he explained he had 4 dinner jackets including one for a full Scottish dress outfit. I mentioned I didn't have a single one (through choice) and he generously offered to lend me one of his. He was about 6' 4" and broad, I'm not. I did mention it would look like an overcoat on me and his girlfriend said the Scots one is cut short so maybe that would be best! How generous as they meant well, this was our introduction to cruising and it's folk and it felt slightly surreal but very nice. I doubt we'll meet up as there are thousands of passengers boarding plus they are on the top deck in a suit and we are on the lowest.

Straight through very relaxed check-in and told off you go, they'll direct you as soon as you get on board. Found our way to our cabin, very nice indeed somewhat larger than a roomette or even an Amtrak bedroom, and there was the balcony too, we felt very well set-up. 
Our small table had a bunch of flowers, a bottle of white wine in an ice bucket and a suspiciously serious looking bottle of champagne alongside a small box of chocolates, wow! are you listening Amtrak.

Rosie was bothered about all these gifts and asked the room steward, all were explained except the Champagne.

Visited the Kings Court Buffet self service restaurant for lunch, huge range of food on offer and covers a large part of that deck, pretty impressive and no formal dress is required at any time.

Took a look around a few parts of the ship, not only is the detail superb but the build quality appears of high quality and looks robust too. Think it was built for the north Atlantic in winter and certainly has the feel of a traditional ship, from the outside it doesn't look like most cruise ships. 
The detail in the interior decoration is at times exquisite, they have emulated 1930's style and glamour. Art Deco style is highlighted everywhere, and as we work with original Art Deco items we appreciate how good the décor design is.

We leave Southampton at 6:30pm, an hour later than scheduled. Patchy rain and very dark, only the lights of the city disappearing behind us brighten the chilly evening. Beautiful Teak deck to walk around the entire ship, most of it covered. Have to prepare clothes for dinner, that could take a while with 8 bow ties to choose from.
Rosie is excited about dressing up, I approached the first semi formal evening dinner with slight trepidation. We are allocated to eat in the Britannia dining room, it is 2 stories high by having a sweeping balcony circling above the lower dining floor, very grand.

After reading about Cunard dress codes we are surprised at the informality of the dining room, only about half of the male diners bothered with jacket and tie. We are seated at a 6 seater table, but only four of us. Our fellow diners were ex long term military who by coincidence were in Germany for 6 or 7 years not many miles where I had lived and worked, for four years at the same time. We had very different experiences with the local population. 

Pleasant enough dinner but no better than the self service Kings Court Buffet from lunch time, we were a little surprised at that.

An early night as we still had to catch up on lost sleep, all helped by a wonderfully comfortable bed. 

Our cabin /stateroom



ditto



A wet deck 7 with is continuous around the ship. 3.1 x round = 1 mile

 

[railiner]

Thanks so much for your "Live From" report...

Make sure you visit all of the unique features that the QM2 offers....including the Planetarium, the Cunard historic collection, the bridge viewing room, the real dart board's in the Pub, the largest library at sea, and the adjacent bookstore, with one of the best collections of maritime books, anywhere....Sign up and take the 'behind the scene's tour', that is if it is not already sold out...it is so 'worth it'....

And if you are up to the challenge, enter the pub team trivia quiz....they take trivia seriously on that ship...

 

[SarahZ]

Thanks so much for your "Live From" report...

Make sure you visit all of the unique features that the QM2 offers....including the Planetarium, the Cunard historic collection, the bridge viewing room, the real dart board's in the Pub, the largest library at sea, and the adjacent bookstore, with one of the best collections of maritime books, anywhere....Sign up and take the 'behind the scene's tour', that is if it is not already sold out...it is so 'worth it'....

And if you are up to the challenge, enter the pub team trivia quiz....they take trivia seriously on that ship...

Between all of this and the Art Deco, the QM2 just earned a high spot on my bucket list.

 

[railiner]

Between all of this and the Art Deco, the QM2 just earned a high spot on my bucket list.

Anyone that loves to cruise, and loves traditional ocean liner's owes it to themselves to do at least one 'crossing' on this beauty.

Soak in and absorb the class she simply exudes...don't miss the high tea served in the afternoon in the Queen's Lounge, with the largest dance floor at sea....