What we have booked before we leave.

As it is our 25th Wedding Anniversary we wanted some special treats.

Well as mentioned in a previous post we had upgraded our flight to premium economy, We would have loved to go business / first class but the extra cost was huge and the seats are more pods and not together like to set of two we have in premium.

In New York we have booked the ride for our first night on the Friday. Should help with the jet lag!

Saturday we are off to the ball park, Go Yankees!!

Saturday night we have booked a clipper twilight cruise, time for a few drinks I think.

Monday is our last full day and Cathy has a booked at table at Print Restaurant.

For the QM2 we have booked the Bon Voyage package and look forward to some champagne in the cabin and breakfast in bed on the 18th May which is our anniversary and getting a good portrait photo.

We wanted a cabin with a balcony and decided with the Atlantic that a sheltered balcony was our best option and got midships for most stability , Cabin 5141.

ESTA approved February 24th.

Finally Insurance via Cover for You, level 5 for USA and cruise cover for 2 weeks. No cover for existing conditions as ....we do not have any ...yet!

Decision made.

Well with the decision made there were some final details to decide.
How do we fly to New York
What Cabin shall we have
Where shall we stay near Heathrow
Where shall we stay in New York

So final details are

Exeter to Heathrow , let someone else do the driving, within a budget of course.

Stay near Heathrow, my IHG rewards points made this a freebie.

How are we flying, lets go Premium Economy.

And in New York, CASA Hotel 45th Street

Finally the cabin

Job done and the most expensive adventure we have ever had was sorted and we couldn't be happier.

Our Silver Anniversary: How we decided ...

I decided to start a blog to capture our adventure celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary.
A few people on our favourite forum "cruisecritic.com" also asked us to post some words and pictures.

My wife Cathy had said over 18 months ago for this anniversary we needed to go big. As usual she did all the research and suggested we do 4 nights in New York and then return to the UK on Cunards QM2!
Initially I was not 100% sold, we had never done a cruise or crossing and we do not normally dress formally and ...weren't we to young!!

Well after some thought, a day or 2 later I said yes. We talked to a TA and the male agent sold it to us.
All my concerns over " we don't normally do this were all the reasons we thought Yes! "That's the point stupid" I said to myself, it is supposed to be different.

Well I can tell you since then the excitement has grown and grown and I realised we were sailing home on this ship;