QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Hi
We are looking into returning to the UK on the QM2 next year.
It works out cheaper with the dog and cases and our daughter does not like flying.
We are in Edmonton and was wondering if anyone had any advice on one way rental,RV or Car or any ideas on how to get there without flying.
Thanks
Jamie:)

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

I'm sure that If1 will be along soon. She disembarked the QM2 in Southampton last Friday and was living in Calgary. However, she and her spouse did visit friends in the North East before arriving in New York and I think they flew there, although it's possible that they did do some research on one way rentals.

I was on the QM2 last month (NY-Soton) and at our dining table there was a couple from Ohio. They absolutely refuse to fly, so they took an Amtrak train into New York Penn Station and spent a couple of nights in NYC before embarking the ship (and did the same on their return to Ohio).

Is it possible for you to take a train to NYC?

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Have you considered going by train? Via rail from Edmonton to Montreal and then Mtl to NY. We took Via from NS to Ont and then flw to NY, but if we didn't need to go to Ontario, we would have taken the train from Quebec to NY. We sailed back to the UK on the QM2 last week and loved it. There is a thread on the Moving Back Forum, which talks about the QM2, including dealing with vet issues and accommodation that will take dogs.

Good luck with your move.:)

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

D. Great minds think alike. I was typing my response at the same time as you.:)

We did fly from Calgary to PEI and then took the train west. However, had I been living in Edmonton I might have considered doing the cross country trip.

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Thank you for all your advice
I m going to look into the train,just rang cunard and they have no room for the dog for 2013 so me and my daughter may come home on the cruise and OH can fly with the dog.:)

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Britwhore managed to get a spot for 4 dogs, 5 weeks before sailing, so you never know what may become available.:)

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

I called a few days ago and they said they had room for 3 dogs and a cat in the early part of 2013. Maybe just keep trying up until its time to go for your hubby and dog?

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Yes she did!

Actually I think someone posted on the MBTTUK forum that there is a wait-list for dogs & cats in case someone cancels, but I *think* that the wait list gives priority to passengers who have already booked a state room (cabin).

This may work in the O/Ps favour if she is going to go with her daughter on the QM2 and if a space becomes available for the dog, then it should be easy enough to change to a different state room (cabin) to accommodate 3 passengers:fingerscrossed::)

Come to think of it, I'm a little suspicious; I wonder if some of the travel agencies which book a lot of cabins with Cunard are able to 'reserve' a kennel or two, and they are released to the general public approx 4-6 weeks prior to departure....?

(I discovered that my spouse booked via American Express, I thought he'd booked it directly with Cunard - but he did request that very special surprise lol!)

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Thanks
Was told i could go on the wait list but need to book first,so may go ahead and book for me and my daughter,then add my OH at a later date if there is room for the dog
Is it best to book direct or use a travel agent or website

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

I would imagine that you could check the prices directly with Cunard and see if a specialist cruise travel agency can match the price or throw in a freebie.

I definitely recommend that you register with Cunard for their e-mail news (see the link below) as you will get a 'heads up' when they run promotions/special discounts:

http://www.cunard.com/Special-Offers/special-offer-1/

Also keep phoning re; the dog. You may be able to make a booking for a state room and ask if this can be switched to another date if a space comes up in the kennels (I don't know if they charge fees for changes like the airlines do, best to ask I should think!).

Going slightly off-topic, look what this expat dad is doing to repatriate from Abu Dhabi because his son is too afraid to fly :ohmy::

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/em...abia-1.1059400

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Hi,

I was never on a wait list for kennels I just called them out of the blue and lucked out!!!

I suggest renting a one way car rental and driving. We did that from LA. Took 4 days to drive and then spent a couple nights in NYC sorting out the last of the dog paperwork before getting on the QM2.

Good Luck.

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Hi
Thanks for all your replies
I rang Cunard again and they have a space for the dog on the 27th Nov,if we go we would have to leave my husband here for a few months to work and then he would follow.
He could drive us from Edmonton (I don't drive) so that would solve the one way rental.
Bit nervous about it all,I know I want to go back ,but worry if I m doing the right thing.
Just wish i could be one of those people who love it here,but I m not.
(This is my second time of trying)

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Sadly the only way you know if you've made the right decision is to do it......!! Costly and painful life decision.

Glad they could fit the dog in. Like I mentioned when I called they had an opening for my 4 dogs but we had to sail in 5 weeks. So basically I had to get our entire life packed and sorted plus put the house on the market in 5 weeks but I think it was worth it!

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Our 17 yr old son has already gone back,it took us 3 yrs to get here,but i think in those 3 years we changed and its not what we want now,have only been here 5 mths and 3 mths in 2008 but at least we have tried it again,i m glad we did ,think we needed to get it out of our system and can now move on,just wish we hadn't wasted so much time and money.

How were the dogs on the sailing,did you get to see them?
Can you recommend a vet and a pet friendly hotel?
Did you find it easier doing this way,than flying?
Sorry for all the question ,just not sure where to start

Re: QM2 One way rentals and getting there
 

Dogs were fine on the sailing. The first night was rough on them but they got used to it. There are visiting hours for the dogs so you get to spend some time with them. I'm not sure it's easier as flying would've only taken 6 hours from NYC and then it would've been over but my dogs are older and I wasn't sure how they would handle the flight. Because we had to visit the USDA office (at JFK) we stayed near there. we also found a USDA vet in the same area to do the final paperwork and tapeworm. La Quinta Motel at JFK is pet friendly and don't charge. We thought they were fine.

Hope that helps a little.