Craigrlewis

My partner had this issue and when emigrated to the UK had to get the US credits moved over. Took a bit of patience but it happened

Been on a fair few of these short ones and no its not a booze cruise atmosphere. Crew member once told me that P&O short cruises are best avoided as they can have a more booze cruise feel. As Pushpit says you may find the Golden Lion more lively later than it usually is.

We always book through Cunard and don't bother then checking the costs in isolation. Alike Victoria2 we want the peace of mind.

Ditto. We have used both and use which ever is the cheapest. Benefit with Parking4Cruises is if the arrival terminal changes they will bring the car to the right one. CPS will arrange a coach back to the departure terminal.

If you get a good waiter on the first night they will tell you this and that you can mix and match mains from one option with sides of another.

We ordered this off menu in PG November 2022 and in QG December 2023. We ordered evening beforehand Maitre D’ did state “it wont be identical to the Verandah as thats unique to them”. In PG came in a dish and they poured rum on it at the table. QG same in a dish not the silver container they use in Verandah, they flambeed it at the table with more rum. Both of them were as amazing as the Verandah served ones but the spectacle of the flambeing made it seem even better.

My tuppence is suspect due to Cunards links with the Princes Trust and the cachet of their long association with the royal family they will request the most senior member they can to launch it i.e. Queen Camilla. As she launched QV I would suspect if her diary allows she will be the one. It is said that the King expects and respects people who have shown her the relevant courtesy/respects her position entitles her to so again he would likely be pleased should Cunard ask her. Also to be pragmatic the age of HM King & HM Queen and the frequency Cunard launch new liners/ships then it could be Cunards/Queen Camillas last chance of a launch before the next generation of royals take charge

We did QV in August our itinerary was Southampton, England, UK At Sea For 1 Day Edinburgh (tours fromNewhaven), Sco Kirkwall, Scotland, UK At Sea For 1 Day Glasgow (tours from Greenock),Scotl Isle of Mull Scenic Cruising, Unite Belfast, NI, UK Liverpool, England, UK At Sea For 1 Day Holyhead, Wales, Great Britain At Sea For 1 Day Southampton, England, UK Embark Ship Arrive Early Morning, Tender Required, Depart Early Evening Arrive Early Morning, Depart Early Evening Arrive Early Morning, Depart Early Evening Arrive Morning, Cruise By, Depart Afternoon Arrive Early Morning, Depart Early Evening Arrive Morning, Depart Afternoon Arrive Early Morning, Tender Required, Depart Afternoon Debark Ship We enjoyed all the ports especially Liverpool and cork noticeably older UK crowd and yes more Americans. id say go for it!

Review just posted of this short cruise https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?posfrom=1&stay=1&EntryID=709732 Was an amazing cruise - one of the best we have taken but that was probably as we were in QG(!) Here are most of the menus QG menus.pdf

Er yes i can say its marked up because i looked on the manufacturers website and checked the price.

Currently on QV and asked for distilled water for my CPAP machine from the butler. Was advised its now obtained from the medical centre. Called them and was told could go down and collect it Went down and the man presented with me with what i think was either 500ml or 1 litre bottle and said “that will be $22”. It was no large than a litre and pretty sure it was 1/2 litre. I was a bit shocked as its always been provided free of charge either in a bottle or jug. The manufacturers web site will sell you 5 litres for £9.49 - so a hefty mark up there for Cunard. Spoke to the pursers desk (& they must have been briefed about the change) as she explained it is no longer free and guests will be charged and this had been the case for at least 2 months. She took my negative feedback and said she would pass it on but admitted she doesnt think it will change the new policy. I did say how can I bring bottles of water on board when your own web site has a case weight limit of 20kg and water ways a lot. I added I was happy to pay for it (as transporting water wasn’t practical) but the mark up they have chosen to apply smacks of price gouging. I also added it would be cheaper per litre to buy some wine from the bar and use instead. So next time I cruise from Southampton will be checking a carry on case with water in it! Just thought I would mention this in case anyone else os expecting them to still provide free distilled water. Respectfully ask that we please don't turn this into a “….well they don't provide this or that prescription drug free of charge or aspirin etc etc so why should they give you free water…” Im just flagging it up and like I said I would pay for it if it were a reasonable mark up or cost price.

Sorry to hear that my parents had the reverse in august on QV - they said it was too cold. They logged it with the pursers desk and within an hour a maintenance arrived he told them the thermostat control is delicate and guests inadvertently break them by being heavy handed. He replaced it and it then worked perfectly. i would suggest maybe your request has gotten lost in the system based on my parents experience. I’d go back to the pursers desk and ask to speak to someone more senior

I also think you can book ahead of time pay the $45 and they then refund it back on to your account when you attend and let them know your entitled to the free lunch. We have done it both ways as we wanted to ensure we could get a table ona particular day bit other times we just as Hattie says book on board

Diamond here. Last cruise we were given 330pm boarding time for Britannia grade. We had always chosen to ignore the boarding time and arrive at 1145am and sometime got straight on and sometimes sat there til 130. Didn't want that this time as was with my mum who is 80 and didn't fancy having her sitting there in the melee. Someone (and apologies I don’t recall who) on this board suggested avoid the 11.30-1.15pm “crush” and suggested I try 130pm onwards. It was a cracking suggestion-we flashed our priority pass, checked in immediately and walked straight onboard. To be honest unless we were in Grills or BC we would do this sort of time again. We still did the buffet, had a drink and unpacked etc and was in time for the sailaway.

This is what i opt to wear: Formal/Gala Night - Tuxedo, white tuxedo/bib shirt & bow tie Other Nights - Trousers, business/office with collar, tie and blazer As NEJohn has said many people will dress up regardless of whether its formal/gala night or other night As Bluemarble says no you do not need a tuxedo at all. I have seen people in button down polo shirts but you will look “out of place” as they're not tended to be worn Get ready now for a slew of comments about “don't book Cunard then..” and other such comments - don’t let them put you off. Dress code is a lot easier to follow/understand once you've been on board etc. and seen what people tend to wear.

Enjoy the views. Enjoy the way at times you can feel like the only passengers on board. Enjoy the fine food in what ever venue you chose to eat. Enjoy the promenade deck and walk many laps around convincing yourself for every lap you can go eat some more food. Enjoy the ambience of the library.

Was on QV August/Sept and in the Golden Lion they could do G/F Fish and chips or curry. You had to order it the day and when we ordered it they proactively made us wait whilst the chef was consulted that he could do it the next day (which he could and did) You could order the day before anytime they were open including the evening - they didn't need 24 hours notice In the MDR first night they will give you a normal menu and you say what you'd like and they tell you what they can adapt to make it G/F. Then it reverts to you get during dinner tomorrow lunch and evening menu. You chose what you want and they make it G/F for you-same menu as the rest of the restaurant will have. They can also make the “off menu” choices G/F as well should you not find something you like on the main menu. Breakfast my tip is really iterate the G/F part if you order scrambled or poached eggs as they come on toast circles that are not G/F. Hope that assists 😄

Hoping for Amanda Reid

Amazing review Sounds like you had a great time hope you are feeling better now

We were also on this cruise and to 2nd Victoria2 it was most enjoyable. Cobh was especially delightful and after wandering round we took the train to Cork. Liverpool was great as was Belfast. Only sad thing was 3 out the 4 of us now have covid - tested positive on Sunday. YES I know before anyone posts it we could have picked it up anywhere and not on the ship but we left the ship Friday drove home and didn't go anywhere Saturday as felt a little off colour then the dreaded positive test yesterday. Not sure of there was an outbreak on the ship but noticed penultimate day more of the crew wearing masks. Our cabin steward suddenly was wearing one, luggage collectors were wearing them and 2 waiters in the commodore club as well. So wish to keep this thread about the British Isles Cruise so lets not please have endless replies re covid and turn this thread into that. Please. Only cut backs I could see was a little less choice on MDR menu. For example no pasta dish every night & the petit fours were basically ginger, marshmallow and a varying cream (peppermint or coffee) rotated every night. No chocolate ones at all. I ordered off menu steak one night and my father another night. As usual no issues or comments from waiters other than to run through the options We could have with it. Asked for coffee ice cream every night and got it. Failed in my attempt to get nay dulce de leche apart from the night it was on the menu. When I asked other nights the waiter checked and came back and said sorry no hence the coffee. My mother is gluten free and as usual menu given every night for the next night and they basically adapted anything for her MaitreD (Francis) was very attentive to her and ensured she had everything the needed/wanted. Francis got talking to my partner who mentioned a love of curry and Franics immediately told him he would arrange for a dhal curry to be prepared for the next night. My partner said it was amazing. So all in All MDR couldn't be faulted Golden Lion now offers gluten free fish and chips or curry. You have to order the day before. My mother enjoyed her fish and chips. Went to Verandah for lunch as usual excellent. Cabin steward as usual came twice a day and was friendly and attentive. My father is 82 and made me laugh as he commented that this was his 7th cruise on Cunard and he never seen so many elderly people and people in wheelchairs and with walkers/sticks. I pointed out he was no spring chicken. Commodore club had cold then hot hors d’oeuvre as well as nuts and crisps. Once all eaten asked numerous times if we wanted more. Service as excellent and attentive as ever Found the Lido to be far too manic for my liking. I witnessed and was a victim of people trying to reach around/in front rather than waiting. Twice whilst stood back waiting to use the drinks machines people tried to walk in front of you rather than going behind you. Also found many people practically climbed on top of you in the queue. I like my personal space and didn’t take kindly to strangers breathing down my neck. So after day 2 I skipped the Lido. Skipped the main welcome party (evening) but did attend the WC one (11). Saw the queue forming at 1045 but we just waited until everyone had gone in then entered and stood on the outskirts of it all. Boarding our Check in time was 245 for us (Diamond) & 330 for my parents (Gold). We checked in 2pm at basically boarded straight away (used priority check in for us all) Used Parking for cruises and not CPS. Would recommend it. Never used them before and they were 1/2 the price. Man who took the car advised me that he had heard P&O were strictly enforcing boarding times but he had heard Cunard were being more relaxed. Think going at 130 was great (we used to be a rock up at noon and sit there for the boarding) and would do so again. P4C also told me that we were not returning to the Mayflower but going to QE2 terminal so the car would be there. Seeing CPS customers queuing for coaches back to Mayflower when we got back did make me pleased we didn't have to do that. So overall I would it give the cruise a 12 out of 10.

I would take it with you as a “just in case”. I was quarantined due to Covid last year on QE and ran out out of my steroid asthma spray 24 hours before being taken from the ship to a hotel for 7 more days quarantine. T-24 Medical centre promised to get some then at T-1hour to get off the ship that turned into their port agent would source it then later that day the port agent said they knew nothing about this and that I was to call my travel insurer and get them to source it…. Luckily a local pharmacy accepted screen shots from the NHS App and prescribed it to me and delivered it to the hotel Wouldn’t rely on the ships pharmacy having it

Absolutely great pictures and updates - thanks for sharing. QE is my favorite ship out of the 3 Queens. We had a spectacular time last year in Alaska on her and your reviews and photos brought back some find memories Thanks

Thanks Bell Boy & Hattie

Hi I'm sure someone posted yes you can order anything from room service (including afternoon tea) on embarkation day. However now I cant find the post-doh. Can tell me if I dreamt this or can you confirm that you can indeed order from room service? Thanks