swjumbo

No but cabins were ready at 1130 when we boarded so we were happy with that instead.

We’ll ask for you tonight!

Any questions about the ship we’re happy to answer. Needless to say it’s our first time on ‘X’ since August and we haven’t seen any cutbacks apart from the branded playing cards. They’re now just regular with no branding. The buffet looks the same and the food is still superb although the portion of pasta in Tuscan last night was considerably smaller. That wasn’t a bad thing as we were able to get to dessert!!! Our sixth Celebrity ship, this being the oldest but it’s still amazing. Beautifully maintained both inside and out. The staff just seem to be that little bit more relaxed than the other ships and every individual we’ve met has gone over and above at every opportunity. We’re in an Aqua balcony. Our original balcony had a fan above it, we asked to move and it was done in an instant. Our cabin steward is even better that our Cunard Queens Grill butler on our last cruise. This voyage has far exceeded our expectations and we’ve only been on for 24 hours!

To reply to the OP, regardless of the class you’ll be treated very well indeed by the crew. In my experience there are entitled elderly and arrogant younger travellers but they are the minority. One good thing is that the cruise companies are getting wise to them. On my last cruise a friend of a friend was the captain. He had a drunken yob confined to his cabin and threw him off at the next port.

Totally disagree. There certainly is a first and second class on nearly all large cruise ships nowadays. How does the Retreat, Yacht Club, etc differ from what the liners used to have many years ago? Separate areas depending on how much you pay. Times haven’t changed that much! I’ve been lucky enough to experience most classes on Celebrity and Queens Grill on Cunard and to be perfectly honest it wasn’t really worth the extra money.

It’s worth reading the FIRST POST and it’s above. Also quote: IF you wish to participate, answer the following questions as best as you can and I will transfer the info to the Tracker. Please do not ask questions here (redirect your questions/comments to the CruisingChick thread of April 2018).

Went on a Cunard ship last year in Queens Grill and had their French Onion Soup to compare, needless to say there was no comparison. Celebrity’s soup won by a landslide!

Ship: Silhouette Length of Cruise: 7 days Cruise Sail Date: April 1st 2023 Date email offer received: March 9th 2023 Captain’s Club Tier: Elite Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA Current Cabin: inside Bid? Yes/No: Yes If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: Aqua Bid Offer: £305 GBP each Notification Date: 21st March 2023 Accepted / Rejected Accepted General Comments (offer details, etc.) YAY! Both very excited. Been in many balconies, suites but never Aqua.

Anywhere down by the Wharf is great just stay clear of the hotels around Union Square. It’ll be worth a Hop on Hop off bus tour to have a look at how this amazing city has become.

Do not go into the city centre, unless you enjoy poverty. Open drug taking, smell of urine in many doorways, lots of lovely coffee shops and bars now closed. It is not safe. Homeless everywhere and you will be harassed. As other contributors have said, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, GG Bridge, Muir Woods or my favourite is a ferry to Sausalito and a nice luncheon.

Sorry for hijacking this thread but if you’re going to Belgium have a look at tours to Ypres and First World War cemeteries. We did one last year (on a Cunard cruise) and it has made a lasting impression.

Depends where you are in London. Plenty of people will give you good advice here but if you can tell where you’re staying it’ll make a difference. It’s also at least 2 hours on a good day between the two.

Don’t expect much. You get what you pay for. Please don’t think that it’s a representation of the U.K. P&O is a US owned cruise line trading off a historic reputation. It is not what it once was. I’ve cruised P&O occasionally over the years and have seen a dramatic decline. I can only imagine your short voyage will be similar to a Carnival one. You’ll probably get the vibe whenever you check in. Can’t wait to read your review!! Enjoy

Why cheat?

I wonder how long it will take someone to spoil the fun, on here, with the latest competition?

In answer to the above I know both lines are owned by the same company but both have an astounding past and many still believe they are British. P&O nowadays is like a Premier Inn whilst Cunard is a country house hotel. My favourite, Celebrity, could be the W Hotel group at sea. Each of these brands have completely different clientele and serve different needs.

I’ve cruised many times on many ships. Seadream x 2, RC x 3, Celebrity lost count. Cunard and P&O as a child. I’ve done a short Cunard recently and a P&O just before covid. I would never cruise P&O again. It’s a 3 star, American line trading off a good British name. The rants and comparisons could go on for pages but in answer to your original question Cunard is much better than P&O IMHO.

Have a ‘google’ about Sir Edgar Britten. Probably the best name ever for a Cunard Captain but an interesting life too!

My post related to other contributors not the OP!

Went on QV for a short cruise last year and we were not impressed with the run down condition of the ship. The pool area also stank. We’re considering an Eastbound crossing in PG on QM2. Is it in better condition? Thank you!

HMS Ark Royal, many castles, HMS Iron Duke, RRS Sir David Attenborough sort of blows some of these statements about ships being female out or the water. Crystal also has Crystal Bach, Mozart, etc. Hurtigruten’s Roald Amudsen, etc. The list goes on!

Some of us might consider one of your hobbies, shooting, rather distasteful but I prefer not to judge therefore please do not judge my light hearted comment.

Just decant a bottle of your favourite tipple into a water bottle and pack it in your suitcase. Whats the worst that can happen? You get it back at the end of the cruise! Simples.

Our initial table was too close to people we had absolutely nothing in common with. Be prepared, first time Queens Grill patrons, that a sweetener, bribe, tip, whatever you want to call it might just make your cruise more palatable!

Well you know what? Whatever you call it, it worked and we had a lovely time in the dining room!