Pear Carr

No money changed hands!

Our first trip on QV was in QG6 in 2019 - 2 week Baltic cruise. We were unhappy with our allocated centre table for 2 at the embarkation lunch. Had a word with the Maitre’d on leaving and the rest of the cruise we turned right and had a lovely window table!

I would take your initial testing date of the 30th as the start of your 14 days - which should then give you another week before boarding. Recommendation is now 5 days of staying home/isolating from time of testing positive or having symptoms. Hopefully you will be feeling well enough to travel and will likely be the least infectious on the voyage. We have recently returned from our QV cruise with covid and just grateful we didn’t become unwell on board. We are on QM2 in November and are hoping recent bout will offer some immunity but we are adjusting to living with the risk.

Sorry to hear you are still not fully recovered and hope you continue to improve.

Thank you - just grateful we didn’t become unwell whilst on board. Both now picking up after a couple of days with cold symptoms.

So glad you enjoyed your first cruise with Cunard. We were also on board and enjoyed excellent service in all areas - we opt not to dine in the lido and took all our meals in Britannia (late sitting). Agree with the adherence to dress code, particularly on gala nights, with majority dressing up and only 5/10% opting into the ‘theme’ of the night - except for black and white gala evening which is generally well supported. We were disappointed with the change in itinerary and opted for a full day cruise from Alesund to Geiranger with an independent company - tiring but spectacular - Cunard are missing a trick by not offering this as a trip into a deep fjord. Excellent musicians entertained throughout the ship - particularly loved the string trio and Roy.G.Hemings. I personally dislike the silent disco and would rather the DJ did their job and entertained everyone with a range of music - I am sorry Cunard have bought into this fad and no doubt have spent a pretty penny on the headsets. We found the tender at Lofoten islands to be a bit chaotic but glad we opted into the Cunard panoramic tour as there appeared to be limited options for this port. As always we had the best time on board, although have both tested positive for covid on our return!

MSC???? Heaven forbid! Often described as ‘Butlins at sea’ by UK cruisers unless you can travel in Yacht Club, which appears to be a ship within a ship.

How very disappointing for you. I am surprised that you have not been able to change to fixed late sitting and can only assume you must be sailing at full capacity.

I have recently made a booking on QV and was advised that if you book Cunard fare you can transfer the booking once to something of equal or higher value - no mention of an admin charge.

$75 rather than $70 if booked on board - I imagine you will have no problem sorting out your requirements on board as there will be staff selling the packages on embarkation. There are soft (none fizzy) drinks available all day in the buffet which can be taken out to pool area. You can also carry on whatever drinks you like for consumption in cabin which has a fridge.

Just off QV and can confirm fixed sitting is deck 3, open is deck 2. On the odd night we did witness a few diners on open being accommodated on deck 3. The fixed dining was well attended on second sitting and the service and food was some of the best we have had. Quality and presentation of food was excellent. The ship is in very good shape - no evidence of worn or tired carpets/furnishings as some have complained about. No issue with service in any of the bars and hot/cold canapés served every night in the Commodore. Some very talented musicians played throughout the ship and Pol Acker was back in action as was the senior officers party. Have a great trip!

So sorry to hear your holiday has been impacted by covid - and hope your husband is not too unwell! Are you on QM2 or QV? We are currently on QV and witnessed signs of cabin crew looking after isolating passengers a few days ago although had the letter today advising of norovirus on board! Hoping we stay healthy until we disembark on Sunday!

Currently on QV - one gala night so far (black and white) - visited most areas of the ship and the dress code would appear to have been well observed. Almost all in full evening attire, men in formal/dress/dark with matching ties etc., women in long/short/black/white evening/cocktail dress. Glorious! Cunard tradition continues.

We decided to give lunch a miss and arrived at the terminal at 2.20pm 6.6.23 and on board by 2.35pm! We had a boarding time of 3.30 (platinum) and think we could have arrived and boarded earlier but opted to miss the crowds. Glad to be back on QV and so far have had excellent service in all areas - no complaints with our food quality/prep/options so far and very much enjoying the hot canapés in the Commodore club!

Good to hear and thank you for your update. Hopefully you have enjoyed your last few days and making a speedy recovery.

We cancelled our upgrade bid 9 days prior to sailing given mixed reviews for Princess Grill on current voyage, some passengers (only confirmed from one grills passenger but suspect likely others on board) confined with covid, and final straw being delivery of letter to cabin warning of norovirus! Happy with the cabin we chose and did not want to chance disappointment or even worse being confined if unwell after paying for an upgrade. Looking forward to boarding on Tuesday and enjoying all QV has to offer! Good luck to anyone waiting on news of an upgrade.

Thank you - I have obviously been looking in the wrong place! In which case no excuse for such a late boarding time. We have usually embarked before 1, except for last September when embarkation did not start till 1 and consequently it was a bit chaotic in the waiting area.

We have also been given 3.30 arrival time for 6 June. Very disappointing - no arrival/departure time for QV available at the moment. Cunard need to up their game with regard to embarkation organisation. Would be interesting to see how many passengers have been given 3.30 - this does not bode well for a relaxing start to our holiday.

A snack is a snack - why would you want to enter a dining room and expect table dinner service? Dinner is dinner - enjoy it and the service involved.

Yes - wine will be kept for you and free water is in plentiful supply in all restaurants.

You will all have an amazing time in Liverpool - what is not to love - it is a hive of activity at the moment with the build up to the Eurovision, and of course you will enjoy the coronation celebrations on board! Very jealous but hoping for some great blogs along the way!

Delighted for you - I hope others on the cancelled TA have been as successful and wish you all a very enjoyable, special voyage!

We have found variations in CPS charges and consequently have opted for Chilworth Manor for our Queen Victoria cruise in June - stay/park - and CPS for our November cruise on QM2.

Commodore Club would be our first choice on QM2 and Queen Victoria, followed by Chart Room QM2 then Golden Lion. We find the Chart Room on Queen Victoria a bit of a non entity and the Golden Lion on Queen Victoria dark and claustrophobic - only good for embarkation day lunch.

Agreed! You are either in or out with/without additional tips. I also think we cannot compare like for like given UK never have gratuities included unlike some USA/other nationalities. Do what you feel is right for you.