elmsliebev

Stockjock - I think we followed you on to MSC Virtuosa earlier this year. We also cruised on QE last year. I would say Cunard's alternative dining isn't a patch on MSC - we were amazed at the quality and choice on MSC. However, the main dining room on QE was better than MSC, we felt. Cunard is dressier, but definitely not stuffy. On QE there were plenty of men not wearing jackets in the MDR, but all were smart and I don't recall seeing jeans. Chinos and polo shirts were popular and perfectly smart. On formal nights most passengers dressed up - my OH wore a suit and tie one night, bow tie the formal other nights. Drinks package - we had the alcohol free package on Cunard and MSC and both were excellent, Cunard probably slightly better but not much in it. We are on Queen Anne June next year and looking forward to it. I'm hoping the cabin will be as good as MSC V as it was the best cabin we've ever had!

we were on MSC Virtuosa in March and had a package for 4 different eateries (Hola, Grill, Indochine & sushi). All were excellent and probably consistently the best food we've had at sea. Trying Oceania next year who are meant to be excellent for food. We are on Azura this October and Cunard's new ship June 2024, so I should be able to make some comparisons!

just had this email. So looks like she's back sailing pretty soon and maybe they're using this 5 nighter as a test! Cabins from £199. The Coronation Celebration Voyage 5 ‌nights ◆ 2 ‌May ‌2023 ◆ M311E Dear Mrs xxxxxx (my deletion) join Queen Mary 2 for a very special voyage unlike any other. Sailing a 5‌‑night round‑trip from Southampton, this voyage offers a chance to enjoy the Coronation celebrations on board Cunard’s flagship, as well as a full day’s port call in Cunard's spiritual home of Liverpool. Throughout the week, enjoy the very best of what Cunard has to offer, as well as curated entertainment, Cunard Insights with notable experts, a much‑loved Gala Evening, Cunard's signature Afternoon Tea, and more, as the week builds towards a celebration of the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen. The new Coronation Celebration Voyage will be available to book from 1pm Thursday 27 ‌April 2023 until Midday Monday 1 ‌May‌ 2023.

Hi I don't drink alcohol any more but do like some of the alcohol free wines that are now available. We are on a 22 nighter in October on Azura with many ports of call so I will be checking out the availability of alcohol free wines in mainland Europe. Can I bring AF wine on board at ports and can I drink it in the dining room if I pay corkage? Are there any AF wins available on board? many thanks

same for us. We also bought the £40 additional cruise cover last year. We ended up with covid on QE lat year and were confined to cabin for 6 days. Nationwide paid out £1800 for us both. Which immediately went towards our Azura cruise later this year! The Flexplus account also covers car breakdown and mobile phone insurance.

we are also looking forward to our first O cruise, on Regatta next year. Although we're Brits we prefer a mix of nationalities - our favourite part of last year's Cunard cruise was sitting with a couple of fellow Brits, a New Zealand couple, and a wonderful couple from the US at dinner. At 60 we just fit the age demographic 😀

In the past I've put some money on to the credit card that I'll be using so the final bill isn't so big.

Another vote for Sevilla - we had 5 days there a few years ago, amazing city. Malaga is somewhere I love to visit. We are there in October on Azura and will go to the Car & Couture Museum (best museum I've ever been to), then walk to the seafront and find somewhere for grilled sardines. Maybe the sherry bar or the museum of Glass & Crystal (another lovely place). We find cruising a great way to check out places that we can then go back to for longer eg Valencia was a 1 day stop on Oriana but we then went back for 5 days, so much to see.

Following this with interest. We have just come back from MSC (ok food in the MDR, amazing food in the pay-for restaurants), next is Azura in October, with a fair bit of OBC to try Sindhu, Glass House, etc. Then in June 2024 we have Cunard (very good food last July, not impressed by the Verandah on QE). Finally we have Oceania's Regatta in October 2024 - more expensive, small ship but everything except tips included (all restaurants, wi-fi, soft drinks, laundry & 4 excursions). I'll report back 😀

We had the premium alcohol free package last year which included coffees and soft drinks, and alcohol free cocktails/beer. It worked out well for us. There is usually a cocktail of the day that I think is slightly cheaper?

we bought 100 shares in December, using the Freetrade app. Very straightforward. We have 22 nights with P&O later this year, then a week with Cunard next year. That will give us back just over 1/3 of our outlay. And of course, more reasons to book more cruises!

oh I do love a spreadsheet! I too started on Lotus123 back in the day. Loving this thread.

@carlanthony24 many thanks for your excellent reports. You've really whetted our appetite for our week from Malta followed by the repo cruise. Maybe see you onboard!

thanks everyone. We have gone ahead and booked for October 2024. Japan to Singapore on Regatta. Excited already!

many thanks. We have taken the plunge and booked but it isn't till October 2024 so hopefully we can get tours that we want. It's Regatta, Japan - Singapore so plenty of interesting places.

many thanks for clarifying this for me.

I've read some of the other posts on Oceania's excurstions but I'm still confused! If we take the 4 excursions OLife option, I've read not all excursions are available through that (though of course we could buy them separately). I attach a screen shot of some excursions in Osaka. The one we would want is the Highlights of Kyoto. Is there any way to tell if that would be included in the "free" excursions? Just trying to decide if it would be better to take the excursions or OBC (don't want the drinks package). many thanks

Green beans are the only veg I dislike (it's the squeaky texture!) I can see I'm going to have to be brave in October 😀

I love Lyres. I recently won a year's supply - 13 bottles different spirits!

Hi, UK cruisers here. We've seen a cruise we like for Autumn 2024 from Japan to Singapore. The deal offers free wifi and soft drinks/speciality coffees. Is the range of soft drinks a good range eg Fentimans, Fevertree etc? Are alcohol-free cocktails included in that? I don't drink so that's important to me! And are gratuities included or are they extra? many thanks

this was taken on a "white night" on Cunard, but I'll be wearing it on P&O later this year on a formal night.

On Oceana years ago we ate at the MPW speciality restaurant. Food was fine except the panacotta which was practically soup. When I queried it I was told "that's how Marco likes it". I very much doubt that.

me too, had to get the husband to open them each time!

I had some of the Cremant on our recent trip, very nice.

wow, looks amazing!