Mareblu

High drama in Melbourne, Lyle. Beautiful day in Melbourne. Go Ferrari!

Thank you for that exciting information. We will still be aboard Oceania Vista in the Med on 27th, but we’re also counting the days to boarding Cunard Queen Anne on 24th May. Such a privilege to join our fellow QA guests in witnessing and experiencing this iconic voyage.

I’m thrilled to announce that O is once again supplying Australian guests with the luggage pack. We thought we’d have to print, then fold and staple our flimsy paper luggage tags again, as we did for our Sirena cruise in late 2022. Our blue folder with information booklet and four impressive luggage tag holders, and printed tags for insertion therein, arrived yesterday. Delighted and surprised.

St Petersburg?

It was hilarious. Brilliant. Only the Brits can offer such restrained humour.

Thanks, Blue Leader.

Thank you! It does indeed seem a reasonable space overall.

I’m not sure about access to the pools; I haven’t explored that aspect. I’ll let you know☺️

Should lounging beckon, I shall happily enjoy the contrast between our balcony (Q3) and the Grills Terrace, although from a perusal of the deck plans, I don't believe Queen Anne's GT will quite match QE's. However, we most certainly did not reserve our forthcoming British Isles exploration for terraces. We are very much looking forward to another Cunard experience, and relish the thought of witnessing, at first hand, Cunard history. My intention is to review this new vessel honestly and objectively (with the exception of aspects of cuisine, wine, etc. which are always, to a degree, subjective). At our age, we would hardly expect to be entering utopia on embarkation in Southampton, but we are very excited to begin our own Queen Anne experience. I actually wouldn't dream of passing judgement on anything similar to this life moment for many of our fellow passengers from a keyboard. I harbour similar sentiments about our voyage on Oceania's Vista, which we will begin in a little over two weeks. There are some Vista detractors on the Oceania board who have never sailed on her. We may not enjoy either experience, but at least we will be able to say we've given them a shot. It will actually be fascinating to compare two new vessels of different lines. If we don't wish to return to either, then there are other wonderful ships in both lines, and another favourite, Seabourn, awaiting.

I’ll gladly join you in reporting, Victoria2. I have absolutely no desire to sail on many of the vessels listed above. I have no need to lounge on a deck chair, either. I’ll have a balcony for that, should I find time in my daily routine aboard. My focus is on Queen Anne, the title of this thread. While I understand and appreciate learned and Cunard commentators, I respectfully request the negative posters to allow us to board, experience QA’s ambience, and submit our individual review.

Venice?

You’re so talented, Lyle. Your mother-in-law would feel honoured, I’m sure, with such a devoted gesture.

That’s fine, Les. I’m so glad you’re “going on a roady” as they say, and it sounds really terrific. It’ll be lovely to see family for Easter, too. Raymond’s and the Catalina had better still be there, or we’ll all have something to say😉 Keep well, you sound like you’ve moved to the perfect spot.

We’re boarding Vista in just over two weeks. We love the Oceania fleet, our last one, Sirena, is even smaller than Vista. It’s older though, and therefore not as modern, but still very comfortable. It depends also, of course, on the accommodation. We don’t cruise more than once a year, or even two years, so we always reserve a comfortable suite. We’ve never found an O vessel to be crowded, and we love the more intimate dining venues. Full is not necessarily crowded, but a vast MDR that’s full would seem crowded to us. At the end of May, we’re boarding Cunard’s Queen Anne, which is a much larger vessel. It will be interesting to compare two new ships from different lines. We’ve sailed in NCL’s Haven, which we really loved, on different NCL vessels. Much larger than any Oceania ship, but once outside the Haven, the ships did feel a little crowded, simply because there were more people aboard.

Oh, if only we could get there, Les. My apologies for not being in touch before your move. The one day we could have come down was the day before your move, so I left it to come another day, and now you're settled in, we'll do just that before we leave in a couple of weeks. I'll ring you later today, if that's okay?

That’s a shame, but welcome home. we haven’t had pies for so long, but strangely, felt Garran Bakery calling for lunch today. Delicious always.

Balmoral?

Windsor Castle?

How absolutely beautiful, Lyle.

Rather difficult to find by the dozen

Looks like really well organised activities, in Canberra too. Thanks Julie.

After Hawkesbury River’s Sydney rock oysters

I totally agree with your observations.

We had a memorable Titanic themed evening at our golf club a while back. Quite authentic and elegant ambience. Memorable because our Captain wished us a happy and safe voyage.

Maybe The Shire?