Charlie Ocean

I’ve just disembarked from a 25 day cruise from Singapore to Tokyo. I was travelling in a standard balcony cabin and ate in the main dining room, and the Lido buffet. There were a few grumbling Brits on the first leg of the cruise -their main complaint being about poor communications from Cunard with regard to entry requirements for the different countries we were visiting. It all got sorted in the end - the Japanese entry requirements seemed complicated and required internet access and a mobile phone which not every one had. However when we actually arrived it was simple enough. To me the food was to the usual standard - perfectly acceptable. The meat was always tender and the choices sufficient. There are no berries , mangoes or bananas to be found anywhere , but that’s normal these days. There are no branded yoghurts either. Afternoon tea is as delicious and elegant as it always was. The buffet certainly had huge choice - especially in the second part of the cruise where the passengers were more than 50% Japanese. The service I had everywhere was as efficient and friendly as it always was. I think there are a lot of new crew who are finding their way, but they will get there in time. There was live music throughout the ship with harpists, violin trios, live bands, etc. The Queens room was very well utilised-huge attendances at the chair aerobics and line dancing. The dance floor was packed in the evening with large numbers dancing. There were male and female dance hosts who were kept busy. Great shows in the Royal Court with the Fly Rights, the Four Ds, the Bootleg Beatles being amongst the highlights. Celebrity guest speakers included Sally Gunnell and Dickie Arbiter who were both wonderful. To sum up I had a fantastic time. Cunard still offers everything it always has -evening turn down service, free room service , great entertainment, afternoon tea with white gloved waiters , great cocktails etc etc. All cruises are what you make of them - if you are unhappy about anything Cunard will usually resolve it there and then. There are the odd rust spots here and there, the plastic shower curtains are still there as are the sudden surges of hot shower water, but these really are minor niggles. Overall, I think Cunard is just as good as it always was

Yes it’s been amazing. Tracy Clegg is the Cruise Director and she has worked tirelessly on this , along with her team - not forgetting the Captain and all the wonderful crew !

I’m currently on board SOA and I think ,in fairness, they have made a wonderful effort to celebrate the Jubilee. The ship is adorned with bunting, 3 evenings of gourmet menus, champagne at breakfast, British celebratory afternoon tea , special theatre shows and an amazing sailaway led by Julie and her team. They even included the Platinum Jubilee pudding on the dinner menu , as well as giving us a gift of a box of chocolates. There was a ships salute at noon with a Kir Royale toast. Even the bed time chocolates have 70 years written on them. I think it’s been incredible and I’m so thankful to have been a part of it.