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This was an interesting thread and I appreciate the OP giving a description and review of this crossing.  I was on the same crossing (my third on the Queen Mary 2) and planned to write my own review, but (due to my procrastination) will limit myself to adding a few thoughts to this thread. 

I was surprisingly disappointed with this cruise, but I will start with the positives.  I thought the service was excellent by wait staff and cabin attendant-- generally everyone I had dealings with including the purser's desk.  The ship itself is beautiful and clean and has some great special touches that other ships do not have, such as the planetarium, full-deck promenade deck, and large library and bookstore.  I also really liked the regular entertainers on the ship--the Royal Theatre singers and dancers and the entertainers in the lounges.   

Now the negatives.  I booked a Princess grill for the first time as a special treat (using all the money I did not spend on vacations the last three years).  The cabin itself was beautiful--very large (with a walk-in closet and additional large closet) and a large balcony.  The bathroom had a bathtub (probably the first time I had one on a ship (although the sides were too high, so getting in and out was difficult)).  But the room service menu was very limited, I resented having to pay for the drink plan, and the food in the Princess Grill, while good, was not necessarily better than the Britannia Restaurant meals, if I remember them correctly (although the lounge with drinks and snacks was very nice).  I was also disappointed in the food in Kings Grill--I expected some staples always available (pizza, burgers) but no; a limited selection of foods without offering basic American dishes.  The balcony was big but no loungers, such wicker seats without foot stools.  But the most frustrating thing during the cruise was the technology--or lack thereof.  Although there is an app (My Voyage I think it is called), mine did not work most of the time and one had to re-log into the wi-fi periodically.  Also, the cabin tv was not interactive--no ordering room service, making reservations, or checking one's account on the tv--which has become standard on most (all) other cruise lines and most hotels.  Also, no movies to order on the tv (although there was a nice selection of movies to watch and the daily shows/lectures were shown on the tv the next day).  

I know a lot of people like the formality of Cunard--the tuxedos and gowns--as did I on my first Cunard cruise, but I am over it and would have preferred a more casual dress code (which is what all the luxury lines have gone to), so one of Cunard's major selling points did not make up for what was lacking in terms of technology and convenience.  

(I am probably also a minority in being disappointed in the Theatre at Sea theme on this cruise--stars of the West End that were on board were incredibly talented singers, but the song selections were terrible--very few hits, mostly obscure songs rather than show-stoppers (for example, the song picked to highlight Andrew Lloyd Weber was from Starlight Express--the only musical he produced that was not a hit).  But to each his own; I am glad the entertainment was appreciated by others.)  

Some other observations--this was one of the first cruises in which there no mask mandate (such a recommendation); the cruise started with about 90-95% of passengers (referred to annoyingly as customers by Cunard) wearing masks but ending with about 5-10% of passengers in masks by the end of the crossing; the bathroom products were all liquid (I am really glad I brought my own bar soap); one part of Kings Court changes to a specialty restaurant at night and the cuisine changes about half-way through the cruise (Italian to Indian on my crossing; the last time I cruised there were multiple options every day).  

Finally, I would agree that this is not a luxury cruise experience, even at the Princess Grill level.  I have sailed on only two luxury lines (Silversea and Crystal (sigh) and a lot of little things keep Cunard from that level--specifically charging for drinks (so it is not all-inclusive) and a limited room service menu.  

I am glad others enjoy Cunard, but I will explore some new cruise lines (Viking, Virgin, maybe even Ponant).   

On 4/21/2022 at 6:00 PM, frankp01 said:

OK, just off the phone with CVS. They do still provide a test result sheet for rapid Antigen tests. My results from December are attached, and I'm told they still do the same. The reason the website says 'Not accepted for travel' is because, for international travel, a rapid antigen test is, in fact, generally not accepted. But, if Cunard accepts rapid antigen, which this is, I don't see it being a problem.

Great -- Thank you!  

On 4/14/2022 at 4:14 AM, frankp01 said:

Just be aware that (based on my experience) it's a limited number of CVS stores that do rapid NAAT testing. We had a hard time finding one with appointments available in December, about a week out. And those that did were all suburban stores, none downtown. For our July trip I'll be jumping on the CVS website the day reservations open for the day we need our tests. As I recall, the reservation window opens about 2 weeks out.

 

I wish there was a reasonably priced testing facility near the Brooklyn terminal like the Regenerative Clinic in Southampton, so we could get a test the day we sail.

I am going to be in New York City (Brooklyn) the two days before my QM2 crossing so need to get tested in NYC; CVS seems a good option, and although the CVS site describes the test as "Rapid-result test (antigen)," it also notes "Not accepted for travel."  Has anyone actually used a CVS test to get on a Cunard ship (successfully)?  

Thank you -- this is very helpful information.  

Any suggestions for testing sites in Brooklyn?  I think Cunard requires and Antigen test that is medically observed so I think home tests would not be accepted.  

6 hours ago, DenGNNJ said:

We’ll, nobody’s perfect.  LOL!!

LOL - you're right.    

Great Post!!!  I have always been a friend of the "Friends of Dorothy" term -- I like the tradition and it is a bit humorous, but you have actually convinced me that it is time to move on.  I think the term only resonates with my age group (boomer) and I recognized that I and my peers are less and less the target demographic for gay gatherings.  But, for the record, not all gay men love musical theater (I assume) and I am not a Judy Garland fan (I just don't get it).  

Thanks for a great discussion.  

I have traveled in both directions and for my third trip decided to that the eastbound to avoid the jet lag upon arrival.  I hate the idea of being groggy the first day or two of my post-cruise vacation time (4-5 days in Scotland).   

A very good choice for a solo cruise.  The first cruise I took was a Transatlantic solo on the Queen Mary 2; it hooked me on cruising.  Since then I have been on a wide range of cruise lines (Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Norwegian, Silversea) and Cunard was the best for solo cruises--they set you up well for dining with others and there is always something to do to keep busy and entertained.  After a long absence I plan to book another Cunard cruise next year (although I am no longer a fan of the formal wear the line requires/encourages).  

My first cruise was a transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2 as a solo and I loved it.  There were a lot of activities to keep one busy during the day--shows, lectures, planetarium.  The ship itself was beautiful.  It had more formal dress than I would prefer now (at the time I liked it).  Very gay friendly.  I am planning to return to cruising next year and my current favorite is another crossing (which will be my 3rd).    

4 hours ago, teachtocruis said:

I’ve participated in the past and am happy to each time. But they don’t seem to do them on the 7 day cruises. At least I’ve only seen them on the longer cruises. I have not read Crawdad, yet. 

That's disappointing as I will be on a 7-day cruise.  Thanks for pointing out that the book club is for longer cruises. 

I did not know there was a book club.  I will definitely read the book for my cruise, which is in March.  I always read a book for each location I visit but I like the idea of reading one of the Princess selections because it is likely a book I would not have chosen for myself so it is a way to broaden my reading.  

I have an airport transfer question, which seems related to this topic.  I found a voucher for an airport transfer in my cruise documents (perhaps a perk from my travel agent, as I did not purchase a transfer).  Does anyone know how this works; do I need to go to the main desk to make arrangements or is this handled automatically by a special tag on my luggage for the last night.  This is for the Seaside in Miami.  (I have not used an airport transfer before.)  

I have been on all three lines (as well as most other cruise lines) and in my opinion the food is about comparable (although the gelato on MSC was the best thing I have ever had on a cruise ship).  The main difference (in Caribbean cruises) between the lines are the passengers--there are more non-Americans on MSC, which makes for a nice change (if you don't mind listening to announcements in a couple of languages).  On MSC the evening shows are shorter and focus on music and dance and acrobatics, rather than story to avoid problems with the different languages.  The shows were just as good on MSC as on NCL and Carnival, in my opinion.  I also think (if I remember correctly) that MSC may have had fewer scheduled events during the day.  Other differences primarily relate to differences in the ships themselves--the larger ones, regardless of cruise line, have more dining venues and activities.   I have enjoyed all three cruise lines so I recommend trying them all with an open mind.  

I have never sailed into or out of Venice (but was on a land vacation there decades ago), but I agree with the ban.  The canals of Venice should be limited to boats smaller than cruise ships.  There is nothing wrong with docking nearby (Trieste or the industrial dock) with trips into Venice.  If you want to glide up and down a canal to see the sights, there will be plenty of options to do so on a smaller boat that will create less damage to the city's infrastructure.  

Very helpful information; thank you for posting.  

I am sure many people have had bad experiences on MSC but a quick check of any of the other cruise boards will show people have had bad experiences on all the cruise lines--including the luxury lines.  I have been on a lot of the cruise lines (Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, NCL, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Silversea) as well as MSC and have found MSC to be as good as the main stream lines--better in some areas and not as good in others.  I have been on two MSC cruises so far (Divina and Poesia), neither in Yacht Club, and enjoyed both.  I am scheduled for a YC cabin on Seaside and am looking forward to the great experience I read about on these boards, but I like every cruise I have been on and my cruise next year will be on Princess (regular cabin--I cannot afford a suite).  

If you don't want to sail on MSC, there are a lot of other choices, but I think you will find the cruise lines largely the same--the main difference are in the passengers.  More kids and young people on Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean; more experienced cruisers on Cunard and Crystal; more non-Americans on MSC.  I like the passenger mix on MSC and the slight differences from the American cruise lines as a nice change of pace.  

The NCL solo cabins get very good reviews, but that line has made an effort to appeal to solo cruisers with its special lounge for the solo cabins.  In terms of whether the 200% cost is fair, the cruise line actually loses money on single passengers staying in regular cabin because they make so much from the on-board spending from passengers--excursions, drinks, specialty dining, spa, shops, casino.  If they can sail to capacity, they will not be offering discounts to solo passengers and with all the new and larger ships being built, it looks to me like the cruise industry is able to fill its ships to capacity regularly.  I always sail solo and would love a discount but am reconciled to the fact that I will have to pay full fare, meaning 200% of single fare, if I want to cruise.  

Thank you!  Just what I was looking for.  

Can anyone provide the hours of operation for the Yacht Club restaurant and Yacht Club Grill and Top Sail Lounge bar.  In another thread someone posted Daily Programs with hours of operation for every restaurant and bar except in the Yacht Club.  

12 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

6:45 just walked into the suite Club Class dining area. Not a problem at all. Got seated right away. Nice menu!

 

Well, that answers the question about Anytime dining--you can go when you want; thanks.  

 

Do you need cash/coins for the tokens?  I would like to know whether to bring change?  

This is a great thread; thank you for sharing your experiences.  Perhaps you can clarify something for me; I am confused by the dining times for Concerto (Club Class)--it lists dinner as 5:15 for First Seating and 7:30 for Anytime.  If Anytime diners can only go at 7:30 it is not really Anytime, but a Second Seating.  Can you explain this; I wanted to have some flexibility in dining time.  

I always travel solo and on occasion have had trouble getting a solo reservation online when the reservation is available when I check on booking for 2 people.  (I actually always book through a travel agent but do bookings online (book until passenger info is requested) to determine the cost.)  I learned on a different board that some lines have a quota of cabins available for solo passengers.  As a poster above noted, the cruise line does not make as much money with one person in a cabin as it would with two people because of all the extras sold on board (excursions, drinks, spa, casino, specialty dining, etc.).  The farther out you book the more likely you can get a solo cabin. 

It is annoying but this is a business so I can't really argue that the cruise line is being "unfair"--it is making the most of the product it has to sell.  I would not boycott Princess over this; other cruise lines do this as well.     

I sailed on Carnival Pride a few years ago on a Baltimore to Bahamas (and Florida) cruise.  I enjoyed it a lot.  I have been on a lot of cruise lines but this is the only Carnival cruise I have been on and I found it about the same as the other main stream cruise lines.  I fun atmosphere; good food (particularly in the specialty restaurants), entertainment was enjoyable.  There were more kids/families on than some other cruises, but there was also a drag group on my cruise, so you never know what the passenger mix will be.  I have not been on the Grandeur of the Seas, so I can't compare the two ships, but I enjoyed the Carnival Pride and am thinking of sailing the ship again because it is so convenient to where I live.