exlondoner

I think if a long standing Q1 passenger found themselves in the darkest corner of the restaurant, while a loud and disagreeable passenger was heard boasting at one of the best tables near the window, conclusions might be drawn.

Well, the OP is from the US and said the practice was distasteful and not what s/he normally does, so clearly that is not a universal US perspective.

So what happens if everybody does it, other than a M d’H with stuffed pockets?

Commiserations. I hope you are fit enough soon to do another voyage.

Yes, I know that, though oddly Vesselfinder isn’t showing your tenders. Hope you are having nice weather.

Yet a couple of NYers have implied it is not the way they would do things. In any case, as you say, things happen differently in different cultures, and Cunard ships are not part of NY.

Ooooops. Vesselfinder is playing games with me. 🙂🙂

Are you leaving Alghero?

During very slow boarding at Southampton just after Covid, Grills lunch on QE was moved to 1.30 to 3pm, so you may be lucky.

Not much newspaper on the ship.

You omit 5) Slip a bribe to the Maitre d and not get a table. and 6) ask and get given a table you like. But what 2) really means is bribe the maitre d to remove someone, who has paid more, from the table they were going to get. It is best to be clear about this. I speak as someone who has travelled in QG for over 20 years, but never yet achieved a window table. Perhaps I should try bribery.

Exactly: a tip is a bonus for services rendered. A bribe is an inducement for someone to act in a particular way. You can’t say that no one else should care. What about the person bumped off the good table so they could satisfy the briber? And, while I do not find Cunard ships particularly British in tone, they are certainly more British than American.

There was an account of the very unedifying behaviour of a celebrity guest speaker on the naming voyage, when they wouldn’t move her to the table she wanted.

You mean they don’t hoover under the beds?

Tea and coffee after meals in the restaurants is free.

I think you have answered your own question by the use of the words ‘distasteful and not what we do’. If you hate your table, they will try and move you.

I was amazed at the length of the comments by those who had written before me, and did no more than scan them to get the general tenor, which seemed to be unhappiness.

Oh dear, I would soon tire of doughnuts. 😀

Yes, but will they be accessible on your side of the plastic screen. Still, you can ask your first port of call to put a smidgin of whatever on the big plate, and then add to it thereafter. Quite honestly, I think I’d go to the restaurant. On the last cruise the only thing I had from the buffet was a (splendid) chocolate brownie to take back to the room to have with tea, which I was served by Mr. Oldroyd himself.

I’m not sure it really helps with anything very much. 🙂

This seems a bit ambitious. If she is going to be four hours late, how can they hope boarding will only be delayed by two hours? I do hope it all goes smoothly for you and everyone else.

And I was wondering whether there would be a large plate accessible to grab.

I believe they do, though you have to ask. In any case, they will always bring you whatever is on the menu without the sauce.

He/she is also the only person I’ve noticed moaning about the fact you can’t serve yourself at the buffet. Most passengers seem to think it is an excellent idea in terms of greater protection from food poisoning. Perhaps a very impatient person.

Yes, but…there is a strong chance you might like it so much you decide to book another cruise, perhaps even while on board, then another, and so on. You might get more wear from a dinner jacket than you imagine.😀