LadyL1

1 hour ago, Pear Carr said:

We have also received the email having booked our Queen Victoria cruise on 6/6 direct. Will likely have a punt for Princess grills for the benefit of the dining and grills lounge/terrace.  We have no interest in Club balcony given location of cabins (our chosen cabin is in a much better position) and separate dining options being the only benefit.

Sadly, you might find that you are allocated a deck 8 PG, below buffet, of which there have been some not so favourable comments.

I read the Cunard T&Cs, and there is no leeway to change upgraded room if not to one’s liking.

On 3/19/2023 at 8:38 PM, Clampram said:

e Sabaitini's breakfast sounds good. I can not sit still long enough in the MDR for breakfast........it's just tooooo sloooowww for me. Getting my jelly 20 minutes after I got my toast is not the way I can start the day....it is good....just too dragged out.

You really must try Sabatinis for breakfast!, perhaps early in the cruise or a cooler morning,  or you will not know what you are missing.

The service is so dedicated there is no waiting: everything arrives just when needed as if by magic. Order what you like, it is no problem for the staff. You will find only a few people in the restaurant, as those outside suites cannot buy a place setting,  even for something special.

The restaurant is truly first class in every respect.

Regarding flights, call Cunard. We have always found to be given very good prices especially for premium seats (we are UK based) and have seen may posts from US folk who say the same.

Going back to the original topic of Queen Anne, I am so looking forward to a NEW modern ship.

I would not be disappointed if the ballroom floor was smaller, after all it is so often nearly empty with no real atmosphere, apart from when when there are some excellent tribute groups when the venue is heaving with a great atmosphere, and the bar staff are busy.

Hopefully a high tech QA will attract some younger cruisers and revitalise the evenings . We need a classy ship, still with some kind of dress code, to be apart from the rest of the cruise world. More passengers and hopefully more revenue, and we might even have the expectations of another new ship ( a smaller one would be good). After all, the other Carnival brands are expanding with plenty new vessels, but somehow Cunard seems to be in the slow lane. Cunard brand needs a positive future!

I am not sure Platinum WC members receive a dining voucher: this always used to be the preserve of Diamond members only. In the past when I have been on ship with a family member who is not Diamond, my free voucher in the Verandah was honoured but the second person paid for.

The wine tasting event has an invitation sent (now a letter awaits in room), but really, it is no great shakes! 
The WC perks are in definite need of a revamp!

Have you thought about a couple of days layover in one of many cities en route? Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai are a few options, which breaks that horrible journey home. Often the prices for these fares are surprisingly good, and Cunard will help you  with these deviations as no doubt a travel agent will.

With long haul flights we have had some great fares when booking direct with Cunard.

it is a great idea if you can make it work! We have done this a few times around the world; no references just carefully searching the internet. Perhaps this below will help you.

FROM CUNARD FAQ
 

There is not the facility to store luggage at any port through Cunard Line, however there are various luggage storage companies available at many destinations.

An alternative option may be to have Cunard's White Star Luggage Service, in partnership with Luggage Forward, transport your luggage to meet you at the ship or to your home address

HAVE A LOOK AT THIS SIGHT

https://stasher.com/luggage-storage/southampton?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlL6n1bvN_QIVD4KDBx2V5w6HEAAYAiAAEgJxUvD_BwE

23 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

The doors unlock as you approach? What a complete dystopian nightmare. What if you just happen to be walking past on the way to somewhere else? More excitingly, what if your cabin mate is standing naked within line as it opens itself? And do you actually have to wear the thing? Keycards sound a much less anxiety-inducing device. And why put it near a mobile phone if you know it doesn’t like it? Actually I’d quite like to go back to actual keys.

The door latch releases when you are about eight feet away but one actually has to depress the handle to enter, so no fumbling with key card. I wou,d think particularly useful for i paired mobility and those not so young.

I am sure many ladies want to keep a phone and keycard in a small bag, with other small objects whilst onboard, so expect the turnover of keycards to be quite considerable on a voyage. The very small medallion can be worn, kept in a pocket or bag. No signing of bills as the staff just ”zap” it: personally I find it was a great gizmo and leaves Cunard in the dark age. All statements can easily be accessed on one’s chosen device. It really is the way forward compared to what we Cunarders are used to as it has so many other uses! One can even find where your travelling companion is on ship at any time, if set to do so.

The QA is for the next 20+ years so I really hope it reflects the long term use of the vessel: life and times do not stand still.

12 hours ago, RJChatsworth said:

Is that a launderette I see in the middle of the Princess Grill suites on decks 4 & 7?

Yes! I have noticed that and also one on deck 8: all opposite PG suites. So just three smaller(?) launderettes for a larger ship, which should be interesting on longer voyages.

I have come to the conclusion that marine architects have never cruised, let alone what Grills  paying passengers expect, which is not an inconsiderable premium these days.

I am still looking forward to our booked voyage on QA: a new ship is always nice and hope to see more use of technology.
I was recently on Princess and very impressed with their medallion app system - even doors unlock as you approach! So much better than these outdated keycards that don’t react kindly to being near mobile phones🤣.

Certainly had this event on a 10 day Royal cruise to Mexico, last month.

On 2/25/2023 at 10:16 PM, LB_NJ said:

Are there any cabins impacted by people smoking?

Smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the promenade deck 4 and the open deck 10. Generally the smoke disperses quickly.
Perhaps booking a cabin on the port side would suit you.

In the UK, we have not had a booklet post COVID.

Have you looked on your voyage personaliser, as they usually add excursions for cruises very early?

Last month, as non US residents, we collected our medallions at San Francisco: an easy process.

The Princess Plus package seemed a great deal  compared with other lines.😊

Totally agree with Bell Boy’s good advice.

1 hour ago, sunviking90 said:

We sailed out of SF in January and it was one of our smoothest embarkations ever. We were on the ship in about 10 minutes.

We arrived around 10:45

Likewise! Very impressed with security procedure etc, at San Francisco terminal.

However, at first boarding  call for suites, there was a rush, and it was very obvious the number far greater than suite berths😖! It would be easy to check each pax via medallion but that is time consuming. A shame honesty is not adhered to for the sake of 10 minutes or so.

6 hours ago, david63 said:

It clearly states on the suites "perks" page that the first night complimentary Speciality dining has to be booked when onboard.

Two weeks ago we disembarked our first Princess cruises taken in a full suite. Having cruised many times before, we were like you not knowing the “process” of this line.

We did book our complimentary dinner on first night through the App, and the charge was reversed automatically. We booked the Crown Grill, but later found that on the Royal, Sabatinis was a beautiful dinning room with quality ambience, and booked for 3 evenings.

if you are charged for your complimentary meal, just go to the Pursers desk, and it will be reversed as per your booking terms. We found the staff wonderfully helpful.

From Cunard’s FAQ

What do I need to do if I am paying my on board account in cash?

Answer

You still need to register a credit or debit card at check-in, even if you intend to settle your on board account in cash. Please note you will be asked to enter your 4 digit pin number for verification. 

Your on board account must be kept in credit at all times. You may add credit to your account at any time by visiting the Reception desk.  

Should your account no longer be in credit, any outstanding balance will be charged to your card unless further cash is provided. 

We are unable to accept:

money transfers to the ship (other than gift credits, however these are non refundable and cannot be taken out as cash) either prior to embarkation or whilst on board.

personal cheques, traveller’s cheques or prepaid credit cards

Any unused cash on your account can be refunded back to you at the end of the cruise by you visiting the reception desk prior to disembarking. Any credit due to be returned to you will be clearly shown on your final statement which will be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the cruise.

If you booked the full “Cunard fare”, I would be very surprised if you did not get your dining time request. with early saver and late saver fare,  preference is given to those passengers in that order. You will know if you have the full fare as you will have been able to choose your cabin number at time of booking and not wait for room assignment.

open dining could have its advantages depending on times in port.

If you arrive at the Ocean Terminal (mostly used by QM2) it is just under 2 miles to the Central railway station. Should another dock be used, it would be even closer. A taxi would take about 10 minutes, as often the roads in area are quite congested.

Have a look on Google maps, just so you are familiar with where you need to go.

3 hours ago, lbfluffy said:

Thank you for the review. We will be on this ship on March 2nd. I’m not sure if you mentioned it, was there a winemaker dinner?

I did not see this, and would most likely signed for, if available. There was The Chef’s Table”.

After 2 days at sea, this morning we arrived back in San Francisco. This has been a wonderful cruise,  being a  first to both Princess and Mexico.

I have tried to write on things as I see them and facts as they are around the ship.

Firstly, without exception, the crew has been so helpful: this makes for a good vacation. The forward facing  full suite we occupied, was huge and we certainly enjoyed this. Maybe if mobility is a problem or one suffers from “Mal de Mer” it might not be so accommodating. I can say that the daily step count was high, and good exercise. The Concierge Lounge staff were a credit to all.

The musicians on the ship have been tremendous, our favourites being Funch in Crooners Bar and Charlotte  Newman who played in locations around the ship (singing and guitar).

Claudio (Dir of Restaurants) is a formidable person for his position, and therefore the running of the eating  venues appears (to the pax) to be efficient and customer focused.

The disembarkation went smoothly and we were impressed how quickly we passed through customs; technology is a great thing when it works well. Whilst on the subject, how easy it is with the Medallion! Rather than signing chits for everything, this is a great customer friendly gizmo. I am aware that the elderly are not so keen, but nothing stands still now. We used it to the full checking locations of others, finding (at first) directions to where we wanted to go and of course ordering beverages/food etc.. And for those who do not want to view their statement on the App, there are devices to print these rather than queueing at the Purser’s desk.

No comment on the casino which always seemed busy, as we did not go there at all.

A couple of names for an extra special mention (not management), Everton in Sabatini’s, Claudia the Cincierge receptionist and Imade in the Concierge Lounge/Wheelhouse bar.

Will we travel Princess again? Certainly!

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/sabatinis-trattoria/sabatinis-trattoria-main-menu.pdf
 

As of today, this is the menu on the Royal.

On the Royal as I write, and also totally new to Princess.

We have been to the Crown Grill once, which was good, but tonight going for a third time to Sabatinis. The restaurant is beautiful, tables well spaced and the service on another level. The food is special and so well presented.

As has been said, all is one’s personal preference.

Yesterday was our last port day in Cabo San Lucas, and of coarse this meant tendering. It was about 10 minutes to the cruise quay wending through multi million $$$$$$s of stunning motor yachts. 
My first impression is that it was far more cosmopolitan than where we had been elsewhere. The waters edge has dozens of restaurants and accommodations built that were not for the average local population. The famous rock configurations at the end of the Baja peninsula looked stunning. During the morning the Norwegian Joy joined us at anchorage, and those that walked around the port said that with 2 ships the town was heaving. Maybe one of the best activities here is going out in a sailing boat, many whales to be seen, and away from the crowds.

Last evening we stayed in the Crooners Bar; Funch a wonderful pianist and vocalist and his audience appreciative. 
This morning we have awoken to slight seas and sun. Tonight is a formal evening of “white and gold”. We had packed and left home weeks before this cruise, so when the email notification came we realised that we had no suitable ‘coloured’ attire! Oh well, I am sure we will have another great evening. 

On Royal at present, and FaceTime is not brilliant: there seems to be a time delay,  ur connection is possible. However, email and general  browsing has been excellent.