LadyL1

Yes, there are a few with larger curved balconies, and other “angled” rooms and balconies. The extra space in both  is always welcome if you can secure one of these rooms.

Avoid deck 8 if possible as there are a lot of areas that can be prone to noise from above. A cabin with with accommodations above and below are best if you prefer quietness!

Deck 7 first choice and then deck 6 would be my recommendation, and we have been on QV very many times!😊  Have a wonderful trip to Norway.

Perhaps you should look at Ennios website: menu shown.Certainly better than pub https://www.ennios.co.uk/menus/

Another good venue, but not sure about walking is Southampton Harbour Hotel.

32 minutes ago, Summergee said:

As well as making the cabin darker we haven't been able to watch the sea from the bed.

This is not actually one of the  “angled” cabins with extra floor space, so the outside wall is flat and one can see the sea, and not dark. Years ago we had the same on deck 7 with no problem at all. The balcony was very well used indeed on a Canary Island cruise.

if you have already booked, I am sure you will be very happy both room and location.

Definitely deck 7, so as to avoid being under the lido buffet! Noise has often been reported on this site for deck 8 cabins. 

The balcony is very large, the room just standard size.

I believe the damage was caused on an excessively rough transit of the BoB, cruise starting 15th Nov.

We were aboard from 29.11-11.22.22. The crossing south of BoB, quite rough and at speed gave our aft suite a most peculiar and unpleasant vibration: a juddering experience which I have never encountered before. We did see a chap moving out of the last of the balcony cabins as he could not sleep.

Our return to Southampton was indeed planned to be berthed at 1.00am in the morning for a new electrical system to be installed which is more eco friendly, and able the QV to hook up to shoreside power.

3 hours ago, daka said:

December 10 cruise on REGAL, internet was very slow on SEA DAYS and in the evenings, in port when the ship is "empty" it was OK

I think what you have quoted is only to be expected.

Hopefully on newer ships, with inbuilt up-to date technology, we can expect better accessibility. This is is fast and ever moving feature at sea: we want and need it, as part of modern day society. All cruise lines need to provide what the majority pax want, to be successful! One only has to read the grumbles, on many of the CC boards, to realise this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uReHGiPyULo

 One of our roughest voyages ever was with the family for Christmas/New Year 2013/14. The outbound BoB was truly awesome, and just as bad homeward. Some time later I found this video of QE leaving A Corunna, and remember this was before being in the open waters of the ocean. Take a look , you might want to skip to middle of video to start, as that truly gives you the idea of movement. 
It was a game for the grandchildren to get along the corridor without being bumped into the sides😆. A voyage  where we saw flooded areas, and empty public spaces and restaurants.

So going back to the original gist of the thread, about QGs being forward, perhaps Cunard are seeking wealthy thrill seekers to book these suites. 
 

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

……….. It really doesn’t take much longer if you don’t have your medallion mailed to you.  If you are in a full suite (not a mini suite), you will be given the opportunity to board first, along with any elite passengers and club class mini suite passengers.  
Lately, embarkation has been a breeze!  Actual embarkation onto the ship, after security and check in, has started around 11:00  - 11:30 AM.  The room ps may not be ready when you first board but we’ve been allowed to drop off any carry on luggage in our cabin.  
BTW, embarkation lunch is held in the MDR on deck 6 midship.  You will have a club class entrance if in a full suite or club class mini suite.  Otherwise, just go to the entrance on the opposite side of the ship.  It beats having to eat up in the buffet.  Enjoy … 
 

Cruise Raider

Thank you for your detailed info, and sure we will enjoy the cruise to Mexico, immensely.

Yes, we are in a full suite , and again knowing about the embarkation lunch is useful.

FYI, as we are from UK, we are not able to have the medallion mailed to us, and have to collect at port.

Going back to the original gist of this thread about boarding, as first time on Princess have a few questions.  If you are in a suite do you have to choose a boarding time, or just arrive at one’s convenience? On the App it says we are in green lane.

Also as we are not residents of USA, so we have to collect the medallion at the port: would this be at the checking-in hall or on ship?

I was on the last QV cruise and did not want to post on this thread, to remain anonymous.

On the first evening we had a couple at the next table in QG, whose adult family were in. Britannia restaurant: this was their first Cunard cruise. We never saw them again for any meal.

One evening their 2 adult sons were “allowed” to occupy their table to experience QG, and were super company. The family had been eating in other venues around the ship.

I think it would only be on very rare occasions when guests would be allowed in The Grills as guests, because of setting a difficult precedence.

Today Queen Victoria is 15 years old: christened by the now Queen Consort. An exquisite cake that looks like an old log book is the atrium, with special reference to the Prince’s Trust.

The temperature is plummeting but we did manage morning tea on the aft south facing  balcony (with just long sleeves) as so sheltered and the sun smiling on us.

This has been a very good voyage, and without saying the staff exemplary. It is heartening to see more nationalities returning to Cunard. There are Americans and French to name a few, but the vast majority British. We have a large table behind us, whose occupants are our footballing opponents tonight. The Pub has been constantly busy during the World Cup matches: I cannot imagine what time people will be trying to get a seat in. There tonight: it is much warmer than the Wintergarden now.

Last night’s Roaring Twenties, saw some beautiful outfits, and pleased to say not looking like a fancy dress party! In the theatre a Christmas production had its first showing, it was OK, but  think some  more traditional festive songs would have helped. There are high expectations for the “The New Amen Corner” performing tonight in the Queens Room.

Just about finished packing, and we envisage finding a heavily frosted car tomorrow morning in Southampton.

On our outward BoB trip, many succumbed. Talking in the bar the other night to one such unfortunate lady, was told that the little pill from the Purser’s desk is now $12 each. It might be worth you taking a trip to the local pharmacy.

This mornings Force 8 has now subsided but a noticeable difference in temperature. As all the outside decks had been closed this morning a walk around the prom was beckoning after lunch: how the outdoor attire has changed in a short period with woolly hats more appropriate than the sun variety.

The Captain announced at noon that the QV will be arriving in Southampton at 01.00 on Sunday so we are at present making a speedy dash across the BoB. This is due to an electrical upgrade to the ship that will commence as soon as we arrive; the reason is that it will allow shore-side power and be more eco friendly. One can just visualise a big plug coming from the ship for a quick charge as per one’s electric car!🤣

Tonight it is the “Roaring Twenties” night, before the dreaded task of packing tomorrow. I would happily return for another Canaries cruise at Christmas.

Any last minute questions, I will try and answer.

3 hours ago, Morgans said:

Beautiful photos - have enjoyed 'travelling' along with you. It looks to have been a lovely holiday.  Which berth was used in Lisbon as there are several ? 

 

We docked at the  Jardim do Tabaco Quay, which is below the old city. On our last few visits we have been here and is easily walkable along the promenade to to the main square on the waterfront or to go into the Alfama district.

After our delightful winter escape, we are now truly rocking and rolling northwards! 

Leaving Lisbon tonight, a beautiful balmy evening.

During dinner we were treated to a spectacular thunderstorm.

I fear the cold will be a nasty shock when we arrive in Southampton.

We arrived in Lisbon around 8.00am this morning, and fortunately the ship did not turn ready for departure so we have had the December sun on the balcony for most of the day. A pleasant surprise after seeing the forecast a few days ago. The waterfront by the cruise port has been improved so much over the past few years and there were constant free shuttles to the top of the city. A few pax just ignored the request for masks: all the places we have visited require masks on public transport. Enjoyed the colours of the city, purchased some excellent white port, walked miles and had a thoroughly good day. 

This afternoon I visited the forward pool for what could be my last swim: it really could have benefited from a few extra degrees of heat. Needless to say I swam alone, and the heavy rain shower was not exactly encouraging others.

Most evenings we have been to the atrium for a while to listen to the “strings” and it is also a good place to people watch. The dress code seems largely adhered to, but there are always a few who buck the trend. I do not like to see T-shirts worn in the evening, but such attire not evident in the theatre. 

In front of us is the AIDAStella: not sure which ship is leaving first this evening, but our back on board time is 6.00pm. I wonder what the Bay of Biscay will hold for us tomorrow?

A question answered -  I do not know why one pool has been netted for a few days.

A day at our sea, which is warm, grey and quite calm for December and we are still able to sit on balcony and read. In our next port of Lisbon the weather is set to be dire, with “warnings” on the BBC site.
Early last night we left Lanzarote on time and it was the sort of balmy evening one would hope for in December. We sat on the balcony for G&T’s with some sushi.
After dinner a visit to the theatre was called for to listen to “The New Amen Corner”. A packed late performance by this versatile band with a huge repertoire of 60’s classics, was much appreciated. Hopefully the sound will be as good Saturday night in the Queen’s Room for the “last hooray” of this cruise.

This morning we listened to Penny Mallory and her exploits as a rally car driver and champion. A sport not for the faint hearted!

Some observations you might be interested in. The elegant Amanda Reid is entertainment director, and I think loved by all: she exudes style.

Considering what we have all been through these last few years, it is amazing how many wish to ignore the hand sanitisers that are around and those when reboarding in port.

I find that some folk are really inconsiderate. On our way back to our accommodation there are a couple of cabins where used pool towels are just left out in the corridor to be collected and another often sees a used glasses/cups left outside with no thought to passers by or more significantly those who have mobility issues. Thanks goodness, there are not many with this attitude.

A word must be said of Captain Tomas Connor; he has humour and warmth  in his noon day speeches, that some in his position sadly lack. The officers have been ever present around the ship and certainly approachable. We must look forward to a time when the grand Captain’s table is present in the Britannia restaurant , and the invitations to join him or his staff on formal evenings are the norm! Is that just wishful thinking?

A short trip last night from Gran Canaria sees us in the port of Ariceffe!  Not quite so sunny today but ideally warm for either outdoor walking or being lazy in the great outdoors. It is quite an industrial little port, but beyond lies the bare volcanic soils that typifies these islands. 

A shuttle takes one from ship to marina and the town is about 1/4 mile stroll. Very quaint but a little run down: Ariceffe is in need of the tourists returning. I noticed a few very nice fish restaurants amongst the plethora of little cafes and shops.

It is disappointing to see that the forward pool is still empty, netted and obviously not in use. I had the aft pool to myself for an early morning swim, and on this particular voyage there does not seem to a vast number of swimmers. After the Beef Wellington last night, the exercise was a must!

This afternoon it is lounging on the balcony; the Norwegian Sun is just behind us, which followed us out yesterday evening.

A day at sea is now in prospect, but the weather for Lisbon looks truly awful,

My thoughts on the WiFi.

This is our 4th time onboard in 2022 and had 2 midship  and 2 aft locations, one of each area on both QV and QE. The aft has given quite acceptable usage on both occasions (and as of now) whilst the midships WiFi connectivity was very poor indeed.

I will not go into the expense of the new system, as has been discussed many times before and see no possibility of change for the better.

It will be interesting to compare with another line next month.

At least  Cunard must be refilling the coffers a little in these warmer climes, with so may drinking beers on the open decks whilst sunbathing, and some in the hot tubs being plied with even more bubbles! Carnival really needs to turn in some good quarter results:   we need these cruise lines to survive.

We had breakfast on the balcony this morning as so pleasantly warm and just about to do the same for lunch.

The outdoor grown poinsettias in the park by the port were stunning. 

We had breakfast on the balcony this morning as so pleasantly warm and just about to do the same for lunch.

The outdoor grown poinsettias in the park by the port were stunning. 

46 minutes ago, Deafcruise said:

Hi I hope you dont mind me asking, what the situation regarding COVID is like onboard?

Not aware of people coughing at all! All quiet on the “jungle drums” as sure it would be hot conversation if there was a problem.

Sorry for late post above, but the effort to get on to the Cruisecritic site is unbelievable!

As we left Madeira last evening we were treated to the Christmas light extravaganza along the shore.
A quick overview of how this cruise is going, and some info as per queries.
Last night the performance of Samantha Jay had to be cancelled, as her arrival by plane in Madeira was marred by lost luggage and instrument.
We have not noticed any or odours around the Wintergarden, but have so in other parts of the ship. There seems to be a continuous high level of maintenance and repairs all over the QV. Today the midship pool was netted! Perhaps this ship is becoming like one’s favourite old chair or carpet slippers!
I am constantly walking around the prom and other areas when at sea and have to say that there is no evidence of mass coughing. Interestingly quite a few are wearing masks, and confess I do in the lifts when crowded: it is where masks are most noticeable.
Santa Cruz da La Palma is a fascinating place, on this wild outcrop in the Atlantic. Some passengers wonder why we called here, but there was a lovely atmosphere in the town with some very smart restaurants and cafes tucked away. It is clean and beautifully decorated for the festive season. Apart from that the geology of this volcanic island is mesmerising and the rapid change in weather and down draughts from the mountains quite interesting.
Our food has been very good to date as well as the service in the restaurant. However, the Grills afternoon tea is quite underwhelming. For me being offered a tiered cakestand full of delicious sandwiches and cakes is the essence of a luxurious tea time, as one finds in London hotels or country houses.
So tonight I am looking forward to a dover sole and other niceties, and hopefully all the swimming and walking help with the calorific balance! Tomorrow is Gran Canaria.