Solent Richard

Another Change:- The Captain has just informed us that tomorrow’s call to Arrecife has been cancelled due to strong winds, exceeding 40mph. Instead, we are going to Gran Canaria - a much better port of call as far as we are concerned, and one that was missing on this itinerary. Win, win!!!

First with QUEEN Victoria news again Bell Boy. Here’s the Captain’s letter….

There you go then. I of course couldn't possibly agree.

The answer is very simple and I've had that from the horses' mouth. The shorty 'booze' cruises are seen as cash cows for the company - not just Cunard -and are never meant to be a true reflection of Cunard voyage experience. (Cocktail party / World Club Party / Senior Officers party) And if recognising that qualifies one as being 'arrogant' then so be it. I accept the badge.😁

Whoops. It's causing quite some feedback on Social Media.

I'm with you on most of your observations particularly regarding passengers on the short QM2 sailings. As I said earlier, you'll never experience the true 'Cunard' experience.

Do give Osman my best wishes. And if you fancy it, his table side prepared Steak Tartare...

A nice review @tizwiz and good afternoon to you. I can certainly empathise with the majority of your comments particularly when, like you, we have more recently tended to go with the smaller lines, Seabourn, Silversea, Hapag-Lloyd and Regent. Mainly of course because we are somewhat old fashioned cruisers and itineraries are our driver. I also recognise your honesty regarding the embarkation being due entirely down to your late arrival. We came to realise some time ago that these shorter cruises on Queen Mary 2 were nowhere near a true reflection of what its really like to cruise with Cunard. I've even read of some groups on these short outings embarking wine boxes for their pre dinner stateroom soirées rather than experience the available atmosphere around the ship. And there, due entirely to the season your cruise saw packed bars and venues. What cost of living crisis?

I've many friends onboard with you but no reports on the social media sites of covid onboard. So sad for you as it was sounding a good cruise on Queen Victoria.

The topic being discussed is surely atmosphere differences between Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. While I'll openly admit to sailing on Queen Victoria more often than Queen Elizabeth I'll also admit that there in my view there is less than a cigarette papers width in atmosphere and style difference between the two vistas. Queen Mary 2 is of course a world of difference apart and until one has crossed the Atlantic in her I'd comfortably say they've never really experienced Cunard.

Totally agree Major. But then, you and I have sailed on both for considerably longer than 4 nights.

That's what I thought until I had occasion to witness it happen. We were travelling on Queen Mary 2, Queens Grill, for her 29 night 2011/12 round trip Caribbean Christmas cruise. We had been allocated one of my favourite tables for 6 at the very rear of the restaurant. The first few evenings we didn't see too much of one couple when on the fourth evening, while all dining together, the couple who had missed two evenings announced that they wished to invite their daughter, who was travelling with a child in the Britannia restaurant, to join them in the Queens Grill. Needless to say I wasn't at all enamoured at the prospect and made my views and reasons known. That of course, not unsurprisingly, somewhat soured the future conversational levels on the table while the couple in question made it quite clear that they were going to put their request to the Maitre d'. Now at this stage of the cruise we still had 24 nights ahead of us and I, having no wish to exacerbate the situation, made my own approach to the Maitre d' with a request to move tables within the same area of the restaurant. My request was not difficult to meet as there was a largish turnover in New York prior to us sailing south. They say the devil looks after his own and this little incident was no exception. We retained the same excellent waiting team and were joined by new arrivals in New York. One of those arrivals was one of the most amazing characters I have had the pleasure to meet - he had been the ‘Brooklyn Borough President’ during the 9/11 attacks and gave an amazing account of his role during that dreadful time. The same guy, Howard Golden, had actually sailed flat bottomed tank landing craft across the Atlantic during WWII. For the final trans Atlantic home leg we were again joined by outstanding table companions, Lord Dannatt and his charming wife Lady Pippa. Lord Dannatt was a guest speaker for that particular leg of the cruise. It was during this homeward leg of the cruise that I could not help noticing that the lady on our original table had managed to have her join them for one evening dinner.

Oh I don't know. Do it once and you'll get the bug. I did, however, com under severe pressure from my good lady after the first, to cut down the length: hence when we did the 56 nights on QM2 - Southampton to Sydney - we opted for Queens Grill.😉😉

Go for it. I love my clothes and yes, we dressed every night and for formal evenings I had a choice of four different tux jackets. We also often dressed appropriately, when the occasion arose, while ashore... I wouldn't dream of sending my shirts to the laundry. There are perfectly good facilities for self launder and iron onboard and that's not to save money either. The last thing I'd want is to send one's quality shirts to a ship's laundry. Anyway, I often enjoyed chatting to the Captain's wife in the laundry room before breakfast. ..

I will let you know. Good luck on the 6th.

Just goes to show how different we all are. We did a back to back into and out of New Orleans with two different cruise lines, Carnival Dream being the second. We had a great time. Indeed, I titled my review 'A Very Pleasant Surprise'... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2018/02/09/carnival-dream-a-very-pleasant-surprise/

Amazing to hear - especially from the new Queen Anne converts. 😉

Or the even more popular Club 710 on Iona... *****

Hi there Colin. If it is as good as the Limelight Club on the newer P&O ships (Britannia and Iona) then who cares. It's something different, popular and well worth the money. I will applaud Cunard if it is. ******

Did anyone else on here attend last nights evening in London for the Cunard Queen Anne immersive experience? @Bell Boy Showcasing elements of her onboard experience it included a selection of the art to be featured on board and a sample of the entertainment from the new “Brightlights Society’ bar.

Spot on as I just posted above Comment # 14

Just checked my Credit Card statement for the payment of deposit for the Queen Anne Maiden cruise which was booked through the UK's premier Cunard Travel Agent. It clearly states the payment was credited to 'Cunard Line Southampton GBR' even though The credit card number was passed to the TA over the phone. I have no reason to doubt the same format will show when the balance is paid. Problem solved.

Hi there Major. Never really had an issue with the US's immigration routine (if only we pursued a similar policy over here) though of course, I've never wanted to nip back onboard before heading across to Manhattan. (Never seen the point though I guess the OP has a legitimate reason) One of our best days I have recorded ... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/06/24/one-way-to-do-new-york-brooklyn-to-central-park-via-the-highline-walk/

I've always subscribed to the view that being the Flagship, Queen Mary 2 has the better of the 'Grills' facilities when it comes to named lounges. Like your good self, we have both experienced 'Grills' accommodation across the fleet and are well equipped to comment. The Queens Grill Lounge on Deck 7 is more spacious and elegant while still being convenient for the grills restaurants... ***** ...while the excellent Concierge Lounge is situated perfectly for the grills accommodation decks offering a full concierge service where it is most required.... *****

Correct and well done Cunard for honouring those bookings made for the Maiden cruise. Some folk must be devastated by the Queen Victoria fly cruise programme, especially those QV fans with multiple FCCs in the bank.