roger3858

After a year and a bit break from travel and cruising boards I've logged back on. I'm hoping people coped ok with the general (and ongoing) horribleness that has been the disruption and stress that Covid and lockdown has caused.

My second but last trip before Covid was an Eastbound TA in December 2019 which both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed and completely converted us to Cunard. I was very grateful for the information people on here gave me in advance of that trip and it definitely was helpful. As things are starting to reopen we're finally starting to look at booking a trip away again.

Whilst 2020 and early 2021 has easily been the most stressful period of my professional life in the NHS it did also come with the happy birth of our first child. I can now vaguely remember what uninterrupted sleep felt like.

It may be madness or simply cabin fever but we are looking at booking the 10 day Atlantic escape trip on QV this winter by which time my daughter will be 9-10months but are keen for a bit more information before we pull the trigger on it. Certainly from reading Cunard's websites they seem to be family friendly and well equipped in terms of sterilises, food, facilities etc to allow people to travel with babies and small children relatively easily. At the same time some of the posts I've found online expressed somewhat robust thoughts on people bringing small children aboard.

1. Our first trip was on QM2 in a Q6 and we would be looking to book in the Grills again. Trying to book online there seems to be rather more limited choice of cabin classes when booking with a baby. For instance we are able to book a Q4 but not a Q6. Given that a Q6 is bigger than a deluxe britannia inside (which we can also book with a baby) I'm not sure of Cunard's logic and wasn't sure if I was missing something? Is it simply an online thing and needs to be booked by phone or does Cunard restrict cots and children to specific room classes?

2. Whilst Osman was very disappointment that the family with the baby at the table beside us never came for dinner in QG on our TA I'm under no illusions that a 9-10month old baby is necessarily going to be settled enough to sit in a well behaved manner through a dinner.

For the avoidance of all doubt (and to prevent me getting flamed on here!) I have no intention of inflicting a crying or screaming baby on other dinners or attempting to spoil their dinner or experience in any way.

I fully expect many of our evening meals will be eaten in the suite unless she is being exceptionally well settled.

QM2 had a table of a reasonable height for a eating at in the Q6 - judging by the pictures and videos I've looked at of QV PG or QG rooms there doesn't seem to be a similar table - only a lower coffee style table. For those that have taken meals in their suite in QV how did you find it?

3. I know you can eat off the QG menu in your room during standard hours - am I right in saying this also applies to the PG menu for dinner in your room or is it standard room service if traveling in PG? 

4. We are hoping that for the gala nights we will be able to leave the wee one in the night nursery for a few hours to allow us to eat in the restaurant - provided she settles that is! Does any one have experience of using the night nursery on Cunard - keen to hear peoples thoughts and experiences of it.

5. Any overall thoughts of PG vs Q4 on QV?

Any and all thoughts gratefully received!

I enjoyed the Gusborne English sparkling wine - definitely worth trying if you haven't already. Foolishly lifted a glass of Pol Acker at cocktail party - wasn't worth the units...

We've just returned from our Eastbound TA - our first outing with Cunard. Had a ball and now thoroughly depressed to be home to trying to convince She who must be obeyed that we really should try the Fjords in the summer.

Just wanted to say thanks to those on this board - I've been a fairly long term lurker but the information from posts on here meant we were much better informed about what to see, what to do and very importantly what to eat!!

A few random thoughts and comments

Q5 midships on deck 9 was very nice, I'd worried about whether the lifeboards on the deck below would interfere with view but not at all

The nice pens are alive and well - I think I managed to collect 3 in my pocket to do me for a while

Service in QG was attentive, restrained and 'British' - we liked it but I think some of the US guests found it a little more cold than what they're used to

I really shouldn't eat as much as I do - 8lb on in the week, shirt collar definitely a bit tighter by the last formal night!

Caviar, foie gras and lobster all available

Osman's carbonara is excellent as are the crepe suzettes

I found lots of off menu options from reading peoples posts here but I always felt as if there was a 'secret' menu of things they could/had done or that were their specialties - I felt that knowing more might have broadened my choices.

Library was superb, cocktails a little underwhelming. Drinks package seems daft and put us off getting it. On NCL if I ordered a drink above the threshold I paid the difference only - Cunard's way of doing it seems counterproductive (I accept bottles of wine are a different matter).

Only time I really noticed any sway was using the covered pool on deck 12 - really very noticeable water movement. Others complained about the sway and said it felt rough.

Thoroughly enjoyed dressing for dinner as did my wife- have threatened to start wearing dinner suit for dinner at home, she has sadly vetoed this as with my suggestion that I try flambéing desserts...

If anyone has any questions from last weeks crossing happy to try to answer them, I've the full set of QG menus for the week if anyone wants them.

Once again many thanks to all who post on here and who answered at a lot of my questions. Really enhanced our trip!

Same - first time on Cunard this weekend. Can’t wait!

I’ve been having a browse of the list. Sadly my wife isn’t a big drinker so I suspect much of what I’ll have will be by the glass. 

Any recommendations of by the glass wines on the list? Any to definitely avoid?

Much appreciated Roy! Many thanks 

Enjoying your report ! Just curious if there have been wine academy events on at all or if they offered the WSET wine course on your crossing? I didn’t spot any mentions of it in the dailies you’ve posted but wasn’t sure if they might have been advertised separately 

Thanks! I suspect my wife will be delighted if I’m able to go off for a couple of hours for a course and give her some peace and quiet!

I’ll give them a ring 

I understand it’s possible to do the WSET level 1 course aboard QM2- it’s been on my list of things to do for some time. 

Is it possible to do it on the east bound crossing or only on the west bound?

Can it be booked in advance or only once you get on board? Has anyone done it with Cunard before?

Many thanks!

Thanks -it’s southampton airport we’re flying from though, we aren’t going as far as London 

Dear but it’ll keep her happy so we’ll be getting it! 🙂

That’s the answer she was hoping for! Chocolate fondue will keep her very happy!

My wife is a bit of a chocoholic (ok more than a bit). I’ve seen menus for most of the venues on QM2 on CC or elsewhere but I haven’t spotted a menu for Sir Samuels. If anyone has picture of a recent one it’d be much appreciated 

I’d echo the suggestion to check with your nearest consulate. 

Im a simple fellow though - it seems fairly irrelevant to me which passport you board the ship on. Getting into the UK very much depends on what passport you present to UK immigration officials when they do your check. Provided you present your Irish passport to them at immigration I can’t see how they could refuse you entry to Uk. Happy to be corrected though!

10 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

In July  I  ordered Peking duck, Osso Bucco and a classic Saffron risotto , a seafood pasta. Lobster as a starter, fois gras. My wife had sword fish, Seared Tuna,  also sea bass which was on the first weeks al carte, but not on second. I don't like cold deserts so had souffles or another special hot dessert every night. Had Sushi for lunch in our room many times, I ordered my own favourites the day before.

 

The table next door Tvdad had caviar most nights.

 

At the moment they are very flexible

Thanks- osso bucco sounds like a good idea! I’m using cruise critic board to convince my wife that it wouldn’t be viewed as me being ‘awkward’ if I venture off menu. Soufflés and the flambé desserts high on the list so far as well as addition of lobster or scallops to dishes.

7 hours ago, mzungu369 said:

 

We asked for rabbit pie, which was made ok. Also tried to get freshly shaved black truffle over scrambled eggs for breakfast but they didn't have fresh truffles, only the soggy preserved bits.

Shame as I enjoy truffle. My wife has two pet rabbits so I’d ordered the pie divorce would be beckoning !

Thanks- much appreciated 

We’re getting the TA from NYC to Southampton in December and then are flying home from Southampton airport. I’ve seen various posts talking about coach transport to London airports - is there a Cunard transport to Southampton airport from the cruise terminal or is it just easier to get a taxi after disembarkation?

Easy to get or best to pre-arrange?

Many thanks!

Had you ordered anything particularly interesting or unusual off menu Windsurfboy? First QG in December coming so I’ve been scouring the different threads seeing what people have ordered and getting ideas!

Many thanks folks all booked and sorted. Interestingly they weren’t able to offer flights out of Dublin. A bit disappointing as far easier to fly out of there rather than go through London from NI!

all booked for December TA QG! Thoroughly looking forward to it!

Thanks. Wasn't sure if I booked it online how quickly they process flights- Dublin isn't listed as an option online. Was debating booking generically online first and then discussing flights at a later stage vs just doing it all over the phone in one go.

Hello all- I’ve been a fairly long term lurker on cruise critic and have enjoyed reading folks’ experiences.

We haven’t travelled with Cunard before but are looking to book QG westbound transatlantic this coming winter. I know an economy flight is included in the price back to UK but I’m trying to find some information on how that is done?

if I book the cruise on the Cunard website will the company automatically book the flights there and then? Is it better to book the crossing by phoning Cunard directly especially if we’re considering an upgrade for flights?

We live in Northern Ireland- I know Cunard can do regional flights to Belfast does anyone have any experience of whether they’ll book flights from NY to Dublin? Would save on an extra flight!

Last question although it’s a little off from the flights topic- are the lifeboats below cabins on level 9 QG much of an obstruction or is it better to try to get a cabin on level 10?

Any information or advice gratefully received! Save travels