AussieVoyager

Does anyone have intel on the sauna situation on the new Cunard Queen Anne?

Nice to see you again!

To be honest I’d be less likely to use it. I was on Queen Victoria 3 times in the last year or so, and that still has men-only facilities. The vast majority of men use it naked, as nature intended.

Yea, how would they know if you had anything on under the towel anyway? But that’s why I love the single-sex saunas - no bathing suit or towel wrap, just total freedom 😂

Almost identical to Queen Elizabeth

Yes, in my experience the first day is quiet and it gets busier as more people find out that it exists - it’s not really publicised much! I agree that afternoons are generally busier than mornings; I guess it depends on whether you prefer quiet and solitude, or a bit more social interaction.

Any other sauna aficionados joining us on this cruise from Barcelona?

Yes, I was on this sailing. I received the notice of change about 1pm on the day before embarkation.

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Haha yes, that’s all I’d do too

Lol towels intended for a full body wrap?

Oh, that sounds terrible. I’ve cruised twice since open dining was introduced and didn’t experience that myself, and I hope I never do!

Brilliant. Email me if you like. 337pan.orama it’s a gmail account

It simply means you can turn up at any time the dining room is open - not a fixed time. It also means you don’t have a fixed table or waiter.

I am! You?

Brilliant job - on behalf of all ship-sauna fans, thank you!

It’s good to hear the facilities are being well used. Thanks for the post!

That’s a great looking sauna and locker room!!

I’m sure it would be amazing to see the Northern Lights

Juice, iced tea and lemonade are definitely all available in the buffet. I have never asked in the main dining room but I’d guess so. I’ve never purchased the drinks package either, as there’s no way I’d drink enough for it make economic sense.

It’s great to get some peace and quiet in the sauna at times

Thanks for posting that - what a great video. I’ve never been on Viking but that makes it very inviting (glad they don’t enforce the bathing suit rule, but I haven’t actually seen that “rule” enforced on other lines either 😂)

Not in Australia either…

A couple of belated thoughts on open dining from me… We have done 8 Cunard voyages - 6 before the introduction of open dining, and 2 after it was introduced. We chose open dining when it became an option, and on our next cruise coming up we have selected open dining again. I have to say I always did enjoy the fixed seating, as it was a great opportunity to get to know table mates (even though we usually have a table for 2, the tables are so close that you can chat to others). I do miss that - it’s new people around every night. I also miss having regular waiters that we can get to know, and who learn our preferences. With open seating it’s a new waiter every time. On the positive side, we do appreciate the flexibility to eat when we choose. We usually selected the late sitting, but sometimes if we’re tired or wanting to do something different in the evening we now have freedom to eat a little earlier without going to the buffet which isn’t my thing. For that reason we do now always select the open seating option. My personal feeling is that the quality of the food was not as good on my last two voyages. Not bad, in fact still good, but just not as good as it used to be, both in quality and variety. Others I’ve spoken to don’t think so - even my wife disagrees with me on that - so maybe my memory is failing me! I wouldn’t think, if there has been a drop, that is directly attributable to the change in seating options.

Yes, it has a free sauna in the men’s locker room. The steam room, though, is in the spa area, is co-Ed, and is not free. My last time on QE was in early 2023 and I’m heading off again in a few weeks.