tmee

My go to for mascara is Diorshow Waterproof  (it is my daily and what I travel with)  

For eyeliner my go to is KVD tattoo liner (but I get the trooper which is really a black color I have not tried brown)

On my last trip I used the Dior 24Hour Stylo waterproof (it comes in a matte brown not really a liquid more of a gel but I liked it and it stayed on my eyelids)

tmee

In Coriander, we were encouraged to try lots of things In the photos there is a mixture of both the a standard order and one made with a "dietary restriction"  hence the double rice and the fruit plate dessert 🙂

tmee

I thought maybe I would post pictures from Coriander also.  Here are a few...

On 8/5/2023 at 5:22 PM, alibabacruisers said:

Love seeing the pictures of what a specialty restaurant has on offer.  We love the vegetables too, although not into seafood.  I keep thinking maybe one day I will try some but haven't got there yet. 

Frontier had some non seafood options.  My travel companion ordered tbe Anchorage Goose Breast.  He enjoyed it.

tmee

@3rdGenCunarder I think your options may be correct for your 6:30 tour.  On the Alaska sailing the earliest booking time was 6:00 pm for the Lido alternate dining.  On our sailing the "Lido Grill Lunch" was also available intil 5:00pm but I don’t know if it will be open for a northern lights cruise.

tmee

Here is a sampling of the food from Frontier. The first photo was an amuse bouche which was a seared scallop.

As a vegetable lover, I had to get alllllllllll of the sides. Those were very good as well.

tmee

As promised I am back with an update!  We both thoroughly enjoyed Frontier.  It was a nice change from the main dining room a much more relaxed environment.  (Timing wise)
My menu was indeed the same as the sample menu.
Thank you so much @JRoyston for reporting earlier.  I am very glad  I decided to dine there!
Of the things we ordered my personal favourites were the Halibut and the Alaska Langoustines. I think if you enjoy seafood it is a nice option.
We also dined at Coriander and enjoyed the experience as well, though the food was completely different 🙂
As JRoyston mentioned the Alternate dining area it is set back from the Lido area.  It  was  quiet away from the clicking and clattering of the buffet.

tmee

Thank you all again for the information.  This is truly helpful.   I am still nervous I about the open seating... but the early is just too early for the ports on this sailing... and I know I will fall asleep with the time change with the late seating... I will be optimistic about my experiences, and I will report back. 

I do have some alternate dining booked so maybe that will help.

I think I will miss the interaction with "my" 🙂 sommelier, but this will be a different type of cruise with a different type of travel companion... so I will embrace the difference and try not to compare everything to the "last time I sailed on Cunard"... it will be difficult....😉

Thank you @PORT ROYAL for the information regarding the wine collection.  I honestly never had thought to do that. 

tmee

Thank you, for the information.  Now I am even more nervous about not having  fixed seating 🙂  I thought I would try something different...

I was worried early seating would be too early. Because I know late seating going to be too late for this itinerary. 

Does anyone know what time early dining is on the QE in Alaska?

tmee

I have a few questions regarding the alternate dining, open dining and lunch in Britannia Class.   

If one has open bottles of wine from the previous evening's dinner will they find one again the following night, or at lunch or in another venue?
I know with traditional dining it was not an issue, but I wasn't sure how that would work with open dining.
Also if you have brought special bottle of wine or Champagne that should be chilled how soon or when do you bring it to dining room?
How has the wine service in general with advent of open seating?
I may more questions... but those are the ones that come to mind at the moment 🙂

Thank you,

tmee
 

@JRoyston

Thank you very much for reporting back and for the pictures!!  I am so very glad you enjoyed cruise and the Frontier restaurant.  I will definitely book this dining experience 😊 ..you have sold me on the Baked Alaska 🧊

tmee

   What @Jack E Dawson describes has been my experience as well.  I have brought my own masks to wear from home as I happen to have a few and like coordinating them with my evening gowns.   I  wear them while watching others dance in the Queen's room 🙂 I typically don't wear a mask while eating but definitely afterwards.

Here is a photo of what mine looked like on my last sailing with a masquerade ball when not wearing them 🙂

I think on this particular sailing there was a stop in Venice so feel that a lot more people participated as a lot of guests purchased while in Venice.

There is generally a mask making activity listed in the program although i have not seen or partipated in it.

tmee

Hey there,  how exciting to go on your first Cunard sailing! My go to lines (at this moment:)) are Celebrity and Cunard. I think you will have a lovely time

Red and Gold
I believe either color would be appropriate. A gold dress would be nice for the red and gold theme, and would fit in well ( a sparkling highlight amongst the red :)) I feel you are correct that more of the ladies wear red than gold.  There is of course a lot of black in the mix too.

Livorno
I have hired a private driver to go from Livorno to Florence with a few people. I had been to Florence previously so it was more a leisurely scenic wander, we shopped, ate and looked at the outside of buildings. ( we didn't go to any museums or structures)  I peronally think (as has been stated)  that Pisa and Florence together would be alot, unless you are not planning on returning.

If it were me, I think I would just go to Pisa or a Pisa Luca combination.

Flight Departure BCN
While I think you can make your 11:55 flight from BCN.  I would definitely have a contingency plan if you don’t. More than once  I have been on ships delayed coming into that particular port ( medical emergency and weather were the major reasons) But I knew in advance what my options were for alternate flights and was able to suggest them to the ticketing agents as my primary requests.  I also researched alternative lodging in advance ( which also came in handy)

Barcelona
One if my favourite things to do in Barcelona is to "walk through history" Barcelona is interesting in that one can literally walk from the sea up into land and quite literally walk through the passage of time via the architecture chronologically. This is a particular phenomenon that I personally have not experienced elsewhere .If you are interested in art there are so many unique Museums to visit, ( some that are dedicated to specifc Spanish artists)

I tend find little small places to eat and ask locals so I am oblivious to the names of the establishments 🙂 But I would definitely grab something freshly made/caught from La Boqueria!  I personally am a fan of FRESH sardines as, where I live one cannot catch them ( the water temperature is wrong) and they need to be eaten very quickly upon catching so they don't ship well either ( but if fish isn't you thing X that 🙂 )

Queen Elizabeth
I haven't sailed on Queen Elizabeth since the cruise restart ( but I will soon 🙂 on one of those Alaska sailings :)) But one of the things I enjoyed and was unique about this particular ship amongst the fleet, was they still had a games deck with croquet, bowls etc.. (I believe it is still there)  and also the Garden lounge which is like a solarium ( this was transformed into a different lounge on the QM2 if memory serves)  I enjoyed the retro decor during the day and gave the feel of a nostagic "traditional" vessel (I know some people feel it is 'tired' but I think it is quirky and unique )

I think you will find the contributors on this board very helpful with tips and information.  They have always been helpful to me from my first Cunard sailing almost a decade ago and continue to be 🙂

tmee

I will try to be succinct this time.

Everyone has given such good advice layers, layers, layers.

Your activities may determine your wardrobe as well. (Although I have hiked Delphi in a skirt and silk blouse and was comfortable :D.)
 

I didn't see your cruise line mentioned or how casual or not you prefer to dress in the evenings.

I prefer dress and skirts too and these are my suggestions:

One thing I do frequently when cruising in contrasting or variable clients is travel with sleeveless dresses I can layer over tights (thermal) and a merino turtleneck.   So, I have the sleeveless dress when it is warm and when the weather is cooler the dress works like a jumper. This can also be used to change the look of outfits dramatically.

The material that your clothing is made from makes a big difference, in my opinion, for comfort, weight, space.  Fortunately, some of the best things work well on all accounts.   Light weight merino wool makes for good layering. If I am trying to save weight and space I pack several light weight silk crepe dresses and blouses to wear in the evenings (I can wear the blouses in the day if the weather is warm or as a base layer if cold)  as they take up very little space and can offer a lot of variety and tend not to be hot to me.

I almost never carry capris or shorts unless I have a specific activity that requires it. But as someone mentioned earlier, I would carry some water-resistant tech pants not only could be layered for warmth but also help your legs from getting eaten by little (or rather large 🙂 ) insects whether in Hawaii or Alaska, when walking in a forest.

In cold environments I always pack a pair of silk long underwear/ thermals. Again, super lightweight and it doesn't make me overheat and can be used as pajamas if necessary:)

waterproof bag works well for beach and rain.
A breathable hat to keep your head warm and your hair from blowing in your face while watching the sea.
Gloves because my hands tend to get cold in the wind.

My 2 cents...or nickel if in Canada 🙂

tmee

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@JRoyston Thank you. That is very kind.  I hope you have a wonderful voyage.

tmee

@Ready2go11 Thank you.  I did see the sample menu, that is actually what got me interested in the restaurant 🙂

 I personally have never dined in any of the Lido specialty restaurants on any sailing so the concept is new to me.

tmee

Oh, I didn't realize it was new for this season, thank you.  If I dine there I will be sure to report back.

tmee

I was wondering has anyone experienced the specialty dining  "Frontier" on an Alaska sailing?  I was looking for opinions and/or observations on the food and atomosphere. 

I am looking forward to local food options that may be unique to an Alaskan sailing and thought this may be one way to experience them.

tmee

Thank you very much for the suggestions!

tmee

Good Morning/Afternoon all,

I was wondering if anyone has any recent experience with the shops onboard the QE?  I was curious if they still had "British" branded items to bring back as small gifts for friends.

Thank you,

tmee

On 3/31/2022 at 11:43 AM, islandgirlejfan said:

I will be heading for Europe in July, starting in Greece and ending in Barcelona with a 7 day cruise in the 21 days we will be there.  I'm packing in a carry on like I do normally.  I have a black travel dress, a reversible skirt, light jacket/cardigan, JJill capris, a sundress from Amazon, shorts, bathing suit with sarong and a combination of tanks and tees along with a pair of jeans from Target.  (if you haven't looked at Target lately, the Ava and Viv line is fantastic!)  Jewelry and this very cool scarf that can be a cape will be going dress things up.  Much of what I have I can hand wash a sink.  My only issue is I have a tendency to get stuff on me even when I'm careful.  The neatest thing is I have issues with shoes and which ones to pack.  I bought these  https://trysolelyjane.com/and will have several selections with me along with my walking shoes and Birkenstocks.  

I would be interested in finding out how the shoes you linked work out.   If they are comfortable and look cute in person 😊 I think those would be great to have as options for casual shoes!

tmee

Yes, I wear heels every night. I don't tend to wear hose or stockings anymore unless it is a cold weather cruise and I am wearing closed toed shoes.

tmee

You could try  small shoe inserts, underneath the ball of your feet, that has helped me.  They are the clear gel type so they should not be noticeable even with very dainty shoe.

tmee

I do this same thing!!!!

After having to describe my luggage many times in various situations, I have found that having a photo is an excellent solution and is very helpful.

(I also take a photo of the inside of my luggage too, before I lock it.)

tmee