Victoria2

I don't think 'better' was implied at all. Happy, definitely.

Interesting. Please quote your source as I was under the impression the 'vast majority' of visa [Business/Tourist] applications from Chinese citizens are approved. Well they are according to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs and I guess they have a bit of a handle on the percentage of US visas dished out.

China is the world's most populous country and the government is aware of the value of tourism and so their attitude is changing and outbound tourism is being encouraged as never before. The list of countries which allow Chinese visa free travel is quite small at the moment but equally, it's not too difficult to obtain visas to travel to the EU, US and UK, as long as applications are accepted of course. The World Tourism Organisation reckons China will be sending 100 million tourists abroad per year by the end of this decade.

You got there before me.I absolutely agree. Totally. QE and QV both cruised out of Southampton for many years pre Covid so we had chance to sample both. Yes the decor is a different insofar as QE has a lighter touch, and apart from QV's aft refit, the hardware is basically the same. The difference for us boils down to the fabulous crew. It's a 'happy' ship and this manifests itself in the atmosphere. Wonderful. If this changes when some of the crew are redeployed to QA, whether by choice or not, remains to be seen but we won't experience it for quite a while due to our no fly policy at the moment.

What an experience for you Mareblu. Really looking forward to your account of the naming ceremony and accompanying celebrations, never mind the actual cruise. 🙂

We're hoping that's a Diamond perk. If not, we will certainly book it after ascertaining anything we fancy can't be replicated for dinner in the restaurant.

No. It won't and you know my thoughts on bribes, oops sorry, an advance on the tips, but it's their prerogative to do so and it will continue whatever is put in place. At least the p&o system has everyone paying the service charge. What happens 'outside' that is totally personal to each passenger and has nothing to do with anyone else.

If folk are interested, then I will, hopefully with other CC members who sail on her in her infancy so we can get a cross section of thoughts of Cunard's 'baby'. I'm a yomper, not a yawner [#26] so the promenade issue won't greatly influence my thoughts as it will others. Interesting times.

This could turn out into the can of worms we've been over many many times, so I'll just say the sooner Cunard incorporate the 'service charge' into the ticket fare as a proper service charge, the better.

So it looks fine for a yomp, but not for a yawn [on a steamer]. All will be revealed to me when we board QA.

I'm validated. Phew. Still can't believe I did this on my own. 😲

Thanks Pushpit for making me feel not so dumb. I'll get my timings sorted too. 🙂

Ace Chill. We could offer any sinister individuals some Pol Aker as gesture of good faith. That should keep 'em at bay!

This might be a dumb point, and if so, sorry for being dumb, but if my proof of share ownership is accepted [not heard back yet], it's surely only current. Does one have to update the proof of ownership, as we did prior to this new app, every time we book a cruise or does the current proof last, which is a bit strange as we could have sold the shares and moved on. Just asking.

If you mean ships and private yachts etc as opposed to potential pirate conveyances, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's a legal requirement to help fellow 'mariners' in distress at sea so take that up with whichever organisation makes the rules. Of course one can always get the Captain to lean over the side and say, 'excuse me chaps, are you in distress or are you pirates in disguise ready to do a Captain Phillips number'! 😕 Edit I would like to think the Master of any ship replying to a distress call will have a modicum of common sense and have sufficient information in these matters and will not have to rely on asking if they're potential pirates!

I forget which year it was but in the US ports where we docked, at all times there were armed what I presume were coastguard, little boats buzzing around us until we departed. Colombo was pretty hot [oops, sorry] on obvious armed security in port too although we didn't go the Fred approach of razor wire as a deck accessory. We have been buzzed by navel aircraft in all the best places, eg the US and the Indian Ocean. 🙂 Security is paramount and no one wants a stricken cruise ship on their watch.

Our pirate drill was a good opportunity to meet our neighbours and have a pre, pre-luncheon G&T to help the drill get underway. Most congenial, except I have an inkling that wasn't the point of the pirate drill!🙂

No problem whatsoever arriving at different times and I would go for the four top and then you will be sure you'll dine together whenever you want. If you dine opposite each other instead of side by side, there will still be the option of a 'clean' table by the side.

Quite right. I have no issue with anyone tipping after excellent service etc but giving any sort of gratuity prior to service rendered is a form of bribery in my book and just not 'done' or needed. Rather insulting in a way to presume 'if I give you this, you can get me that' when it was probably available anyway.

Sorry, I am referring to QG and there's never a long queue of unhappy bunnies. Early arrival does not automatically give first dibs on table change as there are a few factors involved in changing tables. It is possible to change, as we know, but not on boarding. We have had folk joining a large table and we have had folk leave a large table after the first day. Apparently, we were all too jolly! 😄 edit I have heard the M'd say. 'let me see what I can do but please be seated for this meal'.

To be honest, I haven't a clue. There's an asterisk next to the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and there's definitely no surcharge there as it's one I order.

You can try, but don’t be at all surprised if the answer is 'sorry, here’s the list' to pricey bottles. Folk have often asked for similar products but pricey bottles aren’t usually accommodated. This was the list we had last year on QV.

There's no element of first come first pick on boarding as demonstrated by some very irate fellow diners berating the QG M'd/Head Waiter on the position of their allotted table. edit There is an anecdotal thought date of booking is part of the allocating process but as Big Mac has said, certain cabins [on QE/QV] do usually dine in set parts of the restaurant although we were on the periphery with our four top as we were allocated a window table and the usual window tables were two tops. Not an issue. Our table was lovely and so were our companions. We have moved tables, along with another lovely couple, once when we had had enough of a rather loud 'I'm always right' diner who made fun of the other couple. We were both found two tops for the rest of the cruise and dined twice together in a pop up.

QG dining is flexible in as much the table is yours for the duration. In our experience, if you want to dine with friends, you link your bookings and that will be the table set up for the duration of the cruise. You turn up at any time within the dining hours Edit If you have booked a four top, you will be dining with two other people. Pre Covid, we used to go for the largest table possible but now, unless linking bookings which we did most successfully on one of our '23 cruises, go for a two top. The tables will have been preassigned by the M'd although there might be a degree of flexibility during the cruise if you wish to move tables and a table can be found. If we wish to dine with friends either we see/make onboard, or friends from another restaurant, we book [and this is from QE/QV cruises] into a Lido pop up. The other option is to hold a cabin party and invite your companions in, As has been said, discuss with your Butler the kind of nibbles, hot and cold you would like and whether it be a small'ish array or a full on party table [that's a sight to see and eat]. Depending on the size of the gathering, the Butler offers to buttle for us, but we usually shoo the Butler out as we're all quite capable of pouring our own drinks. Just be aware, any champagne, wine or spirits beyond your two cabin bottles allowance [they are replenished when nearly empty], will go on your account. Enjoy and remember, no question is too trivial to ask either on this board, of the Butler or of the Grills Concierge.🙂

Yes as already said and we have had wine replaced twice during a day, although holding back a bit on the gin. We often do the same. Open house, or open cabin on some cruises with non QG friends and our butlers have always kept us 'refreshed'. to the point of twice a day if needs be. If having a bit of a do, ask the butler for a more substantial pre dinner spread, Sometimes there's so much one almost doesn't feel like dinner. Enjoy