Victoria2

We have inherited bone handled knives. They stay in their protective packing. In the loft! 🙂

Ah Glasses, assuming you mean drinking ones and not specs. I'm a lazy hound and three days is about the right length for us in a normal week. We have loads of them, non glass, in all shapes and sizes. I discovered a brand of polycarbonate 'glasses' when little ones had a tendency to drop their drinking ware. Plus, all the best parties we went to when abroad eschewed actual glass around the pools. Strahl. Their drink wear lasts years and years and is great in the dishwasher, or indeed, out of it.

Glad you survived the dishwasher crisis. We had one the day before a big dinner at ours [a dozen sitting down to dine would have me hand washing for days] a few years back. Luckily, we managed to get a new one installed the day of the dinner. We still have one dishwasher but a friend remodelling her kitchen has had two installed. Apparently two dishwashers is becoming the new 'two ovens and a half' in kitchen design over here. 🙂 Happy belated Thanksgiving all.

"I have never been on the QM2 and will never travel on it because I don't like it." That seems to have been acceptable, so the same tolerance should be granted to others. I must have missed that so can't comment but there is a world of difference between saying an unknown product doesn't appeal judging by reports of that product, and damning a product without actual experience.knowledge, Some members have been exceptionally derogatory about the ship and yes, in isolated comments, about the passengers who will enjoy the new ship too so in my case it's a case of 'don't damn a product if you have no experience of it'.

Try eating it when it's for one. I have often thought of asking for a doggie bag and have soggy orange duck for breakfast instead of crispy bacon. Wouldn't need the extra portion of brown sauce for that although breakfast orangey duck on toast doesn't quite have the same appeal. 😕

My concise packing is influenced by long distance flights to get to a ship. Taking four cases plus carry ons when porterage can be suspect is difficult with a husband on walking sticks. Taking any more than that is a potential nightmare. Now with a wheelchair to factor in, anything more than three cases before carry ons is not feasible. My shoe count, including trainers, open sandals and comfort Skechers does come to around seven pairs and that is now my packing goal.

Winifred 22 I decided long ago, compared to some who cruise with Cunard, I too am a paid up member of the easily pleased club. Sure there are occasional small niggles [large if you catch Covid or the G.L. menu has been 'modified'] but overall life onboard Cunard ships is pretty darned good.👍

I know we weren't impressed with the idea of QA initially but reality bit as we have no choice. QE is in distant seas, QV is fly/cruising and QM2 is a no no. We have quite a few cruises booked '24 and '25 so are keeping our fingers crossed we won't dislike the product. I will be subjective when giving an opinion but will balance it with being objective too.

Strangely enough, I think not wanting to experience Dysentery or chance a meeting with Mr Putin is hardly a fair comparison with not wanting to travel on a ship which as yet, has not been experienced by anyone and therefore is an unknown quantity. Whilst I can understand the bare bones sound unappealing to you, to damn it as much as you have done, without having any actual knowledge of the finished product is a case of damning without seeing.

We will try/trial/have a look see etc etc before we damn the ship and as an aside, if we were to book PG, we would be delighted with a walk in shower. Also, I don't think my clothes will be too bothered whether the wardrobe be walk in or a closed one. We will see the rest for ourselves before giving of a verdict.

Pouring another drink for the unpacker? Selfless and kind! 😀

I have flown with Jet 2 for a couple of weekends away and could check in nearly a month before my flights which meant I could check in outward and inbound flights at the same time.

Bit excessive and I doubt you'll get much out of talking to onboard staff. Why not wait and see how 'the situation' develops and then transfer your allegiances should you feel the need. We will still be booking with Cunard whatever the outcome.

Wonderful reports so thank you for taking us with you.

Looks like a CC party in the offing. Have one for all of us left behind! 😃

Trends as in dining styles from other cruise lines have proven popular and although it's very true I'm used to it 'up in the Gods' as opposed to your 'below decks' 😄, a sample, and it is only very small I grant you, of comments on this board show it's welcomed by some. I have friends who book anytime dining and if the relatively new concept on Cunard, along with the existing dress advisories encourage newbies, then I'm sure the Carnival bean counters will be happy bunnies.

I'm pretty sure DHS won't allow anyone to disembark any 'first' US port of call without being 'processed' which usually means 'everyone off'! To repeat a day or two later seems unlikely but if so, tedious in the extreme.

First thing I do is switch the kettle on for coffee, wherever I am so onboard is no different and lounge coffee isn't available anyway. I wonder if I got an Italian phrase book, I'd be able to communicate with the Illy machine more efficiently rather than just utilising a fairly universal swearing technique.

No, she's not but her guests come from all directions, including other cruise lines which do offer any time dining. Keeping up with the trends, and bear in mind open dining is popular with many guests, might mean Cunard will have more chance filling its ships in the future.

The QGs have an Illy but I take my own Instant. I was told by a disgruntled guest her Nespresso pods didn't fit the Illy but that was a while ago.

With President's Day and Veteran's Day sales in Floridian Outlet Malls and factor in BYGOFs as well and I have enough shoes to rival Imelda Marcos. However, as my packing has got more compact, the shoes stay at home. 🙂

Either side of the bed and also above the sideboard in the sitting room from memory. Might be more. Enjoy

DaisyUK and BigMac1953 , have a wonderful time on my favourite ship.

I take two pairs of black evening shoes [with another non black whacky coloured pair] after seeing a fellow passenger break one of her evening shoe heels and didn't have a back up pair. Add a few daywear shoes and they are at a minimum, as are handbags. One very small evening bag does for me. Saves on luggage space. 🙂

I know you were kind enough to be interested in my 1 and 2 comparisons, but just in case you booked a 1, don't forget that whilst deck 7s have a few USB points, the deck 6s don't have any.