Victoria2

For info. I was told the reason some of the food might not be as hot as it should be ( we have had no problem) is there is no separate Grills kitchen any more and everything comes from one kitchen, Britannia. Don't know where that information came from, but there is, as usual, a separate Grills galley. Just had a cup of tea in PG for afternoon tea. Great tables set up and far better than QG.

We have no problem, in fact, we can’t quite believe how brilliant the internet connection is on the 'essential' package. See you at dinner and we can compare facilities.

Slightly difficult if folk don’t have the sense to use it ( and these doors are FAST) or someone is in the way of the panel. Also, impossible if there’s no one in the lift! The phrase 'hold the lift please' has become my mantra as soon as the doors start to open!

My husband uses a wheelchair to get around the ship. The lifts are, in our opinion, smaller than the Vistas but we haven’t had a problem…so far, gaining access to one…and I’ll caveat that by saying as long as we can get there fast enough before the doors close. My initial post was tongue in cheek litany of complaints. My chat with the front desk re speed of lift door closures, was most definitely NOT tongue in cheek and I reminded them of the traditional Cunard passenger demographic and how Olympic sprinting will not be on their CV! We shall see. I won’t let this go. I can sprint, sort of, others can’t and if no one thinks to stick their arm in the door to prevent closure, then that’s yet another lift gone by!

Maybe just our deck, not bothered to look at any other decks. My first few hours onboard involve lunch, library, unpack and then an exploratory tour and as I have no idea what’s where, I’m still exploring, and def. inside today as Annie’s fog horn is sounding loud and clear. 😊

Ha. and I thought you were ok too. Hope I don’t have to be looking over my shoulder ( literally as Ex L is literally to the side and behind us) for the next two weeks! I too can’t understand the architects and their planning with those banquettes but at least we are both in a great section of the restaurant. 🙂

On our list to investigate. We've come across three QV staff members so far but of those, the M'd is the only one we will come into everyday contact with but you’re right. Familiarity certainly helps.🙂

I find a smilie indicates any sort of levity.

Sorry, what’s wrong with sussing out the ship's facilities when they are only a hop and a skip away from the cabin?

Ok. I don’t think the concierge lounge will be our go to as on the Vistas but it’s acceptable if you haven’t experienced QE/Qv's lounge. The lifts are smaller than Vistas and I can see why there are couches in the lift lobbies. One could grow old waiting for a lift at times. The lift doors issue must be rectified and I have been told 'they are aware' of the over enthusiastic door closures. One thing which I think will be a real problem are the new washers and dryers. They are high tech compared to dial the programme and push button for the cycles. Two of the three on our deck are out of action already, the readouts showing Er and that’s not a hesitation or a suffix. It’s error! No idea how long they’ve been out of action but again 'they' are aware. Read the instructions and use the little symbols as a guide folks! Restaurant The chairs are really comfortable although the plastic/ faux leather ( think it’s faux) seating might give rise to a sweaty bottom in hot weather. I like the colour scheme, the staff are smiley and competent and the M'd an absolute gem, but then we already know him from QV. More when it occurs. x

We will be there. I’ve ordered 'my' salad!

No problem. Mine was the second thread so merge mine. Thx

Sorry, didn’t see this thread before I started a slightly tongue in cheek one of my own. You have my sympathies. We have a superb table. Would you like to meet up sometime to compare notes and cabins?

You certainly can. There was a great Motown evening in the Queens room last night, most of which we missed as we made the mistake of going to the theatre where we sat right at the back and you wouldn’t believe the number of negative comments we heard, most of them being ‘it’s just a big cinema'. Well yes, it is a bit but so what. Acoustics were great ( not keen on the act hence 'the mistake') and I would have thought everyone had a decent view which is more than can be said through the curved 'don’t fall over the balcony' Perspex on the Vistas! 'Proper' dancing in the Queens Room could definitely be taking a back seat on this ship.

In all seriousness now, this ship is not the Cunard we’re used to but that isn’t a minus. It’s different. There are some issues which need addressing, not least the lifts. Looking at the demographics, the fact you have to be an Olympic sprinter to access a lift before the doors close if you happen to be on the opposite side of the lobby and the fact Cunard omitted the passenger hoists in order for the creaky knees and dodgy hips to arise out of some of the chairs are things which do need addressing, the seats not adding hoists! Taking the fact this is just a gut initial reaction, we are pleasantly surprised how pleased we are so far.

We boarded ( first naturally😙) with me in a very sceptical frame of mind as this most certainly isn’t our second home. My fears came to fruition. There was no orchid bud vase on our table in the restaurant at lunchtime! Add the fact the bed is so high ( nothing to do with my short legs as my husband unkindly pointed out) and Cunard have designated deck 10 for the Grills instead of the deck eleven we’re used to and twice I bypassed deck 10 and had to walk down stairs (actually walk) to ten, and you can understand why there will be a serious letter of complaint going to the senior management team at Cunard Central! 🤨

Can’t edit but on a positive note, I think you have chosen to book with the best cruise ship at sea. Wish we were booked on her but we’re not flying at the moment so it’s Annie at Sea for us. Let your cabin steward, the M'd, Uncle Tom Cobley and all know it’s your honeymoon and it wouldn’t hurt to let some know the let down you’ve experienced too. Best of luck.

You have not let your wife down. You have both been let down by Cunard and that’s dreadfully disappointing for all of us who love the brand, never mind you and your wife. Appalling treatment. You’re having to accept the change but make sure you get as much recompense as possible, and do let them know in no uncertain terms, this is your honeymoon they’ve 'ruined'. Good luck.

Gammon, egg and chips...wonderful. Almost as good as hot dogs and fried onions on a Gala night. Yum yum to both meals.

Not the 'farmed' animals. Mind you the territory involved is world wide so moot point really as catching one is more rare than flying pigs. Hence the incredible supplement which again is moot as I don't think any have been caught! I'd love to try the seafood platter though, another supplement, but we won't be trying Sir Sam's so I might ask if a modified platter is available as an off menu request for dinner.

The effort involved in catching said unicorn, plus the table-side finishing will add a pretty hefty supplement which is understandable for such a rare dish! 🙂

Fingers crossed for both of you. We haven't had it [yet] either and are hoping QA has the anti virals if needed. Spring booster was a couple of weeks ago so although it won't prevent, it might mitigate symptoms. I'm taking our masks with us, just in case we feel they're needed.

Sent off a request to Stockperks last night for a future cruise before I have to refresh my holding certificate, and got the email this morning saying it has been approved. Really rather efficient!

Good. The passenger clapping and twirling of used napkins, of the chefs as they 'marched around the restaurant on HAL to the Radetzky March was always a low light of the final dinner. I didn't realise it still happened on Cunard as the only time we ever saw a chef was if the M'd hauled the Executive Chef up for a table chat and that didn't happen very often.

Excellent idea, giving passengers the lead on sheet changing. I think twice a week is fine for us unless my eczema is really bad [must stay away from Quercus in the shower and the hand sanitisers] and then the butler changes the sheets every day even tho' I tell him/her it's fine.