Victoria2

We have crossed the pond a couple of times on Victoria, NY to Southampton and FL to S'ton. The Southern route [FL to S'ton in our case] would be our choice [weather wise] if we do it again but both routes were fine.

Could it be a regional item, like the McDonald's lobster roll [just had try try it...once] in New England outlets?

Not a long winded review at all. Detailed and interesting, can't say fairer than that with regards to a review. I have to disagree with one point though. As a UK resident, and one who now takes ages to recover from jet lag, and assuming an East crossing would be at the end of a stay in the US, I would have to plump for flying in to the US and cruising home. The hours lost over the week are more than compensated by suffering no jet lag. The theatre on QV mirrors QE as far as I recall.

and we have dined occasionally in Bamboo so add that to the very enjoyable list.

Some may say I'm easily pleased. Maybe I am, but for me, lunchtime in the Lido, was delicious.

Not QM2 I know but I read elsewhere, the buffet on QV [lunchtime] had deteriorated. On both our two week cruises this year, I was hard pressed not to eat lunch all the time there as I thought it excellent. One man's poison, is another's' feast.

As 'My Cunard' is playing silly beggars at the moment, I can't check my cruises for next year for any info but it's probably too far out at the moment.

Wine, in our experience has to be paid for if it's beyond the two bottle allowance.

We wouldn't pay to dine in any of them but that's from a QG/Diamond perspective. We have dined with friends in The Verandah at lunchtime on a Diamond freebe. Wouldn't bother unless it's to dine with friends who aren't in the same restaurant as us. Not impressed. We have also dined in the pop up Bamboo with friends who weren't in QG, and if we didn't have a Diamond freebie and/or weren't in QG. we would pay to dine there. Very tasty.

We don't 'entertain' every cruise as it depends entirely on whom we meet but we have had some cracking do's in the past and the 'nibbles', hot and cold, laid on 'free', have been akin to a small but luxurious buffet. One springs to mind when two table companions got married and as we had the largest cabin, we offered to host 'a do' for a dozen or so fellow passengers [luckily we had a huge obc which took care of the champagne and wine]. Some of us didn't make dinner that night. 🙂 and some of us didn't make breakfast either!!😕.....😄

Additional, although just occasionally, a half drained bottle of wine will be added to with a new one. Beers and sodas are included in your QG fridge offerings and are non chargeable.

As you and I were on the same cruise, I agree and yet again, Newhaven delivered its customary [in our experiences] reasonably calm tender to shore with the most dreadfully turbulent tender back to the ship and that was on the Forth Belle which is a lot bigger than a ship's tender. There were some pretty green faces and one person was quite ill.

A wonderful 'gentle' cruise and one of our favourites, pre and post wonky knee.

To pick up on a comment Craigrlewis the May/June B.I. cruise was also a bit of a 'floating rest home' as I heard it disparagingly called by one less than happy camper in the bar one night. This was our umpteenth B.I. trip and the gentle nature of the itinerary plus the thought for some, who let's be polite, are travel under insured, if ill can disembark in Britain [most of the time] definitely attracts a higher age profile than some other itineraries.

Just to clarify, the QV/QE lounge [no idea about QM2] is open 24/7, no entry restrictions at all, but coffee and tea etc is only available when the bar is staffed which is usually approx 10am ish to after lunch, then around five ish to around eleven pm ish.

The fabulous weather, the wonderful scenery and the incomparable Queen Victoria made that cruise one of our most enjoyable.

Pens? That's almost advanced technology in some circumstances. Some might think quills and vellum [this is Cunard, after all!]. 🙂

Anyone prepared to let dampness stop the enjoyment of being on deck to soak up the fabulous scenery, has booked the wrong itinerary or doesn't have the correct clothing. Alaska is damp...except when it's not!

The ship will most likely turn in the scenic areas such as the Bays etc but as you'll be out on deck to gasp and admire [especially if you're lucky enough to see a glacier calve] it won't matter and if it's a round trip. what you don't see on the way up, you'll see on the return stretch.

This loyal Cunard passenger would say, a pretty comprehensive post rmsEtruria. I and would add US and UK bookings vary with what's included so best to stick with answers from which ever side of the pond the bookings are made.

I have nothing against flying long haul and indeed, we still have OZ and NZ in our sights but Europe? No thanks. Not worth the hassle. Bring on QA and we'll give her a whirl.

My glass is half full so I won't look for 'issues'. We are quite prepared for organised chaos for the first few cruises. It's the price we're prepared to pay for QV to be fly/cruising most of '24. As long as passengers smile, even if it's a resigned smile if things go a bit wonky and staff do their darndest to 'shape up' as best they can then we'll all have a great time.

Wasn't sure but as we book flights through an agent, that wasn't an issue for us, I think the dress code adherence ask was NE John , not me. 🙂 Thanks.

We have 'Alaska'd' early July to late August and the weather is unpredictable. From very hot and dry, to cool and wet. Layers, stout shoes for shoreside yomps, a light shower jacket if you go kayaking and a long lightweight waterproof cagoule which can act as a windcheater too. Other than that, layers! Long trousers if yomping in the woods and shorts [leave your Daisy Dukes onboard 😃] if you're not, even if it's cool and wet.

Extremely fair overview, thanks. Could you explain this though as I don't understand. Off ship you couldn't make your own flight arrangements