Live from QE sailing 3rd Sept

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

I don't know of anyone who has had nice weather in Greenock, but it must be possible. If all goes well, we are due to go there next year, so I shall hope,for a heatwave.

We have been Greenock 5 times on British Isles cruises with Princess and if my memory serves me right we have had warm weather and cool days but never had rain.

[majortom10]

10 minutes ago, Bandy Matelot said:

So, is there no afternoon tea or is there another venue? The white gloved waiters beavering around in tune with a string quartet - that's a big selling point for cruising with Cunard.

Afternoon tea for those in the Grills is in Princess Grill Restaurant as normal for the rest instead of Queens Room it is being served in MDR with a string trio, or it was on 13th, but there is no white glove service and they dont come round to tables you pick what you want from a menu.

[LadyL1]

4 hours ago, Bandy Matelot said:

So, is there no afternoon tea or is there another venue? The white gloved waiters beavering around in tune with a string quartet - that's a big selling point for cruising with Cunard.

Afternoon is in the Britannia restaurant, but I am not sure if there is music. For Grills passengers, this is in the PG restaurant.

I do not know how long this arrangement will last, but all done for safety. Maybe this is just for the “staycation”cruises.

[exlondoner]

11 hours ago, LadyL1 said:

Afternoon is in the Britannia restaurant, but I am not sure if there is music. For Grills passengers, this is in the PG restaurant.

I do not know how long this arrangement will last, but all done for safety. Maybe this is just for the “staycation”cruises.

 

So why is it safer in the Britannia Restaurant than in the Queens Lounge?

[LadyL1]

I would think it is safer in the Britannia, that the guests are more spaced, and this is practiced throughout the ship at all times. If you recall some of the tables and chairs in the Queens Room certainly are not safely distanced: in fact exceedingly close in some areas!

[LadyL1]

Yesterday saw the sun shone on us most of the day, and the Liverpool waterfront is quite a pleasant place to be berthed rather than in some industrial area. The afternoon saw many going ashore on excursions.

All aboard time was 8.30pm, so after dinner we decided to go on the upper decks to watch the departure. We were there just before that time to find the QE had already slipped her ropes and we were moving into the Mersey. No announcement from the bridge or which way we were heading for our day at sea. There were a few hundred people along the frontage some waving lights from mobile phones as we bade farewell to Liverpool.

This morning the sun is blessing our southward journey and fortunately we are on the port side. After breakfast we took a walk around the decks, saw a few boats on the blue and calm sea. We could have been in the Mediterranean rather than the Irish Sea.  We decided we would go to the theatre and listen to the BBC reporter, Gary Richardson, again and pleased we did so: slick and entertaining!

The pool now beckons before lunch, and it seems it is a good time as the sun worshipers drift in for yet another meal.

This afternoon we are once again travelling north so fortunate with the sun on the balcony, other wise would be a tad chilly. We will no doubt enjoy a glass of wine there before changing for dinner!

[Ray66]

[LadyL1]

Tuesday had been a glorious sea day, even a second swim before dinner. Because of the warmth the absent sun-bed hoggers around the pools were out in force.  I do so wish cruise lines were a little more pro-active in preventing this. However, on the smaller “queens” the Grills deck space is delightful and spacious, but noticed a few couples creeping up there when not entitled: a difficult situation for the crew.
Before dinner we had canapés and wine on the balcony, and after so many months of craving to return to a safe and enjoyable holiday, this seemed like “nirvana”! Our meal (mains) were  turbot and fillet steak: both delicious and the coffee soufflé to die for!

Thinking of the changes we have encountered , I will list a few.

No communal jigsaws on deck 3
I do not believe there are any bridge lessons etc, (but the painting classes are available)
Obviously the cocktail parties have ceased, (one night a complimentary glass of bubbles given to each dinner and we received a second bottle of Pol Aker in our room last night.  Sadly my brought on supply of cassis to make a tolerable drink, is no more!😬)
In the bars it is all table service. The “gin and fizz” bar used to have a lovely ambience for the lucky few who could find a free bar stool, but that is no more, along with other venues.
ConneXions on deck 1 appears to be permanently closed, but there seem to be a few computers for use in the library
If you book in the grills, I think you will find the changes less noticeable, mainly the dining arrangements.

We have 2 further cruises secured by deposit, (Jan & Dec 22), but have to say if the current restrictions remain, we will not be cancelling! The world has changed, and we must accept changes accordingly. Cunard has spent a lot of 💰 to resume sailing and keeping us safe. Only once so far, have we encountered a “moaner”! All cruise lines have been bleeding cash for 18 months, we are lucky they are still around to give us a holiday!

My first visit to Belfast, starts misty but with the promise of ⛅️ later on. From our balcony we can see the P&O Azura near twin giant H&W cranes. Not sure if she is here with passengers or to be spruced up!
I intend to fit in my daily swim at some point. As the word has spread that the pools are warm more have taken the plunge, although the temperature fluctuates. 
Tonight is the “Roaring Twenties” theme, and the production in the theatre is Top Hat, which I think I have seen before. Personally, I love this night, and before the cessation of cruising it was becoming very popular, easy to dress for and pleasing to see the creations. Let us see what tonight brings!
 

[techteach]

LadyL - I’m totally enjoying your posts each morning. Are you doing the cruise that goes around the U.K.? If not, then where are you headed? We’re eyeing the cruise around U.K. for 2023.

[elmsliebev]

really enjoying your updates LadyL. We don't sail until July next year but it all adds to the excitement! I've already got my Roaring Twenties outfit planned, thanks to going to a similar event at the Winter Gardens Film Festival here in Blackpool a couple of years ago!

 

If you get chance could you see if they have any alcohol free wines. I'll contact Cunard as well nearer the time, and also to find out if/what corkage is charged for any alcohol free wine we might like to bring with us, but if you see anything, I'd be very grateful. 

 

 

[LadyL1]

3 hours ago, elmsliebev said:

 

If you get chance could you see if they have any alcohol free wines. I'll contact Cunard as well nearer the time, and also to find out if/what corkage is charged for any alcohol free wine we might like to bring with us, but if you see anything, I'd be very grateful. 

 

 

I will have a look later!

[LadyL1]

As we sailed from Belfast yesterday evening, the decks had started to clear , and it was getting cooler. We went back to watch from our balcony to see seals swimming past, which was an unexpected pleasure. Also an inbound Stena ferry passed us, and have to say I don’t think I have ever been in such close proximity to a moving vessel. The passengers certainly seemed delighted to witness the QE with much waving!
The second formal night saw a wonderful array of bling, pearls and glam for the Roaring Twenties. Amazing how many gentlemen partook in the theme! In the theatre we saw one chap arrive with his cane and top hat. Now that must be a packing nightmare unless the hat was of the collapsible variety😉! Sally Sagoe (cruise director) seems to be on every voyage we take; hair never changing and always comes over full of enthusiasm with her rich and expressive voice.
This morning it is very damp and foggy and to make it worse we have to pack. To date the sea has been so calm,  but wondering if this is about to change as the furniture has been lashed down on the upper decks. I think I shall have to take a dip after we have listened to Gary Richardson being interviewed in the theatre, by Sally, as fear the pools might be netted later.
The hot stone massage I had earlier in the week was wonderful, and had intended to go for another treatment  or facial, but decided not to, to avoid the selling gauntlet. It would be so nice, If one was given a list of a few recommended products, that could be purchased at one’s leisure. However, I am not sure if these are priced in the beauty shop! One thing I have learnt from another guest, is that the menu prices are cheaper than that in the spa at Centre Parks!👍

I am sure some of you may remember a barman who has been on QM2 as well as QE. Known as SK, it has been a delight to see him again, a firm favourite to many and to my family. It is so good to see Cunard coming together again

[Host Hattie]

Enjoy the rest of your last day onboard and thanks for taking the time to post, it helps those of us who are still a long way from sailing !

[LadyL1]

On 9/8/2021 at 5:17 PM, techteach said:

LadyL - I’m totally enjoying your posts each morning. Are you doing the cruise that goes around the U.K.? If not, then where are you headed? We’re eyeing the cruise around U.K. for 2023.

Our cruise was just up the west coast to Scotland and back. Three ports of call taking 7 nights. It has surpassed our expectations.

[techteach]

23 minutes ago, LadyL1 said:

Our cruise was just up the west coast to Scotland and back. Three ports of call taking 7 nights. It has surpassed our expectations.

It has sounded wonderful. Many thanks for sharing with us.

[LadyL1]

Last night our meal was followed by a trip to the theatre to watch “The Beatles Experience”. Perhpaps off to a slow start but certainly finished on a high!
Returning to our room at past 11.00pm, all cases cleared from corridor, and the crew access across from us (6098) closed down. Thankfully, gone are the days when people were taking advantage of last collection time, for the sake of the crew.
We booked this trip very soon after release, and choice limited. I then read that someone had posted that this was a room with a lot of disturbance. Not so! We have also had similar for a P1, with no issue, and husband is a light sleeper.
At 7.50am, and we were waiting  in our room until our chosen disembarkation time: a good system for us!
This has been a great all round experience.  The masks 😷 become a habit, and easily forgotten to put on or take off as you move around🤣: one often sees someone come out of the cabin, close the door then have to nip back in again!  A talking point with a smile. I did not come across any dissenters, but have to say some people had some lovely evening masks. This might be to consider if this arrangement remains.
For any of you reading this, who have a staycation booked for the next few weeks, you have a lot to look forward to. Fear not of the new protocol, it is just great to be able to cruise again.
Thanks to all the crew on this voyage.
Home now and looking forward to the next cruise in January: maybe even sooner!
 

[exlondoner]

Thank you for your reports and the vicarious enjoyment you have given us.

 

[Host Hattie]

Welcome home @LadyL1

[Lanky Lad]

Thanks for the reports @LadyL1 I am looking forward to my turn in 2 weeks time.

[Ynox]

9 hours ago, LadyL1 said:

For any of you reading this, who have a staycation booked for the next few weeks, you have a lot to look forward to. Fear not of the new protocol, it is just great to be able to cruise again.
Thanks to all the crew on this voyage.
Home now and looking forward to the next cruise in January: maybe even sooner!
 

Thanks for your trip reports! Boarding on Tuesday - looking forward to it!

[naturelovergirl]

Wonderful reports! Thank you!

[safarigal]

Thank you so much for your reports, I have loved following along with you. Safe journey home 🙂

[Sixfielder]

We were on the same cruise, albeit as lowly balcony suite passengers, deck 6.  Our first ever cruise.  the highs? We loved the formal evenings and the Britannia dining room.  Great to see everyone dressed to the nines. Some wonderful entertainment: the Beatles tribute band were brilliant. The band in the ballroom especially on the last night was fabulous. My wife thoroughly enjoyed being pampered in the beauty salon having her hair done and various treatments.  We thoroughly enjoyed the deck tennis, croquet and bowls.  We travelled with another couple, longstanding friends and had a laugh a minute. The crew was fantastic especially Brandon and Sharath in the Commodore lounge, Bogdan in the Garden Pavilion and Jacek in the Britannia. The negatives? Not being able to go ashore unescorted, so we only disembarked for the Glens and Coast tour in Northern Ireland. Some of the mask protocols were plain stupid, unevenly applied across the ship and various activities, e.g. no dancing in the Yacht Club, but dancing allowed in the ballroom.  Now a real gripe that we complained about onboard, namely passengers around the pool who sat messaging all day but with their message received ringtone constantly pinging. The same couple also thought it acceptable to throw towels on not two but four loungers - all day.  If pax must have their phones on they should either be on silent or vibration only. Our fellow travellers missed the white gloved teas.  We shall be writing to Cunard about the entertainment schedule: there was little to do on Monday and Tuesday night, but on the last night the events clashed, especially Beatles/Mike Doyle.  Would we go again?  Absolutely, we have booked QM for July next year.  Wife is still on an adrenalin high!  We are going to learn how to do some ballroom dancing. Despite some of the pernickety rules, the cruise exceeded all our expectations.  

Edited September 11, 2021 by Sixfielder

[Host Hattie]

Thanks for reporting back, it's good to hear that you had such a good time even with the current restrictions.

 

There's some explanation for the Yacht Club no dancing rule in this thread

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2800434-cunard-covid-changes/?do=findComment&comment=61796996

 

 

[lissie]

On 9/11/2021 at 9:04 PM, Sixfielder said:

  Now a real gripe that we complained about onboard, namely passengers around the pool who sat messaging all day but with their message received ringtone constantly pinging. The same couple also thought it acceptable to throw towels on not two but four loungers - all day.  If pax must have their phones on they should either be on silent or vibration only. Our fellow travellers missed the white gloved teas.  

So just to clarify - you are complaining about OTHER GUESTS using their phones in an outside area? Were they talking too loud too....