QE 13 Oct Amsterdam, QG review

[Stu UK]

1 hour ago, devolve said:

Really enjoying your review. Can you please clarify you are permitted to enter Anne Franks house without a COVID pass?

Yes you can.  You cant join the pay extra lecture nor enter the cafe in the exhibition.

[Stu UK]

The final full day was a sea day, that awful day when packing is looming in the back of your mind.  The towels over the wet carpet were themselves wet so we quickly exited the cabin to allow any work that was needed to be completed.  The usual trip up to QG for breakfast (can highly recommend the crushed avocado).  After a quick walk around the decks we headed to the Grills Concierge to see if she knew what was happening re the carpet.  She had not read the report, apologised and said she would get onto it.  We headed back to the cabin to find 4 of the maintenance team pondering the bathroom and removing side panels from the bath.  We left them to it.

 

Next stop was the Concord Experience lecture in the theatre which was very good.  Time for pre lunch drinks and lunch with our friends.  What should have been a light lunch was not as they had skipped breakfast and we were led astray going for all courses.  Well it is the last day and the curried mussels were delightful. 

 

Packing was looming so back to the suite.  Very strong smell of sealant but no update as to issue and carpet still wet over a larger area.  We had previously invited our friends for last night pre dinner drinks and canapés so needed an alternative location to host them.  Call to the Grills Concierge, who had tried to contact us but we were at lunch, said she had received a report that the issue may have been fixed but they could not be certain, probably the bath.  We explained that we needed a location for a small reception.  She later came back to us having arranged a vacant aft deck four suite that we could use and the butler would make the arrangements.  

 

Afternoon was composed of packing, spa, gym and relaxing on the balcony (which was well protected from the channel winds. We were also offered some OBC to make up for the carpet issue.

 

At 7pm we were collected by the Grill Concierge and our Butler who escorted us to 4190 where there were drinks and canapés set up.  The suite was a slightly different configuration to ours on deck 8 so gave us change to explore that. We nipped up to the suite to drop off cameras etc prior to dinner, the room was full of blowers and equipment to try to dry it our (perhaps that should have happened 24 hrs earlier).  It was then up to the QG for a final dinner - for me it was jumbo shrimp, french onion soup, steak Diane and crepe Suzette. Also managed cheese!

 

Final show was the 4 D’s second show of the voyage and again they were excellent, followed by a final night cap.  I kicked myself as only realised then that they had sparkling Cloudy Bay Pelorus onboard at the Gin Fizz bar.

 

Back at the suite the carpet was drier, no towels down but still rather damp.  However it was the last night.  Cases placed out prior to retiring (cut off was 11pm but we were closer to midnight).

 

Final morning awoke about 6:30 to find ourselves docked back in Southampton. Carpet was now back to being wet, so fingers crossed they sort it by the time the next guests board in a few hours time.  Final breakfast up in QG was lovely albeit a slightly more limited menu.  Our time to disembark was 8:40 so after breakfast it was a stroll back to the suite to collect our hand luggage.  In our friends suite guess what, a damp carpet in virtually the same position as ours, the crew had already started to fill / test the bath, so seems they could have a larger than anticipated plumbing issue.  Time to then leave via deck 2 midships.  No waiting in a departure lounge etc.  Cases were all there in the baggage hall and we left the terminal via the customs channels.  No one there to check the Passenger Locator Forms for UK entry and they were not checked by Cunard either.

 

All in all an excellent cruise, QG restaurant staff were just outstanding as usual, only improvement to the cruise for us could have been the communication and lack of pro activity around the wet carpet - all had to be driven by us rather than any plan automatically kicking in. Also better info about the Netherlands CovidCert info for bars and restaurants.

 

I will scan menus and upload them and also over the next week or so will put together our view on Queens Grill v Celebrity’s Retreat.

 

Thanks for following this thread.  Fingers crossed our next cruise is Christmas and New Year on Iona.

Edited October 19, 2021 by Stu UK

[Stu UK]

On 10/12/2021 at 3:49 PM, LadyL1 said:

I will be very interested of your comparison with Celebrity “Retreat” v QG.

I will post a video of thoughts over next week or so. It’s a close call driven I think by itinerary. 

[Stu UK]

As promised a set of menus from the cruise. The a la carte is per the Cunard website. 

 

Cunard QG Menus.pdf

Edited October 19, 2021 by Stu UK

[LadyL1]

52 minutes ago, Stu UK said:

I will post a video of thoughts over next week or so. It’s a close call driven I think by itinerary. 

Thank you. 
I enjoyed your diary and photos of the trip. Roll on January! Not sure if I will do another blog, as  that might be one too many! 

[rakkor]

3 hours ago, LadyL1 said:

Thank you. 
I enjoyed your diary and photos of the trip. Roll on January! Not sure if I will do another blog, as  that might be one too many! 

 

Do it, even if it's just for yourself - I love looking through my old blogs, especially on cold, wet, winter nights. It reminds me of better times

[techteach]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trip with me. I have looked forward to each morning sitting in my chair with iPad and coffee in hand reading your delightful narrative. Start the countdown to January!

[Stu UK]

6 minutes ago, techteach said:

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trip with me. I have looked forward to each morning sitting in my chair with iPad and coffee in hand reading your delightful narrative. Start the countdown to January!

Glad you enjoyed them. 

[Host Hattie]

A belated welcome home and thank you for sharing your trip with us.

It was great to hear about Queen Elizabeth's first foreign cruise since restarting operation.

[Wonky]

We were also on that cruise and overheard another couple complaining to the concierge about water in their cabin. They also were concerned about the lack of comms. Then another couple were complaining about works (grinding) above their balcony, once again no comms. Amazing what a short message about what was/is going to be done would have helped each situation. 
As we moved from PG to QG from the previous cruise we were very surprised by the lack of space between tables in QG. 

[orchestrapal]

1 hour ago, Wonky said:

We were also on that cruise and overheard another couple complaining to the concierge about water in their cabin. They also were concerned about the lack of comms. Then another couple were complaining about works (grinding) above their balcony, once again no comms. Amazing what a short message about what was/is going to be done would have helped each situation. 
As we moved from PG to QG from the previous cruise we were very surprised by the lack of space between tables in QG. 

The lack of space in QG certainly does not add to the perceived luxury.

[exlondoner]

On 10/19/2021 at 10:58 AM, Stu UK said:

As promised a set of menus from the cruise. The a la carte is per the Cunard website. 

 

Cunard QG Menus.pdf 4.67 MB · 36 downloads

 

Would it be possible to add a QG breakfast menu, as that sounds as if it may have changed, what with the avocado toast?

[elmsliebev]

thanks for a brilliant review, I could almost taste the delicious food! Agree about the poignancy of the Anne Frank house. I visited with Mum a few years ago, also from QE. 

I was interested to read about your husband being lactose intolerant and it being handled well. Mine is also lactose intolerant, so that gives me hope for when we go next July (🤞). Did you notifiy Cunard beforehand? thanks again. 

[Solent Richard]

What an excellent review Stu. Your excellent photographs really add to the quality of the review.

 

Always so much more 'real' with good illustrations.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[Stu UK]

4 hours ago, elmsliebev said:

thanks for a brilliant review, I could almost taste the delicious food! Agree about the poignancy of the Anne Frank house. I visited with Mum a few years ago, also from QE. 

I was interested to read about your husband being lactose intolerant and it being handled well. Mine is also lactose intolerant, so that gives me hope for when we go next July (🤞). Did you notifiy Cunard beforehand? thanks again. 

We let them know in advance but they would be able to cope even without in QG, same with gluten free. 

[Stu UK]

On 10/12/2021 at 3:49 PM, LadyL1 said:

I will be very interested of your comparison with Celebrity “Retreat” v QG.

Finally got round to the comparison video. It’s in the Cunard thread. Hope it’s useful. 

[sandancer]

Can I please ask about the covid test you have on day 2 of your return. How did you organize it?  Unfortunately we arrive back from our Queen Elizabeth cruise on 23rd December which means day 2 is Christmas Day. I’ve tried ringing the gov helpline but got no response. 

[rakkor]

I ordered one on line for our upcoming cruise - They provide the necessary references for the Passenger Locator Form and you just upload the tests when you take the test on day 2  for the results - I went to the Which website and chose my tester from there given they seems to be a bit of  a mixed bag.

 

[sandancer]

Thanks. I thought you had to physically go to a test centre. Our travel agent thinks that the procedure will be different by the time the cruise comes around. I’m reassured by your reply so thanks again. 

[Stu UK]

55 minutes ago, sandancer said:

Can I please ask about the covid test you have on day 2 of your return. How did you organize it?  Unfortunately we arrive back from our Queen Elizabeth cruise on 23rd December which means day 2 is Christmas Day. I’ve tried ringing the gov helpline but got no response. 

Order it in advance so you have it ready at home. You can test on disembarkation day and not wait till day 2.