escrick Posted September 22, 2023 #101 Share Posted September 22, 2023 I have a question for Bitob: What is the entertainment like on luxury smaller ships these days? I am looking forward to taking our first cruise on Cunard because of theatre shows and their lecture programs. Forgetting the size of staterooms, I found the entertainment on smaller ships more like cabaret than anything else. Please, I would like to hear a tad more about entertainment. FYI, on our Cunard cruise we will be in a QG Penthouse, certainly not massive but big enough for this short person🙂. Comments welcome about size as well as shows. Sorry if I am off topic too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #102 Share Posted September 22, 2023 59 minutes ago, D&N said: But do they have dancing every night with a dance floor even half the size of the Queens Rooms? Is it not more of a smart casual country club? Would anyone be put out if I dressed in tux and my wife in gowns/glitzy cocktail dress every night? Every line is different. Silversea has formal optional nights. You will see tuxes and gowns. same on seabourn. Regent is resort casual. All lines have dancing to live music but not to be compared to Cunard. no need for a large ballroom with fewer than 1000 guests. Crystal has dance hosts regent has marvelous tea daily All have entertainment and interesting lecturers These lines are not comparable to Cunard some overlapping elements many differences food far superior on lux lines with several specialty restaurants, most with no charge you choose what elements matter most to you 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #103 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 hour ago, escrick said: I have a question for Bitob: What is the entertainment like on luxury smaller ships these days? I am looking forward to taking our first cruise on Cunard because of theatre shows and their lecture programs. Forgetting the size of staterooms, I found the entertainment on smaller ships more like cabaret than anything else. Please, I would like to hear a tad more about entertainment. FYI, on our Cunard cruise we will be in a QG Penthouse, certainly not massive but big enough for this short person🙂. Comments welcome about size as well as shows. Sorry if I am off topic too much. Ph is larger. Great entertainment varies by ship and by cruise old crystal was known for entertainment and lectures but when it went under we tried the other lines. Not much difference. Lots of talent everywhere. Often same people Singers. Comedians. Musicians. Limited production shows. Smaller but a lot of talent every cruise is different as example on my queen eliz ta the shows were worthy of west end ( i am a Broadway baby. I know what’s good) I went to see one production show here on qm2. 2 female singers ok. 2 male singers ghastly. Dancers amateurish. I was shocked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #104 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 hour ago, exlondoner said: Undoubtedly true, but what does that tell us about QG? Tells us to check the size of suite when you ask for queens grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escrick Posted September 22, 2023 #105 Share Posted September 22, 2023 2 minutes ago, bitob said: Ph is larger. Great entertainment varies by ship and by cruise old crystal was known for entertainment and lectures but when it went under we tried the other lines. Not much difference. Lots of talent everywhere. Often same people Singers. Comedians. Musicians. Limited production shows. Smaller but a lot of talent every cruise is different as example on my queen eliz ta the shows were worthy of west end ( i am a Broadway baby. I know what’s good) I went to see one production show here on qm2. 2 female singers ok. 2 male singers ghastly. Dancers amateurish. I was shocked Thanks for answering my question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 22, 2023 #106 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 minute ago, bitob said: Tells us to check the size of suite when you ask for queens grill. I would never dream of doing anything else, helped by the brochure which has helpful pictures of nearly all categories. Why would anyone not? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #107 Share Posted September 22, 2023 57 minutes ago, exlondoner said: I would never dream of doing anything else, helped by the brochure which has helpful pictures of nearly all categories. Why would anyone not? Because someone posted that qg suites are 2000 sq feet. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techteach Posted September 22, 2023 #108 Share Posted September 22, 2023 We love QM2 QG. We’ve been in QG5 and QG4 and loved the penthouse. But we want to have other options so we’re sailing next week on Oceania, a short 7 day, close to home (2 hour flight) cruise. We have a suite over 750sqft. Making it close to the penthouse on Cunard. Unless there is something special for the entertainment that isn’t a deciding factor for us. Food is critical. I’m looking into Silversea, Regent, and Seabourn for 2025. I am appreciating the information and tone of this discussion @bitob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #109 Share Posted September 22, 2023 58 minutes ago, techteach said: We love QM2 QG. We’ve been in QG5 and QG4 and loved the penthouse. But we want to have other options so we’re sailing next week on Oceania, a short 7 day, close to home (2 hour flight) cruise. We have a suite over 750sqft. Making it close to the penthouse on Cunard. Unless there is something special for the entertainment that isn’t a deciding factor for us. Food is critical. I’m looking into Silversea, Regent, and Seabourn for 2025. I am appreciating the information and tone of this discussion @bitob. We used to sail Oceania. 15 cruises. Then we moved to the true luxury lines. You will enjoy Oceania. The food will be better than qm2 and the specialty restaurants are excellent. It is resort casual don’t expect much from entertainment and you will not be disappointed im told the 2 new ships vista and Allura are spectacular 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 22, 2023 #110 Share Posted September 22, 2023 (edited) 9 minutes ago, bitob said: Because someone posted that qg suites are 2000 sq feet. Lol Some of them are. But surely even a moron in a hurry would realise there might be some differences between a Q1 and a Q6, given the different names? Edited September 22, 2023 by exlondoner 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #111 Share Posted September 22, 2023 58 minutes ago, exlondoner said: Some of them are. But surely even a moron in a hurry would realise there might be some differences between a Q1 and a Q6, given the different names? Maybe. But I recall being on an Oceania cruise where a woman brought 6 ball gowns and had no idea that she would have to pay extra for shore excursions. Never underestimate how clueless some people can be!! No one on these boards, of course. Lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare D&N Posted September 22, 2023 #112 Share Posted September 22, 2023 8 minutes ago, bitob said: im told the 2 new ships vista and Allura are spectacular The person who is going to make our booking in a few weeks was on an agents preview of Vista recently and posted lots of photos on Facebook. It looked absolutely beautiful. But it's not a liner and I don't think it does non stop trips from Europe to New York and then return immediately. They were on Explora recently too. Again the photos were lovely. But it's certainly not what we want from a ship. Nor is QG. We spend as little time in cabin as possible so larger cabins are just a waste of space to us. Like I think you said earlier; depends what you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #113 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 hour ago, D&N said: The person who is going to make our booking in a few weeks was on an agents preview of Vista recently and posted lots of photos on Facebook. It looked absolutely beautiful. But it's not a liner and I don't think it does non stop trips from Europe to New York and then return immediately. They were on Explora recently too. Again the photos were lovely. But it's certainly not what we want from a ship. Nor is QG. We spend as little time in cabin as possible so larger cabins are just a waste of space to us. Like I think you said earlier; depends what you are looking for. And there are so many good choices. I cruise regularly with a bunch of friends I met years ago on Oceania. No one will join us on Cunard. They refuse to dress up and don’t like the “class system” important thing imo is to recognize that every cruise line is different and there is a need to do research before you book. Thankfully there is cruise critic for that 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 22, 2023 #114 Share Posted September 22, 2023 4 minutes ago, bitob said: And there are so many good choices. I cruise regularly with a bunch of friends I met years ago on Oceania. No one will join us on Cunard. They refuse to dress up and don’t like the “class system” important thing imo is to recognize that every cruise line is different and there is a need to do research before you book. Thankfully there is cruise critic for that It is indeed most important to avoid misapprehensions, as about cabin size, or the rather bizarre idea there is a class system on Cunard, whatever that may be. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #115 Share Posted September 22, 2023 57 minutes ago, exlondoner said: It is indeed most important to avoid misapprehensions, as about cabin size, or the rather bizarre idea there is a class system on Cunard, whatever that may be. It’s a “you get what you pay for” system I tell them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whipsnade Posted September 22, 2023 #116 Share Posted September 22, 2023 You don’t go on Cunard for the food, even in Princess or Queens Grill. Pretty mediocre. And due to their size they can’t get into great ports like Hong Kong and NYC. Getting on snd off more like a cattle or sheep ship. Take a number and wait! On the entertainment front hard to beat the talent or venues. Spectacular. And then there is real ball room dancing every night. We were on a QM2 cruise. Never again. But we would do a crossing anytime it fits our schedule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted September 22, 2023 #117 Share Posted September 22, 2023 2 hours ago, bitob said: Because someone posted that qg suites are 2000 sq feet. Lol LOL as much as you want bitob but that 'someone', was me and yes, my reply to you re size of suites not being large was to tell you the size of our suite on Victoria. Granted, not all are anywhere near that size but it shows you that there are cabins of size so want a large suite on Victoria? Then book a large suite on Victoria. 🙂 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted September 22, 2023 #118 Share Posted September 22, 2023 3 hours ago, Host Hattie said: No but there is a big difference between a Q1 and Q5. It's difficult to generalise. It is and that's why it's not a terribly good idea to do so. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 22, 2023 #119 Share Posted September 22, 2023 56 minutes ago, Whipsnade said: You don’t go on Cunard for the food, even in Princess or Queens Grill. Pretty mediocre. And due to their size they can’t get into great ports like Hong Kong and NYC. Getting on snd off more like a cattle or sheep ship. Take a number and wait! On the entertainment front hard to beat the talent or venues. Spectacular. And then there is real ball room dancing every night. We were on a QM2 cruise. Never again. But we would do a crossing anytime it fits our schedule. Certainly the food is one of the reasons I go on Cunard, and I have never felt I have been treated like an animal. Perhaps my standards are too low to be worthy of mention, but I don’t think you should assume what others might do. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escrick Posted September 22, 2023 #120 Share Posted September 22, 2023 2 hours ago, exlondoner said: I would never dream of doing anything else, helped by the brochure which has helpful pictures of nearly all categories. Why would anyone not? Oh, dear. Did I say I had not checked the size? If communication can fail; it will, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted September 22, 2023 #121 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 minute ago, escrick said: Oh, dear. Did I say I had not checked the size? If communication can fail; it will, eh? You didn’t say that and I did not assume it was the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #122 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Victoria2 said: LOL as much as you want bitob but that 'someone', was me and yes, my reply to you re size of suites not being large was to tell you the size of our suite on Victoria. Granted, not all are anywhere near that size but it shows you that there are cabins of size so want a large suite on Victoria? Then book a large suite on Victoria. 🙂 My point is that some are and some aren’t. We don’t want to deceive people into thinking that if they book a qg suite it will be 2000 sq feet i knew the size of my suite when I booked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escrick Posted September 22, 2023 #123 Share Posted September 22, 2023 10 minutes ago, exlondoner said: You didn’t say that and I did not assume it was the case. Sorry, I misinterpreted you. I need to read the posts more carefully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted September 22, 2023 #124 Share Posted September 22, 2023 2 hours ago, Whipsnade said: You don’t go on Cunard for the food, even in Princess or Queens Grill. Pretty mediocre. And due to their size they can’t get into great ports like Hong Kong and NYC. Getting on snd off more like a cattle or sheep ship. Take a number and wait! On the entertainment front hard to beat the talent or venues. Spectacular. And then there is real ball room dancing every night. We were on a QM2 cruise. Never again. But we would do a crossing anytime it fits our schedule. I think we agree about the food because we both cruise luxury lines where food is really great. By comparison Cunard food is mediocre. I agree as well that these ships are perfect for a crossing. I do no want to disembark with 2900 others in some port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted September 22, 2023 #125 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 minute ago, bitob said: My point is that some are and some aren’t. We don’t want to deceive people into thinking that if they book a qg suite it will be 2000 sq feet i knew the size of my suite when I booked it. I don't think 'we' will be deceiving anyone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now