QA British Isles Voyage

[Selbourne]

A fabulous Naming Gala dinner this evening. All courses excellent. 

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

Well it just goes to show how different we all are! Having thoroughly enjoyed “Brief Encounter” (by the same producer) we were looking forward to this, and neither of us enjoyed it at all. In fact, being at the very back was a distinct advantage for once, as we were able to discreetly sneak out after 30 minutes. 
 

Conversely, we went to see Fizz in the Bright Lights Society tonight which we enjoyed as much as the first show (Noir). The cast are brilliant in there and it’s a very different experience. 

Yes, I enjoyed Fizz as well and agree the Bright Lights are very good. I was unaware that the actors etc are not Cunard employees and are a third party with a four year contract. The US travel agent on my dinner table directed me to this:

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/entertainment/ted-manage-immersive-bright-lights-society-venue-queen-anne

 

Several.of my dinner companions went back to see if they could get in for Pride and Prejudice again at 10.15pm.  It seemed very popular so as you say everyone has different opinions.

[MylesS]

I'm glad you both enjoyed the Bright Lights shows! We only saw Noir on the maiden, as I assume that they change the shows each week. Hoping to see Fizz on our upcoming voyages.

I believe there is also a 3rd show from what one of the technical crew told me, however that may not be ready or reserved for longer voyages. Unsure!

[Selbourne]

Overheard an interesting comment from some fellow BC passengers last night. Clearly devoted fans, they do a Cunard World Cruise every year. They really like Queen Anne but are going to have to skip it for the first time when Queen Anne is the only ship doing a World Cruise. The reason? Wardrobe space is inadequate for long cruises. 

[Selbourne]

2 hours ago, MylesS said:

I'm glad you both enjoyed the Bright Lights shows! We only saw Noir on the maiden, as I assume that they change the shows each week. Hoping to see Fizz on our upcoming voyages.

I believe there is also a 3rd show from what one of the technical crew told me, however that may not be ready or reserved for longer voyages. Unsure!

I’m sure that you will love Fizz as well. For us, the stars are the guy who hosts the shows (really funny), the petite female dance (made of elastic) and the lady who played the piano last night, whose singing voice is so good she could do a show on her own. She is better than many of the singers that actually do get their own theatre shows! We love the fact that they are all in character from the minute that you enter prior to the actual show starting. 

[elmsliebev]

20 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Well just seen the Cunard premiere of Pride & Prejudice (sort of) and what a delight it was!  We have a surprise understudy due to illness and tonight's performances will also star the author Isobel McArthur.  What a treat, to anyone onboard who hasn't seen the early performance you're in for a treat.

we saw it here in Blackpool a few months ago. Loved it, thought it was very funny and very well done. I will definitely go and see it again onboard later this month. 

[Megabear2]

Well here we are, last port of call.  A very warm welcome from the people of Cobh who had put on plenty of entertainment for those of us who stayed in town.  I enjoyed a fine walk following the map kindly offered by the Tourist Board on our disembarkation this morning and was well rewarded by pretty gardens, a fine museum and a lovely Cathedral.  After the walk I treated myself to some lunch and a pint of Guinness, followed by an hour in the Mauritania bar who had laid on some live music.  The two musicians were young lads with a piano accordion and guitar and they were very good, working the crowd well. Having had the Guinness with lunch i was persuaded by the bar lady that I should try a pint of Murphys.  I have to say I much preferred the latter to the Guinness!

 

We were lucky in that an army band was playing in Kennedy Park at the bandstand.  Excellent musicians playing arrangements of not only Irish classics but Bacharact and Lloyd Weber amongst others.  The park was packed with not only tourists but locals and a large group of school children. It was most enjoyable to just sit and listen while eating my gelato.

 

The weather was dry and at one point we even enjoyed a splash of sunshine.  Overall the weather was kind, although it did get cold later in the day.

 

It has been a most enjoyable day and I'm glad I abandoned my original plan to catch the train to Cork city as Cobh offered a lovely small town with an atmosphere that was hugely welcoming.  A great way to end our calls around the British Isles.

[King Amo]

Sounds a lovely stop. Thanks for all your updates, Megabear, it really is greatly appreciated. 

 

I also had a little chuckle up above to see that the Naming Ceremony Gala Dinner saw an appearance of the cauliflower pithivier. It wouldn't be the same without it😀

[Megabear2]

I forgot to mention the wreaths on the Mauritania Memorial were laid by Cunard and the ship in memory. A very dignified moment.

[safarigal]

Just now, Megabear2 said:

I forgot to mention the wreaths on the Mauritania Memorial were laid by Cunard and the ship in memory. A very dignified moment.

Lusitania?

[exlondoner]

4 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I forgot to mention the wreaths on the Mauritania Memorial were laid by Cunard and the ship in memory. A very dignified moment.

Lusitania? Sorry.

[Victoria2]

6 minutes ago, safarigal said:

Lusitania?

Think so. We were on Queen Victoria 100th anniversary of the sinking of Lusitania  memorial cruise. Very moving ceremony in Cobh.

[Selbourne]

I echo @Megabear2 comments about Cobh. A delightful and colourful place where, as with everywhere else  we have been, we received a very warm welcome.
 

As well as concluding our ports of call, this also concludes my wife and my pilgrimage to all the key Titanic locations. Belfast and the Titanic museum a few days ago, Southampton (countless times), Cherbourg & their excellent Titanic museum on a previous cruise, Cobh (Queenstown in Titanics day) today, the route that Titanic took and her resting place when we did a transatlantic, and Halifax and their Titanic museum when we did our USA and Canada cruise. We’ll have to watch the film again now!

 

Due to the hills, our visit around Cobh was restricted to the promenade and lower areas, but that was most of it so we didn’t feel short changed.

On the way back to the ship I heard “excuse me, are you Selbourne”? One of the passengers is a keen follower of cruise critic (but doesn’t post) and wanted to say hello. We had a lovely chat with her and her husband (I’m terribly sorry but I didn’t catch your names if you read this), who were a delightful couple. I was extremely relieved to hear that she agrees

with all the points I have made, including about such things as the lack of info about viewing the naming ceremony and fireworks from the ship and also the absence of the advertised scenic cruising last Friday. So it’s not just me!

 

After lunch on the ship my wife stayed in the cabin whilst I took the train into Cork as I’d never been there. I’m glad that I went, but I preferred Cobh. I managed to get back just in time to take my wife to a show given by an Irish group of musicians and Irish dancers in the theatre. It was thoroughly enjoyable and the star of the show (for us) was a self deprecating diminutive chap who did a hilarious sketch of “Wee Andy Lloyd Webbers” musicals in an Irish song and dance style. 
 

I cannot compete with @Megabear2 excellent photos, so just offer this one as a final shot, which seems fitting. 

 

[Megabear2]

43 minutes ago, safarigal said:

Lusitania?

Yep, auto correct - the pub was called Mauritania and I didn't notice it changed it. Sorry.

[Host Hattie]

Thanks for your reports and photos from Cobh, enjoy your sea day tomorrow. 

[JeanieC,Aston]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Having had the Guinness with lunch i was persuaded by the bar lady that I should try a pint of Murphys.  I have to say I much preferred the latter to the Guinness!

Hi

Corkonians have always preferred Murphy’s over Guinness,probably down to loyalty as Murphy’s is brewed in Cork.as is Beamish stout.

[Megabear2]

Well it begins ... already two lifts in Stairwell A out of service, although one has been all voyage, and one in stairwell B.  Ominously the cages are appearing on the landings too.  If moving the luggage this evening is anything like on embarkation I just hope they have it better sorted with the lifts today.  I gave up on A lifts after 12 minutes and went back to B but crowds were hovering.

[exlondoner]

9 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Well it begins ... already two lifts in Stairwell A out of service, although one has been all voyage, and one in stairwell B.  Ominously the cages are appearing on the landings too.  If moving the luggage this evening is anything like on embarkation I just hope they have it better sorted with the lifts today.  I gave up on A lifts after 12 minutes and went back to B but crowds were hovering.

Are the lifts actually out of service or in fact just not for passengers so they can use them for luggage?

[Megabear2]

10 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Are the lifts actually out of service or in fact just not for passengers so they can use them for luggage?

One is totally out of service, has been all voyage.  I assume the second one is for luggage but the knock on is causing a problem already.  

 

After the theatre last night there was a build up of wheelchairs and other mobility aids and the lifts could not cope.  With the luggage being moved tonight it may be a lot worse for the users. 

 

I'm just being lazy as I've a sore hip from a bad step but others may be in real need later.

Edited June 6 by Megabear2

[Selbourne]

30 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Well it begins ... already two lifts in Stairwell A out of service, although one has been all voyage, and one in stairwell B.  Ominously the cages are appearing on the landings too.  If moving the luggage this evening is anything like on embarkation I just hope they have it better sorted with the lifts today.  I gave up on A lifts after 12 minutes and went back to B but crowds were hovering.

I am at a complete loss as to why they use the passengers lifts for luggage, with the enormous difficulties that it creates for passengers trying to move around the ship, rather than the service lifts as other cruise lines do. Answers on a postcard……

[Jonem2001]

2 hours ago, Selbourne said:

I am at a complete loss as to why they use the passengers lifts for luggage, with the enormous difficulties that it creates for passengers trying to move around the ship, rather than the service lifts as other cruise lines do. Answers on a postcard……

I can only assume some technical problem with the freight lifts - it wouldn’t be any sane person’s way of doing things. 
 

Whether they’ve managed to get the issue fixed (possibly needing a technical specialist to fly in) since embarkation, I wouldn’t like to guess… time will tell. I have my fingers crossed for you all.

[Selbourne]

15 minutes ago, Jonem2001 said:

I can only assume some technical problem with the freight lifts - it wouldn’t be any sane person’s way of doing things. 

I tend to agree, but I’ve noticed that whilst the service lifts are present and have large run off areas in front of them, some of the doors to these

areas are very narrow and don’t allow anything bigger than cabin servicing trolleys to pass through - certainly

not cages full of luggage. 
 

I have a horrible feeling that this may be a poorly thought through design flaw and that having to tie up passenger lifts for luggage on embarkation day and the day before disembarkation may be permanent. I hope that I’m wrong as it’s a ruddy nuisance, especially for those who are unable to use stairs. 

[Megabear2]

24 minutes ago, Jonem2001 said:

I can only assume some technical problem with the freight lifts - it wouldn’t be any sane person’s way of doing things. 
 

Whether they’ve managed to get the issue fixed (possibly needing a technical specialist to fly in) since embarkation, I wouldn’t like to guess… time will tell. I have my fingers crossed for you all.

Well deck 7 has the cages stacked high and people's cases are being moved into A lift zone ... 

 

I just got out at 5 and walked the rest of the way to assist two people with walkers who looked most frazzled.  

Edited June 6 by Megabear2

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, Selbourne said:

I tend to agree, but I’ve noticed that whilst the service lifts are present and have large run off areas in front of them, some of the doors to these

areas are very narrow and don’t allow anything bigger than cabin servicing trolleys to pass through - certainly

not cages full of luggage. 
 

I have a horrible feeling that this may be a poorly thought through design flaw and that having to tie up passenger lifts for luggage on embarkation day and the day before disembarkation may be permanent. I hope that I’m wrong as it’s a ruddy nuisance, especially for those who are unable to use stairs. 

I don’t think I can remember Cunard ships not using passenger lifts to transport at least some of the luggage, but this is inevitably a subjective impression. I haven’t actually been counting.

[Megabear2]

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

I don’t think I can remember Cunard ships not using passenger lifts to transport at least some of the luggage, but this is inevitably a subjective impression. I haven’t actually been counting.

This doesn't look like anything I've seen on any of the other Cunard ships. Even though it's early there are 10's of cases being moved to the landing on my floor and cages are stacked against the wall.