Please share your experience on Queen Anne. Also need transfer and hotel information. Thank you.

[gam888]

We have read some negative reviews on Queen Anne regarding they seem to be not offering Ballroom music for all the sets in the Queen's Room. Could anyone who have just sailed with her please share your experience. Apart from the Queen's Room, is there another lounge that has a dance floor that is used as a dance venue? I noticed that the lounge on the top deck has a piano but no dance floor. The other Cunard ships always have 2 dance venues, the Queen's Room and the Yacht Club. Do you feel that there is enough ballroom dancing time or the band is playing too many "pop music" sets? We plan to go this November. I read on some reviews that there were a lot of young children on some of the sailings, which is something we have never encountered on Cunard before. Please also suggest a hotel in Southampton, and the best way to get from Heathrow airport to Southampton. We have used private transfer before, we will consider it again, but would also consider taking a train or a bus this time. Thank you in advance. 

[exlondoner]

1. Bright Lights is used as a night club after the show.

2. Depends how much you want to pay. Southampton Harbour Hotel probably the nicest, but Premier Inns always good.

3. National Express coach.

 

Incidentally, while I don’t know about dancing, ignore most of the negatives in the reviews, QA is very nice.

[Host Hattie]

We've been told there are 3 children on the current cruise including the Captain's grandson. One little girl was dancing in the Queens Room last night as we walked through. 

[ShipboardSteve]

In Bright Lights Society for late night disco if there are three couples on the floor you have a chance to move two or three steps in one direction or the other but not to or from the tiny stage. Any more people than that and all you can do is more or less stand in one spot and wiggle to the music so it is way smaller than the Yacht Club floor.  The floor in the Queens Room is an unusual crescent shape, but it is fine for ballroom and Latin dancing, provided you are there at those times when they play decent appropriate music. The problem is they won't announce any specific dance, so all 'styles' are welcome - so if you want to do a waltz or foxtrot you have to negotiate a bunch of people doing Night Club Two-step, modern jive, general disco dancing, and a few trying to move around with waltz or foxtrot - Latin is a little easier unless the floor is very packed. So you can dance but takes a bit more effort than on the other Cunard ships.

[TouchstoneFeste]

1 hour ago, gam888 said:

Please also suggest a hotel in Southampton, and the best way to get from Heathrow airport to Southampton.

The British Isles forum has extensive discussions of hotels and transportation

British Isles/Western Europe - Cruise Critic Community

 

[gam888]

Thank you everyone for replying my post. Just wondering if we take the National Express coach. Once we get to the Southampton terminal, are there any taxi available that we can take to our hotel? I googled the location and I can see a tiny building where the bus stop is, but I can't see any sign of a taxi stand being there. It also does not seem like there is a local bus route that goes there that would go towards the town center either. Please advise.

[exlondoner]

3 minutes ago, gam888 said:

Thank you everyone for replying my post. Just wondering if we take the National Express coach. Once we get to the Southampton terminal, are there any taxi available that we can take to our hotel? I googled the location and I can see a tiny building where the bus stop is, but I can't see any sign of a taxi stand being there. It also does not seem like there is a local bus route that goes there that would go towards the town center either. Please advise.

It looks as if there is a cab rank just outside on Western Esplanade.

[alc13]

1 hour ago, gam888 said:

Thank you everyone for replying my post. Just wondering if we take the National Express coach. Once we get to the Southampton terminal, are there any taxi available that we can take to our hotel? I googled the location and I can see a tiny building where the bus stop is, but I can't see any sign of a taxi stand being there. It also does not seem like there is a local bus route that goes there that would go towards the town center either. Please advise.

We plan to take the Natl Express coach to Southampton next month for the first time.  If we encounter any problems, I'll report back.

[*Miss G*]

2 hours ago, gam888 said:

Thank you everyone for replying my post. Just wondering if we take the National Express coach. Once we get to the Southampton terminal, are there any taxi available that we can take to our hotel? I googled the location and I can see a tiny building where the bus stop is, but I can't see any sign of a taxi stand being there. It also does not seem like there is a local bus route that goes there that would go towards the town center either. Please advise.

 

My sister does the reverse.  She drives to Southampton, parks the car, then calls a taxi from the car park to the bus station to catch the National Express to LHR.  (This is for when she flies to FLL to meet us for a TA.  That way, her car is already there when we arrive.)

 

She says she does not recall if there is a taxi stand at the bus station but finds it hard to believe that there isn’t one.  She uses Southampton Taxi:

 

LINK: Southampton Taxi

[jrmende63]

I can confirm there was a taxi stand at the bus terminal in Southampton. We walked to our hotel so I can’t confirm pricing. Bus was easy and convenient. We had pre bought our bus ticket and it was a nice ride to Southampton. 

[Lakesregion]

Started to read the QA reviews on CC yesterday and got through around 35 of the 63 posted. Not what one would hope for if one was Cuard management. That many bad reviews in one place would put a smaller busines out of business in short order. However, one must parse the reviews to see what are the issues. Many are not happy with the design of the ship and that is not something that can be remedied easily. When the ship has its first dry dock, they shuld be able to rip out the terrible clothes storage areas in the cabins and replace them with something useable but until then plan accordingly. As to lifts, that is not possible to solve except to remove the sofas that are acting as football linemen preventing easy cross lobby dashes for closing doors and extend the door closing times. And maybe get different luggage carts that can fit around the corners and into the service lifts. If you are sailing steerage you can ignore the grill reviews of which of late seem to be the majority of Cunard CC posts as they will not affect your trip. Best way to naviagte the small menu signage and lines in the buffet is to make a visit during a slow time (Not to eat but to inspect) learn where the stations are and what they offer and scope out where to place your book, jacket etc before heading to the food lines so you will have a table to return to with your full plates. As most of the reviews are from early sails, one can hope that by 2025 most of the Bitannia dining room issues will have been solved. Entertainment is personal, as to sun lounger hogs, just sit in one that is empty until the hog shows up and then rise and smile and move to the next empty but reserved one.And above all do not do the "do you know who I am" routine but do be asertive when you need an issue solved and the staff is trying to put you off. Overall, it would appear the QA is something of a mystery to even Cunard as they try to thread their way from a traditional luxury line with old fashioned standards to this new "modern" world. Even the  venerable St Regis hotel in NYC has basically for this traditionalist trashed their iconic Astor Court restaurant done away with their exceptional afternon tea and made the dining room into a "Lounge" with small plate servings. After years of trying to fight the holding pattern at the age of 85 I have given up. I dress in my finest even if my tablemates are in lesser garb, seek the best that I can afford and smile at what is left knowing that I will enjoy while the newbies are trying to figureout what it is all about.

Edited Sunday at 01:25 AM by Lakesregion

[Winifred 22]

You need to remember  what as small fraction of folk writing poor reviews on CC is of the total number who have sailed. 63 from the thousands who will now have been onboard is no big deal to me. As I have frequently said on here I had a fab time on her and have booked again. Issues such as sun lounger hogs exist on most main stream lines and ships. Plenty of towels enjoying the sun on QM2 last week. Have a great time when you get onboard. 

[Victoria2]

My opinions on Queen Anne can certainly be ignored, as can all the opinions given on this board so far. I have no problem whatsoever with that.

What I can't ignore is the fact a few passengers give negative reviews and those opinions are taken as 'the mean' for all passengers.

 

If Queen Anne is so dire, why are five respected [and I hope I can count myself in that quintet]  CC Cunard board members happy with the product, ignoring the slight niggles, and indeed, quite sad at the thought of disembarking, with one who has all but taken up residence.

 

Yes she has her 'quirks' and I'm thinking mobility issues here specifically but then I wouldn't consider QM2 for the same reasons.

Lakesregion, I get the fact Cunard traditionalists won't accept her as a Cunard alternative and that is absolutely fine but she is an OK ship and thousands have had great holidays with her already but don't post reviews anywhere.

 

For reference

Lido aka Artisan buffet.

Read the map and you'll know which station is where

Wardrobe space

Take more than a couple of suitcases and anyone will find wardrobe space problematic.

Lifts

Yes, a pain embarkation/disembarkation days but other than that, the ambulatory will find them OK and we, as wheelchair user have no real difficulty hailing a lift other than those two days

Lift closure

Meet H&S regs. and beyond...apparently and yes, I timed them and they did. I shall stop watch them again next year and will be on the case if the timing has been changed for the worse.

Britannia dining

No experience here but others have and seem to think it OK if club dining is chosen.

 

I could go on but I am a QA bore so won't.

 

However

Pretty please, can she go to the Med in '27 and we get Victoria back!!😀

 

[exlondoner]

I don’t really understand people not accepting her as a proper Cunard ship. She is as much like the Vistas as they were to QE2 (and I remember the negative comments when they were introduced), much more like the Vistas than QE2 was to the first Queens, indeed she was deliberately different, and I can’t see the original Queens were much like the much loved Mauritania. So what is this proper Cunard ship thing?

[S1971]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

What I can't ignore is the fact a few passengers give negative reviews and those opinions are taken as 'the mean' for all passengers.

 

If Queen Anne is so dire, why are five respected [and I hope I can count myself in that quintet]  CC Cunard board members happy with the product, ignoring the slight niggles, and indeed, quite sad at the thought of disembarking, with one who has all but taken up residence.

 

From the reviews I've read, I can't recall many, if any people saying it was dire.

 

Of the 62 reviews, the average rating is 3 star, I don't think that can be ignored either, there were obvious issues and differences as I think you openly said.

 

That said, lots of the reviews were on the earlier trips and there were to be expected teething problems, fortunately you and one or two others have sailed again and from following your threads it appears that earlier issues have been resolved.

 

As for reviews in general, I think they can give a good overall impression but I never take them literally.

 

 

 

 

[exlondoner]

13 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

From the reviews I've read, I can't recall many, if any people saying it was dire.

 

Of the 62 reviews, the average rating is 3 star, I don't think that can be ignored either, there were obvious issues and differences as I think you openly said.

 

That said, lots of the reviews were on the earlier trips and there were to be expected teething problems, fortunately you and one or two others have sailed again and from following your threads it appears that earlier issues have been resolved.

 

As for reviews in general, I think they can give a good overall impression but I never take them literally.

 

 

 

 

A poster a few back speaks of ‘many bad reviews’. As you say the average is 3 star, but I should imagine Cunard would hope for far better, though a few of the negative ones are spectacularly trivial. I’m not sure you would get a very accurate impression of any of the ships from looking at reviews. Probably more informative to come here, though occasionally that can be off putting too. It is interesting how few reviewers post here and vice versa. 
 

If you want to see a couple of spectacularly bad reviews, look at the recent ones on QM2, if you can cope with the dreadful ageism. 

 

 

[Victoria2]

9 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

From the reviews I've read, I can't recall many, if any people saying it was dire.

 

Of the 62 reviews, the average rating is 3 star, I don't think that can be ignored either, there were obvious issues and differences as I think you openly said.

 

That said, lots of the reviews were on the earlier trips and there were to be expected teething problems, fortunately you and one or two others have sailed again and from following your threads it appears that earlier issues have been resolved.

 

As for reviews in general, I think they can give a good overall impression but I never take them literally.

 

 

 

 

I  don't think all the issues have been addressed as some might only be sorted in a refit but she's getting there.

 

My dire was directed at the third sentence in #11. OK, a slight exaggeration on my part so will 'poor' do?

 

As I have said many times before, I ignore reviews, good and bad written by folk when I have no knowledge of their past cruise history or indeed to a certain extent, travel or even lifestyle experiences.

Anyone used to the equivalent of  my old tatty car, would find a relatively simple but modern new car, luxurious in comparison. That car in turn would be paltry to someone used to a Bentley!

If I don't have background info, I don't take any notice.

 

For Cunard reviews and thoughts, come onto this board for objective and also subjective Cunard impressions.

 

 

[rog747]

I did H418 2 weeks SOU to the Med on QA last month.

I decided to go last minute and took advantage of a very good late deal on a PG suite, although I was (and quite happy) about to book an Inside sideways on cabin, when the PG suddenly came up and I grabbed it.

The first week was 'shaky' in term of food/service and other issues plus one of the Pods broke down so we missed Cadiz and limped to Barcelona for repairs; but the second week was totally different and almost all was pretty damn good.
The weather was fabulous throughout. 


The ship is BIG !, and she is very long, I am sure her cabin deck passageways seemed far long longer than QM2's (I was on her last Sunday for the day on a ship's tour).
On QA they seemed to just go on and on, but I was midships and fine for Lift's/Stairs B (no trouble with lifts BTW) which go straight up to the Grill rooms, lounge bar/concierge and Grills Terrace.
My fav bar the Commodore Club was a very long walk.

My PG 'Suite' ('think' slightly bigger Balcony Cabin here) was fine and comfy, but a wee bit too dark on the decor and hues for me; I really liked the big shower cubicle, but I missed having a Bath Tub.
Did I get a 'wow' factor for this room?, sorry no, but it was all very nice and OK.

Launderette was almost opposite Deck 4 (very handy)
BTW they are not on all decks unliked the other Queens.

My Room Steward was a gem, with twice daily cabin servicing (whether I said don't worry or not lol) and with clean pillowcases daily, and new sheets at least every third night.

If I was to book QA again (I might, the ship did grow on me) then I would look to book an Aft Britannia grade cabin, which for me is best for the Britannia MDR, the Panorama Pool and sun decks (Aft) and the Artisan Cafe. 
The Britannia MDR does have a 'wow' factor and I would only choose fixed second dinner seating (20:30) as Open Dining for me was way too chaotic; just not my cup of tea for a Cunard Cruise/Voyage.

To sum up, the ship for the Cunard Line Traditionalists (perhaps I am one of them lol) is a bit ''Marmite'' (The Brits here will get the pun) but she grows on you, she has some very nice public spaces indeed, but with perhaps the Queens Room being the biggest let down, and yes, I may go on her again, but not again in Grills, unless a very good deal only in QG came up!

She is a departure from the heavy wooden interiors of the other Queens, and QA is more akin to a modern twist on 1930's New York Art Deco with alot of Steel and Black.
I'm not too sure she will wear that well....

BTW I was on and off the ship in minutes - both boarding and getting off.

Edited Sunday at 10:41 AM by rog747

[Victoria2]

Very fair  rog747, and a very pertinent phrase 'but she grows on you'🙂

[rog747]

QA
She's very big!

Just short of the QM2 and she's longer than some of the most famous ocean liners in the World:
SS France, the Normandie and the SS United States.

Britannia MDR and the Grand Lobby images below and short video
 

 

Edited Sunday at 11:16 AM by rog747

[exlondoner]

I assume the video was on red and gold night, with everyone looking very smart.

 

The length of QA is one of the few significant things I dislike about her, after, obviously, the Grills Lounge.

Edited Sunday at 11:17 AM by exlondoner

[rog747]

3 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I assume the video was on red and gold night, with everyone looking very smart.

 

The length of QA is one of the few significant things I dislike about her, after, obviously, the Grills Lounge.

Yes, it was, Grrr  I messed up uploading the Video -  sorry  

[TheYoungCunarder]

I've posted some comments on Queen Anne here, if useful OP...

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3029158-ive-now-sailed-all-four-queens-and-my-favourite-is/

 

I don't dislike her, but there are some very notable differences to be aware of.

[Victoria2]

4 hours ago, exlondoner said:

A poster a few back speaks of ‘many bad reviews’. As you say the average is 3 star, but I should imagine Cunard would hope for far better, though a few of the negative ones are spectacularly trivial. I’m not sure you would get a very accurate impression of any of the ships from looking at reviews. Probably more informative to come here, though occasionally that can be off putting too. It is interesting how few reviewers post here and vice versa. 
 

If you want to see a couple of spectacularly bad reviews, look at the recent ones on QM2, if you can cope with the dreadful ageism. 

 

 

For those who are members of the CC community, it's also an interesting exercise looking at those who like, say thanks or laugh at the various comments. One can often glean the preferences of the owner of them and indeed, can often predict who will add which one of the available three! 😀

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, Victoria2 said:

For those who are members of the CC community, it's also an interesting exercise looking at those who like, say thanks or laugh at the various comments. One can often glean the preferences of the owner of them and indeed, can often predict who will add which one of the available three! 😀

Laughter is difficult. I often want to use it to say, ‘You’ve made me smile.’ In a nice way, but end up eschewing it in case it seemed like mockery.