TowandaUK

We never saw porters in Southampton. We had cash in pocket ready to tip, but had to take cases from the car and place on the conveyor belts ourselves. We take cash to tip our steward, but will only do so if the service warrants it. Some stewards will bend over backwards to help and are friendly and polite - others not so much.

When I was a ward clerk in our local hospital we were advised to wash hands with soap and water and not to rely on sanitisers. We had several instances of noro on the ward but I never got it as I washed my hands frequently.

I contracted covid on a cruise shortly after cruising restarted after lockdown. We had to get tested at a pharmacy and certified clear before boarding. We were careful to mask up, washed hands rather than sanitised, avoided crowded lifts, and moved when nearby folks were coughing a covid type cough. We were fine for the duration of the cruise. We came straight home from the cruise and never went anywhere once home. I felt unwell but tested ok 2 days after coming home, 4th day I tested positive. I strongly suspect picking it up in the heavily crowded baggage collect area, when I had removed my mask. There was a lot of push and shove in the queue, and think that’s where I got it. My husband did not get it on that occasion.

We found there are pluses and minuses on both. We are elite on X, but only been on Silhouette. We have been on Anne on Cunard. Overall we prefer Cunard. Food in MDR was much better on Cunard, although there is nothing to compare to Murano on X, which has to be our favourite restaurant. Sir Samuels on Anne we thought overpriced and only marginally better than Tuscan Grill on Silhouette. Evening entertainment we had no preference - there was good and bad on both. Daytime insight lectures vastly superior on Cunard. Many more and varied bars and lounges on Cunard. Queens room on Anne we found enjoyable (not been in any other Queen so can’t compare with other Queens rooms). There is nothing similar on X. Afternoon tea on Cunard is not to be missed - nothing like that on X. The dress code on Cunard suited us perfectly, and the general atmosphere is calmer and more refined than X. Couple of things on X that we prefer to Cunard. You can only use OBC onboard on Cunard, whereas you can use it for excursions, etc on X before boarding. The main thing we found frustrating on Cunard was there is no app, only a web site called My Voyage which is only available onboard and only gives entertainment info for that day. With the X app you can access it before you board and for at least the first few days it gives comprehensive info re daily programmes and menus - giving the opportunity for some forward planning. We have 2 more voyages booked on Cunard, but would not rule out X again if the itinerary, date and price was right. Hope you enjoy your Cunard voyage.

When we were on Queen Anne in May we prebooked excursions. Once onboard we decided we had booked one day-long excursion that we felt would be too taxing. There was a half day excursion that we preferred. We could not cancel online, and as the excursion office was closed we could not visit to cancel in person at that time. We booked online for the excursion we wanted (we were surprised that the system allowed us to do that when we were already booked for that time). First thing next morning I went to the shore excursion office and explained the situation. The day-long excursion was cancelled. I think this was 3 or 4 days before it was due. We received full refund to our card the next day. We were not charged a cancellation fee.

Thank goodness. As a passenger not entitled to the hallowed ground I gave it a wide berth so as not to accidentally stray into it.

When on Queen Anne we booked a taster on QM2. We were told that a refurb was planned for the planetarium with new equipment and led screens all round to allow a fully immersive experience, and concerts were mentioned He didn’t say when, but I heard suggestions on these boards that a dry dock is planned for spring 26.

I was shocked on Anne to the Canaries that there were regularly wheelchairs folded up and in the aisles of the theatre. It was a clear health and safety issue, but worse than that it was clear that the wheelchair provision was woefully inadequate. I think the only way to get a dedicated wheelchair space would be to arrive very early. I was glad not to need a chair as I don’t believe they were very well catered for.

That’s lovely. Good to know you will be onboard too.

With vouchers to spend it is the best M&S readily available to us, and an excuse for a day out in the area. Never been to M & S in Soton - perhaps next time we are there, although I think I’d rather go to John Lewis.

It’s titled Scenic Jurassic Coast Voyage. Having read the descriptions of the scenic part of the naming voyage I am under no illusions that we shall be in sight of the shore despite the title.

We live 30 mins from the Jurassic coast so know it well shoreside. It would be good to see it from the sea, but the main reason for going is to try out QM2, we’ve been on Anne, and have Victoria booked, but would like to try QM2.

We have a 2 nighter booked on QM2 in 2026. It just cruises along the Jurassic coast for a couple of days and returns to Southampton. We are using it as a taster for QM2. It is immediately after a dry dock so we are aware that it could be cancelled if the dry dock over runs. Prior to a voyage to Norway last year I was most concerned about anti tourist protests and posters reported in the news. We never had any problems whatsoever, and never saw a single poster despite prior warnings that they would be plastered everywhere in the ports.

My husband often gets M and S vouchers from the children for Xmas and Birthday. Castlepoint is our store of choice for M and S as it’s the largest in our area- although it does entail 1 1/4 hour car journey. We don’t tend to spend long there but like to visit the Lakeland shop. We often travel on to either Mudeford Quay or the New Forest to make a day of it.

Conditioner was available in Britannia balcony room. The hairdryer was not powerful and you need to keep the knob held down while using - I used a strong elastic band to keep it down.

The only time I drink tea is with a cream tea. Coffee isn’t the same.

I smear on a layer of cream as if it was butter, then jam, then cream. Keeps Devon and Cornwall happy!

We saw the McDonald brothers on our first celebrity cruise in 2014. Absolutely loved them. Best act we have seen on a ship. When they sang 500 miles everybody joined in. It was a gala night and there were several gentlemen in kilts. We remembered them on X factor. So glad to hear they are still performing on ships.

Thanks for posting this. So glad to hear of the improvements in Sir Samuel’s. We dined there on the second voyage. Service was the worst we received anywhere else onboard and the caviar and oysters were unavailable. Having seen your post I would be encouraged to give them another try.

Thanks for this. Totally agree.

Queen Victoria Voyage 511 Atlantic Coast and Iberia 14th April 7 nights 15th April Black and White 19th April Masquerade Thanks for doing this Blue Marble it is most appreciated.

Sorry just noticed you are in Queens grill. Hope you can get it sorted.

Sorry you have had difficulties already. Would you consider a switch to anytime dining if a two top is not available on fixed dining? We easily got an anytime two top each time on QA recently. Hope the rest of your voyage is happier.

Have you checked the calendar in My Cunard? Our voyage on QV in April has already got gala nights noted.