DaisyUK

Brilliant, thank you Keith. I have enjoyed reading your account of your cruise and am delighted that you are having such a great time, and that it is living up to (and beyond) your expectations. We are very much looking forward to trying Crystal again. I am finding my way around the website. However, when I do as you suggest (click on suites/details), it does not say that there is either unlimited dining in Umi Uma or room service from Umi Uma, although it does list both as being possible in the Italian restaurant. Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't see it.

Based largely on the overwhelmingly positive comments from the inaugural sailing, we have booked a cruise on Symphony next month. We always enjoyed Crystal previously, and it sounds as if the new version will live up to expectations. One question I have is whether CP and JPC still get the same specialty restaurant privileges as previously (ie unlimited reservations), either included or paid for? Looking at the details on the website, it doesn't appear that this is being offered, but curious to know from those onboard?

I know, and you're absolutely right. But, despite the fact that the suite definitely helped, the cruise exceeded our expectations in ways that were independent of our suite and QG generally.

I did re-write my review and it has now appeared. I think I must have made an error when I submitted it originally because I've now realised I never received an email from CC the first time to confirm receipt, but I did this time. Agree that it's hard to understand why anyone would choose to cruise with Cunard if they weren't prepared to dress at least reasonably smartly for dinner!

That's very helpful, thank you and good to know that 'request a quote' means there is probably availability. Hopefully their systems will improve as time goes by. These days, I think expectations are somewhat higher than having to call across the world and time zones!

Hello and thank you for your help. That seems a long-winded process. However... if it says 'request a quote' I assume it means the suite is available? We enjoyed Crystal previously, but have since moved on to other lines. Thought we might try a short-ish cruise to see if it lives up to our new expectations!

Apologies if this has been asked and answered and I have missed it. We are considering whether to book a Crystal cruise for later this year, and on checking availability and pricing, see a price followed by 'request a quote'. Does this mean a suite is available, or not, or maybe? And (if available) does it mean the price shown is the price (in which case why would I need to request a quote)?, or that a different price may be quoted (in which case, why quote a price)?

Yes, I'm sure we'll love it. Thanks again for the advice/observations. This will be our first sailing on the QV, and then we will have done all 3 Queens, and have QA coming up in 2024. Happy days! 😊

Thanks for these observations Victoria2. Sounds like it's swings and roundabouts between the deck 6 and 7 aft suites. We're on deck 7 for our upcoming cruise and I hadn't noticed that rather strange bedroom layout until just now when I went back and checked it on a youtube video. As you say very strange that Cunard would install usb ports on one deck and not the other in the same category of suite. Hoping the seas won't be quite so rough when we sail!

Stupidly I didn't keep a copy, but I will rewrite and see what happens.

I can't answer your question about the July cruise, but I do wonder if some reviews slip through the net as I submitted a review several weeks ago (not lukewarm) and it hasn't appeared, at least not yet.

Sounds like you've had a great cruise despite the eczema and bumpy ride. Look forward to reading any further thoughts once you're home. As for the extra lbs - they'll soon disappear, ready for next time!!

On each of the lines we've sailed (Regent, Oceania, Crystal and now Cunard) the question of tipping has come up on CC. I've always sought out these posts, wondering what the 'norm' is in terms of who to tip, when to do it, how much to give, but nowhere have I managed to find a conclusive answer, presumably because there isn't one. We pay the automatic gratuities and then tip for excellent service where we have received it, usually in the restaurant and bars plus the butler and cabin staff, but have no idea whether we tip too much, too little or just right. One of life's mysteries!

Sorry to hear about the hand problem and hope it doesn't impact on your enjoyment of the QV too much. Great that the weather has improved 😊

Do you mean the mirror image of 7050? Hope the seas have calmed down!

Thank you. Hope you have a fabulous time. We have to wait until November

Great, thank you. We will be in 7150. Will be following along vicariously and looking forward to your reports/comments.

This was a nice surprise. Will look forward to your updates as and when. Am looking forward to our first sailing on QV later this year so will be very interested in your comments. Hope you have a great time!

Brilliant, thank you Hattie 😊

Thank you Host Hattie. Yes, I wondered whether CC was waiting for the maiden voyage, but still think it might be useful to be able to easily search for info specifically related to QA before that happy day.

I am looking for info on Queen Anne prior to making a booking, so thought I'd use the drop down menu at the top of the Cunard Forums page, but only QM2, QE and QV are included. Wondering if it might be possible to add QA to make it easier to find relevant posts?

Agreed, we were on at the same time and it was the best we've ever experienced (on any cruise ship) also.

That would certainly be interesting information to have Victoria2 - perhaps we will be onboard at the same time at some point in the future😊

Since my original post, I have experimented and booked one cruise direct, another with our UK travel agent (not specialist Cunard) and another with a US agent. I liked booking direct because I could call direct with any queries but having said that it meant a long and frustrating wait while waiting to get through. The UK travel agent booking was fine, but it was long-winded/slow to get answers to queries. The US travel agent booking was our best experience but by then I didn't really have any queries so getting answers didn't apply. Generally, though, the US agent has been proactive, quick to respond and, best of all, they threw in a drinks package, gratuities and some OBC.

We're just back from the QM2. We had Peking Duck (2 day's notice in our case) and a chicken curry another evening. We also had some of Osman's signature dishes - 2 lobster dishes and veal masala. All were excellent. As Techteach mentioned, I think he said he had one more month to go and then would be on vacation.