Too Young for Cunard

I understand 2 hour passes can be bought now for access to the hydrotherapy pool. Can a whole voyage pass still be bought? 

20 minutes ago, roscoe39 said:

Hi there is a copy of the menu , photos of some of the dishes and a little bit of a review on my blog post here

 

https://butarewethereyet.blogspot.com/2019/02/trial.html

 

I wasn't overly impressed especially considering around South America a couple of years ago the same position was taken over by a really good bbq outdoor restaurant which was much more casual and much more successful. The MD Desiree however was the best thing about the experience this year, she's pretty entertaining.

 

ps...if you are also interested in pics and the menus in the Steakhouse it is a couple of days later and here

 

https://butarewethereyet.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-verandah-restaurant-is-dead-long.html

Thanks for the link. If it’s available we will probably give it a go along with the other lido alternative restaurants. Doubt we will try Verandah again. Really don’t like the steakhouse concept as I don’t like steakhouses. Much prefer fine A la carte cuisine as it used to be. Maybe I’m just old fashioned. 

We had lunch in outside in the Grills several years ago but couldn't have dinner out there sadly. It is the reconfiguration of the aft deck that I am interested in this time as we are in Britannia. Is the waiter service and menu available a lot if the weather is good or is it just an occasional thing? Do they do lunch and dinner? Also does anyone know what the menu is like or how much it is? We are on the the Mediterranean Highlights/ Voyage du vin for 14 nights so am exploring dining options, especially as my beloved Verandah has been ruined by the steakhouse concept. Tried that on QM2 last year: never again. 

Can anyone provide any details on the alfresco dining on QV? Is there a separate menu in the evenings or it is just a nice place to sit with lido buffet food? Cunard’s website is somewhat vague. 

Thank you again for all your replies. May I emphasise that I was asking out of curiosity having read an article about more millennials choosing Cunard and have no issue with the age demographic; the tastes and behaviour of fellow passengers is what makes the ambience of Cunard perfect for me. I have never felt too young or out of place on Cunard. 

When I said about attracting a younger demographic I maybe used the wrong words. I meant that in order to continue to attract passengers long into the future Cunard will need to continue to evolve; what the average 60 year old wants now is likely different to what the average 60 year old will want in 30 years time. Although I actually feel lots of 20 somethings would enjoy Cunard if they gave it a go, I don’t expect the average age of passengers to suddenly fall even though some suggest it is creeping down slightly. 

Finally I will explain my username. We normally go to the commodore club and enjoy the sail away from there when we board. On one occasion a few years ago the waiter said that “surely this is all a bit serious for someone your age” to which I asked myself “maybe I’m a bit too young for Cunard”. Of course I don’t think I am too young now, rather I feel many young people don’t really understand what they are missing. 

Thank you all for your replies. I am asking out of curiosity as Cunard’s needs to attract a younger crowd to be sustainable longer term. I actually prefer an older demographic and lack of children but do get a bit confused when certain reviews allude to some cruises “feeling like care homes”; something I have never really felt in my 6 years of travelling with Cunard. 

Hello everyone. I am curious recently as to how the demographic varies on Cunard cruises having read an article about increasing numbers of millennials going on QM2. My husband and I are 25 and 29 so definitely at the younger end excluding children and families. 

From your experience what is the age mix on different itineraries.  Does it vary depending on destination or length of cruise and do you feel the demographic is getting younger these days?  

16 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

I'd go so far as to say I'm particularly UNimpressed with the new menu as displayed here.

There are many many cruise lines which cater to the more 'casual' palate and offer American-style foods and dishes that a lot of American travellers seem to hanker for. It would be a huge shame if Cunard continues down that route and diminishes the entire concept of the 'fine dining' restaurant.

I completely agree with everything you have said here. The whole concept just didn't seem to fit with the Cunard brand in my opinion however it does appear to be popular. I must just be behind the times or maybe it is just the difference in American and British tastes. I feel that Cunard ships need a traditional fine dining restaurant to rival the best on land; the Steakhouse is fine as an alternative dining venue but not THE ONLY fixed alternative dining venue. Maybe I am just old fashioned but at the age of 25 I like Cunard for exactly the reason that they are traditional... at least they were.

21 hours ago, bluemarble said:

Found this posted in the UK FAQ a few days ago concerning the status of the Steakhouse at The Vernadah on QM2 following its trial period this summer. This is included within the answer to the question "Can I see an example of a menu?".

Steakhouse at The Verandah on Queen Mary 2

Following the success of the new menu 'Steakhouse at The Verandah' on board Queen Mary 2 in the summer of 2018, we're pleased to announce that this has now become a permanent feature. 

‘Steakhouse at The Verandah’ takes influence from both sides of the Atlantic, showcasing Prime USDA grain finished New York Strip steak, Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab, alongside dishes celebrating British provenance such as Scotch grass fed dry aged beef and Salt Marsh lamb rack. Offerings from farther afield such as renowned Wagyu Beef from Australia also feature.

Delicious entrées are complimented with an array of appetisers including London Cure gin & tonic salmon and tea smoked duck. And there's even more temptation with mouth-watering desserts such as bourbon baba with Florida orange marmalade and melting toffee and peanut butter brownie sundae.

Please see example menus below

Verandah Dinner menu*

Verandah Bar card*

Verandah Lunch menu*

Well I am very disappointed to read this. We tried the Steakhouse on our honeymoon after I originally started this thread and were not remotely impressed; it was so inferior compared to QE and QV. We filled out the survey they were carrying out but the Maitre'D explained how it appeared popular and would probably stay. I understand why from a business perspective they have retained it and it clearly caters to an American market. I just hope they do not remove the more traditional fine dining experience on QE and QV; it has always been so busy on all of our cruises of QE and QV, where as apparently it was very quiet on QM2. I think, above all else, my issue was the informality of the Steakhouse: the card menu with a mediocre wine list printed on the back! The sommeliers are basically redundant. I don't see why it needed to be so dumbed down. Besides all else, the food was just not as good in my opinion. 

Thanks for posting. Unfortunately this is the normal menu not the temporary menu for August that I was hoping for. I am now on board and the Steakhouse at the Verandah menu is inferior in every way and I would have loved to have this menu instead! Maybe I’m. Old fashioned but I like French a al carte.

A menu for The Verandah is posted today on the Cunard.com site under booked guests.

 

 Starters 

White Crab and Sea Urchin Roe

Textures of Cauliflower, Squid Ink Cracker

Sea Scallop Ceviche Salad

Smoked Eel, Granny Smith Apple

Ravioli of Scottish Langoustine

Bottarga, Bagna Cauda, Parsley Purée

Duck Liver and Chicken Torchon

Fig Carpaccio, Espelette Chilli, Candied Hazelnuts

Frogs Legs Sucette

Crisp Shallots, Caramelised Black Garlic

Bayonne Ham

Gruyére Gourgé, Vegetable Chiffon, Olive Oil Jelly

Highland Venison Tartare

Soused Radish, Heritage Beetroot, Horseradish

Asparagus Spears

Oeuf Mollet, Pink Grapefruit, Warm Mayonnaise (v)

 Soup 

Soup of the Season

 

 Main Courses 

Wild Turbot en Papillote

Skate and Mussel Cannelloni, Chilli Crevett e,

Beurre Blanc

Slipper Lobster Tail, Octopus and Red Mullet

Fennel, Broad Beans, Bouillabaisse Fondue

Label Rouge Guinea Hen

Salt Baked Carrots, Morels, Dried Grapes

Liquorish Magret of Chalosse Duck

Nave and Orange Fondant,

Yorkshire Champagne Rhubarb

Loin of Gascon Black Pig

Ibérico Pork Presa, Boudin Noir, Apple Galette,

Pedro Ximénez Jus

Rack* and Shoulder of Dorset Lamb

Panisse Fritters, Niçoise Tapenade, Smoked Tomato Chutney

Galician Aged Beef Fillet

Escargots and Bone Marrow, Pont Neuf Potatoes,

Romesco, Marcona Almonds

Confit Byaldi

Piperade, Kaolin Pebbles, Goat Curds, Tomato Consommé (v)

 

 Desserts 

Amalfi Lemon Ile Flotante

Caramelised Sugar Crust

Poached Anjou Pear Parfait

Herb Florentine, Raspberries,

Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate Ganache and Tonka Bean Mousse

Speculaas Biscuit, Olive Oil Ice Cream

Coriander Meringue and Alphonso Mango

Pineapple Gel, Coconut Sorbet

Rum au Baba

Crème Chantilly, Demerara Rum Shot

Warm Agen Prune and Armagnac Tart

Walnut Madeleine, Clotted Cream

Hot Pistachio Soufflé

Pomegranate and Rose Scented Ice Cream

Cheese

Artisan Biscuits, Sundried Fruits

 

 

We could see nothing on it either of us would touch. Uncooked venison? It is a shame to be leaving NYC and all the lovely ethnic food choices to have this as our dining upgrade choice? The mass market lines in some cases make an effort to see what people like to eat- or even what is hip and popular.

So am I right in thinking it is not really French fine dining anymore or is the food presentation and atmosphere still quite refined? Could anymore post a photo of the menu?

Could anybody on board QM2 provide any further details on the new/ temporary menu in the Verandah on QM2. I am curious as to what the more ‘international’ menu offering looks like.

Just had a look at the sample Verandah menu for QM2 on the Cunard website. Have eaten quite a few times in the Verandah on QE and QV, and the new QM2 menu looks a little dumbed down in my opinion.

Has anyone had any experiences of the new Verandah?

What are your thoughts?

Also are the older menus still in use on QE and QV, or are they now similar to the QM2 one?

Thank you for your time.

Link to the menus: https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/life-on-board/example_menu

Boarding QE at Mayflower terminal in Southampton in a couple of months as a Platinum world club member. I've heard the procedure for priority embarkation has changed and the terminal has been refurbished.

Has anyone got any experiences to share? What has changed? Is it better or worse? How does priority embarkation work now for platinum passengers?

We were in QG on QE over Christmas. There are now three a la carte menus which rotate on a roughly 7/10 day basis. We experienced two of them. Yes they are smaller than previously, but they are also more varied and therefore more interesting - at least to me, OOAA. In addition the daily dinner menus have improved significantly with a greater number of entrees, a pre dessert and two Cunard Signature Classics every night. These include many familiar dishes from the old a la carte menu.

 

Overall, I felt the food was much improved with the quality of ingredients noticeably better and the cooking much sharper. As Stewart points out, ordering off menu is still available - albeit they do now insist on being given reasonable notice. I was told that Cunard have spent significantly on improving the Grills food - not before time in my view. My own view is that this has been money well spent and Grills dining is close to fulfilling the Cunard claim that it is "the finest at sea".

That is great to hear. I was concerned it was just more carnival penny pinching, but this is very reassuring.

Sounds like the new menus are still in force then. I believe that, although the a la carte is much smaller, it does alternate weekly. The desserts on the new menus looked better and more varied so I shall reserve judgement until I'm on QE again later this year.

Does anyone know if the new menus that were introduced in the grills on QE last year, with the much reduced a la carte, are still in use and are they still to be rolled out on the other two ships this year?

I have looked at the sample menus on the website and they look wonderful; they are the old menus with extensive a la carte, and all of the favourites such as beef wellington and baked alaska; even caviar as an appetizer. I don't recall Caviar and blinis as an appetizer when in Queens Grill a couple of years ago... Call me cynical, but it would not surprise me if the superior old menus were left as examples on the website whilst the new ones are offered on board.

If anyone has any examples of current menus, in all restaurants on all 3 ships it would be appreciated :)