ClefsDor

An interesting way that Crystal sometimes did their showtimes and which I really enjoyed was to do one show at 7.00pm and the other show at 9.00pm. So people eating late would see the 7.00pm show and the people eating early would see the 9.00pm show.

I couldn't agree more. We too like to dine between 7.00 and 7.30 and even after a leisurely meal it's still a while to wait until 10.00pm. Looks like we might have to have a few later nights than what we're used to - I know, I'm on holiday and it shouldn't matter but old habits die hard.

I know on Crystal we were always refunded port fees for missed ports. It was never a huge amount of money maybe $30 or so pp but on a. cruise with a few missed ports it did add up and we were always refunded. Excursions were not included in the fare and only charged once the excursion had taken place so not an issue.

Good to know - we'll get our order in by day 2.

I just read on the Cunard boards that from 20 October crew are no longer required to wear masks. I for one think this is a good move. I feel terrible for the crew having to wear masks for such long hours, especially those crew who work outside. Just wondering if anyone on board any SS ships have heard anything similar. It seems that when one cruise line makes a Covid related policy change it has a domino effect and others soon follow suit.

Thanks for the suggestion of the pop ups. Once again we will probably try that on a longer cruise. Just wondering in regard to the pop ups such as Bamboo, Coriander etc that take place in the Lido - is the area spruced up in any way to make it feel different in the evenings? Tablecloths, mood lighting on tables etc? I will now also have to add duck pancakes on my list of special orders to consider 🙂

I'm so happy to hear the crew no longer need to wear masks. I assume as this is happening on both QM2 and QV that the same applies for QE - we board in about 2 weeks and it will be wonderful to see the crew mask free.

Thanks for all your responses. I think we'll give it a miss this time round, especially as was pointed out we can order anything from the Verandah menu to be prepared for us - the seafood platter would be something I would enjoy! Perhaps if we are ever on a longer cruise I might reconsider.

We have included as part of our package a dinner at Verandah and just wondering if on an 8 night cruise we should give up a night in the QG?

I'm partial to a good tuna melt!! I imagine this wouldn't be pushing their culinary prowess too hard!

That's great - plenty of time for us to have a look and let them know that evening or at breakfast the next day.

Those are wonderful choices and just the sort of suggestions I had in mind! Thanks Victoria2!

It's interesting that when people talk of the older SS ships and the newer ones and go on to say that they will only cruise on the newer ships Dawn and Moon that Muse is not listed as one they would choose. Any reason for this? Obviously Muse is slightly older than Moon and Dawn but not by much and they are the same class of ship.

As a rule when we cruise we eat fairly lightly for breakfast and lunch and go all out at dinner. Looking at some recent lunch time menus in QG there are quite a lot of richer and heavier dishes that sound amazing but I don't think I could indulge to that extent for both lunch and dinner so I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for some lunchtime requests that are lighter but still delicious i.e. I don't want to just eat a salad :). Thinking of something like tuna poke bowl, sushi and sashimi, mixed seafood platter? Would these items be doable, any other suggestions that people like to order at lunch? Also wondering if it's possible to see the next days menu the night before? TIA

Anyone have any idea who the speakers might be for the Queen Elizabeth sailing from Perth to Sydney on 7 Nov?

Shame pressing isn't included. The prices for pressing are quite reasonable but the 2 day turn around for normal service will see us ironing our outfits for the first couple of days and the rest we'll send off as soon as we've unpacked. Ironing is not my strong suit 😃

Thanks HH!

We were on a waitlist for a Queens Grill stateroom for an 8 day cruise in November and we got the good news that we cleared the waitlist and we are now confirmed and booked in a Q4 penthouse. We're very excited. We've previously only sailed on Crystal so it's going to be a new experience for us and one I'm certain we will thoroughly enjoy. I do have a couple of questions. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the opening times for the Queens Grill restaurant and also if pressing is included as a perk for the QG staterooms? If it's not included does anyone have a price list for pressing? TIA

Yes, room service breakfast is an option - I'm just not someone who's a fan of eating in the room but if the QG is open for breakfast until 9.30am then we should be able to make it in time without having to be up too early. If it's only open until 9.00am then room service breakfast it will be.

What time is breakfast served in Queens Grill on QE? We like to go to the gym before breakfast but I don't want to wake up super early on vacation. TIA

What's to stop someone using an old negative RAT test and displaying it in a photo with a clock and ID? Seems rather silly - either request a supervised RAT test or have no test required for vaccinated and boostered passengers.

Thanks, sfred. "24 hour self administered RAT test" - doesn't sound like it needs to be a supervised one but then how will they know when it was taken? We board on a Monday and only arrive in Perth on Sunday, so if a supervised test is required we better start looking for a pharmacy in Perth we can go to on Monday morning!

This does seem very harsh and it will only lead to people not coming forward to test when on board and feeling unwell. Does anyone know if a supervised RAT test to board in Australia is 48 hours or 72 hours prior to sailing?

I agree. It's hard to understand the logic behind this decision. However if it means the Muse will be fully staffed, Covid free and spick and span for it's first cruise on December 2, which we will be on then I'm all for it 😃

Thanks for the heads up. Just went online and changed our preference to open dining. We're one of the minority on this board who find early too early and late too late. When I chose open dining however it said that tis would not be confirmed until we board., not sure why?