ClefsDor

I didn’t realise there was such a thing as a free upgrade list. We are on a waitlist and paying the difference in cost for any category that frees up.

I know this is a question that no one will be able to answer accurately but I’m hoping others experience will allow me to set my expectations realisitcly. So, we're booked o a short 8 day cruise in November. We are waitlist for all Princess Grill categories and all bar one Queens Grill categories. My TA was told by Cunad that we are 6th on the waiting list but wouldn’t clarify for which category. Has anyone who has been on a waiting list with this sort of number of people in the queue been cleared? We’re crossing fingers and toes for a QG suite to open up but would be thrilled with PG too.

Thanks, carlmm!

Can you please let me know if late dining on the cruise you are on is fixed or open? Many thanks

On a side note, my TA asked her SS rep about the restaurant closures that were widely reported on the Muse during August/Sept (Atlantide closed for lunch and only very occasionally open for breakfast and Kaiseki closed every lunch time). SS said all restaurants would resume advertised opening hours from the restart in Singapore unless there is a large covid outbreak. I assume that there won't be one for a while as the ship should be covid free before any passengers board on Dec 2.

Yes, I know a silly thing to be thinking about at this stage but it does appear odd that according to the deck plans there are only 2 guest laundries - one on deck 10 and the other on deck 11. I'm hoping the deck plans are not accurate and that they have a guest laundry on each passenger deck. Seabourn made the mistake of only having one laundry when they launched Encore and they soon had to make modifications and increase the amount. Would save a lot of time and money to just put enough in now.

Thanks for the feedback. We will do the drinks package (I think ours is thrown in as part of the booking as we use a TA based in the States). I'm sure there may be times we buy a bottle but if we have the drinks package we will predominantly just use that and it sounds like we won't be the odd ones out if we do.

Just wondering if many people purchase drinks packages when they travel in the Grill categories or do most people purchase bottle(s) of wine with their meals? I realise wines by the glass that are included in the drinks package are somewhat limited but if one does choose to go this route in the Grill dining rooms will this be problematic for wait staff and/or seen as being a bit out of the ordinary?

This explanation makes no sense. If that is a CDC directive why isn't there a large venue shut on the other SS ships? It makes no sense to have a large venue closed due to Covid CDC guidelines at lunch but then have it open for breakfast and dinner! I believe Kaiseki has also been closed at lunch. I do wish senior crew would be more transparent about the reasons for closures such as these. I am hoping that after the dry dock in Singapore whatever staffing or covid issues are related to these closures are fixed. If they are going to have one of the main dining areas that are advertised as being available at lunch closed then they need to inform their passengers accordingly.

Thanks for the detailed and very useful review. Happy to hear especially that you were pleased with the food in the Britannia dining room. Did you do a drinks package? Also, what is the price for booking a box in the theatre and how far in advance does one need to book? Are there any other benefits when you book a box? TIA

So great to see someone posting from the QE. Looking forward to following along.

I totally agree. We are going on our first Cunard cruise on QE in early November and would love to hear from passengers who were recently onboard. I'm reading lots of posts from QV and QM2, which I am thoroughly enjoying, but would love to hear (even post cruise) if all is well and good on the good ship Queen Elizabeth

It's interesting to hear everyone's take on the Britannia dining room. I certainly agree that from the pictures and videos I have seen of the dining room it looks very elegant so I am sure the ambience will definitely be pleasing and from what others have said the food should be fine too but maybe a notch down in terms of choice compared to Britannia Club.

Thanks for the explantations. I have a feeling that the QE in November will have the traditional early and late seating times. We are waitlisted for late seating and really hoping it clears as I can not imagine eating at 6.00pm. Our sweet spot is 7.00pm or 7.30 pm so a 7.45pm sitting sounds perfect. I wonder if it's still traditional late seating if we could enter at 7.45 (if we clear the waiting list)?

Can you explain what late sitting freedom doing means? We are waitlisted for late seating on a November cruise on QE and would love it if we were able to dine flexibly but not sure if that is what you experienced in April? TIA

I was under the impression that casual nights were only on the first and last night of the cruise hence the allowance to wear jeans - first evening one might not have unpacked completely or had a chance to press any items and last night because most people will wear what they are going to wear the next day as suitcases are already packed. Makes sense on these nights for jeans to be worn.

Thanks - handy to know.

Whilst we're on the subject of menus does anyone know if kippers are available in the Britannia Restaurant at breakfast?

I don't think there is an always available menu in Britannia restaurant?

It's not a guarantee room and we didn't opt for the no upgrade option either. My TA spoke to Cunard and the cabin we originally chose was upgraded by one category (not sure why). I saw this change and was aware of it as my TA had informed me but yesterday when I looked on line we were upgraded again by one category and then today it reverted back to the cabin my TA had told me about. Just seemed strange to have the room assignments keep changing.

Has anyone else had their room assignment changed from one day to the next and then back again? We were allocated a stateroom and then I went on to My Cunard yesterday to check something and we had been allocated a new room which I was very happy with. Wish I had taken a screen shot as when I checked again today it had reverted back to the original room. Does this happen often? Is there a chance it will revert back again to the room allocation we preferred? TIA

A lot of luxury cruise lines allowed visitors with prior notice pre Covid. I know for certain Crystal did but it needed to be done 7 days in advance and lengthy forms needed to be filled in and submitted. Very thorough security checks were in place and it was a lovely perk to be able to host guests for dinner, drinks or even for the whole day.

Thanks gfs1ram for posting your comments, I did read your update the other day and it made me feel a little less apprehensive about Britannia dining along with the comments from others that we had nothing to worry about in terms of food quality or service. We're very much looking forward to our first Cunard experience.

We board in Perth in November for 8 nights but it appears that even though we are vaccinated and fully boostered that we may have to still test prior to boarding. I'm unsure what Australia's policy is at the current time in terms of cruise ships. I know that there is no testing required to board a flight to Australia.

Once again I am totally lost as to why people think I am somehow ridiculing or being insensitive to the crew? I have previously only sailed on Crystal - I am perfectly aware of how amazing the crew are and can be and I have the highest level of respect for the work they do and the effort they put into their jobs. They are on the whole truly amazing people. By asking a question about restaurant opening hours and saying I would be disappointed if a restaurants that is promoted as being open for lunch isn’t anymore - why is that a problem? If the gym was closed, some would find that problematic. If the panorama lounge wasn’t open in the evening some people would find that dsapointing. As far as I’m aware this forum is about being able to ask questions, express opinions and share experiences both good and bad. If we are at the stage of implying that someone is self absorbed and indulgent and who needs to have their every whim catered for then I guess I have misunderstood the function of Cruise Critic. I assure you most of what is discussed here are first world problems and cruising on a luxury line (or any line) is a first word privilege. I totally agree, Daveywavey that many people don’t realise there is a real person at the receiving end of their barbed comments!