tacticalbanjo

Judging by the number of crew and contractors traipsing past my stateroom stinking of smoke, that outdoor area is accessible by deck 4. They weren’t always great at shutting the door behind them and consequently the corridor often smelt strongly of smoke. Even woke up to it in our stateroom last night at about 4am. Yes, I did complain. 

41 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

So how does it work? Do they frisk everyone at the end of the airbridge or rifle through people’s cabins or what?

They manage on other lines, presumably via security screening, which is why rum runners are a thing. Some other lines won’t even let you bring soft drinks on board. It’s all about the bottom line. 

Both of those threads quote the UK FAQs which up until now have explicitly allowed beers, wines and spirits, no unofficial policy needed. I’m aware that the US policy (and maybe in other countries) was always one bottle of wine. The current FAQs have been changed to match the new P&O policy which affects voyages from May 7th onwards.  

Cunard’s bring on board alcohol policy has always been generous and for a long time the FAQs in the UK explicitly said that you could bring on beer, wines and spirits to celebrate special occasions with no mention of any limit. 
 

However, following P&Os recent change in policy to restrict to one bottle of wine or champagne with a max size of 750ml, Cunard’s UK FAQs now read:

You may bring one bottle per person of wine or champagne on board (subject to the age limit law of the port of departure) to celebrate special occasions (no larger than 750ml). However, if you wish to consume it in any of the dining rooms, alternative restaurants or bars then each bottle will be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00 (fee subject to change). There is no corkage fee if it is consumed in your suite or stateroom. Wine and champagne gifts purchased via the Cunard Gift Collection are exempt from the corkage fee - please show your gift card to your waiter.

Do we think that the policy on the ground will shift in line with the new FAQ? Or will things carry on as merrily as before with clanking luggage all round?

Today’s Golden Lion specials. I’m happier about the lack of curry now that I know there are two mains and a dessert on the specials board every day. Curry appeared one day so it’s not gone completely and we have an expanded menu all in all. 

That covered area is right next to designated smoking area so is not as attractive as it looks. When I walked round it yesterday I found that there was an immediate smell of smoke wafting over. 

It’s a beautiful day here, the Pavilion Pool

is packed. So of course they’ve decided to shut the bar at 3.30pm. No one seems to be taking much notice of the little signs saying the bar is shut because it’s so nonsensical. Edit: Now quite shut at 3.55pm despite plenty of people round the pool. Bizarre scheduling. 
 

The pool here is bizarrely shallow. They can’t have filled it because my 5’4” self can comfortably stand in the deep end which advertises itself as having a depth of 5’11”! Hopefully they will fill it all the way soon as trying to swim results in grounding yourself about halfway along. It was nice and warm today and I’ve enjoyed a lovely swim and a soak in the whirlpool while kiddo is looked after 3 decks up in the Play Zone. 
 

The gelataria is a nice touch. The rum and raisin was delicious. And if you prefer a Mr Whippy they’ve got the temperamental machines inside so you can enjoy a free ice cream. I’m glad they didn’t take the free stuff away when they added the paid for stuff. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a good old Mr Whippy. 

1 hour ago, Colin_Cameron said:

@tacticalbanjo I thought you would be easy to find but there seem to be quite a number of babies, infants and children on board.

I’m really surprised how many children there are considering how much it cost to come on the maiden. They all seem to be having a good time though which is great for Cunard’s future.

5 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Despite everything, I am still looking forward to embarking on Friday…I think.

You will have a great time. The ship is lovely with beautiful big windows to flood the interior with light. We’ve enjoyed the entertainment in the evening. The fish and chips has not been meddled with. 
 

I’m still not super impressed at being sat at a table for two with three diners albeit one being pint sized and the waits for service can be rather long. It’s almost as if Cunard have never managed a large scale catering operation before! But the food is excellent when we get it and I’m sure the teething issues will be resolved soon. 
 

All in all I’m excited to come back next November. 

I watched Georgina Jackson in the Queens Room last night and quite enjoyed myself. A big downside is that there are pillars everywhere which block the view. The room has a retro vibe that wouldn’t miss a bit of Perspex!
 

I can see myself using the room a lot more than I even did before. I know that the changes will upset the dancers but probably not the beancounters because there were plenty of people buying drinks. 

5 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Yes, I had assumed the same, but pointing to the lift is not unhelpful. Has the ship felt steady so far?

The carpets/lift areas are also colour coded. Forward stairwell is blue, mid is yellow, aft is red. So you know where in the ship you are headed towards/away from by the colour of the carpet. It sounds a bit complicated but it’s actually quite helpful. 

The fireworks were marvellous. Little one was fast asleep before they finally went off which was a shame but she is only 2 and she’d been up since 6.30am. 

Service was slow as molasses at my table too. Plus the sommelier took my husband’s drink order, took the card away then returned with it all without actually ordering his drink. So 45 mins later he was without his wine.
 

Also unimpressed to be sat in a dark corner with no sight of any windows at a table for two even though we’re two adults and a child. No place laid for kiddo and we’re all a bit squashed. No sign of the maitre’d to complain but given we were leaving without dessert at 8pm and second sitting had yet to be allowed in, perhaps he was hiding. I enjoyed the food when it arrived but the menu is the same tired one we’ve seen so many times in the last few years. 
 

I like my cabin and there seems to be plenty of storage for all the toddler crap that takes up an entire large suitcase with mummy and daddy using a medium

each. Bathroom storage is a bit lacking but the shower cubicle more than makes up for it. 

Well it’s 20 mins until dinner and no sign of my cases. The steward says none of the cases in my area have come up yet. So the question is do I just front my day clothes out in Britannia or slum it in the buffet even though I’d never normally eat there in the evening. 
 

Also stepped on a small shard of metal which was embedded in the carpet so not off to a great start!

No curry! I’ll be giving Michel Roux a piece of my mind when I go to Le Gavroche at Sea next month. 
 

Also not impressed with the supplements in a previously free venue. 

Just now, NE John said:

Pays to be a YouTube influencer…

The Club Balcony looks quite livable. Bathroom is a major step up. 

It's nearly enough to make me want to ruin my trip by recording every moment and having to spend half the day editing hours of footage.

I'm impressed by the bedside charging options. USB A, USB C and a US socket. One side has a UK socket too. Might be able to travel without my multiway! Plus plentiful storage.

I wonder if most if not all the press guests are in club balconies. Cruise Monkeys are also in a club balcony per their TikTok.

2 hours ago, Solent Richard said:

No need to worry @karen of PA

 

I don't recall seeing any notice or signage discouraging the filling of small water bottles particularly even when travelling outside of the Grills environment.

 

But as others have said, there are ample places around the ship

I've definitely seen little signs on the water and juice dispensers in the Lido/Kings Court instructing you not to refill water bottles from them. It's ok to dispense water into a glass then into your bottle. The concern is contamination of the spout from the reusable bottle which may or may not have been sanitised since the last time the user put their bacteria filled mouth to it.

My first time on QM2 the case with my husband's formal wear went missing because the tag came off. We had a few tense hours worried about not being able to go to dinner for a week before our steward told us to look in the lobby. Ours was not the only bag there with no tags. Since then we've tried a few things like laminating the tags and using either sellotape or cable ties to attach them but the plastic luggage tag holders work the best.

I can't be specific about the ports you're talking about because I haven't been through them with my 2 year old but I have cruised with her 5 times, 3 on Cunard.

The kids club is great and the staff are qualified and vetted to UK standards. Sign up before you go and do make use of it - it's relaxing to be able to let kiddo let off some steam in a dedicated space for children. How old is your toddler? Under 2s it's stay and play where over 2s can be left and there will be a programme with activities and crafts. Under 2s do get access to a night nursery where you can exchange your sleeping child for a pager and enjoy a few child free hours while they sleep in a travel cot in the baby room. We've made good use of it in the past and it's one of the things I'll miss now that kiddo is over 2.

I try to keep on top of my daughters salt intake but a little word to the waiter on the first night and that will be taken care of. You can preorder the next nights dinner and have it made to be low or no salt. There is absolutely no problem with ordering food from the main menu so don't feel like you need to stick to the children's menu if you see something on the main menu that you think they'd like. We've always found the staff to be really accommodating - my toddler probably gets more personalised service than I do!

If you take a look at some of my threads you'll see some reviews and a trip report.

I've booked for 2025 knowing that fares will probably drop next year. I think there is so much supply on the Alaska route that prices are being driven down. Having said that, I'm happy with what I've paid and I wanted two balconies next to each other, one a three berth so I knew that I needed to get in early to secure my requirements. If I end up paying more to do that, so be it. Flexibility is often rewarded!

This post seemed to suggest that the shipyard workers party took place on Sunday. He confirms that it's 100% done and should leave the shipyard on the 19th forever.

It seems that someone at Cunard HQ changed their minds. An August 2023 press release announcing the Michel Roux partnership says :

Three of these original venues aboard the luxury cruise line’s newest ship will be alternative evening dining options, available as a supplement, complementing the inclusive fare options offered for lunch or dinner in Tramonto and the Golden Lion pub.

I was also under the impression that Tramonto would be included in the fare but I’m not sure of the source of the information in this thread from last year. 
 

31 minutes ago, carlmm said:

What for?

If one desire one or some or all of the addtional items, one can buy them.

To have "Cunard plus" guests vs lowely normal guests might be quite a bit against the overall brand image.

Some people like to prepay so they know how much their bill is going to be at the end of the cruise even if it means paying more.

I had Princess Plus last year and it was nice knowing that I'd be leaving the ship with absolutely nothing extra to pay because my drinks and gratuities has already been paid for. Having had a drinks package a few years ago on Cunard I enjoyed not having the inner tightwad whisper that I could make a cuppa for free in the buffet instead of paying to have one in a nicer location.