[Spirits and mixers on drinks package]

I wonder if anyone has experience of ordering a spirit and a mixer such as gin and tonic on the drinks package. The drinks menus for the gin and fizz bar don’t have a single price for a simple gin and tonic and the perfect serves all exceed the maximum price for the drinks package. I understand that it is possible to order the gin and the tonic separately as two drinks. However, terms and conditions state you have to wait 10 minutes between drinks. In practice is this overlooked meaning there is a way round this problem or would I need to order the gin and then wait patiently to order the tonic? 
 

Thanks in advance. 

[Proof of yellow fever vaccine to enter Aruba after Panama Canal sail through]

Hi,

 

We will be going to Aruba after sailing through the Panama Canal (without stopping). I understand we will not need a n embarkation/ disembarkation card but will we need proof of yellow fever vaccine?

 

Thanks very much in advance 

[Shore Excursions]

After you book you can see the excursions Cunard offer for each location along with a description and grading about the activity level. If you call Cunard and explain the situation they may be able to tell you about the more accessible tours offered at each port before you book. 

[Thermal spa access times.]

For an upcoming sailing on QE My Cunard is showing options to purchase 2 hour slots. Is it likely that there will be an option to purchase a multi-day pass once onboard? 
Thanks

[Pre departure hotel upgrade]

Hello,

We are flying into San Francisco from the UK and have an overnight hotel before embarking the following day. This is not a pre departure tour but a necessary stop due to the flight times. The hotel seems to be near the airport, perhaps 45 minutes drive from the terminal. Has anyone been able to upgrade their hotel in such a scenario to be more central? This is booked directly with Cunard. Thanks in advance. 

[Queen Mary 2 - Which Deck / Cabin for First Time Transatlantic Cruiser]

We sailed transatlantic on a very rough sailing out of New York in January. For context, it was so rough the departure from New York was delayed until the next morning and for much of the voyage the outside decks were closed. We had a deck 5 sheltered balcony and it was excellent and better than many other places on the ship. 

[Exercise classes]

On previous cruises pre-pandemic I went to some of the exercise classes to try to offset some of the excesses of the rest of the cruise. I seem to recall reading about new classes and a wellness pass being introduced after the restart and wondered if anyone who has been on board recently has any intelligence they could share. Thanks in advance 

[QM2 Thermal Spa - now open again]

Thank you so much for this update. Good news indeed. Do you happen to know if the exercise classes (yoga, spin etc) are back as well? Thanks 

[Current Britannia late sitting experience]

In case anyone is interested, I was enquiring about one of the new 2023 cruises and was told the plan is to return to the traditional two sittings but the sale assistant did not know when exactly it would happen. 

[Anyone booking for 2023?]

Does anyone have a sense as to whether Cunard is booking to full capacity for 2023? 

[Charter flights from LHR to San Francisco]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the UK and planning to book a cruise that departs from San Francisco. The flight options are Heathrow or Manchester and both are possible for us. When we sailed with Cunard departing from Venice the flight we took from London was a charter flight. Should we expect the flight to San Francisco also to be a charter flight if we book direct with Cunard? Would it be usual for us to be able to upgrade to premium economy or business class even if it is a charter? We will be travelling Britannia class. 

Thanks for your help. 

[Odd question - gym space to practice dancing on QE?]

In the gym on the QV there is a quite a large space next to the bikes, treadmills etc. where you can put down a mat for stretching/yoga/weights etc. It was, as I recall, sometimes used for spa talks but generally was free to use for exercise. It's not a private space.  I think the QE gym had a similar layout and space but my memory is less clear than of the QV. The QM has, I think, a totally different layout where the treadmills aren't arranged all along the front of the ship and, in that case, the spare space was much more limited. 

 

[Spa meals - main dining room??]

I agree with Lanky Lad. The canyon ranch options are really good. I was often amazed at what they achieved while keeping it healthy

 

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[2020]

Thank you so much for sharing this

 

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[Please think of your table mates]

I don't see the attraction of anytime dining on Cunard. The whole experience of everyone assembling in the bars at around the same time prior to the two seatings and then going into the dining room at the same time in their formal wear seems to me part of the elegance Of the Cunard experience. I also wonder if anytime dining means food sits around in the kitchen for longer. I agree though that it is important to be considerate to your table mates when there are fixed arrangements.

 

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[Only guarantee fare available]

Just looking into booking a cruise from Vancouver to LA on QE next July 2019 and it seems that for a lot of cabin grades it is only possible to book a guarantee fare. I don't mind this per se. I was just wondering why this might be? Is it because the ship is particularly booked up already?

Thanks in advance.

 

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[Keeping fit onboard QV]

I'm hoping to off set some of my planned indulgences by exercising on my QV cruise this summer. Has anyone any experience of the yoga or spin classes? How were they? Any other top tips to keep in shape on board?

Thanks

 

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[And another wine package question]

Thanks for the replies and Bell Boy I will certainly keep your advice in mind and not create unnecessary to-ing and fro-ing. Cheers!

[And another wine package question]

Hi everyone,

Just preparing for our first ever cruise on the QV in July. Have gathered lots of wonderful tips including about the advantages of pre buying a wine package. What I want to know is would the wine we bought only be available in the dining room? Would it be possible to open a bottle in a bar before dinner and have it moved to finish it with the meal?

Thanks

[Renewing our annual travel insurance....]

My nan was able to keep travelling well into her 80s thanks to Age UK (formerly age concern) insurance.

 

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[Queen Elizabeth Transiting Panama Canal Today]

Thanks for posting. I

What an amazing experience

 

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[What to do?]

Might it be worth asking another travel agent to put together the same package and beat the price? Just because they don't advertise doesn't mean they can't do it!

 

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[Where to stay in New York before Transatlantic Crossing to Southampton]

Thanks for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

[QM2 Review: Eastbound crossing in January!]

Thanks for the wonderful report - it is well written and much appreciated.

 

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[Where to stay in New York before Transatlantic Crossing to Southampton]

I'm planning a transatlantic voyage next winter going from NYC to Southampton but want to spend a few nights in or near the New York before crossing. I know many of you will have done this so I was wondering if anyone might have any recommendations for hotels - ideally of the sort that won't be the same as the price of the cruise itself!

 

Thanks in advance.