Oh Julie, thank you! I'm having a nostalgia attack. We were on QE exactly a year ago, for her 3-weeks voyage from Sydney to NZ return, then Sydney to Hobart return. We were very fortunate to be in a Queens Grills penthouse, courtesy of the cruise credits granted when we were denied boarding QE in Barcelona in October 22 for her repositioning voyage to Sydney.
We loved every minute of this Cunard experience, and for a gift that just keeps on giving, we were again granted substantial cruise credits for this voyage, because QE was denied entry to sensitive NZ areas (fjiords, Bay of Islands, Dunedin, etc.) because her hull didn't pass muster. We loved our first Cunard experience so much that we've used the credits for Cunard's new Queen Anne in May this year (2 weeks around the British Isles). We'll be in Queens Grills again, because the credits granted amounted to half the cost of the Aus/NZ cruise, and we only have a small amount to pay on top.
The service, attention to detail, lectures and entertainment were marvellous, and the cuisine in QG was sublime. Two dinner menus are presented each evening, mostly traditional and classic. Nothing was too much trouble, and special dinner treats could be ordered at breakfast or lunch for that evening: caviar, lobster, duck a l'orange, chateaubriand, beef wellington and many other exotic dishes were offered as special orders, many cooked and presented tableside. It was like stepping into a golden age for our time aboard.
Our QA voyage in May will be only her 3rd sailing, so we're fervently hoping her delivery and official launch in Southampton is not delayed.