Mareblu

I think the real reason is the stringent bio-foul inspection requirements for iconic spots in NZ waters. Cunard apparently attends to QE's hull cleaning after the Aust/NZ season, so wouldn't want to attend to it before as well.

Grilled octopus, when marinated and cooked to "al dente" tenderness, is exquisite. No different to calamari. My father was a keen fisherman, and when first spotting calamari (octopus, after all) on a menu, he declared that it should only be used for bait. After he tried some of my dish, he never looked back, and ordered it whenever he could. Old perceptions and biases die hard.

Queen Victoria, being identical to Elizabeth, would be wonderful. It's a great sadness that Cunard will no longer be doing an Australian/New Zealand season, although I suppose there is not the variety of itineraries that the northern hemisphere offers, so Cunard would be aware there would be fewer return guests.

We are in a PH1 for a 20-day Vista voyage this year, and have made our 8 permitted specialty dining reservations (2 in each restaurant). Our friends are in a Concierge A1 for the same voyage. When they are able to complete their online booking, does anyone have an idea of the number of reservations they will be able to make?

Love watching both, but also tennis at the elite level, especially when following a particular player. Hoping young Jannik Sinner prevails tonight.

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.

Good try, Mic, but that would be Kristelle and Jean 😂 And thanks for the Steve Miller adaptation earworm. Been singing it all day😬 Very clever.

Very impressive, both of you.

I meant to add that not once did we hear even a peep from the stateroom next door.

Good luck, and lots of patience, Lynn. You'll need both😆

We were in a Deck 7 Vista Suite on Sirena just over a year ago. Same ship as Regatta. It was perfect, even though the movement in a huge North Sea swell one night was more than considerable. That didn’t concern us; and I actually quite enjoy the movement of the seas. The only drawback was the strong blast of air as we opened the door to venture on the forward-facing large deck while at sea. It was a magnificent vantage point gliding into and out of ports. A very comfortable and spacious suite.

So somewhere in Brisbane?

Hope the fam left with him. Delightful parents.

What a tennis match! Congratulations, Jannik, and ciao, Novak. That’s the second time in recent years he’s left the Australian Open early😁

Or “so high, we’ll all go under it”😂

Obviously building a bridge? No idea where though.

And you remember being there. Must have been a pure drop😂

The Falkirk Wheel is incredible. We were so lucky. We stopped by on our way to Fort William, too early for its opening time. The Operator, Stuart (of course), was also early, and recognised our accents. He said he’d spent several happy years in Oz. He switched on the entire operation and gave us a private demonstration. We felt so lucky and grateful. Amazing engineering ahead of its time.

Single malt?

Yes, close.

It’s in the canal, but it is specifically Neptune’s Staircase.

Absolutely correct. Your turn.

Right words. Can you say where?

That was a big oops. He wasn’t meant to be in the one I posted. Too late😂