Winifred 22

I really enjoyed those cruises as someone who loves sea days they ticked all the boxes for me. Did 1 Cunard and 3 P &O went up the West coast to Scotland and Isles three times. Even did one the following year on QV for 4 nights. Have booked one on QM for 2026 too.

Get the X3 from Salisbury runs every half an hour peak times. Depending where you live in Salisbury can pick on the way. Starts from Blue Boar Row then out onto Downton Road via Brown Street and Exeter Street then change at Bournemouth Hospital terminal lots of choice. Alternatively by car turn off at the main road at the Hospital Law Courts roundabout - Cooper Dean go right and it’s sign posted not far. Don’t have to touch Bournemouth centre. Parking free too

Oh I like it there. I go every week. Buy my food and clothes and pick up or return orders from M and S and and odd bits from Asda. Plus like Boots Superdrug etc..

The red stipe indicated they were first time guests. The fact they already had their cruise means they were in transit passengers and always get to go back onboard quicker than newly embarking folk.

Have you considered M and S at Castlepoint ? It’s not that much further than Southampton from Salisbury. It is a much bigger store than West Quay.(Not as big as Hedge End.)It has free parking and lots of other shops too including Asda and Sainsbury’s It’s unusual as it’s an outdoor precinct/ mall. You can get there by bus from Salisbury but you have to change at the hospital - Bournemouth but that’s very straightforward. Once I get my bus pass in November I shall always go by bus.

I bought a beautiful ballerina length cocktail dress from White Stuff in the M and S sale in store. Not a brand I associated with evening wear but for winter cruising it’s perfect. As you say ordering is so easy. With a next day annual delivery pass and now with the self service return points it could be simpler. I too do not consider my wardrobe frumpy and I dress appropriately for my age.

As long as you keep checking the website I would suggest at least twice a day you may be lucky. Please don’t rely on being contacted directly you need to keep checking for yourself on this one. Not sure how payment works for U S guests. In U K We can’t pay for a waitlisted cabin deposit or otherwise. Might be worth ringing Cunard and find out why they have been offered option to pay. Good luck and keep us posted.

You are correct everyone has to have the same package. I think similar rules apply on most cruise lines. Drinks packages are big revenue earners for all cruise lines and they are not looking for ways to minimise this revenue making opportunity. If only one person drinks alcohol most people find pay as you go more financially viable. However unfair it seems I don’t think it’s a requirement that will go away any time soon. Anecdotally I have heard of people supplying supporting medical confirmation from a doctor that one person can’t drink alcohol but that in itself would cost so probably not worth the hassle.

If I really want a booking I check the website at least once a day. I would not wait to see if I got the email. I book from UK and don’t use a travel agent. Here you just get an email no phone call. I have been lucky previously doing it myself and have had an email once offering me a cabin but I had already booked a different Cunard cruise so someone else would have been lucky.

Thank you does look a good cabin and balcony.

Thank you I will enquire onboard. I would rather have a card whatever the disadvantages may be. I am unlikely to sail Princess again as they do not offer reductions for solos. The cruise I am taking is a one off.

Does that still apply I am on a Princess Cruise next year but am disappointed I won’t have a cruise card for my collection. Do you enquire onboard. I would definitely prefer a card

I like this layout a lot. I have made a note of the number and the other similar ones. See how I get on with the larger balcony on same deck. Where are the wardrobes ? I bet these may be popular. Thanks for posting.

Me too nothing wrong with M and S

I am I correct in thinking that on P & O only suite guests can take their breakfast in the Epicurean Restaurant ? Apparently on some ships non suites guests depending in availability can do so for a daily charge. Too me that is no difference to Cunard with their different restaurants. On P &O, If I am not in a suite or don’t want to pay the up charge then that is part of the ship not open to me. Similarly The Retreat on P &O is an area of the ship not available to all unless they pay daily or weekly extra charges. The areas non Grills or Club guests can use is minimal. A restaurant and a lounge , concierge room and deck area fo Grills and just a restaurant for Club. As a regular Cunarder I never feel inferior. I have only sailed in Grills once and that was a cruise gifted to me by a family member. I love the Cunard experience and as a female solo feel it ticks all the boxes. I certainly do not feel inferior around the ship as a non Grills guest and certainly not feel deprived of any facilities. Out and about nobody knows your cabin grade. Your cruise cards don’t indicate it.

There is a small corridor off to the left it’s the shower room on one side and the wardrobes on the other. The TV was on the wall opposite the bed. Photo was taken from the doorway. If I was having an inside would definitely go for one. Sorry didn’t have one of the wardrobes. Hopefully Craig will have better ones

I always ask for butter with my scones instead of jam and cream. I have no style.

Thank you they are spacious. It’s good because there is a covered and open part.

Yes I did wonder at the time I booked it. Strange because it was cheaper than the non school holiday for the same itinerary. I have one of the larger deck 4 balconies so may retreat there. On her HAL sister ships those balconies come with a sun-bed. Will sound it out 😂

I am on the next cruise to the Med. I wonder if that will mix it up. Some folk are getting off or joining in Rome so that may make a difference. Hopefully will not have a problem getting a sun bed. Shallow, I know.

Cruise Lines are at liberty to offer what they like for sale at any given time. Last May I tried to book a QM2 trip by the time by my call was answered everything was sold out with previously a choice of inside or balcony . By next morning there was availability. Very bizarre but I got my cabin so was pleased.

As a Britannia restaurant guest and regular deck walker I have no interest whatsoever in looking in either of the grills restaurants at either the guests or their food or the general set up. I am perfectly happy with what I am served and have no desire to see if the grass is greener. I would never be so rude as to stare in to see what others are doing in either the grills or the buffet.

Cunard do not offer high tea. They offer afternoon tea.

To be honest I have not the slightest interest in what Oceania offer for afternoon tea especially on a Cunard board. I have never found the scones all uniformly shaped particularly in the buffet there are often some very lopsided ones but that doesn’t detract from their taste. This suggests to me hey are made onboard.

Yes that’s a good way of looking at it.