WantedOnVoyage

But that is not reflected in QUEEN ANNE's deployment now is it??? She is being placed on the traditional ex Southampton run, not on Fly Cruises, and with all those days at sea "to and from" especially the Med itineraries. And she's doing world cruises, too. You can squint until you are blue in the face, but her density of passengers vs. space clearly puts her at a disadvantage with QE and QV when you have all those people sharing that space on all those days at sea. By every accepted measurement of space per passenger, she is more crowded than her fleetmates. She was designed to maximise profits. You be the judge if that suits you. I am unhappy that those of us who don't buy into this, are forced on her as she is the only ex-Southampton ship. We have decided to stay loyal to "our" QV even if it means flying one-way.

We have changed tables a few times from what was allotted with no issues, certainly never have seen a "queue" in QG or PG for any reason or any time and trust Grill passengers not to be "irate" over anything. I would be not pleased, however, standing behind a "Do you know who I am?!" sort and making quite sure we were not seated within 50 yards of him or her wherever they wind up. A really good seating plan always has a "sent to Coventry" location for these sorts anyway.... More than even the food or table service, I value the Grill experience for its quality of ease, grace and professionalism. Qualities which ensure that something as simple as securing a conviable or convenient table is easily arranged. But no... you're not going to prebook a "four" with the expectation you are going to be seated there as a couple.

Good point.... and why I would love to see people try to actually experience a real Edwardian ocean liner. Which included... in British liners of the era... NO dancing indoors. Only on deck. No ball rooms, no dance floors. No ladies in the smoking room, either. No dinner dress on Sundays, etc. It's all nonsense, of course, but it would be fun to see contemporary cruise passengers experiencing a true Edwardian liner (even in First Class) which this fantasy is surely not going to be in any event.

I like all weather.... we had a proper Mistral in the Western Med on QE so it was still sunny but really blowy and throwing spray. Positively delightful. And why I insist on that proper promenade deck to savour it. I was delighted I was not alone, either. Fortunately we did not have a nervous nanny Captain to restrict access to the decks, either. Like most Mistrals it only occupied an afternoon but it remains a highight to be remembered. I insist on a ship that has that immediate access to the real sea, spray and salt that makes an ocean holiday unique. QE and QV are better in this regard than QM2 as their promenade deck is quite low. QA.... no way.

Nope. You won't. If the sports jacket is dark and the trousers, too, with a dress shirt and tie... no one is going to object or should, especially if you in Britannia Restaurant. In the Grills, it's more formal by habit than code.

One is intrigued by the name "Blue Star Line" which unless some money has changed hands, is still vaguely owned by the successors of a once proud and important British Line that one would hope is not associated with this tedious and tiresome endeavour.

To be followed by the RMS PIFFLE and the RMS TWADDLE no doubt.

Is there really such a thing as "too many sea days"??? I cannot even fathom the idea... Ports are just ports, days at sea are magic.

Thanks.... whenever I hear "for the environment" the gag reflex kicks in. My opinion of Oceania just dropped a couple of notches.

Sorry.... can you clarify what you mean by this??

You are indeed, kind sir. Although I like mine wet with an olive. But at tea??? The sun isn't over my yardarm at that hour. "where's the sun?" "well over the yard arm sir" "well pour the gin" The Battle of the River Plate (1956).

Fair point. However.... we always sailed Oceania in a Concierge grade balcony cabin. And yes... I still remember just checking a Cunard cruise as an alternative and was struck how competitive Princess Grill was with what Oceania were charging then. To use that awful term, it was a "no brainer" in terms of value for money. We returned to Cunard and haven't gone back to Oceania in... why it's been eight years now. I am not sure what the per diems work out to now. Cunard have raised their prices substanially in the Grills so I suspect the difference is much greater now. But yes... some aspects of Oceania remain sigh inducing, at least "back then" like the beautiful deck areas, comfy deck chairs etc and superb deck service... frankly better than even the Grills offer lately. We did one cruise in QE in Britannia Restaurant... I thought the food and service were exemplary for the price but the deck areas were atrocious... no service and a complete mess. We actually had to complain. Two good products overall.. for us, the special diet remains the non negotiable. Cunard manages that, in Grill or Britannia brilliantly.

I love those coffee making (or not) things in Grills cabins. And encouaged by the appearance of them being used just once and never again by some poor, expectant soul and getting the same result that makes most of us ignore them henceforth. Last year, they put instructions with it, too, and it was like the assembly diagram of flat pack furniture. I understand the appeal of "all inclusive" but appreciate that some may live to drink or live to "be connected" at sea, but other who don't, rather pay for that we want or need instead. Although Cunard does seem to make the nature of the "packages" as complicated as the Illy coffee machines and, in the case of the Grills drinks package, as useless. Oceania did have great coffee and as I recall, some charming Italian ladies as baristas with whom I could practice my college Italian on... according to my wife, at every given opportunity, too.

We loved the "old" Oceania... indeed, we did a cruise in Renaissance Cruises' R7 when she was brand new. And I think, gosh, six in REGATTA, one in MARINA and and a few in RIVIERA. Back in the days when they had an all European crew, too.... it was pretty special. They remembered you and we remembered them. We gave up on them when my wife developed Coeliac disease and had to have a gluten-free diet. Oceania, frankly, to our surprise, was just hopeless in catering to this. We also got tired of their famous "Country Club Casual" dress code decline to YMCA standards and yes, 4-5 "gentlemen" at dinner on average wearing... baseball caps. A sea of chinos and polo shirts made more dismal amidst the impressive interiors. Like a lawn boys convention at The Ritz. The far better itineraries of Oceania appeal but we find Cunard in the Grills superior on every level and they are simply outstanding with my wife's special diet. And my wife wants her bathtub too... Oceania actually ripped out their splendid marble bathrooms on RIVIERA and MARINA... who would do such a thing?

I think this is more impressive.... HMT QUEEN MARY and HMT QUEEN ELIZABETH in Bass Strait, 9 April 1941

Actually the most daunting and depressing aspect of these "well in advance" bookings is seeing on the confirmation the ages we'll both be when we finally sail.... yikes! Who are these old geezers?

I booked QUEEN VICTORIA for 2026 this first thing this morning... January from Southampton to the West Indies r/t and it was a 21-min hold on the 'phone which is pretty good going I guess. And got our regular cabin, too. But they sure aren't being generous with the on board credit: $400 pp for 35 days in PG!! And took my huge deposit with fervour... Carnival is rummaging in the sofa cushions for change nowadays. BTW, the agent said they were getting lots of grumbling re. the largely useless Grill drinks "package" which, if unchanged, by the time this cruise occurs, it will be a Grills coffee and soft drinks package..... A shout out to "Bluemarble" for alerting us to this itinerary... which we love... and no, we still haven't gotten a thing from Cunard about it!!

Well not a properly maintained ship.... I never saw paint just slopped over existing paint on QV. The surface is properly chipped, primed and repainted. They used to do that in CANBERRA alas... her railings etc. looked like some ancient grotto in the end, encrusted with layers of paint underwhich I am not sure what steel was left.

Sounds like it would be less puzzling had they stuck to the original name of the company: The British & North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd. Even colonials (like Cunard himself) could pronounce that "properly."

We were on QUEEN VICTORIA in October and I thought she was kept in exemplary condition. I mentioned it specifically to Capt. Hoyt and the quartermasters, too. They acted surprised anyone would notice let alone compliment. They should not be. If you have served in a ship or have any extensive experience even in sailing in them as a passenger, I cannot imagine anyone finding fault with the exterior maintenance of QUEEN VICTORIA and indeed most of her interior, too, seemed in fine shape. I might add she looks a lot better than other Cunarders I have sailed in over the past 47 years, too. The Captain makes a big difference I find and Capt. Hoyt likes it "Shipshape and Bristol Fashion" even if he's American!

BTW, Cunard offers a transfer from the ship to FCO for... $45 pp. I just booked it last week with Cunard (US) for our May QV cruise. We have a 1:00 pm flight to London and no issue. And we booked our air so it is available for anyone. We prefer this as the disembarkation will be timed for this rather than figuring out meeting times for a taxi etc.

QE2 had those small inside First Class single cabins right off the bigger staterooms and clearly designed for children or servants. I occupied one in 1977. Most of the liners had them. Although in Edwardian times, private servants often travelled Second Class and there was a separate dining room for them. They were also listed in the Passenger List but only after their master or mistresses' names and as "and man servant" or "and ladies maid" or "governess" never by their surnames. It's worth noting that today's QM2 crosses the Atlantic at about the same speed as the ETRURIA and UMBRIA at the turn of the century.... I'll take MAURETANIA's five-day crossing over "modern conveniences" anyday!

The only way you can get that on the other side of the pond is to get one aboard.... I always bring one home. Some of the differences between the UK and US marketing is just plain petty and... stupid. I have no idea who is making these determinations. And for what reasons. We get a folded over piece of cardboard stuck together with 10 cruises... none of which are vaguely appealing to us.... at best twice a season. Regent and Oceania send us huge 200-page brochures twice a year and yes, they are tempting in all the right ways.

Wow... that is an impressive 'any time' menu I must say. For us, the turn off with Regent is that the set cruises are all those dreadful 10-12 day wonders, at least in the Med. I suppose you can hook them together but annoying they don't list them with that facility. I still like my sea days, too. But yes, at Grill level, Cunard has lots of potent competition. Some of their nickel and diming re. what is included at Grill prices is counterproductive at best and at worst, vaguely insulting... "free $12 drinks but we'll raise the prices to $12.30 and thanks very much.." Not smart or wise. And Regent sends us those wonderful big brochures too... we haven't gotten anything over six pages from Cunard in five years...

Well not to be pedantic, the Germans introduced the extra cost "restaurant" on ocean liners, way before White Star Line. This was on AMERIKA of 1905, built by Harland & Wolff, and operated as a concession by Ritz. She was also the first liner with a passenger lift.