maggielou362

As it should be, Smokeyham.

Yes, that's right, exlondoner.

But I DO really need to sail on Cunard ships! 😁

Ok, @Winifred 22, exlondoner, Victoria2, et al. all you lovely knowledgeable Cunard regulars: I will take your advice and do the same (advice hasn't let me down yet!) If we all stick together and refuse to pay EXTRA for items and services that were previously included in the fare perhaps Cunard will keep providing the experience that makes it so special and unique. I hope so, I truly want to stay loyal to Cunard because I have fallen in love, despite them deserting us in the Southern Hemisphere!

It's very informative and interesting to read all the comments re the food, thank you for the menu examples. I too am happy to have more variety on the menus if that's what passengers desire, but I am also quite satisfied with the current dining offerings on QM2, QV and QE. My concern is more to do with the creeping in of more and more supplementary charges that had previously been included. Extra charge for burgers etc in The Golden Lion, extra charges for some items on the room service menu, extra charge here, extra charge there. The thin end of the wedge. As stated by @BairsAbroad, if there are upcharges everywhere it might make people think twice about Cunard loyalty.

Sorry, I haven't had time to read all the new postings about Queen Anne, but the gist I am getting is that there are more things that are attracting supplementary charges. For example, the Golden Lion menu and the room service menu. I fear that this is not boding well for the other three beauties of the fleet. More chipping away of what makes Cunard so iconic and unique? Carnival Corporation money spinning and homogenising? What do you all think?

The topic heading/question of this thread is "...Are we missing out on something?". Answer: yes. Just book one.

@WorldSchoolFamilyUSA, I don't recall seeing any children's books on QM2, but I wasn't really looking for them! I would suggest bringing a few with you.

Because he's a poseur who wants to channel Noel Coward 😁

We went to the Churchill Cigar Lounge and there was nobody there. Only went so husband could pretend to smoke a pipe in his smoking jacket. Neither of us smoke! (but I think THIS photo was actually in the Commodore)

Sorry, @PORT ROYAL but why is it "a tad tacky"?

Agreed, rsquare. Both of us spent many hours reading and/or just watching the ocean in this lovely space. Also in the library, which in my experience was ALWAYS quiet, even when there were quite a few people in there. There was always a comfy seat and so many beautiful books to read or just browse, which I did when I needed a change/break from my current read. If you are a reader, you will absolutely love QM2, there are so many quiet spaces to read, inside and out. She's a big ship with relatively few passengers, who are always well behaved (in public, anyway😉) Isn't reading on a ship just the BEST thing to do, fellow Cunard lovers?

If you decide to make an onboard future cruise booking, I suggest making an appointment with the Voyage Sales Office first. Don't just rock up like I did recently on board QM2. Even though there were two staff members in the office and no passengers, I was asked if I had an appointment, which I did not. The man I spoke was consequently quite snooty and abrupt. He didn't answer my query, saying that the information I sought was not available on "the system" at that time. (Compyu'er says NO!!). Maybe I just encountered him on a bad day.

🤣😆😂 window didn't open!!!!! So let's start that thread, Pushpit 😂

As I understand it, and experienced it, with open dining you are likely to have differing tables, waiters, sommeliers and possibly dining companions each evening. With both early and late fixed sittings you will have the same table and staff every evening.

...no small plates, no burger, no eggs or mac & cheese. Rather small piece of fish too. (sorry, clicked submit before I had finished typing)

Yes, that's the same menu we had on an earlier leg of that voyage (i.e. Fremantle to Sydney). Must admit I too was very disappointed with the fish and chips, have had so much better at many places in Australia. Also disappointed at the limited menu: no

Agree, LittleFish1976. Don't give this person (Clive Palmer) any more oxygen. AND enough said from me on this subject too.

On our recent QM2 voyage we enjoyed several delightful hours in the Commodore Club. One evening I requested a Twentieth Century cocktail. The bartender had not heard of it, but the drink waiter conveyed the ingredients to the bartender. The drink I received was not as good as the Twentieth Centuries my husband makes, but it was fine. We had the Drinks Package and there was no problem with my bespoke cocktail being included in same. Cheers!

Come on, Mudhen. Spill the beans. Or maybe start a new thread on the strangest things seen on Cunard.

Well now I see your point of view too, exlondoner. I also personally think they're horrid, and tea is the only thing I would drink with scones and cakes, but I can't help agreeing with Victoria, if that's your poison, then go for it. No frowns at martinis from me, just not my "cup of tea" 🙄😆 I am such a fence sitter!

Actually, on reflection I agree (again), Victoria 😄 Why not have a martini with tea, either afternoon or high?

And in response to the OP's question, I wouldn't "frown" upon it, but I think there are many more appropriate places to have a martini on board.

Sorry to be pedantic, but it is Afternoon Tea, not high tea. Afternoon tea is posh, with fancy little sandwiches and sweet cakes, served between about 3 and 5pm. High tea is/was a more substantial often savoury affair, usually a meal taken later, at the end of a working day. Although having said that, we Australians seem to have b*stardised yet another British term! Many places in Australian cities offer exorbitantly priced "High Tea" where you will be served a similar spread to that which is served in the Queens Rooms on Cunard ships.

We had the Drinks Package on our recent QM2 sailing. The sommelier, David, was wonderful. Each evening, we would tell him our menu selections and he chose the appropriate wines for each course from the "by the glass" list. He magically showed up with two generous glasses of wine (one for me, one for husband, often different wines) as soon as the waiter delivered each course. We never seemed to wait any set time if we wanted another glass of the same, and he seemed to be attending to other passengers with bottled wine equally as proficiently. And this was in "steerage", in the Britannia Restaurant (late sitting).