exlondoner

Port days are good, but a nice sunny sea day is better, in fact better than most things.

I would say that last month almost everyone in the QG was adhering to the black and white theme, which a silver gown would do perfectly.

I think it is lovely. Depending on what the weather is the Grills Terrace and Courtyard are a boon. The Staff are lovely, the cabins are large. If there is anything you want that you haven’t got, the will try and bring it. I highly recommend it. This is my review of our last cruise. Some it of it is very specific to my experience which you can ignore, it it gives a general idea. I was unfortunately quarantined with Covid for the middle six days of this cruise, and therefore had not intended to write a review, because my impressions would be at best partial. Nonetheless I am doing so because my perceptions are at variance with some of the more negative comments in other reviews, and I felt there should be some balance. So, the good points. Firstly, universally, the Staff were wonderful, including when I was quarantined. They could not have been more helpful, efficient, and kind. They certainly never seemed rushed. Secondly, the ship seemed very well cared for, both in terms of constant routine maintenance, and in terms of constant cleaning. Thirdly, in the Queens Grill, the quality and preparation of the food seemed excellent, and, when I was eating in the restaurant, it always arrived at the appropriate temperature. On some days the QG menu of the day (different from and rarely as attractive as the Britannia) was less than enticing or badly planned, but there was always the à la carte or going off menu. Fourth, there was an impressive lecture programme for so port intensive a cruise, and I very much enjoyed Mr. Flounders’ thoughts on the history of Cunard. Finally, our cabin was large, comfortable, and well provided, though I had to request a number of things, like bar soap and shower cap. The bed was extremely comfortable. All this was very fortunate, as it turned out. Less good things. I think seven planned ports in twelve days is too many. Even more so, when four of those were to be tender ports. In the event this was reduced to six and three. The passenger information on the TV was pathetic, particularly compared to that on QM2. My husband did not have Covid, as shown by daily testing, and did not have to quarantine at all, having the freedom of the ship and to go ashore, but was not allowed to eat in the restaurants. Nobody has been able to explain to us the logic behind this. It is hard to think of many more criticisms. Oh yes, the bath does not have a light over it, making reading a chore.

The gins have changed too: there are now (or last month) Gordon’s, three types of Cunard gin, and one other, which I can’t remember.

And if they did, which one would you guess would become standardised?

Seems to. Perhaps it will change.

I thought you were an 18” high bear, who would enhance any photo.

Are you sure they didn’t mistake you for someone else? 🙂

But in mealtimes you can dine off the Grills menus. I speak from bitter experience.

Are aficionados on board able to see anything of the Ashes?

I am pleased to hear it is only QV that is so grotty. There are websites like Vesselfinder that tell you what passing ships are, probably someone in the Purser’s uses it too. 🙂

I’m not sure anyone appearing at 20.58 will get or deserve the full experience in any of the restaurants, though I’ve certainly seen people do it in the QG. They were apparently still on California time. 🙂

Use the Vesselfinder website or similar to find out what all the other ships you encounter are. The Concierge sent me down a batch of crosswords (and a Cunard pen), which was very sweet of her. But having to stay inside is the thing. It has further liberalised my views on penal policy. 🙂

For dealing with any hassles that occur, use a TA who knows about cruising.

Well, all I can say is thank goodness the models don’t look like me, and I’m sure most fellow passengers would agree.

Oh, that is so miserable for you. I should try and get out a bit, because it means your husband can hear about the things he is missing from you. I was agog to hear what was going on on the other side of the ship, but rarely got a response more than ‘nothing really’! Otherwise, dine on your sheltered balcony when you can. With luck it won’t be fifteen days, but you have my sympathies.

Better still, being in QG, though the kindness of our butler, we got our free bar resupplied with wine whenever necessary. He would have brought gin too, but we didn’t need it.

No medical costs, but compensation for isolation specifically mentioned, as Cunard suggests. Not the whole day’s fare, but something. I could have paid more and got higher compensation.

I know we are spoilt for cathedrals, but Winchester, aesthetically, wouldn’t be in my top ten. Salisbury, for instance, is in a different class. However, Winchester is very convenient for Southampton, and a comparatively restful day trip. Windsor, I would say, was too far.

It’s nice for the little lifeboats to have a runaround - preferably without passengers.

Yes, I remember the shock of learning about the sandwiches, which I have still failed to encounter. Doesn’t look as if I’m going to now. Actually, I don’t think Covid will wash, because I seem to remember ice cream on a cruise last year.

Even if you are off at 7 (which wouldn’t be particularly helpful, as you would coincide with the London rush hour) it would be a terrible scramble, you wouldn’t see much, and would spend an anxious afternoon hoping you weren’t going to miss the ship. Although London is the fairest of cities all (William Dunbar), I’m really not sure it would be worth it.

Tricky, isn’t it? Nowhere is it written down what service one might expect on the Grills Terrace. I only discovered about the ice cream one afternoon when I happened to be there at the right time. Now I have an old brochure for QE2, which, I think, promises bouillon on the open decks at 11 am - which incidentally I never saw. But it is hard to complain about the lack of something that doesn’t seem to be promised. I suppose all one can do is ask why it has changed, and, if they say Covid, snort with derisive laughter.

They did in last July. Now, you have to claim from insurance.

How did it go?