Host Hattie

What date are you sailing? Queen Elizabeth hasn't sailed to Japan yet so I don't think anyone will have recent experience.

There's no need to rely on other websites there are plenty of articles on the subject on Cruise Critic. Can you remove gratuities ? Should you ? Cruise Line Gratuities - what's the point? And lots more

Have you asked on your roll call ?

There is some information which might help here Tracing_crew.pdf

We're back from Pembrokeshire, it was busy on the river this morning.

I'm glad that was useful, hope she enjoys the cruise.

The UK never was part of the Schengen area. Information on Standard Visitor Visas and Transit visa is here if that helps https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/visitor-in-transit-visa

When you say there's no mention on the Cunard website do you mean it says you don't need any vaccinations or you haven't found that section? In "My Cunard" in the Before you sail section it says- "Travel health advice The health and well-being of our guests is important to us. Therefore we ask that you carefully read the following information prior to travel, and arrange any necessary vaccinations or medical care before your departure date. Disclaimer: Since travel health advice, vaccination and malaria recommendations do change, you should check with your medical and insurance providers before departure and check My Cunard regularly. Vaccine information We recommend that all guests seek advice from their doctor or travel medicine clinic at least six weeks before their voyage, with regard to their personal travel plans to obtain appropriate advice, prophylactic medication and vaccinations prior to travel. Please check below for any mandatory requirements. You will find up-to-date travel information on the UK government funded website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk" This is the information for Panama from that site. https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/174/panama

Have a good time, if you want to eat out at a particular restaurant it's worth booking before your stay. We had lunch in Saundersfoot yesterday and when we booked for dinner for when we're back here in May, the only time they could do was 5.30 !

I know the area well, where are you staying?

You'll be fine, road signs and official documents are in both languages but even if people speak Welsh as a first language they will speak English, possibly with a strong accent!

Correct @bluemarble, we made a special trip there yesterday so I could contribute a real photo to this thread.

Another view of a port/anchorage already "seen"

We're in Pembrokeshire for my birthday this week. The weather has been a bit mixed but we had a lovely lunch out today.

There's no need to use your OBC on the drink package, just pay as you go & the price will come off your OBC as you use it up.

I'm away from home at the moment so I'm having to rely on photos I've posted on social media or taken recently. Most of them have got people in them but I'll carry on looking.

That's a postcard from a Cardiff hotel, I can't find any reference to the Mauretania actually visiting Cardiff. There are plenty of references to the Fishguard guard and Milford Haven visits, I'm going to need more convincing I'm afraid! Edit - I did find a photograph of Braemar and she used to be a Cunard ship so I guess it's close enough!

I found this reference but it's not clear whether the ship called at Cardiff https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/artifact/luncheon-menu-antonia-cunard-white-star-line-15-jun-1940

Thanks for the official ruling!

Yes, we've had Fishguard but it's not on the list. Were the museum photos not enough to count @bluemarble ?!

I can get you photos of Cardiff if you need them ! Have we had Fishguard ? I would have thought Cunard ships would have called there at some point.

There are lifts between platforms at Cardiff Central so it's not a particularly difficult change. In this case trains are normally just across the platform from each other.

I would hope if the OP has a transfer to a Cunard arranged hotel it will go the actual hotel not a station!

She should be able swap the coach for OBC. What time is the coach pick up ?

If you're considering the Canaries, I'd go for April for better weather, although the February trip on QM2 has an overnight in Funchal which would be tempting. I wouldn't worry too much about school holidays for this time of year.