Solent Richard

51 minutes ago, MylesS said:

Been onboard for nearly 2 hours now. We were sped through check in and security was fairly quick, I think this was because we abided by our embarkation time.

 

Terminal to cabin was about 20 minutes!

 

Had a small wonder around, we’ve booked the spa for the week after having a tour. 
 

Now sat in the Chart Room (which might I add has a fantastic bar!) with a (at least I hope) deserved beer. 

We are of the opinion that this could be our go to bar most pre-dinners. Shades on Celebrity’s popular Martini Bar.

17 minutes ago, D&N said:

Maybe you have the ship to yourselves! 🤣

 

Not really. I know of three ladies that are on board with you.

Well there is entertainment in the Queens Room…

Anyone else onboard?

Continuing our lunch on Queen Anne…

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7 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

Is that a half decent "app" now? (Last experience, 18months ago)

It works wonderfully. Though not all gigs are listed yet. 

The early bird catches the Bright Lights….

Sat down to lunch, everything going splendidly…..

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And we are onboard

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2 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Or perhaps they just fancied a look.

The only 'look' they were interested in was us.

They came in pretty close as can be seen from my photograph over the bow rail.

10 minutes ago, D&N said:

Marine Traffic doesn't offer a photo of that one. It's an unusual livery, quite intimidating, probably intentionally so.

I think there was one fore and one aft. The other was a more conventional livery, SP Pathfinder possibly?

I filed it under 'discreet' precautions.

14 minutes ago, RJChatsworth said:

I am a bit disappointed so far, not with QA, but what I guess last evening was a ship largely full of sales people on freebies who’d I’d hoped would want to share what they enjoyed, particularly if sales agents. We have seen Balcony Club but what about OG and QG too.  And not just the sleeping area but bathrooms too!  I’m sure many want to know about walk-in showers, like I do.

 

And more photos please of public areas and some narrative atmosphere, cosiness, meal choice and quality, and quality of fittings and fixtures?  Hopefully nothing Spartan about the ship!
 

Perhaps I’m asking too much!

Hi @RJChatsworth .

You're obviously not a member of the more popular Cunard fb groups.

Their pages are awash with everything you desire. 

😉😉

Up with the lark and  here's a little taster for those Grills folk who prefer stern suites.....

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Q5 Queen Suites I believe.

On 4/30/2024 at 5:54 PM, Solent Richard said:

Spot the police escort…

 

I was a little surprised nobody passed comment on my Queen Anne's police escort on Tuesday as certainly for myself it was the first occasion I had seen that particular craft.

Anyway, here's two more a little closer in both respects....

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A few  more to whet the appetite, The Commodore Club...

... the Sky Bar....

...and not forgetting our regular Grills folk, the Grills Lounge....

A little taster for those about to join on Friday; and those a little later I guess.

Britanni Stateroom 6178...

The Pavillion

The Chart Room....

...and the Bright Lights Society....

Oh, and not to be left out(as I'm no doubt expected)....

The Queens Grill....

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3 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

How is the blog coming along Richard?

 

How far forward on the ship can passengers walk? Saw people on the area in front of the main superstructur

Have you missed it?

Looked like staff and workers to me.

20 hours ago, schattenfell71 said:

May I ask what you all expect from this Maiden Voyage?

 

Will there be anything special for us?

 

Any fireworks, special sailaways or something like that.

 

I am missing details from Cunard about that.

As always Cunard have been keeping events tight to their chest.

Don't worry though, if yesterday's events are anything to go by, it's going to be just amazing.

As a humorous aside, @Bell Boy is known on Cunard as to have a penchant for crisps with his daily tipple. 

Even that was catered for yesterday....

...along with that rather special champagne. 😉😁

No need to worry @karen of PA

I don't recall seeing any notice or signage discouraging the filling of small water bottles particularly even when travelling outside of the Grills environment.

But as others have said, there are ample places around the ship

11 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I appreciate that upgrades may be cheaper than the price differential at the time they are offered (when prices are probably very high) but, in the case of P&O U.K., if you’d booked at launch (or during a period when prices were low, given that fluid pricing means that cruise prices between launch and departure vary massively - up and down), you could have booked the higher grade cabin to start with for no more than the upgrade price, and you would have had the benefit of choosing your cabin. I was wondering if it was the same with Cunard. Of course, it could be different between US and U.K.  

 

We aren’t interested in bidding for P.G. We enjoyed our PG experience on QM2 but were disappointed with our accessible balcony cabin. It was no bigger than a standard PG cabin but configured differently. With Britannia Club, the two accessible balcony cabins are significantly bigger than the standard ones, so it feels like much better value. As I said, we are also keen to try Club as the concept very much appeals and it’s a lot more affordable. 

I would fully concur with your observation @Selbourne .

And add that similar experiences are not just confined to P&O.

10 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I assume the experience has even more enhanced your hopeful anticipation of the maiden voyage.

It's all down to perception and expectations @exlondoner .

Over the years we've done a number of Maidens, the most recent one being P&O's Britannia ...

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/03/30/britannia-the-maiden-cruise/

...the summary of which I wrote...

'All in all this was an excellent cruise and  it would be very difficult to find any valid criticism outside of the ‘minor’ hiccups to be expected on a maiden cruise. Indeed, those that did occur paled into insignificance when balanced with the overall enjoyment of the occasion.'

14 hours ago, Cruise Puss said:

Wonderful hotel with a great view!!

Certainly is. We've had many a Cunard pre or post cruise get together there.

In case anyone was wondering what was in those Cunard 'Goody' Bags.....

....there were some nice pieces of memorabilia...

including a Cunard Champagne stopper and the Queen Anne Commemorative Coin.

Plus the real bonus, a new Cunard pen attached to the note book.😁

14 hours ago, D&N said:

Is that Bellarina?

Good morning @D&N. Yes it was.

Here's @Bell Boy posing with my wife before boarding 😂

And a meeting with Ventura…