Solent Richard

Good morning @watsonbeau . I can help you on a number of your scheduled port stops. Firstly let me cover visits to Corfu and Kotor. The link that follows covers both though we were not travelling on a Cunard ship. Just scroll down to where we visited the scenic town of Budva and the island of Sveti Stefan on an excursion from Kotor..... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/06/09/ventura-a-perfect-fly-cruise-med-break/ ********* As the blog reiterates, get these musts done early and there is still plenty of time to take in Kotor itself....

Good morning @Pushpit . But surely the subject (Miniatures) was clearly indicated at my # 118 as you quoted @vistaman 's # 119 which referred to my photograph - wearing 'Miniatures'. I find no other reference since that point where medals, as opposed to 'miniatures' was brought up. Of course, when the occasion suits, usually on Remembrance Day at home... ...and when joining my veteran friends at the Cenotaph... ....I do wear medals.

Good morning. As I see you have indicated that your Grills accommodation is a Q3 Penthouse then I accept that you will be sailing on either Queen Victoria, Queen Anne or Queen Elizabeth and not Queen Mary 2. As pointed out earlier, you should not worry that a table for two are too small - this is Cunard... Being allocated a good table, no matter what size one has requested, can depend to a large extent on whether one is going a fresh cruise or joining in between legs of a longer cruise. Whatever, it is most important, as others have mentioned, to head to the grill restaurant as early as possible to take a rain check of table size and position. In all my times sailing either grills only once was a pre-sailing request to the ship, for a particular table, NOT met and that was when joining a world cruise leg. On that occasion I declined the allocated larger table and was given a table for two.

As do hundreds of guests onboard many cruise ships including P&O, Cunard, Saga and even Celebrity. Win them and wear them as the old mess deck saying goes. 😉😉

Good morning @Pushpit . I'd be more than interested to learn from what source your statement regarding the MOD in the UK discourages the wearing of medals. As a retired naval officer, and one whose duties often embraced ceremonial and dress regulations, I would draw your attention to ... https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/documents/reference-library/br-3-vol-1/chapter-44.pdf ...and in particular the wearing of medals with 'civilian dress' on formal occasions.

That seems pretty fair to me and it's good to know the Carnival Corporation (aka Cunard & P&O) are at least keeping up with the game. For myself, a pretty senior senior, I have endeavoured to keep up with technology and found no problem not only adding 'Stockperks' to my iPhone but also claiming and getting confirmed OBC for an upcoming cruise. I take the view that those 'elderly' folk who have not embraced IT technology over the years, and now appear to cry wolf, have little to complain about if they find themselves left behind in the C21st world - whether it be P&O, Cunard, or any other cruise line operating similar technology. I have a number of future cruises booked but only one with Cunard. I'd be interested to learn from those with 'multiple' bookings whether or not the App will allow claims for OBC on cruises booked well ahead of the final payment date as someone previously suggested had been available through their stockbroker.

I well remember your time on that 78 night cruise @Bell Boy . Not one to be missed if one is a big fan of Queen Victoria. 😉 I also recall we both did most of the itinerary on Queen Mary 2's circumnavigation in 2009....

Anyone have any first-hand experience? Yes, 12055 while travelling Trans Atlantic solo....

Couldn't agree more @Windsurfboy 😂😂

Generally there will be 'Dance Classes' on a daily basis which will be advertised on the daily programme. (Venue, time and which dance will feature that particular day). This should get you some basic steps and timings however, one session is dedicated to one dance routine Depending on how keen you are I have known the 'Dance hosts' to offer private tuition and when the Queens Room has not been available then they have used the G32. Should private lessons not be conducive my advice would be to download one or two waltzes onto your iPhone and, when you have picked up the basic steps with the instructors, head into G32 on a quiet part of the day and have a practice.

Interesting comments regarding the 'benefit', not just from you @Wonky . The financial aspects have never been an issue where my wife and I are concerned - $70 is neither here nor there in the broader outlook. We have viewed the loyalty 'perk' more in the context of being able to socialise and dine with friends who otherwise we would not have the opportunity to dine with due to their not travelling Grills or being staff members whom we wish to say thank you to: whether it be Todd English on Queen Mary 2.... or the Veranda on Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria.... *******

Perhaps I should add, joining with luggage is not recommended on foot. If you have transfers booked all well and good but if arranging your own you really need a taxi that knows and understands where you are going.

We were there in October last year though joining Azamara Onward. There is a new cruise terminal which basically is underground .... Once through the check-in one heads up onto the jetty via a walkway, indicated by the red arrow... It is still within a 15 minute walk of the Galata Bridge..... ...and the usual modes of transport are all as they have been over the years. You may find this helpful.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/07/29/one-way-to-do-istanbul/ Or, as you are staying overnight, this, My Nocturnal Edition.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/08/11/one-way-to-do-istanbul-the-nocturnal-edition/

Bitung next stop @roscoe39 and what a super place that is. I have been following my neighbour on his Arcadia World Cruise and they were there a few days ago - what a wonderful welcome. I've spent some time there on Scuba diving trips and that is also amazing if that's your forte. Home of the Mimic Octopus... Enjoy anyway.

I too have sailed on Oceania several times and many more on Cunard with at least three Cunard occasions being at Britannia Club. Unless you can extend your budget to the Grills I defiantly would say that you are not going to have the 'food' experience on Cunard that you experience on Oceania. Service of course is on a par for both lines. And do remember, your speciality dining on Oceania has no extra charge. ******* ******

Whether or not there is a shuttle bus there is a perfectly good local bus service. Here's a link to my cruise blog.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2018/08/23/one-way-to-do-hawaii-oahu-edition/ Just scroll down till after we'd visited the Aloha Tower and there are details of how we did it to Waikiki and beyond....

I'm getting the impression that most of us, and that includes many more of Cunard Facebook groups, are finding the system working and relatively easy to manage..

Yes, and I've mentioned it elsewhere...

Just received this email this afternoon.... Cunard World Club Diamond Tier Members We’re delighted to see so many of our Cunard World Club members on board for Queen Anne’s maiden voyage. However due to the large number of Diamond members travelling, we will be unable to offer you your complimentary lunch benefit. Instead, you will receive US$35 per Diamond member, as on board spending money to spend as you wish.* Hmnnnn.

Hi there @tacticalbanjo . Being a particularly CCL savvy cruiser ( Comment # 35) I was perfectly aware of the significance of the dates for final payment and the timing for claiming shareholder's OBC. In my comment # 21 I was merely offering a possible 'lifeline' to a member who had 'sent through multiple requests for Shareholder OBC' . 😉😉

Thank you HH. Makes my #21 comment all the more relevant.

I'm not at all surprised either. I see from the online menu that an 8oz Wagyu would set you back $75.00 (Cover charge + $30 supplement) Surely far better to wait and pick up the real McCoy shoreside (and make do with yet another Dover Sole). I recall while in New York some years ago, having crossed on Queen Mary 2, I went the whole hog(?) with a 12oz Kobe Beef while my wife preferred not bankrupting us 😂 by choosing something a tad cheaper .... It remains to this day the most expensive single dish I have ever devoured, but wow, what an experience.

Spotted this on one of my feeds, may be of interest to some.... https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/03/cunard-unveils-details-of-queen-annes-retail-offering/ @Bell Boy Some may be devastated that there's no Patek Phillipe mentioned. 😉

Priceless. 😉😉

And that David is surely the exact time they check it.