north east girl

I've got a B2B booked for December which was booked in December 2018. If it doesn't go ahead I will book something for next year.

Catherine

Really enjoyed reading your positive review. I always love my time sailing with Cunard having just had 13 days on board QE in November. I did enjoy the self service area, the food was always excellent and with a great choice. 

Again there is always loads to do and so much choice, I like you loved every minute of it. I don't usually us the spa area, bit of a shame that it wasn't in good working order for you. It certainly isn't cheap to us the facilities.

Just booked  a B2B TA for December 2020, can't wait to be back on board, it has been a while. Haven't seen her since the refit.

Catherine 

I will find out if it was a good idea in November, but I am pretty sure I will enjoy it.

Hi Lanky Lad, looks like you're still enjoying cruising with Cunard. We have done a B2B and loved every minute, it was lovely to know we weren't leaving the ship in New York. We booked a Cunard excursion which took us to places we missed last time we were there. Never got bored once and soon got into the routine of being on board for 14 days.

We are looking forward to our trip on QE in November to Canary Islands, its be a while since we cruised so really looking forward it it.

Catherine & Tony

My wife and I sailed for the first time this past May on the QM2 in BC and for some reason did not realize that "our" table (which was for 6) was our table for breakfast and lunch as well as dinner. So every morning for breakfast we asked for and received a window table for 2. This was a nice bit of privacy as we got in gear for the upcoming day. The four wonderful people we met a our table for 6 became great new friends but if we are fortunate to sail on Cunard again in BC we would likely do the same. Lunch every day was in the Golden Lion with Fish&Chips and a pint of London Pride.

 

Harold

Thanks Harold we probably won't have breakfast and lunch in BC every day. We usually like to sleep late and will use the self service as well.

Catherine

Thank you both for the quick replies. Looking forward to the Britannia club experience x

Catherine

Hi this will be the first time in Britannia club. Just wondering about breakfast and lunch. Do you have the same table that is allocated for evening meal throughout the length of the cruise.

Thanks Catherine

I am on QV from Southampton to Los Angeles, and my blog is at

 

www.whereissafarigal.wordpress.com

 

Alas, not as professional as Roscoe's :)

Hi safarigal just been checking out your blog. You have some amazing pic on there. It looked like a great trip. I've not done anything like that.

Catherine x

Just seen this post, sorry to hear the sad news. I always enjoyed reading her posts.

RIP lovely lady xxx

Same here Bell Boy, I love B2B crossings. Loads to do and a great way to enjoy the ship. Next June can't come quick enough.

Catherine

I will always remember my first sail away on QM2 in 2009. We were doing our first ever trip on the seas, a transatlantic to New York. Really pleased I chose one of the best, I just knew I had done the right thing. Just felt so at home on her, have done many sailings since then with Cunard mostly. In fact have booked a back to back transatlantic for June 2018. :):)

Catherine

Thank you for all the replies, will definitely be prepared for all weather now. At least evenings will be inside the ship, I've built up a nice selection of clothes since our first cruise for our silver wedding anniversary 8 years ago.

Thanks again Catherine x

Going on Britannia in July and was wondering what the weather will be like. Anybody been at that time of year just to give an idea on what to expect. Hoping to have warm weather. Never experienced the Fjords, I've been told it's amazing.

Catherine

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It can be sorted. I understand.

 

 

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Thanks everybody, they seem to have a good system should we need it.

Catherine

Wouldn't a bottle be easier, at least you can have it the next night if you don't use it all?

Hi, When you're freedom dinning how do they manage with getting you're bottle back the next night? Thanks

Catherine

Just to add, QM2 now has tea and coffee making facilities in all cabins.

They will be added to her sisters next year.

Thanks Hattie, that's good to know. I do love QM2.

Catherine

Agree, the separate shower etc is a plus! I particularly enjoy the jacuzzi bath as well.

 

We had a side rear Suite last year (B702) and a middle Aft Suite this year (B724) which was wonderful as it had a very deep balcony with, amongst other things, a 2 seater settee on it!

 

The fjords will indeed be wonderful from your balcony.

 

PS. If you enjoy the corner Suite on Britannia you might want to try Arcadia's aft corner Suites at some point - they have fantastic balconies (except D deck which is completely covered over).

You never know if we like it that much we may try it again. Thanks for the tip about the balconies on Arcadia, I do like a good balcony.

Nice to hear QM2 has coffee and tea making in their cabins.

Catherine

Well there's a question!

 

Mainly because they provide a British feel to cruising. They go from Southampton, which we prefer (we haven't flown anywhere since 2006). Each of their ships has a different feel to it. The staff are fantastic. They aren't 'glitzy' ships. They don't have constant music everywhere on board. They have formal nights, which, in our opinion, is part of the cruising experience. There are no service charges on drinks, etc. The tipping generally is low. They are one of the only cruise lines in the World to have adult only ships.

 

They are relatively inexpensive compared to, say, Cunard, who are another line we like very much and also go from Southampton. We do prefer a Suite or Mini-Suite as we tend to stay in our cabins an awful lot of the time, and the prices of these types of cabins is, in comparison to other lines, inexpensive.

 

If we had to come down to one thing I think it would be the Britishness of them - which is not everyone's cup of tea, but we prefer it.

 

Britannia is a stunning ship, and is now my husband's favourite (it was Adonia - the smallest ship - but she's now sailing under the 'Fathom' banner). I'm sure you will love her, just make sure to try everything! We went on her last year for the first time and got off more tired than when we got on as we went round and tried absolutely everything we could!

 

Enjoy and Happy Cruising! :)

Thanks for the reply. You've stated everything we like about cruising. I like having the tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin, something Cunard do not do. We have also got a better Cabin for the price we would have paid with Cunard. I booked a corner suite, the balcony looks amazing. A great place to view the fjords as we have a glass of wine.

Having a separate toilet, bath and shower is another plus. I will love finding our way around this large ship. Will definitely try everything.

Catherine

No, the alcohol is not included. It's not included on any P&O ship. You can buy drinks packages, although we have never done so.

This is our first time with P&O, looks like you have cruised with them a lot. What is it that you like about P&O that keeps you going back?

Catherine

Yes, it is definitely worth the extra money.

 

It is a beautiful, relaxing space. Large loungers with deep padded cushions, bathrobes, large white fluffy towels, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea included. There are two jacuzzis in there and it is right next to the Serenity Pool so if you want a swim you just have to nip out through the door/s - remembering to take your key card so you can get back in of course.

 

There are two attendants in there all day providing service, which includes getting drinks - and yes you can have alcohol!

 

It is not easy to get day passes anymore, so you may wish to consider having access for the whole of the cruise.

Thanks for the reply. Is the Alcohol in with the price? Sounds perfect x

Catherine

Has anybody used these facilities? Would you say it's worth the money. It looks like a nice relaxing place to get some sun. Costs £200 per couple for 7 days which includes food and soft drinks.

Catherine

Catherine, you can always ask your Butler, which you will have in a suite, to serve a late breakfast for you. That way if you want anything cooked you can have it whereas Room Service breakfast does not include any hot items - mainly cereals, pastries, fruit, yoghurt etc. You can arrange with the Butler what time you want your breakfast - providing it's not at noon! You will also have the advantage of having breakfast in the Select Dining Restaurant, The Epicurean. This is just for suite passengers and although the menu is fairly small it's all freshly cooked and is wonderful. I can't remember the hours that breakfast is served in there, they differ as to whether it's a sea day or a port day, but do try it.

Thanks annieuk, will definitely try the Epicurean for breakfast. Thanks for the tip about the butler doing breakfast for us, good to know.

Catherine

Haven't been on Britannia, but with regards to the food on P&O, it's always been pretty decent, if predictable. But was on a med cruise in September and I think it had improved. I would never class the food as bad. The buffet is a pain. No matter what time you go for breakfast, the buffet is always busy. But the MDR is decent enough.

 

 

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Thanks for your reply about the food, I'm sure I will be able to find something I will like. We tend to sleep late, may even order room service.

Looking forward to trying a different cruise line.

Catherine

We haven't used the cabin you are asking about but have have recently returned from a lovely cruise on Britannia. We only used the main dining room and Sindhu and the food was very good. In the MDR there was always a good choice and was nicely presented on hot plates (always a plus for me). It wasn't 5* dining but we didn't pay 5* star prices. On one occasion, one of our dining companions didn't like what she had chosen, the waiter immediately took it away and quickly brought her second choice. We did have some really good meals. Sindhu was excellent and we will be trying it on Azura next May. Our whole experience on Britannia was really good and would go on her in a heartbeat.

Thanks Jennizor, it's nice to hear that you had a good time. Haven't been to the Fjords before, hoping to get loads of use of the corner balcony.

We've done freedom dining with RCI before so we know how it works. Hardly ever had to wait with then, hoping it's going to be the same on Britannia.

Will enjoy doing some research on the ports of call.

Catherine

Lucky you!! Weve just been on the Britannia in a front suite which was amazing but my other half fancies an aft suite next time as weve been on the back of the ship twice before in a delux cabin.We loved the Epicurean in the morning. Totally spoiled by the lovely staff. We opted for freedom dining and found the food very good. In fact we didn't have a bad meal. I tend to go for the soup starters and fish mains to keep the weight down and the other half likes his steaks. We didn't rate our butler who in fairness was new to the job ,however, I did get a lot of advice from fellow cruisers on cruise critic before we sailed. He brought me slices of lemon for my morning brew and a carton of milk now and again for the fridge. The canapes were a nice touch but a bit hit and miss when they arrived. We booked our own meal at Sindhu taking advantage of the 30% off on the first night which was excellent. We didn't eat in our room as we like to get out and about and the outside dining area was tiny plus the weather wasn't too good.However, the butler brought the menus for the MDR most days.

Thanks for your reply, it's very informative. Looks like we are in for a treat being in a suite. Only booked for the balcony, great size on the corner with two doors to the outside. I've managed to see the cabin on utube, very good size. Separate toilet is a plus, also shower and bath.

You get a lot for your money in comparison to Cunard. I like that you get coffee and tea making in the cabin. Love having a cuppa first thing on a morning. Can only try it for ourselves.

Catherine

If you are in a rear suite (right at the very back of the ship) on G deck then you will be right above the Live Lounge. I have read reviews that the noise disturbance, which goes on until the early hours (it becomes the night club), is excessive. We have booked an aft suite on F deck (one level up) and are concerned about it (it was the last one available) for this reason. You may wish to consider relocating if noise is an issue for you.

 

As for food, Britannia is a foodies paradise but, sadly, this relates mostly to the select (extra cost) restaurants. The main dining room experience is under-whelming. Portion sizes are very small and service (in freedom dining) rushed and impersonal. If you go without high expectation, it is fine. Sadly, we can recall the days when it was so much better!

I booked this cabin because it was the last one available. The balcony looks amazing, hope I will get lots of use out if it.

Will take some ears plugs, hopefully won't hear the noise then.

As long as the food is served hot I will be happy.

Will try it and see for ourselves wether we like P&O and Britannia.

Thanks for replying to my post.

Catherine