Bell Boy

There is one Male Professional ( without lady partner - she is expected to join him on a later itinerary) The professional is responsible for the midday dance lessons , occasionally he will turn up in the evenings when the 'so called Queens Room' is not being used for entertainers . Don't hold out on Ballroom dancing every evening, Ballroom dancers are being constantly told "QA is focusing on a different Vibe " ! I do have to laugh every time I hear "Younger Customers". Since UK Strictly ( dancing with the stars -US version) Ballroom/Latin dancing has taken off big time with Gen Z ( 20/30 somethings) Dance schools are opening up all over the Uk , my own dance studio is now overbooked with 19/20 year olds.

Neither in Club category , bottled water is now also complimentary .😉

You would be wise to pack/take any bottles of 'Liquid' onboard in your carry-on luggage . If you have ever witnessed loading of our luggage ( dozens of suitcases thrown on top of each other) you'll understand . Unlike travelling by Air there are no restrictions of liquids in hand luggage .

The Cynic in me thinks that maybe the Ships 'uniformed officers' might have had a hand in this. It's probably a bit of a hassle for them having to change in their formal officer Mess uniform after 6pm I'm not too sure if this is still mandatory if they have to walk through the public areas in view of the guest. I'm quite surprised in the reduction of these formal evenings, it appears at Cunard shoreside the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing as for some time now the logic of these World Club & Senior officers receptions now being a 'Smart Attire affair' ( or a midday event) is that 'Formal Evenings' tend to attract more folk out and about to experience the Bars, purchasing fancy cocktails etc etc (invitations to cocktail receptions often reduce the number visiting the Bar Venues) - in other words Revenue .😉

Yes it's quite easy to change from Fixed dining to an Open evening dining concept, however, you can't chop and change whenever you find it agrees with your evening arrangements . If having a dedicated restaurant waiter (and table) who understands your preferences and who will often greet you by name is not important to you and your travel companion, then 'Please opt' for open seating and allow other guests who prefer the Fixed dining concept, which is often fully booked ( or on a waitlist) You mention your preference for a 'Specific' or a Quiet table for two - NO two evenings in the restaurant are the same when on Open Dining , unless you want to take pot luck OR handed a pager and told to come back in 40 mins or so .

The OP has been given incorrect information , whilst OBC cannot be used for 'Casino or Medical' , however, Cunard promo OBC and my shareholder OBC benefit has always been used partly towards the Auto gratuities.

Self appointed Fashion police says - "I seen some sights" 😂

"Commodore QV ( occasionally ) losing its atmosphere" I have to agree with you . One expects music in a high end Cocktail Bar to be light background/lounge music, it's not a performance I don't know what those Bright Young Things in Guest Experience department shore side are thinking, An Irish duo band ( QV 2023) in the Commodore ! - More suitable for the Pub or Winter Garden .

You were lucky to find a steward on hand , that's what I was hoping for ,usually not a problem when functions are in the Queens Room on the Vistas or Mary 🙁

And a cheap glass of Plonk standing around a swimming pool, not my idea of an elegant affair

I've often wondered do guests with these support 'Dogs' occupy specific staterooms which have been set aside for Pets and their owners ? Am I the only one who wouldn't be too pleased to have been allocated a stateroom of 'my booking preference' when the previous guest has had a Dog lounging around the Carpets,Settee or possibly on the Bed 🤬 - No mater how well housekeeping may have serviced the room prior to my arrival

Hot and Cold canapés in main Bar Venues ceased to be offered across the Cunard fleet with effect from May 1st (2024) Nuts/Olives/Crisps are being offered in the evenings. Canapés are still available in the Grills Lounge. I can confirm I experience this on the Maiden QA voyage the first evening in the Commodore Bar (and an underwhelming experience it was too) I embarked the QM2 shortly after disembarking QA and informed by the F&B canapés will no longer be part of the evening drinks service . Not my idea of a premium service considering the price of Cunard drinks.

Or book Cunard Queens Grill. Plenty of Lobster available in QG (May 2024) QM2

Completely different I'm afraid , it is a press button coffee machine completely different machines and procedure that is prepared by a Barista ( the same procedure in most coffee shops we use shoreside) Drip coffee and steamed milk added separately.

Apologies janny444 if my reply appeared to be directed solely at You , it was more in relation to the suggestion from RK-NC in a previous post

Exactly , they will come from a machine in the Galley and very poor, not Barista prepared . In all seriousness janny444, I doubt very much one can expect a restaurant waiter to pop out of the MDR to another venue to collect a speciality Barista prepared latte/cappuccino or, vice versa However, Green Tea is freely available any time of the day in the MDR - no problems

Possibly Mr Payne did refer to the Aft as The Stern. The OldBear and I expect many others on this board and not being in your former profession understood the gist of the post - The Back end, Rear end, Aft, or Stern it's all the same to many of us

I expect the two dogs were some sort of Comfort Dog .If the guest has an official certificate to prove it Cunard has to accept it , however, for some years now there has been the question of Fake Certificates, a leading Airline company looked into this once and the customer in question was removed from an aircraft shorty before take off as a dog was discovered in her carryon . There was a lady on a Seabourn cruise I took last year who had her dog everywhere ,even in the restaurant .

If you're referring to Queen Anne , there is only the need to pre book for 'Bright Lights society , the exact times ( two show per evening) will be advised in your daily program , I've not mentioned the times as they could be subject to change. There is no need to book for theatre performances or even trivia which takes place in the Golden Lion Pub . Maybe Trivia could be popular then you'll have to manage that on the day .

Just ask ! request any sauces to be served on the side ! ( in a ramekin ) Never mind what P&O do - Cunard can do it Better.

Yep, Sir Samuel's (QA) is the equivalent of the Verandah alternative on the rest of the fleet

Thats exactly what I said in 1981 when my Mother was adamant I needed one for our QE2 cruise. Fast forward, I believe I now own at least 7 formal Evening Jackets in various colours. 😅

An 'Evening Dining' experience might suit you better. Totally underwhelmed with my lunch time experience ( even though it was a diamond freebie) Not my idea of a premium dining experience during 'daylight hour' In view of too many overweight folk in swimwear 😅 ( windows overlook the aft pool and hot tubs) 😒 put me off me steak .

You'll find Britannia Category guests are much more formal than those in the Grills. It may not be exactly 99% but far more gentlemen will opt for full formal evening wear rather than a lounge suit.

Do men NEED to wear a dark suit , no they don't need to , however, as another contributor has pointed out the majority of gentlemen on Cunard will probably opt for something more formal than a light grey suit. A dark suit would be more appropriate on a formal/gala evening if not wearing formal attire. Edited to add; Queen Mary 2 'Transatlantic Crossings' are more formal after 6pm especially on a gala evening than on a regular warm weather cruise itinerary.