Lynnewob

The champagne they seem to be offering at the moment is Delamotte.

It's weird though my husband seems to like the Pol Acker. I always bring my own Bollinger and Veuve to drink on board and leave him to the Pol.

Kate - we were the lucky cruise critic members that you invited onto your huge balcony and we very much appreciated it. I hope you are keeping well.

Lynne

Hi

After our recent trip on the QM2, we thought you might like the Christmas Decorations.

Have a good one!!

Lynne and Mark

We were on this short trip too and had an in hull balcony for the very first time on deck 5. It was a trip with the parents to see if they liked the QM2 after their previous cruises on QE and QV.

No one appears to know what happened with the CPS parking. We arrived at 11.30 and were in the third line waiting to be brought around to the terminal. We thought it might have been the lack of drivers as they had to be returned by minibus and couldn't get to the terminal due to the roadworks.

The ship did appear very crowded, especially on the first night as everyone was looking around. In Britannia dining room, the first night's service was terrible, as was the steak diane which was like shoe leather. I understand the first night is always bad in Britannia though so just rolled with it. The other 3 nights were much better. I've only ever been in QG or PG on QM2 so really have nothing to compare it with. The in laws service on their table on another level did not get better throughout the trip and they have said they will never sail on the QM2 again (except possibly for a TA), preferring the QV and the service levels every time.

Our in hull balconly was acceptable but as I'm quite short and I prefer the plexiglass balconies as I could only just see over it and certainly couldn't look down to see unless I climbed on the ledge which I know I shouldn't do.

We were near the back of the ship this time, which actually was quite convenient for a lot of venues (except the CC) and would certainly choose an aft location again.

We know what you mean about the Q2's and have always felt sorry for anyone who has one of those due to their overlooked nature. I think the Q4s are nice.

With regard to it being a booze cruise, we didn't consider it was as bad as one we had previously been on, with drunken girls falling everywhere. This seemed to be more family orientated with a wide variety of age groups. We were exceptionally lucky with the weather too. I did miss the casino on the third night due to the captain pulling into Le Havre earlier than scheduled but other than that, it was a nice pre-Christmas break.

We've just got off the QM2 where Mylene did an interview with the entertainment director with questions from the audience on board in the theatre. It was really interesting and she came across so natural.

Very well done to her, it's a huge feat and she seemed so appreciative to be invited on board.

We had these two booked but got upgraded and we were therefore turfed out of 5192 to a Q3.

Parents stayed in 5194 and is the only one of its kind being a central suite, which has a bar area on one side and houses the TV on the other side in the centre as you walk in. It's really quite spacious.

5192 does appear slightly larger because of not having this central bar area and has more open space, which compared to the Q3 we went to, we would much rather have had. If you have a choice, personally I would go for 5192, but really wouldn't be upset if I had 5194 either.

We purchased one as on board the QE matresses appeared firmer and better than those offered by the QV and QM2.

We've used it since Jan 13 and recently went on the QE and do not feel it's quite as firm as the one on the ship. Perhaps, as mentioned above it is to do with being classed as an "industrial" mattress rather than domestic. I personally feel it's slightly softer than on board and honestly wish it was a bit firmer. It does have a pillow top style which may be the reason I feel it's softer - I can't really put my finger on it, but it's definitely not in the league of those on board in either the Britannia Balcony or Princess Grill cabins we've tried on the QE.