Victoria2

We've only done one shortie [5 nights] and don't recall any lack of service. I do know though, through many conversations over the years, the staff find the short/er cruises more of a challenge. That of course doesn't excuse lacklustre service, but it might go someway to explain any anomalies in service on the very short shorties.

Not everyone wants to fork out for an additional case although the most obvious downside of your suggestion is the fact you mentioned B.A., the acronym of which I won't repeat as Hattie's finger might get fidgety! 🙂

Not having the benefit of a butler at home and our only experience pre Cunard being an occasional butler in some of the hotels we stay in, I'm not really au fait with butler duties but whilst I agree with the idea of a smartly dressed attendant, I would say the butler's role on Cunard is to make you feel at home and anything they can do to make life just that little bit special, they will try and undertake, It seems to me judging by some comments which are made on this board, there must be perfunctory butlers and then those who truly care about their passengers. Luckily, we experience the latter and have been very well looked after.

It's when you see medical/personnel in the restaurant, kneeling astride a fellow diner on a gurney, pumping up and down on the fellow passenger's chest that you see the emergency crews in action. We heard through the grapevine, he survived.

A great review from a different perspective. I love seeing the children on our cruises. We thought we were adventurous taking our son on our very first cruise, when he was five. No children's facilities in those days so tea for him in the Lido and early bed with a room attendant as a baby sitter. [he was a brilliant sleeper or we wouldn't have done that]. Your comment says it all. '- fortunately close to the door for the times we had to take her out of the restaurant due to making too much noise.' Considerate parents. Hope QM2 is just as enjoyable and I look forward to the review. 🙂

Although definitely not a QA cheerleader, I am of the openminded faction and photographs of a less than wide prom deck will not be sufficient to turn me against the ship before experiencing it. Through necessity, if we want to travel from and back to Southampton [no QM2 thank you] we will give the new ship our custom for '24 and having reconciled to that, I am now quite looking forward to the new experience even if our first attempt at sailing with her has been thwarted. 🙂

I think our first cruise with Cunard was in 2011. Table for eight and one of the chaps wore a dark suit on the Formal nights so definitely part of the advisories over ten years ago and that was with the three codes of Formal, Semi Formal and Elegantly Casual. The three codes courtesy of Trip Advisor Formal (black tie or dark suit; evening dress); Semi-formal (jacket and tie; cocktail dress or pantsuit); and Elegant Casual nights (jacket, no tie; dress, skirt or pants).

We sailed in the tail end of one of the most severe hurricanes East coast USA. The Captain came on the speaker, as elegant containers of motion sickness bags were placed all around the ship, and told us we were in for some pretty rough weather [I'll say!!] 'but not to worry as the ship was perfectly safe' Too much info. It hadn't occurred to us, and many others that it wasn't but now you mention it... 😄

No game, 🙂 just my experience as far as being sceptical is concerned. I don't believe one should damn something without trying it first. and unfortunately, I might not have the chance to report back as my April QA cruise has just been cancelled!

Might be a good idea to check up on this once onboard but as long as the Butler has the order and timescale, I don't see why there should be a delivery issue unless it's days in advance etc.

Three? This will be our seventh or eighth. Bearing in mind we book at least three a year, it might even be nine or tenth! I've lost count.🙂 Like Y. Mike, we booked to get the onboard deal with a view to transferring it. Can't be xxxed [a rude word for can't be bothered] bothering with any faffing. We'll see what our wonderful agent comes up with and probably just accept the contribution to a bottle of wine's worth of FCC.

More FCC!!! 😕

If Q4 has a dining table, then I'm guessing you mean QM2. We haven't tried QG on that ship. Our QG experiences are all on QV/QV. It was a novelty and our guests were fellow Q.G'rillers whom we knew but who weren't fellow table companions in the restaurant.

Society and economics are often discussed, as are most branches of the social sciences.

Miss out any political bits and yes we do. I remember distinctly, one occasion when a fellow [American] diner introduced the 2018 mid terms. A distinct froideur descended onto the table and a 'we never discuss politics over dinner' came from the other American couple. Well said. We never have and never will.

Small talk and chat are always best the first day or two. Then as the table gels, and it always has apart from one occasion, as most of our fellow guests have been great conversationalists, stimulating discussions often ensue especially when sitting with celebrity guest speakers, and those who have/had interesting careers and here I'm thinking diplomats, US four star General, an LA plastic surgeon [boy was he interesting] artists, Ex CEO of a software company [a google back in the cabin of the WSJ confirmed his stupendous career] Ivy League Professors [married to each other]. I could go on. Then of course, your regular people like us. All with something to contribute which is why, I guess, we all opt for a large table. Each contributes to great discussions which by no means of the imagination, can be termed small talk but definitely non contentious and incredibly interesting. Suits us. 🙂

Yes. Depending on your cabin furniture, he/she will set either the coffee table, or dining table if you have one, with a cloth, cutlery, glasses and table ware. For breakfast, ours left the whole meal on the table for us. For lunch, the same procedure. We have had dinner for six in our cabin and the dining table was beautifully set and the wine 'breathing'/chilling and each course was served by the butler as and when needed. The butler wanted to serve the pre dinner drinks but we said no to that. Not necessary. We didn't give any tips for that evening, but we certainly showed our gratitude in fulsome style at the end of the cruise.

Apart from one memorable cruise when a specific UK vote was held the day after we boarded, we managed many, many cruises pre Covid, seated at tables for eight, with no political discussion. We are all either rather boring or find so much more of the world and experiences to chat about.🙂

Luckily, in our one and only case, four of us came to the same conclusion. No thanks! Cheerio. If for some, politics or anything remotely connected becomes a staple constituent of dinner table conversation with relative strangers, I think we might be sticking to two tops. 😟

and if any of those don't work, move tables, as we [for the very first and only time] and another couple did. We left the obnoxious loudmouth, his companion and their two travel friends to their own devices. Looked rather obvious when spaced out on a table for eight! 🤣 Other than that, polite listening for a bit then turn to another table mate and start a completely new, non contentious conversation.

Meant to say 'is what we, and many of those who choose to continue sailing with Cunard will do'

Your Butler is a more proactive, higher level version of a room attendant. He/she is, as ours informed us in August when I said he didn't need/have to do a certain function for us, is there to make us feel at home in our temporary home at sea and if was in his power to 'do it', then he would. He did despite my ineffectual protestations. 🙂 He was a wonderful Butler! He/she is there to smooth your way through the holiday. Any questions, ask. Nothing is too simple or basic a question. He/she will be at the end of a pager during working hours and will answer you pretty darned quickly. They will arrange a bit of a do in the cabin for you if you wish to entertain fellow passenger; discuss the [wonderful] platters of nibbles [included in your fare], order the drinks [not included in your fare] and serve the drinks if required. We wouldn't dream of using the un/packing service and I don't know anyone who has but it's there for you I guess if you want. We don't require much from a Butler and we're just happy to be lucky enough to have someone to give us a bit extra help now and then.

Which is what we and most of those who choose to sail with Cunard will do, and those who continually moan about droppings standards can do the same or find another mode of cruise line/ mode of holiday.

Moot really because the corporate decision will be abide by T&Cs.

They can be very helpful and also understanding, in my experience