Victoria2

I think different expectations will come into this as both would seem to be a good bet. The reason we are loyal to Cunard boils down to staff. Admittedly, we haven't tried Celebrity and yes, we might find it a superior experience but when you are so comfortable with a product it seems an extension of home but at sea, it's almost impossible to believe anything else could be as good. At the moment, we're not willing to find out.🙂

Being terribly short sighted, I often lose my various specs. These days, I can guarantee half the time, the pair I'm looking for, are on my head. 😮

Just be aware, the table configurations can change with the table requests of that particular cruise. Table 10, might not necessarily be in the same position every cruise.

In a 3, we've always managed to be seated at the large table [I request it for the following cruise] by the window, if it's configured for our cruise so haven't had two top experience. Our agent put in a request for a window two top for August's ten night jaunt and we got a beautifully positioned table. That was for a 2 cabin. I have put in a request for something similar for our next cruise but being the first to book in our category and Diamond. I'll be astonished if we don't get it. There definitely is a sort of hierarchy for the 'best' window two tops and that seems to go first, cabin category and then when booked and WC status. Not sure of the last two which carries more weight.

I'm not a P&O cruiser, but I'm a great fan of Megabear2's posts. A fount of wise words and help. Thank you.

Seems to be a bit of a reverse variation of Monty Python's 'Four Yorkshiremen' going on! 😃

Certainly makes our consumption these days look almost [but not quite 🙂] tee total!

Nice of them but also very frustrating. We had 24hrs of the same thing. Even Julia 'was down'. Again, VERY frustrating.

Coffee is still complimentary.

groryjm We have never been actively sought out by the concierge, but then, we wouldn't expect to be. Maybe a subtle difference between Cunard/Celebrity, that or we're just too ordinary to be bothered with! 😀 I really don't think level of cabin, PG or QG has anything to do with the attitude of the concierge and if the concierge was Julia, whom we saw in August, I cannot see her as anything other than lovely and helpful. You must have got her on a bad moment.

The comparison Cunard/Celebrity with upper level cabins seems quite favourable to Cunard in many respects and constructive criticism can only be a plus just as any rebuttals should also be constructive. Then a fuller picture can be formed. 🙂

Really? Well that's good news for those who love the brand.

HeinBloed A good point re 'confined' areas and a small crowd/queue. We kept our masks on all the time apart from eating and drinking and were usually the only ones in the lifts wearing them. There is no right or wrong answer but if everyone who had a sniffle or a cough, 'kept away' from others and masked up it would help the majority but sadly, the attitude for many will be me me and no one can be forced to take a test. Perversely, I think the masks should stay but equally, I think it should be a personal decision. I do think proctored testing is still the way to go but then, when do we stop? I hope your partner recovers quickly and how sensible, to let the ship know.

An influx of newbies would certainly help keep the bean counters happy, and me too if it means Cunard stays a going concern! 🙂

Nice idea but you miss out on the spacious areas, the dining table, the bathroom big enough to hold its own soiree etc.🙂

I think you have given an excellent flavour of QG. My only reservation would be the bed [bedroom, I haven't yet kicked my husband out for snoring or vice versa] and pillows. We find the beds [Carpathia this time] incredibly comfortable and have always managed to source decent pillows.

They are our own bookings. I have the Booking Confirmation letters in front of me from Victoria's Future Voyage specialists. The confirmation letters refer to the booking conditions on the Cunard website. They specifically refer to the cancellation clauses 38 to 41. So unless the UK t&cs have changed since August 29th, which is when I made two more bookings, if the cruise is cancelled by the passenger, then cancellation charges apply and either the deposit is forfeited or insurance will kick in to cover the loss if applicable.

swjumboand chemmo There will be no wrath heaped on anyone and the heavens will not fall. Personally, I would say a polo shirt will be pushing the dress code on non formal nights in the restaurants but an open necked shirt will be fine. Trousers of course would be an added advantage for entry into the venues, any actually! 🙂 Ladies, unless you intend to dine in jeans or your swimwear, I would imagine you'd dress within the very broad remit. QE/QV might lack the variety of dining venues Celebrity would appear to offer but don't forget, in QG you can order what you want with the usual mantra 'as long as the ingredients are on the ship' so variety of food will not be in question. QG might have the 'fine dining' rep but that does not mean stuffy or pretentious.. We find it all very relaxing. Steak and a salad? No problem. A great Italian meal or a basic spag bol? No problem. An Indian banquet? No problem. Just don't forget to ask and order in advance. I must add, my experiences are all on QE/QV. I don't particularly like QM2 as a ship so can't say how stuffy or not QG is as I haven't tried it and don't intend to.

Qualify by adding 'hand wash' as that is the product unavailable in the UK, normally.

We're not foodies either. I would hazard a guess most guests are like us, non experts who enjoy a variety of well cooked, well presented meals. We know what we like and we know we'll get it in QG. 🙂 I would add a rider that a shortie does not always 'show off' the true QG experience.

Penhaligon's Quercus? Really?

Sorry Lissie, I booked two cruises whilst onboard in August and as a UK based cruiser, the deposits are most definitely not refundable

Different booking conditions apply to the different countries. For the UK, which is where the OP seems to reside, the deposit can have a once, non chargeable transfer under present booking conditions to another cruise but it isn't refundable.

I am speaking now about QE/QV. I have no knowledge of QM2's alternative dining. The Lido has what I call 'pop ups' most, but not all, evenings These are sectioned off parts of the Lido where the tables are 'dressed' and the ambiance is most definitely not buffet style. The dining is themed and the theme generally follows a three night period. It could be Asian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and others. This is chargeable and I think, around $20/25 but Diamond category Cunard passengers can dine here 'free' one night as a perk . The other regular alternative is The Verandah. Again, a Diamond perk [perk is in the form of a voucher which can be utilised for an evening pop up or Verandah lunch] is a lunchtime dining experience , the evening is chargeable but I have no idea of the cost as we never bother, as we love the QG restaurant ambiance and service and we can order most of the alternative dining offerings, to be served up in QG. Then of course, there is The Lido buffet but apart from a very rare top up around midnight, we have never dined there of an evening. *Apart from the Lido, the evening codes are in all the dining venues. As we find QG dining relaxed, it's up to individuals to decide if one venue is more relaxed than others. Hope that helps for starters.

To be honest, we've given up the main events and just occasionally attend the much smaller do's. As we know quite a few of the regulars, they come to us so saves a dance floor race. 🙂