Victoria2

Just bring an international travel adapter with a three or four USB ports, A and C or which ever is appropriate.

and we were on a QV Baltic cruise last July and there was a large family party, probably around twenty through the generations, celebrating Grandparents wedding anniversary [I think]. Understandably, they arrived together for dinner and that took a few of the wait staff from other stations to facilitate their dinner. Were we 'bovvered' that the timings of our courses were occasionally a little slow whilst the two big tables got 'the attention'? Of course not. If we had had urgent business elsewhere I'm sure we could have had things speeded up but we went with the flow, drank more wine and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of QV's QG restaurant. ps Raul was our M'd on that cruise. What a great M'd he is too. Utterly charming, very efficient, works the room like a pro and is wonderfully, 'Cunard'. Up there with Sandro and Ilven.

Strangely enough, staff always come up to us [never seen staff run] as soon as we've been seated often passing the time of day etc but I don't call that fawning. I call that excellent but expected service. Maybe we are fawnees after all but didn't know it! 😅

On QE?

It depends on which ship. QA you'll be fine in any cabin and as far QV is concerned, the only cabins with usb sockets are aft on deck 7. The new aft QG cabins might have them but I don't know about them. I do know deck 6, although 'brand new' doesn't have any. I very much doubt QM2 and QE have usb ports.

First, make sure with the Grill's Concierge you are on the assistance list. If on a week's vacation, do that within the first couple of days. I always check. You will receive a letter around three/four days prior to disembarkation asking you about your onward travel arrangements and from that, you'll get your luggage tags which will denote your disembarkation times. We always state pick up kerbside at 8.15am. Being QG, you will be amongst the first tranche and will probably be able to be outside around 8.30am. Tip We are usually at the stated waiting place a good half hour prior to time stated as assisted disembarkation can start earlier if the ship is 'released' earlier and as you will be amongst the first off, it's a good idea to b e proactive.

We have been lucky enough to take a couple of sea plane flights. One over and back to Vancouver Island and the other from Vancouver Island and back to a remote bear watching lodge on the N.W, Pacific coast for a three night stay. If I had my choice for a one off and having stayed at a remote lodge accessible only by seaplane or boat, I'd take the Taku Lodge Fest excursion and I'd book it now.

I often think the problem lies with a passenger who thinks others are being treated to more attention than themselves. In July, I don't think we exchanged more than functionary 'everything is fine thanks' when the M'd passed by. Suited us as we had nothing to say to him. The Head Waiters though were adept at passenger/staff chat. Suited us. I guess we could object we were down the ladder as far as M'd exchanges were concerned and others were having in depth conversations. Suited us. It's not staff fawning. It's passengers being receptive to conversational chit chat and we didn't want any with the July M'd.Others did. Suited us.

Not seen any 'kowtowing' or forelock pulling in QG. Senior wait staff greet their regulars and pass the time of day with them but I have no idea who is a 'high level' passenger and who isn't. Any senior staff member worth their salt 'spreads the love' around anyway with those happy to engage in light chit chat. other than that it's an 'everything OK' kind of interaction.

I have no idea how other cruise lines work their disembarkation but for Cunard's QA, it worked very well in July and as I haven't heard of any serious issues, I presume it continued to work after our own disembarkation. Very orderly and no blocking.

john watson in July, the announcements were made over QA's general ship's announcement system. Or at least they were until we departed around 8.30am.

Excellent news Megabear2 . We have a few Alaska cruises under our belts [Van/Van x2 and Van/Anchorage] and loved evert minute of them. I think you're wise to go for the Cunard package especially as a solo. It takes any even slight worry out of the mix. Now enjoy the planning going forward. I have no idea what the excursions Cunard offer but kayaking in the Tongass was pretty special as was the flight from Skagway back to Juneau after our train into the Yukon trip. In Seattle, we loved the EMP which I think is now called Museum of Pop Culture and if you can get tickets to see the Chihuly Glass Garden which is next to the Space Needle, that's one of your days sorted. Unfortunately, the Glass Garden opened after our last visit to Seattle but we've been to the museum in St Petes Florida. Totally breathtaking.

and to add, tea [cooked in our house] is what very young children have around 4.30/5pm when home from school and ravenous. Gives them a couple of hours margin for digestion before bed around 7pm.

I'm a huge Queen Camilla fan. I won't start an alternative tangent by listing her qualities but she is amazing but as amazing as she us, no for a ship's name. The other ships have solid names and Camilla is too 'frothy' for want of a better word. I have no idea if Carnival will eventually add a replacement to any ship they retire but if they do, it will be a ship to go forward for the times. Not Cunard 'lite'. Just Cunard.

A great boaty name! 😉

Sensible answer, I would have thought on the blue circular carpet in the middle of the lobby with existing furniture rearranged or moved out completely.

Would more on the elderly side and with possible dodgy hip do? I would say 'hip' certainly featured 10th May cruise although more dodgy than fun! Never seen so many folk moving around with walkers/Zimmers with either dodgy knees or dodgy hips. Edit And can I say, apart from looking tired from yomping area to area and practising for the paralympic sport of lift access, most passengers looked as if they were enjoying life.

I could have bought all the Sherree Valentine-Daines originals; Rebecca Lardner too, Some of the sculptures were to my taste too but I can't remember the artists. Even one or two Brainwash appealed.

I seem to remember you telling us but not about your opinions. I found some of the art 'strange' [our cabin relief work springs to mind] but some I found wonderful. The Grand lobby grew on me and went from a stark, area to an incredibly elegant, beautiful, but still minimalist lobby thanks to flowers, passengers and the great three story panel which is the focus of the lobby.

Obviously not the same Clarendon on QA that I saw. I could easily have spent £thousands. I thought the art work was particularly great in this gallery. Just shows how subjective art is. 🙂

It's very easy to find out about the art collection on Queen Anne. According to FAD magazine online it's 'the largest largest curated contemporary art collection at sea:' There are apparently 4300 original works The works on the three staircases are by graduates of St Martins, Parsons and Royal College of Art. They are 'Vertical Galleries'. The steel sculpture in the Pavilion is called Genesis and it's by Sam Shendi. Really interesting and there are some lovely pieces onboard although I'm darned sure I only saw a snapshot of them.

Queen Anne was Queen Regnant of Great Britain 1665 - 1714 A couple more eg Lady Jane Grey [not crowned] , a couple of Mary's [but we've had two Mary's] and I think, Matilda Queen Tilly anyone?

I'm thinking of retaking my Art 'O' Level in order to upgrade my basic pass - grade 6 and that was only due to a great History of Art paper apparently - as I think I can 'do' Contemporary.🙂 So saying, I do like some of the pieces on QA.

We had Becks Blue in the cabin fridge along with Peroni full fat and drank the San Miguel at lunchtime. The S.M. was extremely palatable.

Ah but it's not Modern or even Post Modern...it's Contemporary! 😁