Victoria2

I do get your drift. We thought about a Long Voyage and went as far as to book 72 days but had to cancel so a Worldie holds no interest for us, for health issues and also being away from family and friends for that length of time. We love our cruises, but love our home environment too. For six weeks I had no cooking, no housework and no ironing. Just the pure luxury of busy days at sea often doing nothing the whole day through, with the equivalent of a stimulating dinner party every evening. To be thoroughly recommended. 👍 .

The longest we have been onboard was approx six weeks and that was plenty long enough for us. Do bear in mind, if ''outfits'' might be an issue, no one will be giving marks out of ten for attire and unless an outfit is absolutely outstanding, for any reason 😁, no one will remember what was worn anyway so unlike those ladies who have a different outfit every night, I recycle long and mix 'n match separates. My husband's shirts are sent to be laundered [ I refuse to touch an iron on holiday] and there is the passenger laundry facility for those who want it. Other than that, Gala evenings are no different really from the other nights apart from dress is more relaxed on non Gala nights. See many, many, many comments on threads over THAT one!😄

Without wishing my life away, the more I hear about this ship, the more I'm looking forward to trying her out. 🙂

You are very welcome. I thought the price was a little steep but seeing how my '23 refill diary has leapt up 25% on a certain river site since Dec '22, nothing would surprise me, price wise these days! Sadly! I might wait 'til Feb to buy it as a personal protest! 😁

I am of ''the only person who can intimidate you, is yourself'' way of approaching life so I would not be intimidated by any lanyard wearing fellow passengers [or anyone onboard for that matter] but I would be annoyed if the lanyard wearing passengers had frequent access to many parts of the ship which precluded me from entering. So it would depend on how intrusive the charter[?] group was as to how annoyed I'd be.

I'm with exlondoner I don't think you can book that far ahead and quite frankly, even if you could, I wouldn't. That's a lot of money to lose if the ship's itinerary changes.

Both can be tender as both can be alongside. Depends which ship, if any other there at the same time, has the alongside mooring.

When we travelled [with Cunard] on the Flamsbana, we ''halfway'd'' before the return, at Vatnahalsen station and traipsed up to the hotel there for a waffle afternoon tea. Not an outstanding snack by any means but the views are great.

We have ''done'' around six 7/8 day Fjord trips over the years. Each one has been special even with repeated calls. We have been there when other ships have been anchored in Flam and didn't notice a problem. The obvious first timer trip for the Flam call is the railway, Having done it once, we're glad we did it but have never bothered with it again. Guarantee a trip and book it with Cunard to go with the herd, or book it yourself for a cheaper price but still go with the herd. Olden is pretty but no more so than other Fjord calls. My favourite stop is Geirangerfjord. Picture book pretty. Booking QG/PG gives no priority for booking excursions. The only advantage could be if booking with the Grill's Concierge just might beat any line up at the excursion desk.

I sometimes go and have a forage in the Lido at lunch time. Yes, anything can be ordered for lunch but sometimes, the urge for a single plate of bits and bobs [definitely NOT the etiquette for a QG lunch 😄] means it's the Lido for me and not a sit down lunch upstairs.

As a die hard QV fan, we're disappointed but recognise it might be judicious planning on the part of Cunard. Many, like us want to depart/arrive S'ton and with the choice being between Mary [no thanks] or the new ship, it might/will introduce Queen Anne to a whole raft of Cunard passengers...like us! We won't prejudge; we will book; we won't go comparing her with her smaller sisters and we will enjoy. 🙂

I think anyone choosing to travel at the moment has to expect ''the unexpected''. Our pandemic Covid precautions were almost military in their approach but there comes a time when ''you'' have to live life. Apprehensive though we were last August, we kept up our own Covid protocols even though we were initially, almost rare beasts onboard with our approach. More masks joined us as the cruise went along and although we didn't frequent the bars much and dined two top instead of six or eight, we had a wonderful time being, as you say, sensible. Sadly had to cancel Oct trip [yes, the 75% charge was a real ouch] but really looking forward to '23. Masks will probably still ''be us'' but we're so used to the idea, it won't impinge on our enjoyment one jot. To those concerned about Covid, just be very sensible but go for it. Life is for living. 😀

QVs '24 itinerary is disappointing for us but it gives us a great opportunity to try the new ship. We are now looking forward to giving the newest sister a whirl. The at least we can say, well we tried! 🙂

Yes, she's ugly and yes, she's VERY different from the other ships but as I dislike Mary and wish to cruise from S'ton, then Anne it will be for '24. 🙂

Usually 5% for early bookings. Depending on the cabin you want to book, don't be too surprised if they get booked out quickly. This is a new ship and whatever the lack of interest on this board, who's to say the rest of the interested world will have the same dismissive attitude.

We refuse to book GUAs and as pre Covid segmenteers of many years, waited until the cabins of our choice were released. We were never able to jump in and book immediately and often waited a couple of months. I don't know about '23 as we weren't interested,

QV was released for boarding at 1pm for us in August. That's a good hour later than we were used to pre Covid. As it seems to be a bit of a regular time now, may I suggest once in your cabin, you dump your hand luggage and head up for lunch. Time to take stock of your cabin and surroundings afterwards. 🙂

Lunch will be served in the restaurant for QG passengers. Still doesn't stop me having a lovely cooked breakfast in the hotel before hand. The choice is entirely yours.

I am so looking forward to your first Cunard encounter. Don't forget, ASK!!!!! The staff are there for you and no question is too insignificant. 🙂

I have a Aug'22-May'24 Cunard brochure here and that cabin is a Q6 on the deck plan.

I lost 2lbs on our last trip [August] and that wasn't because I didn't eat very much. On the contrary.. Hot breakfast in the cabin, light lunch of crab or feta or lobster tail salad with my choice of ingredients, no afternoon tea unless it was just a cup of, to be sociable and a great dinner but no pud apart from the must have Crepes Suzette and positively no bread rolls as fillers. Must leave room for the alcohol carbs! 😄 The beauty of QG is you can have what you want as long as the ingredients are in the ship and you give a bit of notice to your Head Waiter. I often go ''off piste'' and I would go so far as to say I am actively encouraged to do so by the wait staff. Just ask your Head Waiters. They will guide you. Enjoy.

I agree. T'wirly for us but I know a few people for whom early dining is a necessity for their digestion.

We're giving aft another trial next year. I will report back. 🙂

The noise for us in the corner deck 4 cabin was down to the vibration, from the ''pods'' according to general hear say. The ship went into dry dock for a bit afterwards to sort out the problem.

Don't know about deck 5. The aft cabins I know have def been refitted [as opposed to a bathroom revamp] are decks 6, 7 and 8 as I have been in [not stayed] cabins on all three decks. If deck 5 hasn't been refitted, I'd choose 5 over 8 for the big space. I wasn't taken with the new layout in 8178 which by the way, has a video tour on YouTube.