Victoria2

The year runs from the date of the booked cruise, not the actual booking date but for you and others, it all depends if same offer is still on the table, and if the same T&Cs apply to you as a US passenger. You won't know until you ask so mull it over and ask at the Future Voyage Sales office.

Just be aware, in my case, if the booked cruises were to be transferred under the 'one change' condition and within the imposed time constraint, the new booking had to be of equal * or higher than the original booking. Booking a '24 cruise to transfer to '25 would work under present UK T&Cs as long as the new booking was within one year of the transferred bookng. How long this 'offer' will last is anyone's guess. Good luck.

Booking conditions seem to differ, US v UK but in August, I booked two trips with a ridiculously low deposit and thus gaining the $400 onboard booking benefit [ pointedly called benefit ] in the full knowledge I could transfer them both once, without charge if I really needed to as long as the time element was observed. I immediately had the bookings transferred to my wonderful agent. T&Cs might be different for a US onboard booking.

Are you in for a treat! I have a seafood platter occasionally, for lunch, in the restaurant. Lobster tail salad, the salad fixings of my own dictate, boringly, many times a week, interspersed with sushi or ceviche.. yum yum. However, the chocolate thingy does nothing for me at all so I would have to have more lobster, to compensate!!

It certainly is but wars have been started over less!!!😂 When patiently waiting in line to be escorted to your assigned table on embarkation day, one can't help but overhear when a fellow passenger doesn't want the table assigned to them. Two tops by the window are the most sought after but there aren't enough of those to go round and even then, there are those which are better positioned. Table politics, definitely a C21st problem! 🙂

Departing Southampton, pre Covid, the Spanish tax was only applicable in Spanish waters but we did port in non Spanish ports. Is it just different when on a round trip from a Spanish port? Does a non Spanish port have to be included to avoid a cruise wide imposition of the tax?

As I said, I have no knowledge of QM2 but on the Vistas, there's no particular 'worst' table, but there are definitely desirable ones, especially the two top category.

Excellent, but buchannan and I have been talking QG restaurant where I know cabin grade has some influence with table position on QV and QE, not sure about QM2..

If you mean the pre-Covid Diamond 'free' 8hrs, or the payg post-Covid then yes, definitely. A Diamond perk has 'bitten the dust'. If you mean actual Wi-Fi accessibility, it was a bit hit and miss [mostly reasonably OK overall apart from one day when no one could access it, to be fair] but didn't matter if it was on deck 7 stairwell B stairs or in the cabin so I missed being Miss Wi-Fi Congeniality! Unlike exlondoner's experience, the balcony was a dead spot all the time but bear in mind, this was on QV.

Or even sitting on the lift lobby stairs and making new friends whilst doing so. What's that phrase? Necessity is the mother of invention!

What the heck, just ask for a large platter and have them both together. Then one could chill off a bit so Hattie will feel 'at home'! 😀

Heavens. I hope Hattie keeps her nose clean...in more ways than one! 😀

Lift proximity is an interesting subject. Our preferred cabins open out onto the lift lobby on 'the Vistas' and we are never bothered by passing 'trade' or lift noises. Whilst we will never holiday on QM2 so I have no idea of her QG set up, I sincerely hope you have a marvellous time and you come back and give us your verdict.

To a certain extent, as far as newbie to old timer, you're right but grade of cabin also features in the strange world of table hierarchy.

Def lobster. Ask for some mayonnaise and a side salad and imagine it was meant to be cold! 😊 Seriously though, I hope you're 'released' today so can have whichever, hot!

Nice one QV passengers! 👍 Well done. 🙂

I'm all for certified testing pre boarding but in the long run, Cunard can't do right for wrong as mask wearing is such a contentious issue so it won't matter to us what others do as we'll do the best we can, personally, to stay well. Masks 'r us. 🙂 As an aside, I took loads of paracetamol with us which I just happened to have at home, remnants of an operation, as I was aware how buying a packet or two onboard might arise suspicion even if it was just for the ear problem I ended up going to the medical centre about.

Hattie, we could count on two hands the number of passengers we initially encountered who were wearing masks. Our take was well good for them who don't but we'll do our own thing*. As the cruise wore on, more started to do so. I hope you won't be disappointed and more to the point, I hope you're 'released' asap and Mr HH with you as soon as he's able.

This was the first time the s/h credit was used and as we spent all the obc etc and then some, I have no idea about any s/h credit and grats. significance. I haven't heard of any but that doesn't mean you are misinformed. Hopefully a member more experienced with that particular benefit can help because unless we have thousands of obc [and it has happened], we easily spend it all!

Are they differentiated? Our obc and stockholder credit appeared as a lump sum on the onboard account.

We usually have noon as a check in/boarding time on QE/QV and get there a little beforehand. You won't be turned away while you wait. I can't think of many things you might need to book apart from hair or general spa appointments and if needed, book those when you board, hair at any rate. You won't be making any Mid Atlantic shore excursions [hopefully] and I wouldn't bother with supplementary dining as you will have a wonderful time in the restaurant. Don't forget the QG mantra of 'if the ingredients are on the ship, the chef will make it for you' if you fancy any off menu dining. The Maître'd or your Head Waiter should be asking if you would like anything which isn't on the menu and if they don't, then ask. The concierge and your butler will be your new best friends. Nothing is too small a query. If in doubt, ask. and most important, ENJOY. 🙂

Not a rant Hattie, just and honest account with some some subjective additions. Very helpful and most informative. Thank you for your continuing to keep us posted. Co-operation is a two way process, Cunard are going to have to up their general care protocols if they expect passengers to report coughs and colds, 'just in case'.

Long Island Iced Tea with an extra hefty shot of lime

No Bidding but passengers [no idea of selection process other than the unticked 'no upgrade' box] are occasionally offered a decent upgrade with a small premium to pay. That's how we unfortunately found our 'sweet spot' om QE and QV. 'Free' visits from the upgrade fairy occur too as you experienced but again, no idea of selection process.

The only time our cabin hasn't been ready is when early boarding [11.30am] , for some reason, was allowed. We waited in the Grill's lounge until it was released. Although the cabin wasn't officially ready, I dropped our carry on stuff in the cabin. Although we had noon boarding, the ship wasn't released until 1pm on our August trip and we went straight to our cabin. Edit Our cruise card was issued at check in pre Covid. This August, it was in our communication 'fan' outside the cabin so whether that will have any influence on cabin availability, I don't know. These days, I imagine if the ship is released, the cabin will be ready.