Victoria2

Oh Well the server will be getting 'their' plate back then, somehow. No problem. However, you never know, the sneeze guard might have a bottom gap by the time I get to try it out again, I did mention that might be a reasonable solution for the pick 'n mixers. 🙂 My laundry suggestion to the deck manager was taken up so, I'll see. 🤞

I will grab a tray and a large plate and hand the plate to the server and build up the lunch. If, as I suspect, the server won't touch my plate as my grubby [not] little paws will have contaminated it, I will ask for small plate size, tip onto the large plate on my tray and stack the empties up to be disposed of asap. 😀 Cunning eh? 😁

I see both sides. My little treat once or twice was a pick 'n mix lunch all on one plate which wasn't possible 10th May cruise but I appreciate the sneeze guards/served food. I have thought of a solution for our next trip so might get my treat in. 🙂

Well I'm really glad I am. Bought at about rock bottom in '22, the shares have almost tripled in value and more important, we have just about recouped the outlay, in OBC. Win Win

Hey that makes two of us. If I'd charge a L.I.I.T. per piece of advice re machines, I'd have saved quite a bar bill!

I would like to think there is little difference between any of the restaurants, dress wise, I do think however, itinerary plays a small part. On the Vistas, we have been on hot weather cruises as part of worldies, cold weather cruises and cruises which encompassed shorties and there were definite differences.

I won't iron on holiday, that's what ship's laundry is for but no need to iron piqué knit, especially the collar. Best way to ruin a piqué knit shirt is iron the collar.

I dry my husband's polo shirts [Lacoste piqué knit] in the passenger laundrette dryer in preference to ship's laundry, take them out when still slightly damp, pull them back into full shape and hang them in a bathroom to finish. Works fine. 🙂

The washers and dryers on Annie are totally different from her sisters' facilities. Digital and Diva'ish ['break down' every day but luckily are re programmed within an hour or two] with loads of programmes. My suggestion was a simple 'this is what the symbols mean' laminated sheet. Then folk wouldn't do a full wash for over an hour when a quick 20 min wash is sufficient or use the low heat dryer programme and wonder why their clothes aren't dry. When used proficiently, they are a great improvement on QV/QEs facilities.

You can have Annie 🤞

Excellent news. I look forward to 'inspecting'! 😄

If you still want to keep the Cunard fly/cruise option but don't like the included flights, choose your own scheduling but have it bundled in with your cruise on the same booking. That's what we do if flying to meet the ship. More expensive obviously than having a flight booking and the separate cruise booking but it keeps the fly/cruise element.

I think Cunard is lucky because like 'Fred', they have a lot of very loyal customers and we are two of them. I can take or leave Annie [my husband would rather leave] but as we don't like QM2 [very much] and want to remain with the devil we know etc, at the moment, Annie it is and I would think there are many like us so between the reluctant/needs must repeaters, the happy repeaters and QA newbies, I think she'll do very well. Suffice to say, we're [needs must] repeaters later in the year so I will see if enough snags have been snagged to make us less of the needs must and more just repeaters for the next couple of years. I will be very interested in CC members thoughts in the coming months. Are you contemplating Annie M.T?

It will take a while for any change , if there is one, in demographics. There were less of the ' bright young things' and more of the elderly and 'oof my back' brigade on the second cruise. Considering the majority of the guests in that demographic want to sail S'ton-S'ton, it will be interesting to see what happens in a few years for Annie if she stays on the home port itineraries. The only thing which might change for 'oofers' is the ship, with its 'quirks' doesn't seem as welcoming for the mobility challenged. Bring back a Vista, preferably Victoria and send Annie off to the Med.

He is truly amazing!

and mobile!!!!🙂 I have to smile at the thought of relative youngsters being the [perceived?] target group on QA. As my fellow CC member said, we felt as if we were the youngsters, and no offence to exlondoner but neither of us are spring chickens! 😄

Queen Anne will 'work'. Once the snags are snagged she will function perfectly well as a cruise ship She might not be the choice of Cunard regulars [and she's definitely third choice for us] but those new to the market and those who like the 'new' Cunard will sail with her. The sad thing for us is she might be summer home ported in Southampton for the seeable future and we are left with Mary or Anne, neither of which floats our boat but Anne will have to do,

and don't know what the fuss is about as there's an obvious answer to any question which offends...draw a thick, black line through the question. Job done.

All water is most definitely not the same. My mother had a similar issue although she put up with any consequences when on holiday/away from home. To slightly misuse a well known phrase, suck it and see but as to actually harmful to those with a less fragile digestion, onboard tap water is safe.

We don't bother with mass frequent flyer parties either but they are popular and if folk like them, then they should stay. There again, I'm not bothered if we never meet the Captain just as I'm sure deep down, the Captain isn't bothered meeting us either. As long as he/she is competent driving the boat or making sure their staff are too, that'll do. So saying, a couple of cabin parties has meant we have met a couple of deputy captains. All jolly pleasant chaps.

It's worth doing a spot of Maths. On our first cruise back in '22, we bought a whole voyage plan to share which meant one Diamond $135 'allowance' was wasted. Once bitten, twice aware and now we 'do the Maths' and use both credits on a per 24 hrs Essential 'plan'. Just for a bit of fun, watching the hours and using the internet when in phone signal range meant zero account for the two weeks.

I have flown in and out of Southampton and if LHR is to be avoided and S'ton is an alternative then go for it. The airport is 'petit' but perfectly functional. In other words, it's an airport and it works. 🙂 My advice though would be to take a cab there and back. Saves any hassle.

and us, although we do use the bars and pay for additional bottles of alcohol when having folk 'in' rather than bringing bottles onboard. Rather shabby of us too I guess! 😀 I did buy a teddy in the shop though, will that count as revenue for Cunard? 😁

Beautifully explained bluemarble. We bought the Essential wi fi on a per day [$24 for 24hrs] basis between the two of us, utilising both Diamond credits and with judicious planning eg didn't renew when in port/didn't need it overnight etc, ended up with a zero Internet bill for the a 14 day cruise. Gold credits are not as generous but sharing the load [if two of you] and using own phone signal when in port elmsliebev, will help.

I'm a great fan of the night time Pavilion screen. Great fun.