Notes from a QV cruise

[Lanky Lad]

Obidos was lovely. Really enjoyed the cherry drink in the chocolate cups. Hope you got some chocolate to bring home it was yummy.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Lanky Lad

[Chunky2219]

Ms. Carola M. Works at the moment on the QV as Head Waitress in the Queens Grill Restaurant. At least a week ago !

Carola is indeed in QG at present as head waiter and a very pleasant lady she is. However, she leaves the ship as we disembark on Friday 13th Nov to return to Frankfurt for her two month break. Eduardo will be returning next week as HW.

 

On a wider note, Hattie has been doing a sound job describing a very good cruise so I've not bothered to intrude by adding my own two penn'orth. But I'll download a couple of photos of our departure from Lisbon yesterday, including a couple of QE in the distance, passing under the bridge with the sun setting behind her. If I can figure out how to do it, that is...

 

.

[Host Hattie]

Thanks Chunky, please feel free to add your thoughts, especially from a Grills perspective.

 

 

10th November – Part 3

 

 

We followed QE out along the river and then turned our separate ways – lucky people are at the beginning of their cruise. We watched another half a film (Channel 25, Comedy Films) and

then had time for a drink in the Chart Room before dinner (after using it as a reason why I preferred QV I thought we should make an effort to use it). It was perfectly pleasant with a harpist playing in the background. This Chart Room is much smaller than the one on QM2, it seems to be one of the rooms where the size difference in the ships is most noticeable. We were 4 for dinner, our Mexican companions were trying Bamboo, but we got both American ladies back. I had pork for main course, Sirloin Steak made another appearance ( I think that's the third now), Mr HH had it and reported that it was a bit tough (that didn't stop him finishing it).

We got a box again for the Comedy Juggler Pete Matthews, who we enjoyed very much. It was Abba and 70's night with Synergy in the Queens Room and Jazz night in the Chart Room. We opted for Abba and did dance a little, the ship is moving around which made it more interesting. The dancing finished very promptly at midnight, with the main lights being switched on almost immediately. We moved onto the Golden Lion for Mr HH to finish his drink. It was almost empty there so we retired to bed soon after.

 

 

11th November – At sea

 

 

Made it in time for Britannia breakfast and then went to look at items in the Chart Auction, this is being run as a silent auction with bids being placed in a box in the Grand Lobby. As well as the chart, there were 2 “retired” flags - a Sea Ensign and the Commodore's Burgee and a log from the Bay of Biscay. There was a queue of people at the Voyage Sales Office, which I guess is a good sign.

Our disembarkation information has arrived, always a bad sign. We are due off at 9.45. We have had an interim statement as well, Mr HH's double internet purchase had been refunded.

I went to the Remembrance Day service, I was there at 10.30 for a 10.45 start and the place was already pretty full, in the end it was standing room only and shown on the screens in the Golden Lion. I'm sure we ended up with 4 minutes silence after a mix-up with the bugler. It was a very moving service.

We went to the second lecture by the former head of Royal Protection, it was interesting, although at times his slides didn't match his words. His next talk tomorrow is about Princess Diana.

They is a sale of photographs today - $17.50, unfortunately the only one taken of the two of us at dinner wasn't very good.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Host Hattie

[cruiseluvva]

I hope you have a quiet seas on the back, though given the awful weather here, I fear you may not.

 

We leave for Southampton tomorrow, to board as you leave. :D

[BigMac1953]

I hope you have a quiet seas on the back, though given the awful weather here, I fear you may not.

 

We leave for Southampton tomorrow, to board as you leave. :D

 

Hi Gill

 

You might be lucky! There seems to be a high working its way north.

 

We're in "old clothes week" mode as we set off on the sleeper on Sunday night.

 

On Monday, our 4 year old, all singing and dancing washing machine packed in (it does actually play a wee tune at the end of a cycle). Apparently, from the code on the screen, they can tell us that the pump has stopped working, and it'll be a week before they can send a new one. Great timing.

 

Too bad the "steamies" have all gone.

 

Anyway have a good trip and I trust that things at home are improving.

 

Kind regards

Stewart

[cruiseluvva]

Thanks, Stewart, baby Sophie is doing well, still in the NICU but growing day by day. Three days is as long as we want to be away, so I'm glad we postponed "your" cruise, but this break will be a welcome respite from the constant worry.

 

Have a fab time.

Edited November 11, 2015 by cruiseluvva

[Host Hattie]

I hope you have a quiet seas on the back, though given the awful weather here, I fear you may not.

 

We leave for Southampton tomorrow, to board as you leave. :D

 

Thanks, the bags are out so I fear we are in for some movement !

Did I mention that we had bid at the auction ? We may have miscalculated as we are now the proud owners of both the flags !!

[Host Hattie]

11th November – Part 2

 

 

We had a nice Britannia lunch although my eton mess was more of an eton tidy – a cream filled meringue. Mr HH went to the casino for a while and I did a bit of duty free shopping. Spirits are in plastic bottles which helps with weight.

We had a bit of sun on our balcony but it was a little breezy (not too surprising for November) so we watched “Foxcatcher” on the TV. We went out for a stroll and found the letters telling us that we had won the silent auction – we didn't really expect to end up with both flags – I guess that's Christmas presents sorted !

As part of my quest to have a drink in every bar, we went to the Winter Garden – it was probably the wrong time of day (the sun had just set) but it was our overall impression that it was very draughty and a bit gloomy. The Strawberry Daiquiri was pretty good though and our American dinner companions reckon they make the best Martinis there.

We got ready for our last formal night and the Senior Officers Cocktail party. It was the 175 ball but there weren't that many people wearing Cunard colours.

They had saved all the big guns for the last formal night. QM2 had solved the decision problem by having Beef Wellington on a separate night to Lobster (as Surf and Turf) but on QV we had Escargots as a starter, with Beef Wellington and Lobster tail as mains. I decided to push my luck and ask for the Lobster as a starter. I was told that it wasn't possible as it wasn't ready and everyone would have to wait. I pointed out that I'd spent 8 nights waiting for them to eat their salad course. There was a bit of shoulder shrugging so I ordered the Escargots. Of course when the starters turned up I got the Lobster ! I had my Escargots when the others had salad.

We had the parade of chefs and Baked Alaska.

The production show was described as “new” - we didn't go and settled for an evening in the Golden Lion instead. We enjoyed the singer's repertoire but it seemed a word for word repeat of our previous visit there.

[fantasy51]

The Strawberry Daiquiri was pretty good though

 

I was introduced to strawberry daiquiris on my last QV cruise. I found that you can order them at the Captain's cocktail party!

[janecambridge]

Thank you Hattie.We are just having breakfast,ready to leave for Southampton to jump on behind you....Weather hasnt been too bad down:) south so hope you have a good journey.That goes for all of you leaving the ship today.

[Host Hattie]

Thank you, it's a lovely bright morning in Southampton. I hope everyone travelling today has a wonderful time. I will post my last chapter and a few final thoughts once we get home.

It's always sad to leave a ship but the pain is eased slightly by the fact that I will be back on board before the end of the year. :D

[Host Hattie]

Sorry but the earlier weather report was a bit short lived, it's raining and we're off the ship :(

 

Bags collected and waiting for our taxi back to the Montagu Arms.

[Host Hattie]

November 12th - At sea

 

So much for the Diana lecture, we opted for oversleeping and a late breakfast in the Lido instead (talking to others who had been, there were no amazing no revelations. We tried to catch it on the TV later but there were still showing yesterday's).

We did make it to Maureen Ryan's second lecture on the QE2 and the current fleet. The theatre was slightly busier than for her first lecture and it was lovely to hear her speak.

We went back to make a start on the dreaded packing. Mr HH had to buy an extra bag for all our purchases.

I managed to arrange a Future Cruise deposit over the phone and then had several calls from my credit card fraud department !

We shared a lovely window table at lunchtime with some regulars on Thomson Cruises, one of whom thought the Cunard breakfast was rubbish and there were too many sea days (takes all sorts !).

We went to listen to the Queen Victoria choir in the Grand Lobby led by the very enthusiastic Cordelia. They all looked very smart and made a nice noise. We walked back past the Queens Room, the queue for afternoon tea was impressive. I hope everyone got served.

The show was pre-dinner this evening - a second outing for Elektra (2 female violinists) and the juggler. We had time for a glass in the Champagne Bar - I think that's every bar except the Lido done (missed the opportunity when we were in warmer climes).

Pheasant for a last main course followed by chocolate soufflé - lovely last night dinner. We stayed chatting and said our farewells, they have been a great group to share with. We popped back to the cabin to put our cases out and went to the Golden Lion for a last Brandy Alexander/Bottle of Pedigree.

It was fairly quiet, it felt very last night-ish !

[Host Hattie]

November 13th - Southampton

 

I was awake at 7.30, we had already docked and the sun was shining onto our balcony. Britannia breakfast was until 8.00 so we made do with our usual drinks and pastries from the Lido. We had the Britannia Level 3 as a disembarkation lounge and a departure time of 9.45. When we got to the Britannia we were told they were running ahead of time and we could leave as soon as we wanted ! We stayed for a cup of coffee and the walked off, collected our bags and I was calling our taxi company at 9.05.

 

 

Thanks for those who have stuck with me and especially to those who took the trouble to comment.

 

To be honest I wasn't really expecting much from this cruise - it was our 13th, returned home on Friday 13th and crossing the Bay of Biscay both ways in November seemed a bad idea ! We had a great time, saw some lovely places, met some nice people, what more could you ask for ?

 

I apologise for doing a rubbish job of answering questions, thanks so much to those who answered on my behalf !

[gfs1ram]

Thank you, it's a lovely bright morning in Southampton. I hope everyone travelling today has a wonderful time. I will post my last chapter and a few final thoughts once we get home.

It's always sad to leave a ship but the pain is eased slightly by the fact that I will be back on board before the end of the year. :D

 

Hi Hattie pleased you enjoyed the Cruise and thanks for posting.

Are you doing the Christmas Cruise on the QV?

[Host Hattie]

Hi Hattie pleased you enjoyed the Cruise and thanks for posting.

Are you doing the Christmas Cruise on the QV?

 

Thank you, unfortunately not, we are on for New Year.

[roscoe39]

November 13th - Southampton

 

I apologise for doing a rubbish job of answering questions, thanks so much to those who answered on my behalf !

 

thanks for taking the time to post Hattie, Its always fun to read live reports.

regards Roscoe

Edited November 13, 2015 by roscoe39

[samseal6]

Hi Hattie , brilliant report of the cruise.It was our first and we loved it .

You had the same early room service we did , always 15 minutes early, loved your comment about the Eaton mess , as I said exactly the same

 

We were surprised too by some of the outfits worn on the informal evenings , but we both made an effort every night and really enjoyed dressing up and looking fab!!!!

 

Loved the food in the Brittania , yes it would have been nice if the beef wellington and lobster had been on different nights .We too had salad course people on our table , bit weird !

 

Staff were lovely apart from one girl on the pursers desk , who was snappy and grumpy , not just to us but to others

 

All in all we had a fantastic time , met some lovely people aswell as some odd peoplev, the rich tapestry of life

 

We will definatley be back ,

 

Sam

[Tangoqueen]

"Staff were lovely apart from one girl on the pursers desk , who was snappy and grumpy , not just to us but to others"

 

Think we had the same experience........as did others on our cruise the one before yours.......

 

We experienced bad service from the same girl in the summer when she was a bar stewardess in the Queens room. We complained about her then and were v. surprised to see that she seems to have been rewarded by a new higher profile position.

[Host Hattie]

Hi Hattie , brilliant report of the cruise.It was our first and we loved it .

You had the same early room service we did , always 15 minutes early, loved your comment about the Eaton mess , as I said exactly the same

 

We were surprised too by some of the outfits worn on the informal evenings , but we both made an effort every night and really enjoyed dressing up and looking fab!!!!

 

Loved the food in the Brittania , yes it would have been nice if the beef wellington and lobster had been on different nights .We too had salad course people on our table , bit weird !

 

Staff were lovely apart from one girl on the pursers desk , who was snappy and grumpy , not just to us but to others

 

All in all we had a fantastic time , met some lovely people aswell as some odd peoplev, the rich tapestry of life

 

We will definatley be back ,

 

Sam

 

That's good to hear, I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your kind words.

We only went to the Pursers Desk twice and obviously got lucky on both occasions.

[samseal6]

We didnt complain , thought she was jyst having an off moment , but. I witnessed her being very gruff with an elderly gentleman who was hard of hearing and some friends we made saudcshe was iff with them too

She was a young , dark haired girl

[samseal6]

Apologies for my poor typing , my keyboard seems to have a mind of its own

[Janix]

Hi Hattie,

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your reports, even though it was a short trip, it made interesting reading. it's great to hear everything was once again as expected.

 

John

[Tangoqueen]

Samsea16 it definitely sounds like the same girl, I'll refrain from naming and shaming since this is a public forum but definitely expect better customer service in the future. My husband likened her to a young female version of Basil Fawlty in that she's so bad she's good.......

 

A Fawlty quote slightly altered for the occasion so as not to cause offence:

 

"This is typical. Absolutely typical...of the kind of...rubbish I have to put up with from you people. You ponce in here expecting to be waited on hand and foot, while I'm trying to run a cruise ship here. Have you any idea of how much there is to do? Do you ever think of that? Of course not, you're all too busy sticking your noses into every corner, poking around for things to complain about, aren't you? Well let me tell you something........ A lot of layabouts with nothing better to do than to cause trouble. Well I've had years of pandering to the likes of you, and I've had enough. I've had it. Come on, pack your bags and get off."

[Jules.]

Thank you Hattie for your cruise posts, glad you had a lovely time on QV. Also that you made the most of your deck 4 balcony with its size and the sunshine that you had x