QM2 Veranda Gone

[Germancruiser]

Well- and good riddance! Decor and view is great in QM2 Verandah. We were very very disappointed in June, too. The worst meal we had in the whole week. The service- nothing to call home for! " What you don´t like wine"- and gone was all the friendlyness! The experience on board QE was wonderful in all departments!

[tag1000]

I always wonder if they could do something different with the space. The Verandah never ever seems very busy. I was thinking pool side bar/ pub. The Golden Lion is always crowded so more pub space would be good. Admittedly the weather on transatlantic does not always lend itself to a pool theme but I am sure that some type of pub/lounge and disco at night might work.

 

 

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[CABINET]

Thanks for the report. We'll see how this sorts out. Did not like Todd English, and did not like the Verandah, so we say "Buh-bye," since neither was worth the up-charge. Sadly I have low expectations for a steak house as it will probably be more of the same, old fashioned, old fashioned, old fashioned. Not at all like the inventive cuisine created in great restaurants in London, New York, or other great cities. Just a throwback to the 1950s, and not in a good way. Ooooo....I need to keep an open mind. So we will see.

 

Last time we filled in a questionnaire about food on Cunard ships we said that we found more variety in the Marks and Spencer's food hall on our journey home. The food really is mostly very old fashioned indeed.

[Bell Boy]

I always wonder if they could do something different with the space. The Verandah never ever seems very busy. I was thinking pool side bar/ pub. The Golden Lion is always crowded so more pub space would be good. Admittedly the weather on transatlantic does not always lend itself to a pool theme but I am sure that some type of pub/lounge and disco at night might work.

 

 

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What ! :eek: and lose another Elegant Venue for the comfort of the 'evening' jacket dodgers & skirt and cardigan. ;)

They already have the Carinthia Lounge, the Pub, the Casino and can always enjoy an evening in the G32.

[MarkBearSF]

I suspect a major reason that the Veranda is unlikely to be turned into a disco or sports bar is its proximity to the grills and grill-class cabins.

Making the area more of a cafe would be logical, but they'd still want a "classy" restaurant. Perhaps swapping the fancy option into the Carinthia Cafe space, and move the more casual (but classy) cafe aft, next to the pools. A bonus to this is that the view of the pool area and bathers is more appropos to a cafe than a fancy restaurant.

 

...not that they're likely to be interested in such remodeling so soon after her recent refit. But - it's perhaps a solution to the always awkward fit of the premium restaurant right next to the pool.

 

- Mark

[kohl57]

I would love to meet the cats who laid out the interior and public rooms of the QM2. The only passenger ship in the world where the "lido" restaurant (i.e. Kings Court) is nowhere near the lido and the pools. None of it makes any sense but we did enjoy trying a different route from our cabin to the Britannia Restaurant every day. Back then the crossing was six days, maybe they added the day just to prove us wrong in that we never took the same route twice.

[Underwatr]

Probably that's why QM2 is among the few that don't call it the Lido restaurant.

[Germancruiser]

Well the QM2 is an ocean liner- not a cruise ship - therefore the layout is totaly different- and that is one of the reasons we like her so much- I don´t really want another layout! We have enough of that on the other liners- ships- whatever they may be called!

[CateW]

Everyone is different, we really liked Todd English but didn't care for The Veranda. We went to the Veranda once on Queen Elizabeth and while the venue was beautiful I thought the food was heavy. We had 2 reservations on that 19 day sailing and cancelled the second one. Although I don't eat much red meat I am sure there will be seafood offerings and would give the Steakhouse a go for sure.

[cruiserking]

That's a terrible shame. We loved Verandah, the food and service were excellent. It was such a unique experience. Every cruise line has a steak house. What a ridiculous and boring idea. Very upset to learn this.

 

Jonathan

 

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[nigelc]

Had a wonderful meal in QM2's Veranda restaurant on 20th July 2018 as we left New York - worth every cent of the extra charge.

[Shuffleboard Dude]

Well the QM2 is an ocean liner- not a cruise ship - therefore the layout is totaly different- and that is one of the reasons we like her so much- I don´t really want another layout! We have enough of that on the other liners- ships- whatever they may be called!

 

Shoeboxes, the other ones are called shoeboxes.;)

[david,Mississauga]

Well the QM2 is an ocean liner- not a cruise ship - therefore the layout is totaly different- and that is one of the reasons we like her so much- I don´t really want another layout! We have enough of that on the other liners- ships- whatever they may be called!

 

Dr. Stephen Payne was on board the QM2 on the 10th anniversary crossing in 2014. He gave three most interesting talks, only one of which was about his design of the QM2. He explained the logistical reasons why the layout of the ship is quirky. He conceded there are some difficulties, such as the "pass-though tunnels" through the Britannia Restaurant and Royal Court Theatre, necessitating several steps and small lifts here and there. I have never designed a row-boat let alone an ocean liner, so his explanations convinced me.

 

As for the Verandah Restaurant and the former Todd English we have dined in each only once and that was a gift both times. I wasn't too impressed with either. Although the food was tasty and the service good - except for the sommelier in the Verandah - I found it too trendy. My wife called it: "too busy" which is an apt description. We were travelling in Princess Grill when we had our Todd English dinner and in Britannia Club when we dined in the Verandah. We preferred the regular restaurants and would not bother going again, unless it was a gift, of course.

[Pavovsky]

I find it bizarre that anyone can advertise grain fed beef. Grass-fed dry aged is a different matter.

 

 

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[PORT ROYAL]

I find it bizarre that anyone can advertise grain fed beef. Grass-fed dry aged is a different matter.

 

 

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Probably one quarter of an ounce per ton, thereby making the statement legitimate.

Such as "Blue Mountain Blend" coffee, one bean per sack of common African legitimises a "Blend".

[Host Hattie]

I find it bizarre that anyone can advertise grain fed beef. Grass-fed dry aged is a different matter.

 

 

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This blog post explains why some people might prefer "grain finished" beef

 

https://www.crowdcow.com/blog/grass-finished-vs-grain-finished

 

At least a choice is on offer, I look forward to hearing some reports of the new restaurant.

[BklynBoy8]

After reading most of the posts recently, I do hope Cunard makes the right choice to replace the Verandah Restaurant and the menu which will be designed for that dining spot that will last for a longer period of time.

 

Not being a fan of the Todd English I was hoping for a change in that spot. Granted we did twice try it as an amenity to the World Cruise Club. Unfortunately IMHO, I could have taken or leave it.

 

Last year we reviewed the menu before sailing of the Verandah and was not attracted to try it.

 

Sailing next year, I do hope and look forward to a welcoming replacement and menu to that restaurant space.

 

I know we sailed three times on HAL and the Pinnacle Restaurant was interesting with beef (steaks) and seafood very well prepared and enjoyed.

[Pavovsky]

This blog post explains why some people might prefer "grain finished" beef

 

https://www.crowdcow.com/blog/grass-finished-vs-grain-finished

 

At least a choice is on offer, I look forward to hearing some reports of the new restaurant.

 

 

Thanks. Interesting article which makes good points. So for me it is free pasture natural grass fed bearing in mind they need to be brought indoors in the worst of weather but an absolute no thanks to the factory fed cows penned in with a diet of grain or grass pellets. Then again I am fortunate to be able to afford high welfare meat products.

 

 

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[canoncruiser]

Well! Just off QM2 and had lunch in the “new" Verandah- superb Dover Sole with excellent sides, nice glass of Polly Fiume, and a killer Pavlova to top it off. My table mate had a steak which she liked a lot. Incidentally, I did a R/T T/A and had grand tables of fun folks going and coming.

Service was altogether excellent, the ship is in vey good “nick” -A grand time all round. :D:D:D:D:D

 

NB for Cunard-more staff in Britannia Restaurant;)

[Host Hattie]

That's great news, thank you for reporting back.

[MCC retired]

I think that some of the weird Menu items were the biggest turn off for us . Even more than the $.

Hoping that this change gets us to try the Verandah on our next QM2 cruise.

[CABINET]

Well! Just off QM2 and had lunch in the “new" Verandah- superb Dover Sole with excellent sides, nice glass of Polly Fiume, and a killer Pavlova to top it off. My table mate had a steak which she liked a lot. Incidentally, I did a R/T T/A and had grand tables of fun folks going and coming.

Service was altogether excellent, the ship is in vey good “nick” -A grand time all round. :D:D:D:D:D

 

NB for Cunard-more staff in Britannia Restaurant;)

 

Glad that you had an enjoyable meal but really, Dover Sole and Pavlova, really does emphasize that they living in the past food wise.

[BklynBoy8]

I think that some of the weird Menu items were the biggest turn off for us . Even more than the $.

Hoping that this change gets us to try the Verandah on our next QM2 cruise.

BRAVO MCC...

 

The was the first thing the menu that turned us off. Couldn't even figure the names on the menu.

 

Thk U

 

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[BklynBoy8]

Well! Just off QM2 and had lunch in the “new" Verandah- superb Dover Sole with excellent sides, nice glass of Polly Fiume, and a killer Pavlova to top it off. My table mate had a steak which she liked a lot. Incidentally, I did a R/T T/A and had grand tables of fun folks going and coming.

Service was altogether excellent, the ship is in vey good “nick” -A grand time all round. :D:D:D:D:D

 

NB for Cunard-more staff in Britannia Restaurant;)

Thank U

 

Dover Sole our Favorite.

 

A Good Steak to booth would be great.

 

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[skyhoosier]

Learning more everyday from this board. Now to hear we have to pay for dinners (maybe lunch,too) We booked in Queen's Grill thinking it would be akin to our usual cruises which have for the most been all inclusive; Seabourn, SeaDream, Silver Sea, some Lindblad's. We didn't do any research as this booking came as a result of the cancellation of Scenic's launch of their first ocean going ship, the Eclipse's inaugural cruise, because it won't be finished by September; at least another 5 months. So we opted for the QM2 through a So African travel agent. So far, I have found the lecturer list but not the entertainment. Any specifics on what will be offered?