Boarding: so far so good.

[RJChatsworth]

The shows were usually 8.30 and 10.30.  Now they seem to be 7.30 and 9.30.  Whether this will be for always I don’t know.  It may be geared to the new Britannia restaurant evening meal times.  Assigned seating is 5.30 to 7pm and open seating is from 7.15 with last orders at 8.30.

[Craigrlewis]

Hope youre still having fun!

 

Can you tell me who the captain is and who the entertainment director is? Thanks

Seeing your pictures already has me excited beyond all belief for all pur upcoming cruises

 

[Minnie29]

Thanks for all your information.

How does the ship feel with less people on board and are there lots of social distancing measures? 

[RJChatsworth]

The captain is Inger Klein Thorhauge and cruise director is Paul O’Loughlin.

[Minnie29]

What was the process with CPS parking at the terminal this time? 

[RJChatsworth]

CPS as normal but no men with trolleys. Had to get one and deliver own luggage to an external collection point.

[Minnie29]

So do you park your own car?

[Minnie29]

Sorry to ask you so many questions but is The Library open onboard? 

[ovccruiser]

Very envious, but we will be on board in 7 weeks fingers crossed.

[Victoria2]

1 hour ago, Minnie29 said:

Sorry to ask you so many questions but is The Library open onboard? 

Don't be sorry. These are strange times and it's apparent many procedures which have been familiar, are subject to Covid changes and so we're all benefiting from your questions.

As the months roll on, these changes will no doubt change so current experiences are and will be very welcome. 🙂

[Victoria2]

Here's a thought.

 

Following on from Minnie's excellent queries, maybe we should have a list of questions which can be answered by current passengers or those recently disembarked so we will know if porters were available or the library open or if booking for dinner is a must etc etc

[ace2542]

19 hours ago, Solent Richard said:

Just thought I'd update this board with good news of the boarding of Queen Elizabeth today taken from one of my facebook groups...

 

Well I’ve arrived, everything was in my favour this morning ,from arriving at the Mayflower Covid centre( at 11.45) to dropping my car off with CPS ( at12.15) by the time I walked into Ocean terminal I receive the Text I was waiting for ......Covid test negative ! Once inside ocean terminal I was escorted to the check-in for a quick check over of my paper work .....AND ! I believe I was the 12th passenger to board at 1pm .....to a welcome of a line of Bell Boys , Senior Cunard Management, Housekeeping ,Waiters etc etc ,Clapping .

 

Glad everything seems to be going well. Did you have a specified arrival time at the "Mayflower Covid Centre" or could you just turn up whenever you wanted?

[LadyL1]

I have checked in online for a not too distant cruise, and the check in time is given.

Let’s trust folk will be sensible about this: it is no good whinging what loyalty Grade you are, priority boarding is different now because of circumstances.

A fortune has been spent on making passengers safe with certain protocols, as we expect to be, so hopefully boarding times will be respected as far as possible!

 

[rakkor]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

Glad everything seems to be going well. Did you have a specified arrival time at the "Mayflower Covid Centre" or could you just turn up whenever you wanted?

 

We're scheduled for 14:00 at the Mayflower for testing on Friday's cruise - It does say on the joining instructions to stick to your time - The FiL is set for 13:15 (He's Gold on Deck 5, we're Platinum on Deck 4)

[delondin]

16 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I thought they weren't allowing back to back cruises. Anyway, last week's cruise was cancelled, so I now have to wait until next May. I'm only jealous because I love Cunard. Alas, I can't afford to have several cruises booked. But I shall enjoy your cruise vicariously.

I believe the quotes were from someone else on Solent Richard’s fb group he belongs to. Solent Richard is cruising next week I think. 

[exlondoner]

19 minutes ago, delondin said:

I believe the quotes were from someone else on Solent Richard’s fb group he belongs to. Solent Richard is cruising next week I think. 

 

Light dawns. That makes perfect sense. Sometimes I am deeply dim. Thank you. 😀

 

[ace2542]

39 minutes ago, rakkor said:

 

We're scheduled for 14:00 at the Mayflower for testing on Friday's cruise - It does say on the joining instructions to stick to your time - The FiL is set for 13:15 (He's Gold on Deck 5, we're Platinum on Deck 4)

How long before you sail is your testing time issued? We have 92 days and are travelling down on the day of sailing a sunday November 14th travelling 238 miles by road.  We may not be able to make it in time? What if you are late?

Edited August 14, 2021 by ace2542

[ace2542]

57 minutes ago, LadyL1 said:

I have checked in online for a not too distant cruise, and the check in time is given.

Let’s trust folk will be sensible about this: it is no good whinging what loyalty Grade you are, priority boarding is different now because of circumstances.

A fortune has been spent on making passengers safe with certain protocols, as we expect to be, so hopefully boarding times will be respected as far as possible!

 

Our sailing is 92 days away and our check in time has not yet been given so far as I can see.

[exlondoner]

Would you expect it to? Even in pre-Covid days, one didn't know until the e-ticket was available.

[Granny Liz]

19 hours ago, lindylooellalouise said:

Have a fantastic holiday, I will be onboard  October 1st and I can’t wait have missed Cunard and cruises so much🤗

We're on the 1st October cruise as well - I have started a roll call. Feel quite envious of those on board now but it won't be long before we're there!

[RJChatsworth]

In answer to Minnie29 earlier I said CPS was acting normally except no luggage collection from the car.  Then M29 asks do you park your own car?  No and I was never aware you ever had to!

 

The library is open.  There are no paper transactions, no menus in coffee areas.  Everything booked on IPad carrying waiter.  We get the daily activity sheet in the cabin and waiting to see if we get Britain Today delivered this evening.

 

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned my earlier comment about the change in times of theatre productions Theatre seating seems to be all for doubles with a prohibited seat either side. Boxes open.

[Host Hattie]

Thanks for the updates @RJChatsworth, I hope you're having a great time.

The new theatre times were discussed here a few days ago so thanks for the confirmation that Cunard's pre-voyage information was correct.

[rakkor]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

How long before you sail is your testing time issued? We have 92 days and are travelling down on the day of sailing a sunday November 14th travelling 238 miles by road.  We may not be able to make it in time? What if you are late?

Our Boarding Pass has a final boarding time of 16:00 - We're driving down from London, so leaving early and have booked lunch in Southampton for 12, so if there are issues we should be able to work around them.

Edited August 14, 2021 by rakkor

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, RJChatsworth said:

In answer to Minnie29 earlier I said CPS was acting normally except no luggage collection from the car.  Then M29 asks do you park your own car?  No and I was never aware you ever had to!

 

The library is open.  There are no paper transactions, no menus in coffee areas.  Everything booked on IPad carrying waiter.  We get the daily activity sheet in the cabin and waiting to see if we get Britain Today delivered this evening.

 

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned my earlier comment about the change in times of theatre productions Theatre seating seems to be all for doubles with a prohibited seat either side. Boxes open.

 

Are they still delivering paper menus to QG cabins? And it's probably a bit early to comment on this, but how is the food? I see you are just turning the corner round Cornwall's toe.

[RJChatsworth]

No paper menus in QG cabins as yet.  Food excellent but seems somewhat slower than usual.  Osman in charge of QG grill but he says he’s going back to QM-2 when it begins it’s voyages.