QV - British Isles

[foodsvcmgr]

Just disembarked Friday from 12 Night QV British Isles cruise, Britannia balcony, Deck 7.

This was my ninth Cunard voyage but first post pandemic my last being QM2 transatlantic in 2018.

Despite some comments of concern on CC,

I could not find anything of significance that I would consider a negative change or cutback.

To the contrary, particularly for the price paid, I was extremely pleased overall and would place Cunard at the top of the superior mass market category, nearing almost the luxury level particularly in view of declines elsewhere.

Food - having spent most of the last 49 years in the F&B industry, Director level prior to retirement, I was highly impressed by the variety and quality of ingredients, preparation, and service in both Lido and Britannia.

I twice ordered the secret steak for dinner, you can add any starch or vegetables from that nights dinner menu.

 

Entertainment - the theme for this voyage was the Prince’s Trust, guest artists included Myleene Klass and Julian Lloyd Weber. Production shows were standard cruise ship fare but the guest musicians and specialty acts were outstanding.

 

Ship - immaculately maintained internally, some rust evident on the lower hull, but will drydock in Belfast this year.

 

Service - great cabin steward, twice daily unobtrusive service. Waiter and Asst. in late seating dinner were polite and efficient but spread over too many tables to develop any relationship beyond beverage preferences.

 

Parties - World Club for Gold, Platinum, and Diamond at 7:15 early in the cruise, Sr. Officers Party at 11:30 later in the sailing for Platinum and Diamond.

Drinks, including G&T, and canapés free flowing.

 

Commodore Club - as usual my pre-dinner stop nightly.

Crisps, peanuts, and warm canapés offered nightly without having to ask.

Specialty drinks rather expensive but basic mixed drinks moderate compared to other lines.

 

Internet - total disaster, wasted much time over several visits to the Purser to get it refunded as it is essentially non functioning.

However the current obsolete system will be replaced by Starlink by the middle of this month. I was told this change has been very successful on QM2.

 

Dress - Casual nights maybe 25% without Jacket, 50% jacket only, 25% tie and jacket.

Three formal nights with near universal tuxes and black tie.

 

Cunard must be doing something right as the Future Cruise Office was by appointment only with spots in high demand.

I took advantage of the Labor Day Sale and booked back on QV for next September.

 

Overall grade - Outstanding - Highly recommended!

[foodsvcmgr]

A few photos from the cruise:

[exlondoner]

What a wonderful dolphin. Is the lighthouse Dubh Artac?

[foodsvcmgr]

The small coastal light is Roches Point outside Cobh and the tower on the rock is Skerryvore off the Isle of Mull.

[exlondoner]

5 minutes ago, foodsvcmgr said:

The small coastal light is Roches Point outside Cobh and the tower on the rock is Skerryvore off the Isle of Mull.

 

Are yes, they are quite similar. 🙂😏

[foodsvcmgr]

This was truly a cruise for lighthouse photography!

Here are Lismore and Inchkeith.

Returning to Southampton was to include more scenic cruising past the Scillys in the morning and Eddystone light in the afternoon but sadly the fog never lifted.

[alibabacruisers]

Thank you for your review!

[Winifred 22]

So good to read an upbeat report.

 

[DaisyUK]

Thank you for posting your review, and what wonderful photographs. Good to read positive comments. Am looking forward to our first QV sailing in a couple of months. I'm comparatively new to Cunard, but based on our first 3 sailings would absolutely agree about the entertainment. We're not particular fans of cruise ship entertainment generally, but have been completely wowed by some of the guest entertainers we have seen on Cunard. Also some of the speakers. Glad you enjoyed your first post-Covid Cunard sailing.

[exlondoner]

12 hours ago, foodsvcmgr said:

This was truly a cruise for lighthouse photography!

Here are Lismore and Inchkeith.

Returning to Southampton was to include more scenic cruising past the Scillys in the morning and Eddystone light in the afternoon but sadly the fog never lifted.

On our UK cruise, earlier on in the summer, a helicopter landed on top of the Bishop’s Rock lighthouse, as we passed, which was fascinating and looked extremely precarious.

[Victoria2]

9 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

On our UK cruise, earlier on in the summer, a helicopter landed on top of the Bishop’s Rock lighthouse, as we passed, which was fascinating and looked extremely precarious.

The fabulous weather, the wonderful scenery and the incomparable Queen Victoria made that cruise one of our most enjoyable.

[Craigrlewis]

We were also on this cruise and to 2nd Victoria2 it was most enjoyable.

 

Cobh was especially delightful and after wandering round we took the train to Cork.

 

Liverpool was great as was Belfast.

 

Only sad thing was 3 out the 4 of us now have covid - tested positive on Sunday.

YES I know before anyone posts it we could have picked it up anywhere and not on  the ship but we left the ship Friday drove home and didn't go anywhere Saturday as felt a little off colour then the dreaded positive test yesterday.

 

Not sure of there was an outbreak on the ship but noticed penultimate day more of the crew wearing masks.
Our cabin steward suddenly was wearing one, luggage collectors were wearing them and 2 waiters in the commodore club as well.
 

So wish to keep this thread about the British Isles Cruise so lets not please have endless replies re covid and turn this thread into that.  Please.

 

Only cut backs I could see was a little less choice on MDR menu.  
For example no pasta dish every night & the petit fours were basically ginger, marshmallow and a varying cream (peppermint or coffee) rotated every night.  No chocolate ones at all.

I ordered off menu steak one night and my father another night.

As usual no issues or comments from waiters other than to run through the options We could have with it.

 

Asked for coffee ice cream every night and got it.  Failed in my attempt to get nay dulce de leche apart from the night it was on the menu. When I asked other nights the waiter checked and came back and said sorry no hence the coffee.

 

My mother is gluten free and as usual menu given every night for the next night and they basically adapted anything for her

 

MaitreD (Francis) was very attentive to her and ensured she had everything the needed/wanted.

 

Francis got talking to my partner who mentioned a love of curry and Franics immediately told him he would arrange for a dhal curry to be prepared for the next night. My partner said it was amazing.

 

So all in All MDR couldn't be faulted

 

Golden Lion now offers gluten free fish and chips or curry.  

You have to order the day before.  My mother enjoyed her fish and chips.

 

Went to Verandah for lunch as usual excellent. 
 

Cabin steward as usual came twice a day and was friendly and attentive.

 

My father is 82 and made me laugh as he commented that this was his 7th cruise on Cunard and he never seen so many elderly people and people in wheelchairs and with walkers/sticks. I pointed out he was no spring chicken.

 

Commodore club had cold then hot hors d’oeuvre as well as nuts and crisps. Once all eaten asked numerous times if we wanted more.

Service as excellent and attentive as ever

 

Found the Lido to be far too manic for my liking. I witnessed and was a victim of people trying to reach around/in front rather than waiting.
Twice whilst stood back waiting to use the drinks machines people tried to walk in front of you rather than going behind you.  
Also found many people practically climbed on top of you in the queue. I like my personal space and didn’t take kindly to strangers breathing down my neck. 

So after day 2 I skipped the Lido.

 

Skipped the main welcome party (evening) but did attend the WC one (11).  Saw the queue forming at 1045 but we just waited until everyone had gone in then entered and stood on the outskirts of it all. 

 

Boarding our Check in time was 245 for us (Diamond) & 330 for my parents (Gold).  We checked in 2pm at basically boarded straight away (used priority check in for us all)

 

Used Parking for cruises and not CPS. Would recommend it. Never used them before and they were 1/2 the price.  
Man who took the car advised me that he had heard P&O were strictly enforcing boarding times but he had heard Cunard were being more relaxed.  

 

Think going at 130 was great (we used to be a rock up at noon and sit there for the boarding) and would do so again.

 

P4C also told me that we were not returning to the Mayflower but going to QE2 terminal so the  car would be there.  Seeing CPS customers queuing for coaches back to Mayflower when we got back did make me pleased we didn't have to do that. 

 

So overall I would it give the cruise a 12 out of 10.

 

[Craigrlewis]

[Host Hattie]

Thank you for your great report @Craigrlewis, I'm sorry to hear about your positive tests, I hope you're feeling better soon. 

[Victoria2]

To pick up on a comment  Craigrlewis  the May/June B.I. cruise was also a bit of a 'floating rest home' as I heard it disparagingly called by one less than happy camper in the bar one night.

 

This was our umpteenth B.I. trip and the gentle nature of the itinerary plus the thought for some, who let's be polite, are travel under insured, if ill can disembark in Britain [most of the time] definitely attracts a higher age profile than some other itineraries.

 

[NE John]

2 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

To pick up on a comment  Craigrlewis  the May/June B.I. cruise was also a bit of a 'floating rest home' as I heard it disparagingly called by one less than happy camper in the bar one night.

 

This was our umpteenth B.I. trip and the gentle nature of the itinerary plus the thought for some, who let's be polite, are travel under insured, if ill can disembark in Britain [most of the time] definitely attracts a higher age profile than some other itineraries.

 

The way my knee feels now, sign me up!!

[Victoria2]

5 minutes ago, NE John said:

The way my knee feels now, sign me up!!

A wonderful 'gentle' cruise and one of our favourites, pre and post wonky knee.

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

A wonderful 'gentle' cruise and one of our favourites, pre and post wonky knee.

It includes a fair amount of tendering though. Or our version did.

[Victoria2]

3 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

It includes a fair amount of tendering though. Or our version did.

As you and I were on the same cruise, I agree and yet again, Newhaven delivered its customary [in our experiences] reasonably calm tender to shore with the most dreadfully turbulent tender back to the ship and that was on the Forth Belle which is a lot bigger than a ship's tender. There were some pretty green faces and one person was quite ill.

[exlondoner]

4 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

As you and I were on the same cruise, I agree and yet again, Newhaven delivered its customary [in our experiences] reasonably calm tender to shore with the most dreadfully turbulent tender back to the ship and that was on the Forth Belle which is a lot bigger than a ship's tender. There were some pretty green faces and one person was quite ill.

I can well imagine. We chose not to go ashore, partly because of the irksome tendering. However I got my comeuppance because by the next port, Kirkwall, which I think is wonderful, I had Covid and was stuck on board.

[tacticalbanjo]

My husband and I did a British Isles cruise in 2021 and we keep saying it was one of the best cruises we've taken. I'm only 35 but it appears that I prematurely have one foot in the grave!

[foodsvcmgr]

For this sailing, the only tender port was Newhaven.

As you’ve experienced prior, was calm going in and rough coming back.