TowandaUK

When boarding Queen Anne yesterday. We had a check in time of 2.45. We arrived just after 1, and explained to the man at the entrance that we wanted to unload cases and go off site to arrive at our boarding time. He reassured us that was not necessary as the queue for CPS was long and by the time the car was booked in that we would not have long to wait for checkin so we followed his advice. We joined the CPS queue at 1.25. We checked in AT 2.10 and waited in the waiting area inside. Went through security and checkin and boarded at 2.45. incidentally they were regularly checking the waiting room for people with priority boarding and took them through ASAP.

This is our first Cunard adventure, being Elite on Celebrity, having previously sailed on the Silhouette from Southampton. We are in a standard balcony cabin on Anne. We only have celebrity to compare to. We are finding the cabin a little smaller but acceptable. Hanging space is ok, but the rest of storage is lacking. Celebrity have 3 deep drawers by the dressing table and a large cupboard over the bed, which we are missing. Cunard have cubby holes next to the hanging spaces. The bottom ones are a bit low for me as I can’t kneel down due to dodgy knees. We are using our packing cubes in the cubbyholes and our cases under our bed and will iron as needed. All the storage is immediately opposite the bathroom, with a narrow corridor in between. This is really annoying as when you are getting ready in the morning or changing for dinner we are constantly in each others way. The description of the theatre as similar to our local multi screen cinema is accurate. Sight lines are good and we could hear well. However there is no sense of occasion as we have seen on the other Cunard Queens. Something to note about the hairdryer. It’s not very powerful and you have to keep the on knob held down while using. I use an elasticated hair tie to keep the knob down as I found it tricky with my arthritic thumbs. If you have long hair, or need to blow dry into a style it may pay to bring your own dryer. ( some parts of the Cunard site say hairdryers are prohibited, other parts say they are allowed!).

We are onboard today. A slight health scare meant we weren’t sure we would be boarding until embarkation morning. All well now thankfully. I think part of the problem with the lifts is that staff are also using them to transport trollies. We have had several lifts arrive full of staff with equipment. Would have thought they would have their own lifts. We dined in the anytime Britannia restaurant at 7. Short wait for a table initially told we had to share but when we declined magically Two tops appeared. A little wait but quite acceptable. Food was good. Quite a long queue when we left. Will post more later - our room service lunch has just arrived promptly.

Bright lights is free. It’s bookable once onboard, 2 performances per night. I have read that it is very popular so book early. Golden lion - only the Michel Roux dishes are chargeable. All the traditional items are included. Some of the items that are on the other Queens appear to be missing, however these seem to be available on the specials board. Oops sorry Pear Carr has already posted these details

Sir Samuels dinner is $58.50 All have supplementary items with extra cost. All will cost more if bought aboard, although you can use obc if bought onboard. Wines seem to be pricier in the speciality restaurants compared to other bars.

You pay the full amount +15% service charge and 20% discount for having the package.

This menu is far superior to any we experienced on Celebrity last summer when they were experimenting with huge cutbacks in the mdr. We resorted to speciality dining most nights as the only option to get a decent meal. Improvements were brought in after customer uproar, however its worth noting after a perusal of current Menus that repeats are common within the week and they are still using Tilapia and cheaper cuts of steak. Cunard menus appear much more imaginative and appetising.

It’s not your fault you can’t dress for dinner. I’m sure many others will be in the same boat ( no pun intended). Enjoy your first dinner regardless of your clothes.

Celebrity charge $9.95 for all room service except continental breakfast unless you are in a suite. At least Cunard haven’t gone down that road.

At the moment it’s just optional extras that are chargeable. Time will tell if people are prepared to pay. If they are not taken up then Cunard will have to think again.

Today is the day! Hope those boarding today have an excellent voyage.

Gutted. ☹️

Starlink has been installed on the existing queens for a while. Reports seem to be positive.

Chris Frame has done a vlog of a Britannia balcony.

Paul and Carole have done a piece on YouTube of an inside cabin.