Golfwidow100

We booked an overnight with parking at the Hilton Aegeas in August and left our car there for the duration of our 3 week cruise. The cost was slightly less than parking with CPS and the benefit (apart from the B+B aspect) was the ability to self park in their main car park. Included in the cost was a taxi to and from the terminal. We pre-booked on arrival and it arrived the following morning on time. On our return to Southampton, we rang the taxi company to take us back to the Hilton. I would definitely use the stay/park there again without any hesitation.

No unfortunately there are no showers at the gym and no other sauna or steam rooms apart from in the thermal spa area. We didn't bother booking the spa (pre Covid we always did for the full length of our cruises) as we didn't think it was worthwhile due to the restricted access that was still in operation on our last trip (Aug/Sep 22)

Thank you 3rd GenCunarder. Yes, it was nice to be able to get a panini for a light lunch in the Carinthia Lounge. The Chef's Galley was usually very quiet and if you just wanted a side salad it was fine. It didn't have such a large variety of items though as the salad bar in the Kings Court where they had a pre-prepared salad each day, ie Greek, Caesar etc along with the 'make your own' items. Glad to hear the photographers on the QE were more observant!

We accepted the risk and made the decision that it was worth taking. I do feel however, that where there is the opportunity to distance people who wish to be seated as a couple, why not oblige. I would have thought that anything the cruise line can do to try to mitigate the risk of infection would be worth doing.

I hope you have a great trip and stay healthy this time. We felt we'd taken all the precautions that we could, but still ended up succumbing unfortunately. Pre 'C', we always practiced good hand hygiene, used serviettes on the tongs in the self service areas, an elbow or knuckle on lift buttons etc.

Thank you portofrome, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you Jack for the nice comments and I'm glad it's helped. Yes there definitely was in the Golden Lion and the Terrace Bar but I can't recall if there was in the Commodore Club. Logic would say that the CC wouldn't be an exception though.

Thanks Hattie, I'm pleased it's worked. No, unfortunately we didn't manage to get to listen to Adam Tihany as this clashed with other things for us. Would have liked to though.

Hi Here is the link to my review of my recent roundtrip transatlantic crossing. I'm hoping it's worked as it's the first time I've done this! https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?posfrom=1&EntryID=690690&et_referrer=Boards_Million_Member_Newsub&et_cid=3500453&stay=1&et_rid=16595718 Just noticed a couple of things which need correcting. The 1st is:- Insight speaker - Andrew Jarrett and not Jallett as written. The 2nd is:- Spa gratuity refers to a manicure further on in the review. I forgot to mention the My Voyage app which we we felt could be better. On the occasions that it worked, it was fine, but it was intermittent which was frustrating. With regards to the hour change eastbound at midday (a question was asked on another thread), we preferred this and hardly noticed the loss of the hour. I personally feel it's a small price to pay to help the crew as it would be hard for them to lose an hour each night when they are already working very long hours. Since writing, I tested positive on Sunday and am feeling quite poorly. Hopefully the symptoms won't linger too long. I'd been testing each day last week as I was feeling off colour and husband had already tested positive. Hopefully the review will of interest to some of you and if you have any questions please let me know and I'll do my best to answer.

This wasn't offered (to my knowledge anyway) on our QM2 roundtrip transatlantic Aug/Sep 22. We did do a tour pre covid on QE and thoroughly enjoyed it so IMO it's well worth the money if offered again.

Oh yes, I totally agree that they should.

I'm not sure if this is current though regarding the use of day passes. It was pre covid, as we've often used the spa a couple of times per day, but when we enquired at the spa reception when we embarked (QM2) on the 21st August, we were told that the pass was only valid for a 2 hr slot per day. I have to say that the spa manager's customer service skills weren't the best we encountered so maybe they were applying the rules arbitrarily.

It was a complete contrast. Southampton was very quick and efficient both times. We had an embarkation time of 2.45 and arrived at the terminal at 2.20. We'd stopped at the services to delay our arrival but the car park was full so we headed straight there and were fully prepared to be told to wait until 2.45. Dropped the car and luggage off, went through all the embarkation and security checks and we were onboard at 2.45. We did however have priority boarding. Our debark time was 9.20 and we had collected our cases, picked up the car and were on the road at 9.45. UK immigration checks were all done onboard which made the process much quicker.

We've just returned from a roundtrip transatlantic and it took us around 1.5 hrs to get back onboard in Brooklyn after going ashore. We were directed to the 'in transit' queue but unfortunately for us, this was also the queue that priority passengers were directed to for embarkation. The queues were massive, a few rows deep outside of the terminal and it was packed inside. When we eventually got to a desk and presented our ship cards and passports, the guy said he'd not seen the cards before and wanted to see proof of our covid tests. Explained we didn't have them as we'd boarded 7 days previously in Southampton, he then said he'd have to speak to a colleague so disappeared with our cards for 10 mins. He apologised when he returned and we were then allowed to proceed to security. The captain made an announcement after everyone had embarked apologising for the long queues in the morning and afternoon. It was shambolic to say the least. We were fortunate when going ashore though as we cleared immigration quite quickly (approx 20 mins) in comparison to others who experienced considerable delays. We left the ship just after 9am and were in the ferry queue by 9.30. Some of our fellow in transit passengers, who left later, took a couple of hours and by that time had no option but to abandon their plans and return to the ship. According to people in the queue with us in the afternoon, they'd never seen it so bad before, so hopefully for future travellers, it won't be as bad.

I would think you have a good chance if you book as soon as possible after boarding. Priority was being given to passengers wishing to book a block of sessions as opposed to booking individual days. Good luck anyway!