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Currently now on our way home, we got up at 7am and got to breakfast at 8.10am. It was lovely and we didn’t feel rushed at all. We got back to our room at 9am and the room had been cleaned mostly and we collected our luggage and headed to the lifts. We had to wait about 10 minutes for a lift (we would have walked down, but my grandparents can’t manage 4 flights of stairs and their hand luggage). We got a lift all to ourselves and our luggage was waiting for us. CPS was a simple as ever, and we were on our way home by 9.30am! Should be home by 11.30am. 
 

I have noticed I have been sneezing this morning so will do a test once I am back. My Nan has been coughing and sneezing, but she’s been doing daily tests and all are negative, so I most likely have caught what she’s got. 

4 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Thank you for your reports. The rash sounds worrying, I hope you're OK ?

It’s still not gone, and I noticed it got worse when I was in bed, so I am wondering if it’s the detergent from the sheets, I shall see how I get over the next couple of days, but I will pop to the chemist tomorrow! 

2nd April 

We got up at our usual time and headed to breakfast, it was good, and it was snowing at sea. We noticed a few people in the hot tubs! 

We skipped lunch today and went to afternoon tea at the princess grills. I have to say it was disappointing. We arrived and we’re not welcomed, had to wait for a table and then given a menu with two tea options, when we asked for those we were told it was English afternoon tea, and for me to get the Earl grey was more hassle for the staff. The food was lovely but if you want the full Cunard afternoon experience I’d head to the queens room, 100 times better, and you are welcome there. 

Sadly when we got back to the room it was time to pack and then get ready for dinner. It was extremely busy in the restaurant, as nearly every table had ordered one of the dishes that are completed at the table. I tried caviar after my starter, and I have to say it was presented beautifully. We then waited around 45 minutes for a mains, and sadly my sea bass was very bland. Dessert was lovely though! We went to the casino for a bit, but were not lucky, and then finished off in the queens room. 

When we got back to the room we noticed we had another bottle of Pol Acker waiting for us, so that has also been packed with our bottles of spirits. With regards to the spirits, my grandparents didn’t receive theirs until this evening, even though I chased it up on the second day. I don’t think this was good enough. 

1st April 

We woke at our usual 8am time and got ready for breakfast. My grandparents decided to not get off the ship as it was snowing, so it was only the two of us that got off. We walked around for about an hour in the city centre, and then got back on the ship around 1ish, collected nanna and grandad and went for lunch in the Queens Grill again. Could not fault it! We then popped into the lounge for a latte and played some card games before going back to the stateroom for a nap. I enjoyed a bath, with the jets on and I have to say I was very impressed! 

Tonight is the black and white ball, even though the tv says red and gold! Most people were dressed smartly, but there were a few who were not. We enjoyed the wipeout quiz again, although we lost! Dinner was nice, although I had lobster off the daily menu and it was not as good as yesterdays. I did also find part of the shell still attached to the meat which we not enjoyable. 

We went to the show tonight and it was amazing! It was the performers last show before they get off on Sunday and they were great! My boyfriend was very impressed, although we were both very thirsty during the show and I do miss being able to take the drinks into the theatre. We then went to the golden lion and met nanna and grandad for a couple more drinks before retiring. I noticed I’d got a rash covering around 60% of my body and have no idea where it has come from, it seems like I am allergic to something on here. 

Apologies for not updating, barely looked at my phone the whole holiday!
 

31st March 

We woke at 8am, made ourselves coffee and got ready for breakfast. We knocked for nanna and grandad and headed up for breakfast just after 9. I got the melon and eggs florentine. I can’t say the main was that nice, I would have preferred it hotter, and the portion was too large! The smoothie was lovely though, a nice extra. 

We tried to get in the grills lounge for a coffee but it was packed and all the tables were full, so we ended up getting a coffee from the lido and sitting in the card room for a bit. 

We headed for lunch at 12.30ish, and it was lovely sitting there as we had a window seat and could really enjoy cruising up the canal. The food was yummy and a lot quicker than yesterday. We then headed back to the room for a nap. My grandparents stayed asleep and we went to the golden lion for a drink and to play dominos. The weather in amsterdam was pretty awful so we didn’t get off. We got ready for dinner and then did the wipeout quiz, we did even worse than yesterday! Then it was time to get a photo again and head for dinner. I ordered the lobster off the Al a charge menu and it was amazing! My boyfriend ordered steak off the daily menu, and asked for the Parmesan and truffle fries that were on offer at lunch time to be told this wasn’t possible. But when they brought his main out, they removed the normal fries from his plate and replaced them with the fries he requested. Our dinner was lovely, as were the desserts and the petit fours. We went to the golden lion and enjoyed the drinks and music, although the drinks menu is limited and when I asked for other cocktails, I was told they didn’t have the ingredients and to order off the menu. We dropped grandad back off at the stateroom and went to the night club for 2 more cocktails before heading to bed ourselves. 

We got up at 8am and headed down for breakfast at 9am. It was a relaxing start to our day. 

We left for the testing centre at 11.45am and did get lost of the way. We luckily found it and there was a small queue, it took us around 20 minutes at the testing centre, and we then headed for ocean terminal. At CPS we had a short wait before they sorted us out, and I have to say I am slightly disappointed that there is no one to help us get the luggage onto trolleys and given to the staff to go on the ship. 

We then headed inside and after about 5 minutes, we got our results to say we are all negative! We went to the desk and checked in, headed for the priority security (which took longer than the normal security) and this took about 15 minutes in total. We finally boarded at 1.20, so about and hour and half in total! Plus our luggage was waiting for us, which was great. 

We went to the queens grill restaurant for lunch at 1.40, had three courses and got out about 3.40, it was very busy, unsurprisingly! We then headed back to the room and unpacked, chilled a bit and I then showed my boyfriend around. 

We have been asked to wear masks when walking around indoors which I completely understand and happy to do so! Just thankful to be back cruising. We also got two complimentary masks waiting on the bed for us to use. 

We set sail around 5.20, and now I’m about to get ready for dinner, going to see if we can make it to the 7.15 quiz, although not sure if the grandparents will be up in time! 

Thank you BouncingWheel! I hope you get home safely, and haven’t got too fair to travel. I am hoping you will still get breakfast this morning and get taken care of before you are taken off. 
 

Yes I did think as it’s a shorter cruise, ours could just be cancelled, as this has happened in twice a couple of months ago. 
 

I have not received anything from Cunard to indicate a later boarding time, so we are aiming to head down around 12. Hopefully all will be well. 

I wanted to write about my cruise experience as I have thoroughly enjoyed reading other peoples this last year, especially found them helpful with all of the covid changes/restrictions on the ship! 
 

I am travelling with my partner (no cruise experience) and my grandparents (25+ cruises). I personally have cruised on 18 Cunard cruises, so experienced. However none of us have experienced the Queens Grill Suites, although grandparents did get upgraded to princess grill with my Sister!

We decided to test ourselves yesterday afternoon, and have tested (all negative, yay!) this morning before making our way down to Southampton. We have stayed overnight here for the past 7 years, as it starts our holiday early, and as we are allowed to get on the ship slightly earlier, we can head off shortly after check out the next day. And we have made the decision to do this time around as well. 
 

Now fingers crossed we all test negative at the docks tomorrow and we will be able to board the lovely Queen Elizabeth. It’s been 7 years since I was last on her, so I am looking forward to it. Since covid hit, this is the closest I have got to a cruise, with 4 being cancelled, so I have all my fingers crossed that it all works out. 
 

I am aware there are a fair amount of covid cases onboard and just hope that everyone is feeling okay and gets home safely tomorrow! I have seen on the roll call a few people have tested positive in the last week and sadly will not be joining tomorrow, which is such sad news. 

14 hours ago, rakkor said:

 

Posted on your other thread

Thanks Rakkor, so sorry to hear about your positive covid test, I hope you don’t feel too awful and I hope Jane avoids it! 

Thank you Lady1 and Rakkor, I am enjoying reading about your trip! 
 

And thank you for the menu pictures, I really appreciate it! 
 

I was wondering if there is a drinks menu for the Grills lounge? Or do you just specify what you want to drink once you are seated? 

We will (fingers crossed!) be sailing on QE next week, and I am wondering if there is a menu for the Grills lounge, e.g. coffee menu and evening drinks menu? Or do you just specify what you want? 
 

i understand coffee is free but I like some of the speciality coffees from the illy blend, specifically cold ones, and was wondering if they are included as well? 

Thank you LadyL1, it’s great to hear about hour trip, and rakkor I have been reading your blog, I’m so excited to get back in QE next week! 
 

LadyL1, have you by any chance taken pictures of the menu for Queens Grill? Would be great to know what to expect! 

I have also just watched it and it’s mixed feelings. I’m excited to see the interiors further, as they do look very inviting and modern. I am 25 and been sailing on Cunard ships since 2008. I love that you get the same table and waiters for dinner in the Britannia (pre covid), so with 15 restaurants I don’t think the Queen Anne will have this, which would be a real shame. 
 

The golden lion does look great! 

1 hour ago, BigMac1953 said:

We've had a Q3 several times, indeed, we've booked one again for our October trip.

 

It is very slightly bigger than a Q4. Approximately one foot longer and that means you get an extra half wardrobe. Probably the best part is the location, slap bang in the middle of the ship and right beside the lifts (that you don't hear). 

 

Q4's are exactly double a standard Britannia balcony room, so that gives you an idea of the size.

 

Menus are in "Useful links" above. If you want something special, ask the Maitre d' or one of the two Head Waiters.

Thank you! We are going to be on deck 5 and my grandparents are very happy with the location with the lifts. 
 

I was wondering if anyone had scanned any recent menus, I have looked at the example menu on the Cunard Website. 
 

10 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

We used to book the 3s all the time.  Well situated in stairwell B [no lift lobby noise at all] and easy access to decks 11 and 12.

 

The only thing I would add to Big Mac's post is the deck 4s have a deeper balcony and as long as you don't mind the fact the extra bit is in full view of the decks above, you have the best of both worlds. Sun and shade. 

The negative is the cabins are ever so slightly shallower but quite frankly, the double usage of the balcony makes up for that in spades.

Enjoy.

thank you for your comments, we’ve booked deck 5 🙂 

Does anyone have any recent menus Queens grill menus from the Queen Elizabeth? We will be sailing on her in just over 3 weeks! 
 

Also any information on the QE Q3 grade staterooms would be great! First time sailing in Queens grill, very excited! 

Very disappointed that this is not going ahead 😞 It is my partners first cruise ever and I would have liked his first to be on the QM2 going to hamburg and back, as it was my very first cruise 14 years ago.

My TA has now booked us on the QE 30th March in a Q3 grade and we also received a small cash refund, so I cant complain! Although I was really looking forward to the QM2 Queens Grill Restaurant as it looks amazing. 

I did ask about the short cruises in February and my TA believes this will also be cancelled due to operational reasons, which is why he offered the 30th March cruise. 

13 minutes ago, 8611202 said:

Sorry to be forensic but did your TA say who exactly in Cunard told them of the cancellation? I see it is no longer being advertised for sale, although it was this morning. Could it have been that any further bookings have been cancelled rather than existing bookings?

I don’t expect they would have mentioned that to you, I think my brain is on overload trying to work out what is going on 🙂. 

they said Cunard had called them. I can still log on online but I am assuming that it hasn’t been cancelled on there yet. 

I have contacted TA again and they were made aware at 2pm that this cruise has been cancelled, I’d love for them to be wrong, but I don’t think they are, frustrating people are being told different things 

Apparently communications was due to be sent at 4pm, obviously that has not happened. I am heartbroken, and wish we could have known sooner. 

Operational reasons 

This cruise has been cancelled, just had a call from my TA 😞 

I’m not sure about anyone else but for the last month I have not been able to view shore excursions on my voyage when I log in. They are now available to book again, which is possible good news! 
 

let’s hope the QM2 is able to arrive back in southampton on time and we can all get aboard! 

3 hours ago, Se1lad said:

As you say there now appears to be availability in PG and QG for the 4 night cruise.  I will happily take an upgrade from QG Q6 if they offer one! 🙂

We are sailing in Q5 and will happily take an upgrade from that 😂 not sure if that will happen though! 
 

ive never sailed in Queen grade so have to say I am very excited if this does in fact go ahead! 

Thank sandancer, that reassures me that you can book your usual table after the first night. Could you tell me what the promenade is? Or do you mean the verandah? 
 

I think if my cruise does not go ahead I will consider booking the A balcony on another cruise. I have always been happy with the Britannia but was wondering about the experience with the new rules etc. 

12 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

Hopefully good news for those on this cruise, one less obstacle .....

 

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-12-30/germany-to-lift-uk-travel-ban

Thank you Host Hattie, some positive news for this cruise! 
 

on another note, it seems that some people have cancelled and club to queens grills staterooms are now available, whereas up until yesterday I believe they were sold out.