MylesS

57 minutes ago, jrmende63 said:

I just printed out our boarding passes and our luggage tags 11 October H425! We are doing H426 as well. 

Enjoy! What’s the H426 itinerary?

1 hour ago, Pear Carr said:

Can I ask what is your favourite cabin? Nice to know for future reference if you are not on board! 🤪

It was a bit of a typo, I meant cabin location. 
 

Historically the lower middle is the best for movement, however, if you can put up with movement (which in my case I’m happy to) - a 10 second walk from Stairway A is the best on Queen Anne for me.

In my cases, other than the current cruise, I’ve always been Stairway A deck 6 or 7 - which is great for getting to Commodore Club, Library, SkyBar, as well as Room 1840 (favourite bar), Golden Lion & Queens Room + Bright Lights.

Just makes everything so much closer. 

Cat’s out of the bag in the Mediterranean thread, so figured I’d start this thread for updates on the next voyage.

Moving cabins on Sunday, thankfully to my personal favourite on the ship. Will have to go out in Southampton for a small bit of clothes shopping as I only packed for a week.

Hoping I don’t forget to sign the Cruise Critic book this time (again…) 

18 minutes ago, Wonky said:

Almost sounds tax deductible😉

God I wish 🤣 whenever I’ve had to go to NYC for business I’ve always tried to Queen Mary 2 across! 

35 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Brilliant. Where are you going next? I thought your partner had forbidden you.

I managed to use my persuasive attitude to my advantage there regarding my partner 🤣

The next cruise is a 19 nighter with port calls in Croatia, where I’ve never been - also a few sea days, which I love. 
 

Here’s the full itinerary:

Interestingly around this time last year I was doing some work involving the Croatian Ministry of Finance, so it’s nice to go there! 

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Are you getting off on Sunday? Or have you emulated @MylesS and booked the next voyage as well?

And like clock work I have done it again this time too

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

Sorry, amnesia, what shape is the butter? I’m hoping for Cunard lions.

I’m probably wrong (I haven’t actually seen them this trip as I haven’t eaten in Britannia) - but to me they look the same of sea shells. 

18 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

An additional stop on our tour was where they sort the trash and explained about reycling and waste management.

We walked past it and were allowed to look in, but not allowed in. I assume safety or work going on.

6 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Did you get to see the printing place?

Unfortunately not! 

31 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

8,000 linen napkins are laundered and starched.

Those same napkins have a high lead time, and are ordered 6 months in advance too! 
 

Also, the butter for dinner comes in that shape in bags. They used to do it onboard back on the QE2 but of course that’s all a thing of the past. 

5 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

He went to do badly in the Black Jack tournament

I wasn’t able to enter this one unfortunately, as if I had made it to the final it would have clashed with the Behind the Scenes tour. 
 

Given the casino enough this week as it is anyway! 🤣 I heard the winner had never played before, good on them if so. 

Behind the Scenes tour yesterday: just WOW! Worth the $120 and then some.

The following may contain “spoilers” so if you’re not into that, feel free to skip.

We started in the Bright Lights where we met, anyone with phones handed them in and we were given a quick security scan before being issued specific behind the scenes land-yards. Security stayed with us the entire tour.

We proceeded to the theatre where we were told about the lights, sounds, etc and all the technology they use before going back stage, seeing the large 4K screens up close as well as some of the props.

For those who have seen “Imagination” the light up suits at the end of the show cost $20,000 per-suit.

From there we went to the mooring deck to see the lines and the anchor, explained by the staff captain.

We then took the promenade deck Britannia, where we were shown the main Britannia galley. This galley spans two decks 2 & 3, deck 2 serves the Club restaurant as well. Grills and all speciality restaurants have their own galleys.

We were given some treats by the chef before going to the store room where they keep all food & drink items. This voyage is the most they’ve brought on Queen Anne so far, 270 tonnes of products. 
 

We were allowed to walk inside both the walk in fridge & freezer (-18c!) - these have emergency alarms should someone become trapped in there. 
 

We also had a quick visit to the butchers shop where they cut all the meat and fish.

From there we went to the Engine Control Room, where we were just in time to see them shut down 1 of the 4 engines as the ship had gone from 22 to 17 knots and the power wasn’t needed. We were given lots of technical details by the Chief Engineer.

We then were shown the fire fighting equipment, with a crew member dressed in the full gear. 
 

We then went to C deck, below the water line to see the laundry room. It was hot & noisy, and honestly very humbling. It was full of crew doing the laundry. 2 twelve hour shifts to ensure a 24 hour operation.

Then last but not least we went to the bridge and shown some of the most fascinating technology I’ve ever seen.

We had our photos taken and were then invited to a sectioned area of the Commodore Club for champagne and cakes. 
 

We got to keep our behind the scenes land-yard, and were told we’ll soon receive some items with more facts about the ship to our cabins. 
 

Land-lard:

I’ll share the person photos I had taken on the bridge once they come through. 
 

It was a total of 3 hours, and while I’ve tried to share as much as I can remember I’m definitely missing parts. 
 

We were told so much about how things worked, and at each area we were speaking to the head of that department, and were able to ask any questions we wanted. 
 

Would do it again in a heartbeat! 

Enjoyed a lovely dinner in Sir Samuel’s for last night’s gala evening. I was invited to come back today by the maitre’d - so I shall! 
 

Nothing much planned for this morning, but will be doing the behind the scenes tour this afternoon and Noir this evening, so looking forward to that! 

1 minute ago, Host Hattie said:

I know people must think we're missing out on all the things going on and staying on the ship in Barcelona and Civitavecchia but honestly I've had such a nightmare year that reading a book and watching the waves is enough. 

I don’t plan to get off at any port, I didn’t yesterday and I won’t in Lisbon either. 
 

People can spend their holiday how they like, it’s their holiday. 
 

Hopefully your holiday is going well to make up for the year, and here’s to hoping what’s left of it will improve! 

47 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

lots of things for us to ignore today.

Glad I’m not the only one 😅

1 minute ago, King Amo said:

On QV they said it was likely to be 3.5 - 4 hours long, so they didn't sound like they were going to be whizzing people through. 

This one is scheduled to take at least 3 hours, starting at 1:30pm.

I think part of the time is due to having to carefully navigate around areas, steep stairs, etc. 

3 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

I'd like to do it, and I doubt the OH would... next cruises are QE and QM2 so assume they do something similar...

 

I guess I could say that's my shareholder OBC being given back

I know the do on Queen Mary 2, at least the used to.

My stock has been giving me returns recently so I’ll happily use that to fund it 😆

Just now, buchanan101 said:

$120 is very steep for a no-cost-to-Cunard excursion. I guess it's what they can get away with!

 

As a Carnival shareholder I approve, but...

I’ve just had the forms delivered in regards to the tour. Health questioner and a waiver.

It’s listed as being able to visit the following, however it may change given that nature of it all:

- back stage of the theatre

- one of the ship’s galleys

- mooring deck

- engine control room

- bridge 

It also included some bubbly, hopefully not Pol Aker.

I think there is a cost in that it’s guided and you’ll have the opportunity to talk to people working in these areas, whether they’re on duty or volunteering their free time I’m not sure. 

They seem to be very strict on photography, understandably so. We’ve been asked to leave our phones in our cabins or hand them in before the tour starts.

Really looking forward to it! 

Another few things to add: it seems they're now offering the behind the scenes tour, as it was advertised in Sunday's daily programme. I signed up with the tour office so hopefully hear back on if I'm able to join soon, as there are limited spaces. It's been advertised as $120.

Additionally they're hosting a solo travellers lunch on the 18th, which I've never seen before. Unsure if I'll be able to attend given it's at 12:00pm and the behind the scenes tour is at 13:30

Very relaxing day for myself. I was meant to go on a tour, but after waking up I wasn't really feeling 10 hours away from the ship, so I quickly hopped off the ship to let the tour office staff aware.

Followed this with some laps of the deck before a trip to the Thermal Suite. The pool was out of action yesterday, but was being filled today. I was given a discount on the pass given the pool issues.

I did a little work in the Carinthia Lounge & Commodore Club (I actually really enjoy working given its for myself, so no problems there).

Lunch today was a stop in the Food Hall for some pizza. Like I think many others on this board, I am not usually one for buffets but I was hungry and the pizza there is really good - much better than the ones offered on the room service menu.

Some post lunch drinks in the Golden Lion and looking through the closed watch shop before returning to my cabin and falling asleep!

Thankfully I was awoken by a knock at the door which was a delivery of the paper cards with the champagne information for display purposes.

After which I got ready and went down to 1840 for some blackjack. Not as good a performance as yesterday, but still an enjoyable session and great socialising which is why I play anyway.

Unfortunately missed dinner given the sleeping, but waiting for room service as I type this.

Really looking forward to the next two sea days!

5 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Just heading back after our wine tasting excursion, very generous with the wine so I predict lots of snoring on the return trip !

 

Hopefully you brought your ear plugs HH! 
 

Very quiet day onboard today, maybe around 200 people onboard? 

2 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

And some complain about portion size in the restaurants.

I’ve always been happy to accept that maybe a smaller portion size is the correct portion, and healthier for me.

If I’m still hungry I can always get room service later. (And also put on that cruise weight!) 

1 hour ago, Host Hattie said:

TV system is a great improvement.

To report as well, it seems they’ll be adding new things somewhat frequently. There’s some new shows & movies since I was last onboard which is great.

Glad you’re enjoying Queen Anne! 

Fantastic first day onboard, lots of warm welcomes back with the addition of the casino team as well! 

Dinner this evening was in Aji Wa, and as always was very enjoyable. I booked for 7 so I could watch the sunset and sail away whilst eating, and it didn’t disappoint.

As well before the muster demonstration for newly embarked guests, I popped into the spa for a quick haircut.

The evening was spent playing blackjack (far too long I might add), but the casino is definitely the liveliest I’ve ever seen it.

I came back to my room to see the “crates” of Laurent Pierre I had ordered this afternoon, I have absolutely no idea how I’ll get them off the ship or home, but that’s a problem for tomorrow perhaps. 
 

5 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I’m surprised the crew don’t think you are one of them, given the time you have spent aboard. 😀

Maybe I should get a name tag 

50 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Welcome on board, hope you have a great time. 

Thank you! Lots of hugs going around from the crew that recognise me has made my holiday, nothing can ruin it now. 

Beautiful day in Civitavecchia, most of which so far was spent killing time.

Speedy check in (maybe a new personal best?) - and only a 15 minute wait before getting onboard.

I was a little worried when my boarding pass wasn’t scanning at the gangway, but luckily security were able to mark me onboard manually.

Queen Anne as seen from near where I was staying: