GeorgianGal100

I'm not sure if you have seen this but it's by the lovely Chris Frame of standard balcony.

Do you know what the Asterix means against the Monkey whisky and the Brandy Reserva, is there maybe a supplement to those?

I've just booked 5189 which is the other side to 5190 as I liked the wraparound balcony. I too pondered over whether it was worth booking it over 5194 (which is a bigger room and less expensive) but I felt the ability to see more from outside and feel less hemmed in was worth it. The difference in size seems negligible. We're taking a winter cruise so will be packing all our ski outfits to enjoy the fresh air! They weren't part of the refit and there are some pictures via this link of 5190 which might be helpful and a video on You tube showing someone walk from a similar cabin on deck 4 to another to show the difference. Hope the links work. https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/ships/stateroom-details.php?ship=Queen-Victoria&cabin=5190

Thank you so much BklynBoy8, maybe we'll make it over to your 'neck of the woods' next time, my daughter would love a transatlantic! All the best.

I did check out Cunard's sailings yesterday to see what was available so I don't think it has!

Thanks Hattie, I'm on the mend, unfortunately My daughter did succumb the day after returning home and now we're spreading the joy through the rest of the family. I feel for them because they didn't get the enjoyment of the cruise!

My daughter and I have just returned from a week in Norway on Queen Victoria. This was our first ever cruise and we chose Cunard for the formal dress code (we just don't get to spruce ourselves up enough these days) and for the old world charm that Cunard was appearing to offer. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, attending dancing lessons, shows, talks, a hobby corner and Karaoke. We didn't pre-book any excursions for our four port days as we just wanted to take each day as it came, this worked very well for us as we're great walkers and didn't want to be working to another person's schedule. We'd arrive back for a late lunch either in the Lido or in the stateroom on our balcony and head off to a lecture after that, many about jewellery given by Natalie or Mark which were excellent. We'd then get our glad rags on and head up to The Commodore Club (our favourite for pre dinner drinks) and if we didn't attend a show we would either head off to the The Chart room after eating, or up to the Yacht Club, we attempted Karaoke for the first time too, apologies to anybody who was there. I felt I knew the ship well, even before boarding, through watching all the you tube videos and the many helpful tips from all on this wonderful site. My daughter was most impressed with me when I'd point something out which would otherwise have been missed. Our favourite part was the sail away from Olden with the wonderful locals playing music and waving their flags, we both were quite choked up. We dressed up every night, and were thrilled to see so many dapper looking men and women around the ship. I feared we may have been in a minority of those wanting to push the boat out a little. We did meet a lovely gentleman and his wife in the Yacht Club on the Black and White Gala night who had been refused entry to everywhere but there, as he didn't have a jacket as he said he had been totally unaware Cunard had a dress code. They'd eaten in the Veranda restaurant but been lent a jacket by the Maitre 'D' so standards were being upheld on Gala nights at least. Unfortunately on the first sea day I started to feel sea sick, or so I thought, and started on medication but it never really cleared and on the second to last day I developed flu like symptoms and of course tested positive for Covid, my first time ever getting Covid. As it was a sea day we both happily camped out in our room watching the waves, me from my bed as I was pretty poorly. My daughter tested negative so she was able to do everything as normal, even eat in the restaurants but she'd eat with me to keep me company. We were asked to clear the linen from the room ourselves on the last day, empty all the bins and then were escorted off the ship at a very civilised 10.15am. That was a rather sad end to our trip, but our photos remind us of the fun we had and the lovely people we met. Almost all the staff were cheerful and helpful and it was so sad that we didn't get to say goodbye and make our thankyou's. We also didn't get to order any professional photos as I couldn't leave the room to view them which I know I am going to regret more and more each day. So, a big thank you to all who answered my many questions before we sailed, the build up was half the fun!

Soft Drinks Option US$10 per person, per day, inclusive of 15% service charge. (On board price is US$12 per person, per day, inclusive of 15% service charge) Unlimited draught soft drinks, selected fruit juices, squash and cordials. Here's the link for the page... https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/bars-and-lounges/a-world-of-drinks Hope this helps.

Thanks for this, yes I think I'll make it a priority once onboard as I'd love to see more than a glimpse of the staff's legs on the bridge that our stateroom position will afford!

Can this only be booked once onboard?

Thank you, I hadn't considered this option before reading this thread but it would actually be a great way to go for me. I love good wine, I'm not keen on cocktails and my daughter doesn't drink so the drinks package for both of us wasn't really a great choice. Thank you again exlondoner and Cruise Critic!

I take it you still have to pay 15% service charge on top of the wine package option or is it like the drinks package and has it included?

Is it just filter coffee that they provide at meals and in the Lido or can you have a cappuccino or similar? Thanks.

I have just been in touch with Cunard regarding a similar query as I wanted the full package but my daughter who is 18 only wanted the non alcoholic one as she's tee-total. I was told nothing could be done pre-cruise as all packages bought through 'my Cunard' had to be the same for both occupants of the stateroom but if I went to the purser's desk within 48 hours of boarding, they would assess whether or not to allow us different packages and then we could purchase on board. The package does increase in price though if bought on board. They did get back to me very quickly which really impressed me!

I'm sure you still had a marvellous time but I felt for you, at least you could enjoy all the other splendid things available to you. Thank you for letting me know and I quite agree that buying the package on the first day would require some serious effort to get your money's worth, well for me anyway and I'd then be recovering on day two so wouldn't get value there! I also suspected that this might be the reasoning behind the package price increasing when buying on board. For example, if I were to pre-buy the package for seven nights at $70 it would be $490 but if I bought it for 6 nights on board at $75 plus spending around $40 the first night it also comes to $490. Swings and roundabouts. As @nadge said, everyone has to work out what works for them but if I could manage to get the different packages it would be worth it for me booking from the second day at the increased rate. Also @exlondoner, I was checking 'mycunard' and as you said, it didn't mention the increase in price as I assume they know you're there to buy beforehand. It's only on their website that they mention it. Thanks again.