seacruise9

Hi, 

Thanks for the information. Similar to the original poster, I am booked on the Queen Anne's world cruise and then transferring to the QM2 in Southampton for the crossing back to New York. I am doing this so that I have a complete world circumnavigation round trip from New York. This sounds like an easy process. 

Chuck

Hi, 

For the record, My Cunard currently indicates that there are a total of 20 "Gala Evenings" between New York (Jan. 18) and Southampton (April 27): 

Jan. 20 (Red and Gold), 24 and 29

Feb. 1 (Masquerade), 6 (Black and White), 14 (Red and Gold), 20 and 26

March 2 (Black and White), 6, 10 (Masquerade), 15, 20 (Red and Gold), 23 and 29 (Roaring Twenties)

April 4, 8 (Black and White), 13, 19 (Masquerade) and 25

Chuck

Hi, 

Yes, your information for the gala evenings is consistent with what is listed on the calendar in My Cunard. With the exception of Walvis Bay, all of the port days throughout the entire cruise (New York to Southampton) are listed as "smart attire." I imagine that this day will be changed to "smart attire" in the near future. 

Chuck 

Hi, 

I am now able to access my world cruise reservation on My Cunard. The itinerary has been updated and is consistent with my most recent post. 

Chuck

Hi, 

I recently received an email from Cunard that contains an updated booking confirmation listing the revised itinerary for the full world cruise. The confirmation provides the following notice:

We recently contacted you to advise of an itinerary change; two of the ports of call on your journey were communicated in error. Queen Anne will be calling to Durban on 7 April 2025, instead of Port Elizabeth on 8 April 2025 and Santa Cruz de Tenerife instead of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 23 April 2025. We apologise for any confusion caused, however we look forward to welcoming you on board Queen Anne for a memorable voyage. 

Note that Dakar is listed for April 20. I am still unable to access My Cunard to check the itinerary.

Chuck

Hi, 

Thanks for your post. I was not aware that there was a discrepancy in the itineraries. 

I am booked on the full world cruise but I have not been able to access my booking on My Cunard since the revised itinerary was announced. When I attempt to login, the circle keeps spinning. I am guessing that they are still making the updates to the itinerary. I will let you know about the itinerary after I am able to access my booking again.

Chuck

Hi, 

I am booked on the full world cruise. According to the email from Cunard, the complete new itinerary from Penang to Southampton is as follows:

27‌ March Penang, Malaysia

28‌ March -‌ 02‌ April Sea Days

03‌ April Port Louis, Mauritius

04 -‌ 07‌ April Sea Days

08‌ April Port Elizabeth, South Africa

09‌ April Sea Day

10‌ April Cape Town, South Africa

11‌ April Cape Town, South Africa

12‌ April Sea Day

13‌ April Walvis Bay, Namibia

14 -‌ 19‌ April Sea Days

20‌ April Dakar, Senegal

21 -‌ 22‌ April Sea Days

23‌ April Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

24 -‌ 26‌ April Sea Days

27‌ April Southampton, UK

I like the new itinerary because I have never visited any of these ports before.

Chuck

Hi, 

I don't have any inside information, but I predict that the itinerary will change to avoid the Red Sea/Suez Canal. Because Cunard, Princess, and Holland America are all members of Carnival Corporation, I think they will follow the same approach.

I am currently booked on the Queen Anne world cruise from New York to Southampton (98 days) followed by the return crossing to New York on the QM2. I am extremely excited about this cruise and intend to keep my reservation regardless of an itinerary change.

If I receive any information from Cunard regarding a revised itinerary, I will post it here. 

Chuck 

Hi, 

I am another big fan of Captain Kate. I had the privilege of meeting her during a cruise on the Celebrity Beyond last year and was extremely impressed. I agree that Celebrity would be wise to feature her more prominently in an ad campaign. Her enthusiasm for cruises is incredible. I have taken over 100 cruises since 1967 and would put her at the top of the list of cruise ship captains who I have met.  

Hi, 

I am booked on the Volendam for the seven-day cruise departing on May 11, 2024. After cruising aboard many larger ships, I am looking forward to sailing on this classic smaller ship for a change. I am glad to read that the ship is well-maintained.

Chuck

Hi, 

My first cruise was in 1967 - SS Miami four-day cruise to the Bahamas (my parents took me on this cruise prior to my third birthday). 

Hi, 

I am booked on the Queen Anne's 2025 World Cruise cruise (98 days from New York to Southampton). I am then taking the QM2 from Southampton to New York so that I will completely circumnavigate the world by Cunard Queen. Even though I have done short world cruise segments on the QM2 and Queen Victoria (which I greatly enjoyed), this will be my first very long cruise.

I am very excited about this cruise! As a long-time Cunard fan (first sailed on the QE2 in 1984), I will be following the dress code.

Chuck

Hi, 

I have cruised aboard both ships. This is a tough choice. I prefer the Celebrity Reflection, but the Caribbean Princess cruise is two days longer. I would probably choose the longer cruise. 

Chuck 

Hi,

I am booked on the Queen Anne's 2025 World Cruise (98 days from New York to Southampton) and I am optimistic about the ship. I have greatly enjoyed sailing aboard the QM2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Also, I recently cruised aboard Holland America's Rotterdam (built on the same platform as the Queen Anne) and was very pleased with the ship. For what it's worth, the World Stage on the Rotterdam (comparable space as the Royal Court Theatre) did not feel claustrophobic. Also, I walked around Rotterdam's promenade deck every day. Although it is narrow (and much of it is behind lifeboats), I was still able to do a decent amount of walking. However, I will admit that the promenade decks on the three current Cunard ships are much better. 

I am looking forward to the new Queen Anne. 

Chuck

Hi, 

I am still hoping for the best regarding the Queen Anne. In fact, I optimistically booked the ship's 98-day World Cruise departing in January 2025.

My most recent cruises were on the Queen Elizabeth (August 2023) and Rotterdam (November 2023). I like both the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth and think Cunard did a fine job distinguishing these ships from the Holland America Vista Class ships. Also, I enjoyed my recent cruise on the Rotterdam. I agree that the narrow promenade deck is not a positive development, but I still managed to take my walks around the promenade deck each day. At least it wraps completely around the ship (although much of the walk is behind life boats and is very narrow in places). Overall, I was pleased with my cruise on the Rotterdam.

I started sailing with Cunard on the QE2 in 1984. After 20 crossings/cruises with Cunard, I continue to be a big Cunard fan. Hopefully, I also will like the Queen Anne. 

Chuck

Hi, 

Thanks for your report. I have never cruised with MSC, but I am booked in a Yacht Club stateroom on the MSC Seashore for a four-night cruise in August 2024. After reading a lot of good reports on the Yacht Club, I decided to try it out. 

Chuck

Hi, 

I have cruised aboard both Cunard (Queen Elizabeth in Aug. 2023) and Holland America (Rotterdam in Nov. 2023) ships during the past few months. In my opinion, Holland America seems to be an informal version of Cunard. Holland America still acknowledges its tradition and long history (celebrating its 150th anniversary this year) but has an informal dress code and contemporary features such as the Music Walk. Other than the Queen Mary 2, the Cunard ships are built on the same basic platforms of the newer Holland America ships. 

In terms of food and service, Holland America is similar to Celebrity. However, Celebrity has better entertainment and a more modern style (especially on the E Class ships).

I think Holland America continues to be a good value and offer a variety of interesting itineraries. 

Chuck 

1 hour ago, sunviking90 said:

We just finished being stuck on the Volendam for 18 days and after quite a few cruises on larger Princess ships post pandemic as well as the Zuiderdam, we LOVED the friendly small ship feel of the Volendam. The recent refurbishment left the ship feeling fresh, while keeping anll the classic things we love like the huge library and she’s now our favorite. We had only 1200 passengers and it was great! 
We all have different tastes and that’s fine. I’m trying out my first Pinnacle class in January on Koningsdam. I know I’ll miss the wide promenade, but aside from that I may love it. Who knows?

Hi, 

It is good to hear that you enjoyed the Volendam. I am booked on the Volendam for May 2024. I recently took my first cruise on a Pinnacle Class ship - the Rotterdam from Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2023. I enjoyed the Rotterdam and its many dining options. 

Chuck 

Hi,

The single staterooms are very nice, but their prices vary and sometimes seem to be overpriced. Be sure to check the price compared to paying the single supplement for a standard outside or balcony stateroom. I had originally booked an inside stateroom, but I was upgraded to a Deck 2 single in 2016 and a Deck 3 single in 2017. These staterooms were new at the time. Most recently, I have been booking a sheltered balcony stateroom and paying the single supplement.  

Chuck

Hi, 

I prefer a traditional balcony, but an IV is okay with me. I agree that it is not really a balcony. However, I like the large floor-to-ceiling window and the fact that I can lower the top half of the window for some fresh air or to take photos. Overall, I really like the design, dining options, and entertainment on the new ships. 

Chuck

Hi, 

I have been assigned to both types of single staterooms on the QM2. They both are very nice, but I personally prefer the staterooms on Deck 3 with the very large round windows. The staterooms on Deck 2 have a very high ceiling. However, they do not have the large windows.

Chuck

Hi, 

Thanks for your review. I really like this class of ship. I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex in April 2022 and the Celebrity Beyond in February 2023. I am booked on the Celebrity Ascent's February 18, 2024 sailing. At the end of a recent cruise on the Rotterdam, the Celebrity Ascent was docked directly behind us in Fort Lauderdale. I am really looking forward to my cruise on the Ascent.

Chuck

Hi, 

I have sailed on three Celebrity cruises during the past two years (Celebrity Reflection in Feb. 2022, Celebrity Apex in April 2022, and Celebrity Beyond in Feb. 2023). I had not cruised with Holland America since 2009, but I recently cruised aboard the Rotterdam (Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2023). Overall, I was very pleased with the Rotterdam (which is the Nieuw Statendam's newer sister).  

I agree with a lot of the comments above comparing the two lines. In terms of food and service, I think the lines are comparable. As noted above, the main difference between the lines is the entertainment. The main evening shows are much better on Celebrity. The main shows on the Rotterdam were very modest. However, Holland America has the Music Walk, which I enjoyed.

I had the HIA package on the Rotterdam and think it worked out well. The tips for drinks are covered by the package. 

Chuck 

Hi, 

I recently returned to Holland America (Rotterdam, Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2023) after a long absence. I was very pleased with the cruise and had a wonderful time. 

Chuck 

Hi,

I recently cruised aboard the Rotterdam (Nov. 24 - Dec. 3) and the Orange Party was held on a casual night at 9:00 pm in B.B. King's.

Chuck