LadyL1

Have you asked Cunard if they have luggage storage as you are sailing the Atlantic both ways? I think I may have read that it is possible. Definitely worth investigating.

In March 2022, I wrote a daily blog on this board about our trip to the Northern Lights on QE. Also posting along with me was a gentleman who had his own private blog that he was updating, (link spelling later corrected) along with a few casual remarks from other passengers at the time. You might find these useful as weather and excursions are well documented, along with some photos. I started this on March 22 2022, ONOUR WAY TO THE ARCTIC ON QE, if you have time to read with a cup of coffee. The only difference is that all comments were written when COVID restrictions were the norm.

We did ask for this on our last cruise on QV in QG, offering to pay the going rate, but was refused.

Your children should be showing on your booking, so you can register them with the app: might as well as it asks you to do so. The best thing is the child places are guaranteed when you book, unlike some other cruise lines. They have so many places in each age group, and once the cruise is at that capacity, that’s it! We have been on a wait list before, where one child was able to book, but not the other, so the holiday did not go ahead. There is no adding a child to another group because of insurance purposes. Grandchildren have had a wonderful time over the years.

Just more chaos, with more priority boarders than can be possibly handled. Interestingly on the P&O threads, there are many mentions of not being allowed to enter terminal early: queueing outside!

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles/cunard-kids-clubs-on-cunard-cruises# This was added a few years ago, but probably not much changed! Our grandchildren children have spent many enjoyable hours there.

Totally agree re crowded venues in the evening, difficulty in finding seats and being served. On the 29th May Silhouette cruise, the MDR was a shambles with so much queueing. We have 1 more Celebrity cruise booked, but my money is for the suites on Cunard. Fabulous location dining rooms on the 2 smaller ships, with own table for whole cruise no matter what time you turn up! The ships are certainly have more public space.

The library is more in name than reality, with not so many books. It is a lovely area, but often occupied full time, by older folk asleep!😴💤. Suggest you take a kindle or a few of your own books to read. Once read paperbacks can be left in the library to save on luggage space.

Do look at the link at the top of all the threads on this page. There is one that says “What do obstructive views look like”? Make sure you look at the correct ship, and this should be extremely helpful, with photos for all cabins. Definitely go for the balcony on QE.

The ship was absolutely full. We had asked, but to no avail. Our steward was aware of our plight, and confirmed what we had been told at guest relations.

Lovely photos of Vigo: just so much enjoy the northern Spanish ports and surrounding areas. Thank you for posting.

Bigdrinks Were you able to pre-book your chosen dining times before boarding? As we were such late bookers, this was not an option. The waiting and pagers for dining I can do without. As you say most children were so well behaved and had a wonderful time! In my post I did say “just a few” were not in this bracket. I was travelling with family including 2 teenagers. I think I will put this cruise as an “experience” and have been taking such holidays over the last 20 years. Previously been on Equinox and Eclipse, a few times each, and enjoyed them very much.

My view on a very recent cruise on Silhoueete, is somewhat mixed. This was the first time in many years I have sailed during school holidays and probably the last! We were told the number of pax was 3400, so that being nearly every berth in every room utilised. The good points Our stateroom attendant was brilliant and always so courteous. The crew are all so willing and helpful. The Silhouette seems well maintained, apart from a few saggy chair cushions. The choice in the buffet restaurant was enormous, and the cheese available in the evening was truly amazing. Plenty of French and Italian delicacies, and well rotated. The pools were kept clean and warm; the gym vastly underused. Lovely ports of call in Norway, but Zeebrugge for Bruges with a mid afternoon sailaway, was not appealing for those who prefer to go on their own. For mass catering in the MDR most of the food was very good, but a few of the appetisers were below par. Sushi on 5 is excellent. It was uncrowded and one really made to feel that the meal was special. All port stops handled well by security. Disembarkation was easy. The bad points On boarding the ship at only time available (late booking) we of course missed the Concierge lunch. Not a great deal, but it is advertised as a perk for a premium cabin, so we should expect to be able to partake if we wish, and we did wish so to do as the buffet was heaving. Although mostly sunny, it was bitterly cold on decks most days and all pax inside. Very difficult finding a seat, especially in the evening for pre dinner drinks. The ship therefore felt very overcrowded. So with people book hogging loungers in the solarium and eating or drinking elsewhere, did not help matters. Breakfast in the MDR was a shambles with regard to seating; each day we queued, once for over 20 minutes for a 2 top only to be lead to a table for 12 with no explanation. As we were extremely late bookers, we had to accept anytime dining. Again, some evenings the wait was dreadful. Getting wine topped up was a challenge, so having the “package” hardly worked in our favour. In our Concierge class cabin we had a notice that that this grade would be given priority seating, but this was certainly not in evidence. I found it very annoying to see a huge number of people decline hand sanitizer, and in “help yourself eateries” it is just a recipe for disaster. Without fail the staff proffered this little hygiene help, which would no doubt have great benefit. I came home and tested COVID + after feeling ill on the last night. Just a few of the children on this cruise could really have done with a little more parental control. We had the family from hell in the next cabin, with constant shouting and banging, starting early in the morning. On our last (and warm) day at sea, we were sitting on our balcony, when peace was shattered as they shouted at friends on the deck above. We have one more cruise booked with Celebrity in a higher grade cabin, and still looking forward to this. In school term time the atmosphere onboard should be very different. The Solstice class ships are comfortable and have some nice features to enjoy. Whether we book anymore, all depends on the autumn cruise experience. Having been used to suites on this and other lines, one can appreciate why there is such a markup for premium accommodation. Perhaps for us, it is this or small ship cruising in the future, to keep us smiling!😊

What you have said is correct, but Cunard cannot physically service this, especially on many Southampton roundtrips where Diamond and Platinum guests often total over 70%. I believe the CWC tiers have not been updated in terms of boarding priority for over 15 years, and Cunard have now really dug themselves into a hole, where they advertise “perks” that cannot be upheld. There is no doubt that boarding times are generally later now, and perhaps they are trying to introduce “priority” at your allocated time, but that will upset many. What is needed is an up to date “frequent traveller” package that can be honoured. Perhaps a points system another cruise lines operate, or at least on number of days travelled rather than voyages which would be fairer! Maybe a new tier could be introduced, but that would probably be too much for their IT dept to cope with.😬

On Silhouette as I write. We were late bookers for this cruise, and in Concierge Class, for what it is worth. When we checked in, all the early boarding slots were taken , so no lunch for us! Something seems to be wrong here; when advertised as a perk of your fare, one expects to get this. Breakfast in the main restaurant is an utter shambles; we queued for 20 minutes this morning. Anytime dining in the evening not too much better. In our cabin it says, Concierge Class have priority seating in MDR, but there is certainly no evidence of that. We have one more cruise booked on Celebrity, fortunately in a higher grade cabin. It maybe our last.

There are most certainly boxes for 4 people. Often if you arrive very early on a non formal evening you might get one for free. However, for something really special book one on a formal evening. Not sure what the charge is now, but champagne and chocolates used to be part of the deal. Also avoid those very close to the stage.

This thread started earlier this month about boarding times, appears to give accurate and up to date info on what seems to be new boarding procedure in Southampton. It would be good if this updated and confirmed, by those joining cruises in the near future. It really is about time Cunard addressed this issue, as what in effect is staggered boarding time for ease and safety, has clearly not been working, and often abused. Once inside the terminal it is not a problem for some to slip into the the the lines of premium paying pax. Perhaps for this season they are trying to rectify the bun fight in the building, and I hope it is successful. My thought is that much if the the trouble is from an outdated World Cub plan where the perks of early boarding just cannot be serviced as there are far too many people in these tiers to have a sensible and practical meaning. Celebrity seem to have a good system for their loyal customers in awarding points/grades. I wish Cunard had something more imaginative and practical so it does not cause passenger angst, as has been seen in this thread. What was set up many years ago, is clearly not working too well now! After all, happy passengers are likely to return!

Our last Cunard trip was November 22 (QG) and boarding was 12.45: quite surprised when initially saw the time. I am fairly sure we did not board any earlier, but certainly in time for a nice lunch!

So agree with @tacticalbanjo, about the convenience of the Princess medallion. Unless you have tried it, why dismiss it? It is very small, no need to wear it, just pop it in a bag/shirt or trouser pocket, and it works fine for unlatching door. If you order a drink and move table to be with friends or for whatever reason, you will always be found. The back up for viewing spend statements is great, without queueing at the pursers or concierge desk. I thought it was brilliant. I think this would be too expensive for the next QM2 refit, but would love to have a similar system installed: after all the QM2 is supposed to have another 20 years of useful service. If not modernised the ship will seem to be operating in the dark ages. The QA has the propensity to be a super modern upmarket cruise ship, and hope the technology also reflects this. We cannot harp for the past otherwise Cunard will become a commercial flop!

Watch out for the proposed laundry room mid ships deck 7! Otherwise should be a great deck.

We have been to Madeira a few times, and as for the journey, which side you book makes little difference. In the berthing area of the port of Funchal we have been on ships that have gone in both stern and bow first, so you cannot guarantee a balcony view of Funchal. Just take time in choosing a prime area on the ship for your stateroom, this could make most difference to your enjoyment! We have done this, for our sailing on QA next year!

Usually Cunard booked hotels provide transfers to the port. In many cities there are various grades of hotel one can book. You would do well to ask Cunard or your travel agent directly to see if it is possible to upgrade to make a change.

I think you will find that the kennel spaces get booked many months out, so it may not be possible to make a last minute booking. Have you actually checked with Cunard for availability?

Sadly, you might find that you are allocated a deck 8 PG, below buffet, of which there have been some not so favourable comments. I read the Cunard T&Cs, and there is no leeway to change upgraded room if not to one’s liking.

You really must try Sabatinis for breakfast!, perhaps early in the cruise or a cooler morning, or you will not know what you are missing. The service is so dedicated there is no waiting: everything arrives just when needed as if by magic. Order what you like, it is no problem for the staff. You will find only a few people in the restaurant, as those outside suites cannot buy a place setting, even for something special. The restaurant is truly first class in every respect.