david,Mississauga

We avoid most of the "big shows" because I know they are not to our taste. So when we take a chance we do the same and take an aisle seat close to the back so we can make a discreet exit. On our recent cruise on QE we decided to take a chance but when we got to the theatre just a few minutes before it started it was close to full. So we had to sit near the front. After five minutes I wanted to be anywhere else. (I know that singers shrieking into hand-held microphones and jumping up and down and rolling on the stage is appealing to a huge amount of people, but not me.) It would be rude to get up and leave, even though we were on an aisle. I just thought about the production of Top Hat which was coming up in a couple of days. The same cast redeemed themselves by proving they could sing and not shriek.

We have travelled nine times on the QM2 and four on the QE. We were hoping to finally get on board the QV next year for a Norway cruise but sadly that isn't going to happen. I have zero interest in the QA. I can't say overall whether I prefer the QE or the QM2. The "Mary" is great for crossings and can handle bumpy seas better than any ship we have been on. There are many aspects of the QE which to me are superior to any ship we have experienced: the Royal Court Theatre, the library, the Commodore Club and the Grand Lobby. We don't travel in the Grills all the time, but we find the public areas on the QE are way superior to those on the QM2. The QM2 does have better staterooms in Princess Grill than those on the QE and, of course, there is a second lounge for the Grills passengers. Also, even the cheapest QG staterooms on the QE have a separate shower, something lacking on the QM2 except for the small number of Q1 to Q4 suites. The Britannia Club staterooms that were added to the QM2 (Deck 13) in 2016 are considerably more attractive than the other Club cabins. For one thing, there is a glass door on the shower. I have said to those who have asked me about our Cunard travels: if Cunard could combine the best of the QM2 and the best of the QE (and of course the QV) there would be a perfect ship.

Yes, the PVSA is an American law. The programmes for the last few days of our cruise in June referred to a Canadian act called the "Coasting Trade Act 1992" which I am not familiar with. Although it didn't affect us I was curious so I researched it thanks to the internet. It did say that a non-Canadian registered ship cannot embark in one port and disembark in another even if calling at a foreign port in between. An earlier version of this law gave an exemption for ships registered in the British Commonwealth but that is no longer offered. We have taken three Alaska cruises on the QE. What is strange is that on the previous two, many passengers disembarked in Victoria. I suppose Cunard wasn't aware of the law and no official enforced it - until now. On this recent voyage passengers were permitted to take their luggage ashore in Victoria, but they were instructed to re-board for the overnight voyage to Vancouver. I think 10 or so went ashore and didn't return. Shortly before departure from Victoria an announcement was made on the tannoy asking "the following guests ... report to the pursers office immediately." I suspect they weren't on board to hear their names called.

I don't want to sound snarky, but I am surprised you would not recommend something simply because it was not what you are accustomed to in your area. I have often had food items in various provinces and countries that are prepared differently than what I am used to. But that doesn't mean they weren't good. Some I have liked and others not much. Two of my favourite restaurants in Toronto offer lobster bisque. One is fabulous and the other is just all right. Of course, there is a considerable price difference. (This has got me thinking it's time to visit the one with the better soup.)

We have always had a letter from the concierge outlining the benefits of Princess or Queens Grill. There has also been a letter from the club reminding us of the benefits. I wouldn't discourage anyone from asking the concierge, though, just in case everything isn't covered in the letters.

A few years ago on an Alaska cruise we found that the main dining room was closed most of the time for lunch. There were sufficient snacks in the Neptune Lounge to make this an acceptable alternative. (We don't do buffets at sea.) I must add that if you are a tea drinker the Neptune Lounge was the only place on the Noordam where we could get hot water suitable for making a decent cup of tea. The so-called hot water from the in-suite coffee maker was pathetic as was what is offered in the dining room, even at tea time.

I know several people whose opinions I trust who have flown economy on Rouge. They have all said they will stay home before they will ever do that again. For one thing the pitch is a mere 29 inches, compared with 31 or 32 on most airlines. All of their planes have Rouge Premier which is sold as Business Class on AC's website. One friend has travelled many times in Rouge Premier. It is the same as Business Class and includes Maple Leaf Lounge access. Some planes do not have a closet, though.

Yes, Mrspeel55, there are differences between the UK and US sites. Being Canadian we must deal with the US site. This has been annoying when they have messed things up for us several times. One time our TA contacted someone he knew at Cunard in England and that person straightened out the problem. I can't print the entire form from what is no doubt the US site. As I said it is too long and not divided into two pages. I have tried on three computers. As for e-mailing it as an attachment, the "Let your Cunard adventure begin" page gives a different e-mail address than what is on the questionnaire. The e-mail address on both the questionnaires is the same, so we will send it to that one. I hope they will acknowledge receipt. This is definitely something new for our side of the pond. We cruised on the QE from Vancouver in June. Our TA made the usual request for assistance at the terminal. This was efficiently provided without any forms having to be filled out. I'm not complaining; I think it is appropriate that Cunard knows what specific assistance is needed by passengers with special needs.

Thank you for the links MrsPeel55. Being curious, I tried to find some information through "my.cunard" but there was nothing. I found something in an e-mail entitled "Let your Cunard adventure begin". It led me to a link to the questionnaire which was somewhat different than the one you sent me. The one I found could not be printed properly because it was one long page. The one in your link was conveniently divided into two pages. Mine asks if the person weighs more or less than 100 kg. "Yours" says 128 kg. Yours requires a signature; mine does not. Since I can't print the one I found, I have printed and had my wife fill out the one you linked. The fact sheets are also different but not in a way that affects my wife. We have back-to-back voyages - Southampton-NewYork- Québec - but they had to be booked separately so we will have to send in two. This makes sense but I hope Cunard will make sure everyone knows about this so there are no surprises at check-in.

We have taken four cruises to Alaska in the past eight years, three of them on the QE. Not once I have been overwhelmed by crowds at any port. On another forum someone said Skagway should be avoided because of excess crowds. Last year there were four ships in port on our day and this year three (plus a very small vessel.) The excursion trains depart almost every hour and can hold about 600 people each. This helps. In other ports a large number of people take bus excursions which helps reduce congestion in the city. This year our call at Juneau was cancelled for an unknown reason, but last year there were five ships. Four were docked and the QE had to use tenders. We walked the main streets and boardwalk for an hour or so and never found it crowded. It was busy, but it never seemed like Piccadilly Circus.

"Mrs. David" doesn't consider herself disabled. She would describe herself as a person of reduced mobility due to issues with her knees. She uses a walking stick a lot, but not all the time. She can do a limited number of stairs but it is painful, as is standing for a long time. For most airports and some ocean terminals (New York and Vancouver can be a horror) we request assistance. If we are on a cruise and there is going to be a tendered port, she is invited to attend a session with the safety officer. We have never completed a medical form. A request through the travel agent or on-board sales staff for terminal assistance has always been noted and provided. If we receive the e-mail we will comply. If we don't receive it I'm confident there is a way to find the appropriate form.

Even though we have requested embarkation assistance at the terminal for my wife we have not received this e-mail for our two voyages next year. It's a long way off but if we don't receive this soon I will have to contact Cunard or have our agent do it. The threat of being denied boarding is a concern. If it wasn't for this posting I wouldn't know about it.

This the latest good news. https://alaskapublic.org/2023/07/31/skagway-rail-workers-sign-agreement-with-white-pass-averting-possible-strike/

At one time Cunard's transatlantic fares included a flight in the opposite direction to or from most US and Canadian airports. It was a long time ago, but we took advantage of that many times between 1973 and 1990. We had to give up long-distance travel for many years and I was surprised when we resumed in 2008 that "free" air was no longer offered on US and Canadian bookings. We have had good one-way fares with Air Transat. If you can make your way to Montreal or Toronto the one-way fares for economy start at $617 and the Club Class (realistically this should be called premium economy) starts at about $1,000 but can be hard to get at the lowest fare. These are Canadian dollars.

The first time we travelled in First Class on the QE2 in 1979 we dined in the Columbia Restaurant (which was later renamed Caronia). Our head waiter mentioned that we could order anything special for dinner by requesting it at lunch or the day before. Although there was no a la carte menu, the daily menus were huge compared to what you get these days. We saw no reason to make a special request, but it was nice to know we could do so without having to pay for Queens Grill.

I'm pleased that worked out for you, as it did for me and 30 other people in Halifax several years ago. It's a shame we have to go to such lengths to get a result which ought not to be difficult.

We have travelled in QG only twice on the QM2. Both times they were upgrades to a Q5 from Princess. The first time we were at a large table not far from the entrance. The second time our large table was close to the rear. On our second time in QG there was a couple, obviously well-known to the staff, who had a table for two at the rear window. Every morning we enjoyed the ritual when Osman and the head chef attended their table, note-books in hand. The man would dictate their precise requirements for all courses for the day's lunch and dinner - right down to the sauces. Whether they had booked in one of the large suites or were frequent travellers (or both) I do not know.

My wife has a medical condition that requires her to leave the table some times (not at every meal) and if anyone made a comment my usual calm demeanour would change quickly. None of our table-mates has ever said anything thus far. This discussion regarding leaving the table reminds me of a voyage in 1977. The last two ships of the Union-Castle Line were to pass at sea for the last time. This was to occur in the afternoon, but an emergency on the other ship delayed them by several hours. The delayed passing took place during dinner. When an announcement was made on the tannoy, almost everybody (all dressed formally) leaped up at once and ascended about four decks to witness this on deck. The stewards followed.

Last month on the QE we found the afternoon tea in the Queen's Room to be back to normal. In June of last year the tea was a disappointment. For one thing, the finger sandwiches were often stale. We were pleased that the overall experience of our cruise was better this year. I think you will have an enjoyable experience.

I will add that the on-line check-in now starts at 21 days before sailing as opposed to six weeks. Also, even in Queens Grill certain items have to be requested, such as a bar of soap, ice and a fruit tray if desired. There are at least two things that have not changed for which I am grateful. A printed daily programme is still provided, admittedly less detailed than the previous version. There are computers available for those of us who don't have smart-phones. (Even if I had one of those mobile devices I would prefer to type e-mails on a real keyboard and view all sites on a large screen.)

I doubt this has anything to do with Canadian immigration or customs procedure. This voyage is available as a round trip from New York or as two one-way cruises: New York to Quebec and back. I have taken this route three times. Each time the majority of passengers were taking only a one-way cruise. On the voyage in question the first port of call is Halifax. For immigration purposes the ship will be cleared there. It is possible there could be random customs checks in Quebec for the many hundreds of disembarking passengers. I have disembarked Cunard ships in Canada four times and each has been as easy as possible - without even speaking to any official. On previous discussions regarding leaving a cruise early I mentioned I had a similar problem when we requested to disembark a w/b crossing in Halifax rather than continue on to New York. Cunard's immediate response was: it can't be done. Well, of course it can be done (as confirmed by the Canadian Immigration service as long as no law is being broken). My TA persevered and permission was granted. Would it be feasible for you to cancel the existing booking, sacrifice whatever the portion of the fare would be and re-book one-way from New York to Quebec? I note that PG is sold out for that segment but you already have a booking. This is a bit of work for your TA and for Cunard. My experience is the 'it can't be done' attitude is prevalent with Cunard's US office.

The list we had on the QE in June had only about half the choices as on the above list. That wasn't a problem, though, because we chose Bombay gin form the list and our request for Baileys was honoured. I did wonder, however, why the list was so much shorter than on the QM2 and QV.

On the 20th June Alaska cruise on the QE there was one party - the World Club party for gold members and above. The Rep. told me it was the third one they had on the QE. There was no senior officers party.

I treasure those huge deck plans. I have one that was issued before the QE2 entered service and a few from afterwards. There was a separate deck plan issued for cruises because the cruises were one-class as opposed to First and Tourist classes as on crossings. I have an equally large one for the S.S. France and the Canadian Pacific and Union-Castle liners. The detail on those plans was incredible. You could see the location of every chair, wardrobe, toilet, etc. With modern ships' cabins built in factories there is no longer the need for such detail, although many people like to know which way the bed is facing.

One other thing I like about them is the balcony is noticeably bigger than those in other Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms.