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Hopefully you will get the chance to sail a WC on QV. A few years ago, we were on a long segment on the QV that was part of their world cruise and we chatted with several PAX who were in for the full deal. They were having a great time.

Right you are in that the QV is not like a ship from the Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian line. But it is similar to a cruise ship from HAL, Viking, or even Celebrity. But with the Cunard features like ballroom and dress-up.

I found the Victoria to be a cruise ship in design, atmosphere, and activities, and thus similar (except for Cunard signatures like ballroom) to other cruise ships. And that is what it is meant to be. The QM2 is an ocean liner and is unique on the seas. Vickie feels way more crowded, but I do love the Grills Lounge on her, very lively and well-designed. My preference is QM2 because it is so spacious, quirky, unique. I have several favorite corners on the QM2 and return to them.

I remember buying a few odds and ends at a little souvenir store and used a credit card. We have also enjoyed lunch on shore and used a credit card.

Focus on the flambee!

Oh me too. Still finding them a couple of years later. I guess I don't look closely at the insides of my clothes!

Great tip. I will remember this!

We also would appreciate upgraded internet on the Moon. Sailing March 16.

We love Bamboo. We have often gone to these pop-up restaurants and have never had a problem getting a same day reservation. We do dine late, after 8:00, so maybe that makes a difference. Almost every time there were a lot of empty tables.

What an amazing thread! Very entertaining. Thank you Markham!

For us the major attraction of the Concierge Lounge is...the Concierge! Invariably we have a series of issues where we need assistance, and the Concierge is usually very available and very helpful. So much better than waiting in a long line for the Purser's Office. And besides the coffee and tea, there is OJ available in the fridg until mid-morning. I also agree that the lack of windows keeps me from lingering too long.

Most of the time there is no one there. When I did see a staff person, he was sitting off to one side looking at the phone. When I asked that he post a sign on the many cardio machines that were broken, he barely looked up from his phone. My perception was that equipment maintenance was not an important part of his duties. I think he was more concerned with selling trainer sessions.

Lots of free weights available and some weight machines. Not many passengers using the weight area. Movement of the ship makes some of this equipment a little difficult to use because of safety. Too many of the cardio machines are broken and no one seems to care. Very sketchy staff assistance.

Yes, we did and we were fully prepared to be obedient. Just did not appreciate anyone barging in and insisting that we leave. It was obvious that he wanted us out as soon as possible so that he could clean the room.

We've sailed Queens a couple of times. Not impressed with the butler service. Way over-sold. Just a dressed-up room attendant. The bottom dropped out on the disembarkation day when the butler banged on our door, barged in at 7:45 and told us we had to be out by 8:00. Not White Star Service.

I echo the others here. I prefer the lines that do not include excursions in their fare. In many ports we prefer to explore and DIY. I recently watched a YouTube review of Viking Ocean Cruises and found their overly-programmed excursions in every port to be too confining, and they add to the cost of the trip. There are some exotic or somewhat dangerous ports where I definitely prefer a cruise line arranged excursions, but I want that to be my option, and I want to choose which excursion itinerary works for me. So I hope Seabourn continues to not include excursions, allowing us to choose, plus not inflate the cost of the cruise to cover the included excursions.

We have had some success with our TA requesting a particular table or type of table in the Grills. If you don't like the table you've been assigned to, you can ask for a change from the maitre'd. We've done that, and it worked a couple of times, did not work a couple of times.

The Sojourn will be in Japan in spring, 2024 as a part of the World Cruise. We are booked. I believe the Odyssey is scheduled for Japan as well. For our WC, I am fully prepared for itinerary changes.

We are US citizens and we needed Indian visas in 1999 and 2012. Horrible ordeals both times.

If you like private or somewhat private space for reading, etc. you will find the Grills to be a much better experience than Britannia class. We may have to sail Britannia on a crossing in May where the Grills are currently sold out, and my DH slips into deep depression when I bring up the subject. He is spoiled by the extra space. We find the PG stateroom on the QM2 to have enough extra space for relaxed time in the mornings, and take advantage of the empty Grills Lounge (QM2) in the mornings. The Concierge Lounge is also OK. I am OK with less space and would probably find some nook somewhere on the QM2 to sit quietly. And honestly, I am beginning to wonder whether PG is worth the upcharge; have not yet made up my mind.

You may be sailing with the package deal where you and your mate can get one free dinner at the Verandah or 2 free dinners at the pop-up restaurants in Kings Chaos (Bamboo, Coriander, etc.). If you crave something truly different that Queens Grill, I would suggest the pop-ups. The Verandah menu is quite close to what is available in QG. I generally do not recommend paying for dinner in the Verandah, if you are dining in the Grills...unless you are blessed with OBC that you have no use for.

You asked for a comparison to Azamara, which we sailed many times prior to Covid. While we have always enjoyed AZ, and will return someday, we have found the food quality and variety to be a slight step above on Seabourn, in all venues, the specialty resto, the deck grill, the main dining room, and the buffet. We have also found Seabourn to be slightly more dressy than AZ due to the country club casual dress code in the main dining room, something that does not really exist on AZ. So slightly better food, slightly more dressy. Finally, because of the passenger load, the Seabourn ships are more spacious than AZ, which can feel crowded on sea days.

An ap that is dependent on a sketchy internet connection is doomed to be, well, sketchy. Not a great idea if you need it for basic cruise functions like excursions. And i wonder how it works if you have an internet plan that allows for only one device per stateroom? If you are using the ap, are you blocked from looking at email on another device? If so, that is a big inconvenience.

Tuna fish sandwich and potato crips, if you are lucky enough to twist a few arms.

What a beautiful NYC photo!