Brief Notes on 14-day QE Sailing in QG

[DaisyUK]

Not sure whether this will be of any help, but thought I’d post a few thoughts on our recent QE sailing. More than happy to answer any questions.

 

This was our 2^nd Cunard cruise, the first being a 4-night taster on the QM2. We were originally planning a 1-week Barcelona round trip, but on hearing that Alfie Boe was performing the previous week decided to add this sailing also for a total of 14 nights.

 

Prior to Cunard, we have sailed Oceania, Crystal and Regent, with Regent being our current ‘go to’ cruise line.

 

Cunard is obviously very different to these 3 lines and we found pluses and minuses in the differences.

 

On the positive side, we found the service in QG beyond anything we have experienced on any of the 3 lines mentioned above, most particularly in the restaurant. It really was on a different level. Having ‘our’ table available to us for each meal at any time, for however long, felt like a huge luxury. Our wait staff were amazing – friendly, efficient, helpful – nothing was too much trouble. The food was very good to excellent on the whole. In terms of the actual food quality and menu choices, we both thought Regent has the edge but you can’t have everything! 

 

We ate in the buffet a few times and found the selections to be generally good and enjoyable. It was a bit of a zoo though – very difficult to get a table at peak times and some less-than-polite behaviour at the buffet itself, so this was a bit of a negative. 

 

Entertainment was also good. We booked one of the boxes for the Alfie Boe performances which made them seem that much more special. A half bottle of champagne and petit fours went down well also. 

 

Excursions were a non-event. We had 2 ports cancelled due to high seas which was disappointing but couldn’t be helped, and we were unwell for a couple of days so had to cancel our plans then also. 

 

We were in a Q2 mid-ship and it was very comfortable. We were struck by how stable and quiet the suite was – we had no noise from neighbouring rooms, and no squeaking and rattling in high seas (which we did get on Regent). The bed was comfortable and the linens excellent. The suite was a little dated in décor when compared with a comparable Regent suite, but we were generally happy with it. One minor irritation was that I had to ask for shampoo, conditioner, bar soap and bath gel as well as cotton buds and cotton pads and when they did arrive, they were less than impressive. I had to ask for additional sets as I didn’t want to have to move them from shower to bath to sink etc. Also, as mentioned in another thread, all of the above were watered down. I really felt it was a cheap trick and false economy on Cunard’s part. 

 

All in all, we had a delightful cruise and I am sure we will sail with Cunard again. 

  

[exlondoner]

This all sounds very nice. If the worst thing was rather watery toiletries, it sounds pretty nice. A shame about the missed ports though.

 

Did you mind about Cunard not being all inclusive like the others? Or did you actually prefer it, as you did not have the feeling you were in effect paying for heavy drinkers’ booze?

[carlmm]

Thank you for your QG perspective of the cruise I experienced in Britannia.

How was your embarkation and debarkation process?

[DaisyUK]

35 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

This all sounds very nice. If the worst thing was rather watery toiletries, it sounds pretty nice. A shame about the missed ports though.

 

Did you mind about Cunard not being all inclusive like the others? Or did you actually prefer it, as you did not have the feeling you were in effect paying for heavy drinkers’ booze?

Yes, it was all good. Funny how little things can be an irritation, but that's all it was (ref the toiletries). Looking on the bright side, the missed ports give us an excuse to go back again!

Mixed feelings on the all inclusive issue. On the one hand, it was nice to have the freedom to drink whatever cocktails and wines we wanted and pay only for them, and the same with excursions (if we had managed to go on any!) On the other hand, it did feel a bit strange having to pay for wifi, a cup of coffee and laundry etc and to have to dig around for our room card every time we wanted something which was not included. Also to receive a relatively large bill at the end. However, the cruise was substantially less expensive to book in the first place. On balance, I think we preferred it not to be all-inclusive. Back to the wines - it was another advantage with Cunard that whenever we bought a bottle of wine and didn't finish it, it was vacuum sealed and waiting for us - at our table - the following evening. Whilst we can do that on Regent also, our experience has been that it would take about half an hour to find the elusive bottle of wine we didn't finish the previous evening (at a different restaurant) by which time we were suffering a little alcohol deprivation syndrome and becoming somewhat ratty. Especially as the service is very quick on Regent (it has to be because they have another reservation after ours) so often we would be half way through our appetiser before a glass of wine appeared.

[DaisyUK]

34 minutes ago, carlmm said:

Thank you for your QG perspective of the cruise I experienced in Britannia.

How was your embarkation and debarkation process?

Embarkation was funny. We arrived bang on time and went through the check-in process, after which we were told we needed to wait because we were going to be personally escorted to our suite. We were a little embarrassed by this, but hung around a while waiting during which time everyone who had been behind us in the queue checked in and trotted off to embark. After a little time had passed, a very sweet girl came and told us to follow her. Upon arriving at the ship, she was told by security that she could not enter because she didn't have a boarding pass. Once again, we were asked to wait while she went off to get one. After about 10 minutes, my husband lost patience and said 'oh let's just get on - what's the worst that can happen?' so that's what we did. We were shown our muster point, and then found our suite without issue. Debarking was a breeze. Just walked off the ship at 9.15 am as we had requested and our luggage was waiting for us. Easy peasy. 

 

[Victoria2]

Sounds like an overall positive experience.

Good and I'm very interested in your all inclusive thoughts.  We are totally against it preferring to pay the base price and PAYG for the rest.

 

I do think Quercus Gate needs investigating although our viscosity was just right. 

 

Question.

Will you book QE [or QV as they're basically the same] again? 🙂

[Host Hattie]

Thank you very much for reporting back, it was great to read about your experience.

[DaisyUK]

3 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

Sounds like an overall positive experience.

Good and I'm very interested in your all inclusive thoughts.  We are totally against it preferring to pay the base price and PAYG for the rest.

 

I do think Quercus Gate needs investigating although our viscosity was just right. 

 

Question.

Will you book QE [or QV as they're basically the same] again? 🙂

Yes it was a positive experience and I feel sure we will book QE or QV again. In fact we tried to book onboard but availability for the cruise/suite we wanted wAsn’t there so we are waitlisted. For us, I think we get more value out of PAYG; it is just a bit of a culture shock to begin with.

 

Quercus Gate 😂😂😂😂 Not exactly a deal breaker!

[DaisyUK]

3 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

Thank you very much for reporting back, it was great to read about your experience.

Thank you Host Hattie. I enjoyed reading about your cruise also, but was so sorry that your husband succumbed to Covid. Glad to hear he is recovering well.

[Victoria2]

11 hours ago, DaisyUK said:

Yes it was a positive experience and I feel sure we will book QE or QV again. In fact we tried to book onboard but availability for the cruise/suite we wanted wAsn’t there so we are waitlisted. For us, I think we get more value out of PAYG; it is just a bit of a culture shock to begin with.

 

Quercus Gate 😂😂😂😂 Not exactly a deal breaker!

The lack of  availability of the 2s, is the reason we book early. Yes we pay rack rate with very poor obc, but we get the cabin we want. 

Q1s aren't so popular so a little breathing space can be had. The new ship will have four 2s but only two 1s. Both categories to be mid ships. 

My quip on the products is because so many have had the same problem you had. and in all seriousness, sounds as if there could be a burgeoning problem.