Smurfy goes on Cunard

[david63]

This is a replacement cruise for the Silversa cruise that we should have done earlier in the year.

We flew out from the UK yesterday arriving in a pleasntly warm, boarding on hot, Barcelona. However today we are sheltering in our hotel room as it is pouring down with rain outside and I can vouch for the fact that Spanish rain is equally as wet as UK rain. Fortunatly we are staying the very comfortable Monument Hotel which is sitated in the area of Barcelona where if you have to ask the price in the shops then you cannot afford to buy anything!

We will, all being well, be joining Queen Victoria tomorrow when the real adventure starts for 21 days.

One interesting piece of fact is that the first Cunard cruise that I was on (Cunard Princess) was exactly 30 years ago this month and also departed from Barcelona - although that was from the old cruise terminal.

[Ray B]

Have a good cruise David. We look forward to updates on how you get set in the Cunard life.

[screwy]

21 days....Boy thats a lot in tips and drink surcharges.... enjoy.

[david63]

Now securly enconced in our QG suite.

The journey from the hotel was seamless even though the pre booked taxi arrived about 30 minutes early. We had a 12:15 arrival time and were at the terminal at around 11:45 - no problems with being early. Everything was going well, straight through security, until there was a "jobsworth" girl controlling the priority queue and would not allow anyone in unless they were in the appropriate loyalty tier irrespective of being in QG. Sme firm words were said to a more senior member of the staff and even then she was arguing about who should be allowed in the priority queue despite having a "priority card". Anyway all's well that ends well and we were on board in our suite for 12:15. Lunch at 13:00 all unpacked and away by 15:00.

So far all is going well - even the weather.

[Portsmouth]

I was on the Queen Vic ....pre christmas cruise 2022. First time with Cunard. What a great experience, had a balcony stateroom, so was in the ordinary Britannia restaurant but the waiters were attentive, kept an eye on the water jugs and overall enjoyed the food that was presented. I tend to visit stops without using the booked cruise excursions but had no problems with getting on or off the ship at the ports we visited except for one stop where we had a bit of a wait for a shuttle back. Loved having afternoon tea served in the Queens Room between 3:30 - 4:30 on sea days, that was an enjoyable experience. So yes I really enjoyed my cruise on the Queen Victoria and no problems with getting on board even though I wasn't on the priority list but it was a bit later than you got on board today.

[Ray B]

Problem with posh priority queue, definitely worth a call to Stephen for a compo form, for enduring an embarrassing moment trying to correctly board ship.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We've never done QG, but loved our PG experience on Victoria. And had no trouble getting on. Just saying.....

[Stephen]

Problem with posh priority queue, definitely worth a call to Stephen for a compo form, for enduring an embarrassing moment trying to correctly board ship.

Export is more expensive.

[Ray B]

I was surprised that David's minor problem caused him to call a higher member of staff. On the Queens, I would have thought things were more smoother, especially as his suite status ,I assume, allowed priority boarding. Maybe the 'jobsworth' was new and not up to speed with who qualified for priority embarking.
Just a thought, getting on wearing a string could draw attention.
Anyhow David, I hope you've settled in and, miner problems aside, are fully engrossed in enjoying the cruise.

[Portsmouth]

Can anyone confirm that there is no limit on soft drinks that can be taken onboard....so am I allowed to take a large qty onboard to avoid paying for the expensive soft drinks package + 15% service charge. The reason for asking is that it seems like both people in a stateroom have to buy a drinks package and we probably wouldn't get through that amount to make it worth it.

[towny44]

Can anyone confirm that there is no limit on soft drinks that can be taken onboard....so am I allowed to take a large qty onboard to avoid paying for the expensive soft drinks package + 15% service charge. The reason for asking is that it seems like both people in a stateroom have to buy a drinks package and we probably wouldn't get through that amount to make it worth it.

As long as it is for in cabin consumption only, then I imagine it would be OK, but not for consuming in any bar or lounge.

[Portsmouth]

yes, exactly.....just for when we are in the cabin or balcony, We are not big beer/spirit, wine drinkers so soft drinks are the best option. Of course when we are in the bars/showrooms, dining rooms we will purchase drinks as we need them.

[Ranchi]

sitated in the area of Barcelona where if you have to ask the price in the shops then you cannot afford to buy anything!

Many moons ago we were on a cruise which stopped in Barcelona. My watch required a new battery & whilst moaning about the lack of a working watch I was loathe to pay for a new battery -especially at over inflated prices. Eventually my wife ‘persuaded me’ (just to shut me up!) to go into a jeweller’s store. The uniformed attendant opened the door for us. The jeweller looked at the watch and declared ‘no problem’ whisked it away and returned it a few minutes later. Cost ~£2, roughly a quarter of the price at home.

[LadyPCruiser]

Hi there!! We have just got off the Queen Anne - without doubt Cunard is still number 1 for us!! Most of the things we used to get on P and O and now don’t we got on Cunard - yes it cost more but was money well spent In my opinion

[Portsmouth]

We have just got off the Queen Anne -

I will be on the Queen Anne in a weeks time
Did you try out .....Bright Lights Society Bar ? Does it get very full ? it sounds like it might be a fun place to go.
Has the new ship settled down or are there still a few creaks and groans from the walls you can hear....(not that it will bother me)
How did you find the food in Artisans' foodhall and did you find it got crowded ?

[OCEANIAFAN]

Regards the Bright Lights Society, you have to boook for each show, but you can go to thebar for drinks, most nights when the show was not on the bar way empty. We did not like the shows, not to our liking.
She still has a few creaks but it is a ship after all.
Food in the Artisons was all served, just a fews things that were help yourself. We found that if you sat at the adt end then you could always get a table. You can also sit in the speilaity bit on both port and starbourd side.
Overf all we found the cruise much better than we anticipated.

[LadyPCruiser]

We loved the Bright Lights Society shows! Really good fun but we did have to book as soon as we got on board - well worth it though! Italian restaurant was well worth the extra as was the Japanese - Have a great time

[Portsmouth]

Ok, so might think about booking Bright Lights on the first day. Have booked the Italian restaurant on a sea day and looking forward to trying it
First formal night is Black & White then later on I think they have a Roaring twenties night.
I'm sailing tomorrow on Queen Anne and really looking forward to it.....my 2nd Cunard cruise

[Stephen]

Have a great cruise Portsmouth.

[Portsmouth]

Thank you..