Monday, April 1, 2024

Review: Cunard Queen Elizabeth cruise ship

cunard cruise line reviews

There is no limit to the glamor on formal nights, called gala evenings -- typically three on a 10-night sailing (two on Alaska voyages). Many gala evenings are also themed -- masquerade or Roaring Twenties -- so be sure to check out the schedule before packing to include any costume elements. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

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A bowl of beef consommé with barley and vegetables was delivered lukewarm. A salad of spinach, citrus, pecans and red onion had spry greens (a strong point throughout), but was delivered undressed. When we asked for dressing only one option was brought over—the menu had offered a choice—and then ladled on in excess (a recurring problem). Roasted butternut squash topped with apple and pecan salad and micro greens was beautifully presented, but the dish was bland—it needed spark.

G is for Grills Suite Experience

Our lunch and dinner here were among the best we’ve experienced at sea, well worth the a la carte surcharge. This included salad (Caesar or Caprese), cold and hot sandwiches (club sandwich, tuna melt, etc.), fajitas (chicken or beef), a Mediterranean quesadilla, penne Bolognese, grilled sirloin steak, and various burgers, including turkey. Dessert options included warm apple pie with custard sauce, vanilla cheesecake with cherries, a frozen chocolate bombe and crème caramel.

Q is for Queens

These sounded intimidating before we boarded, but the festivities were easy to enjoy from the sidelines (only a small percentage of the attendees wore themed attire). A hotel and dining service charge is added to the checkout bill for all guests, divided between waitstaff, cabin stewards, buffet stewards and others. The amount is $11 per day, per guest (including children); for those staying in Grill accommodations the service charge is $13 per day, per guest.

cunard cruise line reviews

Non-alcoholic Options

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Queens Grill takes everything that is so wonderfully indulgent about our Grills Experience and raises it to exalted new heights. Luxuriate in your own secluded haven of up to approximately 2,131 square feet featuring marble bathrooms and whirlpool baths. Guests dine at a reserved table in the single seating Queens Grill Restaurant. Tastefully appointed, the bedroom area of our cabin yielded no surprises, but the linens wrapping our mattress were upgraded, with a plush pillowtop concealing most of the seam between the two single mattresses, and a cushy duvet on top. Daylight from the balcony opening was well concealed behind a sheer, a blackout liner, and a decorative fabric curtain.

cunard cruise line reviews

This can be taken in the Queens Room on deck two, which is open to all passengers, or in the Queens Grill. A bountiful fruit bowl is provided in-room for grazing (room service is also included), and pre-dinner canapes delivered each night. Adorned in blonde timber, marble and maritime artworks, it’s a spacious sanctuary to relax in, and there’s also ample storage to unpack once – one of the great benefits of cruising. Queen Elizabeth is at full capacity of some 2,080 guests at present, yet it doesn’t feel overly crowded.

Government representatives and cruise line and shipyard executives gathered to celebrate the traditional handover ceremony on April 19, 2024. As the debut of Cunard’s first new ship in a decade approaches, the luxury line officially took delivery of Queen Anne at an Italian shipyard where she has been under construction for the last two years. Fringed with islands and dramatic coastlines, the Mediterranean remains one of the most idyllic cruise destinations.

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We found ample sunning areas, and crowding was not generally a problem except on one particularly scenic day. The Royal Court Theatre was also used for a murder mystery performance, lectures and a recent movie on port days, all to good effect. Near the shopping arcade, but easy to overlook was this cubbyhole boutique with a few specialty items.

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For entrées we tried the barramundi and found it to be tough and fishy-tasting; a dish of beef and wine ravioli was pretty boring. Other entrées included gnocchi with confit of duck and shitake mushrooms, a fish curry and vegetable moussaka. Dessert of crème caramel was fine, while mud pie—made with chocolate mousse—was only fair; a more bittersweet flavor and a silkier texture would have been welcome.

From the stunning Art Deco interiors, to the spacious staterooms and exceptional service, Queen Elizabeth offers an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking an elegant, relaxed and stylish cruise experience. While some cruise lines are rather hard-sell with drinks, that isn’t the case here – and it’s incredibly refreshing. That said, the cocktails (try the Insta-worthy Chieftain of the Clan) and wine list are all top-notch.

Also of note each evening was that one corner of the seating area each night was transformed into a specialty restaurant with a modest cover charge. The Daily Programme, the ship’s newsletter, was brimming with information about the many events planned through the day. The first, for breakfasts, was on a door hanger to be placed outside the room the night before; delivery times were in 15-minute increments between 7 and 10 a.m. The selection included a good array of cereals (popular American brands plus Birchermüsli and hot oatmeal), toast, pastries and muffins served with a variety of preserves, yogurt (plain or fruit), fresh fruit plates and a selection of juices. Hot options included eggs (scrambled, sunny side up, over easy) accompanied by bacon, Cumberland sausage, baked beans, hash brown potatoes or grilled tomato.

Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service. There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting. This is truly Queen Elizabeth’s special occasion spot, but—relative to specialty dining on other ships—we found the up charge fair.

Immediately next to the Admiral’s Lounge is Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, a small room dedicated to cigar and pipe smokers, with black and white photos of Sir Winston Churchill disembarking the Queen Mary in 1943. The humidor offered a selection of cigars including Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo (and Montecristo 1 and 2), Ednundo and Petit Ednundo, Davidoff Soecial T and Short Perfecto, and the Cuban Hopmann Coronas Major. There were two seatings nightly in the Britannia Restaurant, while next door open seating was provided in the Brittania Club, but only for those in that cabin category.

Cunard’s modern fleet of Queens — Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and 2024 newcomer Queen Anne® — exude the grace and grandeur of royalty. Each ship offers guests remarkable voyages filled with signature dining concepts, renowned White Star Service, and plenty of time to spend in each port. At the start of the 20th century, in the early days of pleasure cruising, Cunard introduced a restaurant that was only available to first-class passengers and made its mark serving grilled meats. The experience has since evolved into a Queens Grill Suite or a Princess Grill Suite, offering the finest accommodations paired with refined dining and exclusive amenities. The Cunard Queen Elizabeth is a true masterpiece of engineering, design, and luxury.

Onboard, guests can enjoy a wide range of activities, including live entertainment, art classes, and lectures by well-known experts. In addition to the ship’s standard cocktail list, several draft ales were available, including Boddingtons, Guinness, Old Speckled Hen, Stella Artois and Becks; there was also Aspall cider on tap. A short menu of wines was available ship-wide, including Cunard’s private label—chardonnay, pinot grigio, merlot, syrah and cabernet sauvignon ($5.95 for a “standard” 150ml pour, $9.95 for 250ml, or $29.75 for a bottle). Other options included Bourgogne Aligoté Domaine Pere èt Fils, Vincent Dampt Chablis, Vignobles Gonnet Côte du Rhône and Hunter’s Pinot Noir (ranging $6.75-$10.50 for a standard 150ml pour).

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