We were a party of 8, on board especially as the mini cruise coincided with my husband’s and best friends 70th Birthday (30 November and1 December).
2 in our party had never cruised before and 1 had never cruised from Southampton so we were keen to show the how fantastic it can be.
Embarkation was very efficient and we were all soon sitting outside on deck with drinks in hand.
Drinks are pricey and the 15% service charge on top of everything makes them even pricier.
We were pleasantly surprised when we got to our cabins, each one had an ice bucket with a small bottle of fizz to enjoy.
We all loved the ship which had just been refurbished but we did have some niggles.
Firstly we felt Cunard were not very good with information either directly or on the website – we tried desperately to find out if there was a Formal Night on either night we were on board.
It wasn’t clear, even after a phone call, but I finally did find a ‘spreadsheet’ on the website giving the cruise number and stating NO special night so did not pack for a Gala Night but on the 2nd evening we found a good majority of the clientele had indeed dressed formally making us all feel uncomfortable.
Where didn’they get their information? The restaurant we were in each evening had air conditioning (it was December!) and where our table was situated was freezing.
We didn’t complain that night although as soon as we walked away from our table it was very pleasant.
In the morning we again went to the restaurant not expecting to be put on the same table but we were and again we were freezing even with sweaters on.
As before it was a much more pleasant temperature in other parts of the restaurant so we asked to be moved for the evening.
When we got to the restaurant in the evening they said we were still at the same table but they had sorted the air conditioning and it would be fine.
This was an out and out LIE as it was still freezing where we were.
Thank goodness we were only there for 2 nights, it really did spoil our dinners which were both 70th Birthday celebrations.
To add insult to injury I was told Cunard do not do anything for special events e.g Birthdays etc but on the table behind us a large party had waiters deliver a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday.
I felt awful that I had not arranged for a cake but I presumed you couldn’t (I had done before on P &O for my husband and friends 65th birthday, as this was plainly advertised on their website).
We’ve only been on P&O before but this trip coincided with the 70th birthdays and our friends (not with us) had been on QE in September and recommended it to us.
I have to say we loved the ship and the staff but with the heavy 15% on everything and the problems in the restaurant we will be going back to P&O for our next trip I think.
