After over twenty years of cruising, P&O and Princess, we thought it was the time we tried Cunard…When we saw the five-night cruise in Dec it fitted the bill for us.
Combining a birthday and two ports we had not been to and cruising on QV.
We are familiar with Arcadia and we’re intrigued to see the differencess…
embarkation was swift and our cases were in our inside cabin when we arrived there.
Once unpacked we went for a walkabout, the ship was decorated ready for Chritmas as looked amazing….we went in search of tea and cake and found the Lido , the self serve Lido was busy but not crowded…and never was all cruise.
Once muster was out of the way…we dressed …smart Casual( jackets for men) …for our first dinner…food service and choices all excellent.
I was concerned that smart Casual might be far more dressy on Cunard…but it didn’t seem to be..
there was a good mix of nationalities and everyone appeared smart…a few ladies were in cocktail dresses…
not as many as I assumed.
The itinerary changed due to the weather so we went to Rotterdam in place of Amsterdam.
Shuttles were well managed and again we had no queuing…
but we did hold back from earlier coaches.
On our one sea day we were pleased the ship didn’t feel overcrowded as can happen when it’s cold and damp out.
The winter garden gives the opportunity to sit on deck under a covered roof, there, TVs here show sports so OH can watch that while I enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Plus a lovely hot chocolate.
We had booked an inside cabin as this was a five night taster…and it was winter…
it was adequate well appointed with artwork on the wall and neat cushions on the bed should you sit there during the day…
Kettle with tea & coffee and biscuits were replenished daily.
The bathroom was again adequate and plusher than Arcadia, complete with a Cunard robe and slippers along with Penhaligans toiletries which, again replenished as used.
Evening entertainment was a show in the plush Victorian style theatre.
The Red Lion also had entertainment at night and around the ship was music in bars…
Dancing in The Queens room was very popular and even if you dont dance it was a wonderful venue to sit and enjoy others dancing.
This is also the venue for the famous Cunard afternoon tea…queues formed early but the venue seemed to fit everybody in fine.
We didn’t try it but walked past to see it and the harpist playing.
Overall we enjoyed the Cunard experience…the only negative would be the exchange rate makes everything expensive..drinks , trips and spa .
Fever Tree tonic over three dollars..Spa treatments were over hundred dollars for a massage.
Half day trips about seventy dollars.
Formal photo thirty dollars.
Pillow chocolates were made by Godiva …
fruit juice , orange, apple, or cranberry , is on tap all day in the Lido…
beds and pillows are amazing.
Food excellent.
Breakfast in the Lido, not overcrowded, and a good choice…
tables are laid ready and staff also serve tea and coffee to you at your table.
Room service, not used but a very good choice and hot food too on offer.
Disembarkation ..done on deck…was again swift but as it was five nights there wasn’t a lot of luggage for them to get off.
So we were off earlier than expected.
Would we go again…yes…but budget for extra spend on board…while the exchange rate is how it is.
