We have taken several cruises on Oceania, Celebrity, and on Cunard's Queen Victoria. This was our favorite in many ways. Though it's hard to top Oceania for food, we had excellent meals at all times on the Queen Elizabeth. Service was also outstanding, in the restaurants, from our cabin steward, and at the main desk. We never passed anyone who didn't greet us in eleven days.
The itinerary could not have been better for us. Though we have lived and worked in Europe and traveled a good deal, there were several stops at places we've never been. The two ship excursions we took, in Barcelona and in Lisbon, were outstanding. In Livorno we rented a car and drove to Vinci which is one of our favorite places in Tuscany.
Specific to us, midway through the trip we learned of my husband's brother's death. The staff on board could not have been more helpful. They allowed him to use the ship's phone for a good many calls without any charge, and were extremely kind in all instances.
We usually book a balcony, but for this winter trip, the oceanview was perfect. There was plenty of storage and the Penhaligon sundries were plentiful and very deluxe.