Started cruising in August 2012. The first cruise was on the Queen Elizabeth to the Norwegian Fyords. Fabulous. Since then we have sailed on 13 Cunard cruises. I believe we are now diamond grade. We enjoy our cocktails in the Commodore Club and the excellent service we have always received. This was our 3rd cruise with Cunard this year with view to booking another before 2017. You could say it was almost like returning home as most of the staff would recognize and acknowledge us from the previous voyages. Not everything has been perfect but we would not expect that as minor problems occur from time to time. We have witnessed guests complaining about the lasagne being the wrong shape or the G&T having 5 pieces of ice when it should have only been 4. Guests taking coffee from the Lido into the Commodore club because they don't want to pay for the coffee. We don't do that, we were happy with Cunard.
We booked a BE grade on Q615. Quite happy with this grade as we don't want an obstructed view. Was allocated 4178. Embarkation was perfect, up to the Commodore club for our first cocktail. First Guests there ,we sat by the panoramic window perusing Southampton. Waiting to be served, 3 waiters talking at the bar. Waited 15 minutes went to ask if they are serving drinks yet ? A curt yes was the answer. OK its only a blip , things would be normal come the evening. Went back at 7.15 ish for an aperitif yes served OK. struggling get a second drink though, waiters too busy, don't even make eye contact.
Enjoyed the evening meal on the second sitting, retired to the stateroom around midnight. A lot of creaking in the cabin , but have experienced this before and usually quietens down as the seas calm. Did however notice a lot of clanking noises until the early hours. Woken before 7oclock with noises from outside the cabin , the filling of ice buckets ?
If you are a light sleeper avoid this cabin. Over the galley, noises from below well into the early hours.
Docked at Southampton
Very pleasant just to walk around
Lots of shops and bars.
Very busy. Dont wait for the shuttle bus get a taxi.
Very crowded , very hot.
Took 1 1/2 hours from waiting in the Queens room to getting on shore via the tender.
Dont know why we stop here.