Queen Elizabeth Review
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To say that we were disappointed with this cruise is an understatement.
We are loyal Cunard cruisers, having completed 14 other cruises on Cunard ships, including QE2, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. We are huge fans of the brand and would always rave about everything in relation to the ship, ship facilities, crew, service. They were the epitome of luxury.
First the good. Embarkation at the Sydney International Cruise terminal was very efficient and professional, with a big shout out to Neil, an attendant at the terminal who made sure that the entire process from arrival at the terminal to landing on the ship was seamless.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Our Brittania balcony was of a good size, although the shower is small, if you are a large person. Our Steward was always polite and professional.
Things that were just odd:
- If you wanted a bathrobe and there was none in your cabin you could only get one by buying one. Like I said – odd. Especially considering they are still provided when you check the Cunard website.
- This cruise there were no slippers in the cabin. Not sure why, probably cost cutting. Also supposed to be provided, according to Cunard website.
- No two drinks were ever the same, even in the same lounge or bar. Each time a drink was ordered it was different, with the exception of Baileys on Ice.
- If you wanted bottled water you had to pay for it; ok, I get that BUT you had to buy 6 large bottles at a cost of $28 USD. Yes – that’s right. 6 bottles of water for $28 USD. Why can’t I just buy or two bottles of water, as and when required.
Another couple from within our party, found a pair of someone else’s Speedos behind the curtain, on Day 3. Goodness knows how long they had been there for. Obviously not a lot of checking the quality standards before guests embark. When this was raised with Pursers Office and asked them NOT to speak with steward until after the cruise was completed and asked them to be discreet (which obviously didn’t happen, as the difference in attitude from the Steward on the following days clearly indicated that we had in fact been mentioned or perhaps everyone had been getting the same treatment). I will add that the Steward was a nice friendly fellow but obviously overwhelmed and under trained for the position.
In the Staterooms tea & coffee making items were not replenished, and they were short to begin with. Also, there was no milk supplied. Even when asked for extra the items were not forthcoming, perhaps they had run out of them as well. That is just sloppy housekeeping – as I wrote earlier, no one seems to check the staterooms anymore.
The ‘Welcome Back’ letter and bottle of wine was not provided until Day3.