We normally sail with HAL or Celebrity but Cunard's QE fit the bill for dates and itinerary this time.
Cunard do tend to milk the whole check-in/embarkation process - where other cruise lines simply allow you to show up, check-in and board with ease, not so with Cunard, you are given a card with a letter on it and must wait until your letter is called out before you can check-in.
Having said that, our luggage was waiting for us in our room so that is to be commended.