This was our second cruise on the Queen Elizabeth in the September month, each sailing from Venice. We stayed for 3 nights at the Hilton Garden Hotel, Mestre, a five minute bus ride into the centre of Venice. This was a great location for a pre-cruise say and is highly recommended.

We normally travel with Celebrity but the QE cruise visited the ports that we wanted to visit. We booked the same ocean view stateroom as the previous year because of its location, a short walk to the theatre, the Golden Lion pub and the central lobby.

It must be said that the QE is more suitable for the older cruiser because its programme is geared to interests common to the more senior citizens of us. The ballroom is the centre of the ship and home to most of the functions as well as the nightly dances. We don't like the idea of the Princess grill passengers being physically separated from us - it smacks of the Titanic. By all means pay for a higher grade of suite or stateroom but don't then behave like it's Downton Abbey. The general rule is that gentlemen must wear a jacket on the ship after 6pm, except in the Lido Buffet and Garden Lounge. I don't mind getting dressed up for the formal nights, after all it's the only time my Tux gets an outing, but the jackets rule is getting out of date now. Read more