Queen Elizabeth Review
QE Maiden New England & Canada - two weeks too early!
Rating by category
Additional details
This was a 24 night cruise from Southampton taking in a number of maiden ports for Queen Elizabeth.
On embarkation day, the QM2 was going out of the Ocean terminal, so we boarded QE at the Mayflower terminal, which we had previously experienced on P&O cruises. It was broadly okay, but it was nowhere near as slick as our previous encounter with Cunard's own, quite new terminal just down the road.
Ours was a late booking at a ridiculously discounted price less than 1/3 of the brochure figure and as such, we found it remarkably good value for money. We booked a guarantee Q7 with the hope of a visit by the upgrade fairy. In the end, we got a Q7 at the aft of the ship and were perfectly happy there.
Cabin Review
Queens Suite
4195 had plenty of space, as big as and more usefully laid out than the midships Q4 we had previously. The sofa was a little rubbed up, but otherwise condition was excellent.
There was noticable vibration from the azipods below, not a problem for us but some people would be unhappy. At the worst, glassware on the shelves was jangling when maneuvering in harbour.
We also had a very prominent heavy knocking noise one night from near the bathroom in heavy seas but don't know if it was cured because the weather was not poor enough later to prompt it again.
As an aft-facing cabin there was some pitching when seas were rough which might trouble those who suffer with mal-de mer.
Cleanliness and service were excellent. The butler was pleasant and almost psychic in how well he anticipated what we needed.