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Name: Nancy
Email: nans@mediaone.net
Age: 37
Occupation: self-employed
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: Aug 29, 1998
Itinerary: TransAtlantic Crossing
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 70
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 80
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 40
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 70
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon: 80
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Sep 1998
Time: 11:29:35
Remote Name: 24.129.28.72
Remote User:
Comments
We thoroughly enjoyed this transatlantic crossing on the QE2. Our cabin was a large and
lovely Princess Grill grade on 3 deck with more than
ample storage and clothing space, a large and well equipped bathroom, and was very
spacious and elegant. The bed(s) were firm and very
comfortable. The walk-in-closet provided both a refrigerator/bar and personal safe. Noise
was never a problem. The cabin steward was fine,
although a souvenir was inadvertently discarded which was slightly upsetting. Nonetheless
she provided adequate service and the cabin was
always kept neat and clean.
Services aboard ship were excellent. We sent Internet Email twice from the brand new,
fabulously-equipped Computer Learning Center (full of
Micron P2 300s and 400s and a laser printer-- an absolutely top rate facility!) and
received email once which was printed out in hard copy and
delivered to our cabin. Charges were not bad, $5 per page sent/rec'd.
The Steiner Spa services onboard were not cheap but were thoroughly enjoyable. The
whirlpool on 6 deck is supposedly the world's largest and I
can believe it. It was fantastic... the size of a pool itself.
Shopping was wonderful... Lord Wedgwood was aboard and personally signed Wedgwood items
purchased. The shops were not overly abundant
in selection but there was still a wide range of items and we thought most were very
reasonably priced. For instance, a lovely white terry bathrobe
with the QE2 crest embroidered was $40 USD. Memorabilia and souvenirs were well priced and
there were also high end items too.
I think the most notable and certainly the focus of the entire crossing was the food and
service. We dined in the Britannia Grill and in comparison to
other 5 star restaurants of the world, we find the Britannia far superior in both food and
the stewards' attention to detail, timing and their positively
superlative service. The tables were beautifully set with silver platters, fine china,
heavy silver and gorgeous crystal. The food was never less than
perfectly prepared, always delicious, and magnificently presented. We never had to 'wait'
for anything, unless we wanted to... if the stewards saw
that we were engaged in conversation after a course, they never interrupted and it seemed
that the timing of their appearances tableside was
always perfectly timed. From the time we entered the dining room, were greeted personally
(and always by name) by the manager or assistant
manager, from being seated, through each course, to leaving the dining room, the meal and
experience was always something we looked forward
to each day. The selection and presentation of fine wines was great, our sommelier was
very knowledgeable and never failed to miss filling a glass.
Each of our five stewards knew us by name (and visa versa), after the first few evenings
recalled that we preferred cappucino following a meal,
and in many ways and instances anticipated our desires. The assistant manager encouraged
us to request anything we wanted not on the menu
and when we did (a beef wellington), nothing was a problem at all... indeed no request we
made was ever met with hesitation or anything less than
enthusiasm to please... which indeed they did.
I really can't say enough about the food and the service in the Britannia Grill. They are
simply first rate.
The only thing I can remotely call a 'complaint' is the coffee was not great but we
attributed that to the water purification process necessary as the
drinking water was not that good either.
The ship itself was immaculate. I never saw any areas unkempt or anything less than
spotless, on deck or inside. All of the ship's crew we
encountered, of any level, were all friendly, helpful and always had a ready greeting and
smile.
The social gatherings were lavish... the captain's reception on the first of our four
formal nights was elegant, champagne and hors d'oerves
plentiful and a steward was always just a turn away with a silver platter of either. We
attended three private cocktail parties during our crossing
which were equally wonderful.
Entertainment was good but not great. Some of the lecturers were excellent however. We
didn't really take advantage of many organized
activities, preferring to 'do nothing' and relax, stroll the decks or luxuriate in the
spa.
The Gala Buffet at midnight in the Lido on the last formal night was very impressive, with
a 10 foot ice sculpture of a sea serpent and the most
beautifully displayed platters of foods I've seen. Whole smoked salmons, breads baked into
shapes of turtles and anchors, fruit expertly carved
into swans and birds, and on and on. It was truly a work of art.
Evenings were lavish. Four formal nights at sea meant lovely gowns and tuxedos, champagne
and caviar, and a fantastic ambience aboard. We
really enjoyed this aspect of the voyage and the elegance of the evenings.
We were priveledged to be taken on personal tours of the private areas of the ship, which
was most grand. The bridge, control room, engine
room, kitchens and food stores were all amazing in what it takes to keep this incredible
ship running so smoothly. We were honored by the ship's
officers by invitation to their private Ward Room and party therein, for which we thank
them very much again. The memorabilia and many, many
honors displayed there were fabulous.
This was a most totally enjoyable week at sea and the added influence of this being a
historic transatlantic crossing on the last great ocean liner
still making this voyage, was to this history buff just icing on the cake, so to speak. I
cannot say enough on how fabulous the service and attention
were, the food just as excellent.
I would joyfully take this voyage again and again. I suppose that says it all.
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