We’ve pretty well covered our experience in the other sections, but we were very disappointed in Cunard and would not sail with them again. We’d stick with Holland America and Celebrity.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Once in the terminal, embarkation was a very well-organized and efficient experience. How to get into the terminal/pier complex is apparently a closely guarded secret. Signage isn’t great, and had to go multiple wrong ways first and get directions from security guards.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Cunard’s food was absolutely nothing special. On par with Princess (which we don’t particularly care for) and two or three notches below Holland America, which we really love. The lack of options was really disappointing. Food was generally lukewarm, even if it was supposed to be chilled. Brittania was good, generally, and service at dinner was wonderful. Service at other meals wasn’t so good. Any Asian dishes tasted like canned/frozen meals (think canned chop suey circa 1955). The buffet was disgusting. Hygiene issues seemed to abound with shared serving utensils and absolutely zero encouragement of handwashing. Carinthia lounge had great small plates. The boardwalk cafe, when opened, looked like a 4H camp cafeteria. The burgers and hot dogs in the chefs galley looked like lukewarm premade frozen daandwiches. The swing space in the buffet for specialty dining is basically a hallway. Folks kept trying to use the restaurant as a corridor. The Verandah steakhouse had great food, but a very stuffy atmosphere.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
Like a floating retirement home. We are not at all partiers, but a little piped in Muzak by the pool can be nice. The biggest activities we observed were passengers asleep sitting up. The fitness center is quite dated, and aside from quizzes with Laura (who is amazing!), the ship has the energy of a rehab facility when it comes to onboard activities (chairobics, bingo, etc.).
Entertainment
5 out of 5
This was very strange to us, as the ship was such a bore otherwise, but the royal court theatre company is really amazing. Their shows were the best we’ve seen at sea!
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Restaurant staff and room attendants were five star. Pursers and others were not terribly helpful and borderline standoffish, occasionally rude.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
The ship is beautiful, but the layout is quite confusing. Many venues run the width of the ship, meaning they also function as hallways which is quite disruptive. The ship felt a bit dirty to us, with black mold growing in our bathroom, and many dirty dishes and utensils. We got a stomach bug about three days after embarkation and weren’t surprised at all given the food stuck to “clean” utensils and plates.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin is beautiful and well maintained. The bathrooms show the ship’s age, with some black mold growing on tiles. We had a sheltered balcony, which is likely great for a crossing, but not ideal for our Caribbean cruise.
Ship tip
Make a change if you can? We enjoy premium cruise lines geared toward adults that are quieter and more sedate. Holland America is our absolute favorite line, and we thought we’d love Cunard. We couldn’t have been more wrong. Cunard seems to rest on the laurels of its brand, while actually offering a product inferior to its competitors in the premium line segment. We wouldn’t waste our money with Cunard.
A letter was sent with instructions the night before. Absolutely zero announcements or guidance the morning of disembarkation in New York despite the letter saying groups would be called at certain times. Cunard staffer in the grand lobby area during disembarkation was making snarky remarks to passengers when they’d ask questions, as if folks should know where to go without any direction.
I'd agree with most of this. For how Cunard is talked up, I expected better quality than Disney. Unfortunately, it was nowhere near as good as Disney. Granted, Cunard is not for my demographic *yet*, but we would not likely sail with them again at least for the next 20 years. Retirement home is on par with how we felt. We sat next to a family with a 3 year old and 17 year old at dinner and it was such a blessing for us! They told us another couple was to be seated there before us, saw their little one, and asked to be moved.😂
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