The audio companion to our YouTube!
Peter Knego has just returned from a seven night cruise aboard Cunard's QUEEN ELIZABETH and provides a detailed top to bottom tour of all the ship's passenger areas. Despite the impressive hardware, there were some shortcomings and issues.
As Peter writes:
As an ocean liner lover and someone who loves sea travel, I've never been able to fully buy into the modern day Cunard mystique. Yes, back in those postwar years with ships like the first MARY and ELIZABETH, CARONIA, BRITANNIC, MEDIA, PARTHIA, MAURETANIA II, and the four SAXes, it was quite a fleet and going first class must have been an extraordinary experience. But from my first and vastly disappointing visit to a beat up looking QE2 in the mid-70s to my first three night cruise on board the absolutely miserable CUNARD PRINCESS, I've found the legend and reality of Cunard completely separate things. Yes, I did grow to like QE2 over the years and I do think the QM2 is a very special ship. I even like the VICTORIA and ELIZABETH for their smart design and in the ELIZABETH's case, some of her faux Deco trappings. But the food and service are subpar and the nickel and diming is inappropriate, although not surprising. I think in this video, I may burst a few bubbles but I can't rave about hardware without making observations about the experience, itself. So, if you are a diehard Cunard fan, and I know many of you, buckle up. In the meantime, I'll stick with smaller lines like Atlas Ocean Voyages, Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises and, probably my fave these days, Viking (Ocean). Even budget UK line Ambassador Cruise Line provided a much more enjoyable experience and in a classic ship, to boot.
Also on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YaXtrlskAE&t=1190s
Follow our journey:
Find all our socials and watch us on YouTube: https://linktr.ee/midshipcentury