Our Tour + Cruise consultants Kristy and Sarah had the opportunity to sail from Cairns to Brisbane on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth.
While the cruise line has a storied reputation, we found that this cruise would not be suited to everyone, particularly for younger travellers or those seeking a more modern cruise experience. Having said that, the clientele that are outside of that demographic were very well catered to in most aspects of the onboard experience.
Dining
The dining options on Queen Elizabeth presented a mixed bag. The buffet, open for all meals, catered primarily to an older demographic, which we found to be a little limited in terms of variety. Other included options for meals were the Britannia Restaurant, with a more traditional style of service and a large amount of available tables. While the menu does change day to day, it is a more traditional style of menu and presantation and some people with more refined palates may find it a little wanting. We did also find the quality of the meals was a little varied from service to service. Also in the included options, we opted to attend The Golden Lion pub for lunch one day and were presented with options you would expect in a traditional UK pub, with an authentic atmosphere to match.
The Steakhouse however, stood out as a culinary highlight. It featured expertly cooked steaks with flavorful sauces and a smoked bread that was a real treat. Sarah really enjoyed the high-quality sides like triple-cooked chips and Kristy loved the extensive wine list that featured global selections. In the Steakhouse stood impressive desserts, including a noteworthy peanut butter toffee sundae [akin to something you would expect in a high end restaurant on land].
Accommodation and Ship Conditions
The suite experience was perhaps more on the dated side compared to some of the more modern ships. We stayed in the Category BE – Britannia Balcony Stateroom. We were thrilled to enjoy our own private terrace on the ship, however it did show some signs of wear and tear. Inside the suite, the bedding was plush, however the air conditioning struggled with humidity control. We really loved that the cabin had a lot of wardrobe space which was great.
This paired with the waffle robes and slippers plus a small bar fridge made for a great experience. It’s probably good to note that bottled water was not included and cost $5 USD. It is also very hard to find water stations around the ship.
The ship itself appeared dated, with leaks observed throughout, however this was probably partly due to the Queensland humidity and I am sure will be addressed in the upcoming refrubishment planned. The upcoming Queen Anne may offer a more modern experience and potentially attract a younger demographic with it’s diverse dining options.
Staff and Service
Cunard is well known for it’s reputation for “White Star Service,” which again may be appreciated by return guests, however we found that perhaps the the advertised 2:1 staff-to-guest ratio was not apparent in some parts of the ship.
Activities and Entertainment
Activities onboard seemed to be targeted for an older demographic but from the general consensus, travellers really loved it. For us, we enjoyed the karaoke nights, largely due to the group dynamics. The Ballroom dancing performances were impressive and great fun too. We found there to be interesting talks by guest speakers, including an ex-Australian cricketer and a true crime discussion- right up our alley! It’s good to note we felt we had limited free time to fully explore the ship’s offerings so I am sure as a guest you would have more time to sample the full experience of the cruise.
Additional Observations
- Essential Wi-Fi could be unreliable we founf it to be a little slow, it would be worth upgrading to the premium wifi
- Spa facilities were limited in size
- Branding seems misleading, with marketing materials featuring a younger demographic not representative of the actual passenger mix
- Many amenities and services incurred additional charges, with pricing in USD
- The ship’s capacity of over 2000 passengers could feel crowded at times, especially given the limited pool areas
Summary
In conclusion, we feel Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth experience is that for a particular traveller. Attractive especially to those over 75, and for those seeking a traditional cruise experience with highlights like ballroom dancing and formal nights, it certainly does hold appeal. For the younger market, or those with more discerning tastes, perhaps there is a better option available in the market.
For more information about all our cruises, take a look at our deals page! Read our other reviews to know all about our experiences.
