Day 9 on Queen Elizabeth, and here we are already. It’s the last full day of this cruise, we’re at sea on our way back to Miami, and at some point I’m going to have to get the suitcase out. If you’ve followed my daily reports before, you know the last one is also when I give the cruise an overall rating. That’s based on the whole nine days, from getting on in Miami to how I felt about the ship, the crew, the food, and what I got for my money. I’ll get to all of that a little farther down, because yesterday I took you around Decks 2 and 3 and promised we’d go up to Deck 9 today. So let’s go see what’s up there.
The Pavilion Pool and Wellness Café
We’ll start in the middle of the ship at the Pavilion Pool. Now, I’ve been calling this the main pool throughout the cruise because that’s how I think of it and normally this pool on most ships is called the Lido Pool, but the one actually called the Lido Pool is at the back of the ship. Both are on the Lido deck so at least one of them gets the name to go along with it.
The Pavilion Pool itself isn’t all that big. There are loungers around it, a hot tub nearby, and covered seating along the sides if you’d rather stay out of the sun. There’s also table tennis. And if you’re wondering what your chances are of finding a lounger right by the pool on a sea day, remember what I said the other day. You may find plenty of empty chairs but they’re all occupied by a towel rather than a human. Chair hogs do indeed exist on the Queen!
An important note that I have to mention, unlike Holland America’s Vista-class ships, which are sisters to Queen Elizabeth, the Pavilion Pool does not have a retractible roof. So in colder climates or when the weather just isn’t cooperating, this area pretty much turns into dead space.
Right here by the pool is the Pavilion Wellness Café, where you can get things like avocado toast, salads, grain bowls, and smoothies. It’s a handy spot for a lighter breakfast or lunch. If all you want is something light to eat while you’re sitting outside, there’s no need to go into the buffet and schlep you food outside then try to find a spot to enjoy it.
Through the Garden Lounge and Into the Buffet
Head inside from the Pavilion Pool and you’re in the Garden Lounge. There’s a bar, plenty of seating, and a stage where they have live music at times. They also do trivia in here, so depending on when you walk through, you could find a quiet place to sit or a room full of people trying to remember the capital of somewhere.
I’ve given this spot the nickname the “Greenhouse Lounge” because here in the Caribbean this room can quickly feel like you’re in one. When the sun is blaring through the glass roof, and the doors are opening and closing constantly from the pool deck, this space can get steamy during the day.
And here’s something you might miss if you only ever walk through on your way to the buffet. They have housemade gelato in the Garden Lounge!
Just beyond that is the Lido buffet, which does breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. You’ve got self-serve drink stations and ice cream on both sides, including waffle cones. The buffet is open at both ends, so there’s no obvious place where everyone starts. When it’s busy, someone’s coming in from the pool, someone’s trying to get back out with a plate, and someone’s standing in the middle figuring out what they want. I’d take a lap first and see what’s being served and figure an angle of attack!
The Lido Buffet is also where they set aside a section of the buffet for the specialty pop-ups in the evening. On this cruise, we had La Piazza for Italian, Bamboo for Asian, and Karibe for Caribbean, each with a $40 cover. I tried all three, and as you know by now, I had a better time spending that $40 at some of them than others.
The Lido Pool and a View of the Wake
Go all the way through the buffet and out the back doors and you’re at the Lido Pool. Like the Pavilion Pool, it’s on the small side, with a hot tub nearby, and both pools have lifts to help guests get in and out. What I like about this area is how much of the space is set up for people who just want to hang out. There are tables, seats under canopies, a bar, and a stage for live entertainment when it’s scheduled. This space is also used for some parties at night as it provides much more space for socializing than the Pavilion Pool.
This is the one I’d pick between the two. I’m probably not getting in either pool anyway, so give me a place to sit with a drink and a view of the wake and I’m good.
Before You Get Off the Ship, Give Someone a Star
While we’re on the subject of the last day, there’s one thing worth doing before you start packing. Stop by the Purser’s Office and pick up one of Cunard’s White Star Service nomination cards. They’re the ones that say “You Have Been a Star” on the cover, and they’re a way to recognize a crew member who made your cruise a little better.
It takes a couple of minutes. Put down the crew member’s full name, their position, and what they did, along with your own name and stateroom number. Then hand the card to the crew member or drop it off at the Purser’s desk. Maybe it’s the bartender who remembered your order, the room steward who took care of something before you had to ask twice, or someone who helped you out when you were having a lousy day. Whatever made you think, “I hope somebody knows how good this person is,” put that on the card.
And those cards do go somewhere. Cunard enters nominees into its Star of the Month program and puts the nomination in the crew member’s personnel file, where it can help support their career. A thank-you in person is always appreciated, and writing down what someone did gives their managers a chance to see it, too.
Come From Away Gets Another Shot
If you’re looking through today’s program and wondering why Come From Away is back on the schedule, the performances earlier in the cruise were canceled at the last minute after a cast member got sick. They moved the show to our final sea day, so anyone who’d planned to see it earlier had another chance before we got back to Miami.
We’re also turning the clocks back an hour tonight. We stayed on Atlantic time when the U.S. fell back over the weekend, so we’re making the change now.
For those having their last dinner in Britannia, here’s a look at tonight’s menu.
Crispy Crab and Shrimp Cakes
Crunchy garden pickles and warm mustard mayonnaise
Balinese Vegetable and Tropical Fruit Salad
Sambal dressing
Brussels Pâté
Stone fruit chutney, toasted baguette
Shrimp Cocktail
With brandy cocktail sauce
Baked Potato Soup
Chive crème fraîche
Moroccan Inspired Lamb Broth
Classic Caesar Salad
Garlic croutons, anchovies and shaved Parmesan
Minted Melon, Prosciutto and Tomato Salad
Soft herb dressing
Pork Cordon Bleu
Swiss cheese and ham with Vichy carrot, green pea mash, duxelles sauce
Butter Chicken Curry
Basmati rice, cucumber raita, naan bread and pappadum
Grilled Fillet of Plaice
Celeriac, black rice, and shrimp dieppoise sauce
Beetroot Risotto
Pistachio and goat's cheese
Spaghetti Puttanesca
With anchovies, olives, chilli, garlic with grated Parmesan (Also available as an appetizer)
Grilled Maine Lobster 21-28oz (Half)
$20.00Claw mac'n'cheese, garden salad, garlic and herb butter
Grilled Maine Lobster 21-28oz (Whole)
$35.00Claw mac'n'cheese, garden salad, garlic and herb butter
Prime USDA Filet Mignon 8oz
$35.00Triple-cooked chips, grilled asparagus, béarnaise sauce
Half-Grilled Maine Lobster 10-14oz and Prime USDA Filet Mignon 8oz
$45.00Claw mac'n'cheese, garden salad, garlic and herb butter
Grilled Salmon
Lemon pepper seasoning, broccolini, fingerling potatoes
Breaded Chicken Cutlet
Buttered greens, crushed red skin potato, drawn garlic butter
Slow-Roasted USDA Striploin
Whipped potato, string beans, pan gravy
Steamed Lemon Drizzle Pudding
Blueberry compote
Chocolate Marquise
Bitter orange coulis
Coconut Panna Cotta
Black sesame rice and peach
Vanilla Ice Cream
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Fruit Sorbet
Ice Cream Sauces
Toffee fudge, chocolate, or mixed berry coulis
Selection of Cheese and Biscuits
🖼️ Menu Images
One More Dinner at The Verandah
I decided to give the Steakhouse at The Verandah one more go for my last dinner. My first regular dinner there had its good points, but I walked out wondering if it was worth the $70 price tag. The Lunch & Learn had a terrific crab cake and a steak that was average at best, and the special wine dinner turned out to be one of my favorite meals of the cruise. Those are two very different events, though. I figured it was only fair to try the regular dinner menu one more time before deciding how I felt about the place.
I walked over around 8pm without a reservation. Only a few tables were occupied, so getting in wasn’t a problem.
Hackleback Caviar
$50.001oz (30g) tin, triple-cooked chips, crème fraîche, warm herb blinis, egg, shallot, lemon
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
Cajun tartare sauce, lime
Steak Tartare
Wagyu beef dripping sourdough toast, gherkin, confit egg yolk
Siberian Sturgeon Caviar
$95.001oz (30g) tin, triple-cooked chips, crème fraîche, warm herb blinis, egg, shallot, lemon
Rock Oysters (6)
$12.50mignonette, Tabasco, lemon, black pepper, accoutrements
Rock Oysters (12)
$25.00mignonette, Tabasco, lemon, black pepper, accoutrements
Caesar Salad
served tableside, add hot smoked salmon
Boston-Style Clam Chowder
home-smoked bacon saltines
Roasted Marrowbone
roasted garlic, crisp shallot, sourdough toast
Grilled Asparagus
crispy poached hen's egg, smoked hollandaise
Dry-Aged American Wagyu Signature New York Strip
$5.008oz (226g)
Aberdeen Black Queensland 120-Day Grain-Fed MSA Grade Sirloin
10oz (300g)
House-Smoked American Short Rib
prepared low and slow, spiced coffee and almond crumb, caramelized shallots
Dry-Aged Prime New York Strip
10oz (300g)
Dry-Aged Prime Rib Eye
10oz (300g)
Prime Filet Mignon
8oz (226g)
Signature Bone-In Porterhouse for Two
35oz (1kg), for two to share
Dover Sole
à la meunière or simply grilled, lemon, parsley
Jumbo Grilled Tiger Prawns, Gulf Coast
red chilli and mango salsa
Double-Cut Lamb Rack
Cauliflower Steak
chimichurri, home-smoked and spiced almonds
Fruits de Mer Grand Platter for Two
$20.00served over ice, lobster, langoustine, king crab, jumbo tiger prawn, Maine oysters, crevettes, mignonette, garlic aioli, Bloody Mary dip
Iceberg Wedge
Tenderstem Broccoli
Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms
Beer-Battered Onion Rings
onion salt
Creamed Spinach
roasted shallots
Chargrilled Hispi Cabbage
smoked ranch dressing
House Salad
Green Leaf and Herb Salad
French Fries
add truffle and Parmesan
Red-Skin Potato Gratin
Yukon Gold Mash
Sweet Potato Fries
house-smoked salt
New York-Style Baked Vanilla Cheesecake
Selection of Artisan Cheese
crackers, condiments
Dark Chocolate Fondant
Amarena cherry ripple ice cream
Sherry Trifle
'Your' Rum Baba
lime marmalade, Chantilly cream, rum selected and prepared at the table
Half Lobster Tail
$15.00add to any cut
Crab Oscar
$12.50add to any cut
Fried Hen's Egg
add to any cut
Roasted Bone Marrow
add to any cut
Roasted Garlic
add to any cut
Verandah's Steak Butter
Red Wine Bordelaise
Béarnaise
Sauce au Poivre
Argentine Chimichurri
Creamed Horseradish
🖼️ Menu Images
I started with the jumbo lump crab cake, which was similar to the one I had at the Lunch & Learn. It was loaded with crab and came with Cajun tartare sauce and lime.
For my main course, I ordered the 10-ounce dry-aged prime New York strip medium rare and added the $15 half lobster tail. The steak was lightly seasoned and cooked a little past where I’d asked for it. It was fine, but definitely not a steak I’m going to call “mouth watering.” Actually, my local Longhorn Steakhouse has a better New York than this one.
And yes, that was half a lobster tail for $15. A couple nights ago at Karibe, the $40 Caribbean pop-up in the Lido, the same $15 got me a whole tail.
I finished with the cheese selection. Your server brings the trolley over and slices what you’d like right there at the table. There was Stilton, American cheddar, Gouda, Brie and some others.
The service was the best part of dinner again. But at $70 per person plus gratuity, with another $15 for the lobster if you want it, I still don’t think the regular dinner is worth the price. On my recent sailings, Carnival’s Fahrenheit 555, Princess’s Crown Grill, and Holland America’s Pinnacle Grill have all come in roughly $15 to $20 less per person on the cover charge. I’ve had better meals at all three. I’m glad I went back and gave The Verandah another shot, but if I were spending my money here again, I’d put it toward the wine dinner.
With all that said, it’s time to give the overall review of this 9-day cruise on Queen Elizabeth.
Cruise Scorecard
Eastern Caribbean (ABC) (October 2026)
Queen Elizabeth
Embarkation
★★★
This one started going sideways before I ever left the house. The morning of the cruise, I woke up to an email from Cunard telling me to add seven hours to my original 2:45 p.m. check-in time. Seven! South Florida had been dealing with strong winds, rough seas, and king tide flooding all week, and Queen Elizabeth wasn’t the only ship affected. Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy were running late too. So let’s be fair here: none of that was Cunard’s fault.
Being local, I rebooked my Brightline train for 5 p.m. Then, right as my Lyft pulled up to take me to the Boca station, the train got delayed by an hour. Rather than play train roulette, I had the driver take me straight to PortMiami, right into rush hour traffic on I-95. It cost me four times what I’d planned, but I got there before the train even left Boca Raton.
And once I got to Terminal D around 6:15 p.m., it was the easiest embarkation I’ve had in years. The early crowd had already been boarded, so us latecomers basically had the express lane. I handed my bag to a porter, walked through security, checked in, and was onboard within minutes. Cunard uses electronic muster, so you stop by your station, get your keycard scanned, and watch the safety video on your stateroom TV. That video turns on automatically, you can’t skip it, and it goes on forever.
What really stood out was how the crew handled the mess. Their day got blown up just as much as ours did, and I’m sure they had plenty of grumpy passengers both getting off and getting on. They relaxed the dress code for the night since so many people were still waiting on luggage, extended dinner hours in Britannia, and kept things moving with a smile. The emergency drill landing at 8:45 p.m., right in the middle of dinner, wasn’t ideal, but it was that kind of day. The process itself earns high marks. The day overall? Thank Mother Nature for that.
Standard Interior Stateroom 7146
★★★
For this cruise, Cunard provided me with a free interior stateroom, number 7146 on Deck 7, all the way aft. And by all the way, I mean the very last cabin before you run out of ship. Last year, I had solo oceanview stateroom 2018 on Deck 2, an accessible room with a big picture window and a lot more space, so this was definitely a step down in square footage. That said, it’s not the smallest inside cabin I’ve ever stayed in.
The setup is pretty standard. Two twin beds that can be pushed together, a stocked minibar with items for purchase, a safe, a hairdryer, and a fair amount of hanging space in the closets. Drawers and shelves, though, are on the light side, so if you’re a folder rather than a hanger, plan accordingly. The TV is very small. Like, squint from the bed small.
The bathroom is where things get tight. The shower is tiny and the showerhead sits unusually low. I’m 5’9″, and if I were one inch taller, I’d be hitting my head on it every morning. Taller cruisers, consider yourself warned.
Then there’s the big one: there are no USB ports in this room. Zero. None. Nada. Queen Elizabeth was built in 2010, and she hasn’t been retrofitted with them yet. Not at the desk, not by the bed. What you do get are two U.S. and two U.K. outlets at the desk, so bring the right plugs, a charging block, and maybe a battery pack to keep your phone going overnight.
Location matters too. On our first night out of Miami, we hit rough seas, and from the very back of the ship, the pitching, rolling, and vibration were intense. I woke up several times, and even a trip to the bathroom required some effort. Things calmed down after that, but if you’re prone to seasickness, I’d steer clear of the aft cabins.
The saving grace was my room attendant. He introduced himself on day one, got my luggage to me as soon as it arrived, and kept the room spotless all week. The room itself is fine for sleeping and showering, but between the size, the missing USB ports, and the motion, it’s a basic cabin at best.
Dining & Food
★★★
If you followed my Queen Elizabeth cruise last year, you know dining was where things fell apart for me. I came back hoping things had improved. Some things had. Most hadn’t.
There were real highs. The Parker House rolls at The Verandah are dangerously good, Bamboo gave me the first dinner of the cruise without anything to nitpick, and the $140 wine dinner was the best meal of the sailing by a wide margin. But those were outnumbered by meals that came with an “if only.” In Britannia, food kept arriving cold or at room temperature, portions were small, and gala night was so rushed I was in and out in under 45 minutes.
Then there’s the money. Cunard is part of Carnival Corporation, and the push to spend more is everywhere: upcharge items on the Britannia menu, $40 covers for the Lido pop-ups, extra charges for a second appetizer or a lobster tail, and $70 for the steakhouse before you’ve touched the premium cuts. Too often, I paid luxury prices for meals that didn’t deliver. If you’re going to spend extra on one thing, make it the wine dinner. The crew deserves better food to serve.
La Piazza - Lido Pop Up $$$
★★★
La Piazza is the Italian pop-up that takes over a section of the Lido buffet for three nights of the cruise. If you’ve eaten at Canaletto on Holland America, it’s the same idea: a carved out part of the buffet with tablecloths, table service, and a set menu.
The food was good, with generous starters, a familiar main done well, and a dessert trio I’d happily order again. The service was outstanding. When I asked for one of Cunard’s Perfect Serve gin and tonics, which aren’t available at every bar, my bar server said, “If that’s what you want, I’ll make it happen,” then walked to another bar to get it. Twice. That’s White Star Service.
The problem is value. Add a second appetizer and you’re at $52.50 to eat in a roped off corner of the buffet, while Holland America serves a similar Italian menu in the same kind of setup for $25. I left happy with the food and the people, but not feeling I’d gotten my money’s worth.
Bamboo - Lido Pop Up $$$
★★★★
Bamboo, the East Asian-inspired pop-up, was the best of the three. It took until night five, but this was the first dinner on the cruise where I couldn’t find a single thing to nitpick.
Everyone starts with a bento box, so there’s no agonizing over which appetizer to pick or what a second one will cost, and every item in it was a winner. The main was flavorful with a good portion, and after the cold food I’d had in Britannia the night before, it arrived hot. A hot dinner shouldn’t be headline news, but here we are. Dessert was another strong trio, and the same great service team from La Piazza took care of me.
My concerns about paying $40 to eat in the buffet haven’t gone away, and that’s what keeps this from a higher score. But judged on what landed on the table, Bamboo was a hit. If you only book one pop-up, book this one.
Karibe - Lido Pop Up $$$
★★★
Karibe, the Caribbean-themed pop-up, was the last of the three, and getting in was an adventure of its own. The app told me it was fully booked, so I asked at the host stand and they fit me in anyway. Lesson learned: if the app says no, ask a real person.
It was a mixed bag. There were some real wins, including a steak cooked exactly how I asked, which after this cruise deserved a mention, and a $15 lobster add-on that got me a whole tail. But a couple of dishes missed the mark, with sides that lacked the Caribbean flavor the menu promised. And yes, the pigeon pea guacamole contains no pigeon. My server made very sure I knew that.
Once again, the wait staff stole the show. Some solid hits, a couple of misses, and a $55 bill once the lobster was added. Middle of the pack.
Britannia Restaurant (MDR)
★★
The Britannia Restaurant is a stunning room. It spans two decks with a sweeping staircase and a big chandelier, and on gala night, with everyone dressed up, it feels exactly like the Cunard experience you’re paying for. The servers are friendly, polished, and professional. The kitchen, unfortunately, isn’t keeping up its end of the deal.
The recurring problem was temperature. Dish after dish arrived cold or at room temperature, from appetizers to mains, and getting food to the table hot shouldn’t be something you have to request in a main dining room. Portions were on the small side too, starting with a literal spoonful of mashed potatoes on night one. And then there was the “whole” roast chicken that turned out to be a breast and a thigh.
Gala night should’ve been the redemption, and the menu certainly looked the part. Instead, I was asked to order before opening the menu, courses came out back to back, and the wine steward didn’t take my drink order until my main course was on the table. I was in and out in under 45 minutes. On a night when I’d gotten dressed up, that’s not what I was looking for. Fix the temperature and the pacing, and this score goes up fast.
The Steakhouse at The Verandah $$$$
★★
Steakhouse at The Verandah is Queen Elizabeth’s only dedicated specialty restaurant, tucked away on Deck 2 just off the library. The cover is $70 per person plus gratuity, putting it among the more expensive cruise ship steakhouses out there. I ate here twice off the regular menu, on night two and the final night, to give it a fair shot. Tip: book on night one or two and you’ll get 10% off the cover plus a complimentary bottle of house wine.
Both dinners had their moments. The Parker House rolls alone are worth the calories, the starters were strong, and the cheese trolley and tableside steak knife presentation add some nice theater to the evening. The mains, though, were inconsistent. One was a terrific server recommendation, the other was a steak cooked past what I asked for that my local LongHorn would’ve beaten. The sides were forgettable, and that $15 lobster add-on got me half a tail here, compared with a whole one at Karibe.
Service was excellent both nights, with my server, the sommelier, and the restaurant manager all checking in. But at $70 before upcharges, the regular dinner doesn’t deliver enough. Carnival’s Fahrenheit 555, Princess’s Crown Grill, and Holland America’s Pinnacle Grill all come in $15 to $20 less, and I’ve had better meals at all three. If you’re going to spend money at The Verandah, put it toward the wine dinner and skip the regular menu.
Service
★★★★
If there’s one reason to sail on Queen Elizabeth, it’s the crew. That was true last year, and it was just as true this time. Many of them are longtime Cunard employees, and that experience shows in how comfortably they do their jobs and interact with guests.
Cunard calls it White Star Service, and every cruise line has a fancy name for its service. The difference is that here, you actually see it. Your bartender remembers your drink after one visit. Crew members you pass in the hallway say hello and ask whether you need anything. The uniforms, the posture, and the attention to detail all fit the ship. And it’s polished without being stiff. There’s room for a conversation and a laugh, and once someone knows you and your drink, a bar starts to feel like your neighborhood spot at home, except with a much better view.
Examples were everywhere. On embarkation night, the crew dealt with a seven hour delay, a flood of late arrivals, and an emergency drill at 8:45 p.m. without missing a beat. At La Piazza, my bar server walked to another bar to bring me a drink they didn’t even serve there, twice. At The Verandah, the server, the sommelier, and the restaurant manager all checked in during and after dinner. Jinny at the Gin & Fizz bar ran a gin masterclass that had all ten of us asking questions for nearly two hours. The pop-up team was attentive every single night, and my room attendant took great care of me all week.
So why not a perfect score? A couple of things. The gala dinner in Britannia felt like a race to turn the table, with my drink order coming after my main course. And the crew seemed reluctant to step in when guests were out of line, whether it was ignoring the published gala dress code, talking over the hosts at the wine dinner, or taking a speakerphone call in the middle of the restaurant. I understand nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a Guest Services complaint, but sometimes the rest of us need someone to step in. Still, whatever decisions are being made about menus and portions, the people taking care of you onboard are doing a terrific job.
Entertainment
★★★
Entertainment on Queen Elizabeth is low key, and it’s built around Cunard traditions more than big flashy productions. If you love ballroom dancing, afternoon tea, a pianist in the lounge, and lectures, you’ll find plenty to do. If you need a packed calendar of high energy shows, you won’t.
The headliner is Come From Away, the musical about the town of Gander, Newfoundland, taking in 6,579 stranded airline passengers after 9/11. Staging a show this big, running about an hour and 45 minutes with no intermission, on a cruise ship is genuinely impressive, and it’s worth making time for.
Embarkation night only had one show, a Whitney Houston tribute artist, because of the late boarding. Todd Bridges from “Diff’rent Strokes” was onboard as a guest presenter, and for the second year in a row, I managed to miss his talk because of a scheduling conflict. Some of the other guest entertainers in the Royal Court Theatre were so-so, and on the night of the wine dinner, I happily skipped them.
Around the ship, the Commodore Club pianist drew a full room every night I stopped in, although the playlist leaned a little melancholy. Across the hall, the Yacht Club had a DJ playing to an empty dance floor. The Queens Room is still the spot for ballroom dancing and afternoon tea, trivia fills the Garden Lounge, and the small casino actually had people playing this time, which is more than I could say last year.
The best entertainment I found onboard, though, was one I paid for: the $45 Gin Journey Masterclass at the Gin & Fizz bar. Nearly two hours of tasting, history, a little plate of tapas, and building your own G&T at the end. Even an automatic card shuffler next to the bar that sounded like someone vacuuming the carpet couldn’t ruin it. Overall, it’s better than last year’s “meh,” but it’s still a quiet ship.
Vibe & Guests
★★★★
This was the biggest improvement over last year. On my first Queen Elizabeth cruise, I compared the evenings to the Mary Celeste: beautiful lounges, plenty of seats, and nobody in them. I could’ve rolled bowling balls through some bars after dinner without hitting anyone.
This time, people actually showed up. The bars were busy around dinner, and after 10 p.m., there were still guests sitting together, having drinks, and enjoying the night. Nobody turned Queen Elizabeth into a party ship, but walking into a lounge and hearing conversation along with the music made a real difference. The casino had players. Even the gin bar was lively.
The crowd felt different too. There were still plenty of British passengers, as you’d expect on Cunard, but I noticed a lot more Americans and quite a few red keycards, which mark first time Cunard guests. The age range was about what I remembered: think Princess or Holland America, with plenty of people who’ve been enjoying retirement for a long while. This isn’t the ship for families with kids who need water slides and splash pads.
And the ship herself sets the mood. The Art Deco styling, the wood paneling, the sweeping staircases, the two-story library, and the Queens Room give you that golden age of ocean travel feel. The full wraparound promenade deck with its steamer chairs is my favorite spot onboard, especially with an inside cabin.
Then there’s the other side of the ledger. The gala dress code was printed in the daily planner and then ignored in Britannia on both formal nights. Chair hogs claimed nearly every lounger at the Pavilion Pool with a towel and a pair of flip flops, despite signs about a 45 minute limit. At the wine dinner, one table talked right over the hosts, and another couple took a speakerphone call in the middle of the restaurant. During the gin masterclass, a couple next to the bar kept firing up an automatic card shuffler loud enough to compete with a vacuum cleaner. And when a few of us dressed up for Halloween, the looks we got, you’d have thought we’d crawled out of a grave and interrupted high tea. Lighten up, people. It’s a vacation.
Itinerary
★★★★
Eastern Caribbean: Queen Elizabeth
| Date | Port | Country | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27 | Miami, FL | United States | 11:59 PM | |
| Oct 28 | At Sea | – | – | – |
| Oct 29 | Grand Turk | Turks and Caicos | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Oct 30 | At Sea | – | – | – |
| Oct 31 | Willemstad | Curacao | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Nov 1 | Kralendijk | Bonaire | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Nov 2 | Oranjestad | Aruba | 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM |
| Nov 3 | At Sea | – | – | – |
| Nov 4 | At Sea | – | – | – |
| Nov 5 | Miami, FL | United States | 7:00 AM |
ABC cruises are some of the best Caribbean itineraries you can book, and if you ever get the chance to take one, take it. This one ran backward, so technically it was a CBA cruise, with Grand Turk thrown in at the start. Cunard markets it as Eastern Caribbean. I’m sticking with Southern.
Grand Turk was the weakest of the four. It’s a cruise center built by Carnival Corporation, and while the beach, the free loungers, the Margaritaville pool, and the Mercury capsule exhibit make for an easy, cheap beach day, there’s not much for someone like me who likes to wander around town. Cockburn Town is three miles away, and walking it isn’t recommended. Once I’ve done the loop, I’m ready to head back.
Curaçao is one of my favorite ports anywhere. We had a full day, from 8 a.m. to a 5:30 p.m. all aboard, to walk through Rif Fort, cross the Queen Emma “Swinging Old Lady” bridge (which opened for 45 minutes on my way back), wander Punda, check out the floating market, and stop for cigars. Everything’s walkable and the merchants aren’t pushy.
Bonaire was beautiful, but our call fell on a Sunday, and a lot of Kralendijk was closed. It was perfect for a quiet waterfront walk and not so great if you wanted to shop. Divers and snorkelers will love it no matter what day it is.
Aruba wrapped things up with a long day, docked at 7 a.m. with a 5 p.m. all aboard, while Norwegian Sun had to be back around 2:30. Oranjestad is right off the ship and easy to explore on foot, and Eagle and Palm beaches are a short taxi ride away. Toss in two sea days on the way down and two on the way back, and this is an itinerary I’d book again tomorrow.
Debarkation
★★★★
Cunard offers the standard two ways to get off the ship: put your bags out the night before and pick them up in the terminal, or carry your own luggage off. I had an 8:45 a.m. Brightline train to catch back to Boca Raton, so I went the self debark route.
Self debark wasn’t supposed to start until 7:30 a.m., but I figured it couldn’t hurt to head down a little early. I got there around 7, and it had already started. I walked right off the ship with my bags, no lines, no waiting around in a lounge for my number to be called, and I was in my ride to the train station by 7:15.
One thing worth noting: Cunard didn’t use facial recognition at PortMiami, so you actually meet a customs and border protection officer face to face, show your passport, and answer the usual questions. On a busier morning, that could slow things down. On this one, there wasn’t a line in sight, and it took about a minute.
After the chaos of embarkation day, it was nice to end the cruise on such a smooth note. From cabin door to car in about 15 minutes. You can’t ask for much better than that.
Final Thoughts on Queen Elizabeth
Two cruises on Queen Elizabeth here in the Caribbean, and I think I’ve seen enough to say this with confidence: Cunard bills itself as luxury, but it still has a way to go to live up to that, especially when it comes to the food.
Don’t get me wrong. Queen Elizabeth is a beautiful ship. The Art Deco styling, the staircases, the two-story library, the Queens Room, and that full wraparound promenade deck give her a sense of occasion you just don’t find on today’s mega ships. And the crew? They’re the best part of sailing with Cunard, hands down. White Star Service isn’t just a marketing slogan here. You see it every single day.
But a beautiful ship and great service are only part of what makes a great vacation. When you’re paying luxury prices and being told you’re getting a luxury experience, the food has to hold up its end of the deal. Cold dishes in the main dining room, tiny portions, rushed gala dinners, and specialty restaurants that charge more than their competition while delivering less just don’t add up to luxury. Not in my book.
The truth is, Queen Elizabeth doesn’t really fit here in Miami, and she doesn’t fit all that well in the American market. That’s probably one of the reasons the 2027/2028 season will be her last one here. Cunard gave it a shot, putting her in Miami and Alaska for a few years to test the waters, and I give them credit for trying. But it’s become pretty apparent that she just isn’t cut out for American cruisers.
Will I be back? Probably, one last time during her final season here, just to do the ship again. She deserves a proper goodbye, even if I’ll be packing a few extra snacks.
What’s Next: 63 Days With Holland America
I’m not staying home long. On Sunday, November 8, I kick off a series of cruises on Holland America, starting with Nieuw Amsterdam. She’s another Vista-class ship, just like Queen Elizabeth. I’ll be onboard for 21 days, sailing through the Panama Canal and then on into the Southern Caribbean.
From there, I’ll spend three weeks on Rotterdam, sailing both the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Then I’ll wrap up the year by spending Christmas and New Year’s on Volendam, the smallest and oldest ship in the Holland America fleet.
Thanks so much for following along on this cruise. Stay tuned for plenty more from Holland America as we make our way through the three big holidays coming up. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s at sea? Somebody’s got to do it.
Queen Elizabeth Day 9 Daily Planner
Click here to download the daily planner as a PDF.
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00am | Queen Elizabeth Today with Sally Sagoe | Stateroom Television |
| 7:30am | ABS Class | Mareel Wellness & Beauty Fitness Centre, Deck 9, Forward |
| 8:00am | Spinning US$ | Mareel Wellness & Beauty Fitness Centre, Deck 9, Forward |
| 9:00am | Silent Chart Auction | Grand Lobby Deck 1 Midship (until 3.00pm) |
| 9:00am | Morning Stretch - Melt Tension Away | Mareel Wellness & Beauty |
| 9:00am | Christian Fellowship Gathering | Admiral's Lounge, Deck 10, Forward |
| 9:15am | Chairobics with The Entertainment Team | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 9:30am | Solo Travellers' Coffee Morning | Commodore Club, Deck 10, Forward |
| 10:00am | Cunard Insights: Adriane Berg - Anyone Can Be an Adventurer | Royal Court Theatre, Decks 1, 2 & 3, Forward |
| 10:00am | Watercolour Art Class with Hellen Hyunju Cha-Kim | Britannia Restaurant, Deck 3 |
| 10:00am | Relieving Back Pain & Plantar Fasciitis | Mareel Wellness & Beauty, Deck 9 |
| 10:00am | Social Bridge, Card Play and Board Games | Card Room, Deck 3, Grand Lobby |
| 10:00am | Your Last Day to Shop On Board | Royal boutiques, Deck 3, Midship |
| 10:15am | Scavenger Hunt | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 10:15am | Croquet Tournament | Games Deck, Deck 11, Forward |
| 10:15am | Ballroom Dance Class: Beginners Rumba with Debbi & Nico | Queens Room, Deck 2 |
| 10:30am | Fruit & Vegetable Carving Demonstration | Garden Lounge, Deck 9, Midship |
| 10:30am | Morning Team Trivia | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 11:00am | Cunard Insights: Richard Easton - GPS - Military and Economic Impact | Royal Court Theatre, Decks 1, 2 & 3, Forward |
| 11:00am | Secret to a Flatter Stomach | Mareel Wellness & Beauty, Deck 9, Forward |
| 11:15am | High Low Dart Tournament | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 11:15am | Fun Fitness with the Entertainment Team | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 11:15am | Guest Choir Rehearsal with David Crathorne | The Yacht Club, Deck 10, Forward |
| 11:30am | EFFY's Outlet Sale | EFFY Boutique, Deck 3, Midship |
| 12:00pm | Navigational Announcement | Throughout Queen Elizabeth |
| 12:15pm | Lunchtime on Deck with DJ Sax Chris Malinski | Lido Pool, Deck 9, Aft |
| 12:15pm | Line Dancing with the Entertainment Team | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 12:30pm | Last Chance Savings Across the Shops | Fashion Boutique, Deck 3 |
| 1:00pm | Salon Event: Update Your Hairstyle | Mareel Wellness & Beauty, Deck 9 |
| 1:15pm | Seminar: 20th Century Masters: Picasso, Dali and Lowry | ConneXions 2 & 3, Deck 3 |
| 1:30pm | Guest Choir Performance with David Crathorne | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 2:00pm | Watercolour Art Class with Hellen Hyunju Cha-Kim | Britannia Restaurant, Deck 3 |
| 2:00pm | Five Minute Makeover | Mareel Wellness & Beauty Fitness Centre, Deck 9 |
| 2:00pm | Social Bridge, Card Play and Board Games | Card Room, Deck 3, Grand Lobby |
| 2:00pm | End of Season Diamond Sale | EFFY Boutique, Deck 3, Midship |
| 2:15pm | Don't Leave It Behind: Last chance Gifts & voyage keepsakes | Port shop, Deck 2 |
| 2:30pm | Fireball Jackpot Bingo | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 2:30pm | Walk-In comfort with Goodfeet | Mareel Wellness & Beauty Fitness Centre |
| 3:00pm | Quick Hit Music Trivia | Lido Pool, Deck 9, Aft |
| 3:00pm | Afternoon Tea Dance with the Queens Room Musicians | Queens Room, Deck 2 |
| 3:00pm | Advanced Facial Rejuvenation Dr Michael | Mareel Wellness & Beauty, Deck 9 |
| 3:00pm | Veterans Gathering | Admiral's Lounge, Deck 10, Forward |
| 3:30pm | Guest Meetup: Hobby and Craft Get Together | Commodore Club, Deck 10 |
| 4:00pm | Yoga US$ | Mareel Wellness & Beauty, Deck 9, Forward |
| 4:15pm | Scavenger Hunt Redemption | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 4:15pm | Cornhole Tournament | Deck 10, Midships (Port) |
| 4:15pm | Beyond Matilda & The BFG - The Genius of Quentin Blake | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 4:30pm | Afternoon Team Trivia | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 4:30pm | Friends of Bill W. | Admiral's Lounge, Deck 10, Forward |
| 4:45pm | LGBTQIA+ Social Gathering | Commodore Club, Deck 10, Forward |
| 5:00pm | Evening Stretch | Mareel Wellness & Beauty Fitness Centre, Deck 9, Forward |
| 5:00pm | Solo Travellers' Evening Meet Point (Unhosted) | Garden Lounge, Deck 9, Midship |
| 5:00pm | Supper Shopper Prize Draw | Fashion Boutique, Deck 3, Midship |
| 5:15pm | Into the Evening with Saxophonist Chris Malinski | Commodore Club, Deck 10 |
| 5:30pm | Activity Award Redemption | ConneXions 2 & 3, Deck 3, Midships (Port) |
| 6:00pm | Effy's Top 10 | EFFY Boutique, Deck 3, Midship |
| 6:15pm | Recorded Ballroom & Latin Music | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 7:00pm | One Last Look: Your final shopping opportunity with 10% off | Beauty Boutique |
| 7:15pm | Wipe Out Trivia | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 7:15pm | Pianist David Crathorne in the Grand Lobby | Grand Lobby, Decks 1, 2 & 3 |
| 7:15pm | Music and Dancing with the Watson Duo | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 8:00pm | Showtime: Come From Away | Royal Court Theatre, Decks 1, 2 & 3, Forward |
| 8:00pm | Recorded Ballroom & Latin Music | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 8:15pm | Golden Lion Jazz Club: Queens Room Musicians | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 8:30pm | Recorded Ballroom & Latin Music with Debbie & Nico | The Yacht Club, Deck 10 |
| 8:45pm | Get the Party Started with The Watsons Duo | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 8:45pm | Music at the Midships with Pianist David Crathorne | Midships Bar, Deck 3 |
| 9:00pm | Evening Gameshow: Final Trivia Showdown | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 9:00pm | Movie: The Death of Robin Hood | Garden Lounge, Deck 9, Midship |
| 9:00pm | A Night at the Commodore with Pianist Daniel McClew | Commodore Club, Deck 10 |
| 9:30pm | Queens Room Live: The Company Men | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 9:45pm | Golden Lion Jazz Club: Queens Room Musicians | Golden Lion Pub, Deck 2, Forward |
| 10:00pm | The Party Continues with the Watson Duo | Queens Room, Deck 2, Midship |
| 10:00pm | Rock It Til We Dock it with DJ Jason | The Yacht Club, Deck 10, Forward |
