The final day of this 9-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth has arrived, and we’re spending it at sea as we make our way back to Miami. It’s hard to believe it’s already over — though, after nine days, I can safely say I’ve seen everything this ship has to offer, and then some. Before diving into my overall impressions of the cruise, let’s start with a bit of context.
This is only the second sailing out of Miami for Queen Elizabeth and her very first Caribbean season before heading off to Alaska. She’ll repeat these runs next year and then… that’s it. No more U.S. sailings are on the books. And honestly? That makes sense. The Florida cruise market just isn’t built for Cunard. Down here, it’s all about megaships packed with water slides, roller coasters, kids’ clubs, and non-stop entertainment. Families, younger cruisers, and weekend warriors make up the majority passengers cruising from these ports — not ballroom-dancing, tea-time-attending, tuxedo-packing types.
There’s also a lot of competition. Between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral, you’ve got Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Virgin Voyages all sailing multiple ships that are more than twice the size and have four times the action. Cunard tried to test the waters (literally) to see if one of their Queens could find a home here, but after nine days on board, it’s pretty clear she doesn’t quite fit in. Case in point — on this sailing, passengers were offered deeply discounted nightly rates to extend their voyage. That’s something you never see unless a ship is struggling to fill cabins. Several folks I spoke with jumped on the offer because, well, they were too good to pass up.
Don’t get me wrong, Queen Elizabeth herself is gorgeous. The ship is classic Cunard — elegant, immaculately maintained, and staffed by one of the most professional and friendly crews at sea. But there’s a difference between being beautiful and being engaging. Activities were sparse, and entertainment was boring at times. If you’re someone who likes a lot of variety, this isn’t your ship.
I’ve been comparing this experience to my usual sailings with Holland America Line, and despite Cunard’s reputation as a “luxury” brand, HAL actually wins in several key areas. For one, the food on HAL — both in the main dining room and the buffet — is far superior. HAL also packs their sea days with enrichment programs, live music, trivia, and cooking demos, while Cunard’s schedule felt a bit thin. Service is neck and neck between the two, but the overall vibe on HAL feels warmer, more personal, and far less “stuffy.”
Cunard markets itself as refined and “luxurious,” but in reality, it’s not in the same class as Regent, Explora, or Oceania. It’s more comparable to the mid-range premium lines like HAL, Celebrity, Disney, or Azamara. The ship’s formality is certainly still there — tuxedos, ballroom dancing, high tea — but the actual onboard experience felt like a slightly dressed-up version of what you’d find on a Holland America ship, minus the better food. Even long-time Cunard loyalists I spoke with agreed. One described the brand as being “Carnivalized” — a jab at its corporate parent. Another said, “This isn’t the Cunard of yesteryear,” and honestly, I can’t disagree.
That said, the throwback touches are what makes it unique. The ballroom dancing in the Queen’s Room, the formal Gala Nights, and the afternoon teas still give you that feeling of stepping back into the golden age of ocean travel. But it also feels… misplaced. Watching guests stroll around the pool deck in full suits and cocktail dresses under the Caribbean sun mid-afternoon while others are in bathing suits felt more Downton Abbey than Caribbean Queen. The average age onboard probably clocked in somewhere between Medicare enrollment and early (early) bird special.
Now, before I close this chapter, let’s talk about dinner on my final night. The menu in Britannia didn’t excite me, and the buffet looked about as inspiring as… well, they had hot dogs up there again and some said looking chicken on the carvery. The pop-up restaurant was repeating La Piazza, which I’d already tried, so I figured I’d give the Steakhouse at The Verandah another visit. I headed down around 8:20 p.m., knowing full well last seating is 8:30. The host, however, told me they were already closed. I pointed out it wasn’t 8:30 yet, and he said, “Well, we’re done.” Okay then. I was a bit set back — it’s not like I was showing up at 9:15 expecting a filet mignon to magically appear.
So off to the Britannia as I was running out of time and options. As I was sitting down, guess who showed up? The Steakhouse host — clearly there with an attempt to smooth things over, as I was not a happy cruiser when I was turned away. He apologized and offered all types of different things to “make it right.” I declined them all, and really just wanted to move on with dinner. I restated my disappointment and wished him a good night, as I didn’t want to fight a battle that wasn’t going to benefit either side, but this was… well, let’s just call it “a moment.” My server, who witnessed the whole thing, leaned in afterward and said, “Nobody’s paying for those specialty restaurants this cruise — he should’ve been happy to have a customer.” Couldn’t agree more.
Dinner itself was actually decent. I started with a tomato and feta salad, followed by beef arancini, both good.
For the main course, I went with the $45 upcharge surf and turf — half lobster and an 8oz filet served with asparagus and mac and cheese. The “half lobster” turned out to be half a tail (nice try), and while the steak was cooked rare as requested, it was tougher than expected. Still, this was probably the best meal I had in Britannia all week — and with a $45 price tag, it should have been. Service, at least, was great, and for once I wasn’t rushed out like I was eating at a Waffle House during shift change.
Now, let’s get into the overall recap!
Queen Elizabeth Full Review
Embarkation at PortMiami
Embarkation on day one of the cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth started out smoothly enough — I took the noon Brightline train from Boca Raton to Miami, hopped in an Uber, and pulled up at Terminal D with minimal hassle. Once inside security things looked promising: almost no wait before getting through, making me think the rest of the process would follow suit.
But then came the reality check. I hit the check-in area and discovered I was about to join the entire 2,000-passenger ship in simultaneously arriving. What should have been a quick ten-minute process turned into a solid 45 minutes of inching forward through the stanchions and milling about with anxious fellow guests.
Once onboard, I was expecting to see the line of uniformed bellboys that you see in the travel brochures, but no. There was just a few who where there solely for the purpose of a photo prop. A tradition lost to a money making opportunity. Cunard uses the standard electonic muster, where you check in to your muster station, watch the video, and you’re done.
Accommodations: Solo Oceanview Stateroom 2018
For this cruise, I booked one of the nine solo staterooms installed in the 2014 refit (these are designed solely for singles and have no single-supplement markup which usually is 200%). The cabin was tucked behind what used to be the casino—so finding it felt like I was sneaking into a hidden speakeasy. Once inside, the window was a highlight: nearly wall-length and at least double the size of windows in traditional oceanview staterooms, again, thanks to this once being casino space. Now here’s the thing… Cunard markets this room, and shows it on the deck plan, as a standard room. However, this is a handicapped accessible room.
The closet space was sparce (not ideal when you’ve got gala nights on the agenda), and the décor screamed “your grandmother’s guest-room” with dated gold-toned patterns. No USB ports. Nada. Two-prong and U.K.–style plugs only—so yes, bring your own adapters and chargers. The bathroom, being accessible, had no threshold so it was all one wet room; functional, but the water pressure was frustratingly weak. Since this is a solo room, the bed is a twin.
Sound-proofing? Minimal. The room sat beside a busy crew corridor and below the promenade deck, so doors, footsteps and morning joggers can be hard inside.
Dining onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth
Dining on Queen Elizabeth isn’t exactly a foodie’s dream. With only around 2,000 passengers onboard, there aren’t many options to begin with — and of those, none really stand out.
- Britannia Restaurant: ★★☆☆☆ This is the main dining room open for breakfast, lunch (on select days), and dinner. “Average” pretty much sums it up. The menu rotates daily, but you’ll notice not many dishes make you say “wow.” Service can feel rushed, especially at open seating, and the overall experience lands squarely in the “fine, but forgettable” category. However, the restaurant is beautiful.
- Lido Buffet: ★☆☆☆☆ Easily the weakest link in this Queen’s chain. Breakfast is standard eggs, bacon, pastries, and fruit — fine, nothing to complain about. But lunch and dinner? A letdown. The food selection is limited, the quality feels mass-produced, and the pizza might be the worst I’ve ever had. Somehow, hot dogs show up nightly on the dinner buffet, which is baffling on a ship that calls itself “luxury.”
- Golden Lion Pub: ★★☆☆☆ A solid mid-day option when you want a pint and some pub grub. The fish and chips are solid and come at no extra cost. I also tried the $11.00 burger one night, which was fine but hardly memorable — definitely more of a lunch spot than a real dinner venue. The pub is also a spot where you can get a proper Guinness, so there’s that.
- La Piazza ($35 Pop-Up): ★★★☆☆ This Italian-themed dinner pop-up takes over part of the Lido Buffet two or three nights per cruise. The setting is cozy and the food decent. It’s the most “classic” of the pop-ups, but $35 still feels steep considering you’re technically dining in the buffet space.
- Karibe ($35 Pop-Up): ★★★☆☆ Introduced for Queen Elizabeth’s first Caribbean season, this Caribbean-inspired menu is a fun idea, even if the execution varies. I had pigeon-pea guacamole and chips, jerk chicken with mac and cheese croquettes, and the best part of the meal – the Karibe Sundae- ice cream, chocolate sauce, marshmallows, espresso chips, caramelized Rice Krispies, and rice-pudding gelato.
- Bamboo ($35 Pop-Up): ★★★☆☆ The Asian-inspired pop-up option and probably my favorite of the three. It starts with a loaded bento box — shrimp kataifi, tuna tataki, yakitori chicken, sweet-and-sour beef short ribs, and veggie stir fry. For mains, I went with mandarin crispy chili beef (a little too sweet) and dessert was a trio of sticky rice with mango, coconut ice cream, and green-tea sponge cake. Despite the nice presentation, I still question whether any of these pop-ups justify the $35 cover.
- Steakhouse at The Verandah ($65): ★★★☆☆ The ship’s only true specialty restaurant and one of the priciest steakhouses at sea. You get a three-course meal, and extras add up fast: $15 for another appetizer, $35 for another entrée, $6 for dessert. I had beef tartare to start, followed by a 10-oz wagyu New York strip cooked medium-rare, with onion rings and broccolini on the side, and cheesecake for dessert. The food was good, the service excellent, and the pacing perfect — but again, at $65 per person, it should be. It’s hard for me to give the steakhouse three stars, I should actually deduct one solely based on tonight’s “early close” fiasco.
Overall, dining on Queen Elizabeth feels more “premium mass market” than “luxury.” The pop-ups add some variety but don’t quite deliver enough value for the price, the Lido buffet needs serious help, and the Britannia could use more creativity and a lesson on how to properly pace a dinner service. If food is the highlight of your cruise, Cunard’s not the line for you — but if you’re in it for formality, polished service, and white-gloved tradition, you’ll find plenty to chew on… just maybe not on the buffet.
Queen Elizabeth Fellow Passengers
From the get-go it was obvious this cruise was going have a very “mature” crowd. Where the idea of karaoke is politely clearing a throat in the ship’s beautiful two-story library, not belting out “Sweet Caroline” in the Yacht Club. The under-50 set was practically extinct. Kids? I counted maybe a dozen total, tops. Most people were more interested in high tea and dinner at 5:30 p.m. than anything after 9 p.m. This is a ship where the hook for many is ballroom dances and extra-lazy days at sea.
The nationalities leaned heavily British and Asian — and yes, I mean very British. Spotting someone in shorts and a tee felt like something was very, very, wrong. Tuxedos, cocktail dresses, and bow ties at dinner were par for the course, and not just on gala evenings. The dress code wasn’t a suggestion; it was enforced.
The behavior also matched the age demo. Evenings had me looking around and thinking, “Wait… did I board the right ship?” At 9 p.m., the ship would look eerily like the famously abandoned-at-sea vessel Mary Celeste — lounges empty, bars longing for someone to walk in, decks clear of people. The nickname “Mary Celeste” stuck among fellow cruisers because yes, it felt like a ghost ship after the first dinner seating. The live band in the Queen’s Room gave it a great shot, but more often than not they were performing to an audience of two.
If you’re someone who wants nightlife, pools or deck parties, or late-night shenanigans — this isn’t the crowd for you. But if you imagine dress-up nights and an atmosphere where “quiet elegance” is more the norm — then you’ll feel right at home.
In short: relaxed, refined, and very British-society-club-meets-ocean-liner.
Queen Elizabeth Entertainment
Entertainment aboard the Queen Elizabeth fits the ship’s personality perfectly — classy, understated, and pretty much “sit back with a gin and tonic and quietly clap at the end.” If you’re looking for Broadway-level productions, wrong ship. But if you want enrichment lectures, ballroom dancing, and piano serenades, you’ll be right at home.
The daily lineup leans heavily on lectures and enrichment talks rather than constant “rah-rah” activities. Think PBS at sea.
As for the production shows, there were a handful throughout the voyage. They’re polished and performed by a talented cast, but they’re more traditional revue-style numbers than modern spectaculars.
Beyond that, you’ll find piano players and small ensembles scattered around the lounges — the Commodore Club’s pianist, for example, was consistently excellent and always drew a small but appreciative crowd. It’s the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail at the end of the night.
Overall, the entertainment on Queen Elizabeth is refined but nothing is over the top. It fits the ship’s classic vibe — sophisticated and low-key — but if you’re someone who is going to be looking for late-night comedy shows, or high-tech theater productions, you’ll likely find it a little too mellow.
Queen Elizabeth Service and Ship Upkeep
If there’s one area where Cunard still absolutely nails it, it’s service and their beautiful decor. From the moment I stepped onboard the Queen Elizabeth, it was clear that the fabled “White Star Service” the line loves to brag about isn’t just a marketing slogan — it’s alive and well. Every single crew member I encountered was polished, professional, and genuinely pleasant. The kind of service where you don’t even finish your drink before someone appears asking if you’d like another, or where a deck steward remembers your name — and your drink — by day two. It’s that old-school level of attentiveness that’s hard to find these days.
The ship herself is stunning, a true classic that proudly wears her Art Deco heritage on her sleeve. From the sweeping staircases and glossy wood accents to the soft lighting and elegant decor, the Queen Elizabeth feels more like an ocean liner from a bygone era. The attention to detail is immaculate — brass polished to a mirror shine, glass gleaming, and not a scuff mark in sight. Even after years of service, she looks remarkably well cared for, inside and out.
The public spaces ooze refinement, with lounges that look like they were pulled straight from a 1930s transatlantic liner. The carpets look freshly laid, the corridors sparkle, and not once did I see a fingerprint on a railing or a smudge on a mirror. It’s that level of pride in appearance that gives Cunard ships their signature charm.
In short, while food and entertainment may not be showstoppers, service and ship presentation are second to none. Queen Elizabeth proves that elegance isn’t outdated — it’s timeless. If you’re a fan of the golden age of travel, where ships were ships and not floating amusement parks, this vessel is as close as you’ll get to stepping back in time.
Debarkation at PortMiami
Debarkation on the Queen Elizabeth was smooth as silk. No crowds, no shouting staff, no passengers camped in hallways and stairwells. Just an orderly, old-school farewell that wrapped up a very British cruise experience.
Cunard offered the usual two options: self-debarkation for those carrying off all their own luggage, and the traditional method where you leave your bags outside your stateroom the night before and collect them in the terminal. I went with the latter, tagging my bags and setting them out before bed.
At 7:00 a.m., the self-debark guests were the first to be called, and about 20 minutes later, the process began for those of us who checked our luggage. My group was called at 7:20, and by 7:30, I was off the ship, through the terminal, and on my way. I made it to the Brightline station early enough that I was able to switch from my original 10:00 a.m. train to the 8:45 departure to Boca Raton, which was a nice bonus.
One interesting note — unlike many cruise terminals in Miami these days, Cunard does not use facial recognition for customs and immigration. Instead, it’s back to the old-fashioned way: meeting face-to-face with an actual U.S. Customs agent, passport in hand, answering a few questions before being welcomed back ashore. It felt like yet another little flashback to a bygone era, which in a weird way, fits perfectly with the Cunard brand. A little slower, a little more formal, but flawlessly executed from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
So, would I cruise on Cunard out of Miami again? Honestly — probably not. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I did it once. The Queen Elizabeth is a beautiful ship, the crew is phenomenal, and there’s something about the whole Cunard experience. But now that I know what to expect, I can confidently say the Cunard style just doesn’t mesh well with the South Florida cruise scene.
Sailing out of Miami, on other cruise lines you’re surrounded by energy. Aboard the Queen Elizabeth, it felt more like tea time at the Ritz — refined, quiet, and just a tad sleepy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it’s a very specific niche that’s not for everyone, especially if you’re used to more lively cruise experiences.
If a great deal popped up, I might be tempted to do another, simply because now I know exactly what I’m getting — a laid-back, traditional cruise with incredible service and minimal nightlife. But otherwise, I’ll save my next Cunard adventure for where they truly shine: a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2. That’s their bread and butter — the ship, the atmosphere, the itinerary — it all fits what Cunard does best.
So yes, I’d absolutely sail with Cunard again… just not from Miami.
Coming Up Next…
And just like that, one cruise wraps up and another is right around the corner. In just two days, I’ll be boarding Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam — a ship I’ve sailed on before and one of the oldest in HAL’s fleet, having launched way back in 2002. She’s a bit of a classic, and there’s a certain charm that comes with that. What makes this next sailing particularly interesting is that the Zuiderdam shares her DNA with the Queen Elizabeth. Both ships are built on the Carnival Corporation Vista-class platform, though Cunard’s version is a slightly stretched version. That means the layout will feel very familiar — same bones, different personality.
Stay tuned, because starting Saturday, I’ll be sharing daily reports from the Zuiderdam — the good, the bad, and everything in between — as I set sail once again.
Daily Schedule
