Recommend October 2013 - (Page 63)

onboardreview A U G U S T 2 0 13 Opposite page: The Royal Spa delivers luxury treatments aboard Queen Elizabeth. Left: French cuisine is served at The Verandah. ture and a bow to the golden age of ocean travel—an integral aspect of a storied legacy carried on with seamless grace and admirable expertise by the 173-year-old cruise line. Comments Dorothy Reminick, cruise consultant for Travel Resource in Jupiter, FL, “I am sure there are many, especially Grill passengers, who preferred the formal dress requirements that existed in the past. However, with these being more relaxed now, I think a lot of people who prefer less formal dress will be inclined to try Cunard.” fit for a queen (or king) The “Grill passengers” cited by Reminick, who for 30 years was employed by Cunard in reservations and guest relations in both London and New York, are those who reside in one of the 127 Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites, each paired with its own Grill Restaurant, situated in restricted-access privacy on Deck 11 along with a private Grills bar, lounge, and concierge. Other stateroom categories are also linked to their own restaurant, including the Britannia Club, and the 2-deck, art deco-ﬂourished Britannia Restaurant. Overall, the ship sports 1,046 staterooms, 85 percent of them outside and 71 percent with balconies. The Princess Suite, a popular choice, encompasses 367 sq. ft. with two beds, living area, balcony, bath with tub and shower, walk-in closet, two ﬂat-screen TVs, ﬁne bedding, robe and slippers, and refrigerator. The attractive and comfy but less spacious Club Balcony stateroom, which gives access to the Britannia Club Restaurant, has a small bathroom with shower only. what’s cooking? Additional dining options include evening table-service offerings in the Lido ($10) alongside the traditional buffet, with varying themes such as Aztec (Mexican), Asado (South American), and Jasmine (Pan-Asian). Crowning the food chain, there’s The Verandah (a la carte charges apply), with a contemporary French menu and extensive wine list in a chic-but-cozy setting of mirrored columns and white leather chairs. As in the Grills, service in the Verandah is attentive, with tableside cooking and preparation that show off polished skills. Other options by day include Cafe Carinthia for tasty snacks and the Golden Lion pub, famous for its ﬁsh and chips. The round-the-clock Lido serves breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. dressed to the nines A handsomely-crafted vessel and a sister to Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth is a rich-textured tapestry of elegant doubleand triple-height public rooms, captivating art and memorabilia of the line’s icons and enduring links to the Royal Family, and eye-catching art deco accents, with an abundance of rich wood paneling, mosaics, and marbles. Among highlights is a portrait of the reigning monarch by young artist Isobel Peachey, and a stunning marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth (the world’s largest liner when launched in 1938) by royal nephew David Linley. Pricey art and vintage posters are on tap in the respective Clarendon Fine Art Gallery (a proper gallery, not an auction format) and Cunarders’ Gallery, while Royal Arcade shops feature treasures from Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and Harris Tweed. The Cunard bookshop is the place to stock up on souvenirs commemorating the summer arrival of the newest prince. Scoring top marks with seagoers are the wondrous library where you could happily hide away for hours—6,000 books strong with a spiral staircase linking two levels of packed shelves; the Insights program of guest speakers; and top-notch entertainment in the beautiful Royal Court Theatre, ranging from classical piano concerts to West End-style performances featuring song and dance. Indeed, music resonates throughout, luring passengers into such lively spots as the Midships Bar and the Deck 10 Yacht Club for late-night dancing. Dance being the operative word. We’re talking major participation that you’re not likely to encounter elsewhere on the high seas. Frequent dance classes draw a crowd of enthusiasts, who then display their newly honed talents in nightly twirls beneath the glittering chandeliers of the grandly elegant, 2-tier Queens Room and, most notably, at the series of themed balls that boast one of the largest orchestras out there. october 2013 63 62-65 CR Cunardonboard.indd 63 9/23/13 8:02 AM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Emirates Vacations
Hail Caesars!
Wine Country + San Francisco: A Perfect Pairing
A Vintage Stay in Mexico
Lais-Back Luxury at La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo
Asia Raises the Bar on Luxury
Guadeloupe islands Travel Planner
Royal Princess
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth
Seaside Swells: Brazil + Uruguay
Moroccan Splendor
Regent Palms Turks & Caicos
It Takes A Villa

Recommend October 2013