Interesting comments from Captain Albert. I liked seeing the ship through the eyes of a professional. Some comments I agree with, some I don't.
Disclaimer: I did not like Koningsdam. Sailed on her twice, just not my ship. I liked Queen Anne better than K'dam, but she isn't my ship, either. I guess I just don't like the pinnacle ships. QA in fourth place after Queen Elizabeth (definite favorite), Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria (happy to be on either of those). On HAL, my preferences is also for Vistas.
I was on QA's third cruise. I am happy to report that many of the "shakedown" issues that Captain Albert saw had improved by that time.
The buffet was much better than Captain Albert experienced. Food was not as sparse as that photo, and service was efficient. Although I, too, was in Princess Grill, I usually ate lunch in the buffet to avoid a large meal and have a good salad instead. The salad bar was served, as on HAL. Nearly everything was served. The buffet was laid out in stations, as it is on HAL. When I had early tours, I ate breakfast in the buffet. I didn't have to deal with long lines at either lunch or breakfast.
Small correction about the Princess Grill menu. Three a la carte ("always available" items) could be ordered at dinner without advance notice. Others that involved heating/flambeeing tableside (duck, rack of lamb, chateaubriand) did require notice by lunchtime. I was not near the dishwasher area Captain Albert spoke about, but I didn't hear any complaints, so that issue was probably resolved.
I had heard about the MDR issues on the first cruise, but those seemed to have been worked out. I have to say, the Britannia Restaurant (Main restaurant) is stunning. So much prettier than the whale's ribcage on K'dam.
I have to agree that wardrobe space was tight. Several passengers commented on how difficult it would be on a world cruise, when a 2-week cruise filled all the closet space. Closet space on HAL didn't seem as tight, but then on HAL I'm not traveling with my posh frocks for evenings. OTOH, the bathroom was good. Shower only, but it was about 4 feet long and it had a DOOR!!! No shower curtain! I think all the cabins have a shower with a door. (Queens grill have a tub separate from a stall shower)
I also agree that the Queens Room is too small. Yes, the walkway is narrower than Music Walk, but closing off the pub and Bright Lights means music doesn't spill from one area to the next. (I know I'm in the minority, but I am NOT a fan of the Music Walk on HAL's Pinnacles. too crowded, too loud.)
Bright Lights was a lot of fun. They invite passengers to be minor characters in the plot. They don't tell you what your character will be, just that you'll read your lines off a few cue cards. I took part, and I ended up being the murderer!!! It's new, it's different, and I hope they find a way to do it in a venue on the other ships. Cunard's entertainment is miles ahead of HAL's. An orchestra (for ballroom dancing!) with two good singers, plus a production show company, and a jazz combo, and a classical group. Two piano players. And guest entertainers as well as guest speakers. The one entertainment on HAL that beat Cunard was Lincoln Center. And now that's gone. The duo may be good, but it isn't the same.
Interesting that Captain Albert said the ship was "in the Cunard style." I have to differ here. Many of the long-time Cunard passengers said that QA did not feel like a Cunard ship. The Stephen Card painting the captain showed in his blog is one of only TWO ship paintings on the WHOLE SHIP! On the other Cunarders, the Commodore Club has ship models and paintings. Cunard memorabilia is showcased in various areas. Like HAL ships, the other Cunarders have maritime paintings (including Stephen Card's) in some of the stairwells. I always enjoy looking at them. The less said about the stairwell art on QA, the better. I know, I know, it's just a staircase. And I suppose it isn't as weird as some of what's on HAL ships.
I get that the move of the spa to below the theater is practical. But I hated the thermal suite on QA. I always get a pass, but not this time. Just a round pool and 8 ceramic loungers in one room. No conventional loungers. With the back massage showers going, it's loud in there. I don't know about spa treatments and exercises, but yes, Captain Albert, I DO like to have a view of the sea while I relax on the heated lounger in a quiet room flooded with natural light. As @RuthCcommented one time, there's something wonderfully decadent about lying on a heated lounger and watching the sail-by of a glacier in Alaska.
Something that Captain Albert didn't mention is the "promenade deck." What can I say, it's a Pinnacle ship.
