Lizzy’s Sea Diaries is where I bring together my daily Facebook cruise blogs into one easy-to-read post on my website. It’s a collection of my cruise adventures, all in one place!
Day 1 – Boarding QM2 for a 4 night Christmas market cruise
What an exciting day yesterday!
It was definitely tiring, but so worth it. We drove down to Southampton the morning of the cruise, which isn’t something we usually do because it’s fairly long and a tiring journey. By the end of the day I was reminded why we prefer to arrive the night before, it’s so much nicer to board the ship without all the travel and with a bit more energy.
To add to the slight worry about potential delays from accidents or roadworks, hubby had a board meeting scheduled for 2pm, … so we had to try make sure we were on board in time for his conference call. Thankfully, we made it to the cabin by 1:45pm, and I left him to it while I took our friends on a little tour of the ship and grabbed lunch.
QM2 is such a fascinating ship! It’s big, full of nooks and crannies, and surprisingly easy to get lost in, which makes it fun to explore. I’m really enjoying the traditional vibe of the ship, but hubby’s not quite sold on it…yet. I think he’d prefer if I stuck to booking Royal Caribbean in the future! He’s not a fan of all the dressing up on Cunard, probably because he wears a suit for work every day. For him, it’s just another reminder of work, whereas for me, it’s a lovely excuse to get fancy! As always, he’s fully embracing the vibe and making the most of everything on offer, but I know where his heart truly lies…
The lunch buffet was fantastic, with a great variety of food. I even found a curry with a proper kick to it, which is rare on a cruise! The buffet is not self-serve for the first 36 hours, which is just a precaution according to the signs, excellent.
There are lots of people on board who’ve just completed a transatlantic crossing from New York and are staying on for this Christmas market cruise. It’s lovely hearing American accents around the ship enjoying her elegance!
We stopped by the spa to look around and were offered unlimited access to the thermal spa area for $99. A much better deal than the $59 two-hour session I’d purchased online before the cruise, so I upgraded and paid the $40 difference. I’m looking forward to being super relaxed after all the time I plan to spend there! My friends were so excited with it, they stayed for three and a half hours. They absolutely love it.
We opted for late dining, which is at 8:30pm each night, and our four-course dinner did not disappoint. We are especially impressed with the quality of the food, it’s not easy to get it right on a ship this size, but Cunard nailed it.
The main theatre show was the perfect way to kick off the cruise. It was right up hubby’s and his best friend’s alley, with a band playing music they enjoy, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and other Western USA rock classics.
To round off the night, we decided to check out the nightclub, and it was a great experience. The resident band was fantastic, and we really enjoyed the music and the vibe.
Day 2 – Sea Day on QM2 on route to Rotterdam
Well, my usual alarm clock struck again this morning. I’d forgotten to turn it off, but with the clocks going forward an hour, it wasn’t so bad. I got myself up and dressed, then woke hubby up so he was awake for his 9am room service delivery (a very civilised way to start the day on Cunard – room service is complimentary 24 hours a day). I went off in search of good coffee at Sir Samuel’s to kickstart my morning. Sir Samuel’s is a lovely bar on board with pastries in the morning and light bites over the rest of the day that look delicious.
Sea days on Cunard have a special vibe, relaxing but with this air of elegance and sophistication that makes you feel like you should be drinking champagne, even at breakfast. A quick glance at the daily planner revealed a schedule bursting at the seams…line dancing, cha-cha lessons, Olympic guest speaker, watercolour painting class, trivia, fitness classes, ballroom dancing (a Cunard favourite), and even the famous QM2 Planetarium. Honestly, too many options to list here (check out the planner in my photos).I decided to try a card game my hubby brought with us, which mostly consisted of me pretending to understand the rules, while secretly enjoying watching everyone else master their activities.
Lunch, or should I say afternoon tea today, was the highlight of the afternoon. It’s such an event in the Queens room! Beautifully set tables, waiters in white gloves, endless tea and coffee, dainty sandwiches, cakes, and of course, the star of the show…Cunard scones. I remember making them during the pandemic when cunard posted the recipe. It’s very popular on sea days, so if you’re planning this on a future trip, arrive early to grab a seat.
After a relaxing spa session, it was time to get glammed up for Gala Night. The theme was Red & Gold, and it was lovely to see everyone dressed to the nines. Formal nights are when the main dining room really shines, so I wasn’t going to miss the food, which was delicious.
Tonight’s show, Singing and Swinging with Georgina Jackson, was a jazz-themed performance – though not that kind of swinging (no pineapples on this cruise!). The performance had a fresh, contemporary twist, with an orchestra, that took us by surprise in the best way. Georgina Jackson’s talent truly shines, especially when she covers Adele – just wow.
Last night, I felt a bit like Goldilocks as I drifted off to sleep, thinking about how incredibly comfortable this Cunard bed is. That got me mentally comparing all the cruise line beds I’ve experienced. Lol. On that note, if you’re still reading, which cruise line has your favourite beds? For me, Cunard and Azamara are at the top of the list, though I do enjoy the very soft beds on Princess, too. My least favorite? Probably Royal Caribbean. That said, I vividly remember one cabin on MSC Virtuosa (deck 8 oceanview) with the hardest, most uncomfortable bed ever, but I’ve sailed that ship many times, and the other beds were perfectly fine. So, maybe it’s just potluck depending on the ship or even the cabin! What do you think?
Day 3 – Rotterdam on QM2
We started the day with a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room, enjoying the calm atmosphere and a hearty meal to set us up for our adventures in Rotterdam. We began with a lovely walk over the Erasmus Bridge and made our way towards our first stop, the iconic Cube Houses, a fascinating quirky design with unique angles. It was fun imagining what it must be like to live inside one of them. Entry to visit the show home is €3, and it is worth it to see inside this unique space.
From there, we strolled to the nearby Market Hall, a vibrant and bustling space filled with food stalls and restaurants. The arched ceiling with colourful artwork, is breathtaking. We wandered through the stalls, soaking in the lively atmosphere and the delicious smells, before moving on to our next adventure.
To save time, we caught an Uber (€10) to Miniworld Rotterdam, a cute miniature world that brought out the kid in all of us. We had so much fun pressing buttons to bring tiny scenes to life and watching as the display transitioned from day to night, with miniature Rotterdam lighting up beautifully in the dark. It was amazing to see the city represented in such intricate detail. A new area representing the United Kingdom is under construction, so hopefully, we’ll get to see that completed on a future visit.
After a couple of hours immersed in Miniworld, we took another Uber (€13) back to the ship. Once on board, we headed straight to the buffet for lunch, which was the perfect way to refuel after a morning of exploring. The buffet offered plenty of delicious options to suit everyone’s tastes.
Later in the evening, after another delicious dinner (hubby has officially declared it better than Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, and P&O, the only other cruise lines he’s sailed with), we headed to the theatre for the comedian’s performance. The description in the daily planner promised, “Don’t miss one of the most polished, versatile, and accomplished entertainers in the United Kingdom.”
Our track record with cruise ship comedians has been hit and miss, but Micky Zany completely surprised us! He was excellent, delivering a performance worth every laugh. If you ever spot his name in a cruise planner, don’t hesitate to go see him!
Day 4 – Bruges on QM2
Who loves Bruges at Christmas time? Me!
I’ve been lucky enough to visit this port many times in November and December, and it’s always a magical way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Ships dock in Zeebrugge, which is quite a trek from Bruges itself. The most budget-friendly way to get there is by train, costing about €6. To catch the train, you’ll need to get to the Blankenburg station, and thankfully, Cunard offers a complimentary shuttle to take you there. Alternatively, there’s a company called Cruise Express, situated very near the port entrance, that provides a direct coach to Bruges for €25 return per person.
If I’m in a group, though, always prefer a taxi as it’s the quickest and most convenient way to get there. It’s around €60 each way, or you can grab an Uber for under €50ish. Taxis line up outside the port, and if you’re in a larger group than 4, you can wait for a bigger vehicle to fit 5 or 6 people. The journey is around 25 minutes. Most taxis drop you off at the Market Square and will happily arrange a pickup time for your return.
Bruges is lovely to explore on foot. We strolled through the picturesque streets, taking in the sights, and I had a savoury waffle at the House of Waffles, absolutely delicious! Normally, I’d hop on a canal cruise (€15 for a 30-minute ride), as it’s one of my favorite ways to see Bruges, but my friends weren’t keen this time. Instead, we found a lovely spot to people-watch at the Beer Terrace. It’s a great place to relax, offering over 500 beers as well as coffee and hot chocolate.
Another favorite spot of mine is the Historium bar, where you can enjoy a drink on the balcony overlooking the Market Square. Yes, it’s touristy, but I love it!
The Bruges Christmas markets are mostly food stalls, so the tempting smells are everywhere, making it hard to resist snacking.
After a fabulous day in Bruges, I enjoyed some time in the thermal spa for the last time before starting to pack my suitcase. I’ve really made the most of my spa pass this trip ($99 for 4 night cruise).
Our final evening on board was a great. Dinner was fantastic, and we watched the brand new show Let’s Dance performed by the ship’s fresh lineup of entertainers. They were excellent! We then ended the night with live music from the guest band West on Sunset in the Queens Room.
Reflections on our 4 night cruise…
We had an amazing time! It was our friends’ first cruise, and they loved it! Even my husband, who was a bit skeptical about Cunard, admitted that the food and entertainment was excellent and hasn’t ruled out coming on Cunard again.
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