Cunard Cruises - Queen Victoria Cruise Answers

Hi we have travelled many times with Cunard and I would say, yes, they do adhere to the dress code in the main restaurants. However, if you do not wish to dress up every night, the code for the buffet restaurants is casual so that is another option and the food in there is excellent as is the main restaurant. Please note that there are washing machines/tumble dryers and a dry cleaning/laundry service on board so you do not have to have something packed to wear clean every day/night so that should cut your luggage down a bit. Good luck and enjoy your cruise - Victoria is a beautiful ship.

We have bought sub zero case from argos,large size case weighs only 2.5kg,they have full range, check out shoppng outlets as well,Ours are packed for xmas/new year on Azura.I must admit they look flimsy,but reading reviews also my friend did 28 day last year on Azura and survived the plane,she is using them again this year.Another tip ive bought the plastic bags that the air can be sucked out by using a hoover,[i have spare duvet n pillows in some at home]they are amazing for saving space in a case.

Depending on the airline, sometimes we have been allowed 2 suitcases per person to USA! I think it was with BA ! we have travelled 3weeks accross USA by train and then back on QM2, taking with us 4 suitcases without paying anymore!. Obviously depending on the length of your cruise will depend on the formal nights. Again another good bit of advise is to take evening trousers/shirts with different tops as they can be light weight you only need 1 pair of evening shoes. And if you want to can miss the odd formal night and do self service!!! Princess is the line that is a bit more relaxed on formal evening but I think that is part of the experience!!!! Hope you have a wonderful time on QV we spent last Christmas and New Year on the QE in the Caribbean and it was lovely!! happy cruising.....

Depending on the airline, you can purchase additional luggage allowance. We travelled back from NYC after a transatlantic cruise on the QM2 (June 2010)and paid $100 for an additional suitcase (23KG) with American Airlines . Really good deal , and meant that we could take what we wanted. Whats a extra $100 when you are paying a lot for the trip!!

Take one long black skirt or dressy trousers and several different lightweight "evening" tops and you have formal nights covered. Similarly with one pair of shoes or sandals suitable for evening. The rest of your allowance can go for your other clothes. Tell 11 year-old she can only take one pair of shoes (plus trainers or whatever) because of baggage regulations. She'll get over the tears and tantrum. Re flight seating - you should be able to check in and choose your seating from the terminal at your hotel 24 hours before the flight is due to leave. Good luck on all counts!

Be sure to use your full handluggage allowance. BA let you have up to 23 kgs handluggage and a laptop case providing it fits size spec. We pack everything heavy in this as well as wearing heaviest clothes for journey. Yes dress code is adhered to unless you want to go self service. Anyway dressing up is what makes it special for us ! There are free launderettes on board so you can cut down on underwear tee-shirts etc, just wash them and take all your finery!

great advice below, try and pack some warm clothes for your sea days down to the islands as they will be quite cold, hawaii is gorgeous im sure you will ewnjoy it. virgin are pretty good and if you are a few kgs over they won't charge you

Good to find someone else who is going on this cruise as I've been looking in vain for months now. I agree with M that 1 bag & 1 pair of black shoes is a good way to keep the weight down. Mind you, my 11 yr old daughter insists she needs about 4 pairs to go with her frocks! We are flying out with Virgin and they limit carry on bags to 6kg (13lbs). Not sure how strict they are these days on "handbags", laptops etc. as last time we were on, several people got on with emormous handbags as well as cabin cases. Btw, we had our seats pre-selected by Jessica and they are still allocated to us though of course that might change. You can use the airline locator number to check - E2339T. Unfortunately, Cunard have block-booked seats for the AA flight back so those won't get allocated until we all check in (unless anyone knows another way??). Might see you at check in next Tuesday? Maria

On a Cunard ship, particularly at Christmas, I would concentrate on packing the formal gear and give secondary preference to any other attire.....Bear in mind laundry facilities are available. We have cruised many times long haul and are now well practised at leaving at home all the clothes we thought we needed but never actually did need.........Wilba

Restrict shoes for a start. One pair of elegant black patent evening shoes will do all my formal wear if absolutely necessary, same for the evening bag. Silky fabrics, mix and match...I agree with Stanley on the 'gown' front. I take two for a two week cruise but I don't have such a tight luggage restriction so maxi dresses are the way to go and a distinctive shawl, or two. Wonderful ship. I'm envious.