7 Things I Wish I’d Have Known Before My First Cruise With Cunard

When I went on my first-ever Cunard cruise, quite a few things surprised me about the cruise line and its ships.

My first Cunard cruise on Queen Victoria prompted me to start my blog and, later, my YouTube channel.

I was totally unprepared for my first Cunard cruise. I returned wondering, “Why didn’t anybody tell me any of this stuff?!”

Below are 8 things which I wish I knew before cruising with Cunard for the first time.

#1 You Have A Set Meal Time And A Set Table

You don’t necessarily have to eat there, but if you want to eat dinner in a main restaurant, you will have a set time and table.

Eating in the pub or buffet are also options available to you.

If you’re in a couple or small group, you may be placed on a table with somebody else. We were a group of four, so we had our own table.

I did see some couples at their own tables, so this may be something you can request when booking.

I didn’t really like the set time and table. It would have been nice to have been able to sit in different parts of the restaurant.

This is the main reason that I usually choose a cruise line with freestyle dining, but I understand that a lot of people like this more traditional approach.

#2 Dress Codes

The dress code is reinforced in most public places after 6 pm

Apart from the buffet and conservatory on Queen Victoria, the dress code extended around the ship after 6 pm. I had no idea that this would be the case before I cruised Cunard.

This creates a great atmosphere, and it makes sense, but being unable to go into public areas because you forgot your jacket was quite annoying! I really did begin to miss my jeans!

Find out more about Cunard’s dress codes here:

Cunard Dress Code – (Mens, Womens, Childrens – Real Examples)

#3 24-Hour Room Service – And It’s Free!!

One of the best things about Cunard is free room service, which is available 24 hours a day.

This means that if you don’t fancy getting dressed up, you can sit on your balcony and enjoy a really good burger!

You can also pre-order a room-service breakfast the night before, which is always good.

When I was onboard, I really craved a burger, and room service was the only place that managed to satisfy this craving.

#4 There is a self-service laundry on board – and it’s free!!

On each deck with cabins, there is a laundry.

Of course, you don’t go on a cruise to do laundry, but it’s nice to be able to iron out any creases in your dinner shirt or your evening dress on formal nights.

If you wanted to do this on some other cruise line, you would have to pay for the service.

I never found that I had to wait to use the Cunard laundry rooms.

#5 The ship Was Quiet

I’m not sure if this was just my cruise, but this Cunard cruise felt so quiet!

You could sit in the evening having a drink and not see another guest. This is very different from what I have experienced on larger ships, where you’re fighting for a seat at the bar.

Even on the sea days, the ship never seemed busy. I was always left wondering, ‘Where is everybody?!’

#6 Older Passenger Demographic

Cunard tried their best to engage the younger audience by having an informal 18-30 get-together.

They even have a DJ called “DJ Graham” – which I think sums up perfectly their attempt to connect with the younger audience.

As expected most of the activities on board are about knitting, bridge or ballroom dancing.

I did enjoy afternoon tea. What Cunard do – they do extremely well – and they do tea well!

I’m not sure, however, that someone of my age is their target audience.

#7 You Can Bring Some Alcohol Onboard

Unlike some other other cruise lines I have been on, Cunard allows passengers to bring alcohol or wine onboard at no extra charge.

Maybe this explains why the bars were always so empty? Maybe people were drinking in their cabins in the evenings?

I took a cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. She is the only ocean liner still in service. Find out what I thought of her, the dress code, the cabins and food here:

Before You Go

Find out about everything I ate on my Cunard Queen Mary 2 cruise here:

Everything I Ate on a Cunard Cruise (Pub, Dining Rooms and More)

Cunard have the only Ocean Liner in service. Find out the differences between an Ocean Liner and a cruise ship here:

Cruise Ships vs Ocean Liners – Measurable Differences You Need to Know