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Excellent video, Thank you.

You mention the wide range of ages in the staff. We have talked to several on board who have worked for Saga for a long time (staff are very loyal) and are now being followed by their children. That's nice to see. On our many cruises on different lines, we have found the Saga staff to be the most friendly and attentive. Nothing is too much trouble.

Great video! I’m on a Christmas cruise, can’t wait to board for the first time.

Very useful analysis, Rob. Many thanks.

I took my 24 year old grand daughter to Iceland recently, she absolutely loved the ship and what it had to offer, she did the singing for fun, Karaoke, she even learnt ballroom and latin american dancing which she really enjoyed, we had dance teachers Tom and Denise, and 2 dance hosts David and Martyn they were all brilliant helped people of all abilities to learn to dance plus they were available in the evening to partner and assist with support for the dances so you could be Solo and still have the chance to dance, there were arts and crafts, you could take knitting, crochet or needle craft and there was a knit and natter session every day, going up to iceland norway and other northern areas, ORCA were on board to help you to spot whales, dolphins and porpoises for example weather permitting you are allowed on the bow of the ship which is great for the fjords, all the food was great on board the dining room, the buffet, afternoon tea, pool area, as we were crossing the arctic circle we had the initiation ceremony which was ice cold water, complete with icecubes down your back and a blue painted nose, captain started the proceedings followed by staff captain, hotel services manager and entertainment manager, four cadets who were on board were next followed by passengers who wanted to take part, which a lot did including my grandaughter, the shows were really good in the theatre plus a freddie mercury tribute who was amazing, i wouldnt describe it as an older persons ship as you could do as much or as little as you wanted would really recommend it, my grandaughter wants to go again next year

Very interesting. My very first VV is on Scarlet in Jan. 2025. This video is helpful, as I'm rather nervous.

A very balanced review. Your point on photography is interesting. I personally dislike someone trying to take pictures of me on every occasion. If you want your photos carried out say in the dining room you can by visiting the desk and arranging prior to.

For cheese go to The Grill. You can go and select what you want and as much as you want.

Thanks Rob. Have i ly been on one cruise and that was a Saga one. I loved every minute except one night where I over indulged on the G&Ts. Can't wait to do my next one.

Took a shot everytime he said "now" . Ended up with liver failure. Too much talking, not enough photos or footage of the actual ship.

An excellent video, thank you. We are going on our first ever cruise on this ship in a few weeks, and you have given us such a good insight into what to expect. We were already really looking forward to it, but now even more so (if that's possibl lol).

Useful to know

Very informative video. Can always rely on you for a constructive & fair report. Thankyou.

Thank you for that video. I must say I have watched every video of scarlet lady I could find as this is our first virgin cruise aswell but your video is by far the best. You were so informative it was a pleasure to watch. Thankyou again.

Never again.

Very helpful. Thanks.

Just got off queen ann and were very disappointed overall by nearly everything it's not like the old queens having sailed on all of them since 1969 so will not use them again. The Americans just want big ships which they say are commercial viable, however, the European countries don't want them understanably,so will look for a different cruise company next time .

I cant wait to experience xx bolette in oct

I loved it after my initial thoughts were squashed.

Ps I've already rescheduled our winter cruise from QA to QV thank god!

Ank you for your review I found it a good one. I've been on QV and QE many times and am about to sail on QA next week, and tbh I'm nervous.... I found the cabin review very useful indeed and I'm worried where I hang my shirts and suits. This isn't good enough

Hi from Perth, Western Australia. Thanks for your honest review. I've heard so many people with the same opinions as yours. We actually booked a QA cruise for when she finally arrives here in 2026! After seeing the interiors on RUclips, we cancelled. We love the traditional feel of QE and QV but even they will be leaving the Aussie cruise market which makes us very sad.

We were on Queen Anne for the round Britain cruise, so we got on when you got off. One of the stops was Kirkwall, and while in port the Holland America Nieuw Statendam was also there. Our Captain announced that they were sister ships and from the outside they did look identical. I've always wanted to try a Holland America ship and now I feel that I have. Queen Anne definitely didn't feel like a Cunard ship.

Just recently returned from round Britain cruise. You are quite right for me it was hype over substance and for me no more Queen Anne. They might like to try to run the company with the new clientele they now seem to favour. As for entertainment it was mediocre. The much vaunted naming ceremony it was a big let down as no royalty breaking a tradition that was not lost on all the people I talked to. Sorry Cunard it was not the Cunard I knew.

Fabulous channel Rob. Really enjoying the content you've created, and your presentation of your experience on these ships. We've hit your Subscribe button ✔ and scattered the likes👍and will definitely be returning for more 'Rob Slater' soon 👍👍

Glad you had a positive experience of Bolette. Having sailed happily on Balmoral and Borealis, we have a great affection and admiration for Olsen as a cruise line, and Bolette is bound to be calling us to here decks sometime soon.

Some really interesting and pertinent points you've raised here, and frankly, many that we haven't seen or heard in other reviews of the ship. Yep, that coffee machine is a far too dominant feature on the dressing table. And that closet!....maybe we should go back to the days of huge ocean liner, steamer trunks of the old Cunard days, that had hanging compartments built in, and bring our own damn wardrobe on a trolly 😏

Rob, we were on the same cruise as you (the mad whale watching people at the front of the Commodore Club!). We agree with all your comments. It was our first Cunard cruise and we expected to be wowed but the quality of the whales and dolphins we saw made up for it.

Thanks for your very informative review. Bollette strikes me as my kind of ship and perhaps quite similar to the Ambassador Cruise Line ships.

I’ve returned from a cruise on the Bolette at the start of the month, and found the ship to be perfect for those who do want the “older” way of cruising. We saw no trouble, drunk passengers or wayward youngsters (all of which we’ve seen on larger cruise ships). The staff were lovely, the food plentiful and of the right mix. Fred. Olsen doesn’t try to match the other companies, it sails alone (pun intended), and I reckon more people return to them because of their stance in the market. I am so glad we found FO because we can look forward to sensible, relaxing and personal cruises in future. Your video hit the right spot, and others will appreciate the knowledge you’ve given them. 12:26 For those who want noise, over-crowding, late night drinking, possible trouble, go elsewhere, you’ll be disappointed with this lovely ship and its demographic of mid-60 year-old age groups !! Thanks FO.

Thank You Brian !!😃 You and your wife are going to love Queen Mary 2 !! May I offer you a helpful suggestion and hint ? If the two of you are travelling at the BRITANNIA LEVEL and want a table for just two , call Cunard now and ask for Table 408 👍 !! It’s on the lower level of the Britannia Dining Room , and located at the centre bottom of the huge mural ( woven tapestry ) of Queen Mary entering New York harbour. Check it out by just googling the images for the Britannia Dining Room QM2 , and you’ll find photos of the table! I always ask for that table when sailing abroad QM2 ! The lower level is for the “ early dining seating “ So you do have to want early dining and just a table for two people - but if that’s OK with you then your going to LOVE THE TABLE 👍👍👍 Fantastic sweeping views of the room in all directions and great privacy !! It’s right next to the huge “ Captain’s Table , but don’t get too excited about that because the Captain RARELY uses the table.?!? Sad that a great tradition from the old days is apparently slowly disappearing 😢🤷‍♂️. When you call Cunard, you might get someone on the line that might say “ We normally don’t do that “ or “ We can’t guarantee that you’ll get the table “ blah blah blah ••• just ignore that and say I want you to type that on my booking!! I Always get the table 👍😃 ! I think you will really love the table ! If you don’t want it for dinner every night, then just be at the front of the line for breakfast or lunch seating and ask the maitre’d for table 408 and experience it just once and see what you think. Anyway do enjoy QM2 ! She is truly Majestic and Beautiful !!!! Cheers 🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸. MikeW.

Thank You Brian for a wonderful , informative and entertaining video !! 👍 Of all the Queen Anne videos out there online currently, I think yours is the most accurate and intelligent. Your observations are absolutely the closest to my opinions of Queen Anne! I’ve always been an avid fan of Cunard since I was a small boy. Since retiring in 2017, I’ve been fortunate enough to indulge myself and my love of ocean travel. I’ve know sailed on all three of Cunard’s Queen’s including five Transatlantic crossings on QM2 . To me a transatlantic voyage is the ultimate !! As you said in your post “ sailing on Cunard “ is like stepping back in time to the “ GOLDEN AGE “ of sea travel. As I walk through the Queen’s visions of Mauretania, Titanic, Queen Mary, Normandie , Queen Elizabeth and QE2 dance through my head and heart!😌The Art Deco designs of the current Queens are amazing and beautiful !! The polished wood panelling, etched glass and polished metals are so welcoming and inviting !! As you perfectly said, they all have that Cunard WOW FACTOR !!! 😮😃❤️ I’ve always had a transatlantic maiden voyage on my bucket list ••• So I knew that Queen Anne was going to probably be my one and only chance! Many months ago, I booked the Queen Anne’s Transatlantic Maiden Voyage in January 2025 ! Since the ship debuted this month and all the online video tours have ( including your’s ) come online , I’ve been experiencing buyers remorse !!😮😒😢 I’m still going to soldier through and enjoy my “ Maiden Voyage “ but sadly not to the extent I was expecting and hoping! The interior design of Anne is the problem for me. She doesn’t look like a Cunard ship??!! As you said , NO WOW FACTOR !! It could be any ship from any cruise line !! MSC, VIRGIN, Carnival , Princess ect. 🥴 The Queens Room is disappointing, small and frankly just plain ugly ! The Promenade Deck is too narrow , no deckchairs and the lovely ocean views are blocked by low hanging lifeboats?? Some rooms are very nice ( Commodore Club , Golden Lion, Cabins and Pool areas) but many others have the look of an onshore contemporary mid-level hotel !?!?! I’ve already decided that I will be sailing aboard Queen Anne one and onetime only !😢🤷‍♂️ After that , it will be back to the beautiful Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and the majestic Queen Mary 2 in the future !!!! Big Mistake Cunard! Even the Christening and Naming ceremony in Liverpool was disappointing! No member of the Royal Family there to christen the ship ???!!! Well Perhaps some time in the future Cunard can rename and send the ship back to Carnival Corporation!! How about the “ Princess Disappointing “ 😂😂😂

I thought your overall review was well delivered and very fair. We are serious Cunard fans and are due to sail on QA in September. The hanging space in wardrobes concerns me and for that reason alone i will think twice before sailing on QA for a second time. We nearly always choose to cruise in an inside cabin as we spend so little time there but the lack of wardrobe space will be a big no no. I dont usually pay a lot of attention to other peoples comments regarding ship choice but I must say that I found your comments very interesting and fair. Thank you for that, we shall see in September what we make of the new Queen Anne.

Great video, very informative. Keep the coming.

This is how a review should be, clear detail, and unbiased opinion, well done. Unlike the many couples trying to be entertainers…..and failing miserably. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 👍👍

I've never yet been on a cruise. I find the big, modern ships utterly off-putting. But I have booked this year to sail with Fred Olsen on Bollette, a 27 night cruise to Canada, Greenland and Iceland. I'm travelling alone, as usual, so I m hoping that the experience will be a good one. I have heard excellent reviews of Fred Olsen cruises, and it seems like a good fit for me. Looking forward to it!

Although we loved Bolette unlike you, we did find it rather hectic, people were running from the theatre in time for the quiz as it was hard to get a seat. Even sea days , no time to sit and read with all they had to offer, so much to do and people were rushing to do it...Maybe as only 4 nights they wanted to fit everything in.

Very surprised to see myself on your video. Our first experience of a cruise, which enjoyed and found very relaxing.

Good review….its a fine ship

We are going on Queen V on 2 September for 14cdays. Really excited as only been on NCL and P&O. A bucket list trip. Thanks for the video

Thanks. Great review. We’re going on the QV in May this year…

I’m now so looking forward to this summer when we are sailing on Queen Victoria. Also, I love having the cabin tidied etc twice each day. As you say, it’s a part of the cruising experience.

Thanks for your detailed and informative video, Rob. I'm cruising on Q.V. next month, and I now have a much better idea of what to look forward to. Did you say you will be on Queen Anne's maiden voyage? You might see my friend Christine!

I was on Victoria with my sister and brother in law for the 4 day trip to Amsterdam mid September. We loved the shop and especially the evening entertainment at the Royal Court Theatre. The ship's troupe, led by Josh, were absolutely fantsstic and we never missed a show. We also found that the singer pianist was having the same trouble with the mic. Quite funny at first but quickly became annoying and I'm surprised to hear the problem was still ongoing for your voyage. As you say tho, a wonderful experience that I'd do again in a heartbeat. I'm on Queen Anne for the British Isles tour in May is that yours too?

We spent 39 days onboard last winter, sailing from NYC to Sydney. Absolutely fabulous from start to finish. The most amazing thing is that there is always seats available, on the sun deck sailing across the Pacific on a warm sunny day, in the lounges for before dinner drinks or the entertainment venues. Only exception was the self-serve laundry, which is always busy on these world voyages - you meet the nicest people in a Cunard laundry! As we progressed through the voyage, we routinely began meeting our tablemates for before dinner drinks at the Commodore Club, and then going down to dinner together. Very nice indeed!

Wonderful listening to yr experience. Like you, we have rebooked a cunard trip.

One comment… Dont advise people to open the stateroom door!

Just got of Queen vic Sunday after two weeks in Mediterranean fantastic cruise excellent food and staff , rebooked next year already .

Useful information. Thanks