We’ve embarked on another journey! A new ship and a new destination. We’re heading for the Panama Canal from Los Angeles to Miami on Queen Anne.
We left from San Pedro Cruise Terminal after a wonderful night at the Fairmont Breakers in Long Beach. The itinerary is 14 nights, with only three stops between LA and Miami: Puerto Quezal, Guatemala before Panama Canal transit, then Curaçao and Aruba. So lots of relaxing days at see!
The flight down from Seattle was uneventful. I midday flight on Delta with three carry-on sized suitcases, two backpacks, and one additional, insanely large, suitcase we picked up just for the trip. The only hiccup was getting to the airport. Just before our driver was to arrive, we got a text that he had a flat tire. Substitute on the way but put us about 30 minute behind schedule. Thankfully, we always bake in an hour at the airport before boarding. Curbside check-in and Clear+TSA preCheck made the process a breeze; we were in the concourse within 10 minutes!
This cruise is the next to last segment of Queen Anne’s 2026 World Voyage. She left Hamburg, Germany on January 6th, returning to Hamburg on May 2nd. There are about 1,000 passengers who have been aboard the whole journey! Turnover here at Los Angeles/San Pedro was about 700, we’re told.
Check in and boarding was easy, once we convinced our Uber driver to NOT take us to the giant NCL ship berthed next to us, already getting a chance to recall my rudimentary Spanish from high school days. We arrived at the port at about 11:15, a little before our assigned 11:45 AM boarding time. There was already a line to get in the terminal. After a short wait, we were allowed in to queue for another line to actually check-in. We already did most of the process online, but fresh mug shots to be taken, passports verified, then off to security and immigration. We were on board by noon.
We had our plan of attack set. First to the spa to make sure we were able to get the day-use package for the voyage. We’d heard that they only sell a limited number each voyage, so wanted to get there early. Those secured, I entered us in the drawing for a massage (I won $100 credit toward said massage!). Next stop was the gift shop to get a ship’s model, but that was closed while in port, same with getting a rental tux for Kevin. So, off to lunch with a stop at the concierge to secure excursion plans for Guatemala. All the interesting excursions were sold out online, besides, all far too long for our liking (5+ hrs). Best we could do was private driver for $999. No thanks!
First Lunch
We weren’t entirely thrilled with our assigned table. We didn’t sign up for a shared table so we can’t be disappointed by the company (just ourselves). Rather, the restauant is long and narrow with our table at the very end. It’s like walking the runway to get to our seats passing everyone else. We have managed to strike up conversation with some nice couples in the area, which we enjoy. Bellies full, it’s time to check out our stateroom.
First, a little about cabins and cabin categories in Cunard. There are four categories of cabins, each associated with there namesake primary dining room. These are, from most economical to least: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, Queens Grill. More about the dining options by room category here: Cunard Dining
We originally booked in Princess Grill (P2 grade), but the only cabins available at the time were right below the main buffet and the deck had no cover from rain or sun, or buffet patrons. So we upgraded to a P1 category, still Princess Grill, we knew these cabins were all better locations, but we could not choose a specific cabin. Several months before the cruise we received an offer to bid on an upgrade. At the time, we passed on the offer feeling we had already paid enough. A few weeks later, we received the offer again. Feeling a little more “generous” we made a modest bid, just above the suggested minimum. About a week before the cruise, we got word of the upgrade coming through! We were now in the lowest category of Queens Grill; Suite 6236, right on the stern. Of course a YouTube search was in order to learn everything we could about the suite.
But now we’re here. With us not yet being videographers, you, dear reader, are just going to have to enjoy old-school photos.
Now to unpack. We could have had our butler do this, yes really! But we have yet to see them, nor the room steward. Thankfully, this suite has lots of drawers and cabinets. No walk-in closets, but that’s OK. Just could use about three more hangers.
Our butler, Ludel, did stop by to introduce himself. After a quick run down of the room features, he took our in-room bar order. The suite is entitled to two bottles of booze or wine. If we finish two whole liters, he’ll bring more! We opted for a bottle of gin and one of Baileys which he quickly brought along with a variety of tonics for the gin. Shhh…don’t tell the butler, but I think the booze will be coming home with us.
By now it’s time for afternoon tea which we found in the Princess Grill today. I’m not much a tea drinker so chose Prosecco while Kevin stuck with tradition.
Time for a nap!
Before we knew it, time for happy hour rolled around. Each day one of the lounges, the Commodore Club, sets aside space for an LGBTQ+ meet up at 5:00pm. We popped in to find a good sized crowd of 10-12 people, some newcomers to the ship, others who had been on since the beginning of the Work Cruise. It’s nice to get to know a few faces you’ll be seeing throughout the trip.
Dinner…
After seeing the last of Los Angeles disappear from view and sunset over Catalina Island, it was time to get ready for dinner.
Cunard is known for its formal dress Gala Evenings. Some find this intimidating and stuffy. For us, it’s one of the reasons we like Cunard. On this two week cruise, there are only three formal nights. The rest are “smart casual” or “resort wear.” Not fancy, though jackets encouraged for men but certainly not required, same for ties. To save me a bunch of typing, you can read about it all here if interested: What to Pack
That said, tonight was Smart Casual, as typical for embarkation day. After a busy day and getting settled, it would just be too much to get dressed up. Beside, they need a few days to make some money from laundry pressing, and all that the salon has to offer for hair and nails before the big event.
We kept it pretty casual, even skipping the jackets tonight and had dinner in The Queen’s Grill.
Dinner started with an amuse bouche of Tuna Tatare with Pineapple Chutney. For my entree, I had the Grilled Duck Breast. If we had dessert, I don’t recall what it was, nor do I have a picture. One thing I know for certain, however, is that after every diner, they bring out a selection of sweets, consisting of differing jellies and chocolates. We definitely had some of those!
After a quick duck into the Commodore Club for a night cap and a “hello” to some familiar faces from the evening’s happy hour, it was time to call it a night. It being Easter Sunday, these little guys were waiting for us when we got back to our room.
If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a big thank you for sticking with me. I hope you enjoyed it. There will be more to come, but hopefully not this long!
Good night all!