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We booked a QM2 crossing and return flight on "Silverjet" through the travel agency and not with Cunard directly.
The sail date was August 9th (which according to the Cunard brochure is a high season date). The ship is absolutely beautiful inside..it really is pretty spectacular although I always feel the designers have made a dreadful mistake with having to avoid using the (deck 3) Britannia dining room "straight through" route to the Queen's Room where many functions take place. You are forced to go down a few steps to deck 2 by individual lift for those who are non ambulant, walk through the photograph display dept. and up another few steps at the other end (or use the lift again) to enter the Queen's Room for afternoon tea or dance class or whatever activity is planned to happen there. No wonder passengers are sometimes seen to cross through the dining room even when a meal is being served.
The Royal Court theatre is another slight disappointment to me design- wise. There are pillars which could block your view and late- comers have to stumble across the feet of the early bird arrivals already trying to watch a show after the lights go down, because there is no obvious route to avoid doing this. I have been "stood on" several times as other passengers were distracted in trying to see their way in the dark without an obvious route to get to the free seats further away from the entrances..
However, these are really details that would not spoil your experience.
The staterooms are very comfortably furnished and despite having a communicating door this trip, we heard nothing from the neighbours..
Disembarkation was according to whether or not you were willing to self help, or pick up your luggage in the terminal in due course. Your time of departure was again chosen for you according to your hotel destination, airport selection etc. We were last to leave as we were termed "independents".
We set off for Newark airport and reached it in less than the time allowed for transfer. The Silverjet lounge was not technically due to open until 3 hours before flight time so it was to the staff's credit they took us in without any fuss when they did not have to. Some left their luggage in the care of the lounge and went off to do their own thing. We took advantage of the lounge comforts which were various and welcoming.
Our luggage was tagged by the staff, passports and boarding cards for the flight were all sorted out by the staff. We read the papers and waited in comfort! In due course our gate was announced and we made our way to the aircraft...spacious seating , efficient staff to welcome us aboard. We are not regular business seat travellers so it was very enlightening to feel the aircraft staff wanted to make you comfortable and at ease. We made the most of the flight...toilet for ladies only (along with other general cubicles) a good TV system personal to you, a nice meal, and a seat that reclined to allow you to lie out after your meal / wine was served and dishes etc tidied away when finished.
It goes without saying we made full use of our seat "bed" and had to be awakened next morning with only half an hour to landing. The use of the Silverjet lounge in Luton post flight was a terrific bonus too.... we waited there in comfort and were able to use all the Silverjet facilities again before making our way to the Easyjet check-in for the last flight of our journey.
Would we fly with Silverjet again...definitely!!!
Would be do it in conjunction with a Cunard cruise...if we could not book Silverjet independently, we would have to.
We think it is a good deal to upgrade to it using the allowance you get in your package from Cunard which already includes an overnight flight home in an economy seat with another carrier....if you can stretch your budget to cost it in.
Ian and Yvonne Barrie, Penicuik, Scotland.
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