Queen Elizabeth by Nicola

Me and my colleagues were invited aboard queen Elizabeth for a full tour and lunch, this was my first experience of Cunard and it was everything I imagined rich luxurious and very grand.

We had a warm greeting from the staff as we embarked after passing through security we entered the grand lobby and very grand it is.

If you are looking for a cruise with class then this is definitely for you there is something for everyone without attending one of the many seminars on board the ship itself is full of history and fine art work.

This ship oozes class luxurious marble and polished wood not forgetting the huge chandeliers If you are spending a day at sea there a lot to keep you entertained, if you like to keep active there is lots to choose from and if you like to relax and pamper yourself there is a wide range of treatments available.

I can highly recommend the food on board as we were treated to a 3 course lunch in the beautiful Britannia restaurant.

I look forward to sailing with Cunard in the near future to have the full experience.

Arcadia by Kelly

I was given the opportunity to have a guided ship visit on board the Arcadia when she came into Liverpool.

I found a warm feel to the ship and the staff were very friendly. The ship has a lovely relaxed pace which you feel as soon as you step on board. The ship also has some very prominent features like its glass lifts and huge range of art on board. In fact, whilst admiring the art, a member of staff kindly informed me there were over 3,000 works of art on board!!

The food was very good and the service was excellent. From the Asian Fusion restaurant, The Orchid to the Gary Rhodes Restaurant ‘Arcadian Rhodes’, there is plenty to choose from - a total of 4 restaurants in fact!!

I would also say that if you do have a day at sea, the ship offers a wide variety of daytime activities, my favorite would be the spa with its own hydrotherapy pool and lovely fragrant aromatic showers! They also have a fully stocked gym if you feel the need to burn some extra calories from all that lovely food.

Also of an evening you would never find yourself at loss of what to do there’s a cinema, casino, theatre, nightclub and 6 indoor bars to choose from! It even has its own pub that hosts karaoke nights and live bands.

I would recommend this ship and would travel on it myself.

Holland America Line's Rotterdam by Nicki

I was given the opportunity to visit Holland America Rotterdam when she came into Liverpool.

The ship is one of the five star class of Holland America and the décor onboard is very elegant with rich polished woods and comfortable furnishings. The décor features Holland America memorabilia throughout. The atmosphere onboard was very inviting and I found that the staff were very friendly and attentive to the needs of the passengers onboard.

We were fortunate to experience a taste of dining onboard where we ate in the elegant two level La Fontaine Dining Room which continues with the elegant décor found onboard as well as enormous glass windows overlooking the stern which would provide beautiful sea views whilst sailing. The dining staff were very attentive to our every need and the food was of high standard as you would except from a five star ship.

Whilst onboard we had the chance to have a self guided tour. If passengers preferred a change in dining they also have the option to visit The Pinnacle grill which provides an intimate, luxurious and romantic feel and represents exceptional dining. The cuisine served here is Pacific Northwest cuisine and levies a $20 service charge. On the Lido deck passengers also have the option to buffet lunch and casual breakfast as an option and the menu here is extensive including salad, drink, deli and dessert along with stir fry stations. Snacks such as burgers and hotdogs are accessible from pool side until 4pm.

Passengers can experience a number of activities whilst onboard and we got the chance to take a wander through the spa and salon area. Here passengers can relax and rejuvenate enjoying luxury spa therapies such as massages. The ship also features a fully equipped fitness centre with fitness trainers on hand to help get the perfect regime for you. There are also a number of classes offered to passengers. Onboard activities also include two refreshing outdoor pools, basketball courts, tennis and volleyball courts. If this doesn’t appeal and you would like to adopt a relaxing attitude whilst onboard Rotterdam also offers a whirlpool, hot tub, sauna and steam room.

It’s not all about the adults about Rotterdam. The ship is a family friendly ship and offers club HAL for ages 3-7 and ages 8-12 which offers stories, arts and crafts and other activities and workshops. Teenagers can rest assured they are not left out, they have exclusive areas onboard in the form of ‘The Loft’ and ‘The Oasis’.

I would recommend this ship to passengers considering travelling on a five star ship and would definitely travel on it myself.