New Cunard Queen will be a ‘thoroughly modern Millie’

From the outset Cunard have promised a return to the traditional age of cruising on the new Queen Elizabeth – something I am really looking forward to seeing, but Cunard are savvy enough to recognise the need for something new to appeal to the next generation of Cunarders, some key features to give Elizabeth her own personality. So, what exactly do they have in store for us?

The Verandah: The ship’s fine-dining venue, helmed by Cunard’s own chef, Jean-Marie Zimmermann, will replace the Todd English celebrity restaurant concept found on Cunard’s other two Queens. New here for Cunard is an a la carte pricing scheme; instead of a flat cover fee, passengers pay per course ($6 to $7 for appetizers, $16 to $18 for mains and $6 to $7 for desserts). Service is included; no additional tips are expected. Those who take all courses essentially pay the same as they would for an onboard restaurant with a $30 cover charge.The Verandah Grill was a staple — for first-class passengers only — on the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. This version will be located on Deck 2 of the ship and serve French cuisine, so look for dishes like monkfish and fish bouillabaisse, magret duck, baked brie de meaux brioche and hot vanilla souffle.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

Grand Lobby: The highlight of the three-deck-high Grand Lobby will be a unique piece of art by David Linley, the Queens newphew. (It won’t be installed until just before launch.) I’m really curious about this one. Maybe it’s a sculpture of his Aunt!

Lawn Games: On a sun deck all the way forward, Cunard has created a new sports deck. This will feature English garden bowls, paddle tennis and croquet (on artificial grass). It all sounds a bit like Celebrity to me – minus the ‘real’ grass of course.
The Britannia Club concept, pioneered on Queen Mary 2, gets its first stand-alone restaurant on Queen Elizabeth. It’s patterned after the Grill-style dining (though serving food from Britannia’s kitchens) and means passengers in the highest category of standard cabins (AA Club balconies only) will have their own restaurant. It’s a set-table scenario but, unlike Britannia’s two-seating setup for dinner, passengers can dine at the “club” any time they like within the venue’s operating hours.
Art Gallery Innovations: Cunard is the latest cruise line to abandon the oft-loathed tradition of onboard art auctions. While more details are not yet available, the art gallery onboard — organized by a London firm — will be a real gallery, focusing on shows that highlight specific artists.

Midships Bar: Situated on Deck 3, it is named after the original bar on the original Queen Elizabeth. It will pay tribute to the ship with 1930’s artwork and a piano for Ivor Novello evenings.
Cunard Place, the space between the grand lobby and the Queens Room that, on Victoria, is a bit of a Cunard museum will still pay tribute to the line’s longtime ties to royalty. But, the kiosk in the center — which disturbed the flow of passengers moving between areas — will not be there, so there’s more space. And, nicely, a nondescript jewelery shop that was tucked away there will become Cunard’s ever-popular book and memorabilia store, a nicer and more relevant spot for this highlight.

In a delightful though minor addition to the Grills’ areas, passengers in the loftiest accommodations will have use of a strategically placed pair of telescopes that will provide literally a bird’s-eye view of ports, whether coming or going.
Royal Arcade: Shopping on Queen Elizabeth will be an upmarket affair — among the offerings, which Cunard announced in August 2010, are products from the London-based store, Fortnum & Mason. The English shop will offer unique teas, preserves and biscuits onboard. In addition to Fortnum & Mason, there will be products from men’s designer, Hackett; Scottish woollen shop, Harris Tweed, and handbags and accessories from Anya Hindmarch.
I have to say it all sounds ‘terribly nice’ and ‘very British’. Whilst I’m on board I’m going to make a real effort to see as many of these features as I can, time permitting, so if there is anything that you want me to look at in particular just let me know.