I'm on a luxury cruise that's one of the first to leave from the UK since the pandemic. Here are my impressions so far.

Mikhaila FrielOct 14, 2021, 23:24 IST

Mikhaila Friel on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I'm one of 1,248 passengers on Cunard's first cruise ship to leave the UK since January 2020.
The sold-out, five-night Western Europe cruise will port in Amsterdam for two days.
Owned by Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard is more formal than its American counterpart.

I'm currently on board Cunard's Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, which sailed out of Southampton, England, on October 13.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth ship pictured at Southampton, England. Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images

One month before the cruise, I purchased my ticket. A standard inside stateroom cost £628, or around $856.

A Standard Inside Stateroom. Cunard

The various health checks required before boarding were a stark reminder of how much the travel industry has changed.

My passport and vaccination letter. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

When I arrived at Southampton port, I was directed to the COVID-19 testing center.

The COVID-19 test centre at Southampton. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The rest of the check-in process went smoothly.

The check-in desk. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Then it was time to embark the ship.

Embarkation. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The first thing I saw - and heard - upon stepping onto the ship was live music.

The Queen Elizabeth reception area. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The reception staff left guests to find their rooms themselves.

At the reception area. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

My 152-square-foot room is small but luxurious.

My room. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

My TV was already switched on when I arrived and was playing a safety instruction video.

The safety instructions video. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Then it was time to explore the ship.

At the Queen's Room on Deck 2. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The ship has 12 decks, and luckily there were maps around to help me find my way.

A map of the ship. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was surprised by how empty some parts of the ship felt on my first evening.

I asked the only other person in the Queen's room to take my photo. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Cunard is known as one of the most formal cruise lines, and it's not hard to see why.

A grand staircase. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There are various references to royalty throughout the ship.

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

As the ship prepared to depart Southampton, I was surprised by how many people relaxed into cruise life right away.

The outer deck. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I'm one of the youngest people on the ship, but thankfully not the only solo traveler.

I met two new friends on board. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I can't wait to see what the rest of the trip has in store.

By the pool and hot tub area. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Inside Le Bal des Débutantes, where daughters of royalty, Hollywood icons, and politicians have made high society debuts since 1994

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