Overall Score: 90/100 points
Overview: We just returned from the transatlantic Eastbound crossing of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. The sea was calm from the moment we left New York until the moment we docked in Southampton seven days later. The weather was overcast with some rain. We spent the entire six full days indoors, as the ship is a floating resort. You lose an hour five times when sailing to Europe, because of the five-hour time difference. On these days, the captain announced the ship’s position at noon and suddenly it was 1:00 PM! You could watch the hands on the clock move ahead an hour.
Boarding and Disembarking: Let’s divide this into two categories. Score: 5/10.
- Boarding: This went perfectly. With our Diamond status in World Club we were directed to “the short line.Because you enter your travel details online in advance, this moves very smoothly. Score: 5/5.
- Disembarking: This was a disaster. In the past, a UK Immigration Officer would setup in a lounge mid voyage, and passengers would show up at scheduled times based on their deck. You presented your passport and any paperwork. On this voyage, it appears 2,500 passengers needed to line up before disembarkation to meet with one of four (?) UK Immigration Officers on card tables in front of the casino. Your scheduled disembarkation time didn’t seem to matter. Score: 0/5.
Health: We are thankfully years past the pandemic, yet health onboard is still taken seriously. There are handwashing stations at the entrance to the Lido buffet. You do not serve yourself at the buffet: A crew member assists. There are plenty of sanitizer dispensers anywhere food is served. Single-use paper towels are used in the rest rooms. The cloth towels are history. Score: 10/10.
Ship Design: Queen Mary 2 has a loyal fan base. It’s an ocean liner, built for the rough weather you might encounter crossing the Atlantic. From previous experience, we know you need to get above level 8 on the 12 level Beaufort scale before you feel serious motion. The ship carries about 2,500 people yet rarely seems crowded. Score: 10/10.
Stateroom: We booked an inside cabin. Built in 2004, even the inside cabins are pretty spacious. There is plenty of storage space. The showers have plastic curtains. The toiletries are upscale. Score: 10/10.
Shopping: We have never experienced great shopping onboard a cruise ship, but they are trying. There is Reloved, a resale shop for luxury goods. The large jewelry store also sells preowned luxury watches. There is a talk on Faberge, aligning with the modern line the latest branch of the family is producing. We did not buy anything on this voyage. Score: 8/10.
Food: It was good. We dined in the Britannia Dining Room. This aligns to the class of cabin we booked. The Food and Wine pairing lunch was a good experience at $100/head. The two formal nights featured Chateaubriand and Beef Wellington respectively. You see less beef and more chicken pork or fish today. At this time, there is always salmon, steak or chicken available for dinner at no additional charge. Lobster and better steaks are available too, with a supplement. Score: 9/10.
Drink: Liquor is reasonably priced. Bear in mind there is no tax, although a service charge is automatically added. They have simplified the wine list, which many people will find beneficial. You can bring your own wine to the dining room, subject to a $25 corkage charge. Previously, wine was served in two pour sizes. Now, it’s one size. Overall, I was happy. Score: 10/10.
Entertainment: Cunard is famous for the Insights speaker series. On this voyage, a British Lord who worked at #10 Downing Street under the Conservatives was a speaker. There was a young couple who spoke about manners and etiquette in the 21st Century. They had a great approach, answering written questions from the audience. The World Cup matches were a big deal. The daily trivia sessions always packed the room. There were two galas, the Black and White Ball and the Masquerade Ball. Score: 10/10.
Internet/Technology/TV: The short answer is that’s its better on Queen Anne, which uses the Starlink system. The Internet connectivity was better than on previous QM2 voyages, but I still had problems. The iPhone stopped synching with the iPad after a couple of days. The staff at the Purser’s Office is helpful, but they couldn’t fix the problem. Both devices synched the moment we entered an airport lounge and signed onto their Wi-Fi. The TV still has about 20 channels and no on demand features. (Queen Anne does) Score: 8/10.
Staff attentiveness: This is an area where Cunard shines. Once you step beyond your cabin door, you are treated with respect by every crew member you encounter. They smile. They often address you by name. There is a difference between being treated as an equal and being treated royally. Here, you are treated royally. Score: 10/10.
Highlights:
- Food and Wine pairing lunch. Ibook this on every voyage. Lunch takes over two hours. Four courses paired with eight wines. It runs $100 now. Definitely worth it for wine fans.
- Champagne tasting. This was announced during the wine pairing lunch. About ten people attended. Five Laurent Perrier champagnes. The talk was excellent, as were the fancy hors d’oeuvres.
- Cunard Insights speaker program. I estimate there were five speakers, each delivering multiple presentations. Sometimes you get Olympic athletes or film stars. You might not attend all, but you should attend some.
- Progressive Trivia.It fills the room. The British love their pub quizzes. I think there are four separate quizzes each day, maybe more. The team I was on tied for first in progressive trivia. It’s a great way to meet people. Everyone knows something, no one knows everything.
- Kennels. Passengers can book accommodation for their dogs! They can visit with them a few times every day. There is a lamppost from Liverpool and a New York fire hydrant.
- Staff attitude. This is invaluable. In a world where we are rushed and often overloaded with information, here you are treated with respect and a smile.
- Smooth sailing.We were fortunate to have calm seas. You will appreciate the design of the ship if we do not have calm seas.
Areas of Improvement:
- Disembarkation. There must be a better way. Everyone lining up means the line extends the length of the ship. If you have a connection to make, you will have anxious moments.
- Ship to airport transfer. Logically, there should be more than one bus heading to Heathrow. he ship holds 2,500 people! Instead of filling one bus after another and sending them off, each bus has a roster of assigned passengers. It doesn’t leave until everyone is on board. The problems come from the disembarkation procedure mentioned earlier.
- Technology. The technology has gotten better, but it is still not where it should be. The TV might have multiple channels, but what will they be showing next? I could not find a TV program listing in our cabin. Also, the iPhone should be able to synch with the iPad. It did earlier in the voyage and on previous voyages.
Cunard is still a favorite cruise line. Queen Mary 2 is my favorite of their ships, although my wife prefers Queen Victoria.
Photo courtesy Cunard
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