Queen Mary 2 Reviews

Author: Phil Longford

Summary:  We have just done the Northern Highlights cruise. First cruise, and was very impressed. The ship actually 'looks' like a ship, rather than the floating hotels of some other companies. Dressing for dinner may be a little old fashioned, but it makes the whole thing more of an event. Food was superb. Go for late sitting, then ask waiter for advice. They will have seen what is on offer at the earlier sitting. Always correct! Alcohol not cheap, but then who needs loads of drunkards wallowing around? The scale and style of the ship is awesome. Room was immaculate, and cleaned twice a day. 24 hour room service, with all food, tea, coffee etc, if you want it. If you are visiting ports, suggest a glass fronted balcony. Not sure if it is worth upgrading to the Princess/Queens Grill. Went to Todd English Restaurant, and, although food was very fancy, there was more atmosphere in the Britannia Restaurant. ie, girl on a harp, playing theme to Titanic. Not sure I would go trans-Atlantic (not much to look at), but Norway is stunning. Moored at Stavanger, tiny port, right at centre of town, and joined by Queen Elizabeth. Quite a sight! If you want a relaxing break, and are not concerned about your waistline, go for it!

Author: David Good

Summary:  QM2 . YES PLEASE . Cannot wait till August

Author: Benjamin Loose

Summary:  Transatlantic Eastbound departing NYC on 3rd January. Had read mixed reviews on various sites so didn't know what to expect. It was my parters 40th birthday present so I wanted it to be special. For some reason Cunard upgraded us from an obstructed balcony cabin to a Princess Grill junior suite. WOW! First impressions of QM2 are wonderful - so graceful, grand and impeccable. Our suite was wonderful - large room with a sofa, dressing room and large bathroom. Wonderful linens and spotlessly clean. Princess Grill restaurant is wonderful too. Staff are attentive and menu is wonderful - no request was a problem. All other staff were great too. Entertainment was of a high standard and there is something for everyone on the enrichment programme. I simply can't fault this ship or the Cunard Line. Yes we were treated to a wonderful upgrade and I would love to travel in the Grills again, but had we been in the cheapest inside cabin I imagine we would have met the same, interesting people, and had an equally wonderful time. There is something enchanting about crossing the Atlantic on this majestic ship - being away from everything, yet part of something special.

Author: Helen Baldwin

Summary:  Our cruise took us from Southampton to Dubai (where we spent 2 extra nights in a hotel) . It was magnificant!! - an elegant ship beautifully decorated she offered first class entertainment , wonderful food and excellent staff who catered to every whim with a smile. We will definately use this ship for another cruise . Thankyou for a wonderful trip .

Author: Dawn

Summary:  Jan 10-feb 9th 2013. We had a great time but never lived up to our expectataions- it just wasn't as good as last year on Elizabeth. I don't blame the company in as much as unfortunatly we are not paying enough for our cruises and like the situation with the food industry and supermarkets it as meant that there is an errosion of standards and what was luxury is just 3 star . The captain and crew were excellent. The kings court was not great, food in restaurant had small portions but we found it ample and very good. Where you noticed a lack of feel good factor/luxury was how difficult it was to get lunch after 2pm, being well travelled europeans we are used to eating lunch after 2pm and dinner late but they would be closing gantrys and not wanting to serve being more intrested in getting afternoon tea out, bars would close while we were still drinking with friends and in the restaurant we would be asked to leave as they wanted to set up for next meal. Enrichment one area where it has always met expectations and still did.

Author: Martin D Lay

Summary:  My wife and I plus 2 close friends cruised from 4th to 15th December to Madeira,Canaries and Portugal - We found the QM2 offered superb quality of comfort, cleanlines and food. The entertainment surpassed any other we have experienced with 2 theatres and plenty of room in both. We were upgraded to a balcony which was fine albeit needing a little tlc but as we experienced rain mainly on the sea days this did not devalue the experience. There is plenty to occupy the passengers and seating outside with walking facilities around the ship. The crew were A1 at all times. The only problem seemed to be created by the few elderly passengers who are never satisfied and will always find somthing to moan about. Why on earth these people bother to cruise is beyond our comprehension. We joined the cruise at Southampton following the Atlantic crossing and met wonderful US citizens as a result. To sum up we all will return to cruise on the QM2 in the near future and would recommend Cunard to all. Martin, Bicester.

Author: Chris

Summary:  Went on this cruise on the 4th dec to 15th dec and decided to treat ourselves to balcony cabin. It's a pity they dont show pictures of our balcony in there brochures as know no one would book them. It was terrible 5* is a joke, I wouldn't put my dog out there! Not cleaned once in all the 11 days rusty old table and chairs as was the balcony full of rust. It was cleaned the morning we left, but i cannot see that improving it much. Still while walking the decks lots was blocked off being repainted. Food wasn't bad but not 5*. Ship needs a good overhall, not while passengers on board. Twice in 11 days asked if i would like a drink with my food at lunch .Also when i got home some of my clothes was missing and yes we checked room top to bottom to make sure we had packed everything. I enjoyed the cruise but not 5*.

Author: Frequent Traveller

Summary:  I have recently returned from a crossing to New York on the QM2. It is very large and maybe a bit too large as you get no feeling for the ship. It is in very good conditions showing small signs of wear but that is no bad thing. I had a Queen Grill cabin which was spacious, very comfortable bed, walk in wardrobe and excellent bathroom but the shower was over the bath with high sides so for older people not too easy to get in particularly if the ship is moving. The Queens Grill is a disappointment, the Britannia Restaurant being a more interesting room, and as a regular travelling on this route for 30 years seen the standards slip. The menus are uninspiring with a daily menu plus the same four old fashioned classic dishes on the menu every evening e.g. Beef Wellington. As far as I could see the food is more or less the same no matter which restaurant you dine in. You can still order ‘off menu’ but on this crossing the maître d was anything but enthusiastic to do the extra work! The two Grill rooms look like an after though at the back of the ship with no views except for other passengers walking and jogging around the open deck and is adjacent to the food court which is like a large cafeteria. It is a curious sight in the evening seeing passengers in evening dressing jostling with people wearing slacks and sports shirts pushing with trays to get to the counter. Cunard is now a part of a large American cruise company so has little in common with the old Queen Mary and Cunard. The British naval tradition, which they push, is only a marketing tool because, apart from the senior officers, it is very much an American experience. The Todd English restaurant I found overrated with highly salted food and curious pairings of ingredients and not worth the extra although I overheard an American passenger say it was one of the best meals he had ever had, so you pay your money and take your choice. Outside of the windows of this restaurant appeared to be the external smoking area for all passengers which was not very pleasant when you are eating. The crew on the whole were very personable and efficient except for the maître d in the Queens Grill who seemed to have little enthusiasm for his job until it came to the end when he expected to be tipped. It remains a very enjoyable way to cross to New York if you are realistic about your expectations but I would think seriously about paying thousands of pounds more for the Grills Experience’ and, apart from the larger cabin, not sure it is worth it. Also bear in mind the ship now docks in Brooklyn so not only is it an expensive taxi ride into Manhattan but also you lose the thrill of docking in mid-town Manhattan next to the skyscrapers and hotels.

Author: Pawel Jarzebowski

Summary:  The ship is superb elegant and very glamorous. It is a massive ship, very stable and at 150 000 tons with only half the number of guests (2620 guests) of other similar size ships she boasta a much higher crew to guest ratio. The ship is very nicely decorated, a lot of art deco interiors also with lots of history of the other Canard ships. Decor is very luxurious. There is plenty of outdoor space which is great especially for summer months cruises. There are three outdoor pools and hot tub areas, large promenade deck. There are many activities ranging from dance lessons, discos, quoits, virtual golf, wine tastings and many more. The planetarium is fun and very educational also the lectures and shows are very intellectually stimulating. Cabins are very good size with plenty of room The food is first class and service is excellent very friendly but professional. The ship is magnificent, and the entire experience of cruising on QM2 is very British. I would recommend this ship.

Author: Bev Barter

Summary:  Recently went on QM2 to the Canary Islands, we had a sheltered balcony, which was fine for us, although when you sit down you can't see the seat. We didn't go on the organised trips, but found each port easy to navigate by either walking around the towns or get local buses and taxis, which await you at the ports.