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Cunard Line

Queen Mary 2

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Herbert Gopstein
# previous cruises: 10
Date of Trip: July 17, 2005
Itinerary: Transatlantic

This was our 10th "cruise" so we had something to compare against. There were some things we liked and some things we did not. Overall, while it was worth doing "once", I am not sure I would want to do it again. I am in my 70's and we are basically "lazy cruisers". We really do not participate in a lot of activities, nor do we go to a lot of shows, or gamble much. Mostly we cruise to relax and enjoy the ship, enjoy the good food and enjoy getting to know the group at the dinner table. We were in the Britannia dining room and had a deck six cabin with a balcony. Actually, we had booked a deck six with no balcony, but our booked room was already occupied so they moved us along on the same deck to a balcony room. As it happened, the weather was kind od rainy and overcast most of the trip so we spent little time either outside or on the balcony.

Disembarkation was quick and smooth, however, getting to the ship by car (dropped off by a friend) was a bit of a horror. We were not allowed to turn off 12th Avenue into the dock and had to stumble our way around the west side of Manhattan until we found the "secret entrance " to the pier.

I think the public areas were attractive and comfortable, although my wife complained that she had trouble finding a quiet space to just sit down and read. Interestingly, the thing she liked the best was the art deco interior treatment of the elevators. I was surprised at how small each elevator was compared to past ships. However, most of the time the elevator traffic was not bad. (There was an exception on embarkation where we had to get on an elevator que for a half an hour just to get to our cabin). Also, unlike past cruises, no one took us to our cabin. We had to find it on our own. I found the ship layout confusing with one public room stuck here and another one stuck there - wherever they could find a spot to stick it. I had the darndest time just finding the pools. ( I think I found 3 of the 4 - never did find the fourth).

This too, was a mixed-bag. On a 1 to 10 scale, we have been on cruises where the food was 9 to 9.5. Probably, our average cruise food (on lines like Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Carrib, Norwegian) would have been an 8.5 to a 9. Overall, I would give the QM2 food an 8 to 8.5 rating. I think it should have been higher. The service in the Britannia was good and the waiters were friendly. However, of the six dinners, there was only one night where I was able to find an entree offered that I would really like. The deserts were "weird". The Kings Court setup of 4 different styles of food was interesting. the food quality was good but not outstanding. The selection variety was excellent. Also, the Kings Court late night "Snack" setup was the most extensive and the best I have ever seen on any ship.

I would say the cabin was the best set up of any ship I have been on It is a bit roomier than prior cabins ( the original no-balcony room we had booked was the same size room). It was well laid out, had plenty of closet space and the bathroom and shower were fine. Plus ++ for the cabin. With the pod motor drives and no ship propeller shaft, it was quiet. I do not know if it was because the seas where calm or because of the stabilizers, but the run was exceptionally smooth and (mostly) free of vibration.

The staff at the desk was friendly, although they could have been a bit more knowledgeable. We generally skip shows, although I did sit through part of one and enjoyed a "Pickpocket " Demonstrator.

This was our first cruise with more than two days at a time an sea, and after six days, given our lack-of-activity approach, it got a bit wearing. But, this is not the ship's fault. There were things to do if we wanted to do them.

The fellow passengers, particularly at our table of 10, were very much like those on our prior cruises and we enjoyed their company.