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10 Things to Know About Doing a Crossing on the Queen Mary 2

Scores of cruisers are fans of the leisurely and fun journey that a crossing on Queen Mary 2 offers. The ship is noted for its transatlantic routes between New York and Southampton, England. I joined for my first crossing on Queen Mary 2 (actually, my first transatlantic on any ship) to learn why it’s so popular. 

It’s a must-try voyage for avid cruisers.

Why take just seven hours to cross the Atlantic when you can take seven days instead?

I learned a lot about this iconic way to travel between America and England. 

Here are 10 things to know before you make your first crossing on Queen Mary 2. 

It’s an Ocean Liner, Not a Cruise Ship  

Queen Mary 2 is the world’s only ocean liner. It had its first voyage in early 2004, and any other liners that were on the oceans at the time have since been retired. 

Ocean liners differ from cruise ships in how they are built and their purpose. 

Queen Mary 2 has specially shaped bow that is longer and designed to be able to swiftly slice through rougher sea conditions while giving passengers a smoother experience. The hull is also about twice as thick (up to 1.5 inches) as those on today’s cruise ships . This makes the vessel safer and stronger.

Queen Mary 2, like ocean liners of years past, offers pleasure cruises , of course, but the ship is known for its principle purpose to transport passengers between points, in this case NYC and Southampton. That is, back and forth along the same “line” — thus ocean liner.

You Won’t Be Bored, Unless You Want to Be

With no port stops for seven days in a row, Cunard has built a program that features tons of stuff to do. There is something for everyone from the list of daily activities. The ship carries up to 2,700 cruisers, and we sailed with about 1,900. The ship was bustling but never too crowded on our voyage that started under beautiful blue and sunny skies as we left the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in late afternoon and sailed past the Statue of Liberty and under the Verrazano Bridge. Passengers gathered on the promenade on Deck 7 to grab up the loungers there and bid the city farewell during a stunning sailaway experience.

During the week, Colleen and I enjoyed spa and gym time; she had two massages, and we both hit the fitness center daily and tried out the thermal spa on Queen Mary 2. 

We also took part in a specialty cocktail class in the beautiful Commodore Lounge. The class showed us seven different creative signature concoctions that pay homage to notable past commodores of the Cunard fleet.

The program includes dance classes (waltz, tango and more), bridge lessons, water color painting, flower arranging, trivia contests, card-playing groups, movies in the Illumination theater and theme nights. 

We had a Black & White gala and a Roaring 20s night during our sailing, and cruisers really got into the spirit with fancy outfits.

The enrichment talks in the theaters and other venues featured guest lecturers who gave interesting chats on topics such as the history and growth of London, astronomy, and the original Queen Mary ocean liner (in service from 1936 to 1967), which had a fascinating life on the seas before being retired as a tourist attraction in Long Beach, California.

My favorite part of the program for our cruise , though, was the daily talks put on by The Greatest Generations Foundation, an organization that works with Cunard to bring onboard veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. During our voyage, we sailed with 18 vets from WWII and Vietnam who shared fascinating tales of their time serving during these frightful wars.

Each morning, a moderated session allowed us to hear stories from war heroes describing certain missions. 

These were highly emotional chats that brought both the vets and audience members to tears at times. Some of these guys are real characters, such as 102-year-old Steven Melnikoff, who discussed his role in storming the beaches at Normandy on D-Day in the morning, then was seen on the dance floor until late at night in the ship’s G32 night club.

Barry Beck and James T. Lawrence told us about their experiences in Vietnam, and Tuskegee Airman James Harvey, 98, told us about his experiences battling the enemy and racism.

VIDEO: Full Ship Tour of Queen Mary 2

The Ship Is a Floating Museum 

Art , photos and sculptures are featured in nearly every area of Queen Mary 2. These pieces can be found in common areas, stairwells, and lounges and bars . They give the ship an elegant ambiance and also show off pieces that highlight the ship and Cunard Line’s combined heritage tied to the monarchy and maritime accomplishments.

Cunard Connexions is a mini-museum space that wraps around the ship on Deck 2, and it has corridors filled with photos and plaques, as well as interactive screens and artifacts on display. Cruisers can spend a lot of time perusing the corridors trying to see all that is on display on QM2.

Queen Mary 2 even has the only true library and book store at sea, with stacks filled with all kinds of books to fulfill any traveler’s tastes or needs .

The Weather Can Change Quickly Along Your Route 

We had a mix of sunny and overcast days during our crossing in early June. Make sure to pack plenty of layers. There were only a couple of days that were ideal for being out at the pool. However, the hearty Brits onboard took advantage whenever they could – and often in conditions that would have U.S. cruisers taking refuge in the casino or bars all day.

The very top decks on Queen Mary as well as the bow observation areas also were quite windy for much of the journey, so you definitely want a jacket in order to venture outside to those areas. The wind up top also means that you aren’t likely to be able to enjoy the paddle tennis courts during a crossing.

West to East vs. East to West 

We went from west to east. I hadn’t considered how the time zone adjustment would take place while on the ship. We left from New York’s Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and remained on Eastern Standard Time for the first two days. However, on Day 3, we lost one hour each day — adjusting ship time at noon sharp to become 1 p.m. immediately – for five consecutive days until we reached England.

This makes afternoons shorter but allows mornings and your sleep schedule to feel fairly normal. If you think about it, sailing from east to west is a better deal because you gain five hours on your cruise . We ended up losing five hours of our time onboard. 

VIDEO: Balcony Cabin Tour on Queen Mary 2

A space within King’s Court is set aside each night for a specialty dining option (added charge). It was La Piazza (Italian) and Coriander (Indian) during our sailing. Both meals were outstanding, and the service was a couple notches above, as well. 

Some Restaurants Are Better than Others 

Queen Mary 2 offers a few specialty dining options to go alongside the King’s Court buffet and the main Britannia dining room. The specialty restaurants are a notably better experience, from the food quality to the service, which we found quite average in the buffet and main dining room.

The Princess Grill and Queens Grill are exclusive restaurants for cruisers staying in the associated suites. 

Our favorite restaurants on QM2:

Chef’s Galley offers gourmet pizzas and pastas for dinner in an intimate environment. During the day, it serves tasty burgers and hot dogs.

The Verandah (extra charge) is a steakhouse that serves up flavorful cuts and the full assortment of sides like steak fries, asparagus, baked potato and fantastic desserts.

Try All the Cocktails!  

The bars and lounges feature a stunning array of great creative cocktails. The Champagne Bar, Commodore Club, Chart Room and Golden Lion Pub have drink menus with pages of enticing concoctions.

You also can sign up for the Commodore Specialty Cocktail class and try all seven of the creations made in honor of famed Cunard fleet commodores. We joined and especially liked the Land of Hop and Glory beer cocktail, made with brandy, cognac, ginger ale and hop bitters and the All-Consuming Passion, created by combining gin, vanilla vodka, passionfruit, pineapple, lime juice and grenadine.

Afternoon Tea Is a Highlight 

Endless small sandwiches, incredible scones with clotted cream and jam and an assortment of other sweets are downed daily at 3:30 p.m. along with hot tea in the gorgeous Queens Room. Get there early to snag a seat for this popular tradition on Queen Mary 2. You’ll love the atmosphere, which is enhanced by live music .

The Feel Is Distinctly British   

With tea time and a ship filled with art and photography paying homage to the royals , as well as enrichment talks that focus on London and the history of England, you’ll find yourself immersed in a truly British community while sailing from New York. By the time, you reach Southampton, you’re ready to fit right in, mate!

You Can Bring Your Pet (Maybe)

Queen Mary 2 is the only cruise ship with a kennel. We enjoyed sailing with the dogs (and a couple cats) on our crossing and getting to see the owners take them out for exercise time on the top deck. This is an extremely tough reservation to secure in order to transport your pampered pet across the ocean in one of the 24 slots, however. The wait list can be two years, and the price per pet is north of $1,000.

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Queen mary 2 cabins to avoid + tips for choosing the best cabin for you.

Considering a cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2? Pick the perfect cabin with my cabin guide and some tips on how to pick the right one.

Whether it is your first cruise or fiftieth, choosing a cabin is not easy. Pick the wrong location and it can ruin your whole cruise.

I certainly felt the pressure when I took my first cruise and have made a few mistakes when booking since. While they didn’t spoil my cruises too much, I definitely learnt a few lessons about what cabins and locations to keep away from where possible.

So, to help you avoid the same mistakes I did, I’ve put together this guide to cabins to avoid on the Queen Mary 2 and some tips on what to consider before choosing a cabin. 

My cabin guides are designed to give an idea of what you should consider when choosing a cabin along with some tips on how to pick the perfect one for you.

In this Guide

At a Glance: Queen Mary 2 Cabins to Avoid

Below is a quick list of cabins you might want to steer clear of when selecting your cruise accommodation. Read on for more details why these cabins may not be the best choice.

• Cabins above public areas such as entertainment venues, dining areas, pool decks, 
• Cabins underneath or on promenade decks 

Cabins near lifts and stairwells

• Cabins with connecting doors

Cabins near crew areas

• Cabins near anchors or the engine room
• Cabins at the front and rear of the ship (if you suffer from seasickness)
• Cabins without a view (if you like a view)
• Cabins near smoking areas (if you are a non-smoker or sensitive to smells)

Overview of Cabins on Queen Mary 2

Before I get into the detail of the cabins, here is a brief overview of the accommodation onboard. There are 1,360 cabins on the Queen Mary 2, of which there are six different categories.

• Britannia Inside 
• Britannia Ocean view 
• Britannia Balcony (including sheltered balconies)
• Britannia Club Balcony
• Princess Grill Suite
• Queen Grill Suites

Within each of these categories, there will be good and bad locations depending on your requirements. However, whether you are solo cruising or traveling with family and friends there will be a cabin for you.

Cabins to Avoid on Queen Mary 2

Choosing the right cabin on a cruise ship is quite a personal thing. Everyone has different preferences and requirements. What is a deal breaker for some may not bother others.

Some cabins that you might think are ones to dodge could come with a cheaper fare and therefore be worth a comprise. Having more money for another cruise is never a bad thing! Alternatively, there may be some cabins that you want to stay away from as their disadvantages would spoil your cruise too much.

Before you choose a cabin it is worth having a think about what is important to you and what you are happy to compromise on if necessary.

Cabins in noisy areas

With space at a premium on cruise ship, it’s no surprise that some cabins will be in areas where there could potentially be some noise disturbance. Depending on your tolerance for noise you may want to avoid cabins in the following areas…

Cabins near, above or below entertainment venues 

One of the great things about cruising is the choice of entertainment onboard. Queen Mary 2 is no exception to this. You can spend the night dancing around the ballroom, catching a show in the theatre or listening to live music in many of the bars. While that all sounds fantastic, you won’t want to hear all that from your cabin.

Trust me on that.

I had a cabin directly underneath the Queen’s Ballroom and could hear the thud of the music from my cabin for two out of three nights I was onboard. Luckily it quieted down around midnight and didn’t disturb my evenings too much but it is an area of the ship I’d avoid on my next cruise. 

Cabins underneath the pool deck 

Cabins located directly under the pool deck may be disturbed by the setting up of the sun loungers or pool equipment such as the pumps or filter system.

The sun loungers are put out early in the morning and packed away in the evening. If you are an early riser this might not be much of an issue but if you like your sleep this area is probably best avoided just in case. During the day you may also hear your fellow passengers moving sun loungers around. However, if you are out and about this shouldn’t be as much of an issue. 

Cabins underneath the promenade deck

The Queen Mary 2 has a magnificent promenade deck. Wandering around the teak floored deck or sitting on a deck chair looking out to sea are highlights of a cruise on this elegant ship. 

Three laps equal a mile and you’ll often see people strolling or jogging around it while enjoying the sea views or getting some exercise in. Depending on how heavy-footed people are there is a chance you may hear the thud of footsteps in cabins below this deck.

Cabins underneath the buffet

Cabins that are directly under Kings Court (the buffet) may be affected by some noise. During the day this could be from the kitchen setting up at meal times or by heavy-footed passengers. At night there is a risk of hearing noise while the area is being cleaned and maintained.

Cabins with interconnecting doors 

There are a number of interconnecting cabins on the Queen Mary 2 . This type of cabin is a great option if you are travelling with family or friends. If you are not, they are worth avoiding as they tend to be more susceptible to noise. You may find you can hear your cabin neighbours talking or noise from the TV should they watch it. 

I once had a room in a hotel that was adjoined to the room next door and I could hear the music from the mini party they were having and every word they said. I ended up having to call reception at 1 am as I couldn’t sleep. Take it from me it was no fun so that style of cabin is one to give a wide berth.

Cabins near the lifts can be troubled by noise from the lifts themselves or by the people using them. That said, I once had a cabin directly behind the lifts and was a little worried that it would be noisy. But I actually didn’t hear a thing. It was also very handy being so close to the lifts. So I think this one may depend on how sharp your hearing is.

The crew are the heroes of the cruise industry. They seem to work all hours of the day and always with a smile on their face. It is definitely not a job for the fainthearted. With all the work needed to keep a cruise ship running, cabins near crew areas or passageways may be disturbed by the coming and going of the crew as they go about their work.

Cabins near the anchor or engines

The engines and anchor are two pretty essential things for a cruise ship but cabins near both can be affected by the noises they make.

On one of my cruises where one of the destinations was a tender port, I got a fright when the anchor was lowered early one morning. It took a good few minutes to work out what it was. Thankfully, I was already awake thanks to the fog horn blaring every few minutes but if I had been asleep it would have woken me up. 

On cruises with a with a lot of tender ports, the noise from the anchor is likely to be more of an issue than cruises where you will be docked at the port a lot. It is not always clear where the anchors are located but generally they are at the front of the ship. You’d think that higher decks may escape some of the noise but I was on deck 12 and the noise of the anchor dropping was still pretty loud.

Engine noise can also be a bit troublesome. The engine room is generally located towards the back of the ship, somewhere between mid-aft and aft on the lower decks. As you might expect, cabins near the engine rooms are susceptible to noise and vibrations.

Cabins if you like a view 

Cabins with an obstructed view.

Many people who cruise like to enjoy the sea views. There isn’t anything much better than sitting on your balcony enjoying a drink & taking in the view. If this is you then you’ll want to avoid cabins with an obstructed view.

These are cabins where something is blocking the view, usually a lifeboat or part of the ship’s structure. That said, not all obstructed balconies are equal. Some may be only partially obstructed and some may be fully obstructed. 

A plus to these types of cabins is that they are often cheaper than a cabin with unobstructed views. So, with a little research, you could bag yourself a cabin with only a slightly blocked view and save yourself some money. 

Cabins with a sheltered balcony and steel front

The Queen Mary 2 has sheltered balcony cabins on decks 4,5 and 6. These are cabins where the balcony is cut out from the hull of the ship and are low down, close to the water. 

The cut out is very high and they are steel fronted rather than glass fronted. You can’t sit on the balcony chairs & enjoy the view. However, if you stand up the view is fine. One tip is to put a couple of cushions on the chair to give you a bit of height.

If you just like some natural light and fresh air in your cabin, this style is often the cheapest way to get a balcony cabin. 

Inside Cabins

This one is a bit obvious but if you like a view on a cruise don’t book an inside cabin as you won’t have a window let alone a balcony. That said, some inside cabins have a picture view window that overlooks the atrium on the QM2. So a view of sorts. 

Cabins if you are not a fan of rough seas 

If you suffer from seasickness or just don’t like feeling the ship’s movement then you’ll want to avoid cabins at the front (Forward) and rear (Aft) of the ship. Depending on the sea, it can get a bit bumpy in those locations at times.

Cabins if you value your privacy 

The Queen Mary 2 has a number of Atrium View cabins. These are inside cabins but are slightly unusual in that they have a picture window that overlooks the striking Grand Atrium.

Having a read of a few cruise forums and groups it appears that the window in these cabins looks directly into the window opposite. To get around this, you can keep the curtain and blinds closed but that kind of goes against the point of having a cabin with a window.

There is also a risk of hearing noise from the atrium, particularly if there is an event or live music in the lobby. The lights are always kept on as well so you may find you are keeping the curtains or blinds closed a lot of the time. 

Cabins to avoid if you are sensitive to smells 

If you have a strong sense of smell then there are a few areas of the ship you’ll want to stay away from when booking a cabin.

The most obvious of which is cabins near the smoking areas. For non-smokers, the smell of cigarettes wafting over may not be particularly pleasant. You may also want to avoid the kitchen and restaurant areas in case you pick up any food aromas. 

Tips for Choosing a Cabin

Don’t let the above put you off cruising with Cunard or on the Queen Mary 2. There will be the perfect cabin for you onboard. However, before you book, it is worth considering what is important to you and what is not. Make a list of your must-haves, your that would be nice and your definitely not. Then you can use this to find the right cabin. 

Things to consider include

• The length of your cruise. Are you cruising for a few days or a few weeks? Would you be comfortable in a particular cabin style for that length? 
• The destinations you are visiting. Are they scenic ports where you might want to enjoy the view from your balcony?
• The number of port stops your cruise has. Will you be off the ship most of the day and not in your cabin?
• Are you likely to be spending most of your time out of your cabin exploring and enjoying the ship and its facilities?
• Are you a night owl or early bird? Will you be using the late-night venues or having lots of early nights?
• Is easy access to particular facilities important to you?
• Whether you suffer from seasickness or not. 
• Are you travelling with children?  Do you want to avoid long walks to and from the kids club and facilities?
• Are you travelling with family or friends? Do you want adjoining cabins or do you want to put a bit of distance between them and you?
• Can you put up with a little noise or will it ruin your cruise?

The Last Word

In some ways there are no cabins to avoid on the Queen Mary 2. It all really comes down to your own preferences. By doing a little bit of research and studying the deck plans before you book your cruise you can arm yourself with enough knowledge to pick the perfect cabin. Whatever your requirements.

You may also like…

• Cunard Drink Packages – From coffee to cocktails
• Cunard Dress Code – What to wear on your cruise
• Queen Mary 2 sheltered balcony cabin review

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• First Timer Cruiser on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 [Podcast]

Doug Parker

• September 2, 2024

In this episode, Doug Parker interviews staff writer Richard Simms, who shares his experiences from his first Cunard cruise on the Queen Mary 2.

Richard discusses his pre-cruise thoughts, the embarkation process, and his impressions of the ship’s amenities, dining experiences, and overall atmosphere. He highlights the ship’s elegance, the unique itinerary, and the differences between ocean liners and typical cruise ships.

In the second segment, Richard discusses the specialty restaurants, entertainment options, and passenger demographics. He also shares his experiences at the ports of call, including Boston and Halifax, and provides insights into the embarkation and disembarkation processes. Richard concludes by comparing this cruise to others and offering tips for first-time Cunard cruisers.

Timestamps:

• Introduction to Richard’s Cruise Experience (00:01:22) : Richard shares his recent Cunard cruise on the Queen Mary 2 , discussing his excitement and expectations.
• Pre-Cruise Thoughts (00:02:05) : Richard explains his reasons for choosing this unique cruise and his nervousness about the formal atmosphere.
• Pricing Comparison (00:03:46) : He compares the pricing of this cruise to previous ones, noting it was surprisingly affordable.
• Solo Traveler Experience (00:05:01) : Richard discusses the lack of specific accommodations for solo travelers on Cunard.
• Embarkation Process (00:05:50) : He describes the embarkation experience, mentioning a slight delay but overall smooth boarding.
• First Impressions of Queen Mary 2 (00:07:00) : Richard is awed by the ship’s elegant design and welcoming atmosphere upon boarding.
• Attire for Embarkation Day (00:08:39) : He reflects on his attire for embarkation day and the casual dress of other passengers.
• Stateroom Impressions (00:09:47) : Richard compares his stateroom’s features to other ships he’s sailed on.
• Dining Experience Overview (00:11:49) : He introduces the dining experience on board, mentioning varied expectations and food quality.
• Main Dining Room Experience (00:12:04) : Richard describes the Britannia dining room, its decor, and his mixed feelings about the food.
• Gala Night Experience (00:14:05) : He recounts a memorable gala night dinner, including a special invitation to join a newlywed couple.
• Dining Class System (00:16:01) : Richard explains the dining class system on Cunard and how it impacts the dining experience.
• Lido Buffet Experience (00:17:07) : He shares his thoughts on the King’s Court buffet and its offerings compared to the main dining room.
• Specialty Restaurants Overview (00:18:52) : Richard discusses the unique concept of rotating specialty restaurants and his experiences in them.
• Dining Experiences on Board (00:20:59) : Richard shares thoughts on the steakhouse and its unusual layout, impacting the dining experience.
• Specialty Restaurant Pricing (00:22:20) : Discuss the cost of dining at specialty restaurants, with most meals under $30.
• Entertainment Overview (00:23:04) : Richard discusses the entertainment options, including lectures and live music throughout the ship.
• Ballroom Dancing and Nightclub Experience (00:24:56) : Highlights the Queen’s Room for ballroom dancing and the adjacent nightclub’s unique ambiance.
• Demographics of Passengers (00:25:51) : Richard notes the older demographic on the cruise, with few children present.
• Crowd Management and Congestion (00:26:24) : Discuss how the ship handles crowds, particularly in dining areas.
• Casino Experience (00:27:33) : Richard shares insights about the casino’s size and drink service issues.
• Ports of Call: Halifax and Boston (00:28:42) : Richard describes the itinerary, focusing on his experiences in Halifax and Boston.
• Immigration Process in Boston (00:30:46) : Details the immigration procedure that caused frustration among passengers in Boston.
• July 4th Celebrations in Boston (00:31:41) : Richard recounts his experience in Boston during the Independence Day celebrations.
• Disappointment with Fireworks Viewing (00:32:44) : Explains the inability to see fireworks from the ship and alternative viewing options.
• Rockport Visit and Clam Dish Disappointment (00:34:33) : Richard shares his visit to Rockport and his disappointment in missing a local clam dish.
• Disembarkation Process (00:34:39) : Describes the disembarkation process and the chaos caused by passengers disregarding instructions.
• Minimal Announcements on Board (00:36:25) : Richard appreciates the limited announcements made during the cruise.
• Technology and Internet Experience (00:37:19) : Comments on the ship’s technology, app functionality, and the quality of internet service.
• Comparison to Other Cruises (00:37:29) : Richard reflects on the uniqueness of the Queen Mary 2 compared to other cruise experiences.
• Relaxation and Old World Experience (00:39:21) : This section discusses the ship’s ambiance, emphasizing relaxation and a classic cruising experience.
• Historical Significance of the Ship (00:39:50) : Richard highlights the Queen Mary 2’s rich history and celebrity connections.
• First-Time Tips for Cruise (00:40:36) : Offers advice for first-time cruisers on the Queen Mary 2 and expectations on board.
• The Ship’s Atmosphere and Activities (00:41:12) : Richard describes the cruise ship’s ambiance, highlighting it is not geared towards younger crowds and offers unique activities.
• Afternoon Tea Experience (00:41:12) : Discussion on the traditional afternoon tea, its British charm, and Richard’s enjoyment of the experience.
• Significance of Afternoon Tea (00:42:19) : Richard explains the cultural importance of afternoon tea on a British ship, blending tradition with new experiences.
• Highlight of the Cruise (00:43:34) : Richard reflects on the ship itself as the most remarkable aspect of his cruise experience.
• Pool Area Layout (00:44:08) : Richard discusses the layout and size of the ship’s pools, noting their popularity and usage during his cruise.
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Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing Review: What It's Like to Sail This Classic Journey

For North Americans, there aren't many journeys more mythic than a transatlantic crossing on an ocean liner. After all, the modern societies of both Canada and the United States expanded from the endpoints of countless westward boat trips. And generations grew up on Hollywoodized tales of ocean liners that hold the life-changing powers of a magic wand. In a movie, anybody who takes a passenger ship across the sea is forever transformed, as demonstrated by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in 1937's Shall We Dance, Bette Davis in 1942's Now, Voyager,  and Barbara Stanwyck in 1941's The Lady Eve.  Marilyn Monroe fell for her diamond mine magnate aboard a liner in 1953's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Let's not even dwell on the fateful trip taken by Kate and Leo in 1997. Liners can possess power in real life, too. For example, it was aboard the original Queen Mary that one of the most eligible bachelors in modern history, Cary Grant, met his wife, Betsy Drake , in 1947. That's magic. 

Back in Fred and Ginger's day, there were dozens of liners to choose from, all flitting back and forth between the United States and other lands across the sea. Travelers had their favorite lines the way modern tourists favor one airline over another. Now, there's just a single liner left: Cunard's Queen Mary 2 , in service since 2004. If you want to take one of the greatest journeys available to commercial travelers, there's only one choice.  In 2024,  Queen Mary 2  marks her 20th anniversary as the world's only ocean liner. The ship's specialized design enables it to slice through open waters with a smooth prowess that Caribbean-bound, square-bottomed Carnival cruise tubs could never manage. When the QM2 debuted in 2004, it was the largest passenger ship in the world, at 1,132 feet in length. But a lot has changed since then. Today, it's not even in the top 30. Now the  Queen Mary 2 's main distinction for travelers is its role as the sole representative of a centuries-long tradition. The magic is why you book a trip across the sea instead of flying—that, and maybe the dream of landing your own Cary Grant on the journey. 

Frommer's joined a transatlantic crossing from Southampton, England, to New York City (pictured above), a distance of 3,418 miles if we had flown instead, to see how such a leisurely mode of travel is holding up in an age when so many of our other traditions are spinning out of control. Links : Queen Mary 2 schedule Queen Mary 2 deck plans Cunard official website Current discounts from Cunard

Cunard's preceding  Queen Mary , the one that transported a firmament of Hollywood stars and World War II troops before jet airplanes began shouldering our transatlantic travel duties, sailed for 31 years, from 1936 to 1967. The first Queen Elizabeth sailed for 28 years (1940–1968), and its successor,  Queen Elizabeth 2,  operated for 39 years (1969–2008). But  Queen Mary 2  was designed with even stronger metal so that she could have a lifespan of about 40 years, so she still has many years of service left in her. This was my third transatlantic crossing on the  Queen Mary 2. My first took place soon after the ship began sailing in 2004, and my second came about 10 years later. The span of that experience affords me a rare perspective on how the journey has aged and changed (as we all have) over the decades.  My latest sailing, which departed in mid-August, came 4 years to the week after HBO's  Let Them All Talk  filmed with Meryl Streep aboard, a sure sign that the vessel still holds a special place in the zeitgeist. QM2 's continued popularity was evident on my voyage, because the ship was nearly sold out with midsummer travelers. My trip began in Southampton, a crucial port town on the southern coast of England where, as buffs of nautical history and catastrophe know,  Titanic last touched England in April 1912. As soon as I stepped off the gangway into the thick-hulled grande dame that QM2  is, a contingent of classically outfitted crew members were on hand to greet me and remind me that this exercise in slow travel would consciously revel in the style of years past.

Although some departures slip off to other ports here and there, the purest form of the  QM2 's transatlantic crossing takes 7 days and 7 nights (for me, Friday to Friday). The ship is actually capable of barreling across the same distance in about half the time. But Cunard Line, founded in the steamship age of 1840 but now owned by the publicly traded Carnival Corporation, has priorities other than speed. On a modern Cunard vacation, the leisurely pace is central to the appeal. You come aboard to relax, not race. There are no ports of call between departure and arrival, just a blissfully clear calendar of days spent at sea. Whereas many mass-appeal cruise lines entice passengers with gimmicks like go-kart tracks and Johnny Rockets burger joints, Cunard steers the QM2 with dignified, bespoke flourishes that suit its British heritage. Many of the QM2 's departures are categorized as Event Voyages , embellished with programming built around themes like literature  and  West End theater . On my journey, artists from the English National Ballet were on board to host popular workshops and special performances over the course of the journey—above, in the Grand Lobby, you can see the angel's wings made of toe shoes that signified the theme.  Even on unthemed crossings, Cunard books an assortment of expert speakers more appropriate to a university mixer than a hula party. Twenty years ago, speakers on my crossing included Hollywood journalist Army Archerd, who had a column in Variety for half a century. This year, the roster included presentations by an expert on mystery novels and by one of Nelson Mandela's bodyguards. The slate is always interesting, and unlike the parades and DJs favored by other major cruise lines, the QM2 's entertainment favors intellectual edification, including bridge tournaments, watercolor art classes, ballroom dancing lessons, and only a single evening of karaoke. It's delightfully civilized. And although the day's schedule is packed with things to do if you're a joiner, rarely do you feel as if you're missing anything if you just want to detach and turn pages sedately on a sofa.

While most cruise ships have converted their lending libraries to more lucrative uses, the QM2  considers itself more of a courtly mode of transportation than a floating circus. So the ship proudly maintains a current, well-curated library on Deck 8. A library might seem like a minor detail, but it speaks loudly (ssh!) about how this ocean liner encourages guests to travel. On other cruises, as soon as you board you're competing for port excursion slots or tickets to shows. But on the QM2,  guests first make sure their reading material is set. Even before we left Southampton, regular guests of the QM2 —you'll be surprised at how many of your fellow passengers take this journey frequently instead of flying, and in fact, the real habitués would gather to mingle—were already selecting books (two titles at a time). The New York Times once called this ship "a floating distillation of English inclinations and values," but that might be a little misleading because the line's founder was born in Canada, the ship was built in France, and the crew hails from around the globe. But the same Times journalist also wrote, "a crossing is an interior as much as exterior voyage," a phrase that captures the experience more aptly. There will be cocktails, and many of them, well-made and proper. On this ship, just like with the major cruises, an add-on drinks package can pretty much double the price of your trip if that's the way you choose to go. But unlike on the big cruises, travelers who prefer to find a peaceful nook and chill out won't be treated as invisible or eventually chased away by a party. The QM2  aims to be more like a floating sitting room, the casino much more reminiscent of James Bond than the Vegas Strip. This is why the average age of your fellow passenger tends to be over 50—but even that is a broad generality. On my crossing this summer, there were plenty of people who were still of working age, there was a decent representation of ethnic diversity, and even a surprising number of families with children (granted, the kids behaved like the type who already knew which fork to use first at a dinner party).

Although the cabins have been refreshed over the years, their comfortable style hasn't changed much in the 10 years since I was last aboard. Everything was in excellent condition, with just a very few small spots of rust on sea-facing surfaces where you'd naturally expect a few signs of wear and tear after 20 years. The twin beds could be joined into a double, and I had a sofa, a desk, and a bathroom with a shower—all very nice. Additionally, Cunard cabins have one unique amenity that gives away the utter Britishness of the brand: electric tea kettles with tea and biscuits that are replenished by the steward.

Newer cruise ships might have perks like interactive TVs and plenty of power outlets at arm's length—these cabins don't. You'll just have to plug your devices in at your desk, the way I assume Charles Dickens did when he sailed with Cunard  in 1842. Your cabin might also have halting Wi-Fi connectivity, depending on how the ship's metal structure plays with the signal. Cunard's recently announced partnership with Starlink delivers a wonderfully strong connection, but you might have to venture to a common area to get access. Honestly, though, having nonstop internet connection when you're 1,000 miles from land is, objectively, a modern miracle, and the fact that the fastest Wi-Fi subscription is priced at just $20 a day is even more impressive. Not long ago, it cost that much for an hour.

At least when shipboard Wi-Fi was more expensive, we had less incentive to waste our money on mindless screen-scrolling. When you're aboard something as rare and as stylized as an ocean liner, you should probably savor the sensation of being far from the chaos of life on land. But it's nice to know that technology has advanced to the point where you can quiet your anxieties by checking your security cameras back home from the middle of the Sargasso Sea.

All told, my cabin had enough space (a little under 200 square feet) to feel ample, and soft goods were fresh. It didn't feel 20 years old. This stateroom is classified as a Sheltered Balcony, which means that instead of a glass-fronted balcony, I had a private sitting area in front of a cutout through the hull. It may seem unusual, but the design protects the cabin's glass doors in bad weather. Remember that the QM2 entered service in 2004, a period when ships were not yet lined from prow to stern with glassy verandas—not that any ocean liner could ever be if it intends to deflect high waves. There are glass-fronted balcony cabins on the QM2 's higher decks (about 250 square feet), as well as outward-facing units with a window but no balcony at all (about 180 square feet). There are also inside cabins that look much the same—more than 200 of them with prices as low as $699 per person for the week, meals included. The biggest cabin classes are Britannia and Britannia Club . Most passengers are in this class, and for them, meals can be taken in the biggest restaurant, which has the same name. Cunard may take many cues from the past, but it's not completely old-fashioned: In the years since the ship's launch, dining on the Queen Mary 2  has changed, and strict seating times are one tradition from the past that no longer endures. You don't have to dine in the same place every night (unless you want to book in advance a spot at one of the speciality restaurants, which incur a surcharge), or eat at the same prescribed time, and you definitely won't have to share tables with strangers.  The QM2 also has two suite-level classes with their own dining rooms ( Queens Grill and Princess Grill ) for those who want to spend more for exclusive spaces.  If you're concerned about minimizing motion, QM2 's designer Stephen Payne has said the ship's main point of balance is about two-thirds back from the bow, so staterooms in that area will rock less than the others. 

The Commodore Club at the front of Deck 9 is one of the best hideaways on the ship, and the sooner you know about this area, the happier you'll be.  Although it's atmospheric to have a martini (or many) here during the day or night, be warned that after dark you won't be able to look out the windows because the light from the lounge reflects up into the bridge and makes it hard for the crew to see. That quirk is compensated somewhat by the fact that at designated daytime hours you're invited to go upstairs and watch (from behind glass) the navigational activities on the bridge.

Even after the third or fourth days at sea, my fellow passengers were still excitedly reporting the new discoveries of private sitting spaces they had found.  This was one of mine, part of a long row of quiet nooks near the waterline on Decks 2 and 3 forward. The waves never got angry once over the course of my 7-day journey (and the seas were even calmer during my July trip in 2014), but on occasions when the ocean does happen to be roiling, such as in the colder months, these seats are an ideal spot to watch the intensity from a safe, stable place. When I'm off the Queen Mary 2 , I think about these seats a lot. By contrast, when I think of the many mega cruise ships I've been on, I can't think of a single nook that made me feel calm enough to make me miss it after the cruise was over.  There's a pool at the stern, too, but over three transatlantic journeys I've taken on the QM2 , the North Atlantic weather has never once been warm enough for me to take a dip. I got a day pass for the spa (which is slated for renovation in late 2023) and soaked in that indoor pool instead.

The Britishness of Cunard cannot be suppressed at teatime. Afternoon tea is served each day in the Queens Room (serenaded by the harpist in the background, above), and this daily ritual—finger sandwiches, clotted cream—is popular enough to be one of the few things you have to compete for while on board. Seats fill up, so it's wise to get there at least a half hour ahead on the days you want to have tea.

When you imagine the deck of a transatlantic ocean liner, isn't this what you picture? All that's missing is Kay Francis or William Powell leaning over the rail. This is the promenade that encircles Deck 7, lined with teakwood loungers of a design that has barely shifted since the turn of the last century (cushions are kept in the wooden boxes, behind). This is where you can walk laps around the circumference of the ship when your legs get restless. Even in summer, it can be cold and windy in the middle of the ocean, so be sure to pack warm clothing, even if you don't think you'll need it. You probably will.

One of the many grown-up pleasures of the Queen Mary 2 is formal night. Held at least twice during every transatlantic crossing, the special dress code is eagerly observed by the majority of passengers, who are asked not to hang around public spaces unless they're dressed up. The extra outfits and shoes add some heft to a packing checklist and usually force passengers to bring their larger luggage, but it's worth it to share in the sense of vintage pomp that has dignified the ocean liner social scene since it began. (If men don't have a tux, a few are available for rental in the shops, but they go fast, so it's better to bring your own or a nice suit.)

The ship gives passengers plenty of occasions to parade in their finery, including during regular after-dinner dancing sessions with a live band in the Queens Room (above), held underneath mounted relics given to Cunard by the actual Queen Mary in the 1930s. There are very few traditions in travel that call for a tuxedo, and fewer still that give fans of ballroom dancing the floor.

Behind this room there's a soundproofed disco, but its use is sporadic, depending on the age composition of the passenger list.

The majority of passengers eat in a couple of free restaurants for all three meals: assisted by a server in the main, multilevel dining room; or self-served in the excellent Kings Court buffet. At both, you may eat when you want, and with whom you want, provided the restaurants are open. Cunard is unusual among cruise ship lines in that it doesn't charge passengers extra to order from room service, a perk that appeals to anyone who forgot to pack a gown for Formal Night.

For lunch and dinner, the Golden Lion pub (pictured above) has special Cunard-brewed beers on tap along with some easy pub fare. A few nights a week, a section of the Kings Court is rethemed (culinarily speaking) for either Indian or Asian food from the central kitchen, depending on the night. On those evenings, reservations at the venue must be made as a specialty restaurant with a surcharge (in the $30 range, in line with other cruise ships). There's also Steakhouse at The Verandah, another specialty restaurant, with a wide view at the back of the ship.

On my voyage, the Web-based reservation system for specialty meals had trouble meeting the demands placed on it (losing bookings made weeks before, for instance), but the crew was so well-trained that staffers were always able to solve issues without a fuss.

Interestingly, the Queen Mary 2 has two theatrical spaces. One is used for standard performances (cruise ship–style jukebox revues, comics, and the like) and one typically alternates between a lecture hall and a planetarium (pictured above)—a dome is lowered and guests sit in the middle to watch astronomy-themed movies. 

Many major cruise lines have shifted guest information delivery to apps, but Cunard remains resolutely throwback, printing daily schedules that are delivered nightly to each cabin, the way all cruise ships used to do things.  There are plenty of diversions on the docket. Just so you can get a sense of the density and type of optional activities programmed daily, here's the full schedule for a single day during my crossing in August 2023. More than any other details I share, this is probably what will confirm for you whether you'd embrace the mellowness of a QM2 voyage or find yourself bouncing off the luxuriously finished surfaces.

One of the more sublime details of a transatlantic crossing is the way everyone tracks the ship's progress across the miles. Every day at noon, the captain announces the weather, ship's location, and trip progress, which you can also track via a special channel on your stateroom's television. Cunard makes sure to mark the spot where the Titanic sank, adding a macabre twist to the navigation. (If the info wasn't available, people would keep asking.) Is the crossing on the Queen Mary 2 rough? Of my three voyages so far, only one had a couple days of what I'd call rough seas, and even then, the ship pressed through them so well I never spilled a single drop of champagne. Two times out of three, though, the waters were mostly as calm as a pond. 

Because the ship keeps crossing through time zones, we were instructed to move our clocks back an hour on five nights out of seven. That near-daily habit meant our westbound voyage enjoyed a series of 25-hour days. If you sail eastbound, though, from North America to the United Kingdom, you'll keep losing an hour, and many of your days will be just 23 hours long. That's why I prefer to go westward on the QM2 rather than east: You get more time for your money.

Some regular passengers choose to cross the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 because they have pets that they don't want to subject to the stress of airline travel. The ship's kennel, located on the top deck, has regular open hours when passengers are permitted to visit the animals. The scene is a bit like when Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers walked dogs on the top deck of an ocean liner in 1937's Shall We Dance— minus the formal wear, Gershwin music, and dashing repartee. There is actually plenty of room to dance up there, though, and the  QM2 does have a cute fake fire hydrant for photos.

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Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic CRUISE

If you were to tell me six years ago I would be taking the Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Ocean Liner from Europe to America, I would have said, ” Yea, right!” A cruise voyage like this was not even on my radar. However, in this life, you just never know. Initially, when we began the research for our PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move from Germany back to the States traveling this way, we hopped on it. These are my Queen Mary 2, Transatlantic Cruise Travel tips to help your voyage across the sea.

Friend Hook-up!

My friends Kathy and Kymberlee had already done this voyage in-bound to the EU so they knew all the major deets (details.) Of course, while they were on one of my day trips, picked their brains constantly. As it turned out, Kathy was taking the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) back to the States too with us on the same voyage in June.

It was an amazing journey of a lifetime and I have so much to share ~ so here I go! Bon Voyage – please like, share and comment below to help me continue sharing travel tips.

TIP #1 ~ Know before you go

First, make your reservation EARLY!

• I know this is particularly difficult if you do not have orders or don’t know your PCS date (booking later just means less of a choice in a cabin or it would be sold out.
• We booked in January for the June voyage and the rooms were limited to reserve
• We booked our PCS travel through the leisure travel office on-post to verify coverage and reimbursement

Specifically, if this a PCS move to or from Germany – use your government credit card for easier reimbursement

Find out exactly what is included with your ticket 

• You can add amenities, we didn’t know that ahead of time if you are interested in doing this – I would recommend contacting Cunard directly after you receive your BOOKING number.

2.  IF you have the opportunity to book directly through Cunard Cruise Line I would definitely do this overbooking your reservation through a travel agency/company. I was able to interview Sangeeta, Communications Director on-board and she shared that if you book directly through Cunard, you will have much better options of rooms to choose from AS well as other amenities that are not included in a travel agent package.

2024 & 2025 SAILINGS

Read all the fine details, they really are super important travel tips.

If you have traveled with Cunard in the past, check with them to see if you have any perks coming your way.

Also, there are two ports of entry for the June voyage stateside, you can board at Southampton, England or in Hamburg, Germany. Since we had a few days to kill before the trip, we headed to Copenhagen, Denmark for a few days before catching a train to Hamburg. Here is my COPENHAGEN blog .

Cruise Port in Hamburg!

So if you are heading to Hamburg as part of a move, you will want to pack accordingly. Not your typical stateside flight or PCS with TONS of luggage on the airplane. We had one very large luggage, carry-on and then a back-pack. This was plenty of room to pack everything we would need for the 10-day voyage including our fancy clothes. Stay tuned for more on that too ~ Having been to Hamburg , we were ahead of the game.

To get to Hamburg, you can take the train, rent-a-car, or fly. It really depends on the time you have and the type of transportation you prefer. The Cunard Terminal is not located near the other Cruise terminals in Hamburg, so you will also want to book a hotel, we choose the Marriott because we are members and rack up the points, the COURTYARD by Marriott was inexpensive and about 15 minutes away from the terminal. So the taxi was about €30 one way to get to the terminal. You may also choose the train but it doesn’t go directly there, you would have to take a bus, so we decided a cab it is ~

Ready to Board!

 ARRIVE ON TIME! Another HUGE TRAVEL TIP! ARRIVE at the Cruise TERMINAL AT your designated time . This was a huge misstep for us. We thought by arriving a little early we would be  great.  However, buses filled with hundreds of people arrived directly in front of us and the computers were down for the boat, so we waited almost two hours to check-in.  Had we arrived at our designated time, we probably would have waited 30 minutes, max. There aren’t a lot of places to sit at the Hamburg terminal, it was kind of a bummer.

PRINT OUT YOUR LUGGAGE TAGS and attach them to your luggage  – they will be picked up curbside – luxury service already. 

We had requested a balcony room for our voyage, but since only an outer-room cabin was available that was what we got. Unfortunately, when we checked-in we were unable to upgrade , also. If you can swing a balcony room, I would recommend it, if you like to have some fresh air. However, Jon and I decided we really preferred our extra-large – outer room with a big window for less cost than I think the balcony would have been. 

WHAT TO PACK?

Kymberlee and Kathy had briefed me on packing travel tips and that some dress-up clothes for balls and dance were required. Definitely, who doesn’t love to shop for dresses? However, we had no more time, so I scoped out some from friends to borrow for this special occasion. Jon retired in ’07, I haven’t been to a formal in awhile. There was a “Ball” almost every night we were on-board or you could dress up real nice.

Cruise Wear

Smart Dress ~ for women – nice dresses, skirts, dress pants, business-like attire

• for men – dress pants, tie (no jacket)
• Formal/Gala Evening ~ for women – Evening or cocktail dresses, smart trouser suits
• for men – tuxedo, or suit with tie and dinner jacket after 6:00 p.m.

Now, there aren’t clothes “monitors” walking around shaming you into dressing up, but there is a  “dress code”  and you will feel awkward walking around in jeans on the gala nights.

No jeans ~ not really. We did see a few people wearing jeans but they were teenagers or children. Most women wore nice summer dresses or shorts while walking around and men wore khakis. Definitely a bit more upscale than my last ®Carnival cruise.

For our 10 day cruise – I packed…

• 8 sundresses
• 2 Formal gowns (1 for the masquerade ball and one for the Gala)
• Leggings and dress pants
• Pumps, (2) wedge sandals, flip-flops for the pool
• Bathing suit, cover-up
• 2 workout outfits, sneaks
• Toiletries and cosmetics

I wore a summer sundress pretty much every day. They were easy to pack and acceptable travel wear.

Schedule a CUNARD Consultation TO DAY!

Let’s set SAIL!

After you have registered and checked in – you will receive a “card” this is your pass card for the whole duration of the cruise. Once you have memorized your room number, you will want to carry this with you at all times.

Safety FIRST! One of the first things you will do when everyone is on-board and checked in is a safety brief. Depending on your cabin location you will be called up to attend in a dining room or common area. it was about 45 minutes and you have to bring your life jacket. This is in accordance with Maritime law and I saw Titanic , so I was grateful to know how to put a life jacket on. I would have shared the bedframe too. HA!

Jon and I got comfortable in our cabin then set off to investigate the ship.

The Queen Mary 2 ocean liner is larger than the Titanic was and the size of almost three football fields. Deck 7 is the promenade deck, we found this to be one of our favorites because you could walk the deck from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (and 3 laps = 1.1 miles.) Every day you would see power walkers, runners and strollers just taking in the beautiful views of the ocean and fresh air.

There are maps all around the ship to familiarize yourself with where you are and where everything is located. I would have read this through before hopping on deck but I am married to an explorer too, so off we went.

ACTIVITIES on BOARD the Cruise

Honestly, there are so many activities on-board if you get bored, it is your own fault. Seriously, there was something to do every single hour. Every evening you will receive a “ Daily Program” for the following day. READ THIS CAREFULLY.  This “old schools” newspaper is filled with activities of what to do, where they are being held, and what attire is required. Your steward will leave these in your mailbox outside the room.

Canyon Ranch Spa Club

This was our favorite! This cruise was for Jon and I was for relaxation and de-stressing after our very stressful move from Germany. So we visited the  Canyon Ranch Spa Club first. I was so glad we decided to join the spa for the week. This was an additional $150/person but included unlimited access (while open) to the whirlpool baths, saunas, aroma saunas, and relaxation room.

The relaxation room became our respite. After we worked out in the gym or walked around Deck 7 we would enjoy a chill in the spa and rest in the relaxation room with window views of the ocean. Also, you could book additional spa services for massages, chiropractic and acupuncture and a lot more. My massage was fantastic!

There were four swimming pools we really enjoyed, but the spa pool was our favorite and very quiet. The Pavilion Pool was located under sunglass and had a musical band playing sporadically throughout the cruise giving it a nice party feel. The other pools were outside and it was warm enough to lay-out and enjoy the fresh air. Several of the outdoor pools had hot tub jacuzzis as well.

Queen Mary 2 Cruise Fitness 

If you have a legitimate fear of gaining some “ cruise” weight, there are plenty of opportunities to work it off too. The gym is huge and has several elliptical, treadmills, and stationary bikes as well as ®Nautilus equipment and weights. There are also fitness instructors that offer fitness seminars, classes and different clinics for help. *Some classes are for an extra cost.

Bars & Pubs

There are a total of 13 pubs and bars on the ship. Our favorite was the Golden Lion Pub . There was a pianist who came from time to time and entertained us with different genres of music. Super cool. We became friends with the servers and really enjoyed the  Fish & Chips . 

Time to EAT on the Cruise!

The Chef’s Galley was “included” in our cruise package. This is where most people would eat if they were looking for something faster since it was a buffet style and opened almost all the time during the day. It was closed between 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. but pubs were open then too. We ate here for most breakfasts, some lunches, and even some dinners, the fresh menu was AMAZING . They also had an EXHIBIT and a show called “Chocolate and Ice!” 

Since I was doing a full article and I am a foodie, we also tried the other venues. We enjoyed the alternative dining choices immensely ~ Here they are, check it out!

The Verandah Steak House

The alternative restaurants included an up-charge but were worth EVERY penny. YOLO! This is our friend Desmond, who became  “our”  waiter.

King’s Court ~ Alternative Dining

We tried all three.

These alternative dining restaurants were in the Kings Court dining area and changed every few days. The most amazing STAFF!! These venues were more like “Tapas” restaurants and I love, love, love TAPAS. This gives you just a little taste of so many options and in the end,  you are stuffed. So I get to try lots of different things without overdoing it on one item. YAY!

Coriander was an alternative restaurant option with an Indian~Asian Fusion menu. Super delicious and fresh.

Aztec was the Tex-Mex Fusion Menu – I loved the combinations the Chef tried with this menu. The flavors were incredible and missing Tex-Mex for the last five years in I was so grateful for it! So was my growing waistline. HA!

The Britannia Room was included with the cruise package but I found it to be lacking. I am not a big banquet dining fan either, flashbacks from college. The cruise also seats you in a group seating fashion (of their choosing) and we found the food options to be just meh ~ but others really loved it. So, to each his own.  We did eat here twice to be fair. We just preferred the Galley Buffet and the alternative dining choices. 

I truly enjoyed meeting the staff and making some great friends, our sweet server Blessing was quite a blessing to us and super fun. Every one of these servers was incredibly professional. 

Extra! Extra!

As with all the cruise ships, there are “EXTRA’s” you will have to prepare yourself for on your trip. I knew we would pay a little extra for services. With this particular Cunard trip, it was much, much more. Here were the areas I was gobsmacked. We ended up spending an additional $2,000 when all was said and done. Phew… ouch!

Internet –  while at sea – for 30 minutes – $15 (or .50/minute) and it just went up from there to $330/1,920 minutes.

Fitne ss Classes –  our yoga class was $12/person and it was more like a stretch class, not yoga there were only 4 people in the class

Wine Tasting & Wine – glasses of wine ranged between $12/glass to $33/glass.  Wine seminar with the Sommelier was $120/person, Champagne tasting – $34.50/person in the champagne bar

Photo services –  were an extra fee, but I felt there fees were reasonable and really professional pics

Afternoon Tea ~ Godiva   – $15.50/person and it was just a few bits of chocolate, tea or coffee

Art Flower Arranging Class ~ $50/2 days

Most cruises offer extra services as this is where the revenue is generated. We were just not prepared for the level. But it is the QM2.

Some of these EXTRAs are cheaper the closer you get to port! For example, if you are interested in a spa service/laundry wait until  Wednesday/Thursday they are discounted!

What’s in your package?

Now, don’t let me discourage you, there are plenty, plenty of included events and activities on-board that do not cost extra . There is a really cool Planetarium you can attend, ( just be sure to sign up the day before. ) Also, a game area on both sides of the boat with incredible views.

All musical shows are included ~ which are GREAT! We saw some amazing performances with a full BAND!

The GALAs were a lot of fun – and they even have dance classes if you would like to learn some cool moves. Kathy and Chris really enjoyed these quite a bit.

Purple Haze was the cool rock band that performed nightly at one of the bars or at the pool. They played all kinds of R&B, 70’s, 80’s and themed events. Super fun!

Once in a LIFETIME!

We had the most incredible time and I did not even share everything our transatlantic travel was a success. Oh, and we also stopped into port at Southampton, England on one of our stops. I’ll share that in another blog. We had fun, made friends, and were pampered like a King and Queen while making memories of a lifetime.

Coming into Brooklyn harbor at sunrise was like a dream. I am somewhat speechless as to the feelings I felt coming into that harbor while the sun was rising over the city. My relatives were immigrants from Scotland and Ireland and I get tearful just writing this today thinking of their journey. Their journey was nothing like mine and yet they made it possible for me to have this incredible experience and come home to America. 

Above all, I would absolutely recommend a transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary 2, especially if you are trying to travel this way for a PCS move. I hope the blog has been able to help you put together a trip of your own. Bon Voyage ~ let me know if you have any questions or comment below.

It’s always an adventure when you ©Travel with Wendy!

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12 thoughts on “ Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic CRUISE ”

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I have heard of people going this route with pets(dogs). Did you notice any on board? Is there a designated level for people with dogs?

The dogs are actually on their own floor but you have access to them – it was really kind of cool, anyone could go upstairs to see the puppies but only the owners were allowed to go in the area.

My wife and I have been in Germany for 35 years and are retiring from government service. We are interested in going back like you did. I would like to know more about how you arranged it with the travel office or SATO or how that worked.

Hi Dennis, shoot me an email at [email protected] I don’t work with SATO rates are too high I prefer ABCTravel

Please, not to nitpick, but it is a “crossing,” not by any means a “cruise”. This may seem a distinction without a difference, but to those of us who have crossed the Atlantic many times but would never set foot on a Carnival-type “cruise,” the distinction is important.

Also, the QM2 is a “ship,” or a “vessel,” absolutely not a “boat.”

Lastly, I think you missed out on a good experience by snubbing the Brittania restaurant. Some of my very best memories of crossings are from the big dining rooms and the bond one establishes with your waiter over the week. You can also meet some interesting people at the large tables.

A decent article but missing the point of the elegance, distinction and tradition of a transatlantic crossing on Cunard.

Hey David , totally appreciate your comment sorry so late in my response – you’re probably right I did definitely snub the Britannia. After cruising with Carnival it just felt to similar to that mass restaurant feel.

Our service wasn’t as good, the staff seemed exhausted – i also just discovered I’m not really a cruise person so honestly your perception is probably spot on – thanks for commenting. Sorry for the delay – just got this from WP 👍

Thank you for this post! We PCS in 2022 and want to do this. Did you have any trouble with reimbursement for your travel? I’m a little confused about this process and I want to book early since we have a dog but also want to make sure we can get reimbursed at least for what the flight would have cost. Did you have to wait for orders to book?

Thank you for this information, very helpful.

You are so welcome!

Loved your descreption of Queen Mary 2 . This is my 1st trip on her . I just retired from 55 years in shipbuilding business . I will be on a 10 or 14 days trip . I am single at 75 years old . I loved your article . Thanks , Donald Brabston .

Oh I’m sorry glad you liked it Bon Voyage – have a great time

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This Iconic Luxury Cruise Ship Crosses the Atlantic Every Week — With Big Bands, Elegant 'Gala Evenings,' and Incredible Food

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is one of the world's most beloved cruise ships — and for good reason. Here's what it's like to travel on the iconic ocean liner.

Staterooms and suites

Bars and restaurants, where queen mary 2 sails, shore excursions, amenities and entertainment, family-friendly offerings, accessibility.

Jonathan Atkin/Courtesy of Cunard Line

When my husband, David, and I boarded the Queen Mary 2 , we were laden with far more than our usual carry-on luggage. Though our trip from Southampton, England to New York City would take only a week, we had a lot to pack. We’d need his tuxedo and some of my dressiest jumpsuits — plus heels — to fit in with the crowds who do their best to dress to impress.

I also wanted to bring along plenty of drugs. We were sailing in November 2022, a time of year when the Atlantic Ocean can roar. Some passengers may enjoy the roll of the waves, but I’m not one of them. I planned to be well medicated and had brought along all sorts of motion-sickness remedies.

At the same time, we’d booked our passage on the 2,691-passenger flagship specifically to make the crossing. Operated by the venerable British line Cunard, which has been sailing for more than 180 years, the Queen Mary 2 is a true ocean liner purpose built for transatlantic trips. The season typically runs from April to December, with seven- or eight-day, one-way departures between New York City and Southampton. (Outside those dates, the ship often visits warm-weather ports, such as those in the Caribbean, or follows the sun on lengthy world cruises.)

Greywolf Studios Limited/Courtesy of Cunard Line

As befits its heritage, the Queen Mary 2 embraces tradition. That starts with a rather old-school booking hierarchy that’s key to understanding the ship: passengers have the choice of four classes of travel that determine not only the type of cabin or suite but also which dining venues will be available to them. While there’s thankfully no longer a “steerage” category, Cunard does offer four tiers to choose from, in ascending order of opulence: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill. Each class of booking has its own dining venues and rules; more on those later.

For me, the vintage vibes are all part of the fun. During my most recent crossing, I enjoyed walking the promenade deck, reflecting on the trips my grandparents and great-grandparents made when they crossed the same sea for a new life in America. Though the views might’ve been the same, their trip would’ve been far less glamorous.

Queen Mary 2 has plenty of modern accouterments such as a nightclub with DJs and a planetarium , but favorite pastimes include evenings under the chandelier of the Queens Room ballroom where a big band plays as passengers dressed to the nines show off their moves. The ship’s equally elegant two-deck main dining room for Britannia guests is another pleasurable throwback with its chandeliers, Art Deco motifs, and grand staircase.

Some dedicated fans of Cunard will only do a crossing in the late fall, when the weather turns and occasional gale force winds test the mettle of the ocean liner’s reinforced hull and four stabilizers. On my most recent trip, we had our share of gale-force breezes, to the delight of many guests on board. Thanks to the medicine I packed, the experience was better than I expected. And, no matter the weather, the band plays on.

Here's a closer look at the staterooms, suites, restaurants, and amenities available on the Cunard ocean liner Queen Mary 2 .

Queen Mary 2

• The Cunard flagship, Queen Mary 2 is the only passenger ship with regularly scheduled crossings of the Atlantic Ocean, on seven- or eight-night itineraries.
• Tuxedos and ball gowns come out during the Gala Evenings on board, when guests dress to themes like Black and White, Masquerade, or Roaring ‘20s.
• The Golden Lion is the best gastropub at sea, with its wood-and-brass bar, darts, folk music, and ale brewed exclusively for Cunard.
• It wouldn’t be a British ocean liner without tea, which is served every afternoon by white-gloved waiters who also bring out scones and Devonshire clotted cream.

The Queen Mary 2 operates with four classes of service, and your choice of accommodation also dictates which dining venues you’ll have access to. That being said, this is a luxury ship , and even the introductory-level accommodations on this ship are larger than is typical on more mainstream lines.

Britannia cabins, the smallest aboard, start from 194 square feet; inside cabins in this category don’t have windows. One step up are outside cabins, then some choices with balconies. Fifteen Britannia cabins are specifically for solo travelers. Book this category, and you’ll dine at either the early or late seating in the large yet elegant Britannia Restaurant, under the twinkling chandeliers.

Britannia Club passengers stay in balcony cabins, and dine in a more intimate restaurant, with a table reserved for them. (That means they can dine at any time.) Think of Club class as the equivalent of an airline’s premium economy option.

Princess Grill is another tier up, with 381-square-foot balcony staterooms on Deck 10, each with a separate seating area, walk-in closet, and bathtub. These guests enjoy concierge service on board and dine whenever they like in the intimate, 150-guest Princess Grill restaurant, with its upgraded menus.

First-class Queens Grill guests travel in butler-serviced suites that start at 506 square feet. (Some of the more luxurious options include duplexes with sweeping staircases named for British royal residences; the largest is 2,249 square feet.) Queens Grill passengers also have, of course, their own private fine-dining restaurant, where chefs put creative spins on classics such as beef Wellington and lobster thermidor. 

The Queen Mary 2 has the distinction of being the only cruise ship that allows pets — though they can’t stay in your stateroom. There are 24 individual kennel accommodations, with indoor and outdoor exercise areas, and there’s an owner’s lounge for visits.

Christopher Ison/Courtesy of Cunard Line

When it comes to dining, much depends on the accommodation you’ve booked. Guests in each of the four classes of travel on Queen Mary 2 are assigned to specific venues, though they always have the option of visiting one of the ship’s more democratic dining rooms.

Queens Grill guests may order from a set menu or have the chef whip up whatever they are craving. Traditional items such as beef Wellington or a 28-day dry-aged T-bone are among the choices, as is lighter fare.

Princess Grill guests can pre-order such treats as Dover sole and duck à l’orange, prepared table side. Other classics, such as New York strip steak au poivre are also available.

Queens Grill and Princess Grill guests also have exclusive access to the cushy Grills Lounge, with its own outdoor terrace, for cocktails or afternoon tea service.

In everyman’s Britannia — and in the slightly elevated Britannia Club — you’ll still have white-gloved waiters, with menus that tend toward British cuisine. Look for things like rosemary and garlic grilled lamb cutlets.

In addition to the mainstays, there are several casual dining options. Kings Court is a somewhat standard buffet; personally, I prefer the Carinthia Lounge, next door, where you’ll find complimentary (and creative) small-plate presentations and a less frenetic atmosphere. (At night, the lounge features the largest collection of vintage port wine at sea.)

My other go-to for lunch is the Golden Lion pub, which has selections such as fish and chips and a classic Ploughman’s lunch of cheese, meat, bread, and pickles. One extra-charge specialty restaurant to mention is the Steakhouse at The Verandah, which is known for its crowd-pleasing Cunarder burger, with bone marrow mayonnaise.

If you don’t want to dress up for dinner, there’s a section of the Kings Court set aside for table service, with a variety of menus including Indian, Italian, and pan-Asian, available at an extra charge.

The bar scene on the ship is extensive. The Golden Lion pub pours pints, while labels including Laurent-Perrier are on offer at the Champagne Bar. At the Commodore Club, with its windows over the ship’s bow, the cocktails are named for past Cunard commodores. The nautically inspired Chart Room has a selection of zodiac-themed drinks, one for each sign. Fans of martinis, like me, will want to sample Cunard’s own small-batch bottling, produced by Pickering’s Gin.

From the end of April to mid-December the ship does seven- and eight-night transatlantic crossings. Most of these trips connect New York City and Southampton, England, the gateway city to London. Occasionally, these trips visit other ports, such as Hamburg, Germany, or Newport, Rhode Island.

Outside of “crossing season,” the Queen Mary 2 often sails in the Caribbean. In early 2026, the ship will embark on a multi-month World Cruise, departing from either New York City ( 109 days ) or Southampton ( 108 days ).

Most of the time, the Queen Mary 2 makes non-stop crossings between New York and Southampton. But, when the ship does call in port, guests can expect a standard array of bus, van, and walking tours. In Quebec City, for example, one choice is the Tastes of Quebec Walking Tour, which involves a sampling of various local flavors, including maple taffy. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, the line’s most popular excursion is a guided walk around Peggy’s Cove , a photogenic fishing village.

Pricing for these tours varies, and Cunard does not include any excursions in its rates.

As befits a ship that spends lots of time at sea, Queen Mary 2 has a packed schedule of activities: on any given day, there are more than 60 things to do before dinner.

On my recent cruise, there was almost too much to do: professional dancers taught their moves, bridge instructors led card games, and casino dealers hosted blackjack tournaments. Elsewhere, there were trivia contests and darts competitions. An on-board planetarium offered visual journeys through the solar system, while movies played on big screens (and stateroom TVs). A full lecture series had talks on just about everything: one featured a British military historian who expounded on the Empire’s defeat of the Zulu Nation while another involved a forensic medical examiner who discussed the real Elephant Man. (Some crossings even offer fencing lessons, for an added fee.)

There are five pools on Queen Mary 2 . The Terrace and Splash Pools are outdoors, while the Pavilion Pool has a retractable roof, which allows for all-weather enjoyment. The shallow Minnows Pool is reserved for kids; the spa has a delightfully warm thalassotherapy option. (Additionally, the spa has a sauna, various treatments, and salon services.) 

Another hangout, and one of my favorite spots, is the ship’s library, the largest at sea with some 9,000 volumes — and epic ocean views.

At night, a resident team of singers and dancers puts on theatrical productions featuring show tunes; there are also visiting comedians and cabaret artists doing their thing. The bars and lounges are also full of live music, including jazz. On select cruises, The Royal Shakespeare Company performs and does workshops for guests.

On Gala Evenings, the place to see and be seen is the Queens Room ballroom. (For those less confident in their steps, dance hosts are available as partners.) If ballroom isn’t your thing, there’s a discreet door in the back, behind which is the G32 dance club with a mix of DJs and classic rock tunes from a live band.

From time to time, Queen Mary 2 hosts themed crossings, whether that’s bringing aboard members of the British National Symphony Orchestra or hosting a Literary Festival at Sea, with prominent authors. 

The Queen Mary 2 Isn’t the most kid-friendly cruise ship, but families do hop aboard, particularly during summer and the end-of-year holiday season. Various sections of the ship are designed for age-appropriate activities led by staff: The Play Zone, for ages 2 to 7, includes an indoor playroom and outdoor area with kiddie cars and tricycles. (Infants from 6 months up to 2 years are welcome to visit with their parents.) The Kids Zone, for ages 8 to 12, is equipped with foosball and game consoles. Teens can enjoy supervised time in the G32 disco and also have their own video gaming area.

Cunard has a complimentary Night Nursery that cares for children aged 6 to 23 months, from 6 to 11 p.m.

The Queen Mary 2 has 32 fully accessible staterooms and suites, spread across the Britannia, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill categories. These accommodations have wide doorways into the stateroom and bathroom and sufficient floor space for maneuvering a wheelchair or mobility scooter. There are flush thresholds between the bathroom and stateroom, and, for those rooms with balconies, ramped access to the outdoor area.

While most public areas have level or ramped access, there are raised thresholds throughout the ship, particularly in doorways for accessing outdoor deck areas. Pools have a hoist, the use of which can be reserved with 24 hours’ notice.

Cunard has additional advice for those with particular accessibility concerns on its website.

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An Atlantic Crossing on the 'Queen Mary 2'

The last place on earth I thought I’d ever want to be was on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This was back in October 1992, when I was still skeptical about cruising. My parents had asked me to join their seafaring getaway (in part so I could schlep their bags), but I was sure I’d get seasick and even more certain I’d be bored — trapped in a floating hotel with nothing to do, no peers and too much to eat. Still, off we went, flying on the now defunct, superfast  Concorde  from New York City to London to board Cunard’s  Queen Elizabeth 2 —  70,000 tons and nearly the length of three football fields — in Southampton, England, for a six-night voyage back to New York. To my surprise, the instant the ship let loose the lines that tied it to the pier, I felt all my worries loosen, as well. I’d soon understand why, for so many travelers, this voyage is a kind of fantasy fulfilled — and why a crossing on Cunard was in Patricia Schultz’s book  1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

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I crossed “the pond” five more times on the  QE2  before the ship went out of service in 2008, and I have crossed on Cunard’s larger, grander replacement, the  Queen Mary 2,  15 times since that ship debuted in 2004. Clearly, I’m addicted. But I find each time I make the crossing, it feels different. I’ve sailed in calm seas and fierce storms; stayed in tiny rabbit-warren inside cabins and spacious balcony accommodations; experienced vivacious tablemates, including a couple from Scotland who have become dear friends, and some quiet companions. On some trips, I did little more than read, nap and dine, while I made others a nonstop, seven-day frenzy of activities, including everything from lectures (one featured the late, legendary caricaturist Al Hirschfeld; another, former  New Yorker  editor Tina Brown) to country line dancing with a British twist. Yet, changes on the ship and differences in my experiences notwithstanding over these past 25-plus years, each Cunard crossing has offered the same comforting mix of new-age technology (Wi-Fi, of course) and old-world elegance (some crew members today wear fezlike red hats and red jackets with gold trim, plus white gloves). The combination is what you might expect from a 178-year-old British institution now owned by the very American Carnival Corp. Passengers, for the most part, get into the spirit of the iconic crossing. Day wear is casual, but evenings are a weeklong dress up party: On three nights, guests are asked to don formal gowns and tuxedos. And even on informal nights, a jacket is required for men. If a red-carpet look is not for you, you may eat dinner in your khakis and jacket (“cocktail dress or stylish separates for ladies”) in the Kings Court food hall — but I never do. Entering the dining room like Cary Grant in  An Affair to Remember  never gets old for me. Grant, in fact, sailed on the  QE2,  as did Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope and Debbie Reynolds, among other notables. The experience, however, is not just for the rich or famous.

As on most ships, fare for the week’s passage is based on the size of your cabin and the season; on the lower end, you might pay around $1,200 a person for a tiny inside room in late spring, while on the same journey, big spenders will shell out many thousands more for an enormous suite with a personal butler. The price also determines where you eat, with those paying the least gathered in two sittings in the spectacularly grand Britannia dining room. The bigger spenders are split among three smaller, more exclusive rooms: the Britannia Club, the Princess Grill and, at the pinnacle, the exclusive Queens Grill, where ordering off menu is encouraged and the food and service are perfection (or so I have been told by other passengers — it’s a bit out of my price range). Still, you’ll find good service, fine food and the same dress codes in all four dining rooms.

The approximately 2,700 passengers I join for each crossing are always a mixed-age and international crowd, from European couples with small children to retired American CEOs to the occasional rock star (Rod Stewart, for one).

Because there are no ports of call on this sail, and the ship is at sea for seven days, it’s not about touring new places. Rather, the ocean liner itself is the destination — offering, among other diversions, a golf simulator, paddle tennis courts, five swimming pools, a 3-D cinema, yoga and dance classes, acting workshops and a nightclub with 1970s and ’80s theme parties. I can honestly say I’ve never been bored. On recent trips I saw a fashion show from designer Julien Macdonald (part of the annual Transatlantic Fashion Week), attended a lecture on the state of the news media by Tina Brown, visited the Canyon Ranch spa and did lots of strolling on the wide teak promenade that encircles the ship (three times around is a mile). Why do I keep going back? To join the queue at the Queens Room for afternoon tea and fresh-baked scones, served by waiters in white gloves while a string quartet plays. To treat myself to some perfectly fried fish-and-chips in the consummately British Golden Lion pub or have a lighter meal in the gorgeously remodeled Carinthia Lounge — one result of the ocean liner’s stunning $132 million “remastering,” completed in 2016. And to recreate that feeling of freedom I first had in 1992 when the  QE2  left land and my problems behind. Which is why I’m already booked for another visit to one of my favorite places on earth.

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Ship:  Cunard’s  Queen Mary 2,  1,130 feet long, 2,695 passengers maximum

Itinerary:  7 nights, from New York City to Southampton, England (or reverse)

Price:  Fares for a westbound passage in May/June start at $1,199 per person, double occupancy; the more popular eastbound route starts at $1,299.

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First Timers Guide

1.  The  Queen Mary 2  is big (and quirky) enough to get lost in. Study the deck plans, and don’t hesitate to ask directions or risk never finding the disco or the planetarium. Yes, there is a planetarium.

2.  Once aboard, quickly reserve the “Behind the Scenes Tour,” a fascinating look at how the ship works, from the engine room to the massive food-storage areas. The tour is offered once per crossing and is limited to 16 people. Even at $120 per person, it sells out fast.

3.  The  Queen Mary 2  provides eastbound and westbound sailings, and each has its advantages. Eastbound, you lose one hour on five different days, but you arrive in Britain without jet lag. Westbound, you’ll get five 25-hour days and that magical entrance into New York harbor. 

4.  Learn the lingo: You’re on an “ocean liner,” not a “cruise ship,” and you’re making a “crossing,” not taking a “cruise.” 

5.  If you’re into putting on the Ritz, bring a tux or a gown, or take it down a notch with a suit or cocktail dress. Most of the voyage, you’ll want casual wear (such as khakis for men and dress-up-or-down black pants for women) and comfy shoes. And bring a jacket or wrap for warmth. Even in the summer, the North Atlantic can be blustery outside, and the air-conditioning can be chilly inside.

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I avoid most cruise ship steakhouses, but this one is exceptional

I tried to be a vegetarian once, and it was a disaster. I was in eighth grade, and I decided I liked animals too much to eat them. I came home from school one afternoon and declared my hatred of meat, and my mom — bless her — went out the next day to buy a vegetarian cookbook.

But, when faced with the choice between tofu and bacon, I caved. Hard. My resolve lasted less than a month, and that was that. To this day, I'm still not a big fan of meat, and when I eat it, it's almost always chicken. I do crave red meat sometimes, but unlike my steak, which I prefer medium, those occasions are rare.

When I cruise, for the reasons I've mentioned, I tend to dislike dining at onboard steakhouses . I find that the overall result is often disappointing, with the quality of meat unpredictable and the sheer amount of food unmanageable. Not so, however, on one particular ship.

I'm going to go ahead and say it: Steakhouse at The Verandah on Cunard 's Queen Mary 2 is the best cruise ship steakhouse experience I've ever had. Here's why.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Steakhouse at The Verandah menu

The menu at Steakhouse speaks for itself. From sirloin cuts of wagyu beef and Alaskan king crab to sides that are so delicious it's difficult to choose just a couple, I was thoroughly impressed. While most steakhouses offer some enticing options, the quality and selection found in Cunard's venue are — excuse the pun — a cut above.

Click the menu image below to see a complete, full-size version.

Consistency

Of all the onboard steakhouses I've tried more than once, QM2's has been the most consistent. Everything, from the options and the presentation to the service and dimly lit, elegant ambiance, has continued to wow me.

I ate there for the first time in 2018 — shortly after the space had been converted from The Verandah, a specialty restaurant that served French cuisine — and it blew me away just as much this time as it did then.

Related: The 9 best meals you can have at sea

My go-to steak is fillet because it doesn't have much fat, and it's easy to cut. Both times, my 8-ounce Black Angus fillet was prepared perfectly, and it was so tender I was able to cut it with a fork. (Yes, I know my table manners leave something to be desired.)

The sides and desserts were true standouts each time, as well.

Special touches

The steakhouse's bread, served pull-apart style with butter that's just slightly sweet, is iconic — the perfect preamble to an all-around delightful meal. Most restaurants' pre-dinner bread offerings are boring, but that isn't the case at Steakhouse at The Verandah, where I actually opted for seconds.

Prior to taking our orders, our waiter came to the table with samples of each of the different meat cuts, allowing us to see exactly what we'd be ordering. As someone who's decidedly picky about protein, it's a gesture that made me feel more confident I'd love what was to come.

After we ordered but before the food arrived, our waiter returned with a selection of knives. The handles varied in construction and shape in an effort to cater to diners' different hand sizes. The attention to detail was astounding.

Related: 5 reasons you should splurge on a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Manageable portions

Although the fillet was listed on the menu as 8 ounces, I requested the smallest piece they could find, knowing that I normally don't finish my meal. Wasting food is one of my pet peeves, so I was glad to see that, true to my request, the piece I received appeared to be smaller than average. I gladly polished off the entire thing but still had room left to enjoy my sides and dessert.

Speaking of the sides, I was floored by the flavor and quality of the steamed broccoli, tempura onion rings, and potato and cheese bake. When combined with the fillet, each was large enough to make me feel pleasantly full rather than uncomfortably stuffed.

To kick off our evening, an experienced sommelier stopped by the table to ask if we'd like to order anything to drink. My dining companions chose wine, but I went with one of Cunard's signature beers — Cunard Black, billed as a "biscotti breakfast stout." It was delivered rather ceremoniously on a silver tray.

When it came time for dessert , our waiter didn't even blink as I ordered two, unable to successfully decide between the wild strawberry Pavlova and the triple chocolate skillet cookie. Both were superb, the first breaking open to reveal a delectable mess of strawberries and cream and the second offering gooey chocolatey goodness.

But the flourish was far from over, with a waitress preparing one companion's rum baba tableside and a waiter putting together another tablemate's cheese plate right in front of us from a trolley.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Steakhouse at The Verandah is an extra-fee restaurant that levies a fee of $45 per person — one of the more reasonably priced steakhouses afloat. When you consider the food quality, level of service and special touches, it would be worth twice the price, particularly as it rivals some of the best steakhouses on land.

Note that there are additional upcharges for certain menu items. For example, you'll pay a $30 supplement for the Earl Stonham wagyu 8-ounce sirloin and a $20 supplement for a seafood platter for two, which includes Maine lobster, Irish mussels, Alaskan king crab, Grand Bank scallop ceviche and jumbo Mediterranean carabinero prawns. Additional fees are also added for anyone who wants to order more than one main or dessert.

Lunch is also offered for $25 per person. The menu is abridged, but it's a less expensive way to enjoy the eatery if you'd like to save some money.

Bottom line

Steakhouse at The Verandah on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is a classy dining affair, but its pomp is backed by food and service that are as exquisite as you'll find anywhere on land — and for a much better value.

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Queen Mary 2

Cruise line Cunard

• Southampton (England)
• New York (NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn)
• Hamburg (Germany)
• Sydney (NSW Australia)
• Hong Kong (China)

Queen Mary 2 current position

Queen Mary 2 current location is at North Sea (coordinates 58.71659 N / -3.91553 W) cruising at speed of 15.2 kn (28 km/h | 17 mph) en route to GBIVG>GBGRK. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Queen Mary 2

Queen Mary 2 current cruise is 30 days, round-trip British Isles . The itinerary starts on 23 Aug, 2024 and ends on 22 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of Queen Mary 2

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Queen Mary 2 Itineraries

Queen mary 2 review, review of queen mary 2.

The 2004-built RMS Queen Mary 2 cruise ship is the oldest and most famous of all Cunard liners, with fleetmates the sisterships MS Queen Victoria (2007) and MS Queen Elizabeth (2010), and Cunard's newest liner (2024-built) Queen Anne .

The vessel (IMO number 9241061) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310627000) and registered in Hamilton . The previous flag state/registry was the UK/Southampton (MMSI 235762000).

History - construction and ownership

Cunard Line is a British-American cruise brand, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Cunard is headquartered in Southampton (England UK) and is among the world's oldest passenger shipping companies . In 2015, Cunard Line celebrated its 175th anniversary.

Cunard held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic voyage for most of the next 30 years. In 1968 Cunard Line withdrew from year-round service to concentrate on cruising and summer transatlantic sailings for vacationers. The Queens were replaced by QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2), which was designed for her special dual role. In 1998, Carnival Corporation acquired Cunard. Five years later, Queen Elizabeth 2 was replaced on her transAtlantic runs by QM2 (Queen Mary 2).

Currently, Cunard is the only shipping company operating a regularly scheduled passenger service between North America and Europe.

The 1300-passenger ship RMS Queen Mary 2 is Cunard's current flagship, one of the most modern (by design and technologies) and currently the world's biggest ocean liner specifically designed for regular Transatlantic ocean crossings. QM2 was created with perfection, from bow to stern, with gorgeous public areas, lavish restaurants, ballrooms, theatres, bars and lounges, and even a Planetarium (the first at sea). In order for passengers to be well protected when the ship is moving fast (30 knots), invisible windscreens were built.

Stephen Payne was the vessel's naval architect - a CCL-Carnival's designer, who resembled features of some former ocean liners. These aspects include three thick black lines which recall the appearance of the first Queen Mary. Because Queen Mary 2 is too large and cannot dock in all ports, the passengers are ferried in tenders to and from the ship. For transporting passengers to shore, tenders pull up to loading stations, which have large hull doors for hydraulically opening outwards and forming a boarding platform.

The vessel changed its flag-state in 2011 (from London UK to Hamilton Bermuda) in order to allow shipboard weddings at sea. RMS stands for "Royal Mail Ship" - a gesture to Cunard Line's history.

RMS Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner with regularly scheduled Transatlantic cruise crossings between England and the USA (Southampton and NYC New York). She provides premium travel experiences with contemporary amenities, highly-trained staff, and most professional crew. By GT-tonnage (148528 tons) QM2 is also one of the world's largest passenger ships .

Cunard QM2's first World Cruise started on January 10, 2007, navigating around the globe for 81 days. On February 20, in Sydney NSW, she met Queen Elizabeth 2 - being also on a World Voyage. Numerous viewers were at the harbor bridge although the queens' arrival time was 5:42 am. This was the first time they met since the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary served in 1941 as troopships.

Queen Mary 2 embarked on a 3-month voyage around the world from Southampton on January 10, 2012. She traveled south and afterward east around Africa, then along the east coastline of Australia heading to Japan and back to Southampton through the Suez Canal.

Another Royal Rendezvous took place in New York on January 13, 2011, at 6:45 pm, in front of the Statue of Liberty. Queen Mary 2 met Queen Victoria and the brand-new Queen Elizabeth. The two other ships- QE and QV crossed the Atlantic in tandem for the event. The fireworks and the red lights of the Empire State Building marked the event. For the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queens met again in Southampton on June 5, 2012.

Decks and Cabins

RMS Queen Mary 2 staterooms (1363 total) include 170 Suites, 813 Balcony, 74 Oceanview (of which 12 Lanai/Atrium-View), 286 Inside rooms, in all 29 categories. The ship has 479 connecting, 26 wheelchair-accessible and 15 studios (single-occupancy cabins). The largest are the Grand Duplex Suites (1600 ft2 / 149 m2 plus 645 ft2 / 60 m2 terrace).

The boat has 18 decks , of which 13 passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Passenger staterooms are in the following types: Standard Inside (no window), Lanai/Standard Atrium View (Standard Inside with a small window), Standard Oceanview (1 small non-opening porthole with seaviews), Britannia Club Balcony and Britannia Balcony (with glass-fronted step-out balconies) and the rest are Suites (Princess, Queen, Penthouse, Royal, Duplex, Grand Duplex).

Theoretically, RMS Queen Mary 2 is a classless ship, but passengers are actually separated (like on all Cunard liners) as their onboard dining locations are according to their cabin's category/cruise fares paid.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

All Cunard ships have 3 main restaurants offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner: Queens Grill Restaurant is designated for guests staying in Queens Grill accommodations. Evening dining is anytime between 6.30 pm - 9.00 pm. Princess Grill Restaurant - for guests staying in Princess Grill accommodations. Evening dining is anytime between 6.30- 9 pm. Britannia Restaurant - for guests staying in Britannia Balcony, Oceanview or Inside Staterooms. Dining arrangements depend on the class of accommodation passengers have chosen. Most of them prefer the Britannia class and dine in the main restaurant. Passengers can upgrade to a "junior suite" and then dine in Princess Grill, or choose a suite and then dine in the Queens Grill. Thus they are grouped by Cunard as the so-called Grill Passengers who are permitted to the Queens' Grill Lounge and may also use the private area on deck 11 and its whirlpool. The other public areas are allowed to use by all passengers.

Each stateroom is allocated and most cabins are allocated to Britannia restaurant - two-story with 1,300 seats. Princess Grill on deck 7 is for the more expensive staterooms- the Queen's Grill on the same deck - for the very best ones. Fares include all meals in the allocated restaurant and the afternoon tea served in King's Court or Queen's Room. Food is excellent - you may choose different starters, main courses, desserts, being changed every day. Dining optional venues - instead of in allocated restaurants, you can choose to eat in the self-service informal King's Court on deck 7 (with several buffet areas) or in the Golden Lion pub on deck 2. You may have breakfast or lunch at the King's Court area which is open twenty-four hours a day - it serves as a buffet restaurant. Todd English restaurant on deck 8 serves superb food, call in the morning to reserve a table.

Each cabin has free room service with a simple menu - burgers, pasta, crackers which can be ordered by phone at any time. If you order drinks, they are charged at bar prices.

When you book you may request a sitting. The Britannia restaurant has two for dinner - at 6 p.m. and at 8.30 p.m. Princess Grill and Queens Grill do not have sittings - when they are open, you can dine any time you choose. A note for confirmation sitting and table number will be left in your stateroom when you board. Lunch and breakfast do not require allocated tables or sittings.

NOTE: During the ship's major drydock refit in 2016, "Winter Garden" was replaced with "Carinthia Lounge". The new lounge offers alternative breakfast, lunchtime options, and premium coffees. Also during the 2016 refurbishment, "Todd English" (Mediterranean cuisine) was replaced with "The Verandah" - a contemporary French cuisine restaurant. The buffet-style "Kings Court" was completely transformed, with the addition of a smokehouse (alternative dining concept).

Passengers staying in suites are offered new menus in refurbished settings by Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants. Britannia Restaurant, Golden Lion pub, and Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar all boast refreshed menus. Cunard Line has created many of the new menus in its development kitchen in Southampton.

Follows the complete list of Queen Mary 2 restaurants and food bars.

• King's Court (478-seat self-service buffet restaurant, with Chef's Galley area for culinary demonstrations and Chef's Table menu on select evenings; sectioned in 4 casual dining venues - Chef Galley, The Carvery, Lotus, La Piazza)
• Britannia Restaurant (1351-seat, 3-decks high Dining Room; serves open-seating Breakfast and Lunch. Dinners are waiter-served, with 2 assigned sittings at 6 or 8:30 p.m. Inside is the Britannia Club which is a private dining room for Britannia Club Balcony guests)
• The Carvery (offers gourmet English cuisine, reservations are recommended)
• Lotus (Asian cuisine with Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai dishes; reservations only)
• La Piazza (24-hour; serves Italian cuisine; reservations recommended)
• Queens Grill Restaurant (206-seat, for Queens Grill Suite guests; with regular and an a la carte menu)
• Princess Grill Restaurant (180-seat, Princess Grill Suite guests only; open-sitting, with the same menu as at the Queens Grill)
• Todd English (216-seat specialty restaurant, reservations are required)
• Boardwalk Cafe (a fast-food bar serving the pool area).

Transatlantic cruise travel is more formal as a dress code. During the day, passengers definitely tend towards country club casual. At night, even when it isn't a formal-designated evening, passengers dress up anyway. There are 3 dress codes in the main restaurants after 6 pm each evening. Which one applies each night is noted in pre-voyage documentation and daily program in all staterooms.

• Formal (men - dinner jacket with a black tie or dark business suit; women- evening dress)
• Semi-formal (men- jacket and a tie; women - cocktail dress/trouser suit)
• Elegant casual (men - a jacket, a tie is optional; women - skirt, dress or trousers). Shorts and T-shirts are not permitted.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The facilities on Queen Mary 2 include fifteen bars and restaurants, a theatre, casino, ballroom and five swimming pools (four of the ship's five swimming pools are outdoors), together with the first planetarium at sea. You can also use the ship's kennels and nursery. QM2 has a shipboard class dining system.

As it is with most modern passenger ships, the major public rooms onboard are situated on the lowest decks while the passenger cabins are stacked above them. This way the designers made it possible more staterooms to be equipped with balconies not affected by ocean waves.

The Illuminations Theatre, the first at sea Planetarium and a Cinema are on Deck 2, where are also the Empire Casino, the Royal Court Theatre, the Grand Lobby, the Golden Lion Pub, Britannia Restaurant's level 1. The upper level of Illuminations Theatre, Britannia Restaurant, and Royal Court Theatre are on Deck 3, together with a shopping arcade, Queen's Room, Veuve Cliquot (champagne bar), Sir Samuel's (wine bar), Chart Room, G32 Nightclub.

Another public deck (Deck 7) houses the Winter Garden, Canyon Ranch Spa, King's Court, Queen's Grill Lounge, the restaurants Princess Grill and Queen's Grill.

On Deck 8 is the Todd English Restaurant, 8000-volume Library, Book Shop, a large outdoor swimming pool.

QM2 also has a large amount of commissioned artworks (5000+) by artists from 16 different countries. These are visible in the hallways/corridors, lobbies, various public rooms.

Each evening a daily program for the next day will be delivered to your stateroom, showing detailed information about activities on board, opening and closing times of bars, restaurants, and other facilities. There is also an ongoing program of plays, shows, lectures. Several live bands with dancing every evening will entertain you on board. If you prefer disco - visit the G32 nightclub. Do not forget Canyon Ranch spa on deck 7 which offers from massages to manicures, jacuzzis, and saunas.

Cunard cruise ship weddings, ceremonies, and parties could be held in some of the QM2's lounges. There is no chapel on the ship.

Follows the complete list of Queen Mary 2 lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Royal Court Theatre (1105-seats, 2-decks high; has a dynamic stage for grand show / musical productions; features concert hall acoustic and high tech equipment). Via a 3-year partnership deal with RSC-Royal Shakespeare Company (2022 through 2025/May-Aug and Sept-Nov), at the Royal Court Theatre are also hosted theatrical performances by RSC actors. The company's program for QM2 includes "Boundless as the Sea" (a piece created by Owen Horsley exclusively for Cunard Line) as well as "Miss Littlewood" (musical show by Sam Kenyon) and "Shakespeare Tales" (informal events with RSC actors performing their favorite pieces (sonnets and speeches) and interacting with the audience.
• Illuminations Theatre (493-seat, 2-leveled, with a giant movie screen; hosts the world's only Planetarium at sea for astronomy shows, virtual reality movies, and high-tech visual programs)
• Grand Lobby Atrium (with a grand piano, grand sweeping staircase, interior glass-wall lifts)
• Golden Lion Pub (123-seat traditional British pub bar; features a large selection of the UK and international beers, large-size TVs, live entertainment, small dance floor)
• Empire Casino (222-seat, 6000 ft2 / 610 m2; with 115 slots and 11 gambling tables, served by Casino Bar)
• Images Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo-video services; exhibits fine artworks)
• Cunard ConneXions (a complex of 7 rooms that host onboard events)
• Cyber Centre (has 9 Internet computers, with 35 Internet workstations available in the other ConnneXions rooms)
• Clarendon Art Gallery (art auctions and exhibitions; the artworks are all originals)
• Video Arcade (with the newest video games for all passengers)
• Mayfair Shops (shopping arcade; luxury jewelry, watches, fashion clothes, formal wear, QM2 logo merchandise)
• Veuve Cliquot Bar (Champagne bar; the menu also includes tapas and canapes)
• Sir Samuels Bar (specialty coffee/tea and patisserie bar)
• Chart Room (cocktail bar with live jazz)
• Queens Room (2-level formal dancing ballroom; features the biggest dancefloor at sea)
• G32 Disco & Nightclub (named after the QM2 ship's yard number; with live band music and DJ program)
• The PlayZone (club lounge area and nursery for kids; complimentary)
• The Zone (supervised teens club lounge, equipped for kids activities)
• Minnows Pool (QM2 family pool area, with a sunbathing area and a splash pool)
• The Canyon Ranch Spa & Salon complex (size 20000 ft2 / 1860 m2, 2-level; with a Spa, Thalassotherapy Pool, Thermal Suite, Finnish and Herbal Saunas, Treatment Rooms, Relaxation Lounge, Aromatic Steam Room, Beauty Salon)
• Fitness Centre (Gym Room and Weights area; with 8 exercise bikes, 10 Elliptical machines, 14 treadmills, 4 steppers, 2 rowing machines, yoga mats)
• Carinthia Lounge (ex-Winter Garden; 278-seat, size 7000 ft2 / 650 m2 classy lounge and supper club with live plants area, live music performances; serves Afternoon Champagne Tea, specialty cocktails and pre-dinner snacks)
• Queens Grill Lounge (Queens Grill Suite guests only venue with white-glove service and live piano music)
• QM2 Book Shop; The Library (with the largest book selection at sea - over 8000 volumes)
• Terrace Pool Area (with two Whirlpools, poolside bar, sunbathing area, and Band Stand)
• Commodore Club (115-seat indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows and live piano music)
• Boardroom (a lounge for private parties and meetings)
• Churchill's Cigar Lounge (QM2's smokers' room with a selection of fine liquors and cigars)
• Concierge Lounge (private club venue for Princess and Queens Grill guests)
• Atlantic Room (meeting room; doubles as Card Room)
• Queens Grills Terrace (private outside pool area for Queens Grill passengers with bar service and Jacuzzi)
• Pavilion Pool Area (with two Whirlpools, Magrodome, served by the Pavilion Pool Bar)
• 22 kennels for pets (dogs and cats; with a fire hydrant and lamp post in the area reserved exclusively for walking the dogs)
• The Fairways (2 golf simulator machines, 51 golfing course choices)
• Sports Centre (1/2 size basketball court; Deck Games area with quoits, shuffleboard, chessboard, paddle tennis, mini-golf course)
• The Sun Deck's pool area (with Splash Pool and two Whirlpools; a sunbathing area with loungers; served by the Regatta Bar).

Itineraries

Queen Mary 2 itinerary program is based on regular Transatlantic crossings with departures from Southampton England UK , Hamburg Germany , and NYC New York USA . Each year the ship offers an Around the World Voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton and oneway itinerary segments. QM2 features special Cunard cruises to Canada (New England) and the Caribbean, also with departures from UK and USA.

Photos of Queen Mary 2

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Other Cunard cruise ships

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Queen Mary 2 Wiki

RMS Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is Cunard Line's oldest and one of the world's most famous ocean liners of all time. As vessel class and design, QM2 is an "ocean liner" designed specifically for regularly scheduled passenger express Transatlantic crossings between the UK and the USA. Departures are from 3 homeports - in the USA ( New York City ), the UK ( Southampton ) and Germany ( Hamburg ). Most of these voyages are according to a fixed Transatlantic schedule with 7-day North Atlantic crossings between Southampton and NYC. The short (7-day) itinerary is usually without any ports of call.

Cunard's QM2 construction was completed on December 23, 2003. The inaugural cruise/maiden voyage to Fort Lauderdale Florida started on January 12, 2004.

The ship's Godmother was HM Queen Elizabeth II (UK's ruling monarch/1926-2022). The naming ceremony was held on January 8th, at Port Southampton. The special event featured live musical performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/RPO and the Royal Marines Band (the British Navy's musical wing).

The ship was named "RMS Queen Mary 2" in respect of Cunard Line's Royal Mail service.

RMS Queen Mary 2's building cost is over USD 900 million - ranking the vessel nearly 2 times more expensive than most of the currently operated cruise liners. The construction was costly because the ship is big and the materials used were of the highest possible quality. Plus, vessel's construction demanded 40% more steel than an ordinary cruising vessel. When launched in 2004, QM2 became world's biggest cruise liner ever .

QM2's cruising speed of 30 knots (56 kph / 35 mph) ranks it world’s fastest cruise liner currently in operation. The vessel's service speed is 26 knots (48 kph / 30 mph). RMS Queen Mary 2 is the first cruise ship with CODAG propulsion system (“combined diesel and gas”) based on gas turbines that magnify diesel-produced power.

Illuminations Theatre is the first Planetarium at sea. The ship also has the largest Library at sea (8000+ volumes), the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea, a total of 15 dining venues, 5 swimming pools, 620-m wraparound promenade deck, onboard kennels (available only on the transatlantic crossings). QM2 is Post-Panamax vessel (can’t pass through the old Panama Canal locks), designed specifically for Transatlantic crossings. Among the fun facts are, that on Transatlantic crossings, QM2 is supplied with about 65 000 fresh eggs and about 150 tons of food. Propulsion demands are however even more impressive. QM2 ship needs 1850 tons of diesel oil and 1000 tons of fuel for the gas turbines on a regular 7-day North Atlantic crossing between USA and UK. It takes 6 hours to fill her storage tanks.

In August 2004 (during the Summer Olympics in Greece), the ship was chartered and stayed docked for 2 weeks in Port Piraeus (Athens) serving as ship hotel. Among the guests were Tony Blair (UK's Prime Minister), Jacques Chirac (France's President), George W. Bush (USA's President), the whole US Olympic basketball team, John Cleese (UK actor), Richard Dreyfuss (US actor), Harold Evans (UK journalist and author), George Lucas (film director and producer), Carly Elisabeth Simon (US singer), Rod Stewart (UK singer), Donald Trump (media magnate / future US President).

On October 19, 2011, the vessel changed its registry (flag-state) from UK to Bermuda which allows cruise wedding ceremonies to be held on the ship. The word "Southampton" on the stern was replaced with "Hamilton". This was the first time in Cunard's history when its liner was registered not in the UK.

In early-February 2017, Cunard Line announced company's sponsorship of the "Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show". This prestigious all-breed conformation show is held annually in NYC New York since 1877. The onboard show took place on February 11-14. The winner and its owner were offered a free QM2 Transatlantic Crossing.

On December 8, 2017, QM2 operated a cruise-themed after "The New York Times" crossword's 75th anniversary. During "The Crossword Crossing" (7-night Transatlantic cruise NYC to Southampton), QM2 passengers had the unique chance to test their crossword skills and meet the newspaper's crossword experts (including Ben Zimmer, Deb Amlen, Joel Fagliano). They offered insight into the media's popular puzzles via daily scheduled themed events (lectures, game sessions, other activities). The New York Times' first crossword puzzle was published in 1942. It became a daily occurrence by 1950 and is now one of the media's most popular features.

On itinerary August 31-September 7, 2017, the passenger liner hosted the 2nd "Cunard Transatlantic Fashion Week" cruise from Southampton to NYC. These themed voyages bring together some of the world's most renowned fashion brand representatives. On each of the 7 days at sea are hosted fashion shows, formal dinners, exclusive events, workshops, and talks. Among the 2017 voyage's VIPs were Julien Macdonald (celebrity designer) and Colin McDowell (fashion writer). Three new for Cunard pop-up stores on the QM2 ship offered for purchasing latest fashion collection items, including Mulberry (purses and bags), Lucy Choi (designer shoes) and Melissa Odabash (designer swimwear).

An interesting fact is that a baby boy was born on board RMS Queen Mary 2 on January 17, 2016, while en route to New York . The ship was on a transatlantic crossing from Southampton when a German passenger went into labor. The ship doctor delivered the baby. The baby boy, who arrived 3 weeks early, was named Benjamin Brooklyn.

Starting in January each year, RMS Queen Mary 2 "World Cruise" is a huge event on the cruising market. Compared to other lines, Cunard's World Cruises deals offer affordable prices, exciting destinations and "big and famous" ports of call to visit around the world.

Cunard World Cruise 2022 (Queen Mary 2)

RMS Queen Mary 2 has scheduled a 118-day World Voyage 2022 which replaced all scheduled QM2 cruises departing January 3 through April 3, 2022 (including a voyage to South America).

The voyage departs roundtrip from Southampton (104-day, booking code M203I) and from New York City (118-day, booking code M202F) and visits Greece, Israel, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong China, Australia, Bali, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Italy, Portugal. The itinerary also features two Suez Canal crossings (on both the eastbound and westbound route) and overnights in Haifa, Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney NSW, Singapore, a late-night departure from Colombo.

Queen Mary 2 World Cruise 2022 is bookable either as a full voyage (118-night / 104-night) or in several shorter segments from NYC (to Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney Australia), Southampton (to Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney NSW, Fremantle) and itineraries departing out of Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia. The full itinerary visits 27 ports in 16 countries and 33 UNESCO Sites. Customers with full itinerary (roundtrip) bookings enjoy a Welcome Onboard Reception, services by World Voyage Concierges, use of an exclusive lounge, Gala Event ashore, complimentary daily gratuities.

Prices for the 118-night full voyage (NYC roundtrip Jan 3 - May 1) started from GBP 13000 / ~USD 16900 / ~EUR 14300 per person (inside stateroom at double occupancy). Prices for the 104-night full voyage (UK roundtrip Jan 10 - April 24) started from GBP 10100 / ~USD 13150 / ~EUR 11100 per person (inside stateroom at double occupancy).

RMS Queen Mary 2 refurbishments review

The ship's last drydock was in 2023 (October 23 to November 12, at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam ) and mainly for routine/general maintenance and class works, inspections, a technical overhaul, hull cleaning and repainting.

QM2's drydock in 2021 (August-September) was at Damen Shiprepair Brest ( Brest France ), during which were conducted mainly general maintenance works, as well as hull cleaning and painting.

During Cunard Line’s 175th anniversary celebrations was announced that QM2 enters 25-day long drydock in 2016 (May 27 to June 21). The drydock (at Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg Germany ) resulted in the following changes:

The Winter Garden lounge on Lido Deck 7 was redesigned and transformed into the new Carinthia Lounge. The lounge is named after the Cunard's two Carinthia ships – RMS Carinthia (1925-1940) and RMS Carinthia (1956-2006).

On deck 8, the ship’s signature restaurant Todd English was replaced by “The Verandah Restaurant”. The new restaurant (available on both QM2 fleetmates) offers gourmet French regional cuisine (with seasonal influences) plus a fine French wines list. The new specialty dinner is at a surcharge and opens for lunch and dinner only. The Verandah Grill has its own bar selling pre/post-meal drinks.

172 suites (all Princess and Queen Grill suite accommodations on the QM2 ship’s upper decks) were comprehensively redesigned to maximize space. Their decoration was also changed, reflecting the Cunard Line’s history. The changes include new luxury textures in soothing colours and new carpeting (with a rugs-design inspired by the old RMS Queen Mary liner).

Extensive development work involving Cunard guests and the onboard Queen Mary 2 galley teams has been undertaken over the last eighteen months in the redesign of this very popular area of the flagship. Enhancements are planned to both the service and culinary offerings in Kings Court with the refreshed venue featuring new menus, the convenience of pre-set tables and waiter-served drinks.

The King's Court (self-service buffet restaurant on lido deck 7 midship) was majorly redesigned. Both central-location elevators were removed to create a vast open space. This way, the central buffet stations area became more open, allowing an easygoing flow. The restaurant’s seating was also reconfigured for a less crowded experience, adding the convenience of pre-set tables and waiter-served drinks. New menus were introduced (including a smokehouse alternative), plus pre-set tables and waiter-served beverages. Among the new menu choices are hot/cold meals, light snacks, afternoon treats, alternative cuisine specialties (including Asian, Indian, Italian, Tex Mex. At the center stage, ship's chefs entertain guests through cooking demonstrations in the evenings.

(King’s Court) The Chef’s Galley area (that offers for lunch pasta and pizzas) on select evenings additionally offers Chef’s Table menu. This is a fine wine pairing and food tasting VIP dining event hosted by the ship’s Executive Chef. The buffet’s new design features modern chandeliers, new artworks (circus-themed), areas with timber flooring, lots of mirrors.

Both Grill restaurants (on Lido deck 7) were redesigned and renovated with a new color scheme, furnishings, and flooring. After the 2016 refurbishment, they both have new menus, more 2-seat tables and were reconfigured for more privacy (by increasing the space between tables).

15 new single-occupancy staterooms were added on deck 2 portside (taking space from the Casino) and deck 3L portside (in the place of the Images Photo Gallery).

The Britannia Restaurant (dining room on deck 2) was redesigned too. It was renovated with new decor and upgraded with new dining menus and the Cunard's "White Star Service" standards.

Updated menus were introduced also at Golden Lion (pub) and Veuve Clicquot (wine / Champagne bar).

30 new balcony staterooms category “Britannia Club Balcony” plus 5 Inside staterooms were added on deck 13 (in the deck’s forward part)

10 new kennels (for cats and dogs) were added to the existing 12 kennels on deck 12. This is the best amenity for passengers traveling with pets. Cruise ship kennels were the Cunard’s signature feature on the line’s former flagship RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. On the ocean liner QM2, they were first introduced at the Duke of Windsor's suggestion.

On QM2, the kennel area was expanded, an owners lounge and a new pet playground were added. The extended outdoor area is intended for dog walking and features a lamppost (from Liverpool ) and a fire hydrant (from NYC ). In 2016, Cunard partnered with Barbour (British sportswear brand) to offer smart pet accessories on the QM2 ship (including jackets, collars, leashes).

On deck 2, two of the Grand Lobby's elevators were removed. This made more space for the lobby lounge, which was also redesigned and refurbished with high-back chairs and a new Baby Grand piano.

Around 55,200 m2 (594,200 ft2) of new carpets have been laid throughout the ship. All new cruise cabins increased the QM2 ship’s capacity from 2620 passengers (max 3151) to 2726 passengers (max 3271). Refurbishment's fun facts: man-hours (over 1 million), new carpets (55,200 m2 / 594,200 ft2), new framed pictures number (4,000), hull paint quantity (over 15,000 litres / 3,962 US gallons).

QM2's drydock 2016 refurbishment cost Cunard ~GBP 90 million.

Cunard Adds Queen Mary 2 Visit in Liverpool to Mark 400th Atlantic Crossing

• September 1, 2024

Cunard announced an additional visit for the Queen Mary 2 during its return to Liverpool to commemorate its 400th Transatlantic Crossing, according to a press release.

The Queen Mary 2 will host two ship visits for travel agent partners in the region on September 6 and 7.

These visits, limited to 30 participants each, are scheduled from 3:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the 6th, and from 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the 7th.

Tom Mahoney, director of UK sales at Cunard, said: “We can’t wait to welcome our travel agent partners onboard Queen Mary 2 in Liverpool, our spiritual home. First-hand experience is the most effective way for the trade to immerse themselves in everything we do, allowing them to broaden their product knowledge and build their confidence when selling Cunard. It’s also a privilege to be returning to Liverpool – a city that Cunard shares a unique 184-year association with.”

The Queen Mary 2 will arrive in Liverpool on September 6. This visit marks Cunard’s return to the city since the Queen Anne’s naming ceremony in June. After her stay in Liverpool, the ship will depart for Cork, Ireland, on September 7. Her journey to Liverpool began in New York on August 23, marking her 400th Atlantic crossing. Before arriving in Liverpool, the ship will call at her homeport of Southampton on August 30, before embarking on a British Isles cruise. This visit will be the Queen Mary 2’s eighth call at Liverpool, where large crowds are expected to gather along the Mersey.

The visit on Sept. 6 will highlight Cunard’s entertainment offering and include a Champagne afternoon tea in the Champagne Bar, a tour of the ship and the opportunity to see an exclusive early evening performance in the Royal Court Theatre.

Agents visiting on September 7 will be treated to a guided ship tour, a three-course lunch at the Britannia restaurant and free time to explore. Their participation was secured through Cunard’s Shine Rewards loyalty program.

The line’s wider 2024 ship visit program also includes events in Greenock and Southampton, with chances to experience the new Queen Anne and Queen Victoria, as well as the Queen Mary 2.

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Person airlifted to hospital from Edinburgh cruise ship

A person had be airlifted to hospital from a luxury cruise ship in Scottish waters last night.

Drama unfolded on the Queen Mary 2 just off the coast of Edinburgh around 9pm on Sunday evening. An HM Coastguard Rescue helicopter was scrambled to the iconic voyager.

The Leonardo AW189 aircraft took off from Prestwick Airport and headed towards The Firth of Forth to provide aid on the Firth of Forth.

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The casualty was hauled on board and flown to Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

It is unknown what the exact nature of the incident was with the casualty's condition yet to be established.

A HM Coastguard spokesman said: "The search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick conducted a medical evacuation from a vessel in the Firth of Forth, south of Kinghorn, last night.

"We were alerted at around 9pm. The helicopter and crew transferred a casualty to hospital."

The Queen Mary 2 is operated by luxury cruise firm Cunard, which also boast an impressive fleet named after famous UK Monarchs, including the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Cunard and Police Scotland were both contacted for comment.

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Person airlifted from luxury cruise ship off Fife coast

A coastguard helicopter was called to the Queen Mary 2 due to a medical emergency.

A person has been airlifted from a luxury cruise ship off the Fife coast during a medical emergency.

A coastguard helicopter was called at around 9pm on Sunday to a medical incident on board the Queen Mary 2.

The liner was passing through the Firth of Forth , close to Kinghorn, at the time the alarm was raised.

The person was evacuated by rescue teams in the water south of Elie and flight data shows they were taken by helicopter to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

The person’s condition has not been confirmed.

The Queen Mary 2 is currently carrying passengers on a 30-day cruise that started in New York last month.

The vessel was heading towards Invergordon in the Highlands at the time of the incident before it travels to ports in England, Ireland and Belgium and then heads back to the USA.

Cunard, which operates the cruise liner , has been contacted for comment.

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