Aboard the Queen Mary 2 in the North Atlantic

Sept 6, 7 and 8, 2007

The wonderful thing about a ‘non-stop” transatlantic crossing is how the days seem to pass so quickly and blur together. I know I promised a daily QM2 blog, but somehow I got lost in the doing of nothing – unlike Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. This reminds me…The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts holds theater classes throughout the voyages and of course they do a spoof of Sir William that has both audience participation and hilarious onstage improvisation.  As I’ve said before, there just isn’t enough time on a 6-night QM2 crossing to do and see everything that is offered. Twice I went to the Planetarium for two difference “cosmic” experiences; one narrated by Tom Hanks and the other by Robert Redford. We had three celebrities onboard: John Cleese, Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney Vance. Each was featured in an “Actor’s Studio” type of show, with audience questions and answers. The Royal Court Theater was packed for both events.

It’s interesting to be in the exercise room on a treadmill and have one of your favorite actors step on right next to you. I’ve been a big fan of John Cleese (did you know his real name was John Cheese!) so when he took the treadmill next to mine, I was so dumbstruck I couldn’t even say, Spam, Spam, Spam! Here’s my take on the Queen Mary 2 – She is a gorgeous ship. Clean, efficient and welcoming.

Keep in mind that Cunard is in the Carnival family of cruise lines and you will be able to see the subtle nuances that Samuel Cunard would not have approved. Such as carrying your own tray in the King’s Court Buffet, rubber mats over the bed upon embarkation so that your luggage does not soil the linens, exposed toilet brushes in the bathroom. These may seem like trite comments, but for a cruise line of the magnitude of Cunard, I expect better.  

Now…onto the good stuff…this ship sails the water like a warm knife through butter. Again, the ocean seemed like a quiet millpond, but I’ve sailed the QM2 with 30 foot swells and you never felt a thing. The staff is attentive but not intrusive. The food? The best meal I had was up in the “food court” (King’s Court) at the Asian venue. Truly remarkable and tasty approach to traditional Chinese fare. The Britannia Dining room – for us Plebes!- was good – well-prepared entrees, service was very good – that’s the operative word: “good.” Not memorable, not outstanding as one would expect, merely good. And quite good at times, but plain ol’ good. You have to experience at least one lunch in the Golden Lion pub on Deck 3. This is a bit of England right there on the ship. This restaurant features 5-6 truly English pub lunches including the Ploughman’s lunch which consists of a terrifically crunchy hard roll, sliced ham, Stilton and English Cheddar wedges, carrots and celery, Branston pickle and condiments. There is also the Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash and Roast Beef sandwiches. Plus of course a pint of Guinness to top it off.  In a nutshell, it’s a top of the line Carnival product with a name steeped in history creating a once in a lifetime experience. I would sail with Cunard anytime!

Comments

[Allan]

What a fabulous and intuitive insight into this great ship. As one who has sailed on her I must say that I concur with the body of your report. You have spotted much more than I, which mean that I will have to punish myself by again sailing on this beautiful ship, thank you for just the excuse I needed..Allan

[Janet]

We were on the same cruise,NY to Southhampton to the Mediterranean, back to NY. We sailed on the QE2 way back in 75 and 78. This 'Cunard' experience was very different. Though we'd sail on the QM2 again, we found it to be so so with re. to some of the public rooms and the food. The Kings Court was a nightmare( our opinion) and sometimes we felt as if we were at the Jersey shore. We also thought the flea market was low class and so were the products sold. Boxes and boxes of junk every night and afternoon in the lobby were a pain. They were always trying to sell stuff. Also on days in port if you remained on board you could not eat in the dining room, and they ran the ship on a shoe string. Lots of rules that were pro staff, while passengers were hung out to dry. You could not get a drink in any lounge, they were all closed while in port, as well as no food.

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