Queen Mary 2 Cruise Review

Caribbean Educational, 10 April 2007 - May Malcolm

I flew to New York on the 9th of April arriving into Kennedy Airport for the short 30 minute coach transfer to Brooklyn Dock. Turning a corner the Queen Mary 2 came into sight, and what a sight, she may be a big lady but wow - she is certainly an elegant one.

Embarkation took just over 50 minutes going through the usual procedures of registering your credit card for all your on-board spend, the usual photo moment of embarking the ship, however this time I found most people actually stopped to get a photo with the Queen Mary 2 , New York lifebelt in the background, this may be due to the romance of sailing from New York or indeed on-board the World’s grandest liner, either way it was a nostalgic moment for most.

From the very first moment you step on-board you realise you are taking the first step towards a new standard in luxury travel. The famous “White Star Service”(Cunard’s finishing school for the immaculate service on-board) is an assurance that requests however little are handled with little trouble.

As she elegantly glides from the port of Brooklyn past the sight of the Manhattan skyline it is a sight that will be in your memory for a lifetime, with the ever watchful eye of “Liberty” herself as you leave the most famous skyline in the world to sail to the warmer waters of the Caribbean.

QM2 still celebrates hallmarked and celebrated customs such as delicious afternoon teas served daily in the Queens Room served impeccably by white gloved waiters. The tradition of formal evenings gives you the opportunity to indulge in the elegant ritual of dressing up for dinner and on the QM2 this feels just right.

By day it is a very relaxing and comfortable place to be, people are casually dressed as you would expect, lazing by the pool, playing table tennis or just taking a stroll round the decks taking in all the magnificent history of this luxurious liner. Days at sea of course are relaxing and you can enjoy the wonderful array of beauty and therapy treatments on offer in the Canyon Ranch Spa. Queen Mary 2’s most luxurious suites command their own table in the Queen Grill restaurant between 7pm and 9pm enjoy the sumptuous a la carte menu. Princess Grill dining experience affords an array of European and international specialities. Guests in the Britannia split level stunning restaurant offers a gastronomic delight of a golden age at sea. Of course in any of the beautiful restaurants on-board the QM2 you will find your expert sommelier is, of course on hand to make an exceptional recommendation of which wine will compliment your choice of menu each evening. Of course as you would expect there are alternative options in a more causal and relaxed atmosphere, you may choose from the Board walk Café, the elegant Winter Garden or the informality of the Kings Court and La Piazza. Make a reservation on the evening at the signature restaurant of Todd English and enjoy the exceptional creativity of these fabulous menus. There are many dining experience on-board the QM2 and I am sure you will have fun sampling most of them.

As your evening is taking shape why not enjoy the fantastic West End shows on offer in the Royal Court theatre, a glass of wine in Sir Samuels or start your formal evening off with a glass of bubbly in the Champagne Bar. Enjoy the pub quiz or Karaoke in the Golden Lion, a traditional English pub which will probably become like most your meeting point to start your evening.

QM2 has a various different categories of accommodation on-board to suit all needs, from the Standard inside comfortable cabins to Oceanview, Deluxe balcony and of course the Princess and Queens suites, whatever you are able to spend QM2 has a cabin onboard for you.

From dawn to dusk on Queen Mary 2 anything can happen, you decide how to spend your time aboard the World’s Grandest liner. Enjoy your time spent on-board the world largest but most welcoming and grandest ladies at sea , like me an experience that will stay with you forever.

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