I was fortunate enough to spend four nights aboard the Queen Mary 2. As soon as you step on board, you are welcomed by the friendly crew and the stunning grand atrium. This was my first time on a Cunard ship, and while I had some expectations, they were far exceeded. The ship itself is beautiful, featuring Art Deco interiors and high ceilings in all the public areas, which gives it a spacious feel.
The embarkation process was smooth and efficient, taking less than 15 minutes from parking the car to being inside our cabin and unpacking our suitcases. Our cabin steward was always available throughout our stay to assist with any requests we had.
Once we settled into our sheltered balcony cabin, which had the most comfortable bed and luxurious sheets — making it a bit difficult to get out of bed — we set out to explore the ship further. With the sun shining in Southampton, we headed straight to the outdoor decks. Walking around the promenade deck, I knew this would be a favorite spot during the sea days, thanks to the comfortable deck chairs and the perfect view of the waves.
At the back of the ship, we discovered the two outdoor pools, where we stopped for a drink and enjoyed the sail-away from Southampton. As you walk around the ship, you catch glimpses of the QM2's rich history. The walls are adorned with a variety of artwork and photographs of royalty and celebrities who have walked these corridors. It's easy to see why she is such a wonderful vessel, cherished by so many. Her primary itinerary is transatlantic crossings, and you can truly feel the difference between her and other cruise ships. She glides effortlessly through the water; I even had to check a few times to confirm that we were still sailing, as you could hardly feel her movement.
Each evening, we had a reserved table at 8:30 in the Britannia restaurant, which spanned two decks and featured a mix of table sizes, allowing guests to dine with other passengers or enjoy an intimate meal with just their travel companions. The menu was delightful, offering a wide range of choices. As a vegetarian, I appreciated the numerous options available each evening. All dietary requirements were catered to; we were traveling with a few celiac friends, and each evening they were given the menu for the following day to pre-order. This allowed the chefs enough time to prepare the food safely. We also enjoyed the King’s Grill buffet, which is open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon snacks, and a late-night buffet. We opted for breakfast here because it was quick and easy, and the variety of choices was endless.
One of my favorite places on the ship was the Royal Court Theatre, with its beautiful traditional red chairs. It was the perfect spot to spend an evening watching performances that ranged from a comedian to the Royal Court Theatre Company's West End-style show, as well as a tribute to Frankie Valli that really got your toes tapping.
Illuminations was another impressive feature on the ship, serving as a full-sized auditorium that not only acted as the ship's planetarium but also hosted guest speakers and screened new films.
My favorite place on the ship had to be the library; it was the largest I had ever seen at sea. It offered a wide range of books, from thrillers to romance to history, including titles in different languages and a children's section as well. I loved sitting at the front of the ship, where I could choose a book and find a seat to read while enjoying a perfect panoramic view of the ocean.
The ship offered numerous additional venues, including the Golden Lion pub, which featured live entertainment and even karaoke nights. There were many other bars and quiet areas where you could sit back with your drink of choice and enjoy live musicians or simply relax to some background music. With so many options available, your choices were endless.
During our cruise, we had a sneak peek at some exclusive restaurants. One of these is the Queen Grill, which is reserved for Queens Grill guests, while the other is the Princess Grill, exclusive to Princess Grill guests. Both restaurants are located on deck 7. They offer à la carte dining with a different menu each day, though there is also an always-available menu. Both restaurants represent the pinnacle of fine dining, providing an exceptional and prestigious dining experience.
Once we docked in Rotterdam, we disembarked to explore the beautiful city. Getting on and off the ship was quick and easy, and each time we returned, we were warmly welcomed by the wonderful crew. Cunard's signature White Star Service is evident in the crew's attentiveness, as they are always happy to go above and beyond to ensure your cruise is truly enjoyable!
My experience onboard the QM2 was incredible, and I hope to one day be fortunate enough to travel on another Cunard ship. If you've ever considered a Cunard cruise, feel free to visit our Gloucester branch for a cup of tea and a chat about all the wonderful options they have to offer.
