QM2 Review of 10 April Eastbound Crossing

[tree29]

Hi,

 

Having enjoyed previous reviews posted on this website very much (especially Chuck & Phyllis - don't they write well?), I thought I should have a go at describing my recent trip.

 

I'm Teresa (31), I travelled with my partner Peter (44). This was our first cruise so some of the things we found newsworthy may not be of interest to those of you who have done this a few times. None the less.....

 

Sunday April 10th THE DAY WE SET SAIL

The day dawned bright and warm with Peter managing to spot our ship from our hotel window as it sailed up the Hudson at 6am. It was a great sight and a good introduction to the sense of occaision that taking a transatlantic crossing affords.

We headed down to the dock around midday and gained out first impression of the QM2. Unsuprisingly this was "she's big". Embarkation was a dream - we were out of the taxi and onto the ship (through all security checks) in under 5 minutes - including the ship's photographer taking the first (of many) snaps of us. Our cabin wasn't ready for the first hour so got in some lounging practice by taking up residence on the prom deck. Shortly afterwards our friends arrived to wave us off before we went in search of our cabin.

The cabin

We were in cabin 11061 - a balcony room on deck 11 (near the top of the ship). We had a comfy king size bed, a two seat sofa, plenty of cupboards, a TV and cocktail table - with a free bottle of bubbly on ice awaiting our attention. The balcony had a glass front under the handrail so you could see the sea from the bed, and privacy screens to left and right. The bathroom was small but perfectly laid out with a roomy walk in shower, a loo and a basin plus lots of storage space. All the furnishings were top quality and looked brand new so we really did feel very special. Our steward, Dennis, popped in to say hello. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he kept our cabin immaculately the whole time we were there.

The TV was something else. Aside from the 20 odd channels of programs you could order a movie, listen to thousands of music tracks and build a playlist of your favourite songs. Besides this you could....

• view all restaurant menus and wine lists
  
• check the ships position and weather conditions on maps and check the view from the bridge
  
• send and receieve e-mail
  
• check deck plans
  
• review all entertainment and activity plans with full descriptions (so that you know what to expect from "hostess corner" as opposed to "brethren meeting")
  
• plan your next cruise
  
• book excursions and see info on ports of call
  
• check your bill (ouch)
  

and loads of other cool stuff.

We then had to attend lifeboat drill, very dull and lengthy and lots of standing about. However, when we went back to the cabin to drop off the life jacket another nice surprise awaited us - a bottle of champagne from Peter's sister and brother in law as a "happy voyage" gift. How lucky and spoilt did we feel to be the recipients of two bottles of bubbly on the same day?? We were now eagerly anticipating more bottles every time we came back to the room!

We decided to save this one for later and headed off to the buffet. There are lots of eating options onboard - you need only pay for drinks (some soft drinks are free) and you can eat what and as much as you like. There's the Brittania, the formal dining room which serves posh nosh to well dressed folks - chateaubriand and lobster tail if you're lucky. Kings Court has four buffet style restaurants at lunchtime - italian, asian, carvery and a sandwich/burger bar and four themed table service restaurants by night - Italian, Asian and Carvery as before but the sandwich bar turns into a demonstration kitchen where you watch and learn as the chef prepares a gastronimic treat, which you then eat. There's also Todd English, a gourmet restaurant, Meditteranean style which is easily as good as any posh restaurant in London. There's also pub grub in the "british" pub, afternoon tea in the ballroom and room service. So no one went hungry and we haven't yet dared to tread the bathroom scales.

The ship set sail from Manhatten Pier about 7pm and we sailed down the Hudson past Manhatten, Ellis and Liberty Island and out under the Verrazano Narrows bridge. All of this was accompanied by an excellent commentary of the sights and we viewed these from a vantage point on deck 13. It was truly magical.

Prior to this we'd visited our first bar and Teresa sampled the ships Strawberry Daiquiri and found it to be very good (not to mention quite strong). After we reached open sea we headed back in to sample a different bar (and a different cocktail - this time a Raspberry Martini). Teresa was pretty merry by now having also got stuck into the first bottle of champers earlier.

By now it was time for dinner and we headed to the Brittania. We had a good meal (we tried some of the canyon ranch offerings but they really didnt do it for us) and a bottle of vino and headed off to bed afterwards (didn't learn to take it easy on the cocktails so we could enjoy the evening entertainment for a few nights!).

 

Monday April 11th THE FIRST FULL DAY AT SEA

A quick look at today's schedule revealed the following gems;

9am beginners bridge lessons - Teresa fancied this but never surfaced before 10.30 and it was scheduled at 9 every morning!

10am the first "oxford lecture". This is a series of presentations by eminent speakers from Oxford University. The three topics on this cruise were;

Evolution, Evolutionists and Islands - darwin, dna and the travels of early evolutionists

Cool Brittania - recent social history

Royal Palaces and English Monarchs- as it says

The talks sounded good but we never made one! Something to do with being on holiday and not wanting to think too hard. Also there is simply too much to do, each day we had over 50 things we could attend during the day alone - never mind the evening entertainment!

Teresa attended the complimentary casino class but didnt stay very long before heading off to try her luck (overall £20 down by the end of the week - a result!), Peter took a massage and we both met up with Teresa's Cruise Critic friends - Cruiser 936 and Gardyloo for a cup of tea in the chartroom. It was really nice to put faces to names and meet the people we'd been getting excited about taking this cruise with.

More drinks, more stuff to do, mussels and lobster for dinner, more vino, getting into the swing of things now. This is also the day where Peter discovered a new love - the chocolate martini. There was a martini of the day every day of the cruise and this was his firm favourite. Peter might even have had more than one but that would be telling!

Tuesday April 12th - THE DAY OF DRAMA ON THE HIGH SEAS

Tuesday started ordinary enough, but kicked into overdrive by lunchtime when a passenger became seriously ill and we had to divert to Newfoundland to take him ashore. No great shakes you might think, but this chap's situation worsened very fast. We realised it was this serious when the ship's doctor started to request volunteers from the passengers for person to person blood transfusions. The captain meanwhile was trying to head for shore in a very thick fog, passing over the wreck of the titanic at the same week of the year as when it went down! The captain cancelled his cocktail reception and the black tie do that evening to remain at the bridge and both crew and passengers were somewhat subdued. The good news is that at 9pm the chap made it off the ship and has since recovered - bit of a close thing by all accounts.

Events today included scarf tying, partner conditioning (?), masonic brethren meeeting, bingo and wine tasting. I cant remember doing any of these but I know we went to the planetarium and both fell asleep and that Teresa whooped Peter's hide at backgammon. In the evening we went to a flute recital, it was OK but an hour was definitely enough. We also took afternoon tea in the ships ballroom. It was a jolly genteel event with a harpist playing and white gloved waiters serving minature cucumber sarnies.

Wednesday April 13th - THE ONE WHERE WE HAD DINNER FIT FOR A KING

The weather took a turn for the worse, and this, coupled with the fact that the captain had his foot down trying to make up the time we lost evacuating the patient at St John's, meant that there was more than usual of the rock and roll action. And we don't mean on the dance floor. But we'd both got our sea legs by now, and were navigating the corridors like old sea dogs.

Today Peter compared and contrasted the new martini of the day - a Sapphire Martini with his favourite the Chocolate Martini. It took a couple of goes to really understand the difference you know. Teresa opted for the spa and rather enjoyed it.

We took dinner at Todd English, the full on gastro experience onboard. It more than lived up to expectations with faultless service, a lobster & baby corn bisque that goes down in history and a chocolate pudding that was truly to die for. mmmm

Thursday April 14th - THE ONE WHERE WE WERE ENTERTAINED

On Thursday the opportunities for self enrichment that we missed by a) reading a book, b) doing a jigsaw puzzle or c) watching the waves go by included a cooking demo from the head chef, a watercolour class, tap dancing lessons, napkinfolding, and an acting class held by recent graduates of RADA.

Activities we did enjoy included more spa sessions for Teresa, attending a superb murder mystery play in the afternoon and an outstanding show, Rock @ the Opera in the evening. Both were held in the main theatre, a huge venue with very comfy seating and a drinks service direct to your chair. Another example of just how civilised the whole week was. The evening show was a fusion of opera, rock (as you might expect), modern and traditional dance and fireworks. It was easily as good as a top west end show.

Prior to this we had attended the final formal (black tie) dinner of the cruise where the captain brought out all the kitchen staff to wild applause. Cunard has a tradition of paradaing the chefs throughout the restaurant whilst the patrons whoop, cheer and wave their napkins in appreciation. We joined in and it was rather fun.

Dinner that night was the best of the cruise in the main restaurant. Peter and I enjoyed scallops, caviar and escargot to start and yet more lobster (Teresa's new fav food) and chateaubriand to follow before chasing this down with baked alaska and cheese.

Friday April 15th - THE LAST FULL DAY

Teresa went to the spa again (it was getting pricy now). We also bought some lovely yet expensive souvenir photos and a DVD. The weather had perked up a treat by now, and Peter took a rare opportunity to catch some sun on our starboard-facing balcony in the afternoon. They collected our bags at 6pm and it started to feel like it would all soon be over. :(

Saturday April 16th - THE DAY THEY MADE US GET OFF

It was very sad. They made us leave. We saw the QE2 though. Didn't spot any tapestries in the water. We'll have to go again.

I hope you enjoyed this. Do let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Teresa

[guernseyguy]

Teresa,

 

Thanks for an interesting & informative review - I think you deserve a 'Chuck & Phyllis award' for services to the Board!

 

I DO like the sound of Dry Martini tasting - was this in the Commodore Club or the Chart Room?

 

Did you try out G32? What about Sir Samuels? Or the Golden Lion - try lunch there?

 

Peter

[Mickb]

What a great review! We sail eastbound on the4th May.

My wife is not a great sailor and is concerned about the motion. Was it a problem for many people and how bad was it? also what time did you board?

you say you were through in 5 mins, my recollection of the New york pier was one of complete chaos - your experience sounds reassuring.

[tandemtourer]

Teresa,

I second Peter's motion, you deserve the Chuck & Phyllis award for reporting with a special commendation for your earlier post to the group while you were still aboard.

 

Thank-you for your thorough post. You learned a lesson which it took us too long to disscover. It is impossible to do everything on one crossing especially an Eastbound. (Not enough hours in the day especially when the days are only 23 hours long.)

[ciaobella]

Many thanks for a great review! I am looking forward to the martini tasting! (And everything else!) I love chocolate martinis made with Godiva liqueur! Also, there's a restaurant here which makes a 007 martini which has bleu cheese stuffed olives and is very "icy." It's my all time favorite! I'm trying to start a list of all the things I want to do while on board - so many interesting choices. It will be fun!

[tree29]

Hi Guernseyguy,

 

We sampled martini's in several places - Chart Room, Sir Samuels and the pub. Our favourite was the chart room - it had a lovely relaxing atmosphere and a great band in the evening. The volume of the music was perfect, loud enough to sit back and enjoy but quiet enough to continue your conversation over if you preferred. However it did get busy in the evening and when full the service deterioriated somewhat.

 

In comparison the service in Sir Samuels was always good, but then it never got busy.

 

We didn't like the pub. This is probably because we're brits and this was a "themed british" pub. I can visit the genuine article anytime I like so it wasn't a priority. Same goes for pub grub. We thought we'd leave it to those who can't do this anyday they please.

 

We never made it to the commodore club or G32. Something for our next voyage I think!

 

Teresa

[tree29]

Hi Mickb,

 

We really didn't have problems with motion at all. We noticed a fair amount of people wearing patches but we didnt need anything. There was some rocking of the ship on a couple of days but nothing more than how you feel when you've had one too many! Certainly not bad enough to grab hold of handrails. We were very impressed, the seas were a little rough at times but QM2 just carried on with no real disruption to anyone.

 

The only time I thought I was seasick was awaking on the first morning when I felt rotten. Turns out it was a hangover and a good breakfast had me back on my feet in no time!!

 

Re boarding - we took advice off this board and arrived early. We were asked to tip up at 2.30 but got there at 12.30. This wasn't a problem for anyone at the pier and there were heaps of staff waiting with no one to check in. I was really dreading embarkation having heard the horror stories but I could not have been more impressed with the speed and warmth of the welcome!

 

I am sure you will have a great trip.

 

Teresa

[Chuck & Phyllis]

Great Review! WE WANT TO GO BACK!!!!!! Gonna look into a 2006 QM2 sailing, maybe round trip. We need at least another, maybe two, to really experience all of her. We filled a wall with nine pictures and items like our invites, and the maiden voyage plate. We have a large suite booked on NCL this September and after the QM2, we're not even excited about it. Too good of a rate we got to cancel it though. Glad you enjoyed it. We're still depressed that it's over. It's a little early for us to book next year's but we may have to in order to cheer up. How did you keep track out each day? We would have had to keep a journal. We read about your diversion in Canada. Goes to show how Captain Wright puts the passengers first though.

 

 

Regards,

 

Chuck & Phyllis

[tree29]

Wow. Surely there is no higher praise than "great review" from you two!

 

We're also seriously considering booking the next cruise. Somehow there's not enough to look forward to anymore!

[DocM3]

Another great review - thanks so much. We sail on May 4th and the excitement is building.

 

I hope I will be talented enough to post a review of our crossings ( may 4th and return on June 3rd).

[twinkletoes915]

Thank you for the review!! We are getting to leave on the 4/22 crossing, and are so excited. Can you please tell us about the balls? Are there 2 or 3? How many casual nights? What were people wearing in the daytime.

Thank you,

Elly

[tree29]

Hi Elly,

 

 

There were two balls on our trip. The first was the Captain's Black and White Gala Ball and the second Ascot. I beleive some ladies brought or made hats to wear to this event. We didn't attend either so can't comment much on these.

 

We has two casual nights, the first and last. I believe this is what normally happens so you can probably expect the same.

 

Re dress code during the day. This looked to be pretty casual. The smarter end were wearing blazers, chinos and occiaisionally a tie, the majority were less formal and a smaller number were really dressed down - tracksuits, jeans etc.

 

No one seemed to mind how you dressed in the day which we enjoyed. We were happy to make the effort in the evening but preferred to be more comfortable in the day. I normally wore slacks and a shirt.

 

Hope this helps - have a wonderful trip.

 

Teresa