QM2 E/B TA 3rd May 2013: First timer's opinions

[FennoExpress]

I booked a year in advance and during the waiting read through a dozen books of liners and everything I could find online about the QM2, so my expectations were quite high. To sum things up those expectations were met and even exceeded, by both Cunard and the ship.

 

The QM2 is just magnificent. She is a very well built ship, you feel safe and confident onboard. Her public spaces are in very good condition, as they should be after a fairly recent refit. We had about 2300 passengers onboard (I checked from the purser's office) and you still had the luxury of space, you could always find a nice place to sit down with a book and the only times you had to queue were when taking the immigration check and galley tour. During the week I grew a special affection to the Chart Room and Commodore Club, two very stylish, intimate and comfortable spaces in which you can just watch the time go by, while drinking a nice cup of tea. And I must join the majority of this forum's critics about the Kings Court, it really is confusing and feels out of place and downmarket compared to other rooms on the ship. The Winter Garden is also sadly a bit out of place, in my opinion it should be at the stern with much more daylight, possibly through a glass roof. I really enjoyed the wast deck areas, we were fortunate enough to have nice weather on a couple days so I could snoop around all the outdoor spaces.

 

We had stateroom 8014, the foremost obstructed view cabin on port side. It has about half of a lifeboat in front of the balcony, but when in bed or sitting on the sofa you don't see it at all. Where the ship's age is starting to show is in the furniture veneers and bathroom fittings, the shower could do with more light and water pressure. I hope they will attend more to the staterooms in the next refit. As it was a forward cabin there was some movement in rougher seas, but not enough to cause disturbance and no noises from adjacent cabins or the passageway. Our steward Philip was very nice, always cheerful and courteous. The location of the cabin was just about perfect, with a short walk to the gym, Commodore, book shop, KC and the deck. The longer walk to Britannia allows you to see people and life on the lower decks, especially nice on formal nights. On the first night the connecting door to the next cabin's balcony kept us awake (or was it the excitement of being on the QM2;)) as it banged in the wind, but they swiftly repaired it the next day.

 

The service in Britannia was nice, if a bit hurried at times, the food being mostly of good quality and portions sizeable. We had six dinners there, the one exception being a visit to Todd English which was just excellent with great food and fabulous service. For breakfast we tried room service, KC and Britannia, and for lunch Britannia and KC, in the latter we enjoyed especially the sushi (after we found it!). We did not consume large amounts of drinks, alcohol or soft, but the bar staff was always very nice.

 

Entertainment was good, the Daily Programme had so many listings that no way could you get bored. Who needs rock-climbing and bumper cars:confused: I came well prepared with John Maxtone-Graham's book "Normandie" but only managed to read 30-odd pages, due to lack of time! But by far the best thing for us was our dinner company. Now the Maitre d' must really have had his crystal ball polished when making table allocations, as he had seated us with two really lovely British couples with whom we were like old friends at the end of the crossing.

 

All in all we had the time of our lives, and will be back on the QM2 sometime in the future. Transatlantic crossing is still something very special and gracious, a truly recommendable experience. Which leads me to a final word of criticism toward Cunard/Carnival: why did they built a liner and then use it as a cruise ship for most of the year? Next year we have to wait until 9th May for the first TA, as the QM2 spends a third of the year away from home.

[pepperrn]

I booked a year in advance and during the waiting read through a dozen books of liners and everything I could find online about the QM2, so my expectations were quite high. To sum things up those expectations were met and even exceeded, by both Cunard and the ship.

 

The QM2 is just magnificent. She is a very well built ship, you feel safe and confident onboard. Her public spaces are in very good condition, as they should be after a fairly recent refit. We had about 2300 passengers onboard (I checked from the purser's office) and you still had the luxury of space, you could always find a nice place to sit down with a book and the only times you had to queue were when taking the immigration check and galley tour. During the week I grew a special affection to the Chart Room and Commodore Club, two very stylish, intimate and comfortable spaces in which you can just watch the time go by, while drinking a nice cup of tea. And I must join the majority of this forum's critics about the Kings Court, it really is confusing and feels out of place and downmarket compared to other rooms on the ship. The Winter Garden is also sadly a bit out of place, in my opinion it should be at the stern with much more daylight, possibly through a glass roof. I really enjoyed the wast deck areas, we were fortunate enough to have nice weather on a couple days so I could snoop around all the outdoor spaces.

 

We had stateroom 8014, the foremost obstructed view cabin on port side. It has about half of a lifeboat in front of the balcony, but when in bed or sitting on the sofa you don't see it at all. Where the ship's age is starting to show is in the furniture veneers and bathroom fittings, the shower could do with more light and water pressure. I hope they will attend more to the staterooms in the next refit. As it was a forward cabin there was some movement in rougher seas, but not enough to cause disturbance and no noises from adjacent cabins or the passageway. Our steward Philip was very nice, always cheerful and courteous. The location of the cabin was just about perfect, with a short walk to the gym, Commodore, book shop, KC and the deck. The longer walk to Britannia allows you to see people and life on the lower decks, especially nice on formal nights. On the first night the connecting door to the next cabin's balcony kept us awake (or was it the excitement of being on the QM2;)) as it banged in the wind, but they swiftly repaired it the next day.

 

The service in Britannia was nice, if a bit hurried at times, the food being mostly of good quality and portions sizeable. We had six dinners there, the one exception being a visit to Todd English which was just excellent with great food and fabulous service. For breakfast we tried room service, KC and Britannia, and for lunch Britannia and KC, in the latter we enjoyed especially the sushi (after we found it!). We did not consume large amounts of drinks, alcohol or soft, but the bar staff was always very nice.

 

Entertainment was good, the Daily Programme had so many listings that no way could you get bored. Who needs rock-climbing and bumper cars:confused: I came well prepared with John Maxtone-Graham's book "Normandie" but only managed to read 30-odd pages, due to lack of time! But by far the best thing for us was our dinner company. Now the Maitre d' must really have had his crystal ball polished when making table allocations, as he had seated us with two really lovely British couples with whom we were like old friends at the end of the crossing.

 

All in all we had the time of our lives, and will be back on the QM2 sometime in the future. Transatlantic crossing is still something very special and gracious, a truly recommendable experience. Which leads me to a final word of criticism toward Cunard/Carnival: why did they built a liner and then use it as a cruise ship for most of the year? Next year we have to wait until 9th May for the first TA, as the QM2 spends a third of the year away from home.

Hi FennoExpress,

Thank you for your review :) , lovely to read :) .

I am so pleased you had such a good time. QM2 is a very special ship: I well remember my first crossing on her in 2006, she worked her magic and I was hooked!

Thank you again, it was a real pleasure to read your words,

All best wishes,

[lannp]

Thank you for your comments. It is wonderful to read positive remarks about my favourite ship.:D With 100+ days till I see her again I am getting a severe case of QM2 withdrawal pangs.

[Thaxted]

Thank you for your enthusiastic review.

 

We made our first crossing two years ago and we too had the time of our lives. Like pepperrn, we were hooked. So much so, that to our delight (and our bank account's dismay), we'll be making two more crossings this summer.

 

I hope that your "sometime in the future" voyage comes soon!

[BlueRiband]

Thank you for your review - it certainly makes me anxious for my upcoming voyage.

 

...The QM2 is just magnificent. She is a very well built ship, you feel safe and confident onboard.... I must join the majority of this forum's critics about the Kings Court, it really is confusing and feels out of place and downmarket compared to other rooms on the ship...

 

Almost everyone has the same opinion. FWIW, the layout was dictated by the need of the ship to have a "strong spine".

 

Where the ship's age is starting to show is in the furniture veneers and bathroom fittings, the shower could do with more light and water pressure. I hope they will attend more to the staterooms in the next refit.

The last refit mostly replaced textiles on the interior.

 

Entertainment was good, the Daily Programme had so many listings that no way could you get bored. Who needs rock-climbing and bumper cars...

I like what Cunard does not have - constant announcements. The program is there and we're treated like big boys and girls who will read the program and show up for what interests us.

 

Which leads me to a final word of criticism toward Cunard/Carnival: why did they built a liner and then use it as a cruise ship for most of the year? Next year we have to wait until 9th May for the first TA, as the QM2 spends a third of the year away from home.

Not enough demand for winter crossings. If Cunard could fill the ship they would sail US-UK year round. You can see this in the pricing where April and November crossings are priced lower than the peak summer season.

[Cruise NH]

We will be aboard soon...June 1st, can't wait as usual.

 

I have a question, I've been reading that they have started 'open seating' at both breakfast and lunch in the Britannia Dining room on both the QE and QV...have they started this on the QM2 trans-atlantics? Or are you still seated by a waiter?

 

Personally, I would love it if it were open seating for a change.

[Cats2010]

 

Which leads me to a final word of criticism toward Cunard/Carnival: why did they built a liner and then use it as a cruise ship for most of the year? Next year we have to wait until 9th May for the first TA, as the QM2 spends a third of the year away from home.

 

It was a pleasure to read your report, FennoExpress, thank you!

And since I am also hooked by QM2, also following a TA, I did not want to wait for a next one and booked "normal" cruises - and you should do the same!

It is so beautiful to arrive in a harbour and be specially greeted by local people giving to QM2 and her passengers an example of their culture. The places to anker are always very well chosen and perfectly organised by Cunard (with one exception so far :D), so why wait? :)

[Jimsgirl]

We will be aboard soon...June 1st, can't wait as usual.

 

I have a question, I've been reading that they have started 'open seating' at both breakfast and lunch in the Britannia Dining room on both the QE and QV...have they started this on the QM2 trans-atlantics? Or are you still seated by a waiter?

 

Personally, I would love it if it were open seating for a change.

 

I have travelled on all three ships, it was my experience that as I entered the dining room, I was asked by the Maitre D' "how many" he then consulted a plan and gave the nearest staff member the number of the table, I was then taken to that table.

 

This is Cunard's "open dining". You do not just wander in and find your own table.

 

My response to the question asked was always "One , will share", I was then escorted to a table for 6-8 people.

[cruisecountess]

DH and I have our first crossing and first experience on Cunard coming up in August. Many thanks for your excellent review ~ you have elevated my excitement and anticipation levels. Now if time would just fly a bit faster.

Harriet

[Cruise NH]

Thanks Jimsgirl, I do know how it works for lunch and breakfast, but this past March someone posted that on the QE they now allow you to come into the dining room and seat yourself. This is what I hoped they were doing on the QM2 as well.

 

 

 

 

On our recent voyage on Queen Elizabeth throughout the whole trip at breakfast and lunch in Brittania Restaurant instead of being directed to a table by the Maitre D he allowed us to walk in and sit at any available table we wanted.

We liked this system very much and it worked extremely well.

We are due to travel soon on QM2 and wondered if it will be the same system as on previous voyages the Maitre D has always picked the table.

[seasidegal]

Thanks Jimsgirl, I do know how it works for lunch and breakfast, but this past March someone posted that on the QE they now allow you to come into the dining room and seat yourself. This is what I hoped they were doing on the QM2 as well.

 

On our recent voyage on Queen Elizabeth throughout the whole trip at breakfast and lunch in Brittania Restaurant instead of being directed to a table by the Maitre D he allowed us to walk in and sit at any available table we wanted.

We liked this system very much and it worked extremely well.

We are due to travel soon on QM2 and wondered if it will be the same system as on previous voyages the Maitre D has always picked the table.

 

 

 

Hi Cruise NH:

 

We were on the QE in March/April and it is exactly as Jimsgirl's written:

 

 

".....it was my experience that as I entered the dining room, I was asked by the Maitre D' "how many" he then consulted a plan and gave the nearest staff member the number of the table, I was then taken to that table.

 

This is Cunard's "open dining". You do not just wander in and find your own table."

 

On the QM2 it also worked this way in April.

 

The Maitre D' was always very nice about our request for 2 and on the 3rd day we approached he said to me before I asked, "2 correct?" Also if we were there when the dining room opened (breakfast/lunch) I also asked if it were possible for a table by the window. He did his best to seat us at a window

or by one. We were never made to feel we were a 'burden' for asking as I've felt on other ships.

 

best regards,

seasidegal

[lucky white heather]

Our experience on April 19th sailing QE....

Main dining room

Never used it for breakfast but did occasionally use it for lunch.We expected to say "2 and we'll share"........but ..new system seemed to be you could sit anywhere you wanted to.

We wondered about people , 2 for example , choosing to sit at a 6 top , but thought perhaps that was possibly their regular table for dinner but no staff appeared to be bothered about that.

[imacruizer]

We were on the QE for five weeks in February and March. At the beginning of our voyage, there was open seating for breakfast and lunch. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were told to sit where ever we liked. I can't remember exactly how long that continued. At some point, it changed and we were escorted to a table. This continued until the end of the voyage in mid March. Perhaps it was a trial to see how open seating would work. We have posters who have sailed on the QE in February, March and April. Some have experienced the new open seating in the dining room. Others have not. It seems to have changed from voyage to voyage and in our case, we had both options.

 

FennoExpress, thanks for taking the time to post an excellent review. So glad you enjoyed your voyage. The QM2 is an amazing ship!

[Magnetchief]

Nice review. We were on the same crossing. Ha a fantastic time. Will do the same in the near future.

[Whitemarsh]

Thanks Fenno for posting your review. It's great to hear that you had a good time - and on QM2 too!!

 

Recently some people have complained about the thickness of the toast served on board. Did you happen to notice the thickness of the toast during your cruise? Completely understandable, by the way, if you were too busy enjoying yourself to notice.

[Keith1010]

I enjoyed reading your review.

 

Keith

[FennoExpress]

I like what Cunard does not have - constant announcements. The program is there and we're treated like big boys and girls who will read the program and show up for what interests us.

 

I completely agree with you, the lack of announcements helps to sustain the tranquil atmosphere found on the ship whilst at sea. And you tend to sit down and LISTEN to the captain's mid-day announcement, reminded me of headmaster's announcements at school:)

 

Recently some people have complained about the thickness of the toast served on board. Did you happen to notice the thickness of the toast during your cruise? Completely understandable, by the way, if you were too busy enjoying yourself to notice.

 

Actually I was looking forward to complain about the ripeness of the bacon but can't as they serve both medium and well done. I guess that's White Star Service for you;)

[2irisheyes]

Cruise NH - From the replies it seems a mixed bag. Our experience was on QE in December we were not shown to a table by waiters in Britannia at breakfast, sit where you like. On QM2 in April we were always shown to a table which we preferred. The problem with the sit where you like system is that when looking for a table there are many tables, say, for 6 or 8 with just two people sitting at them. Whilst this is fine we generally avoided joining a table, unless there was no alternative, as we were not sure if those at the table wanted company or not. Perhaps we should not have been so concerned. The same thing happens in KC - we don't like to join a large table with just a few people sitting there unless there is no other choice.

[Whitemarsh]

Actually I was looking forward to complain about the ripeness of the bacon but can't as they serve both medium and well done. I guess that's White Star Service for you;)

 

Don't feel bad, with only ten posts to your name you're obviously a newbie around here. Getting to the point where you're so jaded that a cruise is ruined due to the thickness of the toast or the ripeness of bacon takes years. :D

 

In all seriousness, QM2 is a great ship and I'm glad you had a wonderful time on her. :)

[lucky white heather]

Don't feel bad, with only ten posts to your name you're obviously a newbie around here. Getting to the point where you're so jaded that a cruise is ruined due to the thickness of the toast or the ripeness of bacon takes years. :D

 

In all seriousness, QM2 is a great ship and I'm glad you had a wonderful time on her. :)

 

 

You are stirring it again Whiitemarsh.

No one ever COMPLAINED their cruise was RUINED because of thinly sliced toast...they mentioned it in passing as a new development The first mention was in a review, followed by by a few other comments from some recent cruisers who had also noticed the change and commented .

[snoozy]

So glad this lovely ship met your expectations.

It was great reading your review, thank you.

[Whitemarsh]

Don't feel bad, with only ten posts to your name you're obviously a newbie around here. Getting to the point where you're so jaded that a cruise is ruined due to the thickness of the toast or the ripeness of bacon takes years. :D

 

In all seriousness, QM2 is a great ship and I'm glad you had a wonderful time on her. :)

 

You are stirring it again Whiitemarsh.

No one ever COMPLAINED their cruise was RUINED because of thinly sliced toast...they mentioned it in passing as a new development The first mention was in a review, followed by by a few other comments from some recent cruisers who had also noticed the change and commented .

 

It was a joke, that's I said "In all seriousness".

 

I know you take your toast seriously lucky white heather, but jeez.......

[lucky white heather]

It was a joke, that's I said "In all seriousness".

 

I know you take your toast seriously lucky white heather, but jeez.......

 

IMO you really have too much free time to waste...oops , I mean spend .....Cunard flag waving and denigrating any other opinions which sometimes show Cunard to be less than the wonderful line you obviously believe it to be 100% of the time.

I have travelled on many other cruiselines as good as , if not better than Cunard in many respects.

For that reason I feel justified in commenting on things ( good/ bad ) as I find them .......and FYI have never felt "jaded" on any cruise .. not even on this last cruise due to the "new thin toast" you keep referring back to .....which no one ever mentioned as making them feel "jaded" This was your interpretation...sorry , joke!

Didn't this "thin toast" comment die out in another thread, remember?

 

However I might feel "jaded " by having to interact with someone so entranced with a particular cruiseline they cannot gracefully accept it will have some less than favourable comments just like the other lines have and who is not sufficiently adult to let others have their say.

Is your cruising experience so wide ranging?

[Whitemarsh]

IMO you really have too much free time to waste...oops , I mean spend .....Cunard flag waving and denigrating any other opinions which sometimes show Cunard to be less than the wonderful line you obviously believe it to be 100% of the time.

 

Isn't this the point where you call me a cheerleader? :cool:

 

I have travelled on many other cruiselines as good as , if not better than Cunard in many respects.

 

How was the toast on those other lines? Would you say that the toast was thicker or thinner than the toast on Cunard.

 

If you had to pick a winner, which cruise line has the thickest toast with maximum butter-spreading ease?

 

For that reason I feel justified in commenting on things ( good/ bad ) as I find them .......and FYI have never felt "jaded" on any cruise .. not even on this last cruise due to the "new thin toast" you keep referring back to .....which no one ever mentioned as making them feel "jaded" This was your interpretation...sorry , joke!

Didn't this "thin toast" comment die out in another thread, remember?

 

I never said anyone said that they were jaded. But I can see that, after many cruises, one might become jaded by the toast on offer.

 

However I might feel "jaded " by having to interact with someone so entranced with a particular cruiseline they cannot gracefully accept it will have some less than favourable comments just like the other lines have and who is not sufficiently adult to let others have their say.

Is your cruising experience so wide ranging?

 

Make all the unfavourable comments about Cunard you like. Just don't leave out inconvenient facts just because they get in the way of a negative review, that's the point I was making.

 

If you don't think accuracy and truthfulness in a review are important, than that's just your way of thinking. And I gracefully accept that.

 

My cruising experience is not as wide ranging as others. However, it matters not how wide ranging the experience of others is if their reviews are biased and leave out inconvenient facts.

 

I put it to you that a truthful and unbiased review from a first time cruiser is of more value than an untruthful and biased review from a repeat cruiser.

 

By the way, do you prefer wholemeal or white toast?

[lucky white heather]

Isn't this the point where you call me a cheerleader? :cool:

 

 

 

How was the toast on those other lines? Would you say that the toast was thicker or thinner than the toast on Cunard.

 

If you had to pick a winner, which cruise line has the thickest toast with maximum butter-spreading ease?

 

 

 

I never said anyone said that they were jaded. But I can see that, after many cruises, one might become jaded by the toast on offer.

 

 

 

Make all the unfavourable comments about Cunard you like. Just don't leave out inconvenient facts just because they get in the way of a negative review, that's the point I was making.

 

If you don't think accuracy and truthfulness in a review are important, than that's just your way of thinking. And I gracefully accept that.

 

My cruising experience is not as wide ranging as others. However, it matters not how wide ranging the experience of others is if their reviews are biased and leave out inconvenient facts.

 

I put it to you that a truthful and unbiased review from a first time cruiser is of more value than an untruthful and biased review from a repeat cruiser.

 

By the way, do you prefer wholemeal or white toast?

 

'Nuff said !

You really need to learn to stop flogging a dead horse.