QM2 Darwin to Brisbane

[gaechann]

Hello all - reporting from Airlie Beach so our little 7-night on the QM2 is fast coming to an end.

 

LOTS OF POSITIVES:

1) Very elegant decor

2) Plenty of happy staff to meet every need

3) First class entertainers - well those I saw anyway

4) Lots of nooks & cranies all over the ship to sit & while the time away

5) Great afternoon tea in the Queens Room each afternoon. Have a small lunch to save some room for the elegant little sandwiches, pastries, scones, jam & cream

6) Great library & public areas even though they're found at each end of the ship once you leave the main bars on Deck 3

7) The pub - The Golden Lion was a happy, friendly place. Served a limited lunch here as well

 

SOME NEGATIVES:

1) The layout is confusing - I had to refer to the Deck plan constantly. Seemed to be always going up & down stairs & along corridors to get from one place to the other

2) Little sign-posting especially for toilets. We found it quicker most times to duck back to our cabin rather than go searching in the public areas

3) Cabin smaller than others we've had but we did have a sheltered balcony & a large shower. TV very small

4) Cabin storage was lacking but we managed - just

5) We ate every meal in the Dining Room as the Buffet seemed to be a series of separate rooms. Very confusing!

6) The pool areas & most outdoor areas much smaller than we are used to

7) Both theatres quite small so go early with a book for your preferred seating

 

WOULD I GO AGAIN?

Certainly for a good price but can't justify spending much more per day than for other cruise lines. My Mum would love this ship! May suggest a little cruise on it or QElizaberth or QVictoria for her 90th next year!

My friend LOVES this ship & is looking at next year's itineries wheras I'd prefer to sail on a more family-oriented cruise line where the entertainment is more varied.

 

Gae

[gaechann]

Thank heavens I had a copy of the email confirming the pre-purchase of on-board credit as the ship had no record of it.

They took all my details then emailed their Head Office. Two days later it was confirmed as UNREFUNDABLE on-board credit so good luck to those hoping to cash out any access they may have though different cruise lines may have different rulings.

[MMDown Under]

Thank heavens I had a copy of the email confirming the pre-purchase of on-board credit as the ship had no record of it.

They took all my details then emailed their Head Office. Two days later it was confirmed as UNREFUNDABLE on-board credit so good luck to those hoping to cash out any access they may have though different cruise lines may have different rulings.

 

Yes, it always pays to take your records with you. Seems strange that the OBC, which you purchased, is unrefundable. I wonder why?

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for the review Gae.:D

[erewhon]

Thank you for your interesting review.

[rkmw]

Yes, it always pays to take your records with you. Seems strange that the OBC, which you purchased, is unrefundable. I wonder why?

 

with the OBC not being refundable you should be able to transfer it to your cruise card and transfer it out via the casino

[RosieCanberra]

We were advised by Cunard that any OBC that we bought would not be refundable in any instance. This did not stop us buying though, as it was in our interest to pre-purchase at a much better exchange rate, than rack up a large account after 16 days at sea.

 

The following was cut and pasted from a recent Cunard OBC thread, which was taken from FAQs (I couldn't work out how to link to the other thread via the IPad)

 

When on board credit (either received as part of a promotion or purchased via our Gift Collection is applied to your on board account, you may use this against most purchases on board. This includes:

•Items purchased from any of the shops

•Spa, & salon treatments and services (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Photography services

•Laundry & dry cleaning

•Internet and telephone charges

•Shore excursions (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Beverages from the bar and restaurants (where applicable)

•Restaurant cover charges (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Automatic tips (gratuities).

 

 

 

On board credit may not be used against:

•Purchasing shore excursions prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Purchasing restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Visas that require payment

•Medical facilities

•Future Cruise Downpayments

•Artwork

•Ad hoc gratuities

•Foreign currency

•Casino chips, credits or any other kind of gambling

•Charitable donations

[RosieCanberra]

Thanks for the tips by the way Gae! I am looking forward to my first Cunard cruise.

 

Cheers

Rosie

[Aussieflyer]

Thanks for the posts Gae. I love QM2, DH not so much, preferring adventure cruises with zodiacs and excitement. He doesn't do a large MDR very well (specialty restaurants are OK) and dining on Cunard does not thrill him.

I agree with your comment on the buffet - it is dreadfully designed! I didn't have trouble finding my way around the ship but have been on it a couple of times now. I had a sheltered balcony but was travelling as a solo and it was an upgrade from a guaranteed inside so not complaining!

Enjoy the rest of the cruise. It is an experience everyone should do once at least IMO.

[bronte2]

We sailed on the Hong Kong to Brisbane segment and I agree pretty much with what Gaechann has written.

 

We found the layout of the ship confusing as well especially where there were little half sets of stairs.

The buffet was a really strange layout. It was very long so you had to walk through several sections and some of these sections just had seating but no food. It was also surrounded by the promenade deck so you couldn't look out to the ocean so it seemed dark and dingy and had lots of little corners. We didn't like it at all so we ate lunch either in Sir Samuel's cafe, the Golden Lion or up at the Boardwalk Cafe on deck 12.

 

The other thing we noticed was that the only tables and chairs outside were those for smokers. Also these were the only outdoor areas in the shade. There were a few tables and chairs outside the Boardwalk Cafe on deck 12 with umbrellas but if it was windy then they weren't put up so it was baking hot. The cafe was only open between noon and 3.30 on sea days.

 

If you were in to sunbathing then there were plenty of sun loungers especially on deck 12 but on the Promenade Deck - packed.

 

For those interested in laundries, they were free, as were the sachets of detergent. The machines were very new and in good condition but of course at times the laundry was very busy especially between Darwin and Brisbane!

 

There is also a Bridge observation area. You can go to a small area on sea days where there is a window into the bridge so you can stand there and watch everything that is going on. It's like being on the bridge but with no sound.

 

The crew were fantastic though, probably some of the best we have come across in all our cruises with various lines. We never came across one that was aloof or surly.

 

We came across a number of regular Cunard cruisers, both Aussies and Brits who without exception preferred Queen Victoria. The fact that QM2 was built as an ocean liner for crossing the North Atlantic rather than cruising, has influenced the design (think the sheltered balconies on decks 4,5,& 6 where you have to stand at the rail to see the water).

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and we are glad we experienced QM2 but we wouldn't rush back to go on her again. We decided that we wouldn't like to do a long cruise on her whereas we have done two 51 day cruises with other lines and didn't want to get off either ship.

 

For anyone interested in sailing on QM2, I would definitely say go and do it and experience her for yourself.

[MicCanberra]

Cheers, thanks for the review.:D

[gaechann]

Hi all

 

So I'm back home, unpacked, laundry done and reflecting a little more on the QM2 7-night taster!

 

EMBARKMENT - easy at Darwin. We were issued with a number to show that we were embarking at this Port then once on board there were staff members showing us all the way to the Dining Room where our cards were issued & photos taken. Just a pity the cards didn't work which entailed a long wait at the Pursers Desk to have them re-issued meaning we missed out on the sail-away from Darwin.

 

CABIN - we had a sheltered balcony on Deck 6 near the 3rd set of elevators. Found this to be a great position and no noise from the Buffet above. Lack of storage compared to other lines but a nice big shower and the balcony was great though you have to be aware that you need to stand at the balcony rail to see out properly. The TV was tiny and the Programs mostly rubbish - no Aussie news at all. Can't check your account either via the TV. Had to ask the steward for a top sheet, an extra pillow PLUS some pillows to put under the sofa lounge cushions as they were sloping backwards making it very difficult to get up from.

 

ENTERTAINMENT - Look I'm not a bogan but just how many string quartets, harpists, piano concertos can you listen to? The evening entertainment didn't really do it for me either as the Main Theatre was quite small, the band played too loud, the singers shouted to be heard above the band! Really?

 

FOOD - MAIN DINING ROOM - the first night's offerings were very poor! My theory was that the Head Chef hadn't returned from his outing in Darwin so the apprentice took over but didn't know where all the food was kept so sent out tiny, tiny portions of unappetising, unappealing dishes! Our thoughts were, well we won't put on weight on this ship but it did get better to almost marvellous!

One evening I couldn't decide on the main course (called Entree for those that don't know) so asked the waiter which he would recommend. To my amazement he suggested something that was shown as the Ranch Spa Selection - I thought the low fat, low calorie selection but it was rib-eye fillet or something like that which was delicious! I should have asked him on previous nights what was the best option!

Last night there was Fois Gras, Lobster & Bomb Alaska offered, none of which I ended up selecting but there it was and those that ordered the specials were happy with their choices!

We usually just had the main course (entree) as there's too much food for the amount of exercise you get on this ship though walking from one end of it to the other was quite a long distance.

 

FOOD - BUFFET - we did end up eating here for our last morning. We were astounded to realise that the things we like for breakfast were all available just one flight of stairs above us! On reflection we should have used the buffet for breakfast as we had to wait for the other 6 people at our dining room table to finish all their first courses before we were served as we only have a main dish, no juices, no cereal, no bowls of fruit or yoghurt just poached eggs on toast with a cuppa to wash it down. Well, we'll know next time won't we :o

 

AFTERNOON TEA - Loved this at 3.30 in the Queens Room - available each afternoon. The white gloved waiters serving tea, tiny sandwiches, scones with jam & cream & tiny pastries was great! Just have a small lunch or miss it all together to be able to fit this in! We had 6.00 dinner sitting as well so didn't have too much that evening!

 

QUEENS ROOM AFTER DINNER - this was where the dancing was held. We went the last night to view all the gorgeous cocktail dresses and ball-gowns but were sadly disappointed though it did seem that some people were still arriving when we left at about 10.30. I was fascinated to watch the Gentlemen Dance Hosts select a single lady each to dance just one dance with before escorting them back to their chairs then pick another single lady! Well if you can dance or desperately want to dance then Cunard provide these partners for you!

 

DISCO - This apparently was one of the few areas were smoking was allowed. I was surprised to find that you had to access this via the glamorous Queens Room. This entailed walking the full length of the Queens Room - strange setup I thought.

 

CASINO - Quite a small area to one side of the ship on Deck 2. We didn't even know it was there until we actually went looking for it to take some photos. Do check out the great mural at the back of this area.

 

FAVOURITE BAR - We had great service in the Golden Lion Pub on Deck 2 with the waiter remembering our choice of drink after just one previous visit there! This was where the Trivia was held each morning so it was packed fairly early. We would go about 10.30, listen to the trivia, read our i-books and wait for lunchtime where there was a small selection of typical British food available - we had cottage pie one day & fish & chips the other.

 

We also loved the atmosphere in the Commodore Club right at the front of the ship on Deck 9 above the Library. This was where the Martini Mixing Demonstration was held - cost $30 from memory - where you got to drink a sample of what the waiter mixed. I won a large martini for remembering all the ingredients so ended up having the equivalent of 6 martins WITH NO FOOD so was almost legless by the time it was over - had to find some cheese & crackers up in the buffet to soak up all the alcohol :eek:

 

Another Bar we tried a couple of times was the Chart Room on Deck 3 which we visited after dinner for an after-dinner drambruie (sp?) whilst waiting for the theatre to open. Here were the late dinners having their pre-dinner drinks and some of them were very smartly attired indeed especially on the formal nights.

 

COFFEE - You could order a cappuccino in the dining room after all your meals including breakfast which we sometimes did. They couldn't help me with a flat white though so when one was required during the day you had to go to Sir Samuels Bar on Deck 3 opposite the Chart Room where you were charged for your coffee.

 

ART AUCTIONS & PHOTOGRAPHERS - These are usually my two bug-bears on all cruises so we were happy to read that there were no longer Art Auctions being held on Cunard (QM2 only perhaps) but there was an art gallery on Deck 3 where you could make your purchase. The photographers were mostly unobstrusive (sp?) with a sign in the grand hallway saying that if you were interested in having a photograph taken then just smile at the photographer and they would set it up for you. Just had 2 nights when they came to our table.

 

DECOR & FIXTURES & FITTINGS - Very grand though without large glass windows it seemed a bit dark & gloomy in some places. The Grand Lobby wasn't so grand though and had a bank of lifts in the middle of it - strange! I missed the large lobbies or atriums found on other lines.

 

SHOPS - As expected there were some up-market watch & jewellery shops but also the usual "rubbish" of cheap watches, purses, jewellery found on other lines. I did purchase a cross-over leather bag ideal to carry my iPad around in and a reasonably priced watch for my Mum plus a few little nicknacks with the QM2 insignia but mostly spent my money in the Book Shop attached to the Library where I found some nice little gifts for family, workmates etc.

 

OVERALL EXPERIENCE - I'm glad I had the experience on a great ocean liner but also glad it was only for 7 nights! The lack of general entertainment and also the small amount of younger people on-board affected my enjoyment of this ship even though I was expecting this. Still I'd take another cruise on the QM2 now that I've conquered the strange lay-out if the price was right!

 

ANY QUESTIONS? Happy to answer any that intending passengers may have.

 

Gae

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for the review Gae, you have given me some insights into what to expect.:D

[icat2000]

Thanks for your review Gae. When is your next adventure.

[gaechann]

Thanks for your review Gae. When is your next adventure.

 

Have you been on the QM2 Sarah?

 

My next cruise booked is not until April 2016 Brisbane to Hong Kong on the Legend of the Seas.

 

Might take a last minute one before that but..... need air-conditioning here at home so probably need to save my $$$$'s for that! :(

[GUT2407]

Thanks Gae.

 

It's post like these that ease the pain between cruises.

[Aussieflyer]

Thanks Gae. Did you have a spa pass? I had a 4 day one on my cruise and spent many a happy hour lolling there watching the sea go by, reading, then in the hydro pool and saunas. I suppose it was easy as I was solo. DH would not have enjoyed that at all.

I also enjoyed the lectures a lot and went to a couple of full series of them, one on musicals of the Pacific/Asia which was excellent. The lecturer concentrated on one musical or opera each time with history, audio and video clips.

I did like the shows, I think there were a few I gave a miss though. There were a couple of classical concerts in the afternoon as well which were a pleasant way to while away the time.

Did you eat at the 'specialty' area of the buffet at all? I went to one night and the food was excellent. They close off a section of the buffet and turn it into a themed restaurant with a $10 fee. It was Asian when I went from memory. The other place to eat in the buffet away from the hurly burly was the health food place, a small separate section but can't remember it's name. Open for breakfast and lunch.

The Boardwalk cafe was not of interest at all to me. I thought it was like a school cafeteria, in one door and out the other. I ate there on my first trip but not this time at all.

Walking along the passageways gives you a feeling of just how big the ship is. I was lucky that Pushka was able to get tickets for the behind the scenes tour (hen's teeth) and that was fabulous and such an insight into the workings of the dame.

Looking at QV at present for next year.....

[Pushka]

 

Walking along the passageways gives you a feeling of just how big the ship is. I was lucky that Pushka was able to get tickets for the behind the scenes tour (hen's teeth) and that was fabulous and such an insight into the workings of the dame.

 

Looking at QV at present for next year.....

 

 

Ooh. Naughty. I just checked out pricing for QV too! Great minds and all that. :p

Edited March 12, 2015 by Pushka

[bongaree]

Thanks Gae for your great review. We board QM2 in 13 days and also have a sheltered balcony. We were wondering what furniture was on the balcony.

 

Cheers,

 

Janet

[bronte2]

Thanks Gae for your great review. We board QM2 in 13 days and also have a sheltered balcony. We were wondering what furniture was on the balcony.

 

Cheers,

 

Janet

 

We had a sheltered balcony on deck 6. The balconies are quite deep and pretty private. The furniture was a small white painted metal table and 2 white mesh deck chairs that had adjustable backs. If you accidentally bump the table it makes an awful racket as it scrapes on the floor :eek: As the balconies are so sheltered any noise does tend to echo around.

There is also a ledge half way down that is handy for putting drinks, cameras or whatever on.

Have a great cruise.

[bongaree]

We had a sheltered balcony on deck 6. The balconies are quite deep and pretty private. The furniture was a small white painted metal table and 2 white mesh deck chairs that had adjustable backs. If you accidentally bump the table it makes an awful racket as it scrapes on the floor :eek: As the balconies are so sheltered any noise does tend to echo around.

There is also a ledge half way down that is handy for putting drinks, cameras or whatever on.

Have a great cruise.

 

Thanks for that. I did wonder if as the balcony seemed a bit bigger than others we had been on if it had lol abouts.