QM2, vs P&O vs Princess

[jej122000]

Having read some reports of recent disappointing experiences on this forum, here’s a review of QM2 that perhaps will give a different perspective and maybe help ease the mind of those who have a Cunard cruise coming up shortly.

We were on a back-to-back transatlantic crossing departing Southampton 14 October, arriving New York 20 October and returning to Southampton 26 October. We have previously cruised extensively with P&O. After a rather disappointing experience with P&O July 2004 (although a subsequent cruise December 2004 was back to usual standard), we have this year branched out to try other lines, and were with Princess Cruises last July, and now this trip with Cunard.

So here is the Cunard experience, with comparisons of the other two cruise lines as appropriate:

Embarkation:

With Princess Cruises, we arrived Southampton at 11.20.am and were in our cabin my 11.50.am. By the time P&O normally get you on board we had explored the ship and enjoyed a pleasant lunch. Ten out of ten.

Cunard: we arrived around 11.40.am (although had been told to arrive much later), joined a long queue, checkouts opened at 12.noon and we were through to the departure lounge by around 12.40.pm, on the ship at 1.pm. Unfortunately there was then a problem with the electronic key lock which took 3 visits to the Pursers Desk, and then the visit of a Security Officer to resolve, so we were actually in the cabin at about 1.20.pm. However we were still able to enjoy a pleasant first day lunch on board.

With P&O, we generally arrive at Southampton around 11.30.am, usually at that time joining a short queue with check-out desks opening at 12.noon, but then to be deposited in the departure lounge for a 2 hour wait at least, with boarding starting at around 2.pm to 2.30.pm. No lunch offered or available.

By comparison, the P&O process seems firmly geared to their convenience rather than the convenience of their passengers, and focused upon avoiding offering a lunch which has been paid for (as the first day is part of the holiday). Verdict: Princess excellent, Cunard very good indeed, P&O abysmal.

Disembarkation at the end of the trip same order of rating; Princess off the ship by 8.50.am, Cunard by 10.15.am, P&O usually nearer 11.am. All offer a full breakfast beforehand.

Initial impression

Cunard: The problem with the electronic key was a little irritating, but having broken into the cabin, it was a pleasant surprise to find a good quality complementary bottle of champagne on ice.

P&O and Princess have a bottle of water accompanied by a bill for circa £2.10

General impressions

Our Cruises on P&O are usually full, and Princess cruise was running full (so they said), on QM2 the outgoing crossing had 2,450 passengers and the return crossing 1,800 against a capacity of 2,620. So it was not full, although pretty close to it going out.

With that proviso, both QM2 and Princess ships seemed less crowded than P&O. Smoking also seemed less intrusive, and rather unexpectedly QM2 was less generous than P&O in the allocation of smoking areas. Not that smoking tends to be a great problem on any of the ships, although the pubs on P&O are always thick with smoke and “no go” areas – not so with QM2 and Princess.

Food

Cunard: Although not silver service, the standard of both service and food was excellent. No “always available” alternatives such as steaks and chicken were offered on the menu, but we always found something on the menu itself which was a good choice. One night the menu included Crepe Suzette, which has become a very rare sighting indeed on P&O. We had with us a friend who for health reasons has a very restrictive diet (and who had not prewarned Cunard of this) – the Restaurant staff could not have been more helpful, they went over the next day menu checking ingredients of every item to see what would be suitable – if there was nothing suitable they arranged for the chef to prepare the food specially for her diet. The waiters managed to create an air of formality and occasion at dinner mixed with friendly conversation and a cheerful disposition, and service was efficient not just at dinner but also at breakfast and lunch. There were never any problems getting a table at breakfast or lunch, and on entering the restaurant you were greeted by a Restaurant Manager with a line of waiters ready to escort you to the table he had allocated. The Britannia Restaurant itself as a setting is magnificent, and far more impressive and attractive than the Queens or Princess Grills. The Kings Court buffet offered a wide range, having four different “themed” serving stations, and the free vend beverages on offer here included very good hot chocolate, orange and cranberry juice, lemonade, iced tea and ice cream (all available all day).

Princess: The food was very good, but more to American tastes, and a good range of “always available” options which were a notch up on P&O (eg. Princess always had a sirloin steak, on P&O it’s a rump steak, Princess had elaborate ice cream sundaes, P&O just ice cream and a sauce). Also excellent Pizza from the deck grill. The main problem with Princess was that somehow they failed to capture the ambience of the other two at dinner; maybe this was because we were on “Anytime” dining without regular diners at the table, but also it just seemed the waiters had a bit too much to do, and somehow we seemed to wait some time with nothing much happening, and then all the food arrived almost “at once” and it ended up a bit of a rushed affair. The buffet offered free vend beverages including iced tea, but no drinking chocolate, and fruit juices only at breakfast. Ice cream was offered during a 30 minute slot in the afternoon. A decent cup of tea was difficult to come by.

P&O: food is always very good, but can vary from fairly ordinary English fayre to some truly outstanding dishes especially on the “special” nights. On a good day P&O is neck and neck with Cunard, but overall would rate Cunard, P&O and Princess in that order. The buffet free vend beverages include packet drinking chocolate, no ice tea, the fruit juice vending machines are switched off at 11.am, and ice cream is offered during a 30 minute slot in the morning.

QM2 had no ice carving demonstration, nor the P&O style lunch specials like the Neptunes lunch, barbecue, pub lunch, chocoholics etc… but the buffet area offered Asian food daily, and the Golden Lion Pub had a lunch pub menu that was of a very high standard indeed.

Captains welcome party

Cunard & P&O offering here very similar, except on QM2 the event was 45 minutes against P&O’s 30 minutes. Cunard had just wine and champagne on offer (although probably gin & tonic / whisky would have been forthcoming if requested); P&O have the spirits as a matter of course. However the Cunard wine and champagne was good quality and very acceptable. On Princess this was not such a good event, held in the Atrium which was inadequate for the numbers of people, getting a drink was a bit difficult, the wine was undrinkable.

Entertainment

The QM2 theatre has a design problem, in that there are a number of pillars which restrict the sight line. No doubt necessary for structural reasons, but a drawback that other ships we have been on have managed to avoid. Entertainment itself was excellent, even spectacular at times with true “ballet” standard dancing, singers able to range between pop and Opera. After the theatre show, there was no alterative cabaret act as regularly found on P&O, as the alternative entertainment lounge always has ballroom dancing. Nor was there a classical pianist (something we particularly like about P&O). They did have a string quartet and harpist, but playing in the Atrium area with little seating, constant noise of people passing and lift bells dinging, it was difficult to appreciate their talents. The string quartet did offer one concert, but that was all.

Princess just had the string quartet playing in the Atrium. Their theatre shows with lavish sets and costumes, were very high standard; some of the guest entertainers however more to American tastes, but pretty good, and a classical singer was probably the most talented act we have seen on a ship.

P&O manage to cram in more stage entertainment, often with a show to see in the theatre followed by something else in the show lounge; and the classical pianist, but all perhaps on a slightly tighter budget reflecting perhaps the smaller passenger capacity of their ships.

In cabin tv on QM2 was state of the art, with menus, shipboard account, room service orders, internet / email access all available interactively, plus pay to view latest films if you wanted it. The early morning TV show going over the day’s events was so professional it was difficult to understand what the two presenters were doing on a cruise ship.

Another QM2 feature to mention is the planetarium. Something really different, and an entertaining diversion for 25 minutes or so; three different planetarium shows were offered during the trip.

Daytime and other activities

QM2 transatlantic crossings have the Oxford Discovery Programme, affording some quite exceptional and interesting lectures. We would like to have seen some of the RADA presentations too, but just didn’t get the time to fit it in! With P&O on a cruise with a good number of sea days there will sometimes be a theme and appropriate guest lecturers, but otherwise they have a rather less extensive daytime programme. The Princess cruise was quite port-intensive, but on sea days they came up much the same activities as P&O but also with a good value wine tasting event and a tour of the theatre (which was one of the real highlights), neither of which are offered by P&O.

QM2 and Princess had a Champagne Waterfall, and both offered free champagne to those attending. The QM2 champagne was considerably better quality. Have only experienced a Champagne Waterfall on P&O once, and in rather typical P&O fashion they charged for the champagne afterwards.

Ship board prices

Expected Princess and Cunard bar prices to be expensive, but actually they were reasonably close to P&O. Wine was from around $20 / $22 upwards per bottle [plus 15% service], P&O may have one or two a bit cheaper than this but they are mostly £12 / £14 upwards [service included], it actually works out pretty close. Overall, drinks are much the same or maybe a bit cheaper than most pub prices on all three cruise lines.

Some other Cunard shipboard prices were pretty steep (especially their photographic services), but there were some offers in the shops and although not particularly cheap the quality was good and we ended up making more shop purchases on QM2 than usual.

Shore excursions

P&O always have a port lecturer with informative information on port visits. As Cunard’s transatlantic crossing is really designed as a one-way trip, the absence of any port lecture on New York can be understood. Surprisingly, the port-intensive trip on Princess had no Port Lecturer and a brave but rather inadequate attempt was made to fill this gap by a member of the entertainment staff. How they can expect to sell expensive tours but have no-one on board with enough knowledge of the tours to be able to give a lecture on them is beyond me.

We took a Cunard trip around New York, it was not very good value but served its purpose as a safe and easy way of seeing some sights. Another time, having got some idea of the place, we would do our own thing. Getting off the ship at New York was a lot less hassle than expected.

The Ship

QM2 is truly a destination in itself. On all the other ships we have been on, (including a two hour visit of P&O’s Arcadia at the time of its launch) the ship has been explored fully by the first day. On QM2 new areas of the ship were still being explored several days into the trip. It is a ship to get lost on. And hours can be spent exploring the many museum style display boards which give the history of Cunard – and the numerous works of art throughout the ship.

It’s in a completely different class to anything else. In fact, that was our impression of Cunard – that it’s one class up on P&O and Princess.

Little things like the orange juice free vending all day, ice cream on tap all day, a bedtime chocolate that is of more generous proportions, 24 hour room service including cooked breakfast if required etc. A general impression that there was no cutting corners, which is an increasing trend on P&O. And faultless standards of service the whole time. We’re not long-standing Cunard fans, this was our first time on Cunard and if there had been anything to criticise I would not hesitate to do so.

Some other highlights:

1.) Around 5.15.pm on the evening of departure from Southampton, P&O’s Arcadia is also in port and sails out first. Watching it sail by so close you could almost touch it, the crowded decks of Arcadia with a blaze of cameras flashing as they go by, then Arcadia sounds it’s horn – followed by the deafening sound of Queen Mary 2’s horn (from the original Queen Mary) – the whole of Southampton must have heard the commotion.

2.) Going under the Verrazano bridge on approach to New York at 5.am and observing this from the top deck. Later reported by the Captain that there was 12 feet clearance. A passenger with a deep American accent observes, “Boy, this guy only just made it”.

3.) Going under the Verrazano bridge on departure from New York at around 7.30.pm the same day, again observing this from the top deck but at a different angle. The lights of the bridge were definitely below the level of the deck as we approached, but somehow they raised themselves up just enough to scrape over the funnel in the event, surely even less than 12 feet clearance this time?

4.) The dinner we had in the Todd English restaurant that evening (here’s a tip if you are on first dinner sitting and leaving New York – book at Todd English so that you can see the ship go out and under the bridge). First night out is a quiet evening at Todd English, we had a table by the window where we could see the last of the lights, the attentiveness of the service was quite wonderful, as was the food. A $30 supplement is quite steep but worth doing once per trip.

Conclusion:

We’re booked on P&O next year, very happy with that, P&O is fantastic.

It’s just a personal view, but nevertheless Cunard is our preferred cruise line from now on.

[Paul NH]

JEJ,

 

What a great review. Fresh perspective comparing things directly to P&O and Princess. Glad you enjoyed the crossings.

 

Thanks for the time you took for your observations.

 

Paul

[Betsy's Mom]

:) A lovely and complete post. We are fans of the QM2. Would also like to try P&O some day, but seeing as we do not like to fly it may be a bit of a problem. I think you thoroughly understood that the QM2 is not a

"cruise ship" and thus the port excursions are either not available or not well done, as some have mentioned. We just love the ship!:)

B.

[guernseyguy]

Thanks for a perceptive and balanced review - I have yet to sail P&O - (unless you count BI SS UGANDA!) - but I would agree with your comparison with Princess.

 

Peter

[elaine61]

Embarkation:

 

With Princess Cruises, we arrived Southampton at 11.20.am and were in our cabin my 11.50.am. By the time P&O normally get you on board we had explored the ship and enjoyed a pleasant lunch. Ten out of ten.

 

Cunard: we arrived around 11.40.am (although had been told to arrive much later), joined a long queue, checkouts opened at 12.noon and we were through to the departure lounge by around 12.40.pm, on the ship at 1.pm. Unfortunately there was then a problem with the electronic key lock which took 3 visits to the Pursers Desk, and then the visit of a Security Officer to resolve, so we were actually in the cabin at about 1.20.pm. However we were still able to enjoy a pleasant first day lunch on board.

 

With P&O, we generally arrive at Southampton around 11.30.am, usually at that time joining a short queue with check-out desks opening at 12.noon, but then to be deposited in the departure lounge for a 2 hour wait at least, with boarding starting at around 2.pm to 2.30.pm. No lunch offered or available.

 

By comparison, the P&O process seems firmly geared to their convenience rather than the convenience of their passengers, and focused upon avoiding offering a lunch which has been paid for (as the first day is part of the holiday). Verdict: Princess excellent, Cunard very good indeed, P&O abysmal.

 

Disembarkation at the end of the trip same order of rating; Princess off the ship by 8.50.am, Cunard by 10.15.am, P&O usually nearer 11.am. All offer a full breakfast beforehand.

Have to agree that I was pleasantly surprised to be shown straight onto QM2 and we weren't put in an holding area. Like you say with P & O you have to wait in a waiting area until around 2pm before they start boarding. I have no idea why this should be!!!! I don't think it's because they don't want to give out lunch. They have a lunch buffet for passengers doing back to back and visitors (family of staff etc)!! One thing I always look forward to on sailing day on P & O is the sausage rolls!!!!!! Scrummy!!!!!

 

Initial impression

 

Cunard: The problem with the electronic key was a little irritating, but having broken into the cabin, it was a pleasant surprise to find a good quality complementary bottle of champagne on ice.

 

P&O and Princess have a bottle of water accompanied by a bill for circa £2.10

OOOmmmm, we didn't think much of the sparkling wine that we found in the cabin on QM2. Ours most definately was not champagne!!!!! There was a bottle of water, the slip of paper was in the drawer with the keyboard for the TV, but you didn't really need to fill it in because someone came around every day checking what had been taken out of the fridge. Of course you have to pay for the bottle of water on Cunard too. I think it was around $3.50 which would make it a similar price to that charged on P & O and Princess

 

General impressions

 

Our Cruises on P&O are usually full, and Princess cruise was running full (so they said), on QM2 the outgoing crossing had 2,450 passengers and the return crossing 1,800 against a capacity of 2,620. So it was not full, although pretty close to it going out.

 

With that proviso, both QM2 and Princess ships seemed less crowded than P&O. Smoking also seemed less intrusive, and rather unexpectedly QM2 was less generous than P&O in the allocation of smoking areas. Not that smoking tends to be a great problem on any of the ships, although the pubs on P&O are always thick with smoke and “no go” areas – not so with QM2 and Princess.

I quite enjoyed the atmosphere in the Golden Lion Pub on QM2, but I detest the pub areas on the P & O ships!!!!! For some unknown reason they are always smokey like you say, but I didn't really find that much of a problem in the Golden Lion.

 

Food

 

Cunard: Although not silver service, the standard of both service and food was excellent. No “always available” alternatives such as steaks and chicken were offered on the menu, but we always found something on the menu itself which was a good choice. One night the menu included Crepe Suzette, which has become a very rare sighting indeed on P&O. We had with us a friend who for health reasons has a very restrictive diet (and who had not prewarned Cunard of this) – the Restaurant staff could not have been more helpful, they went over the next day menu checking ingredients of every item to see what would be suitable – if there was nothing suitable they arranged for the chef to prepare the food specially for her diet. The waiters managed to create an air of formality and occasion at dinner mixed with friendly conversation and a cheerful disposition, and service was efficient not just at dinner but also at breakfast and lunch. There were never any problems getting a table at breakfast or lunch, and on entering the restaurant you were greeted by a Restaurant Manager with a line of waiters ready to escort you to the table he had allocated. The Britannia Restaurant itself as a setting is magnificent, and far more impressive and attractive than the Queens or Princess Grills. The Kings Court buffet offered a wide range, having four different “themed” serving stations, and the free vend beverages on offer here included very good hot chocolate, orange and cranberry juice, lemonade, iced tea and ice cream (all available all day).

 

Princess: The food was very good, but more to American tastes, and a good range of “always available” options which were a notch up on P&O (eg. Princess always had a sirloin steak, on P&O it’s a rump steak, Princess had elaborate ice cream sundaes, P&O just ice cream and a sauce). Also excellent Pizza from the deck grill. The main problem with Princess was that somehow they failed to capture the ambience of the other two at dinner; maybe this was because we were on “Anytime” dining without regular diners at the table, but also it just seemed the waiters had a bit too much to do, and somehow we seemed to wait some time with nothing much happening, and then all the food arrived almost “at once” and it ended up a bit of a rushed affair. The buffet offered free vend beverages including iced tea, but no drinking chocolate, and fruit juices only at breakfast. Ice cream was offered during a 30 minute slot in the afternoon. A decent cup of tea was difficult to come by.

 

P&O: food is always very good, but can vary from fairly ordinary English fayre to some truly outstanding dishes especially on the “special” nights. On a good day P&O is neck and neck with Cunard, but overall would rate Cunard, P&O and Princess in that order. The buffet free vend beverages include packet drinking chocolate, no ice tea, the fruit juice vending machines are switched off at 11.am, and ice cream is offered during a 30 minute slot in the morning.

 

QM2 had no ice carving demonstration, nor the P&O style lunch specials like the Neptunes lunch, barbecue, pub lunch, chocoholics etc… but the buffet area offered Asian food daily, and the Golden Lion Pub had a lunch pub menu that was of a very high standard indeed.

I personally felt that the menu selection on P & O was slightly better than what we had on QM2. Quality of food was on a par with P & O for me!! I have to say I always thought that the steaks on P & O were either fillet or Sirloin. I don't think I've ever been given a rump steak on P & O!! I think one of the other things I really like is the silver service on P & O and missed this on QM2. Have to agree about the Britannia dining room though. It is a spectacular room. Very grand!!!!!!!

 

Captains welcome party

 

Cunard & P&O offering here very similar, except on QM2 the event was 45 minutes against P&O’s 30 minutes. Cunard had just wine and champagne on offer (although probably gin & tonic / whisky would have been forthcoming if requested); P&O have the spirits as a matter of course. However the Cunard wine and champagne was good quality and very acceptable. On Princess this was not such a good event, held in the Atrium which was inadequate for the numbers of people, getting a drink was a bit difficult, the wine was undrinkable.

We did manage to get spirits at the cocktail parties on QM2. Both Cunard and P & O serve "champagne", but they are really only sparkling wine. Also on QM2 my husband asked for a glass of wine and it tasted like a dessert wine. Mind you the drinks waiter did change it for him. My son had a white russian at the QM2 cocktail party. I think if you ask they would get something different for you. On P & O we always ask the drinks stewards to get us proper champagne and generally we get it!!

 

Entertainment

 

The QM2 theatre has a design problem, in that there are a number of pillars which restrict the sight line. No doubt necessary for structural reasons, but a drawback that other ships we have been on have managed to avoid. Entertainment itself was excellent, even spectacular at times with true “ballet” standard dancing, singers able to range between pop and Opera. After the theatre show, there was no alterative cabaret act as regularly found on P&O, as the alternative entertainment lounge always has ballroom dancing. Nor was there a classical pianist (something we particularly like about P&O). They did have a string quartet and harpist, but playing in the Atrium area with little seating, constant noise of people passing and lift bells dinging, it was difficult to appreciate their talents. The string quartet did offer one concert, but that was all.

 

Princess just had the string quartet playing in the Atrium. Their theatre shows with lavish sets and costumes, were very high standard; some of the guest entertainers however more to American tastes, but pretty good, and a classical singer was probably the most talented act we have seen on a ship.

 

P&O manage to cram in more stage entertainment, often with a show to see in the theatre followed by something else in the show lounge; and the classical pianist, but all perhaps on a slightly tighter budget reflecting perhaps the smaller passenger capacity of their ships.

 

In cabin tv on QM2 was state of the art, with menus, shipboard account, room service orders, internet / email access all available interactively, plus pay to view latest films if you wanted it. The early morning TV show going over the day’s events was so professional it was difficult to understand what the two presenters were doing on a cruise ship.

 

Another QM2 feature to mention is the planetarium. Something really different, and an entertaining diversion for 25 minutes or so; three different planetarium shows were offered during the trip.

Loved the planetarium shows and the theatre on QM2. The interactive TV was very useful. I suppose doing a transatlantic crossing a lot of the time is going to be spent inside, so they have to have a great deal of indoor activities on QM2. On a P & O cruise generally you are out in the sunshine. When we go at christmas we shall be in Madeira after a couple of sea days and from then on the weather tends to improve as we go south towards the caribbean. You tend to get a lot more outdoor activities on P & O.

 

Daytime and other activities

 

QM2 transatlantic crossings have the Oxford Discovery Programme, affording some quite exceptional and interesting lectures. We would like to have seen some of the RADA presentations too, but just didn’t get the time to fit it in! With P&O on a cruise with a good number of sea days there will sometimes be a theme and appropriate guest lecturers, but otherwise they have a rather less extensive daytime programme. The Princess cruise was quite port-intensive, but on sea days they came up much the same activities as P&O but also with a good value wine tasting event and a tour of the theatre (which was one of the real highlights), neither of which are offered by P&O.

 

QM2 and Princess had a Champagne Waterfall, and both offered free champagne to those attending. The QM2 champagne was considerably better quality. Have only experienced a Champagne Waterfall on P&O once, and in rather typical P&O fashion they charged for the champagne afterwards.

To be honest we thought that the daily programmes on P & O were just as full as those on Cunard. They are just filled with different things. Like I said previously more activities aimed at being outside. P & O certainly don't have as many lectures in the day as were offered on QM2. They did a wine tasting on QM2 but we didn't go to it. I have never seen a wine tasting on any P & O ship. I suppose the big difference here generally is that crossing the atlantic generally there aren't going to be too many sunbathing days. On P & O and Princess you are more likely to be sunbathing as well as trying to fit in some of the things on offer on the daytime activities. Maybe that is why Cunards programme looks so extensive. I have to admit we didn't go to any lectures (don't know why because there were some really good ones on our trip) and RADA clashed with family scrabble time (you could hear the show out in the games corridor)!!

 

Ship board prices

 

Expected Princess and Cunard bar prices to be expensive, but actually they were reasonably close to P&O. Wine was from around $20 / $22 upwards per bottle [plus 15% service], P&O may have one or two a bit cheaper than this but they are mostly £12 / £14 upwards [service included], it actually works out pretty close. Overall, drinks are much the same or maybe a bit cheaper than most pub prices on all three cruise lines.

 

Some other Cunard shipboard prices were pretty steep (especially their photographic services), but there were some offers in the shops and although not particularly cheap the quality was good and we ended up making more shop purchases on QM2 than usual.

Don't tend to buy from the shops on any of the ships really. Prefer to look in the various ports. Haven't been on P & O since last xmas, but the prices were reasonable, same as Cunard really. A really good selection of champagne and wines on Cunard, but then you would expect that. I cannot see too many British people paying $325 for a bottle of Cristal champagne. I am quite happy with the Veuve Cliqout champagne myself!! Like Cunard P & O also have cocktails of the day. These are generally good value for money. You have to pay for sailaway drinks on P & O but I must have missed the free sailaway drinks on Cunard!!!!!!!

 

Shore excursions

 

P&O always have a port lecturer with informative information on port visits. As Cunard’s transatlantic crossing is really designed as a one-way trip, the absence of any port lecture on New York can be understood. Surprisingly, the port-intensive trip on Princess had no Port Lecturer and a brave but rather inadequate attempt was made to fill this gap by a member of the entertainment staff. How they can expect to sell expensive tours but have no-one on board with enough knowledge of the tours to be able to give a lecture on them is beyond me.

 

We took a Cunard trip around New York, it was not very good value but served its purpose as a safe and easy way of seeing some sights. Another time, having got some idea of the place, we would do our own thing. Getting off the ship at New York was a lot less hassle than expected.

P & O tours office beats Cunards hands down!!!!!!! My excuse for Cunard though is the fact that they don't do too many tours really during a year and so they are so quite as slick an operation as anything I've had on P & O. Our tour of Quebec was a joke really, but the attitude of the tours staff was an even bigger joke!! But that's in the past and it's all forgotten about now!!!!!!

 

The Ship

 

QM2 is truly a destination in itself. On all the other ships we have been on, (including a two hour visit of P&O’s Arcadia at the time of its launch) the ship has been explored fully by the first day. On QM2 new areas of the ship were still being explored several days into the trip. It is a ship to get lost on. And hours can be spent exploring the many museum style display boards which give the history of Cunard – and the numerous works of art throughout the ship.

 

It’s in a completely different class to anything else. In fact, that was our impression of Cunard – that it’s one class up on P&O and Princess.

 

Little things like the orange juice free vending all day, ice cream on tap all day, a bedtime chocolate that is of more generous proportions, 24 hour room service including cooked breakfast if required etc. A general impression that there was no cutting corners, which is an increasing trend on P&O. And faultless standards of service the whole time. We’re not long-standing Cunard fans, this was our first time on Cunard and if there had been anything to criticise I would not hesitate to do so.

Cannot disagree with your comments about the ship itself. She truly is a stunner!!!!! Whilst we were away P & O announced that they are bringing out a new ship in 2007 called Ventura. From what I can see it is very similar to the Grand class princess ships!! It will carry 3100 passengers. Personally this is far too big for my liking. We had room service breakfast a couple of times on Cunard and on both occasions they brought the breakfast in the time slot before the one I'd actually ticked!! My daughter sent them away with a flea in their ear when they knocked on her door saying that she'd ordered it for 7.15-7.30 and why had they brought it at 6.45!! So we only did that a couple of times.

 

Some other highlights:

 

1.) Around 5.15.pm on the evening of departure from Southampton, P&O’s Arcadia is also in port and sails out first. Watching it sail by so close you could almost touch it, the crowded decks of Arcadia with a blaze of cameras flashing as they go by, then Arcadia sounds it’s horn – followed by the deafening sound of Queen Mary 2’s horn (from the original Queen Mary) – the whole of Southampton must have heard the commotion.

 

2.) Going under the Verrazano bridge on approach to New York at 5.am and observing this from the top deck. Later reported by the Captain that there was 12 feet clearance. A passenger with a deep American accent observes, “Boy, this guy only just made it”.

 

3.) Going under the Verrazano bridge on departure from New York at around 7.30.pm the same day, again observing this from the top deck but at a different angle. The lights of the bridge were definitely below the level of the deck as we approached, but somehow they raised themselves up just enough to scrape over the funnel in the event, surely even less than 12 feet clearance this time?

 

4.) The dinner we had in the Todd English restaurant that evening (here’s a tip if you are on first dinner sitting and leaving New York – book at Todd English so that you can see the ship go out and under the bridge). First night out is a quiet evening at Todd English, we had a table by the window where we could see the last of the lights, the attentiveness of the service was quite wonderful, as was the food. A $30 supplement is quite steep but worth doing once per trip.

We ate in Todd English twice. Really enjoyed it both times. Had to go back a second time, because first time was our daughters birthday and we had a birthday cake to eat, so didn't get to have the chocolate fallen cake. Got it the second time around though. Yummy if a bit on the big side for my liking. My mummy always taught me to eat what was on my plate, but I just couldn't finish this dessert!!!!!! Such a shame!!!!!!

 

Conclusion:

 

We’re booked on P&O next year, very happy with that, P&O is fantastic.

 

It’s just a personal view, but nevertheless Cunard is our preferred cruise line from now on.

 

Jeg122000

 

I enjoyed reading your report comparing the different lines. We are P & O regulars and went not on our first Cunard cruise, but our first on QM2 getting back the day you left. We had been on board for 25 days by then and knew QM2 inside out!! Whilst both have good and bad points for me P & O still comes out on top!! But I suppose we are all different and as such like different things. We are next on P & O 7 weeks tomorrow for Xmas in the caribbean on Oriana. I am looking forward to some hot sunny weather!!

 

Elaine

[jej122000]

Re Elaine's post above, the term "champagne" was used rather loosely, not being a great fan of champagne; I do know however that some sparkling wine is very drinkable and some disgusting. QM2 variety left complementary in the cabin was in the former category for us. Perhaps if you are an expert on champagne you would be less impressed.

 

The complementary bottle was, in fact, Brut Pol Acker Blanc de Blancs, described as a Premium Sparkling Wine, and product of France. So, no, not genuine champagne, but then maybe champagne itself is overrated, the very best sparkling wine is said to be made in the UK these days isn't it?

 

I've just looked back on some past P&O menus, and they say "Always Available" Serloin Steak, so sorry, got that wrong, apologies to P&O for that. Agree that with the food, Cunard and P&O on the whole are very close indeed, and P&O do have a wider selection; really to a large extent it is a matter of taste. For me, probably it was the crepe suzette that pushed Cunard ahead by a whisker! But I do think the quality and choice in the buffet on QM2 was a shade better than on most P&O ships (although maybe not the Arcadia - but I've yet to try that one).

[Druke I]

jej

 

Thanks for the very comprehensive comparison between the three lines.

 

We've been on Princess many times; I haven't been on P&O since 1970 (not well-marketed in the US), and still haven't booked QM2, although we plan to do so in the future.

 

I suppose in many respects, it is comparing apples to oranges, but I still found your opinions interesting.