QM2 review...very nice but over rated.

[rockyhou]

I just got back from my first sailing on Cunard with the QM2 on a day 10 carribbean.

 

I am probably alone here...but I did not think the QM2 was worth the extra money as compared to other lines.

 

Don't get me wrong I had a great time and everything was very very nice, service was great...food was great. But I guess I had higher expectations especially since I was paying a premium. I am 40 this was cruise 18 and first with Cunard. I would probably do again..but only if it were a deal. There were people of all ages but yes more in the upper end than on other lines. But this was fine with me anyway.

 

I guess what I did not like was the basic ship design...it was very closed in, all public space was on the lower decks including the buffet, with lots of wasted space at the top of the ship. Most public rooms were small but very elegantly decorated. Overall mood of the ship was more subdued, so it was relaxing..but would have liked a bit more exceitment. Each night we went to Q32 and found very few people. And the music themes changed like every hour. You would have 80s disco music from 10-11 then at 11 it would change to R&B/rap. It was just wierd.

 

I was not impressed with the Gym...it was adequete but for a ship it's size should have been better...the SPA was a joke...no public steam/shower only for those paying way over priced services. I did indulge for a massage and it was OK...not great..not bad...but for the money I spend for it I was dissapointed.

 

Most nights the menu in the dinning room did not impress me...I usually opted for the steak/beef option and tried many other things I did not really recognize on the menu. Even though I was not impressed initially, I did like everything I was served, even some of the strange new dishes for me. And the service was very good.

 

The shows were great...I love the broadway revue style shows and I enjoyed all of them. Talent was good and production value may have even been better than some of the other lines.

 

The Casino is usually one of my hang out spots, but not on this ship...it was small and not very exceiting.

 

My room was very nice, probably the nicest inside cabin I have ever had. Use of the space was perfect, bedding was very compfortable. I give them kudos for this. The bedding was as good if not better than what I have had on other ships in the Owners suite.

 

I came home satisfied..but not overly impressed. I think for me I prefer a little less formality and a bit more exceitment. That is not to say I want a party ship..but maybe a few more lively options. For me Princess or RCCL is more my speed.

[Kindlychap]

I guess what I did not like was the basic ship design...it was very closed in, all public space was on the lower decks including the buffet, with lots of wasted space at the top of the ship. Most public rooms were small but very elegantly decorated. Overall mood of the ship was more subdued, so it was relaxing..but would have liked a bit more exceitment.

 

Form follows function.

 

RMS Queen Mary 2 is an ocean liner. She is built to sail across the North Atlantic, backwards and forwards, again and again, year after year. As such, her design requires a number of compromises over a cruise ship, which is designed simply to transfer as many people as possible from one port to another whilst parting them from their money.

 

As for subdued, I felt that if there was any criticism, it was that she was a tadge gaudy...... But then my favourite ship is RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. Another real ocean liner....

 

Matthew

[songanddance]

Not everyone enjoys the Brithish Country House experience but overall you seemd to have enjoyed most of the cruise. I think the difference is that Cunard is more cerebral vs the more physical found on many other lines. That difference is not always easy to pick up on from a brochure that talks mostly about where one is going vs how one will get there.

[Kindlychap]

Not everyone enjoys the Brithish Country House experience.

 

Queen Mary 2 is very definitely NOT the British (or English) Country House experience.

 

Matthew

[songanddance]

Queen Mary 2 is very definitely NOT the British (or English) Country House experience.

 

Matthew

Agreed for all those who love the QE2 but for the average American who thinks dressing up is putting on a clean polo shirt and better jeans, trust me they think it is what I said. And it certainly is not Princess or RCCI

[Kindlychap]

Agreed for all those who love the QE2 but for the average American who thinks dressing up is putting on a clean polo shirt and better jeans, trust me they think it is what I said. And it certainly is not Princess or RCCI

 

Oh, I'm quite happy to agree that the average American might think it is. But that doesn't change the fact that it is not "British Country House".

 

QE2 is - rather more - but not entirely......

 

Matthew

[songanddance]

Oh, I'm quite happy to agree that the average American might think it is. But that doesn't change the fact that it is not "British Country House".

 

QE2 is - rather more - but not entirely......

 

Matthew

 

Well it is difficult to get those 42 fireplaces, creaky floor boards and the deer park on board. Not to mention the long drive and a quail shoot off the fan tail.

[Kindlychap]

Well it is difficult to get those 42 fireplaces, creaky floor boards and the deer park on board. Not to mention the long drive and a quail shoot off the fan tail.

 

And, of course, no-where to park the blower Bentley....

 

Matthew

[Calgary North]

Thanks for your comments Rockyhou.

 

We will be sailing on the QM2 very soon and are much looking forward to our trip.

 

As far as I am concerned, you have praised the ship with faint damnation.

 

Regards

[flag fan]

I loved the QM2 but can see that the emphasis in the design is on the interior, rather than use of the top for fun-in-the-sun activities, so it may not be as well-suited for the Caribbean as some other ship (such as the RCI ships with a lot of glass or sports activities). I found the spa good, but don't have a lot of basis for comparison--one advantage is that there is no hard sell, as I have heard there is in on other ships. I think the highlights are the shows (including the planetarium shows), lectures, and food demonstrations. Other highlights are the giant ballroom (for those who enjoy music and dancing) and the library (largest at sea). Whether these are your interests or worth a premium is, of course, a matter of personal choice. There is certainly no reason to pay a premium for activities in which you are not interested. For me, I enjoyed the highlights I mentioned, thought the food was great (but not a big factor for me), and liked the great British ambiance. I'm looking into another cruise on her (maybe next year), so I'm starting to save up my pennies.

[Kindlychap]

I loved the QM2 but can see that the emphasis in the design is on the interior, rather than use of the top for fun-in-the-sun activities, so it may not be as well-suited for the Caribbean as some other ship

 

This is exactly my point. QM2 is a liner, not a cruise ship. Her primary purpose is not to spend time in the Caribbean. Her place is on the North Atlantic.

 

Her design makes perfect sense with this in mind.

 

Matthew

[wripro]

Unfortunately, she spends half her year in the Caribbean.

[Kindlychap]

Unfortunately, she spends half her year in the Caribbean.

 

True.

 

Pity.

 

Matthew

[tntornadox]

Unfortunately, she spends half her year in the Caribbean.

Until Cunard bases a ship there, she will continue in this regard. While Cunard Line is NOT a cruise line, per se, they will eventually locate a vessel in this region. At that time, QM2 may take up special exotic voyages instead of trolling about in the Caribbean all Winter...

[travel-to-go]

Okay,

would somebody please tell me what British Country House is? Other than Bentleys (I don't believe any of the lines have car tracks on board these days) shooting (not ecologically proper any more. We did used to shoot off the fantail - wait, I mean do shooting from the fantail...on Cunard ships.) and whatever else someone said- creaky floors and musty paintings or something.

 

 

And to the OP, I'm not a gambler, (and live near two of the largest casinos in the world) and the casino always struck me as too smoky to even go in, but I did think it looked small- but I thought the rest of the public rooms were nice sized. I was surprised to see that criticism, as that is one thing I like about QM2- even though she is a large ship, with a lot of people on board, I thought the public rooms were nicely sized. If you went into the Golden Lion during some Trivia or Karaoke, it could get crowded, as it was popular. And when EVERYONE was in Queens Room it was hard to find a seat if you went late. But mostly, I thought the rooms were well laid out. Some bars might have been smaller, but they flowed from one to another (Veuve Cliquot into the Chart room for instance) so there was a different sort of ambiance in each.

 

Some of the food names seem a bit pretentious.. But usually, the staff was good at explaining them. At first I thought it was me, but I have eaten plenty of fine dining food. It's just one of those things culinary kitchens do!

 

Yes, it is a bit more expensive than most lines, But we keep coming back!

OTOH, if you wish a bit more activity, other ships are a bit more "physical" than Cunard. RCCL is known for sports and such. HAL has 8 or 10 different games- Trivia, Bladerdash, Pictionary throughout the day- That was always fun. But still, we return to Cunard. We just watch for the good sales, and now that you have been on, you will get the mailings, and sooner or later, you will see an unbeatable return price. Give it a try again, as the tenor of the cruise can change, depending on the people you meet, and are with..

 

Karie

[Brit and proud]

For one that has never been on a crusie ship (my partner has been on the Canberra & QE2) I enjoy reading how other people find the QM2 from seasoned travellers, newbies, etc.

 

It just gives you another insight and the end of the day as everyone is different i will hold my judgement untill i experiance it for my self.

 

This was the first time i have seen mention made of the inside cabins (which we are staying in)

 

Thanks for taking the time to let others know how you found the trip

 

 

Brian

[songanddance]

Okay,

would somebody please tell me what British Country House is?

 

Karie

 

Can't really be defined but is something that those who know - know and those who don't know will most likely never know.

[Toffeegirl68]

Nice review - its good to read personal comments where people neither go all 'gooey' or 'moan' about either the ship or Cunard.

[Cruachan]

HAL has 8 or 10 different games- Trivia, Bladerdash, Pictionary

 

Karie,

 

For inducing a real state of ROFLMAO, nothing beats a good old fashioned Freudian Slip. Thanks for conjuring up the most amusing mental image of 2008 so far. I guess there was a typo there - presumably that should have read bladderdash. :)

 

How appropriate for the prevailing Cunard demographic! I assume this is closely related to DAKs recent suggestion for a new game, so I'll leave it to him to provide a detailed description of how it's played and to codify the rules.

 

Jimmy

[rog747]

well as most have said here qm2 is an ocean liner and soon to be the last one., shes not a cruise ship, nor is cunards product a 'fun ship' product.

 

u seem to have a good time overall but if u paid big bucks then sorry u were not gettin what u expected.

 

likewise qe2 spent the latter part of her years went cruising too...

its compromise and kudos,

yes if u can get an good deal on the qm2 then take it,

i personally would not spend big money to go on a cruise out of NYC on qm2 unless i got it for peanuts.

(i am englsh btw lol) coz u know the passengers will be mostly americans who may just may be expecting a carnival fun experiecnce or a ''white glove'' experience...the 2 opposites !!!

and many wont be happy no doubt as expectations arnt achieved.

 

u prob wont get a ''white glove'' experience hopping down to the bahamas,

 

i would only do transatlantic on qm2 (i am 16 oct)

 

i have done NCL and HAL and PandO all were different...

[southwestie]

Oh dear me, I seem to be agreeing with mathew again on all his posts on here, The QM2 is a liner and made to sail back & forth across the atlantic and is built different to a cruise, The OP has enjoyed the cruise which is the main thing, and I see the OP uses RCCL, so is more used to a cruise ship, Im not but I will be trying the RCCL Independance of the seas, though not sure what to expect with so many people on the ship, hope all goes well.

 

I have to say I love the QM2 with the enclosed space, the fact that only 2600 passengers are on it and I can find a seat almost anywhere and at any time, I love the luxury and the service , I also found that the "higher" end passengers were great fun to meet and I never felt out of place on the ship, I also found and have found over the years that all americans or british want to put on jeans and t/shirts, but like to dress up.

 

The QM2 is not going to appeal to everyone (thank goodness) but it does to me.

re the casino, it is small but never overcrowded, I would not want to see an MGM grand on it

 

at least the OP enjoyed it.

 

rob

[CRUISE4_2]

I agree with the fact that the QM2 was built for TA crossings and not for cruising the Carribean. But for the Chrsitmas and new years cruise they (Cunard) could have added some activities for the teenagers onboard. The kids were bored throughout the whole cruise.

This is not the kind of cruise I was hoping for. We will not cruise with Cunard again. We expected at the very least the same treatment as on a Celebrity ship(white glove).

The reasons why we took this cruise : half price, leaving from New York(no airfare) and of course it is the QM2.

We much prefer cruising on Princess to any other cruise or ocean liner.

[scottjeanne]

I am so sorry your teenagers did not have a good time. I have taken my daughter, now 15 on several cunard cruises. Last summer we did a 17 day Mediterranean and she had a ball. There were about 20 teenagers (most older than my daughter) and they all hung out together, went on shore excursions etc. It was due in part to one lovely British young lady, Sally, who went around to each table at the first dinner and invited all the young people to meet at the pool that evening. They had a great time. This was not organised by Cunard, but by the young people themselves. I hope it helps in the future.

[VirginCruiser II]

I agree with the fact that the QM2 was built for TA crossings and not for cruising the Carribean. But for the Chrsitmas and new years cruise they (Cunard) could have added some activities for the teenagers onboard. The kids were bored throughout the whole cruise.

This is not the kind of cruise I was hoping for. We will not cruise with Cunard again. We expected at the very least the same treatment as on a Celebrity ship(white glove).

The reasons why we took this cruise : half price, leaving from New York(no airfare) and of course it is the QM2.

We much prefer cruising on Princess to any other cruise or ocean liner.

 

......so there you have it!:D

[southwestie]

I think more should there for teenagers, theres a lot room for it

 

rob