January 3-12 QM2 Rundown

[BoscoBreaux]

This was my first Cunard cruise, and after coming across so many persons who had unrealized expectations, I came in with an open mind, not expecting to be impressed. Much to my pleasure, I was thoroughly impressed with the ship and the entire Cunard experience, but only by viewing it through a prism of reason that Cunard is not a luxury cruise line. Here are my impressions:

 

You do feel like you are not on any other cruise line. Of course, the QM2 is a huge, beautiful ship that is tastefully decorated. (I detected only three instances of neon light tubing, about 99% less than on most other ships.) But you feel like you are on a Cunard ship mostly because nearly everything nailed to the plastic walls of the ship has either 1) a Cunard logo, 2) a picture of a Cunard ship 3) a picture of someone on a Cunard ship, or 4) a picture of someone nailing something to the wall of a Cunard ship. Yeah, they do Cunard you to death on the ship. I did enjoy looking at the pictures, and reading the hundreds (it seemed) of self-congratulatory panels laying out Cunard's history, but at a point, its a bit much. But, they do make you feel that you are on a special ship, and that is the point.

 

Then there is the formality. Personally, I like the idea of getting dressed up for dinner and the evening; it is something special. But for a man to be expected to wear a jacket to dinner for 10 consecutive evenings, even when traveling to a hot and humid Caribbean climate, it is a bit much to ask. Of course, considering that well over half the ship were Europeans, with Brits making up the bulk of the cruise passenger list, getting dressed up isn't a bit deal for most. And yes, most of them did have more than one Tux, but for the rest of us, it was the formality you'd expect on a luxury ship, not Cunard. But considering that everyone else is in the same boat, so to speak, it was fun.

 

The food was average for a cruise in my opinion--nothing special here. The entrees were much larger that on other cruises I have been on, but the desserts were rather small and uninspiring.

Dining room service was rather slow and uninformed. (Sommeliers should know which wines they sell by the glass, shouldn't they?) Assistant waiter disappeared some time for half the night. Whether this is a result of fitting out the Queen Victoria will competent staffing I don't know. Todd English, the absurdly expensive for what you get fee of $30 specialty restaurant, is very good, but would probably be equivalent to a Zagat 21 food rated restaurant, and while the decor was very nice, looking out at a hot tub takes a bit away from the ambiance. Service was mediocre. (Problems: seating a couple in an empty restaurant next to a service station filled with six bored employees. Referring to a Rhone wine as a "Shiraz" would make a real sommelier shudder.)

 

I was very impressed by the Kings Court, the casual mess hall. When they were not engaging in the thirty-times a day vacuuming and cleaning projects, and when the show performers weren't monopolizing half of the seats in the late evenings, it was great. The food was plentiful, and it was a nice treat to be able to get things like Indian food at 1am! I never thought I would say this about a cruise ship, especially the QM2, but I liked the Kings Court a lot. IT was cut up a bit, and seating can be tight at times, but overall it was darn good.

 

The entertainment was rather tepid. The ships show troupe was strong in the dance category but pretty weak in the singing department. They shows lineup was supplemented with a "Opera" singer (re Theatre singer) who deviated from tradition by singing an operatic "Summertime" (Yikes), a Fiddler who told jokes that made their way around the Catskills way back in the 1960s, and a juggler/comedian, and a standards singer who looked a bit like a chipmunk. Yawn. Makes me long for Norwegian or Royal Caribbean.

 

I'd definitely take another Cunard cruise again. I enjoyed being on a ship, leaving the US, with a bunch of persons from other countries. And, if you ever need a trivia partner, there is no better place to look than a bar full of Brits. Cheers!

[southwestie]

This was my first Cunard cruise, and after coming across so many persons who had unrealized expectations, I came in with an open mind, not expecting to be impressed. Much to my pleasure, I was thoroughly impressed with the ship and the entire Cunard experience, but only by viewing it through a prism of reason that Cunard is not a luxury cruise line. Here are my impressions:

 

You do feel like you are not on any other cruise line. Of course, the QM2 is a huge, beautiful ship that is tastefully decorated. (I detected only three instances of neon light tubing, about 99% less than on most other ships.) But you feel like you are on a Cunard ship mostly because nearly everything nailed to the plastic walls of the ship has either 1) a Cunard logo, 2) a picture of a Cunard ship 3) a picture of someone on a Cunard ship, or 4) a picture of someone nailing something to the wall of a Cunard ship. Yeah, they do Cunard you to death on the ship. I did enjoy looking at the pictures, and reading the hundreds (it seemed) of self-congratulatory panels laying out Cunard's history, but at a point, its a bit much. But, they do make you feel that you are on a special ship, and that is the point.

 

Then there is the formality. Personally, I like the idea of getting dressed up for dinner and the evening; it is something special. But for a man to be expected to wear a jacket to dinner for 10 consecutive evenings, even when traveling to a hot and humid Caribbean climate, it is a bit much to ask. Of course, considering that well over half the ship were Europeans, with Brits making up the bulk of the cruise passenger list, getting dressed up isn't a bit deal for most. And yes, most of them did have more than one Tux, but for the rest of us, it was the formality you'd expect on a luxury ship, not Cunard. But considering that everyone else is in the same boat, so to speak, it was fun.

 

The food was average for a cruise in my opinion--nothing special here. The entrees were much larger that on other cruises I have been on, but the desserts were rather small and uninspiring.

Dining room service was rather slow and uninformed. (Sommeliers should know which wines they sell by the glass, shouldn't they?) Assistant waiter disappeared some time for half the night. Whether this is a result of fitting out the Queen Victoria will competent staffing I don't know. Todd English, the absurdly expensive for what you get fee of $30 specialty restaurant, is very good, but would probably be equivalent to a Zagat 21 food rated restaurant, and while the decor was very nice, looking out at a hot tub takes a bit away from the ambiance. Service was mediocre. (Problems: seating a couple in an empty restaurant next to a service station filled with six bored employees. Referring to a Rhone wine as a "Shiraz" would make a real sommelier shudder.)

 

I was very impressed by the Kings Court, the casual mess hall. When they were not engaging in the thirty-times a day vacuuming and cleaning projects, and when the show performers weren't monopolizing half of the seats in the late evenings, it was great. The food was plentiful, and it was a nice treat to be able to get things like Indian food at 1am! I never thought I would say this about a cruise ship, especially the QM2, but I liked the Kings Court a lot. IT was cut up a bit, and seating can be tight at times, but overall it was darn good.

 

The entertainment was rather tepid. The ships show troupe was strong in the dance category but pretty weak in the singing department. They shows lineup was supplemented with a "Opera" singer (re Theatre singer) who deviated from tradition by singing an operatic "Summertime" (Yikes), a Fiddler who told jokes that made their way around the Catskills way back in the 1960s, and a juggler/comedian, and a standards singer who looked a bit like a chipmunk. Yawn. Makes me long for Norwegian or Royal Caribbean.

 

I'd definitely take another Cunard cruise again. I enjoyed being on a ship, leaving the US, with a bunch of persons from other countries. And, if you ever need a trivia partner, there is no better place to look than a bar full of Brits. Cheers!

 

pleased you enjoyed the cruise, sorry you had to wear a jacket "every evening" and I am going to ask Cunard to remove paintings etc and replace them for you, I rather thought, RCl Navigator of the seas as the tapestry in the brittania resturant to start with and mayve a few prints nailed to the plastic walls , maybe the empire state building and the london eye, I feel sure people are now fed up with looking at those wonderful old cunard ships all over the place.

 

We "brits" I do think you mean "British" are not always propping up a bar looking for trivia you know, some are looking at paintings, taking in lectures and enjoying the shows .:)

 

main thing is you enjoyed the cruise ? despite searching for "neon" LOL

 

rob

[Dorchester]

But for a man to be expected to wear a jacket to dinner for 10 consecutive evenings, even when traveling to a hot and humid Caribbean climate, it is a bit much to ask. Cheers!

 

Surely any gentleman would not wish to escort his partner to dinner without a jacket - even in a tropical climate! The air conditioning in the dining room maintains a pleasant controlled comfortable environment. If wearing a jacket makes you uncomfortable, at least on QM you have the choice of eating in Kings Court in the evening - even on 'formal' nights (unlike on QE2 and QV where a jacket is required in their respective Lido's on any evening)

 

Referring to a Rhone wine as a "Shiraz" would make a real sommelier shudder!

 

Why? A Côtes du Rhône (red) can be produced from Granache Noir, Cinsault, Carignane, Counoise or Syrah grapes. It is called Syrah in France, Argentina, Chile and most of the United States. In South Africa, Australia and Canada it is known as Shiraz. Perhaps, being pedantic, when referring to a Rhône wine, the grape should be called 'Syrah' as opposed to "Shiraz", but I don't think that this would 'make a real sommelier shudder'.

 

Regards,

David

[exlondoner]

Unless the air-conditioning has become much less fierce than I remember, I should have thought one would be glad of a jacket at dinner. Possibly a woolly hat as well. :) Jane

[granger]

Jane ...do you mean I will need a cardy over my party frocks I have purchased for formal nights? I have not mastered the art of holding a shawl and eating at the same time, though I do have several months to practice.

[southwestie]

Jane ...do you mean I will need a cardy over my party frocks I have purchased for formal nights? I have not mastered the art of holding a shawl and eating at the same time, though I do have several months to practice.

 

 

LOL granger why not take a few pins, for your shawl, no one will notice;) better than a cardy eh, better still thermal underware:eek:

 

 

rob

[pnhnrk]

Possibly a woolly hat as well. :) Jane

 

Yes Jame, as I look aroumd the restauramt there are namy people wearimg wooly hats, gloves, scarves, and thernal umderwear. Nime has ear flaps (ny hat that is, not ny umderwear), which are jolly hamdy for keeping omes lugs warn, amd also look very fetchimg. I also have a balaclava kmitted by the kimdly, witty, imtelligemt and hamdsone Sir Nartim, which he says looks best whem worm back to fromt. He is, as always, correct.

 

Far out, Sir Ramulph Fiemmes (ny mew mickmane) xxx

[exlondoner]

Jane ...do you mean I will need a cardy over my party frocks I have purchased for formal nights? I have not mastered the art of holding a shawl and eating at the same time, though I do have several months to practice.

 

Obviously, different people's experience of the temperature varies greatly, including my own from night to night. But there were times I found it quite cold, generally before I had started eating. There were also times I felt quite hot, generally after eating.:)

 

There are two ways to deal with this.

 

Use a brooch for your shawl.

 

Or fortify yourself with a gin and tonic or whatever beforehand.

 

Or posssibly both.:D

 

Jane

[southwestie]

Obviously, different people's experience of the temperature varies greatly, including my own from night to night. But there were times I found it quite cold, generally before I had started eating. There were also times I felt quite hot, generally after eating.:)

 

There are two ways to deal with this.

 

Use a brooch for your shawl.

 

Or fortify yourself with a gin and tonic or whatever beforehand.

 

Or posssibly both.:D

 

Jane

 

Try both, and 2 gins then you wont really care too much HIC:D

 

rob

[judy&steve]

I suppose Cunard is not a so-called "luxury line," but it's certainly a notch above some of the other lines in it's niche, like HAL or X. Although I haven't been on an HAL ship, I assume it is simliar to Celebrity and perhaps Cunard. I think luxury lines don't expect their guests to be formally dressed -- ever. I believe Crystal, Seabourne, etc. are considered country club casual (I would consider that a hint for gentlemen to wear jackets, however.)

I didn't notice plastic walls. They may be constructed of a lighter than wallboard substance, because of the weight, but plastic??? Did you touch all of the walls? Maybe they are plastic, but again, the weight issue and maintenance must be much easier than a heavy conventional material. You are on a Cunard ship, which is steeped in rich maritime history. They are proud of their history and would hope their guests are also excited to be part of Cunard. Nobody actually forces you to look at the art on the walls or take part in trivia games.

I totally agree with the badly-thought-out placement of Todd English. On our first cruise they placed us by a window and we changed our seat. The food and service was outstanding. This past cruise in late November, not so much. We always give a little extra gratuity, but the service in Todd English was very bad and they rushed us so we only paid the cover charge and no more. Anyway, they mixed up our cards at the end of the evening and had a little excitement over that when our companions couldn't get into their cabin nor could we.

I couldn't tell from your review if you were in the Brittania or a Grill restaurant. The service was off in the grills from our previous cruise on QM2. If it had been our first Cunard experience, we wouldn't have had a problem with the dining staff -- the Todd English staff YES, but dining room, No.

Because we were able to drive to the ship, we only limited to the number of suitcases we could stuff into our car, so we didn't mind the dressing up. we both had tons of clothes. It was nice to see everybody dressed for meals. And it was cold-- very cold all over the ship.

We are getting ready to post our review soon.

--Judy

[travel-to-go]

Obviously, different people's experience of the temperature varies greatly, including my own from night to night. But there were times I found it quite cold, generally before I had started eating. There were also times I felt quite hot, generally after eating.:)

 

There are two ways to deal with this.

 

Use a brooch for your shawl.

 

Or fortify yourself with a gin and tonic or whatever beforehand.

 

Or posssibly both.:D

 

Jane

Or do what one of our table mates did.

Be of "the right age"

We didn't find out until mid cruise the poor thing was going through the change, and the usual effects often hit her during dinner. I wouldn't wish that on anyone! I fear it greatly, and am thinking of finding some magic Peter Pan thing so I won't ever have to go there!

 

Of course, she never knew how to dress for dinner, not knowing if she would be freezing or sweating or some combination of both!

 

Bless her! She was game. I think I would have eaten in my cabin every night!

 

Karie

[BoscoBreaux]

Why? A Côtes du Rhône (red) can be produced from Granache Noir, Cinsault, Carignane, Counoise or Syrah grapes. It is called Syrah in France, Argentina, Chile and most of the United States. In South Africa, Australia and Canada it is known as Shiraz. Perhaps, being pedantic, when referring to a Rhône wine, the grape should be called 'Syrah' as opposed to "Shiraz", but I don't think that this would 'make a real sommelier shudder'.

 

Regards,

David

 

It was a Cote-Rotie. Sommeliers tend to be pedantic, at least about wine. I suppose, technically, it is merely fermented grape juice.

[BoscoBreaux]

I didn't notice plastic walls. They may be constructed of a lighter than wallboard substance, because of the weight, but plastic??? Did you touch all of the walls? Maybe they are plastic, but again, the weight issue and maintenance must be much easier than a heavy conventional material. You are on a Cunard ship, which is steeped in rich maritime history. They are proud of their history and would hope their guests are also excited to be part of Cunard. Nobody actually forces you to look at the art on the walls or take part in trivia games.

--Judy

 

I didn't fault Cunard for the liberal use of plastic. The weight-to-strength ratio and the need for an economically viable ship necessitates this. I like trivia games. I liked the pictures, just thought over 500 was a bit much :)

[BoscoBreaux]

Surely any gentleman would not wish to escort his partner to dinner without a jacket - even in a tropical climate!

David

 

I can say that the vast majority of persons were not snobbish about things like what a gentleman would or would not wear to dinner. It is unfortunate that Cunard has a reputation as being "stuffy" to some, just because of a minority of its passengers stick to early 20th Century conceptions of social appropriateness.

[Wadadli1]

I can say that the vast majority of persons were not snobbish about things like what a gentleman would or would not wear to dinner. It is unfortunate that Cunard has a reputation as being "stuffy" to some, just because of a minority of its passengers stick to early 20th Century conceptions of social appropriateness.

 

It is not in the least bit unfortunate, because what you call "snobbish" and "stuffy" others call "refreshing" and "what a pleasure". If that turns some away, other gangplanks out there are extending them a hearty welcome.

 

There are a thousand other ships ready, willing, and able to cater to those who wish to dress casually. There's no reason why all ships should feel the need to lower their standards, esp when there are still a great many of us who will pay dearly for that pleasure.

 

I also don't eat at Applebee's or Olive Garden. If that makes me snobbish and stuffy then I'm sure those who do are glad I'm not there and neither of us will miss each other in the least.

 

Nope. Doesn't look unfortunate to me at all. Looks like a win-win.

[BoscoBreaux]

I suppose Cunard is not a so-called "luxury line," but it's certainly a notch above some of the other lines in it's niche, like HAL or X. Although I haven't been on an HAL ship, I assume it is simliar to Celebrity and perhaps Cunard. I think luxury lines don't expect their guests to be formally dressed -- ever. I believe Crystal, Seabourne, etc. are considered country club casual (I would consider that a hint for gentlemen to wear jackets, however.)

--Judy

 

Actually, luxury lines do have the standard formal and informal (quasi-formal) nights like any other ship, except the tuxes are real Brionis and there are more Armanis than stuff you'd find at Macys. This lends support to the notion that if even a ship that caters to folks who actually have closets full of society-wear doesn't insist on such formality, why should Cunard. It also raises the question if half of the ship wasn't European, would it have introduced a genuine casual night?

 

I wouldn't say Cunard is "certainly" a notch above HAL. I would say QM2, as a ship, is superb, but I found the food, entertainment, and service to be much better on HAL than Cunard. I've noticed that nowadays, there is more of a ship-to-ship difference between the major lines than a brand-to-brand difference. The main difference with the brands, in my experience, has more to do with the clientele that is attracted to the brand rather than the brand, per se. I found HAL ships to be quieter and more old-school than Cunard (even with all the history of Cunard plastered about).

[BoscoBreaux]

 

I also don't eat at Applebee's or Olive Garden. If that makes me snobbish and stuffy then I'm sure those who do are glad I'm not there and neither of us will miss each other in the least.

.

 

I'm sure many who go to Applebees are decent persons, not my cup of tea, but I'm sure you may find plenty of gentlemen there. It, however, would not be whether they wore a sport jacket from Burberry or not that defined whether they are gentlemen or not.

[Wadadli1]

Actually, luxury lines do have the standard formal and informal (quasi-formal) nights like any other ship, except the tuxes are real Brionis and there are more Armanis than stuff you'd find at Macys. This lends support to the notion that if even a ship that caters to folks who actually have closets full of society-wear doesn't insist on such formality, why should Cunard. It also raises the question if half of the ship wasn't European, would it have introduced a genuine casual night?

 

I wouldn't say Cunard is "certainly" a notch above HAL. I would say QM2, as a ship, is superb, but I found the food, entertainment, and service to be much better on HAL than Cunard. I've noticed that nowadays, there is more of a ship-to-ship difference between the major lines than a brand-to-brand difference. The main difference with the brands, in my experience, has more to do with the clientele that is attracted to the brand rather than the brand, per se. I found HAL ships to be quieter and more old-school than Cunard (even with all the history of Cunard plastered about).

 

We were on the same voyage as you. If you will recall, the best crew had been recently taken from both the Mary and Elizabeth and sent to QV. We found our food and a few times the service to be not great, and I'm sure that's why. Bad for us, good for QV.

 

One of our waiters was young and relatively new. But he was charming, happy, and kind, as well as good at his job. I made sure to give him one of those You're A Star cards, and hope we see him again, because he's a keeper. So it will all sort out soon enough.

[Wadadli1]

I'm sure many who go to Applebees are decent persons, not my cup of tea, but I'm sure you may find plenty of gentlemen there. It, however, would not be whether they wore a sport jacket from Burberry or not that defined whether they are gentlemen or not.

 

I will leave it to the gentlemen here to discuss sartorial matters and how much they cost.

 

I do know that, as expressed earlier, it's the wearing of the jacket or not that is involved in the gentlemanly determination. No idea about the price of said jacket.

[BoscoBreaux]

It is not in the least bit unfortunate, because what you call "snobbish" and "stuffy" others call "refreshing" and "what a pleasure". If that turns some away, other gangplanks out there are extending them a hearty welcome.

 

There are a thousand other ships ready, willing, and able to cater to those who wish to dress casually. There's no reason why all ships should feel the need to lower their standards, esp when there are still a great many of us who will pay dearly for that pleasure.

 

Explain how Cunard lowers its standards by requiring that taloried Italian dress shirts and a Forzieri ties must be covered by $59 Sears sport jackets? I wouldn't consider the outfit sans jacket to be Casual. I suppose such apparel without the jacket doesn't meet Carnival Corporation's exacting standards. ;)

[NomDePlume]

Explain how Cunard lowers its standards by requiring that taloried Italian dress shirts and a Forzieri ties must be covered by $59 Sears sport jackets? I wouldn't consider the outfit sans jacket to be Casual. I suppose such apparel without the jacket doesn't meet Carnival Corporation's exacting standards. ;)

Why would anyone who can afford said shirts and ties buy a Sears jacket??? Or, for that matter, cover a dress shirt with a sports jacket???

[Germancruiser]

Hello

I was at the same cruise or voyage. I agree Angela. Compared to the service in the dinning romm of the X- ships ( all Millenium Class) I was on- BIG difference. Must really have something to do with the movement of the staff to QV. Our waiter was unfriendly downright rude. After some mixups with the courses and a big table of eight, we were always the last to leave the dinning room- which was okay for us. One night the waiter asked if he can do something else.... we said no thank you we are about to leave. He turned and while doing so rolled his eyes and pointed to his wrist watch towards his assistant waiter.

Otherwise a wonderful ship, cruise and friendly staff.

Michael

[Wadadli1]

Explain how Cunard lowers its standards by requiring that taloried Italian dress shirts and a Forzieri ties must be covered by $59 Sears sport jackets? I wouldn't consider the outfit sans jacket to be Casual. I suppose such apparel without the jacket doesn't meet Carnival Corporation's exacting standards. ;)

 

You keep going on about price. I really have no idea how much men's clothes cost and so like I said, I must defer to the gentlemen here who can explain in detail. :)

[Wadadli1]

Hello

I was at the same cruise or voyage. I agree Angela. Compared to the service in the dinning romm of the X- ships ( all Millenium Class) I was on- BIG difference. Must really have something to do with the movement of the staff to QV. Our waiter was unfriendly downright rude. After some mixups with the courses and a big table of eight, we were always the last to leave the dinning room- which was okay for us. One night the waiter asked if he can do something else.... we said no thank you we are about to leave. He turned and while doing so rolled his eyes and pointed to his wrist watch towards his assistant waiter.

Otherwise a wonderful ship, cruise and friendly staff.

Michael

 

Oh my, Michael, that sounds bad. I hope you were able to make this known, either to the Maitre'd or on all those comment cards we got at the end of the voyage. And I also hope they clone our little waiter and make many of him, because he was the sort of person it makes you happy to go to dinner, just to enjoy his pleasant company.

 

Eye-rolling would have made me quite angry. The boys would have tied me up and put their hands over my mouth as they quickly took me out of the dining room. :rolleyes:

 

We, too, had a wonderful time and the Mary is indeed a wonderful ship.

[cruisegal101]

You keep going on about price. I really have no idea how much men's clothes cost and so like I said, I must defer to the gentlemen here who can explain in detail. :)

 

Angela, it is not a matter of price. It is a matter of someone selecting a line that best suits one's ability to conform to the standards of the line. Cunard is known throughout the world as the line that has standards of dress above and beyond that of other lines. On my first Cunard voyage in 1971, the standards were the same. Cunard does not need to change to accommodate those who wish to ignore their standards. Why changes the guidelines to accommodate those who wish to not follow them? It is a tried and true standard that is appreciated by enough people to keep the ships sailing at full capacity.

 

For those who do not wish to conform, select another cruise line. This is a very simple remedy. And as to using a $59 Sears jacket to cover pricey designer brand shirts and ties, I seriously doubt that this will happen. I doubt that anyone who has tailored Italian dress shirts and Forzieri ties has ever been in a Sears store unless they were looking for Craftsman tools.:)

 

Bettie