I previously reviewed Cunard based on a trip on Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) to celebrate graduating from college. The anticipation of sailing on that grand dame ocean liner was heart pumping. That review got 5 stars. QE2, sailing its maiden voyage to New York in 1969, was the star on the traditional transatlantic crossing between New York and Europe. With engineering upgrades and retrofits, she stayed in service for nearly 40 years, outliving its French and Italian counterparts, which were retired in the '70s.
Clearly, the plan was to follow suit and sail on Queen Mary 2 (QM2) and that has occurred! Yesterday marks 20 years since its arrival to the U.S. Crossing in January of 2004, QM2 first arrived in Fort Lauderdale, then continuing on a predominantly southerly world voyage before ultimately arriving in New York in April of 2004.
It didn't take long to take to QM2! To be contemporary and be Cunard's flagship, she had to strike a balance between beauty and brains, meaning penciling out. Current ship design calls for more outside cabins and balconies. QM2 addressed this with neatly organized outside cabins above the promenade deck and is also decidedly longer, taller, and heavier than the previous transatlantic flagships the likes of "QE2," "France", and "Michelangelo," yet still manages to look sleek for its size.
QM2 is currently the last ocean liner with scheduled transatlantic service for most of the year. As such, one sails on a stalwart with a long legacy and an almost historical role. Flagship ocean liners tend to have a more traditional, though not at all stodgy, ambiance.
Some reviews say QM2's layout is confusing. I did not find this to be true. The decks with more public spaces are 2, 3, and 7. Decks consisting primarily of cabins are 4 through 6 and 8 through 11. To make for more exterior cabins, the main restaurants are on decks 2 and 3, and that's also where the Grand Lobby and major entertainment venues are located. Because some of these venues are sloped or have balconies, this required minimal doglegs at their sides to get around them and reach nearby major staircases and elevator banks. Also, the forecastle, or front of the superstructure, affords views and is where 2 lounges, the fitness center, and a library are located. Deck 7 is especially important because it has the exterior promenade encircling the ship and the expansive King's Court, where one can take their meals self-service and avoid the few formal nights in the restaurants or opt for casual dining when they want that.
The staterooms vary from tasteful to opulent. Even the most basic inside cabins are comfortable and should address all needs. Steward service is competent, welcoming, and relaxed, yet still polished.
I can't speak for the restaurants for the upscale cabins, but the main Britannia Restaurant is both visually appealing and the food ranges from good to excellent. The three main meals in the restaurants feature good portion control. However, it's the traditional afternoon tea, with finger sandwiches and baked goods, as well as the late-night snacks - which have replaced the "midnight buffet with ice carvings" era - that could bring on weight gain. The late-night snacks on Deck 7 is where most of the "characters" might be found, ranging from people in buzz mode because they are excited to be on QM2 to comfortable, unpretentious people who can be mildly eccentric yet interesting! Here, one easily meets fellow travelers from several continents.
Mostly, being aboard brings on good spirits and unites people, with a few almost like kids in a candy store. There are many repeat Cunard guests. They have decided that this is the line best suited to them. Cunard is not about unchecked exclusivity, gimmicks, and fads, but it's also not a mass market economy line nor one for a party type crowd sailing from California to the Mexican Riviera. Instead, it's a comfortable, relaxing, and dignified experience.
But Cunard is not just QM2. The flagship has 3 sister ships - the Victoria, the Elizabeth, and the new Queen Anne that mostly operate as cruise ships. Built at Fincantieri in Adriatic Italy, these 3 share more similarities - still large and reputedly comfortable, but with stouter silhouettes. That said, QM2 is thus appropriate for flagship status and, if people are wowed by it, it's because its design features a forecastle that is pushed back, as well as subtly canted and bowed, and, like the flagships of the '60s and '70s, a sleeker bow and rear decks that gradually cascade toward the stern, each with pools or other outdoor spaces.
Cunard provides evocative public spaces, comfortable accommodations, affable service, many activities and events to choose from, and mostly sensible pricing. This makes for 4 strong stars. For the additional intangibles of its lore and its majesty, the 5th star is easily earned. Crossing the Atlantic on QM2, or yesteryear's QE2, can be unforgettable. read more