Titanic II News

Introduction

This review has been twenty years in the making. Therefore, it is very long. Feel free to skip to the sections that you are interested in or go straight to the final section “In Conclusion”.

When I first heard about the Queen Mary 2 project in the noughties: a modern-day ocean liner to replace the legendary Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) which would also be the world’s biggest passenger ship, it sounded like a pipe-dream. You know, one of those design “concepts” in a magazine, (like a flying car), that looks wonderful, but NEVER actually happens. However, it really did happen and the QM2 entered service in 2004.

At 151,400 gross tons she wore the crown, for being the world’s biggest, longest, tallest and most expensive passenger ship in the world, for a couple of years. However, in 2006, Royal Caribbean’s 158,000 gt ‘Freedom of the Seas’ exceeded her gross tonnage, as have many mega-ships since. The QM2 is now medium sized, by comparison.

As well general cruising, the QM2 is built for the rigours of the North Atlantic. She is likely to retain her crown as the world’s biggest ‘Ocean Liner’ for many years to come.

The QM2 has had many tweaks to her décor over the years, including a minor internal refit earlier in 2024. There were new carpets, soft furnishings, chairs, and LED lighting added. However, there was a major internal refit in 2016. Some extra cabins were added creating 75 extra berths. The QM2 now has a twin passenger capacity of around 2,695, spread over her 13 passenger decks. However, she still feels very spacious. This is because she carries a thousand fewer passengers than some other mega-ships that are of a similar size.

Twenty Years later

I am fortunate enough to have cruised on the QM2 three times now. My first trip was a mini-cruise from Southampton to Europe in April 2004, during the ships inaugural season. In August 2005, I took a 7-night Transatlantic crossing, from Southampton to New York, rather than a cruise. After all, crossing the ‘pond’ is primarily what she was built for. I loved it and the QM2 instantly became my favourite ship.

I always wanted to take another transatlantic crossing onboard the QM2. However, time slipped through my fingers like sand. My comeback cruise was in June 2024, twenty years after my first QM2 cruise. It was a six night-transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York. (Where did those years go?)

In 2004 my review I wrote: “You can read all of the superlatives you like, but nothing prepares you for the overwhelming size of this remarkable vessel, when viewed from the quayside. In particular it is the height of the ship’s stern and the bridge structures from the water, which simply makes you gasp”.

In 2024, she is still very impressive in size, but my ‘gasp’ was not as big when I first saw her. The QM2 is no bigger than many other modern mega-ships. In fact, on my day of embarkation at Southampton, P&O’s Arvia was docked at the ocean terminal, near the QM2’s birth at the QEII terminal. Arvia’s gross tonnage of 185,000 exceed that of the QM2. However, her passenger capacity at 5,200 is almost double that of the QM2.

The QM2 should look more “classy” with her black hull and sleeker lines, than most of today’s big ships, which look like floating office blocks. Sadly the QM2’s black hull looked patchy in places and there was rust on some of the windows, which I saw while embarking.

Boarding

As you board the ship, you enter via the Grand Lobby, which looked pretty big twenty years ago. Today it looks relatively modest in width and height, compared to Atriums on many of today’s newbuilds. However, it still looks more regal than most.

You are immediately aware that you have not boarded a Carnival, NCL, MSC or Royal Caribbean ship, this is a Cunarder. Two simple white staircases sweep down from the second level of the lobby, complete with stately red carpets. White plaster work embellished the staircases. Some obligatory glass elevators serve the decks above. The shore excursions and purser desk are located here. There are eighteen cabins which overlook the atrium and a large illuminated bas-relief of the ship itself is suspended high above your head. It glistens as the colour of its illumination changes throughout the day,

Crew members lined the lobby, including some dressed as “bell boys” to greet the suite passengers. Those of us in more modest cabins need to carry our own hand-luggage and find our own way to the cabin.

Unfortunately, the QM2’s layout is one of the most confusing that I have ever experienced. Plentiful signage, does not help. It is possible to still get very lost, even after a week onboard.

Public Rooms and Décor

The QM2 was the first Cunard ship to have retro-styled décor. All the ‘Queens’ that came before her were at the cutting edge of interior design in their era. This highlights Cunard’s desire to recreate the nostalgia of the great liner era. Interestingly the ‘Queen Victoria’ and ‘Queen Elizabeth’ which came after the QM2 also have retro décor, but their forth ship ‘Queen Anne’ has contemporary décor. (Unusually, for Cunard, Queen Anne she was also not named by a member of the Royal Family).

The corridors, staircases, and public rooms on board the QM2, have an understated elegance, rather than the Las Vegas glitz that we now see on some new ships.

The ‘Maritime Quest’ (on deck 3/L) is the QM2’s version of QE2’s ‘Heritage Trail’. It is a permanent exhibition of hundreds of murals, paintings and ship models, displayed on the staircase landings and public rooms, which depict Cunard’s great history. Maritime artists, Stephen Card’s and Robert Lloyd’s wonderful paintings of Cunard vessels throughout history are predominantly featured, amongst others. (I did note that some art work around the ship was a little faded. This needs replacing).

Each of the four main staircases originally had attractive colour coded leopard-print carpets in her maiden seasons, a pattern which I did not recall seeing on any other ship before. These have of course been replaced. The wall panels are original: being a mixture of dark and blond wood veneers, reminiscent of the original Queen Mary (1936).

The QM2 is a spacious ship, but some of her public rooms are surprisingly intimate, for the size of the ship. This is based on the modern cruise concept that everyone will want to be in the same room at once. However, on occasions the flaw behind this concept is apparent.

The ‘Chart Room Bar’ and ‘Golden Lion Pub’ are ideas lifted again from the QE2. In 2004, I commented that both rooms are somewhat ‘plain’ with their themed décor being almost too understated. They are both very popular rooms, but not big enough to accommodate very many of the for 2,000+ passengers. For example, when the late sitting theatre show has finished, you may well fancy a drink. Your chances of getting a seat in the Chart Room bar or Golden Lion Pub were not great – until people start heading to bed. However, I do note that extra tables and chairs have been added to the chart room.

The ‘Golden Lion’ doesn’t look as much like a real traditional British Pub, as some onboard other cruise ships. However, it does sell some ‘draught’ (from the barrel) beer. Ironically it currently has Fosters (Australian origin) and Moretti (Italian) which are not exactly the best of British Ale. One nice touch is you can have a pub lunch in the Golden Lion, with your pint. This currently includes a Cottage Pie, Cod & Chips, Ploughman’s (bread, cheese and pickles) or an Indian curry (a British favourite) at no extra charge for the food.

Disappointingly, the ‘charts’ in the chart room are etched in to glass panels and are so very nondescript, it is easy to overlook them. In 2024, a Jazz band or a folk* duo often performs in the room, each evening. However, this increased demand, making it even more difficult to get a seat. (I’ve never seen a folk band onboard a ship before, so this is pretty original).

The Queens Room and G32

The Queen’s room is a wonderful space and probably my second favourite room. Its stage looks a little like the Hollywood bowl and it has the largest dancefloor at sea. There was a big band with two singer performing there, each evening, during my cruise. In addition, each day ‘afternoon tea’ is still served by white-gloved waiters, complete with fresh scones and finger sandwiches.

There really are still people who know how to dance properly and many of them cruise with Cunard. After two decades of dancing, they wore out the ballroom floor, which was recently replaced.

The nightclub, G32, (named after the shipyards hull number for the QM2) is certainly the glitziest room on the ship. Access to it is unfortunately via the Queens room.

Twenty years ago I wrote: It’s décor is straight out of a 1960’s science-fiction movie, with multiple video screens and lots of metal furniture and scaffolding effects. It certainly is a room that would not be out of place on a Carnival ship.

Well, I have warmed to G32. I do remember that it had a bigger dance floor with less furniture in 2004. The sound system has been toned down, as the loud music used to leak into the Queen’s room everytime somebody walked through the doors. However, it now sounds more like a tinny radio, with minimal bass. Today is often used for a live band (when the Queen’s room is not in use) and silent discos, which are very popular.

G32 a was very smoky room twenty years ago, but it is of course non-smoking now.

The Navigational Bridge

The bridge still has a viewing gallery, which is essentially a small corridor and window behind the bridge which allows about eight people at a time, to view. It is allegedly open on sea days, 9.00am – 5.00pm, but is sometimes closed for operational reasons.

Connections with the Sea

As you might expect, such a large ship does not have the best connection with the sea, when compared to smaller vessels. Many of the public rooms are so wide that you may be seated a very long way from a window.

However, there are some good opportunities to get forward facing sea views on the QM2. There are a number of public rooms which are directly above or below the navigational bridge. However, they are surprisingly easy to miss. In fact I would bet some passengers never discover all of them.

There are also two small scenic elevators, which are well hidden too. These run behind the bridge wings. Run from deck 7 to 11. There is a forward observation lounge (deck 9, bow) which many big modern ships don’t have, called the ‘Commodore Club’. Although not particularly large, the Commodore club is the perfect place to watch the waves breaking over the bow in a storm. Nearby is ‘Churchills’ cigar lounge. (Churchill was never a poster-boy for the anti-smoking brigade).

The gym (deck 7, bow) also has big windows looking out onto the bow. Even the extensive Library (deck eight, bow) has good sea views. The adjacent bookshop stocks an excellent range of maritime history books and post cards etc. The nearby beauty salon also have large windows offering good views, too.

The full wrap-around teak promenade has been provided with many wooden steamer chairs: 3.1 laps = 1 mile.

At the front of the promenade deck, is a door, which allows you can pass through and stand on the bow of the ship, weather permitting. The area is officially know as the Captain’s Cufflinks” or unofficially the “Propeller Garden” . Four spare propeller blades are stored there, which resemble pieces of modern art .

The Winter Garden Refit

The original ‘Winter Garden’ (2004) was a small colonial style lounge, with wicker chairs, potted trees and walls/ceiling painted with an attractive murals of a garden. It was often the venue where a pianist or harpist performed. On occasions it was also second venue for afternoon tea. Personally, I found this room to be a little disappointing when compared to the original artists renderings. It was also under-used apart from an overspill-space for the Kings Court buffet.

In 2016, the winter Garden was replaced by the ‘Carinthia Lounge’, which is a bar, with some light food options, in a glass case, which are complementary. It is an attractive room, with a small stage. It is well used, more often for bingo and quizzes, rather than live music.

Other Public Spaces/Comments

There is a Casino, called the ‘Empire’. It’s not the biggest afloat, but is of a reasonably size. It is more popular with the American passengers, as we Brits are not so enthusiastic about casinos. There is a golf simulator on deck 13, but no putting green. There are kennels on the upper deck, for the transportation of pets. There is the obligatory ‘images’ photo gallery and an Art Gallery, used for sale of Art work, There are the ‘Mayfair Shops’ for retail therapy, with some exclusive (expensive) jewellery and perfume etc. for sale.

There are no less than six self-service laundry rooms, one on each passenger deck, which are very popular with us Brits. There is a children’s play area, with a dedicated pool called ‘Minnows’, and a video arcade. The kids club is not well advertised in the Cunard brochure. I suspect that Cunard do not want to position themselves as a family cruise line. There is a Champagne bar, ‘Sir Samuel’s Wine Bar’ (named after Samuel Cunard), a ‘Cruise Sales’ office and a ‘Concierge Lounge’. Finally, ‘Cunard Connexions’ provides a ‘College at Sea’ with classrooms, and computer facilities.

There are a number of pools and hot-tubs on the ship, but most notably there is an inside pool called the ‘Pavilion Pool’ on deck 12, with its own bar. It has a sliding glass roof.

The QM2’s deck space is extensive, but rarely gets much use of a crossing. However, it is great fun standing on the deck, watching and listening to the QM2’s horns which are mounted on the funnel, blowing and billowing steam. One of the horns is from the original Queen Mary, the other is a working replica. I understand that they are operated by compressed air, so the steam which billows from them is just an ‘effect’.

Dining

Many modern mega ships now have a “ship-within-a-ship” complex featuring the more luxurious accommodation, private dining, a private sundeck and sometimes even a private pool. However, Cunard ships are now the only vessels that offer four grades of dining. It is an anachronism left over from the “class system” onboard the great ocean Liners of the past (first, second and third).

The more expensive cabins QM2 are assigned to a progressively better dining experience. The four grades of dining are: ‘Britannia’, Britannia Club, ‘Princess Grill’ and ‘Queens Grill’, in ascending order, with the ‘Queens Grill’ being at the top. The latter two have their own exclusive dining rooms. The “Britannia” grade is of course in the Britannia dining room and “Brittani Club”, is in a more exclusive section of the Britannia.

Both the Princess and Queens Grill are similar rooms, holding around 200 guests and offering a single seating for the evening meal. The Queens room does have nicer/brighter décor. Curiously the windows in both of these rooms lookout onto the prom deck and in turn promenade walkers often look in to see how the “other half” live. The Queens grill passengers do get their own private lounge and bar, which is very attractive, plus a private terrace at the stern of the ship.

I cannot comment on the grill classes food or service as I could not afford to frequent them. The price differentials, linked to higher cabin grades, when compared to the Britannia grade are staggering.

However, in my opinion the cheapest grade (Britannia) has the most beautiful of the dining rooms. I’d rather dine in the beautiful ‘Britannia’ restaurant than the more mediocre grill rooms. (Or is that sour grapes?) However, I don’t doubt that their food and service is superior, after all it costs a lot more.

The Britannia dining room is my favourite public room. In fact it is one of the most attractive dining rooms at sea. It was designed by Swedish ‘Tillberg Design’ company . When I sit in it, I simply feel “special”. It pretty big, reaching three decks high and spanning the full beam of the ship. It is art deco in style, complete with classical columns and illuminated glass trumpet lamps. It is inspired by the opulent dining salons of the great ocean liners, such as the original Queen Mary (1936). A large tapestry of the QM2 in New York is the backdrop and stretches the entire height of the room. A grand staircase allows guests to make a grand entry. This lovely room accommodates approximately 1,300 guests, but it feels much more intimate than it actually is, due to the tiered design and some well-placed glass screens.

The majority of the tables in the Britannia are for four persons, but are made up of two doubles. Tables for two are always oversubscribed, so Cunard has pulled many of the tables apart to make them into two doubles, rather than one four. However, they are only a few inches apart which is hardly a proper table for two. If you request a table for two, I suggest that you view it a soon as you board.

The Britannia has two traditional sittings: 6:30pm and 8:30pm, plus a flexible option. The daily menu in the Britannia for evening dining was comprehensive. There was a choice of six appetizers, two salads, six entrée’s and six desserts, which includes low fat and vegetarian options. The appetizers were very inventive and the entrée meats were particularly well prepared to your liking. However, chicken was a rarity on the menu. There was baked Alaska, but no ‘parade’. Overall the evening food was “good” to “very good”. Although, if you require “excellent”, you need to pay for the grill classes.

The waiters that served my regular table were very competent. The food always arrived hot (a bugbear of mine). I am pleased that Cunard still have dedicated sommeliers. The wine onboard is quite expensive (around $35 and upwards) I welcome the advice of an expert. The cruise lines that don’t have sommeliers, just put the busy waiters under even more pressure than they already are.

No photographs were taken in the dining room by the ships photographers. All these were done in the atrium etc. How refreshing.

The long walk between the Britannia dining room and the Theatre, reminds you what a big ship this is. The ‘Grand Promenade’, a central walkway from the Britannia dining room upper level (deck 3) and a similar one on the lower level (deck 2) were the widest corridors that I’d ever seen onboard a ship, at that time. They are modelled on the great liner Normandie, and are lined with giant bronze Art Deco style murals, depicting nature and geography among other topics. One of them even has a hidden image of Homer Simpson.

The Kings Court Casual Dining, Refit

Most ships ships self-service dining area (buffets) are located on an uppermost deck, at the stern. Kings Court is an exception, it’s on deck 7 (promenade deck) amidships. This is a more stable part the ship. It was also located there (according to designer Stephen Payne) to act a large muster station so passengers would not need to muster in the open air, on the often rough north Atlantic.

Many of the tables have a sea views. However, king court does not have an outside lido area.

However, in 2004, the original layout of the King Counts was a rather inconvenient. It is a long space, spread out along a fair part of the ship’s length. This meant That the food stations were also spread out longitudinally. You had to do a lot of leg work to view all of the food offerings. Everybody found it somewhat difficult to use. I had seen more pleasing buffet designs onboard many other big cruise ships at the time.

Originally, each evening, part of the the Kings Court was transformed into four separate dining areas (Asian, Italian, British roast and the chefs Gallery), with the use of decorative screens. There was no surcharge for using these. (This in part, explained the Kings Court’s unusual layout).

However, Kings Court was greatly improved in the 2016 refit. the food stations have now been centralised. It now seems to handle the crowds much better. The four alternative divided restaurants have gone, but a small alternative restaurant has been created with is called Bamboo at Kings Court (Chinese) for some days of the cruise changing to La Piazza at Kings Court (Italian) for other days.

The variety of food was not enormous, although Chinese/Asian food seemed d to be their speciality. However, I would image that most passengers could find something to enjoy.

Todd English Refit

When the QM2 entered service, she had just one alternative (surcharge) dining venue called ‘Todd English’ at the very rear of deck 8. Alternative dining was not so common onboard ships then, as it is now. If you didn’t know, Todd English is an American celebrity chef.

The QM2 Todd English restaurant served Mediterranean-influenced cuisine. At the time, almost everyone agreed that it was as superb. 

However, this upscale eatery was replaced in 2016 by a new surcharge dining venue called ‘The Verandah’, a restaurant that harkens back to Cunard’s first Verandah Grill aboard Queen Mary. The Verandah was already aboard Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, at the time. The menu was created by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Marie Zimmermann, a culinary ambassador for Cunard. The restaurant will serve French regional cuisine with seasonal influences.

The Verandah Grill is reasonably intimate accommodating 200 guests, which is about the same size as the two grill rooms. It has an understated décor, with circus themed paintings, with its own small circular foyer. The room also has an exclusive terrace offering some outdoor tables. Lunch cost $35 per person and diner $65 per person (2024). Not surprisingly, I did not try the food, so cannot comment on the quality.

Accommodation

The cabins are all quite spacious: even the cheapest inside staterooms are 194 square feet. 80% of staterooms have ocean views and 94% of these feature balconies. There are now fifteen single ocean view staterooms, which were not available originally.

Standard amenities include TV with multi-language film and music channels, but it was not interactive. (They were in 2004 – progress?) This just increases the queues for the ‘Pursers Office’ (reception desk), for passengers to checking their onboard accounts. The cabins did have a data port outlet, refrigerator, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers, a safe and both 110 (US) and 240 (UK) volt outlets for electrical power (no USB). Mini-bar refrigerators and the all important (to Brits) kettle.

My cabin (5118, deck 5) was one of eighteen which overlooked the atrium. I had the same grade two decades ago. I picked grade for value, a stable amidships location and the fact that you do get some light coming through the window. On a transatlantic crossing there is nothing to see but sea. You rarely ever see another ship. In addition, it is normally too windy to use a balcony, even in the summer.

The stateroom décor does not appear to have changed, but it did not look very worn either. It was a very tasteful cream and gold, with lots of Beachwood veneer. Art Deco style fittings including light switches and two attractive bedside tables, with attractive table lamps. There was a nice circular ‘occasional’ table which could be raised or lowered in height – a nice touch. There was plentiful drawer space, a cupboard and three full-length closets. The shower was of adequate size for most people, although it had a shower curtain rather than a glass door, my ideal preference.

My stateroom was very well sound-insulated. It had two twin beds that could be pushed together, to form a double. Other grades had real double beds, and some even had king-sized beds. The bed was comfortable and the linen of a high quality. There was plentiful drawer space, a cupboard and three full-length closets.

At least on half of my cruises, I have had air-conditioning problems in my selected cabin, whatever grade/ship/line. The inability to cool the room properly is very commonplace onboard older ships. I have also had aircon that was too cold (freezing) and could not be regulated. In the case of the QM2 in 2024, it was very noisy. In fact it seemed deafening at night and kept me awake. A man with a spanner fixed it promptly after I reported it on day two.

There is no charge for in-cabin breakfast, so I made the most of it, enjoying it most days, but the toast is of course never hot.

I only got to have a quick glance at a Junior Suites and a Duplex suite, with its two floors. As you might expect these grades are very impressive, as are their fares. In fact the QM2 probably has the widest differential in price between cabin grades of any ship. They range from good value to completely unaffordable. ( I saw Rod Stewart occupying one in 2005. I believe he’s a QM2 regular as he dislikes flying to America.)

Entertainment

The ‘Daily Programme’ is now printed in colour, in 20024 it was black & white. (Progress!)

The Royal Court Theatre holds approximately 1,100 passengers, but still has quite an intimate feel about it. It has two tiers; a ground level and a balcony. None of the seats are very far from the large proscenium stage, which allows the performers to rise from under the stage, if required. Originally, there was also an interesting illuminated dome on the ceiling above the stage, which opens up, and a chandelier and/or mirror ball descended. I assume that it is still there, but I did see it in action this time. A new digital screen was added to the stage which can provide digital scenery and can be used for slides-shows, during lectures.

No waiters ever attempted to serve me with a drink, while I was in the theatre, even though the lower level seats had small tables. Mind you, as the shows are often under an hour. I can last that long without a drink (just).

I believe entertainment team were new, for my cruise June 2024. Only two west-end type production shows were offered. (I assume this will be increased to three, per week). The first was called “Be Our Guest” and the second, “Broadway Rocks”. Both were pretty good. They were energetic, featuring popular songs and some good dancing and passable singing. (Truly gifted singers are snapped up for musical theatre etc. and don’t need to work on cruise ships). The first featured a live orchestra, the second sadly used taped music. However, neither show was very original. In fact the shows that I saw onboard in 2004/5 were a little more original, at the time. (Even the budget line Ambassador Cruises offers more original shows, than these two).

Guest performs provide the shows on the other four nights: Fabio Zini (guitarist) Camille Mesnard (singer) and Tom Brisco (comedian).

When I read that one evening’s show would be a classical guitarist, my heart sank a little. I enjoy live music, I enjoy guitar, but the thought of a whole classical guitar show seemed a little too high-brow for my liking. However, I was wrong. Fabio Zini is a very talented musician and his show was entertaining. He used some audio visuals to enhance his performance. Cunard had made a brave choice, which worked.

French singer Camille Mesnard, delivered a tribute show of Edith Piaff songs. Camille had worked in musical Theatre in France and the West End of London. Now I’m not a fan of Edith Piaff’s career or songs in the French language, but Camille’s voice was one of the best that I’ve ever heard onboard a cruise ship. She was very professional, as were the resident QM2 live orchestra. In a second show Camille also sang some songs from musical theatre, in English.

The other entertainers around the QM2 were of a good standard, too.

Some of Cunard’s daily onboard activities could be described as pretty high-brow. If you want “belly-flop” competitions, this is the wrong cruise line for you. I particularly enjoy Cunard’s enrichment program, in fact Cunard excel at this. My recent cruise had four excellent 1 hour “Insight” lectures, per day, delivered by five different lecturers including Mensun Bound, marine archaeologist Concord pilot, Rick Reynolds and historian, jeff Rozelaar. All there were particularly captivating. (Jeff Rozelaars spoke about Churchill and others, but his delivery reminded me of the late, great, maritime historian, John Maxton Graham).

I’m pleased to say that Cunard have retained the tradition of the Captain’s cocktail party. There are also rather nice ‘balls’ such as the ‘Red & Gold Ball’ and the ‘Masquerade Ball’, held in the superb Queens room. Cunard regulars actually bring clothes with them, specially for these events.

I did not find any crew that have been working onboard the QM2 since 2004, with one notable exception, the ‘Entertainment Director’, Amanda Reid. I first saw Ms Reid in the BBC documentary series “The Cruise” in 1997 when she worked as the social hostess onboard Celebrity Cruises’ “Galaxy”, the then new flagship of the company. This was the show that introduced Brits to our national treasure, Jane McDonald. I believe Amanda has been with Cunard for at least two decades, working on various ships in their fleet. My only complaint in 2024, is that I never saw Amanda around the ship. I only saw her on stage doing the intros and outros.

Illuminations

‘Illuminations’ is a second tiered theatre style venue with tiered seating. It is used for lectures, movies, entertainment and is the first ‘Planetarium’ at sea. It is located beyond the Theatre Royal, at the bow. It normally holds 500 guests at a time, and the sight lines are excellent without any columns. It’s foyer is decorated with some very attractive statues.

For the planetarium shows, the room only accommodates 150 people. The audience sit in reclining chair under a domed projection screen mounted on the ceiling, in the centre of the room, The night sky and the solar system etc. is then projected above their heads. These tend to be short presentations of no more than about 30 minutes. I’m pleased to report that there is no additional charge for the planetarium presentations.

However, the planetarium feature was out of order on my cruise. I understand that it has been for quite a while which I find unacceptable for this unique feature.

The Current Master

Captain Aseem Hashmi MNM, from Coventry, is the current master of the QM2. He is a remarkable man. He has been with Cunard since 1985. However, it’s not continuous service, as he was a 737 pilot with British Airways in the 1990s and has also flown BOAC-Cunard aircraft. He has sailed on 12 Cunard ships including the QEII and Caronia. He has also worked for P&O. How’s that for a comprehensive CV?

Who Goes/Dress Code

The passengers were mainly British or American, on my crossing. The age range was quite wide: 30, to 70+. There were very few families with children.

Cunard passengers used to embrace the dress code, but some non-Cunard cruise passengers often used to fear it. Well there is less to be scared of today.

No surprisingly, many of today’s passengers like to dress less formally that those of twenty years ago, hence Cunard have relaxed the dress code. In 2004 their were three grades of dressing for your evening meal: Casual, Informal and formal. (the buffet is always informal). However, back then informal still required a man to wear a jacked. Formal meant fully suited and booted or a Tux, ball-gowns for the ladies. In 2024 Cunard has “Smart”, and “Gala evening attire”. The word “Formal” has been abolished. The latter still mean a Tux, but “Smart” does not require a jacket or tie.

I noticed that one male passengers, who may have been in his thirties, had a very large tattoo on his forearm that had inch high lettering. It read” “F**K Off”. I wonder how that fits into the Cunard dress code?

Another two guys, also probably in their thirties , sat in the Britannia restaurant at 8.30pm each evening, audibly very drunk. Unfortunately, their table was next to mine. I often saw them start drinking at mid-day in one of the bars. I know that this behaviour is not unusual in pubs and even on some mass-market cruise ships, but I would have hoped for better on a Cunard ship.

Ports of Call

There are only normally only two ports on a Cunard transatlantic, one at the start and one the end, divide by 3,400 miles of sea. At Southampton, the QM2 still uses the QEII terminal. This has been updated a little over the years, but is arguable too small now. Southampton has changed a little in twenty years, it now an Ikea and five cruise terminals: City Cruise, Horizon, Mayflower, Ocean, and QEII. I remember when it had just two. Unfortunately the ships sizes have also expanded, but the roads have not.

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is in the Red Hook neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It opened on April 2006, following a $52 million investment, with the arrival of the Queen Mary 2. However, in 2004 the QM2 was still using Manhattan’s West Side Pier 90, Birth 4, West 50th Street and 12th, although the terminal at Pier 90 isn’t as modern and spacious as the new Brooklyn terminal, the location is so close to Manhattan. Brooklyn is a bit offsite and at least a 30-minute taxi drive from downtown, which can turn into a longer trip during rush hour.

There was very little noise or vibration from the engines (mermaid pods). The QM2 rides the waves, even in a storm, better than any other ship that I have sailed on. Naval Achitchect/QM2 Designer, Stephen Payne (OBE), said that the QM2 was twice as stable as QE2. She was designed with a maximum speed of 30 Knots. Although a young officer onboard in 2024 told me that the would not push her that hard, these days.

We arrived in Manhattan, four hours late, even though we were often doing around 24 knots. I recall Stephen Payne saying that he had studied one hundred years of Atlantic weather charts. He designed the QM2 with the sea-keeping abilities and speed to always arrive on time, unless she has mechanical issues or the sea conditions are worse than ever before. Well, we had storm force 6 (out of 10) on our crossing. So I will let you draw your own conclusions.

Conclusions

The world has changed a lot in twenty years, so have people and travel in general. Tony Blair was Prime Minister in 2004, when the QM2 entered service

For example, the Online check-in and printing your own luggage tickets at home was not “a thing” back in 2004. Alternative dining onboard ships was not so commonplace. Floating resorts with multiple dining rooms, multiple entertainment venues and on-deck “gimmicks” were still in their infancy. (Who would have ever imagined a go-cart track located on a cruise ships sun deck?)

However, The QM2 has changed very little in two decades: physically or in terms of the onboard experience. Cunard were always about tradition, heritage, formality, pomp and circumstance. They still are. However, the passengers have changed in twenty years. They are less formal, so the Cunard dress code is a little less formal to reflect this.

The QM2 is a very spacious ship. The food is the Britannia restaurant was very good, considering that it is served on a mass scale. The Kings Court food was also very good.

The refits of Kings Court and the Carpathia lounge (the former Winter Garden) have worked very well. The Grand Lobby, Britannia dining room and Queens Room are still all gorgeous.

I always enjoyed the Cunard enrichment program, which is still the best that I’ve experienced at sea. However, I find it unacceptable that the Illuminations planetarium, a unique feature on this ship, has been out of order for so long.

Cunard need to treasure their QM2. She is still very unique. It was sad to see the QM2’s hull looking in need of a paint job. She obviously had mechanical issues during my cruise. (I heard rumours that she had problems with a gas turbine engine and a stabilizers).

The QM2 is now very easy to take for granted. She’s no longer new, she’s no longer the biggest, but she is still an astonishing vessel. In particular, her sea-keeping abilities are second to none. Internally her décor looks older than twenty years. I don’t mean because she’s well worn (she’s not), I mean because it was retro in style to begin with. (Naval Architect Stephen Payne said that the QM2 was designed with a life expectancy of forty years, so she is not elderly, she is only middle-aged at present).

If you have never been on the QM2, there is a danger that when you first step aboard a ‘legend‘ you might be disappointed. The hype may have unrealistically raised your expectations sky high. There is a real danger that you may feel “Is this it”? I had this feeling when I first boarded the Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, for a crossing. (Review HERE)

I’m not sure if she is still my favourite ship in terms of public spaces (the over busy Chart Room & Golden Lion let her down), but she is in terms of sea-keeping. In addition a transatlantic crossing is my favourite itinerary. There is no better way to travel to Manhattan (or to Southampton).  After all, Cunard have been doing transatlantic crossing for over one hundred years. Naval Architect Stephen Payne said that the QM2 was designed with a life expectancy of forty years, so she is not elderly, she is only middle-aged at present.

Finally, cruising under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge with only 3 metres of clearance, and up the Hudson River to New York, is one of travels great experiences. If you book a modest cabin, her fares can be quite reasonable.

Malcolm Oliver, June 2024

My ‘Queen Mary 2’ maiden season (2004) review – HERE

My ‘Queen Victoria’ Tandem Crossing (2008) review – HERE

MY QE2 December crossing (2002) review – HERE

My Queen Mary (1936) Hotel Slide show – Here