Since this forum has been very useful, I wanted to contribute my experience on the Queen Mary 2.

Embarkation: I flew from NY to Heathrow; there were several easily located Cunard reps gathering people for the transfer to Southampton. We killed time for 90 minutes, then hopped on a bus to a local airport hotel for Cunard's courtesy lounge (tea/coffee & cookies) to kill more time so that we wouldn't arrive at the pier too early to board. Luckily, we only had to spend 20-30 minutes there but it was nicer than remaining at the airport. Embarkation at Southampton was awful - the worst I've ever seen. The problem was that this particular sailing included 400 passengers who had disembarked from the QE2 that morning (the end of the world cruise) and had transferred to the QM2 for the trip back to NY. With 400 passengers at one time, the check-in process was extremely slow and then there was another line to go through security and then a holding lounge before being allowed to board the ship. Luckily, I'm a platinum member so had priority check-in which bypassed one line and allowed me to scoot into the security line. But most people were very cranky. Once on-board, I went to my cabin & got organized.

Cabin: I booked an inside on Deck 6 which was fine. Nice decor (light woods, gold/gilt duvet) and plenty of storage for one person. Good lighting, mini-fridge, TV, & all the normal conveniences. (Good heat/A/C controls which were quiet and accurate). Bathroom was small (shower only) but that's what I expect. This cabin (#6213) was near stairway C which was fairly mid-ships which is handy for traipsing all over (up/down and end to end). Once in a while, I'd come down Stairway A, and boy, it seemed miles away from my cabin! Steward service was fine - unobtrusive.

Meals: Second seating in the Britannia restaurant. I was at the doctor's table, which is usually a fun table with 8 passengers and one or both doctors for formal nights. This time, no-one but me went to dinner the first night; everyone came the second night; and the other four nights were only 4 of us (& the dr.) Since the other 2 couples didn't have the courtesy to let the maitre d' know that they weren't coming, we waited 20 minutes for them each night and had four of us marooned around a large table. This wasn't a great situation (one complainer, one cynic and one nice lady...and then me) so the dinner experience was marred. Food was so-so; not a lot of variety and adequate - nothing "Great" but nothing inedible. Service was very good; friendly but not cloying or effusive; professional. Had daily breakfast & lunch in the Kings Court (their buffet process, with four different areas for Italian, Asian, Carvery, & deli). Again, food was adequate. Lots of selections but real pain wandering through all four areas checking out the menus (I suggested that they post menus at the entrances.) Desserts were the low point. Fresh fruit was plentiful and ripe, lots of varieties; also, interesting cheeses; fresh sushi too.

Activities: This is where Cunard shines and the reason I sail on their ships. Quite a variety of activities that are different from the normal "scarf tying" on many other ships. Great lecture program with Oxford professiors - at least 3 lectures a day, that were attended by 200+ people. Topics included architecture, history, science and well-being. Really, really high quality speakers who know their stuff and are good presenters - no reading from their notes! Also, 3 team trivia sessions per day that were well-attended (smart people!!) Plus two dance classes most days (70+ people at those). Not to mention movies, spa (Canyon Spa), casino, bars and walking on deck. Afternoon tea in the Queens Lounge was an event - white tablecloths, servers wearing white gloves, silver serving pieces, etc.

Entertainment: Another superior area! With only six nights, there were two meet/say farewell to cruise staff shows, but 3 high-quality singing/dancing shows that were different from other ships (no '50's, Broadway hits, etc.). Had a singer who has performed in Broadway and West End shows and was featured one night - very popular. Also, a magician/apparitionist/blah blah. Not my thing, so didn't go. Quite a variety of music was available in the different lounges - jazz trio (after the shows, the other musicians joined them for jam sessions); classical group; pianists; harpist; Caribbean band (Xtasea) which was very good - although they played Yellow Bird, they had a very wide repertoire; and the dance orchestra. Six gentlemen hosts were on board to dance with single ladies and they were exceptional. They weren't all great dancers but they were friendly, didn't take long breaks or disappear and danced for 3 hours straight each night. They also hosted different dinner tables each night.

Public areas: Another shining area! Dark woods (REAL wood, not formica), crystal and brass pre-dominate. Lots of metal friezes; glass murals and rich tones and materials. Everything - carpets, walls, furniture - is well maintained; no stains, dings or scuffs. Interesting art work in all the stairwells and a great display of photos & text tracing Cunard's history. The show lounges are well designed - elegant in appearance with no bad seats; they're two level with multiple entrances so no long lines.

In summary, this is a beautiful ship that usually carries a range of passengers - US, British, French & German; range of ages; who are avid travellers. Food is fine, what I'd expect on any ship that serves 2500+ passengers.

Helpful and encouraging, thank you. We travel from New York to Southampton in September.

Were there any activities for which early booking was essential? I've heard that reservation at the Todd English restaurant is one of them, but did lectures, dance lessons etc. need to be booked in advance?

Vickie,

Thanks for your very detailed review. I do have a few questions:

Sounds like you travelled solo on this cruise. Did the cruiseline have any special activities/get togethers for the solo cruisers? Did you notice many solo cruisers?

How dressy/formal does one need to be on this cruiseline. I'm wondering if I could 'make do' with silky/somewhat dressy pants outfits.

Anyway, sounds like you had a good trip. When/if I do a ta, I think this would be the one I'd like to do.

Faith

Whew, sounds like some negatives. We've only been on one cruise line where we found problems beyond those normally expected when you travel - especially with a lot of people.

Anyway, we are on the June 9 - July 3rd 2006 transatlantic and Med. cruise. I was excited until I read this! Good to hear about the enrichment programs though since we have a total of 12 days at sea.

I read some place that you can take limited bottles of wine aboard. Is this true?

Any thing we must do? Any thing we must avoid? Anyone else here going to be on our trip?

Any excursions in Europe itinerary that we must do? Must avoid?

Littlemountain: Early booking is definitely needed for Todd English (tip - there are always openings on the first night since people don't know to reserve, or are unpacking/getting acclimated). I don't do spas, but since it's a Canyon Ranch spa, I bet it's a good idea to make appointments on the first day. Lectures, dance lessons (group, not one on one) are all open to everyone and are held in venues large enough to accommodate any size crowd. If you want to arrange for personal dance lessons, you can do that (just speak to the dance instructors following the first group lesson to discuss price & timing).

Faith77: Yes, I travel by myself (this was my 30th solo cruise). (mid-40's). On the first full day, the ship has a solo get-together in one of the lounges, with various cruise staff members there to facilitate conversations. (They may have another one later in the crossing too.) I generally don't go to these since I meet people at the various events, like dance class, trivia, lectures so I can't provide any input. This ship has more solo cruisers than any other that I've been on, but solo's are still a clear minority. You can ask the maitre d' to put you at a table of singles; also the dance hosts dine at passenger tables every night so you could ask to be seated with them. Regarding degree of dressiness.... this is probably the most formal ship on the seas. Most (80%) of the passengers do dress up (dark suits/tux for the men and dressy outfits for the women). Probably 35% of the women wear long gowns and the remainder wear dressy cocktail dresses (or chiffon pants with the ubiquitous sequin tops). People wear their formal outfits all night (vs. changing into casual clothes right after dinner). There are 3 formal nights on board and if you like to dance, you'll want to be dressier than not since there's a Black & White ball, an Ascot ball and the Captain's welcome ball where nearly everyone is formal.

Vickie,
Thx so much for answering my questions. Some day I think I'd like to do a week in London and then head across the pond to NY on the QM2.
Faith

I've toyed with taking this trip with my niece, but neither of us care to "dress up." Are there alternatives, i.e., casual restaurants where you can dine to avoid the formality? I called Cunard once and asked them this, and I've never been able to believe the answer--"If you don't go to the formal dinners, you need to eat elsewhere and you will have to pay additionally for it." Can this possibly be the case? I just can't believe that--which is why I'm asking here. I know there are other transatlantic cruises, but we're both anglophiles and would like to take the QM2 if we do go. Thanks.

The dress code does not apply in the "Kings Court" for breakfast, lunch or dinner. What is confusing is that the "Kings Court" area is renamed for dinner service, when it splits into 4 sections: "La Piazza" (Italian), "Lotus" (Asian), "The Carvery" (British) and the "Chef's Gallery" (a demonstration kitchen where you watch the chef cook, then eat his product). You don't have to pay extra in the Kings Court except for the "Chef's Gallery".

So, it is possible to travel on the QM2 without dressing up, although eating in a buffet-style cafeteria for the whole trip is the consequence.

Thank you very very much for your reply. Now, in order to go to one of the other restaurants, what would you say is the minimum dress code, i.e., would slacks and a nice top go, or would that be way underdressed? Sounds like it would. Of course I suppose it wouldn't kill me to buy a nice dress or two, but since retirement I just can't stand the thought. Anyway, what do you think the "minimum" would be. Thanks again!

p.s. Would a St. John knit pants outfit be adequate?

Well, the brochure describes the following dress code for women:

"Formal" nights - "Evening gown or other formal attire"

"Informal" nights - "Cocktail dress, dressy trouser suit or similar"

"Casual" - "Skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse"

I'm not travelling until later this year, so I'm afraid I can't relate specific observations.

Yipes! I may have to forget this. I'd need to spend as much on new clothes as the fare. I wish it weren't this way, especially when one is not a "couple"--but then... it is. Thanks for your help.

You can get a dressy black skirt, and a couple of different dressy tops/sweaters to go with it for formal nights. The suit sounds right for informal.