First time cruiser here, and I jumped in for the transatlantic cruise on the QM2. I didn't know what to expect, but Cunard was very helpful from booking through completion of the trip. I had a BB stateroom with sheltered balcony which was fine. I was a single cruiser so that made the 269 sq ft room more spacious for me, but still had to pay the single supplement.

Embarkation at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: Surprisingly easy. Never had more than two people ahead of me in a line. Breezed through security, passport check, check-in, etc. in minutes. Disembarkation in Southampton was equally easy, and the Cunard-arranged motor coach to London was flawless.

Dining: Kings Court buffet was so so. It serves a purpose, but I learned early that better and more enjoyable meals were in the Britannia room for my cabin class. Not only dinner, but breakfast and lunch too. Definitely worth the less than five minute walk for lunch and it was also good and prompt. I asked for a large table at the late dinner seating, and was rewarded with meeting some of the most entertaining people in my life. Fellow cruisers do indeed make the journey. One word here: I'm 56, and guess that I was in the bottom 25% in age of all cruisers. Not a problem as I found people I enjoyed being with, just an observation. All I met were very good and nice people. Read more