This was our sixth transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2, our third going westbound, and our first in the springtime.
It was a "special" voyage, because Cunard was celebrating QM2's tenth anniversary. We passengers were to travel on a week-long, floating birthday party! Sounded like great fun as well as transportation across the Atlantic Ocean. We booked six months in advance.
Embarkation was as expected. We boarded with the Diamond, Platinum, and Grills group for the first time, qualifying in the Platinum category for priority boarding. Priority boarding means "first" not necessary "fast." Since we anticipated a large number of Diamond and Platinum passengers on this crossing, we were prepared for a lengthy wait. From the time we entered the terminal, until we boarded the ship, was about an hour and a half. Most of that time was spent in comfortable seating. Maybe, the final 20 minutes were queuing. We were on board by 12:45.