Queen Mary 2 (QM2) Review

Can't Wait to Go Again!

Review for Transatlantic Cruise on Queen Mary 2 (QM2)
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teriwinkle
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Jun 2014

We are veteran cruisers, and this was our 35th, the fifth with Cunard, the second on the QM2. We chose this crossing because it would give us a few days in Hamburg beforehand, an excursion in Southampton, and a crossing, which would give us the opportunity to dress up and dance every evening in the Queen's Room. My husband and I (from Florida) met our son Ron (from Tennessee) in Newark where we enjoyed a leisurely overnight stay in the wonderful new Embassy Suites at Newark Airport. The next day we boarded our nonstop flight on United Airlines to Hamburg. The flight was long but enjoyable, even in economy class. The price for the flight through Cunard Air was amazingly low.

In Hamburg we had arranged through Cunard to be met by a driver who was waiting to take us to the Hamburg Marriott. When we arrived at the hotel around 9 AM, they had our room ready, and invited us to have breakfast in the Executive Lounge which was part of our package. Our stay at the Marriott was outstanding in every way. We enjoyed the huge pool and fitness room, as well as the complimentary tasty meals and snacks provided all day long and late into the evening in the Lounge. We especially enjoyed the complimentary "wine and spirits" that were available. Service was the best we'd ever had in any hotel. We nearly walked our legs and feet off trying to see as much of Hamburg as we could see in a short few days. Our favorite was the trip to the Minitaur Wunderland, a three floor extravaganza of model railroad (and other forms of transportation) exhibits. Absolutely breathtaking creations of miniature towns, ports, cities, and attractions.

On embarkation day we took a cab to the port in Hafencity, and after a bit of a queue boarded easily, where we were nicely greeted by two rows of staff and directed towards our cabin 4223. We were instantly charmed by our cabin with the sheltered balcony. Our cabin steward, John, introduced himself to us just minutes after we entered our cabin, and took care of us very well for 10 days. After getting our luggage settled we headed up to the Kings Court for lunch. This was one of the few times we actually used the King's Court, which is indeed (as noted by other reviewers) the weak point of this particular ship in some ways. Not that it is bad, but just not outstanding, needing some upgrades in furnishings, selection, quality, and layout, in our opinion. (However, there is one secret that I must divulge: The only decent coffee on the ship--unless you buy it in Sir Samuel's--is found in the King's Court, at one of the beverage stations sort of in the middle section, from a machine marked "German Classic Coffee, always available". On the other side of the same machine is really awesome hot chocolate. My son and I both bought large mugs in the gift shop and filled them with this coffee each morning as the coffee in the dining room was not to our taste at all).

Cabin Review

Our cabin was the next to the last on the starboard side aft; had a sheltered balcony with a large window; Adequate room for 3 adults to store belongings; Suitcases fit easily under beds. No noise or disturbances at all in this part of the ship; very quiet; a very long ways to the laundry room on deck 4 which is on the same side but at the bow. Beds soft but comfy; bathroom very small, amenities very nice and ample. Nice flat screen TV with many channels though many are in German at least on our trip. As has been said, hard to get to balcony or fridge when sofa bed is out. That' sabout all folks, for a standard cabin on the QM2.

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