We are just back from a transatlantic cruise on the QM2 which we booked at the last minute. It was so fantastic, I cried when I got off the ship to come home! We flew to New York and had a view days there before boarding the ship. Definitely the best way round to do it, to get the busy part out of the way first. Such a grand, prestigious ship. How amazing to sail out of the port of New York, looking at the iconic skyline and passing the Empire State Building. Unforgettable.
As we prefer to adopt more casual attire on holiday, (having to dress fairly formally for work), we opted to use the Kings Court buffet dining for all our meals. Always a wide variety of hot and cold food available. No skimming on quality just because you're not in a formal restaurant. Choice at dinner even included venison, fresh tuna steak, guinea fowl and lobster tails. Tea, coffee, juice available 24/7. Excellent staff always available to clean tables. Yes it can get busy at times and feel a bit canteen-ish, but you don't have to go there if you don't like it!
Even though the ship was near capacity with passengers, nowhere seemed too busy or crammed. Plenty of quiet places to sit. Our favourites were the Winter Garden with its beautiful friezes and ceiling paintings creating a tranquil setting and the Commodore Club with is wrap around views at the front of the ship.
We were fortunate to have a lovely state room with a balcony. King sized bed with the softest sheets and the squishiest pillows ever. Two double wardrobes and plenty of drawers and shelves. Sofa-bed, coffee table, desk and chair. Lovely sparkling clean bathroom. Fairly mid ship position and never elevator.