Arrived this morning from a most wonderful stay in Scotland! Braemar Games and the whole and extraordinary Scots hospitality have left me wanting more! Which is not what I can say from the QM2 Cruise. What a nightmare - and unfortunately I'm not the only one feeling totally let down and discouraged. When service doesn't meet perception. I arrive - well met and the transfer to the liner was good - seamless. Then the problems started. I will be sending this to Cunard also - the MD, Customer Relations and Canyon Ranch. AND cruise critic. The welcome was: your cabin is on Deck 4 and a point to the lift. A crowd had gathered, confused on where to go. I arrived on Deck 4 and my cabin was at the very end of the liner - apparently nestled comfortably with the crew cabins. I waited a couple of hours for my suitcase and went to investigate - it was tucked into the service area apparently to be delivered at some future time. The corridors and rooms smelt - literally of stale body odor and old carpets. This smell permeated the entire 4th Level. The room was as expected, the liner just OK - not overwhelmingly lovely, stylish or tasteful internally and the staff generally were surly, avoiding eye-contact in case asked for something/directions. Evening one: I had had an operation two weeks prior to my cruise and was very tired. Suddenly the floor started to vibrate and music flowed into my cabin. Yes the disco is directly underneath. The noise and vibration became unbearable so I called the purser. A women arrived some 15 minutes later to say yes the music was audible and perhaps she could ask the DJ to "turn down the bass". She said she had never had any complaints. Unfortunately she turned out to be a significant liar because every cruiser complained of this problem and depending on willingness to assist/availability of cabin they were moved. In other words, if they squealed loud enough. I spoke to the cabin attendant - he confirmed these true facts and offered me "earplugs". I received a note the next day that I could not be moved because no cabins were available and suggesting I get in touch with Customer Relations in the UK. so four nights I didn't sleep - sometimes the music would start at 6:30pm and go until after 3am!!! this seemed a little strange, given that an officers wife was emerging from a upper cabin and boastfully told me how comfortable it was and how many times she had sailed on the vessel!!! All the while, while I haven't had a wink of sleep!!! Come on now. The food was substandard to say the least, the onboard activities disappointing and the Captain/Crew remarkable by their absence, that is unless you're the Captain's wife/family that despite the fact no one is "allowed near the bridge because of security" were in full view during the festivities leaving Hamburg - a child on the bridge and much canoodling with the wife. The Captain made an appearance at the "cocktail party" - meaning he recited how many nationalities on board - and when suggesting the UK took precedence, I suggested Philippines!! Cheap labor - shame!!! The Captain/Officers never once walked through to shake hands and make anyone feel special. And here is the rub - no one feels special. It's a cafeteria on steroids!! Shuffled from one place to another and if we didn't like anything, were told - this is NOT a cruise but a liner!? We're the biggest, best and YOU (the customer) take what we give you! Canyon Ranch - the "beauty spa" is filled to the brim with amateurs all looking for the tip. I had a pedicure that cost me US$130!!! and the "technician" used an emery board to polish my feet - upselling to "paraffin treatment" - meaning not very much. My hair was a disaster but that was too bad because the "stylist" wasn't considering this a career, just a means of seeing the world. On round 2, I bought my own color, but was charged full price because "the time". So over US$400 later spent with these people, I felt ripped off and miserable. Clanish and unpleasant and desperately overpriced - all miserably grasping for tips. We were told by an entertainer to "buy his CD" after all it's not really money, it's only that we have to sign something and get the goods.

Another example of amateur is I came back to my cabin and the door was open. I sat on the bed for 20 minutes until an attendant came to close my door saying he'd forgot after cleaning the balcony and please don't complain. Security? what security? Crazy, mad, a total waste of money and time. I will be seeking a refund from Cunard at least a portion and suggest strongly that they keep ALL the night crew in the back of Deck 4 so that poor people like me don't get stuck and leave the liner totally exhausted and demoralized. It took me a long time to recover from the ship where nightmares are made.