Queen Mary 2 (QM2) Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,327 reviews

proud Mary in decline

Review for Transatlantic Cruise on Queen Mary 2 (QM2)
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Chris
First Time Cruiser • Age 2020s

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Sail Date: Aug 2008
Cabin: Balcony, obstructed view

In common with other reviews it appears as though Carnival does not has the knowledge,experience or background on handling a ship like the QM2 or Cunard. The Good " we shipped a bag by DHL to await our arrival and this was waiting in the cabin. The food in the Britannia restaurant was good to excellent although the portions were small. The waiter was also very good and willing to please although he was the only member of the wait staff that we saw while eating. The Maitre D never made an appearance and the sommelier was very rushed. The bad " Photographers occupied the main hallway on every night pushing their souvenir photos. They stretched across nearly the whole space leaving a narrow section to pass by which if somebody was coming the other way you had to wait for each other to pass. The photos taken on boarding were $27.50 each which I consider excessive. The shops were very expensive and there was only one with moderate priced goods. We needed something for our 2 year old twin grand daughters and the only thing available were little bears with Cunard on the chest. There was nothing for our other grand children of 6 and 8. There was an art gallery occupying another section of corridor with prices ranging to $50,000 which I don't see what an art gallery has to do with an ocean liner. I know that Cunard and/or Carnival rent the space to these companies but it's all done with the "buck" or "pound" in mind with no consideration of the passenger. There was a British style pub with pub type food that was good but if you ordered a 7 up or coke that was $1.75 plus 15% service charge. The food was included but the soft drinks were charged!! Yes I can agree with charging for beer,wine etc but soft drinks? This was a similar charge in the Sir Samuel (sort of coffee shop)with food included but not the 7ups. The old style British class system was evident with some sections of the deck "reserved" for the more expensive cabins. This was also true with a separate dining facility for these cabins. Our tickets and info about the ship arrived the day before we left. The actual info was very poor and in fact when we checked in at the docks in Southampton the clerk never even looked at the ticket was all our worrying was for naught. The so so" Entertainment was adequate with a very good female singer and classical violinist but the female pianist was a joke and the chorus dancers only passable. My wife and I have traveled extensively with cruise ships, airlines, inclusive resorts etc,etc and I was really looking forward to this trip. We were returning with another couple after a golf holiday in Ireland and I thought I'd blow the money on this ship instead of a cramped airline seat. The experience was underwhelming however and now I wish I'd saved my money. Many years ago I came with Cunard as a teenager again from Southampton to N.Y. and that was a journey to remember but perhaps as I said earlier having a quality liner like the QM2 to look after is not what Carnival is used to.

Cabin Review

Balcony, obstructed view

Cabin DA
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