We try to visit our daughter, who married an American and lives just outside Chicago, twice a year and were planning a week's visit for November when an attractive Cunard Transatlantic offer came to my attention. The dates fitted and using airline points for the flights it worked out almost as inexpensive as flying with a weeks cruise thrown in!
It was inevitable that we compared our voyage on the QM2 with previous cruises, mainly with Celebrity where we are Elite members. Overall the Cunard and QM2 experience was (of course) excellent value for money and a very enjoyable and satisfactory way to cross the Atlantic.
Embarkation at Southampton was efficient and took about 45 minutes with adequate seating available whilst we were waiting to check in and then embark. We were greeted with a somewhat muted welcome as we boarded and then had to find our own way with our hand baggage to our stateroom. We were impressed to find all three of our suitcases had got there before us (a first) and so we unpacked before starting our exploration of the ship. Our standard inside stateroom was very similar to others we had occupied even if the decor was somewhat bland. There was more than adequate storage and everything worked properly with ample toileteries and a good shower in the usual small but almost perfectly formed bathroom. Our stateroom attendant introduced himself and was cheerfully efficient throughout the voyage.
Stateroom 4144. Standard D6 inside room. Some vibration at times but it was not a nuisance. Occasional noise from the service areas immediately above the stateroom - particularly late at night - but not enough to complain about. Being low in the vessel and just aft of midships this cabin is well placed for minimum movement during rough seas. Very convenient for both the Britannia dining room and the Kings Court.