We have just returned to reality after spending 22 wonderful nights on Queen Mary 2 as she circumnavigated Australia during her 2012 World Voyage.
Embarkation:
The QM2 docked in Sydney at the Garden Island naval base and therefore passengers were embarked and disembarked at Wharf 5 Darling Harbour. Arriving at Wharf 5 we received our boarding card relatively quickly and, despite being given the wrong one by the attendant, managed to pass through customs and board the catamaran (that would take us to the ship) within a reasonably short period of time. The catamaran ride from Darling Harbour to Garden Island was a lot of fun and provided many excellent photo opportunities of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House. Upon boarding the ship we were directed to the Queens Room where we handed over the credit card and were provided with our room swipe key. The whole process probably took no longer than an hour and a half (including catamaran ride) and I thought Cunard did an excellent job.
Excellent starboard mid-ship location on deck 10.