Having previously cruised on QM2 in 2007 from Brooklyn around the Caribbean, we were raving about our holiday when we returned, so we thought we would have a short break again on this lovely liner and it is lovely, however, we have returned and are a tad disappointed, perhaps we are getting too picky. Booking was easy, price very fair for a balcony cabin, we used Cunard car parking and this again was so simple and easy, reasonable priced and friendly staff. From handing over our car and depositing our cases, we went through check in so quickly and the folk were again professional and welcoming. It had been pouring in Southampton and so looking like a couple of drowned rats we just wanted to get to our cabin and get sorted. Before you got to the scanning and security, you had to pass the photographic team, We were asked how many, and I replied that I did not want our photo taken, to which the staff member asked deadpan and even louder HOW MANY, I said I just did not want our photograph taken, and he gestured with his arm that way, I was a bit taken aback, what had just happened, so I returned and asked his name, I said that I was not hard of hearing and that he should not speak to people like that, so on we went.

We quickly found our room and outside were our cases which impressed us. When we entered our balcony cabin, there was a bottle of bubbly welcoming us back, which was a nice touch. Rooms are okay, similar to those on RCI, NCL and P&O, we preferred the balcony on the Ventura, however we were not expecting too much sunshine and fresh sea air is a tonic. We had been allocated 6.00 pm dining and so I had to stand for almost one hour to change to the 8.30 dining, very glad we did. On NCL we had to give our cabin number at the Muster and those that had not attended were notified and had to attend, on QM2, this was not the case. We dolled ourselves up for dinner and then found we could not get into the Golden Lion Pub, too busy, so sat opposite in Samuel's bar which is a coffee bar through the day, and so a little calmer, however they did not have cocktail or bar menus, so the waiter had to go get these, then bring them, then go back through into the Golden Lion for cocktails, this happened on all four nights, you would think they would have twigged to put cocktail menus out on an evening. We were twice given the wrong key card back, on one occasion a chap sat close by asked if I'd had a pear cider, I thought he wanted a taste, he said I thought so, I have your card and took it out of his wallet, by chance he'd checked his receipt, this also happened to our fellow diners who were locked out of their room, this does give opportunities for abuse.

Dining was just lovely, food first class, wine waiter so attentive, you could not complain, we sat with another two couples and got on very well. The first stop was Zeebrugge, I had read about the train and the shuttle bus, however as it was a Sunday and the trains were every hour, did not fancy taking a chance on missing the boat, so to speak, so we paid $63 each fare to and from Bruge. One couple on our table got on the free shuttle bus (there was a small notice in the Daily news-sheet) and paid €3 each way, so felt a little ripped off. Bruge was lovely, chocolates, history, canals, beer, and the sun shone, walked for miles. We were to have a sea day on Monday so went along to book the planetarium, which was full, the indoor pool had a capacity of 14 and so to get a lounger you did have to loiter a while, but they were emptying. I saw one man go into the ladies toilet and shower room, but there was no one around to mention this to, luckily there were no ladies in at the time, very odd. The seas were getting a little rougher, however QM2 hardly rolled, but when the Captain told us we were heading for Cherbourg as the weather was deteriorating and that we were just off The Isle of Wight, can you believe it, I think we were sailing in circles. Read more