AFTER ALL THESE YEARS cruising every January, was Cunard for me? Having heard about the advantages of transatlantic sailing travel compared to cruising for so many years, thought I’d give an ocean-liner a try.
So, the brief 4th of July sailing offered on the Queen Mary 2 appeared to be a great opportunity to experience one of the legendary Cunard ships. She was built to sport the often-stormy high seas of the North Atlantic and this excursion was meant to show off her brand-new $132 million refurbishment.
From the first moment we embarked the “QM2,” to find White Star bellmen kitted out in snug red uniforms welcoming us into the Grand Lobby, classical music lilting through the air from a string quartet, and sparkling wine on ice at the ready in the cabin, we had the distinct feeling of participating in a time-honored sailing tradition. Just the lush new raspberry carpet was enough to dispel the discomfort of long embarkation lines due to Coast Guard inspection when a ship begins its Canadian itinerary.
Brand-new fittings quite impressive & elegant