I chose the QM2 for a taste of old world, traditional cruising British style (a 14-day cruise Sydney-Singapore) with four expected shore stops, only two of which took place. A cyclone prevented one shore visit (entirely understandable) and a right royal mess up (for which Cunard would accept no responsibility) prevented the other. For this, we were compensated with a bottle of red wine and a reduction of US$175-00 on our next Cunard cruise. The vessel is beautifully decorated and the public areas were certainly handsomely refurbished in the 2016 refit to reflect its past glory. However, noise containment between staterooms was not satisfactory (I had to move staterooms twice before I could get a relatively quiet room). The main dining room food was not really up to the standard of a luxury line (the Princess Line serves food just as good). The Indian special restaurant was fine but in the Verandah Restaurant (named after the legendary Verandah on the Queen Mary) -- for which hefty cover charges were levied at lunch and dinner -- the food quality and service fluctuated considerably. Compared with its equivalent on the "Celebrity Solstice", where I had the best meal I have ever had on a cruise ship in 2015, the Verandah was a big let down. I did complain and efforts were made to mollify me. However, I found this a dispiriting experience -- as did other passengers. Nevertheless, there were positives: friendly and efficient stewards and waiters, great musicians, the opportunity to participate in a choir and, of course, the usual range of shipboard activities. However, I have to say that, because of the noise problems experienced, the Verandah issues and the shambolic shore stop situation, I would never travel Cunard again.