Just back from a 2 way transatlantic voyage on QM2. We had been upgraded from deck 5 with a sheltered balcony to deck 11 with a full balcony, which was nice, but unfortunately with inclement weather we got little use. The weather on the way to New York was fine but cold and very windy and on the return was stormy for most of the way till our last day sailing.

I enjoyed our cruise, however it could have been much better. We arrived early for our embarkation, which was just as well. The terminal was heaving with people, many of whom were elderly but who had to queue for an hour or more standing, to provide all the information that we’d previously given in our on-line check in, to check in again. We were sent to the check in line for people with mobility issues and still waited approx 45 mins. Unfortunately and entirely my fault I’d forgotten to upload my sisters ESTA form, so we’re sent to another area to try and access the ESTA site. Unfortunately again, the Wi-Fi was non existent, the 2 people who were trying to help tapped ineffectually at iPads which simply weren’t working. Fortunately I was able to get a copy of the ESTA sent to my phone from my home and we then were able to complete the check in. However I fail to see the point of supposedly saving time up loading on line check in and boarding cards which were a complete waste of time. Also to have no proper working Wi-Fi is simply unacceptable nowadays, considering that embarkation depended on it in some cases. The WI-FI on the ship is appalling, unless you have a satellite phone, Wi-Fi simply doesn’t work out in the Atlantic.

The ship is old, there is no disguising it, however she is the most elegant ship I’ve ever been on. She doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the new super ships, but I really liked the QM2. Read more