We had not been on the QM2 in about 10 years and decided to grab a great deal for the 2022 Independence Week cruise. What a shock to find that she was not up to the standards that we were used to on the QM2. We usually book balcony but took an inside with the deal for this cruise. A mistake for us because we never had been in an inside cabin on any ship before and the small size and no window/balcony was not to our liking. Our room steward was very good and accommodating. We're hoping she didn't get COVID since my husband got sick.

The embarkation was a disaster. We had requested wheelchair assistance and that took 2 hours. Meanwhile, we had to sit in the entrance to the terminal waiting for an available wheelchair amongst all the people and COVID germs. We found out later that there were only 10 wheelchairs for the 65 of us waiting because they were still taking sick COVID passengers off the ship on THOSE SAME WHEELCHAIRS! No wonder my husband got COVID 5 days later (and here in December 2022 - still has long covid symptoms) and then I got Covid 5 days later. Our 2 hour wait was less than the 3 to 4.5 hour waits that some passengers endured in the hot July sun outside! Cunard brought out cases of water for the waiting passengers and some fainted and were taken away in ambulances. Supposedly the delays were because of the company Cunard used to process the people coming into the terminal.

The food was not up to standard in the Britannia Restaurant. Not in the least as good as 10 years ago. Steak in the Britannia Restaurant was chewy and inedible. Other dishes were okay but not as good as in past sailings. During this cruise, they were still experiencing shortages and for the most part we gave them some slack but definately put a damper on the dining expirence. The Maitre 'D for our section was very rude and the waiters were very impersonal and not accommodating. Tables for 2 are merely tables for two in a row with only 6 inches between them. Not conducive for private conversation. Read more