In response to review, EJSmith says ...

Sailed on the QE2 long ago when was an all Brit staff. Then the unions were dropped and staff and service went down hill. Was cheap foreign labor who spoke little English and like this notes, stood around and lazy. Sad state of affairs for a line, that was under the quality of the old White Star Line that ended in the 1930's (no, I'm not THAT old and seems that getting there is now NO fun). A friend, who lived in Southampton and nautical collector, found the reality when he found some original White Star Line silver that was the highest quality and polished beautifully. The Cunard was marginally plated, not even close. There's an old ad saying, "The quality go in before the name go on." Seems to be the reverse now and no quality. Pity. And on a recent trip on another line I found the classic, old terminal gone, Southampton has built up and even had an ugly 5-6 story mall. The new maritime museum is both small and marginal at best. The Titanic exhibit was poorly designed and had little of interest in this location across the town. The original (though small) at least was right where the ships came in and would think there would be other ways to preserve and present liner history to the traveling maritime public. Sadly too, air travel is now worse and Terminal Five at Heathrow is enough to never fly there again. Try another airport. Also the cost in the UK too has gone through the roof. A simple 3 course meal at a London street cafe is 15 pounds and up.