Bucket List Item Despite Getting Covid

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 36

Review summary

I had long wanted to do a transAtlantic crossing on one of the Queens. The opportunity came along this summer, when our daughter and her financé were crossing for the second time after a week cruising on the QM2 from Rome to Southhampton. We reserved a sheltered balcony room (#5222). After about 10 or 11 days in London and in the Cotswolds, we did a private transfer from Stow to Southhampton, spending the night before departure in an acceptable local hotel, Room2, before boarding on August 11. As our taxi pulled up to the pier, our first view of the Queen Mary 2 was a little disappointing. It looked smaller and less regal than the cruise ships we had been on, and certainly not as spiffy as the newer Celebrity and other ships. But we understood that the QM2 is built for an Atlantic crossing and not for pleasure cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Embarkation was jammed, due to an earlier incident that backed up boarding, but the contract staff were helpful (I had re-injured my back and needed some extra help). Soon we were aboard and our luggage was in our cabin. It was a thrill to be aboard this grand ship and to be about to depart for a crossing that so many notable travelers had made in the days before jet travel. Overall, the ship looked well-maintained and in good condition, though I understand it is soon due for to go to dry dock for a refit and refurb. Some things are definitely out of date. For example, the “largest planetarium” at sea is cool enough, but it used old photos from the Hubble telescope, and nothing from the James Webb. Our cabin with sheltered balcony was about what we expected. We were pleased with how well the state room was planned and how much handy storage we had, much better than our room at a Hilton property in London, Lost Property. Decks 5 and 6 are nothing but staterooms and as we were aft we could look forward to what seemed to stretch many hundreds of feet into the far distance. There are four main elevator groups, A, B, C and D, which were well-situated and rarely crowded. The ship is reasonably well laid out, although to get to some areas requires going up or down a deck or else going through a public room or the main restaurant. The first couple of days the seas were five to eight meters, or a bit more, and there was a considerable roll, but only a few people became ill. It was, however, a bit difficult to walk with my injured back, and at times I resorted to a wheel chair. After the first days, the sea calmed, the sun peered out occasionally and sailing was surprising smooth. I can imagine, though, it could be something in the North Atlantic winter. We explored most of the ship and for the most part found it agreeable. The library is worth seeing. So many cruise ships are doing away with libraries altogether. As to dining, we usually took breakfast in our stateroom. I often skipped lunch or had a light lunch. Dinner we always did in the main dining room, the two-level Britannia. Service was always top-notch. The food itself I would describe as Modern British, with mains such as Beef Wellington but more interesting soups, salads and starters. It was good enough but after even a few days began to all taste the same. We did Open Dining and never had to wait. With so many courses, dinner often last a couple of hours. Overall, I would give the Britannia food a B minus. The only thing that seemed rushed was the pre-dinner drinks or wine. For that you were better off going to a bar, such as the Chart Room. Unfortunately, the bars always seemed crowded and understaffed, and to get a single drink sometimes took a half hour or longer. We did not try the upcharge dining, a steak house and the rotating dining area at the King's Court. The King's Court buffet was not impressive. The food did not look appealing, and the number of people trying to get served and find a place to sit was chaotic. This buffet does not even remotely compare to that on good cruise ships. Entertainment was mixed. The English National Ballet was wonderful, but bands and shows were mediocre. On about the fourth or fifth day, several in a party began feeling ill. We self-tested and found that three of the four of us had Covid. We reported this to the medical folks, who did their own Rapid Antigen Test and confirmed that it was Covid. We were told to isolate in our rooms. We could order from the main Britannia menus and even get drinks delivered at no charge (two of us had the premium drink package.) Still, it was not much fun to be in a tiny stateroom, even one with a balcony. Several people we met also had Covid. I suspect Covid was not uncommon on board, though only some people tested and self-reported. We believe, but of course cannot provide, that we caught Covid on board. Two of the four of us had been on the ship since it left Rome and only came down with Covid late in the transAtlantic crossing. My wife decided to ask for Paxlovid, and she was charged about US$900 for it (it's generally free in the U.S. and Britain) even though we had Cunard Care insurance. Overall, I think the QM2's Covid protocols are acceptable, but with the recent increase in Covid cases in late summer 2023, the ship may have to go back to some stricter protocols. We only saw two passengers of out of more than 2,000 who masked at all, and no one seemed to even consider he possibility of Covid. Disembarkation in Brooklyn was easy, as we were sent out with a group that had reported that they had Covid. All in all, this was not the experience we hoped for, but it was still mostly enjoyable. We were glad we did it, but we doubt we would go again on a Cunard ship, unless the QM2 is upgraded, or perhaps if the new Queen Anne is used on the transAtlantic route.

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

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Entertainment

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Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

New York, New York

Disembarkation