Queen Mary 2 Cruise Reviews - Reviews

We’ve pretty well covered our experience in the other sections, but we were very disappointed in Cunard and would not sail with them again. We’d stick with Holland America and Celebrity.

We love the mary and the transatlantic journeys. She’s still the most civilised way to get across that big pond

Our 4th transatlantic voyage on the QM2 over a 20-year period. Possibly our last. Overall service is a little less attentive. Food the entire week was dissappointing, as was the entertainment.

Having missed out on a longer QM2 cruise due to Covid in 2020 we just wanted to try this iconic ship. We were not disappointed. Aside from expensive drinks we loved it. Force 8 and rough seas on the return journey and it was as smooth as a billiard table on board. We definitely want to do the transatlantic now.

This was our first last-minute cruise, booking ~30d before departure so many of the excursions were already waitlisted and our preferred dining option was initially not available. The ship's company was able to help us get things that worked well for us and made the week enjoyable. We were fortunate with GREAT weather. Our only rain/wind was passing through tropical storm remnants on one of our at-sea days. The ship handled force 9 winds/rough seas very well. Though you could see the waves and feel the winds, the ship rocked lightly. We are already talking about doing this itinerary again someday.

The Queen is getting old and needs a full paint job all over, salt corrosion is deteriorating this beautiful transatlantic, dry docking should be on the horizon.

This is a fine ship for a transatlantic cruise. It is smooth and stabile, and offers enough to keep you busy if you want to be busy, but also places to just relax.

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.

I thank my agent for her efficiency in booking my trips.

The balcony was useless. The staff seemed sad and unfriendly. The buffet was small and mediocre. But it was still a very nice way to get across the pond and I'd do it again. I just wouldn't pay for a balcony.

To be honest, we couldn’t wait to get off !! This was not what we expected at all. The ship is grubby and outdated. Most of the staff are not helpful. The food in the Queens Grille is average quality and the choice very poor. The aim of everyone on the ship is to charge you as much as they can. To top it all off we were in thick fog for the whole trip. Couldn’t go on deck or balcony as it was damp and raining. The indoor spa area is horrendous and a health hazard. How Cunard get away with this, I will never know!

My wife and I enjoyed this cruise. We both agreed that we would consider cruising with Cunard in the future.

Getting on the ship was a nightmare as we stood in line for over 5 hrs. (no water, no food, no bathrooms). And, we missed a day of cruising. The worst part was lack of communication and organization. If we had been told what was going on, (union worker, no access to the manifest system, non working ramp), it would have made a world of difference to our attitude and opinion of Cunard. And, a PA system could have solved so many problems for the 2 young Cunard employees trying to reassure the over 2K crowd. Once on board, the world opened up to a truly wonderful experience. The ship is gorgeous, our suite was comfortable and beautifully appointed. The service we received thoughout our voyage was unsurpassed. Some of the excursion were dissapointing simply because the weather would not permit them. Can't control the weather so, no big issue here. As this was our first cruise ever, the initial impression was not favorable. This has changed and we are excited to see a future cruising. Thank you!

A museum cruise. Lots of artifacts of cruising past. Lavish elegant passageways. But don't expect modern cruising experiences. Take it for what it is...

As they say on their gala night "Dress to impress." So it is all a show to look good, not really serve their passengers well. Good style is to make passengers comfortable, not just look good.

Ship was nice we had calm seas most of the way. One day we had gale force winds, but couldn't tell on the ship. Food was very good

It was a wonderful experience. The transatlantic crossing was peaceful, the ports were great, The designer of the ship was one of the speakers…very interesting! It was not an experience like a Caribbean cruise…it had a much older and sedate group of passengers.

food mostly average, terrible soups, good bakery, exellent sashimi station the veranda restaurant was good but not exellent. Cabin was good but our bedding were never changed, terrible internet did not work in cabin. Most shows were exellent

After easy embarkation process, the cruise set sail weathering a storm out of New York with minimal turbulence felt aboard. Food, cabin and entertainment all par excellence! All the Caribbean ports lovely. Cruise ended with well organized disembarkation. As a solo traveler, I was extremely happy!!!

I loved the experience of the westbound crossing...watching our departure from Southampton, the gala nights, the food, the ship design, star gazing, spotting other vessels, arriving in New York. It was everything I was hoping for. I plan to try an eastbound crossing or, even better, a roundtrip next!