QM after being on other lines

[mostlylurker]

My husband and I have sailed on princess, celebrity, Royal Caribbean, norwegian and..ahem Carnival. We're looking at QM2 trip. Its so hard to get a feel for what Cunard and The Queen Mary are like. Can someone perhaps offer some insight. If it helps, in comparison and contrast to these other lines.  Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can assist.

[Underwatr]

More formal, and not just on paper.

You won't hear the cruise director/entertainment director coming on the microphone to tell you about the bingo game starting in just a few minutes or reminding you of the evening's entertainment. The only routine shipboard announcements are the Captain's noon navigational announcement and another announcement from the Captain just before departing from a port  (there is usually another announcement about 10 minutes after all-aboard when they try to locate stragglers before leaving them on shore...).

They treat you like an adult. Bring along whatever wine or liquor you desire. Pay corkage only if you take a bottle of wine into a restaurant or bar.

Onboard enrichment lectures that are interesting and informative.

Service is pretty good, but we've been more impressed by personal service on Princess and Holland America.

No buckets of beer sold by the pool.

Speaking of beer, a wider selection of beer on-tap than we saw on Princess, on which there was one tap, of Stella.

Limited queueing.

Passenger safety muster in interior spaces.

The best movie theater I've ever seen on a ship (it's also the planetarium and lecture hall: Illuminations)

No art auctions, although there is an art gallery with pieces for sale.

Americans are not a majority of passengers. Last Christmas out of NYC we weren't even a plurality.

A feel as much like a grand hotel as a cruise ship. Other ships seem claustrophobic to me in comparison.

No climbing walls, ice rinks, robot bartenders or onboard microbreweries. Teak loungers on the promenade instead.

 

We just completed our 9th QM2 voyage (plus two on Queen Victoria) and we have 3 more booked in 2019.

Edited February 20, 2019 by Underwatr

[luckymal]

8 hours ago, mostlylurker said:

My husband and I have sailed on princess, celebrity, Royal Caribbean, norwegian and..ahem Carnival. We're looking at QM2 trip. Its so hard to get a feel for what Cunard and The Queen Mary are like. Can someone perhaps offer some insight. If it helps, in comparison and contrast to these other lines.  Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can assist.

 

I always think Princess and even more so Royal Caribbean are funships, On Cunard you will not have a big screen blasting out all day, fewer children on ship, and the children on ship are well looked after by trained staff. And yes Cunard IS more formal, but only after 6.00pm. If you travel on the QueenMary 2  I do not think for one minute you would be disappointed.🥃🍷

[PORT ROYAL]

9 hours ago, mostlylurker said:

My husband and I have sailed on princess, celebrity, Royal Caribbean, norwegian and..ahem Carnival. We're looking at QM2 trip. Its so hard to get a feel for what Cunard and The Queen Mary are like. Can someone perhaps offer some insight. If it helps, in comparison and contrast to these other lines.  Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can assist.

 

Many will mention the excellent service etc., but it's the guests that sets Cunard apart from mainstream cruising.  There is no pomposity, the guests are genteel, diverse,  well travelled, good conversationalists, retain the respect of etequete and good manners.

Variety of live music and a full size dance floor with live orchestra/bands/groups for Ballroom, Latin and modern dancing.

 

You'll probably meet people who will become lifetime friends.

Point.  Cocktails are mixed from scratch on Cunard, not "poured" from a carton.

 

You may discover the occasional piece of human detritus, but it will be their first and last venture into a Cunard ship, so ignore.

 

One last thing, when onboard, purchase (as many as you wish per person) Future Cruise Deposits @ £50.00 each (Deducted from a future Deposit Value).  The OBC benefits are great, valid for bookings during the twelve months following purchase, and can be refunded. Valid for Cunard and Early Saver Fares, but not Saver Fares.  A win win Cunard offer.

Link: https://ask.completecruisesolution.com/help/ext/cunard/before-you-sail/FCD

 

Welcome to Cunard.  After Cunard there will be no going back.

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2019 by PORT ROYAL
Predictive and enter Dancing

[Solent Richard]

10 hours ago, mostlylurker said:

My husband and I have sailed on princess, celebrity, Royal Caribbean, norwegian and..ahem Carnival. We're looking at QM2 trip. 

Burgers are definitely superior on Carnival.  👿

[seacruise9]

Hi, 

 

I have cruised on most of the main cruise lines (Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean), but Cunard remains my favorite. I am sailing on the QM2 for the seventh time in April. I also have cruised aboard the Queen Victoria (twice) and the Queen Elizabeth.

 

Compared to the other lines, the atmosphere is more traditional and formal. The lectures are very interesting and the afternoon tea is excellent. The other passengers are usually very interesting and polite. I have a wonderful time meeting people and discussing travel. The QM2 has beautiful and very spacious public areas. Overall, I greatly enjoy the atmosphere aboard the Cunard ships. 

 

Chuck

Edited February 20, 2019 by seacruise9

[Bigmike911]

12 hours ago, mostlylurker said:

My husband and I have sailed on princess, celebrity, Royal Caribbean, norwegian and..ahem Carnival. We're looking at QM2 trip. Its so hard to get a feel for what Cunard and The Queen Mary are like. Can someone perhaps offer some insight. If it helps, in comparison and contrast to these other lines.  Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can assist.

The first thing you will notice on QM2 is that it is a more formally designed and furnished ship. Almost none of the bright neon look that usual cruise ships have. It will seem larger to you than the cruise ships and there will be more square footage for fewer people. The second thing you will notice is that the clientele are older than you see on cruise ships, and better dressed even when casually dressed and better mannered.

 

The dining experiences will be more formal. You will take most meals in the Britannia Dining Room, The Britannia Club or the Grills, depending on the level of accommodation you choose.  There will be other options as well: the Kings Court a very attractive buffet,  and in the evening sections are closed off and become speciality dining rooms with advance reservations and additional cost. They may be Asian, or Italian themed places and that will vary over the course of the voyage. You can also dine casually in the Carpathia lounge, eat authentic fish and chips in the Golden Lion pub, the Boardwalk cafe or lunch or dinner in the Veranda Restaurant the principle extra charge space. 

 

I think one of the biggest differences you will see on QM2 are the adult entertainment and enrichment activities. They have the best speakers at sea and two venues for them Illuminations and the Royal Court Theatre. The presentations are recorded so you can catch talks you might be interested in and have missed. There will also be Broadway/Las Vegas shows nightly in the Royal Court Theatre. And performances from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Many venues will have live classical music performances, there are pianists in the Commodore Club, The great observation bar at the front of 9 deck and the Chart Room often with vocalists.  

 

Unique to the Queen Mary 2 are the Planetarium shows in a special area of Illuminations and the formal afternoon white glove tea service in the Queens Room, the largest ballroom at sea. Additionally they have the largest library at sea with books for every reader. 

 

On Trans Atlantic voyages guests usually fall into patterns for daily activities. Breakfast in one of the dining rooms or in the Kings Court Buffet. After a lecture or spa treatment at the Canyon Ranch Spa, Lunch, then more speakers, a visit to Connexxions for a computer class, or a movie on the big screen in Illuminations. Afternoon tea, change for dinner, meet friends in one of the pleasant bars, Dinner, then after a show, a visit to the Casino, or one to G32 the nightclub. Perhaps an after dinner drink then to bed to. 

 

There is also the option to do nothing. Sit in a deck chair on one of the teak floored decks or your balcony. Take a brisk walk around the Promenade deck circling the entire ship.  Work out in the gym, play cards in the Atlantic Room 12 Deck games on 13 or a swim in one of the pools, including the Pavilion Pool on 12, with a glass roof closed in cold or stormy weather. 

 

Maybe you would like to learn to Fence, or take dance lessons, or sit at one of the tables on the passage ways around the theatres where you will find monopoly, scrabble board, puzzles to put together, while looking out huge windows nearly at the water line and watch the ocean pass by. 

 

There is also excellent retail therapy in the shops, though the open markets in the passage ways out side some time look like swap meets, but they are a minor distraction.

 

To summaries Queen Mary 2 is a big beautiful ship. Life will be more formal and less hectic, but you can choose to participate or not in the big formal nights and balls. There will be plenty to keep your mind engaged with less of the las Vegas atmosphere some of the cruise lines seem to fancy. Passengers will be older, better dressed, better mannered than the typical cruise passenger. At the end of your voyage, I think you will be planning your next adventure on Queen Mary 2.

 

 

[MCC retired]

OP is in the US so purchasing a FCD would be $300p/p earning $150p/p OBC on next Cunard 7 night , more for longer .

QM2 a big beautiful Ocean Liner , not one of the Mega , Amusement Park @ Sea Cruise Ships.

Now a days , the closest   to what a Cruise Ship experience  use to be like .

 

Edited February 20, 2019 by MCC retired

[ABoatNerd]

OP, the QM2 is a ship, a ship, not a floating vegas hotel.

 

The difference is that the QM2 connects you to the ocean which is not what the mass cruise lines are building these days.

 

I concur with everything the previous posters have said about the inside experience. All very good.

 

We repeatedly sail QM2 for her open viewing areas at the front just under the bridge. Two wings that jut out, you are farther out than the body of QM2. You feel the wind, smell the sea. OMG, it is the closest to heaven I have ever been.  Then walk to the back and you get the tiered pool decks, more open space, and finally, a real promenade deck.

 

Cunard treats you as an adult, yes an adult, who has the ability to manage their day without needing constant stimulation.

 

The QM2 is the way passenger ships used to be.  

 

Today, with a few exceptions, cruise ship design is to ensure that passengers look inward so that they can be "sold" stuff. Modern cruise ships are floating hotels/shopping malls/movie theatres, but not ships.

 

In a world where the mass cruise industry is on a big rush to the bottom of cheapening, in your face, mass selling, and Vegas - Cunard is thankfully holding fairly firm to the "ship" product.

 

I believe that Cunard has a market opening to position themselves above the mass lines but equal to the small ship premium market. I have cruised Oceania repeatedly but their current cheapening mentality, arrogant management mentality, tendency to cancel ports with no explanation, and majority old ship, small ship size, means I will not sail with them again. Did Azamara recently, that was not impressive and the experience did not come close to the quality and food of Cunard and Oceania. There are many, many long time mass cruise guests who are abandoning the mass lines (myself) and moving to the premium category (Oceania/Viking/Azamara) etc, but this group of "premium" lines are not necessarily delivering premium experiences, read the CC reviews. 

 

If Cunard upped their service a tad, and food quality a bit and marketed their "real ship" experience - they could be overflowing with customers who are seeking a refuge from the mass lines but who do not need nor require the "fancy" in your face service of the premium and luxury lines. If one needs that, you can book the "grills" on Cunard. Cunards "grills" are not nearly as in your face as the class segmentation going on the mass lines, Celebrity in particular.

 

Cunard ships provide many of the traditional elements that premium and luxury guests want.

 

All Cunard ships (and the new one) are a super size to comfortably traverse the oceans and provide a modern stateroom experience.

 

I can hardly wait for my QM2 TA in June.

 

Whatever the OP decides, wishing you a great voyage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mostlylurker]

Thank you all. these are very helpful and it sounds very attractive. and the description of the people vibe is appealing. It sounds  warm and engaging without being pompous . The enrichment and lectures sound great. I would be delighted without the cheap sales, casinos or people who seem to believe a camera is on them. Do they have things like quizzes or other such entertainments throughout the day? 

 

Again, I appreciate your contributions. 

Edited February 21, 2019 by mostlylurker

[Germancruiser]

All is said, almost all is mentioned! I sailed RCI, X and BIG MISTAKE Costa ( the latter just once) ! X was my favorite so far- then they changed their more classic cruise experience to " Modern Luxury" - along with loud music all over the place, constant pressing for buying this and that! So changed to Cunard- and loved every minute of my time spent on board a Cunard vesel- I sailed on all three Cunarders - QM2 is special. Higher ceelings- a certain grandeur througout the ship! With every twist and turn you are connected with the ocean. So if you like the ocean- cruising in style- and traditions - Cunard is for you- I am sure you will not be dissapointed!

Anyway I am back to X for my next cruise- a Transatlanic- a good bargain - and the Elite+ perks are not to be missed!

I am curious to see if I still like them after 5 years of cruising Cunard. OH well one must keep an open mind!

[PORT ROYAL]

9 hours ago, mostlylurker said:

 Do they have things like quizzes or other such entertainments throughout the day? 

 

Again, I appreciate your contributions. 

 

Yes - Sample of the Daily Programme delivered to your stateroom showing all the next day's activities and dining etc.

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=3431

[Host Hattie]

There are links to examples in the Welcome sticky at the top of the board.

[newjoisey]

i would sell it this was.............after going with cunard you wont go with any other cruise line 

[orchestrapal]

52 minutes ago, newjoisey said:

i would sell it this was.............after going with cunard you wont go with any other cruise line 

 

Wish i could agree.

We spent three weeks in QG on QM2 Cunard after many cruises on Crystal and Oceania. The ship is very nice and the suite was comfortable however the butler service was well below par and the food was 1960’ s , very dull and repitive. The queens grill dining room is cramped and windows face a covered running track. The prices are beyond high. Never again Cunard.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I agree with all the positive comments about Cunard. I like being treated like a grownup!

 

One additional comment is the music. With several bars around the ships, there are opportunities to hear a wide variety of music--small band that I'd guess I'd call a rock band, great jazz combo, classical quartet (I think it's a quartet), solo harpist, 2 or 3 solo piano players. Plus an orchestra in the Queens room for dancing on the largest dance floor afloat! And some production shows in the theater--they just changed their production company, and they've actually picked up a few HAL productions. If you've seen "Singers in Concert" on HAL, it's now on QM2. Just four good singers, backed by a live orchestra instead of "canned" music.

 

[Underwatr]

2 hours ago, orchestrapal said:

 

Wish i could agree.

We spent three weeks in QG on QM2 Cunard after many cruises on Crystal and Oceania. The ship is very nice and the suite was comfortable however the butler service was well below par and the food was 1960’ s , very dull and repitive. The queens grill dining room is cramped and windows face a covered running track. The prices are beyond high. Never again Cunard.

 

I solve most of those issues by not booking in Grills.

[luckymal]

5 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

 

I solve most of those issues by not booking in Grills.

 

 

Brill reply, Most expensive not always the best.🍷🥃

[orchestrapal]

10 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

 

I solve most of those issues by not booking in Grills.

 

Mistake acknowledged.

[Jack E Dawson]

4 hours ago, orchestrapal said:

 

Wish i could agree.

We spent three weeks in QG on QM2 Cunard after many cruises on Crystal and Oceania. The ship is very nice and the suite was comfortable however the butler service was well below par and the food was 1960’ s , very dull and repitive. The queens grill dining room is cramped and windows face a covered running track. The prices are beyond high. Never again Cunard.

 

Orchestrapal, I have done two Crossings on the QM2 but have yet to sail in Queens Grill so your first hand experience is greatly appreciated. When I look on the Cunard web site the pictures of the QG dining room, seating did look a bit tighter than I thought it would be, as you noted. I was also very surprised to hear from you that the QG windows looked out over a "running track". It was my impression, and hope, that the dining room would have a view of the Promenade on Deck 7. We enjoy the great people watching the Promenade offers. By chance, do you recall which deck the running track is on and how it is accessed? 

Thanks again

Jack

[orchestrapal]

1 minute ago, Jack E Dawson said:

 

Orchestrapal, I have done two Crossings on the QM2 but have yet to sail in Queens Grill so your first hand experience is greatly appreciated. When I look on the Cunard web site the pictures of the QG dining room, seating did look a bit tighter than I thought it would be, as you noted. I was also very surprised to hear from you that the QG windows looked out over a "running track". It was my impression, and hope, that the dining room would have a view of the Promenade on Deck 7. We enjoy the great people watching the Promenade offers. By chance, do you recall which deck the running track is on and how it is accessed? 

Thanks again

Jack

 

It is the promenade deck but, most of the tables  overlook the part of the deck  that is covered where there is little outside light and only folks running or walking and looking into the QG. It is too narrow for chairs on that part of the deck.

[MarkBearSF]

19 hours ago, mostlylurker said:

Do they have things like quizzes or other such entertainments throughout the day?

 

Yes, I seem to recall there were typically three contests like trivia and name that tune per day. Be forewarned, trivia can be cutthroat. And you will want both Yanks and Brits on your team because there will be questions that only members of either group will be able to answer.

And, unlike some lines, you compete for stamps on a card. At the end of the cruise, you can redeem the card for a variety of (cheap) prizes depending on the number of stamps. For the past two years, I've wound up with a very nice looking Cunard flash drive ...with a capacity of 1 GB!

[Jack E Dawson]

On 2/19/2019 at 9:29 PM, mostlylurker said:

My husband and I have sailed on princess, celebrity, Royal Caribbean, norwegian and..ahem Carnival. We're looking at QM2 trip. Its so hard to get a feel for what Cunard and The Queen Mary are like. Can someone perhaps offer some insight. If it helps, in comparison and contrast to these other lines.  Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can assist.

 

Mostlylurker,

I would suggest that there are actually two questions here, the Cunard experience and a QM2 crossing. I say this because crossing the North Atlantic Ocean on the QM2 is a unique experience that is not equaled by any other line. Besides the tradition, service and civility that characterizes Cunard, spending 7 nights on the North Atlantic on this grand ocean liner is treat for the senses. There are some spectacular cruise ships out there with incredible wine lists, food, activities and destinations that provide their own fulfilling experiences but its not really a compare/contrast issue, it is wonderfully different.

 

Jack 

[Bigmike911]

7 hours ago, orchestrapal said:

 

Wish i could agree.

We spent three weeks in QG on QM2 Cunard after many cruises on Crystal and Oceania. The ship is very nice and the suite was comfortable however the butler service was well below par and the food was 1960’ s , very dull and repitive. The queens grill dining room is cramped and windows face a covered running track. The prices are beyond high. Never again Cunard.

Gee, which Queen Mary 2 have I been sailing on? My experiences over 14 cruises and crossings has been the opposite. The food is far from 1960's and with one exception, that got fixed promptly, I have never had sub par service from my butler. I have never felt crowded in the Queens Grill and by the way the Queens Grill looks out on an open Promenade Deck, and the sea beyond not a covered running track. 

[orchestrapal]

54 minutes ago, Bigmike911 said:

Gee, which Queen Mary 2 have I been sailing on? My experiences over 14 cruises and crossings has been the opposite. The food is far from 1960's and with one exception, that got fixed promptly, I have never had sub par service from my butler. I have never felt crowded in the Queens Grill and by the way the Queens Grill looks out on an open Promenade Deck, and the sea beyond not a covered running track. 

 

Had a dark window table for three weeks.

so glad you love QG!