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Has the QM2 experience changed over the years?


prothed
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We did a transatlantic crossing on QM2 about twelve years ago and really enjoyed the experience - the ambiance, formality and organisation were all out of the ordinary.

Since then, we have been on QE and QV and... mehh... these were just standard cruise ships and didn't compare well to trips with Holland America, Azamara, etc.

 

My question - We are considering another crossing on QM2, so can anyone who has traveled on her over the years comment on whether the standards, quality of service and so on have changed at all?

 

Thank you.

 

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I think the very things that impressed you on your first crossing will still impress. After her "refreshing" a couple of years ago, she looks like the same fine lady, just in a new set of clothes, maybe even a bit more stylish. The formality has been relaxed a bit, but folks who like really formal events will still find more people like them, that those who are 'relaxed'.

 

The food and service are as good or better than years ago, but the thing that most impressed about QM2 is her size and her sense of spaciousness. I agree that even though Cunard has pasted some of QM2's features on her smaller sisters, the Grande Dame still rules. 

 

I have gotten to the point in my life where I will only travel on QM2 and mostly Trans Atlantic crossings. Try her again, I think you will be pleased. 

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The reduced Casino size due to the addition of cabins  is noticeable .

The removal of the seldom used splash pool and bar is hardly noticeable but the addition 

of more cabins in that area is.

Edited by MCC retired
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Hi

 

I have sailed on the QM2 seven times throughout its career: 2004, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019. In my opinion, the ship has improved. The ship looks great after the major refurbishment in 2016. I agree that the Carinthia Lounge is an excellent new space. Also, the design of the Kings Court is improved. I recently did a crossing on the QM2 (late April / early May 2019) and had a wonderful time.  My favorite daytime activities (afternoon tea in the Queens Room and the lectures) were better than ever.  

 

Chuck

 

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2 hours ago, prothed said:

We did a transatlantic crossing on QM2 about twelve years ago and really enjoyed the experience - the ambiance, formality and organisation were all out of the ordinary.

Since then, we have been on QE and QV and... mehh... these were just standard cruise ships and didn't compare well to trips with Holland America, Azamara, etc.

 

My question - We are considering another crossing on QM2, so can anyone who has traveled on her over the years comment on whether the standards, quality of service and so on have changed at all?

 

Thank you.

 

 

My wife and I have done many Trans Atlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 and without exception they have maintained the best of standards.

 

That is more than I can say for our recent Queen Victoria 'cruise' between Singapore and Cape Town where, like you, I found the experience little different from an array of other cruise ships we have sailed with on not too dissimilar itineraries.

 

I would have no hesitation returning to Queen Mary 2 and particularly for the Cunard experience of a TA crossing.

 

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2 hours ago, Bigmike911 said:

I think the very things that impressed you on your first crossing will still impress. After her "refreshing" a couple of years ago, she looks like the same fine lady, just in a new set of clothes, maybe even a bit more stylish. The formality has been relaxed a bit, but folks who like really formal events will still find more people like them, that those who are 'relaxed'.

 

The food and service are as good or better than years ago, but the thing that most impressed about QM2 is her size and her sense of spaciousness. I agree that even though Cunard has pasted some of QM2's features on her smaller sisters, the Grande Dame still rules. 

 

I have gotten to the point in my life where I will only travel on QM2 and mostly Trans Atlantic crossings. Try her again, I think you will be pleased. 

 

With you all the way there Big Mike.

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Thank you all for these positive comments.

 

The reason I was wondering is that one of the most common discussions during dinner (on any cruise line) goes along the lines of "well, it used to be much better of course, before they cut back on the food/entertainment/service/etc/etc" and I was hoping that this did not apply to the QM2.

 

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IMHO, the changes in the refurbishing a couple of years ago were mostly improvements.  As others have written Carinthia is a huge improvement over the  Winter Garden which was usually empty.  As a result, Carinthia often attracts a good group of folks having a lovely time.  And King's Court is vastly improved in traffic flow and design, even though I usually avoid it.  I am not a big fan of the center atrium and believe, IMHO, the redesign did not improve.  We love this ship and never tire of the crossings.

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When I did a TA on QM2 in 2006, it was full of people beginning sentences 'On QE2...'  which carried on to make uncomplimentary and often fatuous comparisons. Thank heavens, this seems to have stopped happening.

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On 7/8/2019 at 4:07 PM, seacruise9 said:

Hi

 

I have sailed on the QM2 seven times throughout its career: 2004, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019. In my opinion, the ship has improved. The ship looks great after the major refurbishment in 2016. I agree that the Carinthia Lounge is an excellent new space. Also, the design of the Kings Court is improved. I recently did a crossing on the QM2 (late April / early May 2019) and had a wonderful time.  My favorite daytime activities (afternoon tea in the Queens Room and the lectures) were better than ever.  

 

Chuck

 

Hi Chuck - we are sailing TA Soton to NYC in May 2020.  Seeing you sailed May 2019 could you give me some inclination what the weather may be like?  I know it is different every day and year!  However I would like to know if at that time bring summer or winter clothes.  Thank You.

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7 hours ago, capegirl said:

Hi Chuck - we are sailing TA Soton to NYC in May 2020.  Seeing you sailed May 2019 could you give me some inclination what the weather may be like?  I know it is different every day and year!  However I would like to know if at that time bring summer or winter clothes.  Thank You.

 

Hi, 

 

It was fairly cool and windy outside. I definitely recommend bringing a jacket. During the day, I usually wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt. If I went outside, I always wore a jacket. 

 

Chuck  

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12 hours ago, seacruise9 said:

 

Hi, 

 

It was fairly cool and windy outside. I definitely recommend bringing a jacket. During the day, I usually wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt. If I went outside, I always wore a jacket. 

 

Chuck  

Thank you Chuck.  This information is good to know.

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We normally cruise QM2 in December, so our packing list includes winter hats and gloves. Since we were crossing in June we left the hats and gloves at home. Many people on Deck 7 during were wearing winter hats and gloves (depending on the day, obviously).

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On 7/8/2019 at 8:32 AM, prothed said:

We did a transatlantic crossing on QM2 about twelve years ago and really enjoyed the experience - the ambiance, formality and organisation were all out of the ordinary.

Since then, we have been on QE and QV and... mehh... these were just standard cruise ships and didn't compare well to trips with Holland America, Azamara, etc.

 

My question - We are considering another crossing on QM2, so can anyone who has traveled on her over the years comment on whether the standards, quality of service and so on have changed at all?

 

Thank you.

 

12 or so cruises mostly qm2.....we will keep coming back 

 

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We were on the QM2 July 4th cruise to Halifax, Boston, and Newport (June 30 - July 7).

 

Food in MDR was equivalent to Holland America, but we appreciated lunch in MDR every day, including port days. Pub lunch in the Golden Lion was very good, but the menu never changed from day to day.

 

The two production shows in the theatre were also very good, but other cruise lines offer more than two shows in a week.

 

Afternoon tea was a highlight, but again other cruise lines also offer afternoon tea.

 

The ship never feels crowded, unlike other ships of similar size with hundreds or thousands more passengers.

 

What is really lacking is updated technology. On many other ships account information is available via the TV in your cabin. Many other ships offer movies on demand in your cabin.

On many other ships, waiters in the MDR take orders via an iPad which sends the order to the kitchen thus speeding up service. Internet service is the old pay by the minute, instead of the modern unlimited service.

 

Holland America offers free access to the New York Times.

 

The most outstanding feature of QM2 is the well stocked library. Many other ships have done away with their libraries.

 

Overall, I consider cruising on QM2 to be good, but not worth the premium price.

 

But it does offer the only 7 day crossing.

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9 minutes ago, Jimbo59 said:

The two production shows in the theatre were also very good, but other cruise lines offer more than two shows in a week.

I'm confused, because there's a different show every night.

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On my crossings there were two full production shows during the week, you're right. I'd count the number of other performers as a plus, but tastes vary.

 

They have four or five shows in their repertoire, but obviously can't run through all of them every week when some passengers book the full 21 days (23 on my recent Germany crossings).

 

Be Our Guest

Appassionata

Broadway Rocks

Rhythm of the Night

 

They also have a Neil Diamond mini-show (maybe another? I've seen the Neil Diamond one a few times) that they do on nights a headliner does a return show late in the week.

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