QM2 curious

[RMS Olympic]

I was booked on the maiden voyage and didn’t make it...a big mistake on my part. Now I’m looking for a special trip in Sept 2022. Although it’s way off the Queen is one of my options along with a river cruise on the Rhine or maybe something land based.

i would appreciate feedback on the Queen....and as I will be traveling alone would a crossing be worth the time expense and effort considering the flying involved.

Seevice, dining entertainment? Thoughts and comments please.

Thank you in advance.

[wripro]

It all depends on what category you will sail in. If Britannia you are on a mass-market ship where they wear tuxedos, To get better food and service you have to go to at least Princess Grill. Even if you're traveling alone you can be seated at a larger table in one of the Grills. imo a crossing on QM2 is something that should be experienced at least once.

[ClipperinSFO]

I recommend a look at the reviews of QM2 here on CC to get a sense of the ship and the service.  As to whether you should go or not go, it's a very personal choice, but for me, it's really the best ship and route (transatlantic) for me.   During this whole pandemic I have been watching lots of various cruise porn on YouTube, looking at the various ships. and I will say the QM2 comes across as very unique ship.  I cannot await to go again!  

[jsailox]

Go for it, you will have a great time, FOD meetings are well attended, lots to do, very sociable and the food is good, sometimes great. QM2 Transatlantic is an iconic voyage. Slightly embarrassed to admit that I have done it five times now.

[flag fan]

My first cruise was a transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2 as a solo and I loved it.  There were a lot of activities to keep one busy during the day--shows, lectures, planetarium.  The ship itself was beautiful.  It had more formal dress than I would prefer now (at the time I liked it).  Very gay friendly.  I am planning to return to cruising next year and my current favorite is another crossing (which will be my 3rd).    

[Skyhigh]

I have done 3 crossings on QM2 and while I prefer the smaller Cunard ships, the is a trip well worth taking.  I would advise to do the research, depending on what cabin you plan on taking.  The ship can be crowded especially if you are in Brittania, and from some of the other threads it sounds like they are still trying to figure out how to manage safety measures.  I have always travelled in Queen's Grill and I have seen solo travelers both at tables of 6 and at their own solo tables.  The solo tables have historically been placed close enough to talk with at least 3-4 other tables and only once in 9 voyages have we found that we couldn't talk with anybody around us.  

 

Be sure to hit the FOD on the first day and you'll likely meet friends for the trip right at the start.  

 

Also, dont' forget that they change the clocks by one hour most days.  Sail eastbound and you have 23 hour days, sail westbound and its a more leisurely 25 🙂

[RMS Olympic]

Thank you for all the responses. I’m going to consider a crossing and think I will do a westerly crossing. That way I will have a short flight home from New York. I’d also like to visit the maritime museum in Southampton the day before boarding.

id like to book one of those new solo outside cabins but it seems they get booked way in advance......going to look at Sept 2022 for my birthday.

Thanks again.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

On 4/12/2020 at 4:02 PM, RMS Olympic said:

I would appreciate feedback on the Queen....and as I will be traveling alone would a crossing be worth the time expense and effort considering the flying involved. Seevice, dining entertainment? Thoughts and comments please.

Thank you in advance.

 

I do think the class matters. I've only sailed Queen's Grill and Princess Grill Suites. I do not think I'd enjoy Britannia Class. The whole class thing rubs me the wrong way to begin with.

 

The food has been superb, so has the service, but I despise dressing up (tux). I go on vacations to relax and I don't find suits and tuxes relaxing, but the QM2 is such a unique experience, I will tolerate it in small doses.

[RMS Olympic]

Thank you scottca075.

The one time I sailed the QE2 I booked a Queens grill cabin to”do it right”. But that was years ago. To book a grill cabin now as a solo would put the price into Seabourn realm. I’m not sure the Queen would out do Seabourn. If I book the QM2... I’ll try to get a solo outside on deck three....but they seem to sell out immediately when reservations open for a crossing. So Ill have to wait till summer 2022 sailings open for booking.

Thank you for your response.

[PFV]

You would have something to compare Princess and HAL to?

 

[frankp01]

> ’ll try to get a solo outside on deck three....but they seem to sell out immediately when reservations open for a crossing

 

We just booked a return Trans-Atlantic crossing for December 2021. We have a single friend coming along, and there was at least one of the single cabins available. Have you checked to see if they're actually booked up for 2022 already?

 

Re: Princess and Grills. The service may be a touch better, but I truly love the grandeur of the Britannia Room. It really makes you feel like you're in a grand ocean liner from the 50s.

[Bigmike911]

I have made 18 voyages on Cunard, 15 on Queen Mary 2, 3 on Queen Victoria. I have two scheduled for August 2022 From Southampton to Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge back to Hamburg and Southampton and on to New York. The last two voyages I did solo and found it pleasant. I book a Queens Grill Penthouse, midship and it is very comfortable. I prefer westbound Crossing on the port side, so I will be in the sun. with five 25 hour days

 

The service is excellent on Cunard. I particularly enjoy the lectures and presentations. They have a collection of knowledgeable quality speakers and I always learn something new. There a wonderful books in the library that I might not other wise read. The food is terrific, and in the Queen's grill you can order off menu, in fact they encourage it. The Friends of Dorothy gatherings have been very special and I have made friends over the years I still am in contact with. 

 

I am some on who actually enjoys getting dressed up if only to go to the Captains party and dinner. On my next 16 day voyage, August 2023, I plan on taking two Tuxes and a White Dinner Jacket. 

 

And I think the greatest joy of all is traveling in Queen Mary 2 the last ocean Liner as big as the mega ships, but faster and with half the number of guests. 

[f2s]

Curious that views are so often GREAT!

Husband and I probably enjoyed QE2 in tourist more than the three crossings on QM2 in Queens Grill, both before and after the last major refit which brightened things but gave no better value or service or comfort.

To put it stronger/clearer I found first class very poor in every way.

Docking in Brooklyn is so ordinary compared to the old Cunard pier.

Do read the more critical cruise reviews on here, they could save you a lot of money.

[eroller]

On 4/12/2020 at 7:02 PM, RMS Olympic said:

I was booked on the maiden voyage and didn’t make it...a big mistake on my part. Now I’m looking for a special trip in Sept 2022. Although it’s way off the Queen is one of my options along with a river cruise on the Rhine or maybe something land based.

i would appreciate feedback on the Queen....and as I will be traveling alone would a crossing be worth the time expense and effort considering the flying involved.

Seevice, dining entertainment? Thoughts and comments please.

Thank you in advance.

 

 

I've sailed on her around 12 times and I rarely repeat ships.  She is my favorite ship afloat and I sail a lot of different lines.  That is the best endorsement I can give to a ship.  She is fantastic in all regards.  A true ocean liner.  Not a cruise ship.  

 

I've traveled alone on her and with friends.  Always have a fantastic time.  I usually do crossings on her, but the occasional cruise.  On the crossings especially, there is almost always a large daily LGBTQ gathering in the Commodore Club which is a fantastic space.  

 

You really haven't cruised until you have done a crossing on QM2!

Edited November 15, 2021 by eroller

[HeinBloed]

It is easy now to meet someone at FOD/LGBTQ+Social Hour and have dinner with him/them:

 

Deck 2 is assigned to fixed seating.

Deck 3 is assigned to open seating.

 

So we could add two fellow-Gay cruisers to join us for dinner - even in Britannia Restaurant. Not sure if this policy will stay after the pandemics.