QM2... how crowded?

[untailored bostonian]

We are booked for a double TA and Fyjods cruise next August.  With luck and a Vaccine we suspect we will enjoy the QM2. This will be our first Cunard cruise.

 

As we have viewed YouTube QM2 videos it seems that there are never crowds during the day.  Also, the pools never seem too crowded.  We have read that passenger size vs public spaces is why it looks less crowded.  

 

What are your experiences?  Is there always a quiet nook to hang out at?  Is that covered pool uncrowded? Also, should we assume the outdoor pool will be heat by just the sun?

[exlondoner]

That has always been my experience. Lots of space, lots of nooks and crannies indoors and lots of open deck and promenade deck outdoors. Particular fun are the galleries on Deck3L or whatever they call it, where there are board games, but, more deliciously, large windows almost at wave level. There are not usually many people there at all.

 

The pools are heated by science, not just the sun, but their temperature does seem to vary.

[BigMac1953]

Having crossed the pond 10+ times, it always astonishes me how quiet the ship is. I often wonder where everybody goes, as you'd swear there was no more than 100 pax on board.

 

You might see more people at a popular concert or Insights talk, or even in the theatre at night, but otherwise you can just about have the ship to yourself.

 

Stewart

[untailored bostonian]

8 hours ago, exlondoner said:

That has always been my experience. Lots of space, lots of nooks and crannies indoors and lots of open deck and promenade deck outdoors. Particular fun are the galleries on Deck3L or whatever they call it, where there are board games, but, more deliciously, large windows almost at wave level. There are not usually many people there at all.

 

The pools are heated by science, not just the sun, but their temperature does seem to vary.

I have seen those game tables and also some seats with small drink tables with that water level view.

 

We love sea days. I love BIG waves and storms. I am so hoping for a few such days TA to sit there and wonder at the might of nature.

 

We are booked in a deck 11 balcony, the last such room before the deck 11 rear deck.  I hope to view the fyjods from there. This is a bucket list 50th anniversary gift to ourselves.

[untailored bostonian]

7 hours ago, BigMac1953 said:

Having crossed the pond 10+ times, it always astonishes me how quiet the ship is. I often wonder where everybody goes, as you'd swear there was no more than 100 pax on board.

 

You might see more people at a popular concert or Insights talk, or even in the theatre at night, but otherwise you can just about have the ship to yourself.

 

Stewart

 

I assume the theater areas at night might seem more crowded.  Am I wrong to think there are plentiful and uncrowded lounges to have a beverage and listen to live music?

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, untailored bostonian said:

 

I assume the theater areas at night might seem more crowded.  Am I wrong to think there are plentiful and uncrowded lounges to have a beverage and listen to live music?

Certainly wouldnt say that the lounges are uncrowded especially Golden Lion.

[Covepointcruiser]

We’ve always been able to find a seat at our favorite lounges.    The Red Lion Pub is also an included restaurant and that makes it more crowded.    Always loved the special QM2 feeling of space even on sailings that are full.    I am glad this ship is so spacious making her very special.

[BklynBoy8]

Gerry & Barbara,

First, welcome to the Cunard Family and the QM2.

 

We too even after sailing on the QM2 over a dozen times like to view You Tubes of other passengers and review our personal photos and video on those quiet times. Even on a chilly wintry evening with a warm drink.

 

We feel very comfortable on the QM2 as everyone does their own thing during the day. Several pools spreads out the crowd. Plenty of space for sunning.

 

Yes do find it can become over populated in the evening in the theater (Royal Court Theater), Casino and Queens Room.

 

We actually go to the Theater quite a bit earlier to get some good seats. It does fill up closer to when Show time will beginning.

The Casino also starts to fill in btw the Show times. And when the main program in the Queens Room starts it is quite full already with those that gathered earlier and enjoyed a drink and company.

 

Of course there are other activities taking place in the evening like Jazz Music in the Chart Room or Karaoke in the Golden Lion Pub which attracts quite a number of passengers.

 

Enjoy planning your sailing..

 

  

[tv24]

Ridiculously uncrowded, very different from many other ships at sea.   There are moments when crowds form, such as in Reflections when there is super-popular enrichment speaker, or in a lounge right before a dinner seating, or in the Pub at lunchtime, but generally there are lots of quiet places where one can get lost, and there are usually lots of empty chairs in the bars and lounges.  Oh and there are usually plenty of seats available in the theater for a performance, except when there is a headliner, such as when we were on a jazz crossing with special performers.

[Victoria2]

My favourite  quiet nook on QM2 is the library and if you're especially lucky, the alcove nook is THE quiet nook to chill, with a book, or knitting as I saw on a couple of occasions when just going to change a book.

[majortom10]

We must have been on different QM2 when we have done many TAs than many others. Golden Lion is always busy at lunch times and very hard to get a seat due to the fact they serve Pub Lunch and seats fill up in preparation mid morning. Is also very difficult in the evening when there is music on even though they do not serve food in the evening. We have also struggled to get a seat in Commodore Club unless late at night after late show in the theatre and we have gone for a night cap drink. There are many quieter spots and less crowded areas on QM2 but as thread op was asking about lounges with live music we have found them all to be busy in the evenings.

[untailored bostonian]

18 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

My favourite  quiet nook on QM2 is the library and if you're especially lucky, the alcove nook is THE quiet nook to chill, with a book, or knitting as I saw on a couple of occasions when just going to change a book.

My wife will love the library since it has quite a bit large selection than other ships.

[untailored bostonian]

Our cabin is on deck 11 adjacent to the Grill Terrace.  I'm hoping it is open to all, but the "Grill" implies it might have a reserved status.

 

Will I be able to sun there?

[TheOldBear]

23 minutes ago, untailored bostonian said:

Our cabin is on deck 11 adjacent to the Grill Terrace.  I'm hoping it is open to all, but the "Grill" implies it might have a reserved status.

 

Will I be able to sun there?

It’s one of the few spaces on the ship exclusive to Princess and Queens ‘Grill’ passengers. In addition to the terrace, that list includes (on deck 7) one bar, their assigned restaurant and a ‘concierge lounge’ somewhere on deck 10.

The rest of the ship’s public areas are open to all - no “ship within a ship” isolation.

[exlondoner]

Don't feel deprived. I don't think the QM2 Grill Terrace is particularly nice. The chairs are very close together.

[PORT ROYAL]

"Quiet" indoor places to read etc., missed by many, to consider 

Sir Samuel's before16.00 hours

The Board Room - Seperate room just off the inside of the Commodore Club

The Atlantic Room

The wide walkway on deck 2 leading from/to the Future Cruise Sales Office 

Comfortable seating by the entrance to Connections

The Seating in the Queens Room - remain there for Afternoon Tea

 

 

 

 

 

[fizzy1]

We are booked for a double TA and Fyjods cruise next August.  With luck and a Vaccine we suspect we will enjoy the QM2. This will be our first Cunard cruise.
 
As we have viewed YouTube QM2 videos it seems that there are never crowds during the day.  Also, the pools never seem too crowded.  We have read that passenger size vs public spaces is why it looks less crowded.  
 
What are your experiences?  Is there always a quiet nook to hang out at?  Is that covered pool uncrowded? Also, should we assume the outdoor pool will be heat by just the sun?

We have a very special place we call our very own !! Last thing at night, about 10pm, before we retire to our balcony room , hopefully to sit out for an hour , we go to the library which is closed but the library itself is open to sit in . It is always empty and lovely and peaceful . A nice malt whisky and a few squares of best dark chocolate does the trick


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[fizzy1]

My favourite  quiet nook on QM2 is the library and if you're especially lucky, the alcove nook is THE quiet nook to chill, with a book, or knitting as I saw on a couple of occasions when just going to change a book.

No !!! You are not allowed in there !!!! Haha !! That is OUR special place !!


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[nybumpkin]

The most crowded experience I had on QM2 last year was when leaving a port and I went to the deck 8 bar to get drinks for sailaway for DH and me to enjoy on our balcony. It was mobbed - but then one of the servers saw me and said, "Mrs. B---, what can I get for you?" You see, he worked evenings in the Chart Room, which was our evening entertainment. And the service was impeccable. This time I just told him what we wanted, he said "Wait right here" and he was back shortly. I can't say enough about the service.

[exlondoner]

7 hours ago, nybumpkin said:

The most crowded experience I had on QM2 last year was when leaving a port and I went to the deck 8 bar to get drinks for sailaway for DH and me to enjoy on our balcony. It was mobbed - but then one of the servers saw me and said, "Mrs. B---, what can I get for you?" You see, he worked evenings in the Chart Room, which was our evening entertainment. And the service was impeccable. This time I just told him what we wanted, he said "Wait right here" and he was back shortly. I can't say enough about the service.

 

I wonder what the customers who had been waiting a while thought.

[nybumpkin]

11 hours ago, exlondoner said:

 

I wonder what the customers who had been waiting a while thought.

 He was coming around to take orders, and I didn't see anyone else placing orders. Most people wanted to be on deck for the band.

[neeuqdrazil]

It can really be hit or miss. 

 

I'd agree that you can almost always find SOMEWHERE to hang your hat, as it were. On rough days, when the promenade deck is closed, things feel busier - the Carinthia Lounge is usually busy, but the seating areas are well enough spaced out that you can usually find a seat, and if you're just going to find a corner to read (or knit, as in my case), most people are more than happy to share their couch/chairs with you. 

 

The Golden Lion is awfully busy at lunch, and the Queen's Room is usually mobbed at teatime, and if you're solo (or even a pair), you might be asked if you'd be willing to share a table with another guest - I've had some lovely conversations this way.