Arrival/Check-In: The Queen Mary 2’s New York home port is the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. On arrival the scene can feel busy—private cars, limousines and taxis arrive while other passengers are disembarking—but the embarkation process is well organized. Luggage attendants (redcaps) quickly take and tag bags, and the check-in staff were friendly and efficient. I received a QM2 card for onboard charges and a group boarding number. Cunard’s boarding procedure is smooth, and I was soon headed to my stateroom, No. 4134 on Deck 4. My luggage arrived shortly after, and I was ready to explore the ship.
Guest Quarters: My stateroom featured a king-size bed, a comfortable loveseat, a desk with both American and European outlets, a desk chair, a coffee table and a small refrigerator. The bathroom was compact with a shower and handheld showerhead; toiletries provided were Gilchrist & Soames. A cutout balcony offered two recliners and a coffee table, providing a quiet spot to watch the ocean.
Services/Amenities: Cunard’s accommodations are generally egalitarian aside from the three Grill venues and their associated lounges. With a Deck 4 cabin I dined in the Britannia Grill; the Queens Grill and Princess Grill offer a more exclusive dining experience. The main public spaces are on Decks 2 and 3, including the purser’s desk, Cunard’s onboard travel consultants for future bookings, duty-free shops, a casino, several restaurants and bars, the planetarium, the Royal Court Theatre, an art gallery, the Queens Room ballroom and the nightclub G32.
The ship offers numerous dining and bar options. Two favorites were the Commodore Club on Deck 9 at the bow, where drinks come with a panoramic ocean view, and the Chart Room on Deck 3, which hosts a nightly jazz band. The gym and the Canyon Ranch Spa are located on Deck 7, which also houses several dining venues such as the Winter Garden—an ideal spot for tea, coffee and light bites.
I often spent mornings in the Library at the bow on Deck 8, adjacent to the Bookshop. The library holds more than 8,000 volumes and provides a peaceful place to read or simply gaze at the sea.
One unexpected and delightful feature of the QM2 is that it accommodates dogs. Several times a day I saw companion dogs walked on the Promenade Deck (Deck 7). The ship includes a 12-dog kennel on Deck 12, which I visited and found to be well maintained—clean, secure and thoughtfully equipped. The dogs I encountered were well cared for and wore life vests when needed.
The Experience: During my voyage Cunard was celebrating the QM2’s 10th anniversary, and several key figures involved in the ship’s creation attended receptions and were accessible for conversation. Formal nights occurred every other evening, with many guests in ball gowns and tuxedos, lending the voyage an elegant atmosphere.
The range of activities makes each crossing unique. You can fill your days with lectures and enrichment programs led by subject specialists, attend theater performances by a company that includes Royal Academy of Dramatic Art actors, or simply relax with a book and the ocean view. Dining is excellent across the board—from the Grill rooms to the Todd English restaurant on Deck 8. The ship accommodates both active travelers seeking enrichment and those who prefer to unwind quietly.
After hearing my enthusiasm, family and friends arranged a trans-Atlantic crossing themselves. I sailed eastbound from New York to Southampton and now look forward to experiencing the westbound voyage as well.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet: yes
Less than 10 minutes for check-in: yes
Separate tub and shower: no
Large vanity: no
High-quality towels: yes
Powerful, unattached hair dryer: no
High-quality bed linens: yes
Large, flat-screen television: yes
Large desk with convenient outlets: yes
Large, complimentary laptop safe: yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi: no
Complimentary bottled water: yes
Stocked minibar: no
Ample lighting: yes
In-room coffeemaker: yes
Iron and ironing board: yes
On-site restaurant: yes
24-hour room service: yes
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center: yes
Turn-down service: yes
Queen Mary 2
Cunard Line
cunard.com