The seas have dropped to 5 or 6 feet at most. The skies are mostly clear, and the air temperatures are in the mid 70's.
Today is another quiet day, and I am going to reflect on the past month on the Queen Mary 2. Usally a task that is relegated until several days after returning home.
First the ship.
The Queen is just over 20 years old. In design she is quite elegant, much in the design of even older cruise ships. Dark wood, chandeliers, plush carpet, plush furnishings.
The public spaces are abundant, with many nooks and crannies with seating spaces to read, play cards, build a jigsaw puzzle or just watch the ocean go by.
The main theater is just forward of midship. Foward of the main theater is the Planetarium, a smaller theater often used for movies and presentations. The seating is spacious and it is easy to pass in front of seated passengers to reach interior seating. Neither theater has seating with obstructed views.
The grand lobby, stretches 2 decks. Often a place with relaxing music, either live harpist, violinist or the player grand piano.
Two promenades stretch from the theater to the main dining rooms. Never crowded, large sculptured panels cover the walls.
There are several lounge areas, often with live music in the evening, on decks 2, 3, and 7 and 9.
Her design has led to many areas being accessible only by following a twisted passageway and navigating stairs. Many of the decks don't quite align and there is a short transition ramp where least expected. She is a mobility challenge. I think I have only seen 1 or 2 mobility scooters on this trip. Rather unique at sea, one gentlemen had an electric powered 2 wheeled scooter. Requires less space, but operator balancing skills and agility are essential.
A feature unique to the queen is a large library with thousands of books carefully organized as well as any library you have ever visited. The main difference, glass doors to prevent books from ever crashing to the floor.
Throughout the ship there are many large photographic murals. Unfortunately the photographic paper was not properly pcocessed and most are badly faded as a result.
There are several small outdoor pools and the main inside pool on the upper decks. Not heavily used on this voyage.
There are a few areas restricted to higher "classes" of passengers. A couple of sun decks and a small pool, and of course a restaurant and concierge lounge.
The buffet and a large lounge along with specialty dining are on deck 7. A unique location that makes a lot of sense. Half the passengers must go up, the other half down. The muster stations are also here, higher than on many ships.
The queens room, essentially a large ballroom is located on deck 3 aft.
For her age, she is in good condition, but I can not say Cunard is on top of maintenance. There are 3 elevators in stairwell 4 near the aft of the ship just steps from our cabin. 1 has been out of service since we boarded. Often 1 or both of the remaining lifts aren't working either. I think I have called the front desk on 4 different occasions when none of the elevators were functioning.
Unique to QM2, she has a kennel for those that must take their small pet with them.
Being designed as an ocean liner, she definitely is much smoother than cruise ships, especially in 20 foot seas.
The passengers.
As is always the case, the demographics change each time new passengers embark. Even though I purchased this as 1 cruise, we changed many passengers each time we were in Southampton and Hamburg.
Though not true it felt like everyone that boarded in Southampton and especially Hamburg came on board sick.
Many passengers, like myself, were first timers for Cunard. Others had cruised her many times over the year. On average an older crowd, but there have been some children on each segment. All are well behaved.
Certainly not a party ship. Many passengers wear jackets in the evening. I only menton this as we all have told someone "no one will notice if your wear xxx again". Well not true, especially if your shirt is red, white, blue, orange and black strips and you sit at the same bar every night. 5 nights in a row and counting.
Slacks and collared shirts are required for men in most venues after 6. Appears to not be enforced in the dining room, but definitely is in the Chart Room bar.
Communications.
Like many ships, a daily program is published. Left in the cabin each night. Published in both English and German versions, and possibly other languages.
The app is very clunky and outdated. Reservations don't work proprly. Android version doesn't work at all.
Daily announcements are limited to a navigation update at noon. That is all you get. No reminders of bingo or other sales opportunities.
Starlink internet seems to be rock solid.
Passengers complain that the front desk can't seem to address any issues. I agree to the extent that the only issue I took to them was my app not working and was told if it quits on Android, it can't be fixed.
The staff.
The staff is very good, but not outwardly friendly as on most ships. The only staff person to identify himself was our cabin steward.
Much of the staff has worked for Cunard for many years. For example, Joey, our cabin steward has been with Cunard for 25 years. Our waiter almost as long.
As with all the cruise lines they work very hard long hours.
Food.
I can't rate the food quality any higher than a C-. Royal, Celebrity, Holland all serve better. Where Cunard does well is availability. In addition to the dining rooms and Kings Court Buffet, lunch is also available in some of the lounges. We never have been unable to find a seat in the buffet. Room service is available all day.
They also serve afternoon tea throughout the ship. 3 hours more work for the entire food staff.
I have always found the bar service good, but the quality of drinks leaves something to be desired. Many drinks are under poured. On the plus side, bar snacks are usually available for the asking. Different at each location. The best are the thick "crisps" served in the pub.
Entertainment
Unlike the other lines, entertainment follows a pretty fixed schedule. Main show at 8:15 and 10:15 every night. No having to ask servers to rush your dinner so you can make a show. The ships singers and dancers have many shows, so they are not repeated each week.
For the most part the headliners are top quality, experts in their fields.
A tidbit that just occured to me. In no case does the music in one venue spill over into another. Primarily a result of the ships design. Before losing them, the only venue that I used my ear plugs was in the main theater.
Would I sail the queen again? Probably only if the itinerary were the reason. I don't think I would sail her just for a cruise.
The weather and seas continue to improve. Tomorrow is our last sea day, and also packing day.
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