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Cunard Line

Queen Elizabeth 2

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Charles R. Feild MD, MPH
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: June 26, 2002
Itinerary: Transatlantic

My father made 7 transatlantic crossing during WWII on ocean liners used as troop carriers including 2 on the Q Mary and one on the Tamaroa (1922-1957). I grew up in the landlocked South with stories of ships and the Atlantic, including torpedos and a burial at sea. In March 2002, Cunard mailed me the offer we could not refuse

The combined experience of the North Atlantic during the summer and the QE2 - a true ocean liner- is not to be missed. We are US husband/ British wife, returning to the US after London stay to visit friends.

The weather was mostly calm and pleasant. The weather was so good, the Captain wondered aloud if we were on the correct ocean. One evening I was literally alone no the boat deck as we passes though totally calm seas and absolutely no wind, a mystical moment that made me understand why men go to and stay at sea as a way of life.

The entry into New York harbor after 5 days at sea was breathtaking.

The crew was international, but English was never a problem. Many crew had badges to identify them as speaking fluent in other languages as well.

Take nothing in this review as a reason to not travel on this ship.

IMPORTANT NOTE-An earlier review made a negative comment on emergency drill. The drill was conducted before we left port, crew was appropriate and serious, and the passenger muster noted carefully. While no one would want an emergency at sea, this crew seemed ready.

The Crystal Bar was fine, otherwise the public areas were often too smoky, all around except dining room and theater. While "no smoking areas" were available, there is no system to isolate smoke. Hopefully the QM2 will deal w/ this, and the QE2 will improve.

Cunard- US younger, professional types are NOT accustomed to, and intolerant of smoke.

Boat deck does not completely circle the ship, and the section of Sun Deck that completes the circuit was sometimes closed due to the winds. One could spend hours circling and enjoying the passing scene and fellow passengers.

Mauretania Dining Room- Good to excellent hotel quality food w/ impeccable if occasionally familiar service. We requested and received a table for 2 directly by a starboard window. Finest dining venue in the world, for any money. Sunsets, dolphins, passing ships, and just the passing sea.

The accommodations in the Mauretania were very comfortable and we were never hurried, and even encouraged to linger.

Dining room was truly smoke free.

Menus varied w/ healthy choices all the way to marvelous excess. Not one bad meal and some exquisite. Wait staff seem to accommodate any request.

Breakfasts were a favorite w/ Brit wife. We had two lunches in the Lido to have an entree that looked appealing and was not available in Mauretania, and not disappointed.

Wine list varied and very reasonable, wine steward was aware we were together for 6 days and made a knowledgeable and sincere effort to match our preference for wines in type and price.

Cocktails were very reasonable and generously poured.

Waiter was knowledgeable about his stock of single malts, although they had run out of Macallan 25 year old( at a bargain $8 a glass, no wonder they run out!)

Dining attire in Mauretania was truly casual breakfast and dinner, from shorts to sports jackets and ties. Evenings was more than a few tuxedos, a scattering of fully formal kilted men. The Americans not accustomed to this got an enormous kick out of their kilts- Note to Cunard, pay an occasional Scot to travel in full kilt. Most men wore a suit and tie. Ladies wear was varied as well.

An adjoining table had a disabled wife and and the wait staff were perfect in assisting her with dignity and true help. Commendable.

We were warned by Cunard travel agent, but as were trying this out for the first time, we went as inexpensively as possible. We had a budget Mauretania class cabin, complete w/ up and down bunks and a ladder, and would never do that again. Tiny but adequate, The weather was great so we spent all our time above. Passengers will have to decide where and how to budget on cabin.

Cabin steward was attentive to us in our paltry "steerage" accommodation as to a first class passenger.

Excellent dance band, an excellent Irish folk and golden oldies band in the Golden Lion which the smoke prevented us enjoying much. The Harry Connick style crooner was pleasant.

The Broadway troupe and medley was fun, we sat in the balcony away from smoke.

Spa/ massage excellent and good value.

The interview w/ Captain Paul Wright on the last day of the crossing is an absolute must. He has quite history on all classes of vessels and tells a good story w/ "Maureen the hostess" as his foil/ inteviewer. I could have listened to hours of his experiences.

Daily Lectures - We enjoyed Mike Craig a veteran BBC comedy writer, a very funny man and wife enjoyed Ann Morrow journalist who writes about the Royal family

Approximately 1100 on board for our crossing, well below capacity, ship never seemed crowded and occasionally empty. Typical passenger seemed to be 70, we mostly stayed to ourselves. No one was intrusive.

We left teens at home, but the well behaved teens and younger kids seemed to be entertained and corralled by the dedicated . staff. We enjoyed one 12-13 year old young man learning to dance with a very patient and very attractive young staff member in her dress uniform during ballroom dancing. That kid's return to reality will be a shock!

This would be a great trip for 2 or more couples, or extended to do together.