Cunard Cruises - Queen Elizabeth 2 Cruises Reviews
Thursday 9th Feb 2012
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Many people have written about their experiences on the QE2 and of this particular cruise. Mine just adds to it, albeit 18 months later. For all ex QE2ians think of it as a bit of nostalgia and for the skeptics, yes the free book was an incentive.
I had always said I would like to take a cruise on the legendary icon but living in Singapore for almost 30 years has its limitations and is a long way from Southampton and although the annual world cruise would stop in the island state I never had the time or the money to do something about it. With the decommissioning in sight I had to now ‘do something about’ a cruise. I also felt like a bit of therapy.
I booked the cheapest I could get for the late August Mediterranean trip, an inside cabin for myself and my father. However, for some reason he decided not to go and I had a 2 bed cabin to myself. Therapy had started.
Having flown in from Singapore the week before, I travelled from my home in Yorkshire and stayed the night before embarkation at the Holiday Inn at Eastleigh outside Southampton. I really recommend this because for the cost of the hotel room, they let you leave your car in the car park for the duration of the cruise-plus provide a one way complimentary taxi service to the cruise centre. (Approx 139-159 GB pounds for an overnight stay and 14 nights car parking but maybe you can get a better deal).
I took a taxi to the quay in late afternoon and found myself the only one checking in. Apparently everyone had got there early to have a free lunch or whatever. For me, I found the ease of a later check-in an advantage and was on board in less than 10 minutes and without a photographer in sight.
The cabin
Raol, the steward introduced himself and the inside cabin which was functional and clean. Two very comfortable beds, ample drawer space, an excellent but compact bathroom and to go with the minimalist style a small but adequate TV which would keep me updated on ports of call through webcams and the lectures I had missed. This meant that I did not really pine for an outside cabin. I also enjoyed a summary of the daily news through the ship’s newspaper highlighting all the events of the day, weather, points of interest, dress code for dinner etc.
I cannot remember the deck I was on but it was way way down. Fortunately, I live in an apartment block and had been practicing walking up and down without using the lift for a couple of months in preparation for this cruise. On the first day of which an old QE2 hand took me in toe and said “use lifts A and E. A stands for ‘All floors’ and E stands for ‘Everywhere”. I didn’t look back (or forward) and never had to wait more than a minute or so for a lift.
The food
The Mauretania restaurant was superb for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was five star cuisine all the way with quality ingredients, beautifully prepared and served. Breakfast reminded me of the wonderful silver service on the London to Torquay trains back in the 70s. Porridge and then followed by smoked kippers, amazing. One of the things I wanted to mention was the toast. It was always done just right and had an amazing texture and taste. Maybe it was having it served in a silver toast rack that made me nostalgic but breakfast in the Mauretania was always special. Lunch and dinner was an unforgettable event too and something to look forward to. The choice for each course was astonishing. In anticipation, I would visit the restaurant mid morning just to gaze at the mouthwatering delights listed on the menu for lunch. Whilst most people would be queuing up for canteen served grub in the Lido and jostling for somewhere to sit I was ensconced at a fine dining table attentively working my way through the five course meals. Why pay over the odds for a Grill restaurant, the Mauretania could hold its own with anything topside or shore side. This was the same at dinner where I was happily given a first sitting slot at a table for eight with just the five of us. A mother and daughter from Norwich, a retired teacher from Cumbria and an American dance host made up our group. Later, I invited a nice lady, who was uncomfortable with her table arrangements, to join us to make a table of six. I sensed we all looked forward to dressing up for dinner, enjoying the evening meal to-gether and the conversation, which flowed easily.
However, for all you Lidoites I enjoyed the Lido too. Nothing was ever too much trouble for the staff and the food was just the variety one needed. I never had problems eventually getting a table. I often joined others at theirs and people were happy to share and chat.
The other food bolt hole was the Red Lion which had a great ambience augmented by an enthusiastic jazz band making it a lively venue. The only drawback, if you can call it so, was that the pub was actually a thoroughfare and a very busy one especially as dinner approached and everyone paraded through. Of course, if you were in the parade then no bother but if you were watching the footy it was like being at Old Trafford at the Stretford End when United scored and you were jumping up and down, in this case to get a glimpse of the TV as the finery moved past blocking your view.
Back to the pub food, it was excellent. I somehow expected to have to pay for the pub lunch and was ready to do so after a week of fine dining. The first time I had a meal there the fish and chips was so good that I followed up with an excellent curry immediately afterwards. It was heavenly and I had only paid for the can of John Smiths. I may be giving the impression I had just been let out of an HM Prison but having missed simple but good quality English food for so long I was often in a drooling mood.
The journey and ports of call
The first two Bay of Biscay days let me know I was on a ship but this was soon in the past as we eased into Lisbon under the 25th of April, Salazar suspension bridge. I had been a teacher in Lisbon back in the early 70s and been back since so I was quick to visit my favourite Portuguese chicken restaurant in the Baixa and then a very special place to buy wine in the Alfama.
The other ports of call were enjoyable too. In particular, I liked Naples where the ship seemed to dock in the town centre. I had heard such negative stories about Naples but enjoyed the hustle and bustle of this port city. I spent the morning walking the streets and markets and in the afternoon took a jetfoil to Capri –just to say that I had been there. In the fourteen days I never took any of the tours and was just as happy to decide on a plan then either walk, take a taxi or a train and chill out. I should mention that Cunard did an excellent job facilitating transfers from and to the ship at each port of call.
Like many others, I found sea days the most relaxing. The facilities on board were ample enough and the library well stocked. So, with a book in hand, a comfortable chair with a sea view and the power of the QE2 we surged through the Med. What simple but memorable pleasures.
In summary, you can gather that the QE2 was the event for me. Stopping off at different ports, whilst interesting was just an interlude between enjoying the pleasures of the ship with its excellent entertainment, eating great food and meeting fascinating people.
The fourteen days went too quickly but I felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to have sailed on the QE2.
PS. Any recommendations for a comparable follow up cruise?
I have actually booked on the Oriana in early May to the Canaries. Will it measure up? I’ll let you know, hopefully not eighteen months later.
Quality of Food
Mauretania restaurant. First class food, service and atmosphere
Entertainment
I enjoyed everything. The QE2 team put on a great show. The MC/entertainment chief, the young south african guy was bright, upbeat and great with his audience. I enjoyed all the acts and often went back to watch the second show
Shore Excursions
Never took any but those who did said they really enjoyed them. Coaches from ship to shore were free and well managed.
Staff
Difficult to pick any one out-all were friendly and professional From Raoul the cabin steward to the table team at dinner, all excellent.
Children's Facilities
n/a
Cannot really comment on this. Only saw a few children on board.
Onboard Activities
Everything that one could wish for. Wished I had taken up the dancing, though
Cabins
Considering this ship was about to be retired it was still very comfortable
Comment
by Sniff,, Sniff (01 Mar 10 21:11)
about
this REVIEW
Ah yes, the old QE2, such fond, fond memories, indeed. Alas, now she has gone. Lo, dear, departed ship, and, dare I say, friend ? consigned to be a rusting pile of metal in some scrap yard.
I still pine for thy smoke stacks, her wooden floors, her Je ne sais qua. But, alas, no more.
So, raise a glass and think of her, she has not gone, merely passed in to another room - her soul will live on in all that have sailed in her; truley the world is a darker and emptier place.
Sad ? Yes, but please, shed no tear when you think of her, she is happy now, having served us all, her life is complete, she has truely gone to a better place.
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