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A passenger experience of the QM2 |
| Reviewed By: Gibson, Cheadle, Cheshire on 28th Jun 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises |
Times cruised before: 1-2 |
| Cruise Ship: Queen Mary 2 |
Sailed:
June,
2008 |
| Destination: Mediterranean |
Age: 65+ |
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We have just returned from our cruise with friends on the QM2. I'd read a lot of cruise critique before sailing in her, and most seemed to complain about the dining. However, I kept an open mind, and decided to enjoy and find out for myself.
Firstly we have sailed with Cunard before on the QE2 - and it was fabulous from start to finish.
QM2 staff were on the whole wonderful. They were friendly and helpful, and always ready to assist you in any way they could, with one reservation - some of the junior staff in the Britainnia Restaurant needed a lot more training. Their memory in particular seemed poor, and frequently it was necessary to ask a number of times for something you wanted, at other times there was no problem.
THE FOOD - wasn't good! occasionally we were served an exceptional meal, but mostly food was tepid and rationed!! The amounts were incredibly small, even the senior waiter on our table apologised many times, and went back to the kitchen to get us extra veg etc. I had informed the company that I was a Vegan - no fish, no meat, no dairy. Should have been - no problem! My mistake, they had no idea what a vegan was, and even on my last day they were still confused, to the point that when I asked for non daily cheese spread (I'd had it with some effort on other days) for a toasted bagel, it took them 40minutes to locate it in the kitchen, and I was given to understand, about eight members of staff! It arrived far to late, and so I had to do without as I was due to disembark.
THE CABIN - we had an obstructed view on deck 8, cabin 8038. It was great. We did not feel deprived in any way. You could see the sea, had plenty of daylight in the cabin, and a balcony which we used very infrequently, but that had nothing to do with the obstructed view, and more to do with having reclining chairs, and we prefer sunbeds. Our deck was about the main activity deck on seven, which meant we were not disturbed by those passengers who wanted to do their daily jog around the ship. There is cabin service with light meals, tea, coffee and hot chocolate at any time you want it - and no charge! Our steward kept our cabin very clean, replacing the towels etc every day. The bedding I think was changed about two times during our journey, which we felt was adequate.
ENTERTAINMENT - was exceptionally high in standard. The Cunard singers and Dancers are the tops, and the 'visiting' entertainers are well vetted and very talented, The shows themselves are different every night, and not to be missed. Also you must visit the 'Planaterium, for visions of 'Sky-at-night' and Galaxy rides, they were wonderful. The dancing and music, the bars, the special evening gala's were all wonderful and not to be missed.
THE PORTS OF CALL - Except for VIGO in Spain (I didn't find it worth a visit, I did Galacia), and Naples in Italy (dirty and squalid. We did Panoramic Naples - so boring. Even some of the locals when we were stopped, must have seen the bored looks on our faces through the coach windows, and they started using hand gestures to communicate with us - that was the highlight of the trip!) The remainder of the ports were excellent. Rome, Barcelona is fantastic (especially if you go to visit Gaudi's Barcelona), Lisbon, Gibralter. Monte Carlo, Sorrento was equally wonderful (wish I'd gone there again instead of Naples city).
Overall it was a lovely experience, but for my money I wanted a better dining experience. I don't think I would have another trip on the QM2 until I read from places like this that things have improved. I do love the Cunard experience, so our next trip will be on the Victoria.
Wishing whoever reads this a wonderful holiday. The above comments are just mine, things change rapidly, and it is very likely that things could have improved on your trip. Maybe you are travelling Queens or Princess Grill, in which case you can at least expect a more competent waiter service, as I understand that as the waiters improve their skills they move upwards from Britainnia, to finally the Queens. I think that would have made a very real difference to our dining experience.
I know there have to be juniors, but cruising is not cheap and I did expect better service. I think they need to keep some very senior staff in the Britainnia to support these juniors, and thus give the passenger the experience they expect from Cunard.
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