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Exceeded all our expectations - outstanding! |
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Reviewed By: Warburton-Broadhurst, Manchester on 18th Jun 2009
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| Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises |
Times cruised before: 0 |
| Cruise Ship: Queen Mary 2 |
Sailed:
May,
2009 |
| Destination: Transatlantic |
Age: 36-45 |
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I travel on business extensively and have experienced very good service and very poor service from Airlines, Hotels, Restaurants, etc, etc. Nothing prepared me for the experience I was about to receive on-board Cunards flagship RMS Queen Mary 2......
From arriving at the QE2 Terminal in Southampton, to departing at the Brooklyn Terminal it was simply a fairy tale experience. This was a surprise holiday for my partners 40th Birthday so I was very nervous about if the transatlantic crossing would live up to all my expectations - it did. Cunard did not let me down. This is not a cruise ship - it is a transatlatnic ocean liner - the service, food, staff and entertainment were oustanding.
Nothing is too much trouble, the catering staff arranged a 40th Birthday cake, there was Champagne in our state room - this is simply a floating 6 star hotel of the highest standards.
There is a lot to see and do on-board to pass away the hours; the entertainment programme is set-up so that if you attend an event and it is not to your taste - its only 40 mins - 1 hour long - so you have not wasted any of your day. The on-board shows and RADA events were West-end / Broadway quality.
We met many very plesant passengers on-board, including 4 other dinner guests who we shared a table making the magic of cunard a pleasure.
Why was it so good?
Arriving in Southampton, porters take your luggage and it is whisked away (the next time you see it is outside your Stateroom). You are greeted inside the terminal by Cunard staff who hold a conversation with you to establish how you are travelling and then introduce you to the check-instaff. The check-in staff again do not question you, but hold a conversation and then invite you to go through security into the waiting lounge to board. You are invited to board in groups of around 15-20. From checking in to boarding was no more than 20 mins - outstanding - it was perfect.
There was one minor problem with the stateroom, the bed configuration. We went to visit the pursers office to advise. Expecting that we would be told the ship was full and there was nothing they can do - how wrong we were. The purers office simply advised housekeeping and said the problem would be resolved before we retired this evening, there were no grumbles, no indications of that not possible - simply that our request had been actioned and would be resolved.......
There were no other issues that we encountered, the breakfast service, waiting staff and food was brilliant. On the odd occasion we took Lunch, we received the same experience. Afternoon tea (which is why we took breakfast and skipped lunch) served in the Queens Room was magical. Dinner time after time was simply perfect. It is easy to get it right once, but to get it right consistently and to these standards was amazing.
This is the first time we have travelled with Cunard - we are already planning our next voyage - which will definately be with Cunard.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Britannia Rest for dinner, occasionally snack in kings court, afternoon tea in Queens Ballroom - sensational! | | Entertainment | |
| RADA were outstanding, Live Shows were outstanding, string quartet, pianist and flute were outstanding - every the lectures were a pleasure. | | Shore Excursions | n/a |
| | Staff | |
| It would be unfair to identify a singular individual - everyone was very impressive - pefect. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| There were lots of choices to suit all tastes | | Cabins | |
| Our 'Stateroom' was adequate for what it was - its a hotel room - it had all the services required for a trip of this type. My only point of criticism is the shower was more of a dripping tap. | | Overall Rating | |
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