Our Most DISAPPOINTING Cruise EVER?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 июн 2024
- We've been waiting to take this cruise for over 5 years, but it really didn't live up to our expectations. This is our BRUTAL review.
Head to squarespace.com/benanddavid to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code benanddavid
The Cunard Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic crossing is a right of passage when it comes to cruising, celebrating the tradition of what cruising was like, sailing on the world's only ocean liner. But it wasn't at all we expected with poor food and lacklustre service. It wasn't the worst cruise we have taken but it certainly may be the most disappointing.
This video is sponsored by Squarespace.
------------
⭐ Show your support and get exclusive access to videos, a live zoom chat, postcards, your name on our videos, and more! Become a Patreon: / benanddavid
🛒 Visit our Amazon shop for cruise must-haves (Affiliate link): www.amazon.com/shop/cruisewit...
▶️ Check out our Cruise Tips and News Channel: / @insidecruise
📧 Join our FREE email newsletter: bit.ly/3XuZdsy
📸 Follow us on Instagram!: / cruisewithbenanddavid
📖 Find us on Facebook: / cruisewith
✉️ Contact us: ahoy@cruisewith.co.uk
Head to squarespace.com/benanddavid to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code benanddavid
For the money, you would be better off, buying the Premier Package with Princess, than going on Cunard. I'm booked Reserve Collection Junior Suite, with Premier Package, for Honeymoon Panama Canal Cruise. This sound way better than "Luxury Line" Cunard's meager offerings!
Just met you guys in the Orlando airport. Thanks for what you do for the cruise industry!
I wish you guys wouldn't feel so bad about being honest and harsh when needed. I prefer the truth over an overly apologetic review. If it's bad it's bad and just say it. You're not being rude you're being honest.
they're British boys, they'll literally apologize if you crash into their car
I so agree! And this does not mean other cruises are the same. I believe you give viewers very great opinions and content, which is useful to all.
I understand why they feel the need to, RUclipsrs get hated on so much if it even seems like they’re complaining about an aspect of their seemingly awesome life.
@@19airazI agree. Their job as I see it is to show me options so that I can decide how best to spend my money. BUT, there are so many people who are so loyal to their favorite thing if someone said “On a scale from one to Ten I’d rate this is 9.5” would be outraged “How dare you not think my favorite vacation is 100% perfect all the time!”
I think a lot of people view a transatlantic cruise about the Queen Mary as a bucket list vacation. Though maybe I could have more fun spending 1/2 as much money on something else.
Not so much in the cruise RUclips space but so much other RUclips content feels like being negative for clicks is a business model, and they want to make sure no one thinks that is what they are doing.
Agreed. They are so positive. When they say something not so positive, you know it’s real.
Ah!!! I’m so delighted you won and had such a great day. Especially after a slightly disappointing cruise. BTW , you never come off as not appreciating your life. You are both kindly honest. ❤️❤️❤️
A solid 2nd that!
Yes, Lovely & Honest Gentlemen! Congratulations on your sale & purchase. Thanks for all you do.
Guys, that Italian dessert is cannoli. Canneloni is a kind of pasta
I thought your review of QM2 was very fair. After spending more than $5,ooo you should expect 5-star food, service and entertainment.
As the cruise is aimed at over 70s people, they probably found that the palate's of people that age were not that good anymore and they could get away with cheaper food as not many people their demographic could tell the difference. So they could buy cheaper food make more profit as most of the cliental will just remember the experience of the cruise the memories made and the photos of the experience. By the time next year rolls around as long as they have fond memories they will book again. I think the people the cruise is aimed at is people that want a more formal dining experience, that is more about the drinking and dancing. I bet the wines, Champagnes were pricey top notch ones.
Some of the people are probably trying to reminisce about the good old days and back when they were kids food was more simple back then. So for them food/entertainment isn't the most important thing as when they were young you had to make your own entertainment. Now that we don't have discos and dances. We have internet and TV and loads of entertainment choices that this type of cruiser didn't have. They probably look at the entertainment and go wow a meal and a dance if say that is on 2 of the nights they have something to look forward to and it is not over done. As nowadays we expect things in a instant where as they were brought up to wait, as there events would have been spread out over the year. This would have bought anticipation of the upcoming event, now we expect entertainment 24/7.
I was on this same cruise and the same class cabin. Your review is spot on! Couldn’t agree more with your assessment.
Me too, cept I was in inside cabin. My cabin too cold, my fault for not setting it right. Also light over bed flickered. Shower drain was slow. Had quiet neighbors but could hear them cough. At least B&D did not catch cough that was going around.
The pizzas and pastas looked like they came out of a microwave telly kit - gag. About as far away from a luxury cruise line as possible. Cunard probably expects you to shovel your own coal and be happy about it.
The pizza topping looked like ham and ananas...Don´t tell the Italians, they'll boycott Cunard, lol.
was on that crossing also. Pizza tasted like sandwich bread.
I agree totally about the grub. But, it's not a cruise, it's a posh ferry to New York and grossly overprice imho.
"A little bit disappointed." My thoughts exactly. I've moved on from Cunard and discovered smaller, more luxurious ships (600 - 750 passengers) where there's 450 - 500 crew members. On these "ultra luxury ships" with almost 1 crew member to 1 passenger, so many staff get to know your name and always have the time to chat. More costly than Cunard (except during sales / special offers), but, you genuinely get more for your Dollar/Pounds Sterling/ Euro.
Which cruise line? Silver Sea? Oceania? Regent Seven Seas? Crystal? We have enjoyed Viking cruises, especially when we lucked out twice on only 75% full sailings. Really got to know crew members and even upper level officers and managers. We also sail on Oceania. I suspect the lines you sail with would still be too rich for our blood, but that high crew to passenger ratio sounds amazing!
@@marias902 I've now cruised on the Silver Moon and the Regent Explorer. Both Silversea and Regent offer 25% solo supplement surcharge. Occasionally, this 25% solo surcharge can be had with special sale fares. This is when the total price is not much more than Cunard. (Cunard only offer the discriminatory 80% - 90% solo surcharge). This does require me to constantly monitor on-sale offers and specials. from Regent and Silversea. And you have to act quick, because on any cruise itinerary, there's only a few cabins available with 25% solo supplement. Once they're gone, they're gone for good.
Looks like they gave you the huevos rancheros and not the frittata.
That’s what i thought
I think you're right.
I like huevos rancheros but that one didn’t look great.
@@stormythelowcountrykitty7147 not like any huevos rancheros I’ve ever had! This might be the fancy artisanal version. Please give me the standard Mexican family version!
@@stormythelowcountrykitty7147 it looked horrible, but definitely more like huevos rancheros than a frittata. I guess it would be a cruise you'd actually lose weight on.
I think, despite having such a disappointing cruise, this has been my favorite video on y’all’s. It showed such honesty, but with compassion, it showed joy in spite of circumstances (unexpected rain) and just a general love of life. I so enjoyed it. Thank you!
Well said!
Exactly! It’s not what you say it’s how you say it and Itink they give constructive reviews. I would be very disappointed by that level of service too
"We're even seeing Crocs!" This may be the most surprising revelation in the whole video. 🤭❤️
I am older but not dead. Like good food, good service, and good shows. I think that I will spend my money elsewhere.
Me, too.
hope you dont queue skip!!!
@@littlebunnybunny Never. Always on the basis of our status when boarding or our position when standing in line, but yielding to anyone requiring extra help or time
I'm not sure Ben and David would agree, but I spend my money in the MSC Yacht Club. I've NEVER had bad service or bad food there .....
@@SherryAnnOfTheWestThey gave a glowing review of the Yacht Club their last time on MSC. Unfortunately that was the cruise they were told to stop shooting on board. MSC did apologize following that incident so I imagine the guys will give them another try
Not all of us in our 70's like bland food and a nursing home atmosphere. Nor do we make a habit of cutting in line. Very enjoyable video. Thanks
thats the americans dear!
@@littlebunnybunny no its not but thank you for the slam.
@@littlebunnybunnyI'm American and I don't act like that silly bunny
@@littlebunnybunny You're as rude as someone who butts in line.
😂
Funny you mentioned the inappropriate "burger cheese". It reminded me of a funny story. Years ago I attended a good friend's beautiful wedding at an actual wedding venue, and the cheese plate was made up of the same triangles as your "burger cheese" or what's commonly called Kraft Singles/American Cheese in America. Insult to injury, this took place in our home state of Wisconsin a.k.a. "America's Dairyland". We make more "real" cheese of every kind than any other state in America. We love our cheese and good cheese and sausage plates. It was a complete faux paus, but I never had the heart to ask her if she knew that was the cheese being served. Still cracks me up to this day! 😂
So sorry about your disappointment with the cruise but huge Congrats on switching houses and for David winning some money in New York.
The quality of service and morale of the crew is a direct reflection of the quality of the officers. Sounds like it's time for Cunard to make some changes.
"Sounds like it's time for Cunard to make some changes"?... more like... "Sounds like these are the results of Cunard making some changes"...
Sailed a few Cunard cruises and their food was always amazing...sorry to hear its joined the general ranks.....and no planetarium on a trans Atlantic cruise...come on Cunard...QM2 was once a jewel.
That Kelly Clarkson thing was amazing! How cool was that!x
Hi Ben and David. I'm with you, seems Cunard is not the "luxury" line it once was. Especially the food. I saw the when you were on the Kelly Clarkson show. That was so fun. Congratulations again for being picked. David, your response was perfect. So glad you enjoyed NYC and got an upgrade in your hotel room. As always thank you for all you do ❤️❤️
Sorry the trip wasn’t up to expectations, but appreciate the feedback and honesty especially at that price. Cunard isn’t the only line that’s had issues since COVID
The way you looked at Ben, David in your hotel room was so full of love and kindness, it made me cry, thank you both for being genuine. And Happy Wedding Anniversary xx
From the pictures ya'll showed of the food it looked terrible I've seen better from airline food. It looked like they took TV dinners and put it on a plate.
I'm surprised it was that bad. Gary is always so positive about Cunard, but I guess he does upgrade to the grills for a reason!
Yes I was trying to think of who has posted videos on the lower tier classes on Cunard. No one. lol
@@kimc555 That's the real problem. Watch the price line: Cunard's one on lower end classes is barely mainstream. No surprise service the cruise experience would match the segments...
His most recent post was not glowing. As he noted lower standards and noise between cabins etc. He questioned sailing cunard v other lines
@@kimc555 On Queen Ann, the guys were in Britannia Club Class! I guess with Cunard, you get what you pay for, just like with airlines. Five Star my ass!
@@bodyloverz30 ya the line is def pushing ppl to pay more. Which is fine. They should lower the cost of the bottom tier classes tho.
We so appreciate your honesty. You aren't there to cheerlead, which is refreshing! ❤
I love watching your cruise reviews! You are honest and so kind. It was sweet the way you made certain the audience understood that the crew did their best, even though your rating of the service was poor.
Glad you had such a great day in New York!
We watch you for your honesty. We appreciate it. Thank you. Blessings to you.
Love that your reviews are honest!!
Love that you give QM2 - the ship - a score of 5/5. She really is a very special ship! Also… not to sound picky but your title… you went on a CROSSING gentlemen, not a cruise 😂😂😂 sorry couldn’t help myself.
Call that a cheese plate! The food was pretty awful.
Congrats on the house and anniversary.
It's a capital city and all capitals are.expensive unless you really look.
Absolutely love you two. So refreshing to listen to such honest reviews of these cruises! X
I thinkj Daniel and Jonathan both won Tony's for that show! Greatly appreciated your honest review! Thank you!
Hi Ben & David.... Very honest review..... The food really looked atrocious! ... I sailed on QM2 for her maiden voyage way back in 2003, as an ex Cunarder (Worked on QE2 in the mid 1990's .... Cunard really has lost what they were famous for. A real shame!
After this review, I might aswell book my trip to New York on Steerage... it can't be worst than that...
So happy for you!! ❤
Oh my gosh, congratulations on your win, David!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 And congrats to you both on your anniversary!!! ❤🎉❤
OMG I am so happy for you guys! I do hope Cunard listens to the customers' feedback; thank you for your unbiased opinion, it means a lot, love your videos!
tough to watch, but I can't fault you for appearing to be fair, and allow every opportunity for improvements. I hope this review is received in good faith by Cunard, and proper adjustments will be expediently made. As much as I LOVE Queen Mary 2, things like food and working light bulbs are non-negotiable at her premium.
I wonder... if this is what Ben & Jerry got sailing in an over $5,000 Balcony Cabin, what can we expect when next month we'll sail to New York on this Liner's Steerage class?
Always good to see a honest review
Happy Anniversary! So glad your day was magical.
Congratulations on the house and winning the money! And happy anniversary! Love you guys xxx
Hi you two, so look forward to seeing you guys every week. Brightens my day. Sorry you had disappointing times, but hopefully the great bits made up for it. ❤
Another fab video! You two always make me chuckle xx
Great video as always guys! Genuinely love your New York content, more stuff like this would be amazing! We are watching for your personalities as much as the cruise vids 🙂
Happy anniversary 🎉. My partner and I were considering the Queen Mary to NYC. You did us a huge favor in pointing out some of the drawbacks of this ship. Like you two we love cruising and enjoy the razzle dazzle and great food. Thank you again!
Great review, love the honesty. Keep up the great work x
Great to watch both of you!!!
Thx's for the great truth.
Always share your true thoughts- really appreciated!
Congratulations on your new house. Congrats that you finally got a decent meal at that coffee shop. Loved the NYC part of this video. Thanks
💡And that's why I love you guy's so much! You're always truthful. Thank you!
You guys are the bombs!! Thank you for the smiles you gave me.
Congratulations on winning $1000. BTW gents it’s Clark-son. She won American Idol.
Came here to say that. :-)
She is THE American Idol.
Our exact experience on Queen Elizabeth. Service was so cold, no connection at all
I love your reviews as they are so honest thank you and Happy Anniversary 🥂🥂
What a great video .. always puts a smile on my face. Keep up the great work ❤️
David, you and Ben live a charmed life. The Fates felt sorry for your less than stellar cruise so they gave you an exciting day in New York: the house transfer on Times Square, The Kelly Clarkson Show (Kelly was the first American Idol winner) with the $1K prize, and the Anniversary gift at your hotel. Not a bad day at all.
I love the fact that David was trying the hair dryer 😂❤
Happy Anniversary and I'm so glad you had such a lovely day in NYC!!!
Happy Anniversary and many more happy years ❤️!
As a former New Yorker, you made me miss NY!! I need to go soon! So glad you had a fabulous day in my hometown!
Your honesty is helpful. I'm doing my first QM2 crossing in a few months, and this helps me manage my expectations.
Same. Actually glad to not have huge expectations. I’m doing it just for the bucklist item of crossing the Atlantic on a boat. I’m just going to relax, play games on my computer, and read.
As a New Yorker, I am so glad we were able to take such good care of you guys!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for all the wonderful videos you put up! You are both amazing!
Thank you both for such an honest and enlightening review. I've considered a Cunard cruise many times, so glad I've not committed to this one.
Went on the ship in the newer stage of her life. Everything needs to be refreshed. The food in my humble opinion was not top notch even then. Thanks for your honest review guys.😊 Congratulations on the money and of course your Anniversary 🎉
The stark difference between the reaction of tasting the almond croissant in NY versus the reaction of ALL the food tasted on the ship says it all.
Congrats Guys! and happy anniversary 🥰
When the marketing declares, the experience is supposed to be luxurious, but it is mid at best, then they need to recalibrate. I'm almost 65, and it seems like that was a near nursing home type of experience. More like a museum, bland food for a stereotype that elders don't eat flavored foods, and tame entertainment meant to promote naps. Their competition will get more business.
Cunard doesn’t have competition lol
@@Lkb5555sounds like they should! Or…they may find they do now.
@@Lkb5555they do. That’s why Queen Anne exists.
Well: Cunard doesn't have competition by themselves. They're sort of a niche market line for a certain mostly British clientele. Whether they're fit for a brand new ship or they should to remain just with the current ones till they eventually finish their prime time that is to be known in the next years to come, but I don't predict their market niche to remain gone their current client generation. Better for CCL group to start thinking on where would they redeploy the Queen Anne in some 5 or 10 years to come. Princess?
@@Lkb5555 Luxury lines!
Congratulations on your new home.
Glad to hear it. I enjoy hearing pure honesty about your experience.
I'm soooooo happy you guys won!! That's so fun!!
Thank you for the honest review. My wife and I like going transatlantic, but over the years the standards have slipped lower and lower. The crew seems to be perpetually in training and as soon as they get to know their trade, they go elsewhere. Anyway, maybe your report will help improve things. If there was some competition, maybe they'd need to pull their socks up, but as things are the standards are slipping more and more.
What I’ll always love about the QM2 is I wore my dress blues on formal nights and the captain called me out on that and I was like I’m a U.S. Merchant Marine and he asked me where I was from and i said Long Island and my family had been there since the 1640s and he said you could apply to Cunard. Mainly because you’re from a former colony you can work on a British ship. Fun fact the easiest European captains license an American can get is British if you’re from the 13 colonies or Oregon and Washington State because they were owned by Great Britain at one point.
Love your honest reviews❤
I appreciate the honesty!! Thank you for what you do! ❤😊
Thanks for being honest about qm2
I'm sorry you were disappointed. I did a crossing on her in 2022 (NY-Southampton) and loved every minute of it! But I think that some of the things that bothered you would not bother me. I don't think we ever turned on the TV, for instance, and the plugs by the desk were sufficient for our needs. It does sound, though, that the food and service have deteriorated since then, as we found the food excellent and the service friendly and helpful. It's too bad, because that trip was what converted me to cruising.
Congratulations!!! You must be so excited about the house! So happy for you both.
That’s a shame about the cruise. When you are paying that much you expect more.
What a nice surprise that you win!
Happy Anniversary 💗
Love the honesty you both always provide
Hi Ben and David, it’s only Louise - I’m waiting for medication so I won’t be able to watch your Vlog/video just yet but just wanted to come and say hello - I’ve now been referred to Saint Georges hospital for advanced pain relief - I’ve been well looked after here by the nurses the physios and the carers - can’t wait to watch your Vlog/video later as you know it’s the highlight of my Sunday evening ~ I hope you’ve had a good weekend and I hope you have a great week also thank you both for all your hard work in putting these Vlog/videos together and sharing them with me - it really does mean the world ~ sending loads of love and hugs to you both ~ Xxx Xxx
that pizza looks like something that you can buy from in the store and cook it yourself. It's just perfectly round and covered efficiently with extras. I wonder...
Yes…
Another awesome video!! We love you Ben and David!!!
Happy anniversary guys! Love ya! ❤❤❤
LOLLLLLL!!!!!! "we had dodgy tummies".....!!!!!! You guys are really very funny 🙂
Britain - Trainers, America - Sneakers, Canada - Running shoes.
I love formalwear and fine dining. If I'm going to spring for Cunard and they fail at this one thing, I would be miffed.
America also has areas where they’re called tennis shoes, specifically in the Midwest
@@rebeccawright5987 Canada is also large and diverse. I'm sure there are variations here as well.
Depends on where in the US. for me in California, Running shoes are specific things and Sneakers/Tennis shoes. Also depends on demographic
@rebeccawright5987 Can confirm! Grew up calling them tennies.
And in australia we flip back and forth between runners and sneakers
Happr Anniversary guys!
Awesome! What a day you guys had!
Congratulations on your new home! Way to go on the win on the Kelly Clarkson show!!!
We sailed QM2 in 2019 and based on your review it seems things have not changed. That cruise was our least favorite in over 20 cruises. The best food we had was in the pub. Glad you guys made it safe!
Thanks for this honest review.
Happy anniversary, you're amazing as always ❤️
Thank you for your review and your candidness. It must have been a difficult critique to give but I am sure Cunard will acknowledge the criticism in good faith and work on these areas. The food did not look like the food I have had on prior Cunard sailings and the cabins quite disappointing. Well done on your sensitivity and I look forward to your next cruise critique.
Holy crap! I can't believe what a strong internet signal you were getting. I'm taking a transatlantic on RC in October and I can only hope the internet will be half as good. Thanks, as always, for giving us your brutally honest opinions. It's so appreciated. Congrats on the sale of your old house and purchase of your new house. Btw, that pizza on the ship looked positively vile.
🎉🎉 congrats on all your good news!
Congrats on your Anniversary and WINNING at Life, Love and Optimism!!!
Hello Ben and David! Thanks for the video. You two are the cutest
The "fritatta" looked more like a shakshuka
We were on the Queen Mary in May 2023 and it was lovely. A neighbor told us that a friend of theirs was on it around the time you sailed and was very disappointed. And he has sailed it quite often. He theory was they sent all the experienced staff to the Queen Anne for her initial sailing. Glad you loved New York!!!
Happy Anniversary!!
Gosh. Chris Platt and Kelly Clark-Stone. 😁 And you won 1000 bucks. Sounds like you had a blast!
I didn’t know what “quotidien” meant in English, much less French, so I looked it up. It means “everyday” and can mean “ordinary.” So the name of the cafe is probably an encouragement to eat there regularly (not likely for $30 😅) or a signal they aren’t stuffy.
It means “the daily bread” in French.
Wow, I'm so happy for your wonderful day after that disappointing cruise!! I was just smiling as you described the day. So cool! 😻
Oh my, another great watch! Love you guys. 🤗