We live in Canada and my wife is British, so we travel back and forth regularily to visit family and friends. A few years ago, we decided to try coming back on QM2 instead on flying. Now, we just do not fly anymore! On top of everything else, you get off the ship well rested and no jet lag. As we get older, that becomes more and more important, Our friends always ask how we can afford it. My answer , how can you not! I look at it as spending a week in a luxury resort, and Cunard throws the transportation in for free! One evening, we were enjoying our dinner in the Britannia, in the middle of a force 9 gale, all laughing at the fact that you could hardly feel a thing. Incredible ship! Incredeible experience! Next trip in spring 2024. Cannot wait!
It really is a wonderful way to travel. It's a vacation in and of itself! That's what we really enjoyed about it. We are very bad at relaxing while traveling, so this made us sit back and soak it all in for a week. We hope to go again someday, and we wish you an amazing trip next year!
We had a spectacular crossing in 2022 out of Southampton. We got a lower deck (5?) balcony room for less than the price of airfare! Our best day was the day we sat at the viewing ports in the hallway on Deck 2 and watched as massive North Atlantic storm swells intermittently swallowed our windows, engulfing us in an icy, emerald underwater vista beneath the glittering roof of each wave. As we crashed out from each swell, we glimpsed the spectacular sight from the backside of each crest, gazing down into the yawning trough between waves. Then, down we'd plunge off the alpine back of the mountain of water, into the valley below, only to smash through its surface and find ourselves in the underwaterverse again. It was worth the whole trip to see this! Now, before you go losing your lunch, please take note-The QM2 has astounding technology for stabilizing the ship in rough waters, so we felt almost nothing of the insane motion of that rambunctious sea! To avoid the bulk of the storm, the captain detoured up into the Arctic Sea, well North of even the Titanic's path. The light at the top of the planet was breathtakingly eerie. To stroll the deck in that atmosphere was hypnotic and supernatural. Walking laps for cardio before dawn every morning, while the crew swabbed everything clean and fresh, we were treated to the most incredible polar sunrises. Easy to see why Santa likes it up there! The swimming pool was an icy, sloshing wave pool most of the time-which made you feel in kinship with the thallasic vasts below. The hot tub afterwards more than compensated for the invigorating briskness of the dip, though. Arctic sunsets were as otherworldly as arctic sunrises. The light at all times of day felt strange and wonderful. When you are gazing through it, across that eternity of sea, you can’t help but feel it's siren call. It lured us on deck at all hours, and compelled us to explore every accessible extent of the historic ship. The service, food, comfort and amenities were all great. We felt like characters in an old movie-a sensation augmented by a large contingent of costumed reenactors depicting the Golden Age of transAtlantic voyages, who make this crossing together frequently, as a group. At meals, we always seemed to get seated next to sundry characters from an Agatha Christie or Somerset Maugham novel. Just delightful. . The shows and entertainment are about what you’d expect on a cruise, but palpably elevated and more stately than what you’d find on those loud, partyboat cruise lines. The QM2 tries to cater to a more PBS crowd. The planetarium show was especially good, as was the costume ball some of the costumed reenacts invited us to. Also, don’t miss high tea in the ballroom. It’s a Cunard classic, and justifiably so. Literally every crewmember and employee we engaged with were superbly kind and helpful. They were also expertly unobtrusive-striking a perfect balance of hospitality that easily put to rest any class-warrior discomfort I might have had about being treated like a British toff. The efficiency of operation was inspiring, from the bridge to the galley. BTW: Visiting the bridge is an interesting and reassuring experience. As long as the QM2’s fares remain comparable to air travel, we will look for every opportunity to be repeat passengers. Six days of peace and luxury at sea beats 6-12 uncertain hours of hell and airports any day!
That sounds like an adventure and a half!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. It sounds amazing and you wrote it beautifully! And we wholeheartedly agree. Six days of relaxation was pure bliss. 😍
The thing I love about the Transatlantic on QM 2 is the stepping back in time to the days where ocean liners were the normal way to travel between the continents. To the days where elegance was the norm. Except in steerage of course. The 30s/40s feel. The formal nights, the big band music, the ballroom dancing! We expected Humphrey Bogart to step into the bar at any moment!
It was good that you pointed out you are not sponsored, this means you were completely honest about your reviews and it's more credible IMHO. Good points made. Loved your beautiful long black dress for the gala night (in the previous video), wow that was so so beautiful and your hair was also very pretty x
Thank you for the series. We've booked a first cruise on Queen Victoria in October as a "taster" ahead of a possible transatlantic trip next year. Plenty of useful insights of what's to come, presented by two really great folk!
We're so glad you found it helpful! You'll have to let us know what you think of the Queen Victoria. We've never been on that ship but are hoping to try all of the Queens at some point. Have a great cruise!
Really? I never put the card in the door, but the bedclothes were turned down and chocolates left every night. I am usually out of the room from between 6 and 7 till late, so it gives the room steward plenty of time, I suppose.
@batshtcrazy5293 Not all cruise lines do a turndown service, many stopped due to expense and just for convenience, so perhaps if someone has only cruised with those companies that is why and not that they never travel 😁 X
In 2016 my friend Youmna and I flew from South Africa to Singapore and boarded Queen Mary 2. We sailed from Singapore to Dubai with day-stops in Kuala Lampur, Langkawi, Sri Lanka andCochin (India). The whole journey and experiences were absolutely amazing. I'll do it again anytime by the click of two fingers. The crew/staff and amenities were superb. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet people from across the globe in a super-friendly and amicable environment. I have a whole new communication list now😂❤️💞⭐️ 😂😂😂 💯
We've been on the QM2 for two crossings and the launderettes are a greatly appreciated feature, and necessary if you're on her for an extended time such as a world cruise. There are 6 total on the ship, each with 3 washers and dryers. The busy times are usually just before and after port days, and if one is busy, try another. I've had multiple instances where one was packed and the next closest one was empty. In fact, there are two launderettes that are close to each other on decks 10 and 11 forward. It's basically a short walk down the hall, up or down one flight of stairs, and another short walk. Finally, set a timer on your phone so you are reminded to collect your laundry when it's done, that way other passengers won't be annoyed and dump your clothes on the ironing board (though they generally are civilized enough to not dump them on the floor)
Chanced on your videos while looking at cruise ideas, was a joy to share your journey and learning onboard, thank you for an entertaining and informative couple of hours!
Even if you lose an hour a night going the opposite direction, it's still so much easier than jet lag from flying and getting that whole time change in one chunk. 🙂
I served on the old Queens (Mary and Elizabeth ) over a few years it was hard work and I always thought it would be great to travel as a passenger, but looks like I'm never going to do it now. I have family in the US-including grand children so I usually fly but I did enjoy your video Thank you... Rodney Kitchen former Merchant Seaman Cunard Line
I love the QM2, and will do my 9th or 10th crossing in August! I'm glad you liked it so much, and agree with just about everything you said. I've never done the Spa, assuming it would be pricey, and I guess I was right! And indeed, High Tea in the Queen's Room gets very crowded. 😁
I am not a "cruise" person, but having dual citizenship for the US and Italy, there is real appeal in emigrating to Europe by way of the QM2, crossing the ocean that my ancestors crossed when leaving Europe for life in the United States well more than 100 years ago.
You made some really good points! Even when you have been on it a few times there are new little things to learn. I think you guys did great to find so much!
@@AFoggyPath My husband and I did that a few years ago--we took a round trip from Brooklyn to Southampton and back again as one 15-night cruise. It was absolutely wonderful.
Very helpful suggestions. Thank you! (Don't know if I'll ever make it on the QM II, but, nice to hear about others' experiences - especially TIPS to make it better.) Cheers!
In August 2024 me and my parents will do a double Transatlantic Crossing on her from Hamburg to New York City and back to Southampton. I can't wait anymore for it. I'm already counting the days 😅 ❤ Queen Mary 2 ❤ The Queen of the Ocean
Good useful observations, especially being early for events such as art classes, choir, games etc. Like really early and you won’t be turned away or have nowhere to sit.
Thank you so much for your blog! I watched every video and feel much more prepared for my own cruise in July! I’m going from NY to Southampton so I’ll have to be aware of losing an hour each day! Can’t wait for your next cruise videos! ❤
One hour massage in big cities in Thailand for about 200 to 300 Thai baht or about us $6 to $9. cheaper in the smaller places. Lot cheaper than the $$$$$ ship. 😊
We did the crossing in 2016 on the QM2 and it hooked us on transatlantic crossings. We are doing our next early next month but not on Cunard. You arrive rested and with a lot of the jet lag dealt with.
Was on the ship in September and enjoyed it very much. I cannot find anything to complain about. Although having been on both the Mary and the Elizabeth this year I prefer the Queen Elizabeth. But so far I very much enjoy the Cunard Cruise ships.
Thanks for all the great tips! I'm planning a surprise trip to Europe for my sweetie in the next year or two and am thinking about making the crossing either going or coming back. :)
That sounds AMAZING!! We sailed at the end of three weeks travel, and I must say, getting the chance to simply sit and relax after trekking all over Wales was really nice. We hope you have an awesome trip!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS. Please advise how I book for the Planetarium - I am sailing alone (recently widowed) and would really enjoy this and the Library the most. Kind regards - Deborah
Thanks for watching! There was an app that everyone could download once we boarded and all of the shows, movies, and the planetarium could be booked through that. We were advised to book everything within the first few days as spots filled up very quickly, although some things couldn't be booked until the morning of. I'm sure you could also go to the customer service desk if needed! The library is first come first served for seating, and some people stay for hours, so it's definitely a crapshoot on that front!
We did the QM2 from Brooklyn to Southampton and loved it. One thing to point out is that the time change is at noon when you travel in that direction, not at night. So lunch just happens at 1 instead of at 12. We thought it was the perfect time of day to lose the hour.
@@AFoggyPath Also keep in mind that the ship runs on ship's time--not on anyone else's clock. For transatlantic crossings, all the time changes are generally done before docking in either Brooklyn or Southampton, but do make sure you note the ship's time if you leave the ship for an excursion, because you'll be due back on board according to the time on the ship's clock.
I don't know if I can survive all those adventures at my age. 73. The time differences each day would be a serious impact on my routine. Very good to realize that if you pack a few 1000 Americans on a ship, the gym might be busy. You got me very curious. From the library, there is a great view. Of what? Mountains? Wondering what laundry at 7 would be on the return trip would spoil the trip. Again upsetting my routine. I admire your courage and the strength to share this with the world. I hope the desserts were up to standards.
The time differences on the New York - Southampton trip would definitely mess us up to. Losing an hour a day is not nearly as great as gaining one! While the view from the library is rather constant, I did see a whale and a pod of dolphins one afternoon, which was very exciting. If you do decide to give it a go, know that the desserts were absolutely delicious. 😍
We book round trips [fourth one scheduled for 2024] and have found that the eastbound hours are returned with interest on the westbound crossing. As a practical matter the time changes are arranged to not interfere with sleep. On eastbound crossings, the clock is advanced from noon to 13:00 - making afternoon Tea arrive earlier. On the westbound crossings you gain an hour during the mid watch [the clock reads 0200 twice during the night] so you can sleep late just by getting up at your normal time.
with the extra hours seems better value southampton to newyork - more beer and cocktail time obviously - nice honest review tick - watched various review Cunard, has a certain style but rarely heard any complaints - a lovely way to chill for a week ---- as for godiva chocolates, they are good, famous in europe - expensive but you only need one with a coffee not a whole box - I lived near shop marylebone london often would buy one chocolate saturday in a bag - they didnt mind !!! just one im on a diet ....
Definitely the better value in our opinion too, and it really was a wonderful way to relax and unwind. And you're right about the chocolates! So decadent that just one will do!
Hi! Thank you very much for your information. I've watched some videos about the QM2 because I am planning a trip myself on that amazing ship. What has never been mentioned, though, was that there's a laundry on board. Interesting. Can you iron your clothes there as well? Are there dryers?
@claudiabeckercb3 you're so welcome!! The pools were pretty empty for the entirety of our trip because it was so cold outside, so I don't have much of a read on that topic. I'd imagine you'll have some diehards out that early, but not many folks.
I’ll be leaving for Southampton on April 30th . I’m a bit confused with all the beverage options . What did you both choose? I’d probably have two cocktails each evening . Regarding the tea room ..is afternoon part of our voyage package ? Appreciate your input . Ginny
We didn't get any drink packages because we're not big drinkers, alcohol or soda. The company that we originally booked through had great advice. He said if you don't think you'll have around six drinks a day, the packages aren't worth it. They are separate, so either the soda package or the alcohol package. We bought a few sodas along the way (ginger ale to help with motion sickness!) and had a few free drinks (alcoholic) from playing the slot machines in the casino. Other than that, we stuck to what was provided: water, tea, juice, milk. If you want hot tea in some of the lounges, they'll charge for it, but a nice steward told us to go get hot tea in the King's Court buffet and then bring it to the lounge so we could get it for free! Afternoon tea is included with your ticket price, so definitely go indulge! The food/dessert options change daily I believe, so go multiple times if you want. But aim to be there at least 15 minutes early. It fills up fast. We really enjoyed it! Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll do our best to help!
Thank you both for a great vlog! Is selecting a drink package mandatory on the QM2? What do non-drinkers do? Is one required to purchase a close to $30 per person per day non-alcoholic beverage package? Was Sir Samuels included with your package or is it all "extra" charges? Can't wait to begin now watching your other videos aboard the QM2! Thanks again!
Thanks for watching! Buying a drink package is not mandatory. They have an alcohol one and a soda one, but we didn't buy either. Water, tea, milk, juice, and coffee are all complimentary, but be careful in some of the lounges. I ordered tea in one and the waiter told me to go get a free cuppa from the King's Court and bring it in because if you get tea in the lounge, you have to pay for it! You can buy individual beverages if you decide you want one. We also did a small drinks bundle delivered to our room so I could have ginger ale on hand. Pricey but it was worth it for us. Sir Samuel's is all extra, unfortunately. But if we could do it over again, we'd be there every day! Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll be happy to try and answer them!
We will use the spa's "Thermal Suite" a couple of times a week - or at least we did on previous sailings. I will need to check once we get onboard, but there used to be a dramatic price incentive to buy multiple days in advance [price per day drops with each day]. The new post-COVID 'Mareel' branded spa seems to offer 2 hour passes, only available at fixed times, that must be scheduled in advance. This makes the purchase much less appealing. This was supposed to be a capacity limitation for COVID - but over the years I do not believe I have ever noticed more than 10 simultaneous users, so it looks like the previous policy already limited capacity.
I wish we'd have tried the thermal suite instead! At least it would have been something new, but we didn't have much information on it. Perhaps we'll try it on a future crossing and do our research ahead of time!
@@AFoggyPath Use of the thermal suite is supposed to be included with spa services like massages - did they mention that, or was it buried in the 'upsell' offers?
@@AFoggyPath Getting back to this a few months later (for the folks following along at home) the Thermal suite prices were again sold with a steep multi day discount - we bought 6 days each, for about the price of three individually purchased days. We confirmed the days were usable for our entire 26 night sailing [Norway and Northern Lights] but were mostly planning on using the days during the transatlantic crossings. During the Norway leg of the sailing, the Thermal suite policy abandoned the '2 hour, book in advance' requirement, and reverted back to any time, with multiple entries allowed for one spa visit day. Hopefully the spa will get some much delayed TLC during this October's 'maintenance availability' and dry dock .
At 3:45 one hidden gem on the QM2 is the Atlantic Room, which is adjacent to an observation deck on Deck 11. The Atlantic Room is used for bridge lessons (the card game), but that's only a few hours a week. The rest of the time, it's sitting completely empty. I mention it here, tying it to your comments about the library, because it may prove to be an excellent alternative if you're wanting a quiet space with a view. Of course, you need to bring your own book, but that shouldn't be a major problem for any avid reader.
Great Video !! Lots of wonderful information! I’m going transatlantic ( both ways - with 10 days in London in between ) this summer of 2023. You’re suggestions are really going to be helpful for me !! Thank You !! PS ••• both of you are a great charming couple! So at ease and personable on camera ! You guys Rock !! MikeW 👍
Oh my god that sounds AMAZING!!!! We were talking about how that set up would be such a great trip. We hope you have an incredible time! And thanks so much! 🥰 we're so glad the video was helpful, and we so appreciate your kind words!
Thank you. Love your videos. Didn’t they have unsweetened ice tea at the restaurants and buffet included with fare? I’m booked QM2 Caribbean in November.
Unsweetened iced tea was included in the package but we found it wasn't always available. Best place we had luck was in the Kings Court buffet. Hot tea was also included in the basic package, but we learned that some lounges charged for the service. A very nice server told us to get tea at the buffet for free and bring it into the lounges instead.
second time watching - still like the review - brits quite proud of cunard although its usa owned - apparently its a little bit like joining a family, many over a lifetime variety of cruises - one trip evey few years - my grandad loved it - would tell me about something new each trip - he used to 'steal the menus' for me as a kid - have done some ships, cunard is on the list as I get older appeals more - my friend said it has a younger demograhic than 30 years ago .. but still quality .. im not an advert retired youngish ... movies tv - have been looking at a 3 day mediterranean - just to see ..
We are taking our first QM2 cruise next summer UK to NYC. I was looking forward to the hour/day change, no jet lag, ah.... We are not spa people so would skip that too. As far as booking popular events, can you do that the first day? And with whom? TY!! great, helpful video.
We hope you have a great time!!! There is an app you can download on your phone to use throughout the crossing. All of the details on how to download and use it will be in your cabin. You can book everything through that and we definitely recommend booking ASAP because everything fills up VERY quickly.
We did go to the black and white gala and we have a vlog on our channel that talks a little about our experience there! The gala evening was pretty packed, but there are tons of folks who don't go. There are other activities available if the gala isn't your jam.
You mentioned the gym and how busy it is in the morning - what are its hours? Same with the library? I'm going in August and am curious about some of those details. thanks!
When we sailed, the gym was open from 8AM to 8PM and the library was open from 9AM to 6PM with an hour lunch between 1PM and 2PM. I hope this helps a little!
Hello again, We loved watching all your very informative videos, thanks again for posting them, I am curious though about where they dock the QM2, was it in Manhatten at the cruise terminal area, (which I have read somewhere that it does), or in Brooklyn somewhere, which I also have read somewhere that is does. Did you film any of the time when you were entering New York at all? Thanks again and cheers
We're glad they were helpful!! We docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and took an Uber into Manhattan. We didn't film anything, I don't think, because we didn't want to mess with camera while walking around the city. The only thing we filmed in NYC was our trip to Ellis Island!
@@AFoggyPath thank you, bummer it was brooklyn, I am really looking forward to cruising past the skyline, and we are staying not that far from there as well. How much was the uber, do you recall at all?
Looking back at our receipt, it was roughly $60 including the tip. We don't use Uber often, but in our experience, price fluctuates depending on time of day, traffic, how busy the drivers are, but at least that's a good ballpark. We were staying at the Distrikt Hotel on 40th.
@@AFoggyPath Thank you for that, it gives us a rough idea of the cost, and I think having a taxi or uber is the best idea to get to where we are staying, which isn't far from where you stayed, just a couple of blocks or so away. I will keep that in mind for the budget.
Don’t know if you’ll see this because I just found your channel, but I’m in my early 70s and thinking about doing the QM2 as a solo. You may not have any insight into this, I’m quite happy with my own company, but do you think eating meals by yourself would be awkward? Did you do a lot of of the formal things at night?
Eating on your own would be totally fine! You can either be seated with other guests, or on your own at a smaller two-person table. The choice is yours! We saw loads of people eating on their own, especially at the lovely two-person tables by the windows in some of the other areas. We didn't do all of the formal activities, mostly just the gala evening. It was great fun to watch everyone dance, and there were people on their own, in small groups, and in big groups, so don't feel like you couldn't go on your own. Personally, I think it would be a dream. Just me, a stack of books, and the wide open ocean!
Hi guys. Have become a huge fan. I’ve booked a Westbound crossing on the QM2, next Aug. and the English National Ballet will be on board. Your 5 things is a great help, and I have watched your e tire crossing and was happy to see your perspective. Somewhere in the middle a mention was made about Sir something. I’m glad you visited and loved it, even if late. Great work! Thanks! Ernie C St Pete Florida
That's so exciting!!! We hope you have an amazing trip and we're so glad our videos helped in any way. Sir Samuel's was DELICIOUS. Don't wait like we did, haha!! I (Lydia) am so jealous that the English National Ballet will be there. I bet they are phenomenal!
We didn't try the internet, but were told by others that it was really only best for checking emails or Facebook. Uploading anything, even images, is incredibly slow.
I enjoyed this video as I am trying to decide whether or not to go on the Queen Mary 2. I have no partner to go with and I wonder if you can tell me how it would be as a solo traveler on board the ship. And is it much more expensive?
I think going as a solo traveler would be fine! They had solo traveler get togethers on board, so meeting other people would be easy. I don't know about cost though. I think there are prices for solo travelers but I recommend getting on the Cunard website and seeing what they offer.
A small number of solo cabins were added during the 2016 refit [categories KB and KC grabbing space from the casino and old photo gallery]. They are in demand and may be the first category to sell out. Other rooms have a 'single supplement' - check with Cunard or your preferred travel agent about each fare.
For dinner, we packed smart attire. Dresses for me and slacks with button ups for Billy. He usually also brought his suit jacket, just in case it was needed. During the day, there isn't a strict dress code, so we wore more casual comfy clothes that we'd packed for our travels through Wales before sailing. We'd change for dinner, unless we were planning on eating at the King's Court, which is a buffet and doesn't have a dress code. Hope that helps a little! We also have a few more videos about our time on the QM2. You can check those out to see more of what we wore.
My wife and I are spending our honeymoon aboard QM2 in a few weeks and your videos are certainly fun to watch. We won't be doing a transatlantic but their caribbean cruise. How are the planitarium experiences being booked?
How fun!!! We booked ours through the app that you can download once on board. They'll include the info on how to do that with your welcome packet in your cabin. We recommend booking as soon as you can as they sell out SUPER fast. We booked ours the second day on board and got some of the last seats available!
We didn't purchase the drinks package because we don't drink much at all. Our friend said it's worth purchasing if you are going to have 6 to 7 drinks (alcoholic) a day. If you have less, it's not worth the price. You can so buy a soda daily package, but we don't drink a lot of sodas either so just purchased a small package that had a few brought to our room as a one-time purchase.
I did the drinks package if only for the convenience of it rather than concerning myself about drink costs. And with the alcohol included it may have been less expensive without the package but you can get, coffee, bottled water, and bottled sodas as well. Most likely less expensive going without. Also if there are two adults in your room both will have to take the drink package that is a requirement.
As others have said, the drinks package is CRAZY expensive and is only cost-effective if you and all other adults in your cabin can put away 8-10 alcoholics each day (and that's each person's consumption!). The other reason, as also stated, is if you don't mind parting with the cash for the sake of convenience. But I assure you, the ship has no problem putting individual drinks onto your ship account, so you're not gaining much in the way of convenience.
Smart attire. Most men were in slacks and jackets while ladies wore dresses or nice pant suit type outfits. They do have gala events that require black tie dress, but the majority of nights are smart attire. If you don't feel like dressing up, the King's Court doesn't have a dress code and the food there is excellent.
We only went to formal dinners a handful of times. The dress code for dinner is smart attire, unless it's a gala evening, and then it's black tie. You can choose your dinner reservation times at the start of the cruise, or during booking. There is also open dining if you want to change up your dinner times. Sometimes you might have to wait a little while if you're wanting to sit with a group of people all at the same table. Hope that helps a little!
We are doing the QM2 in a couple of weeks and your series of videos are very helpful, thanks. You say that it's important to book the planetarium quickly - where/how do you book it and did you book it the moment you got on board before your muster station, or just later on the first day? Thanks.
We're so glad the videos were useful for you! There is an app to download on your phone and you can book everything through that. All of that information was in the welcome packet in our cabin. I think we booked it on boarding day, but not immediately. It might have been on the next day, I can't quite remember. I do remember some things already being sold out though, so I'd recommend booking everything you want as soon as possible. And if something sells out, check back because folks do cancel reservations and those tickets will open back up. We hope that helps. Have a great trip!
@@AFoggyPath Where did you stay in Southampton, then, because we haven’t decided on the eastbound or westbound journey? Also, still haven’t decided on time year. Depends on the best weather chances.
I'm not sure what the pet situation is like. We did walk past the boarding area and a little green patch for the dogs, but we never saw any animals out and about. I found a bit more information here. Hope it helps! www.pettravel.com/cruiseship_ferry/QueenMary2.cfm#:~:text=Pets%20are%20accepted%20on%20all,last%20crossings%20of%20the%20year.
I enjoy watching your videos around the world, any plan to go on an expedition in the Himalayas at some point? Not saying you should climb Mt Everest, but say the Three Passes Trek in Nepal, which is a moderately challenging journey but hugely rewarding in terms of the views you would come across. I'd love to see you two vlogging on that route, as the scenery there never ceases to amaze me even though as an armchair mountaineer I've seen tons of trekking videos on that path lol. Give it a think!
That sounds amazing!!! Definitely just added that to our bucket list. Billy was an immediate yes 🤣 I don't know when, but this is definitely the kind of thing we'd enjoy. Thank you for mentioning it!
@@AFoggyPath Well they do work but if you want to keep in touch with work via a VPN, you're SOL. service was no where near as good. But I am booked on her again Oct.
All of the basics are included. Meals at the buffet and Britannia restaurant, tea, water, coffee, juices, milk. Sodas and alcohol cost extra, as do some of the other restaurants. You can see the breakdown from Cunard here: www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/whats-included
I know that they used to but covid made things tricky when we went. I think they were renting tuxes but not shoes. I'd definitely inquire before you go, just to be sure.
Thank you! Question about Wi-Fi: Did you find that the internet was strong enough to video chat or stream during the crossing? I’m hoping to WFH from the ship but I can’t tell if the bandwidth is good enough for uploading and downloading files. Any thoughts you have on the Wi-Fi strength would be most welcome! Thank you again for the video!!!
We didn't try the wifi. It wasn't something we wanted to pay for, so we chose to fully disconnect instead. However, the original group we were supposed to sail with said that the wifi is good for checking/sending emails but they wouldn't recommend it for uploading photos of the trip to Facebook. I know that's not much to go on, but they advised that if you just wanted to check and send email, you'd be good. Anything beyond that would be incredibly slow.
We had a few days of very heavy fog and a few days of sunshine. We also had some rough seas for two days. Very high swells. Temperatures outside were chilly. On the warmest and sunniest day, we braved the hot tubs which were really nice!
I'd imagine that most cruises are this way at certain times of the day, especially larger ships. I think it's more about being aware of timing. But you might have better luck checking out some of the smaller ships if crowds aren't your thing!
Aaaahhhhhh hey, old friend!!! How is life treating you these days? That trip sounds amazing. You guys are going to have a BLAST!!!!! We've got a whole QM2 series if you're looking for more info! Feel free to hit us up with any questions!
It just wasn't something that crossed our minds. We knew there was a time change, but we didn't know how it would be implemented during the crossing. We generally fly, so we deal with the time change once we get to where we're going, haha!
I saw another video about transatlantic crossings on the QM2 and apparently there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can take. So for anyone relocating to the UK or the EU (some transatlantic crossings also terminate in Hamburg, Germany, instead of Southampton), this could be the least expensive way to get your things overseas if they fit in suitcases or maybe trunks, are not big and heavy furniture. Cost for a cabin starts between $1200-1300 which seems reasonable to me given it includes fine dining meals and entertainment versus hotel rooms in nice hotels generally start at $300 per night for just the room for only. They also have kennels and allow up to two pets (cats and dogs or a cat and dog) and you can visit them in the kennels multiple times per day; so although flying might be easier on your pet (only 9 hours vs 6 days at sea) if it can stay with you in the cabin, for dog owners with dogs that would have to travel in the plane hold, having them pampered in the ship’s kennel might be a better option. (note: many European trains allow up to two pets so you could travel by train to your final destination if it is elsewhere in Europe. Eurostar might be the only train that doesn’t allow pets).
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
We live in Canada and my wife is British, so we travel back and forth regularily to visit family and friends. A few years ago, we decided to try coming back on QM2 instead on flying. Now, we just do not fly anymore! On top of everything else, you get off the ship well rested and no jet lag. As we get older, that becomes more and more important, Our friends always ask how we can afford it. My answer , how can you not! I look at it as spending a week in a luxury resort, and Cunard throws the transportation in for free! One evening, we were enjoying our dinner in the Britannia, in the middle of a force 9 gale, all laughing at the fact that you could hardly feel a thing. Incredible ship! Incredeible experience! Next trip in spring 2024. Cannot wait!
It really is a wonderful way to travel. It's a vacation in and of itself! That's what we really enjoyed about it. We are very bad at relaxing while traveling, so this made us sit back and soak it all in for a week. We hope to go again someday, and we wish you an amazing trip next year!
We had a spectacular crossing in 2022 out of Southampton. We got a lower deck (5?) balcony room for less than the price of airfare!
Our best day was the day we sat at the viewing ports in the hallway on Deck 2 and watched as massive North Atlantic storm swells intermittently swallowed our windows, engulfing us in an icy, emerald underwater vista beneath the glittering roof of each wave. As we crashed out from each swell, we glimpsed the spectacular sight from the backside of each crest, gazing down into the yawning trough between waves. Then, down we'd plunge off the alpine back of the mountain of water, into the valley below, only to smash through its surface and find ourselves in the underwaterverse again. It was worth the whole trip to see this!
Now, before you go losing your lunch, please take note-The QM2 has astounding technology for stabilizing the ship in rough waters, so we felt almost nothing of the insane motion of that rambunctious sea!
To avoid the bulk of the storm, the captain detoured up into the Arctic Sea, well North of even the Titanic's path. The light at the top of the planet was breathtakingly eerie. To stroll the deck in that atmosphere was hypnotic and supernatural. Walking laps for cardio before dawn every morning, while the crew swabbed everything clean and fresh, we were treated to the most incredible polar sunrises. Easy to see why Santa likes it up there!
The swimming pool was an icy, sloshing wave pool most of the time-which made you feel in kinship with the thallasic vasts below. The hot tub afterwards more than compensated for the invigorating briskness of the dip, though.
Arctic sunsets were as otherworldly as arctic sunrises. The light at all times of day felt strange and wonderful. When you are gazing through it, across that eternity of sea, you can’t help but feel it's siren call. It lured us on deck at all hours, and compelled us to explore every accessible extent of the historic ship.
The service, food, comfort and amenities were all great. We felt like characters in an old movie-a sensation augmented by a large contingent of costumed reenactors depicting the Golden Age of transAtlantic voyages, who make this crossing together frequently, as a group. At meals, we always seemed to get seated next to sundry characters from an Agatha Christie or Somerset Maugham novel. Just delightful. .
The shows and entertainment are about what you’d expect on a cruise, but palpably elevated and more stately than what you’d find on those loud, partyboat cruise lines. The QM2 tries to cater to a more PBS crowd. The planetarium show was especially good, as was the costume ball some of the costumed reenacts invited us to. Also, don’t miss high tea in the ballroom. It’s a Cunard classic, and justifiably so.
Literally every crewmember and employee we engaged with were superbly kind and helpful. They were also expertly unobtrusive-striking a perfect balance of hospitality that easily put to rest any class-warrior discomfort I might have had about being treated like a British toff. The efficiency of operation was inspiring, from the bridge to the galley. BTW: Visiting the bridge is an interesting and reassuring experience.
As long as the QM2’s fares remain comparable to air travel, we will look for every opportunity to be repeat passengers. Six days of peace and luxury at sea beats 6-12 uncertain hours of hell and airports any day!
That sounds like an adventure and a half!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. It sounds amazing and you wrote it beautifully! And we wholeheartedly agree. Six days of relaxation was pure bliss. 😍
The thing I love about the Transatlantic on QM 2 is the stepping back in time to the days where ocean liners were the normal way to travel between the continents. To the days where elegance was the norm. Except in steerage of course. The 30s/40s feel. The formal nights, the big band music, the ballroom dancing! We expected Humphrey Bogart to step into the bar at any moment!
Yes!!!!! That's exactly what we loved, too. 💗
how come no one ever pictures themselves in steerage?
@@scottmcshannon6821 It’s always a choice. Not my choice but a choice.
So very pleased you enjoyed your time on QM2. She is very special x
An amazing ship!!
It was good that you pointed out you are not sponsored, this means you were completely honest about your reviews and it's more credible IMHO. Good points made. Loved your beautiful long black dress for the gala night (in the previous video), wow that was so so beautiful and your hair was also very pretty x
We definitely wanted everyone to know these were our honest opinions. And thank you!! I need to find more excuses to wear it again 🥰
Thank you for the series. We've booked a first cruise on Queen Victoria in October as a "taster" ahead of a possible transatlantic trip next year. Plenty of useful insights of what's to come, presented by two really great folk!
We're so glad you found it helpful! You'll have to let us know what you think of the Queen Victoria. We've never been on that ship but are hoping to try all of the Queens at some point. Have a great cruise!
I have booked queen Anne for next year
Turndown service happens when you put the indicator card in your door lock to let the staff know that you want it….the other side asks for privacy.
Good to know! We had no idea 😂
Really? I never put the card in the door, but the bedclothes were turned down and chocolates left every night. I am usually out of the room from between 6 and 7 till late, so it gives the room steward plenty of time, I suppose.
I got it every night regardless, except for the last night, when my bed was covered with suitcases.
How do people not know that? I guess maybe if you never travel.
@batshtcrazy5293 Not all cruise lines do a turndown service, many stopped due to expense and just for convenience, so perhaps if someone has only cruised with those companies that is why and not that they never travel 😁 X
I'm so glad you enjoyed your voyage so much--I absolutely love the QM2 and hope to go again before too long.
We truly had a wonderful time. We hope you get to go again soon!
In 2016 my friend Youmna and I flew from South Africa to Singapore and boarded Queen Mary 2. We sailed from Singapore to Dubai with day-stops in Kuala Lampur, Langkawi, Sri Lanka andCochin (India). The whole journey and experiences were absolutely amazing. I'll do it again anytime by the click of two fingers.
The crew/staff and amenities were superb. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet people from across the globe in a super-friendly and amicable environment. I have a whole new communication list now😂❤️💞⭐️ 😂😂😂
💯
That trip sounds incredible!! We're on the same page. We'd book another passage on the QM2 in a heartbeat!!
We've been on the QM2 for two crossings and the launderettes are a greatly appreciated feature, and necessary if you're on her for an extended time such as a world cruise. There are 6 total on the ship, each with 3 washers and dryers. The busy times are usually just before and after port days, and if one is busy, try another. I've had multiple instances where one was packed and the next closest one was empty. In fact, there are two launderettes that are close to each other on decks 10 and 11 forward. It's basically a short walk down the hall, up or down one flight of stairs, and another short walk. Finally, set a timer on your phone so you are reminded to collect your laundry when it's done, that way other passengers won't be annoyed and dump your clothes on the ironing board (though they generally are civilized enough to not dump them on the floor)
This is such great advice, thank you for sharing!!
Chanced on your videos while looking at cruise ideas, was a joy to share your journey and learning onboard, thank you for an entertaining and informative couple of hours!
We're so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
We are going this year. Can't wait
We hope you have a great trip!!
Me too! In 21 days! ❤
Even if you lose an hour a night going the opposite direction, it's still so much easier than jet lag from flying and getting that whole time change in one chunk. 🙂
For sure!
Great video, you guys are the first i have seen who mention the Godiva chocolate tatsting! Sounds heavenly! Thanks again x
It was DELICIOUS!!!!!
Loved your video, glad I found you. Sailing on QM2 (this will be 4th time on QM2) 35 days NY Norway Mediterranean NY
That sounds AMAZING!!! 😍
I served on the old Queens (Mary and Elizabeth ) over a few years it was hard work and I always
thought it would be great to travel as a passenger, but looks like I'm never going to do it now. I have family in the US-including grand children so I usually fly
but I did enjoy your video Thank you... Rodney Kitchen former Merchant Seaman Cunard Line
You'll have to just talk them all into sailing with you 😉 we're so glad you enjoyed the videos! 💗
Get up early (6:00 am or before!) on NYC arrival. Lights on the Verrazano Bridge, Statue of Liberty, other buildings.
Great idea!
I love the QM2, and will do my 9th or 10th crossing in August! I'm glad you liked it so much, and agree with just about everything you said. I've never done the Spa, assuming it would be pricey,
and I guess I was right! And indeed, High Tea in the Queen's Room gets very crowded. 😁
We loved it and would definitely like to go again! We've learned about so many things we missed out on. Enjoy your next crossing!!!
I am not a "cruise" person, but having dual citizenship for the US and Italy, there is real appeal in emigrating to Europe by way of the QM2, crossing the ocean that my ancestors crossed when leaving Europe for life in the United States well more than 100 years ago.
And you can bring more luggage on the ship than you can on a plane
You made some really good points! Even when you have been on it a few times there are new little things to learn. I think you guys did great to find so much!
Thanks!!
We loved it too. We did both ways!
Aaaahhhh that would be so nice!!
@@AFoggyPath My husband and I did that a few years ago--we took a round trip from Brooklyn to Southampton and back again as one 15-night cruise. It was absolutely wonderful.
Our first QM2 trip is coming up this summer. Thanks for the tips!
You're welcome! We hope you have a great time!
We were so pleased to listen to your advice that we subscribed to your Chanel...thx a TON!!
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for watching. We hope you enjoy traveling with us, and we wish the happiest of travels to you!
You two are so cute, and you sound just like my husband and me! We LOVED it, and we’ve everyone to go to “Downton Abbey on the water”
Very helpful suggestions. Thank you! (Don't know if I'll ever make it on the QM II, but, nice to hear about others' experiences - especially TIPS to make it better.) Cheers!
We're so glad you enjoyed it, and we hope you get the chance to take the journey!
@@AFoggyPath Thanks. Have wanted to for years. Cheers!
In August 2024 me and my parents will do a double Transatlantic Crossing on her from Hamburg to New York City and back to Southampton.
I can't wait anymore for it. I'm already counting the days 😅
❤ Queen Mary 2 ❤
The Queen of the Ocean
That sounds INCREDIBLE!!!!! We hope y'all have an amazing time!
Thanks a lot for this video. My wife and I have a trip from NY next month and are super excited. Great to know!
We hope you have a great time!!! Have some tea and chocolate at Sir Samuel's for us 😍😍😍
I loved taking a look at the bridge. So cool of them, to let people do that.
How cool!!
Good useful observations, especially being early for events such as art classes, choir, games etc. Like really early and you won’t be turned away or have nowhere to sit.
of course then its like a theme park or the airport, you spend all your time waiting.
@@scottmcshannon6821 You usually have to wait for that which is worth waiting for.
Very informative- thank you. I look forward to doing a crossing on QM2 in the very near future and will follow your advice.
We hope you have a wonderful trip!!
Really useful, insightful, valuable details that isn't found find in typical 'vlogs'. Nice work guys.
Thank you! We're so glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for your blog! I watched every video and feel much more prepared for my own cruise in July! I’m going from NY to Southampton so I’ll have to be aware of losing an hour each day! Can’t wait for your next cruise videos! ❤
We're so glad you found them helpful!! Hope you have an AMAZING trip!
I'm cruising on 14th of July
Have a great time!!
One hour massage in big cities in Thailand for about 200 to 300 Thai baht or about us $6 to $9. cheaper in the smaller places. Lot cheaper than the $$$$$ ship. 😊
Definitely cheaper!!
We did the crossing in 2016 on the QM2 and it hooked us on transatlantic crossings. We are doing our next early next month but not on Cunard. You arrive rested and with a lot of the jet lag dealt with.
How fun!! What ship are you traveling on? We hope you have a great trip!
I'll be doing this crossing in December, so I found this video really useful - thanks very much for taking the time to create this one!
We're so glad you found it helpful and we hope you have an AMAZING time!!
@@AFoggyPath Thank you!
Thank you very much for all the good information. You answered what we wanted to know, Again Thank You Very Much !!!
Glad it was helpful!
Nice job thank you both.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Was on the ship in September and enjoyed it very much. I cannot find anything to complain about. Although having been on both the Mary and the Elizabeth this year I prefer the Queen Elizabeth. But so far I very much enjoy the Cunard Cruise ships.
We'd love to sail the Elizabeth someday!
Thanks for all the great tips! I'm planning a surprise trip to Europe for my sweetie in the next year or two and am thinking about making the crossing either going or coming back. :)
That sounds AMAZING!! We sailed at the end of three weeks travel, and I must say, getting the chance to simply sit and relax after trekking all over Wales was really nice. We hope you have an awesome trip!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS. Please advise how I book for the Planetarium - I am sailing alone (recently widowed) and would really enjoy this and the Library the most. Kind regards - Deborah
Thanks for watching! There was an app that everyone could download once we boarded and all of the shows, movies, and the planetarium could be booked through that. We were advised to book everything within the first few days as spots filled up very quickly, although some things couldn't be booked until the morning of. I'm sure you could also go to the customer service desk if needed!
The library is first come first served for seating, and some people stay for hours, so it's definitely a crapshoot on that front!
My experience with Cruise spas on every ship is to avoid them, just like you said. Not just QE2.
We did the QM2 from Brooklyn to Southampton and loved it. One thing to point out is that the time change is at noon when you travel in that direction, not at night. So lunch just happens at 1 instead of at 12. We thought it was the perfect time of day to lose the hour.
Oh that's so interesting! We didn't know that, thank you for sharing!
@@AFoggyPath We were really surprised when we found out how they did it but it actually makes a lot more sense than losing an hour of sleep!
Definitely! I'd rather adjust during the day too.
@@AFoggyPath Also keep in mind that the ship runs on ship's time--not on anyone else's clock. For transatlantic crossings, all the time changes are generally done before docking in either Brooklyn or Southampton, but do make sure you note the ship's time if you leave the ship for an excursion, because you'll be due back on board according to the time on the ship's clock.
Oooo good to know!!!
I don't know if I can survive all those adventures at my age. 73. The time differences each day would be a serious impact on my routine. Very good to realize that if you pack a few 1000 Americans on a ship, the gym might be busy. You got me very curious. From the library, there is a great view. Of what? Mountains? Wondering what laundry at 7 would be on the return trip would spoil the trip. Again upsetting my routine. I admire your courage and the strength to share this with the world. I hope the desserts were up to standards.
The time differences on the New York - Southampton trip would definitely mess us up to. Losing an hour a day is not nearly as great as gaining one! While the view from the library is rather constant, I did see a whale and a pod of dolphins one afternoon, which was very exciting. If you do decide to give it a go, know that the desserts were absolutely delicious. 😍
We book round trips [fourth one scheduled for 2024] and have found that the eastbound hours are returned with interest on the westbound crossing. As a practical matter the time changes are arranged to not interfere with sleep. On eastbound crossings, the clock is advanced from noon to 13:00 - making afternoon Tea arrive earlier. On the westbound crossings you gain an hour during the mid watch [the clock reads 0200 twice during the night] so you can sleep late just by getting up at your normal time.
with the extra hours seems better value southampton to newyork - more beer and cocktail time obviously - nice honest review tick - watched various review Cunard, has a certain style but rarely heard any complaints - a lovely way to chill for a week ---- as for godiva chocolates, they are good, famous in europe - expensive but you only need one with a coffee not a whole box - I lived near shop marylebone london often would buy one chocolate saturday in a bag - they didnt mind !!! just one im on a diet ....
Definitely the better value in our opinion too, and it really was a wonderful way to relax and unwind. And you're right about the chocolates! So decadent that just one will do!
Thanks for the quick reply, I really appreciated it.
Sorry it took a few days! Hope it helped 😊
If you went to the spa in Thailand you would get 4 times what you get at home. You want expensive spa? Try the Ritz Carlton.
Like you I loved it all. An elegant ship, so much to see and do.
We couldn't agree more!
Hi! Thank you very much for your information. I've watched some videos about the QM2 because I am planning a trip myself on that amazing ship. What has never been mentioned, though, was that there's a laundry on board. Interesting. Can you iron your clothes there as well? Are there dryers?
Yes, there was an iron and ironing board in the laundry room, as well as washers and dryers. Hope that helps!
@@AFoggyPath Of course, thank you 😊 Another question: Are the pools busy at 7am?
Thank you so much for replying to me 🙏
@claudiabeckercb3 you're so welcome!! The pools were pretty empty for the entirety of our trip because it was so cold outside, so I don't have much of a read on that topic. I'd imagine you'll have some diehards out that early, but not many folks.
@@AFoggyPath Thank you for replying to me that fast. It's very much appreciated 😃
Glad to help out!
Super interesting! We’re considering a cruise and this has been super informative!
Glad it was helpful!! We loved our time on board and would recommend it to anyone. It's such a great way to relax and slow down for a while!
Yup. Spa prices for treatments are extortionate 😬. However, that seems to be the case on other cruise lines too.
Definitely paying for the experience of going to the spa at sea more than the treatment itself. It was fun, but once was enough for us!
Great video guys, you captured it beautifullly 😊. We too were on the QM2, filming a segment, but you managed to get some stuff we didn't, good job!
Aww thanks!! We'll have to check yours out too. Turns out we missed LOADS of stuff!
@@AFoggyPath 🙂
I’ll be leaving for Southampton on April 30th . I’m a bit confused with all the beverage options . What did you both choose? I’d probably have two cocktails each evening . Regarding the tea room ..is afternoon part of our voyage package ? Appreciate your input . Ginny
We didn't get any drink packages because we're not big drinkers, alcohol or soda. The company that we originally booked through had great advice. He said if you don't think you'll have around six drinks a day, the packages aren't worth it. They are separate, so either the soda package or the alcohol package. We bought a few sodas along the way (ginger ale to help with motion sickness!) and had a few free drinks (alcoholic) from playing the slot machines in the casino. Other than that, we stuck to what was provided: water, tea, juice, milk. If you want hot tea in some of the lounges, they'll charge for it, but a nice steward told us to go get hot tea in the King's Court buffet and then bring it to the lounge so we could get it for free!
Afternoon tea is included with your ticket price, so definitely go indulge! The food/dessert options change daily I believe, so go multiple times if you want. But aim to be there at least 15 minutes early. It fills up fast. We really enjoyed it!
Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll do our best to help!
I crossed 5 times on theQE2
Thank you both for a great vlog! Is selecting a drink package mandatory on the QM2? What do non-drinkers do? Is one required to purchase a close to $30 per person per day non-alcoholic beverage package? Was Sir Samuels included with your package or is it all "extra" charges? Can't wait to begin now watching your other videos aboard the QM2! Thanks again!
Thanks for watching! Buying a drink package is not mandatory. They have an alcohol one and a soda one, but we didn't buy either. Water, tea, milk, juice, and coffee are all complimentary, but be careful in some of the lounges. I ordered tea in one and the waiter told me to go get a free cuppa from the King's Court and bring it in because if you get tea in the lounge, you have to pay for it! You can buy individual beverages if you decide you want one. We also did a small drinks bundle delivered to our room so I could have ginger ale on hand. Pricey but it was worth it for us.
Sir Samuel's is all extra, unfortunately. But if we could do it over again, we'd be there every day! Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll be happy to try and answer them!
We will use the spa's "Thermal Suite" a couple of times a week - or at least we did on previous sailings. I will need to check once we get onboard, but there used to be a dramatic price incentive to buy multiple days in advance [price per day drops with each day]. The new post-COVID 'Mareel' branded spa seems to offer 2 hour passes, only available at fixed times, that must be scheduled in advance. This makes the purchase much less appealing.
This was supposed to be a capacity limitation for COVID - but over the years I do not believe I have ever noticed more than 10 simultaneous users, so it looks like the previous policy already limited capacity.
I wish we'd have tried the thermal suite instead! At least it would have been something new, but we didn't have much information on it. Perhaps we'll try it on a future crossing and do our research ahead of time!
@@AFoggyPath Use of the thermal suite is supposed to be included with spa services like massages - did they mention that, or was it buried in the 'upsell' offers?
Oh man! If it was included, we weren't told about it 😩
@@AFoggyPath Getting back to this a few months later (for the folks following along at home) the Thermal suite prices were again sold with a steep multi day discount - we bought 6 days each, for about the price of three individually purchased days. We confirmed the days were usable for our entire 26 night sailing [Norway and Northern Lights] but were mostly planning on using the days during the transatlantic crossings.
During the Norway leg of the sailing, the Thermal suite policy abandoned the '2 hour, book in advance' requirement, and reverted back to any time, with multiple entries allowed for one spa visit day.
Hopefully the spa will get some much delayed TLC during this October's 'maintenance availability' and dry dock .
Thanks for the update!! Hope y'all had an amazing trip!
At 3:45 one hidden gem on the QM2 is the Atlantic Room, which is adjacent to an observation deck on Deck 11. The Atlantic Room is used for bridge lessons (the card game), but that's only a few hours a week. The rest of the time, it's sitting completely empty. I mention it here, tying it to your comments about the library, because it may prove to be an excellent alternative if you're wanting a quiet space with a view. Of course, you need to bring your own book, but that shouldn't be a major problem for any avid reader.
We'll definitely be checking this out on our next voyage!! It's crazy how much we missed.
Great Video !! Lots of wonderful information! I’m going transatlantic ( both ways - with 10 days in London in between ) this summer of 2023. You’re suggestions are really going to be helpful for me !! Thank You !! PS ••• both of you are a great charming couple! So at ease and personable on camera ! You guys Rock !! MikeW 👍
Oh my god that sounds AMAZING!!!! We were talking about how that set up would be such a great trip. We hope you have an incredible time! And thanks so much! 🥰 we're so glad the video was helpful, and we so appreciate your kind words!
Thank you. Love your videos. Didn’t they have unsweetened ice tea at the restaurants and buffet included with fare? I’m booked QM2 Caribbean in November.
Unsweetened iced tea was included in the package but we found it wasn't always available. Best place we had luck was in the Kings Court buffet. Hot tea was also included in the basic package, but we learned that some lounges charged for the service. A very nice server told us to get tea at the buffet for free and bring it into the lounges instead.
second time watching - still like the review - brits quite proud of cunard although its usa owned - apparently its a little bit like joining a family, many over a lifetime variety of cruises - one trip evey few years - my grandad loved it - would tell me about something new each trip - he used to 'steal the menus' for me as a kid - have done some ships, cunard is on the list as I get older appeals more - my friend said it has a younger demograhic than 30 years ago .. but still quality .. im not an advert retired youngish ... movies tv - have been looking at a 3 day mediterranean - just to see ..
We are taking our first QM2 cruise next summer UK to NYC. I was looking forward to the hour/day change, no jet lag, ah.... We are not spa people so would skip that too. As far as booking popular events, can you do that the first day? And with whom? TY!! great, helpful video.
We hope you have a great time!!! There is an app you can download on your phone to use throughout the crossing. All of the details on how to download and use it will be in your cabin. You can book everything through that and we definitely recommend booking ASAP because everything fills up VERY quickly.
Hi, did you take part in any of the gala evenings?
Also did the majority of people do so?
We did go to the black and white gala and we have a vlog on our channel that talks a little about our experience there! The gala evening was pretty packed, but there are tons of folks who don't go. There are other activities available if the gala isn't your jam.
You mentioned the gym and how busy it is in the morning - what are its hours? Same with the library? I'm going in August and am curious about some of those details. thanks!
When we sailed, the gym was open from 8AM to 8PM and the library was open from 9AM to 6PM with an hour lunch between 1PM and 2PM. I hope this helps a little!
@@AFoggyPath thanks!
You're welcome!
Hello again, We loved watching all your very informative videos, thanks again for posting them, I am curious though about where they dock the QM2, was it in Manhatten at the cruise terminal area, (which I have read somewhere that it does), or in Brooklyn somewhere, which I also have read somewhere that is does. Did you film any of the time when you were entering New York at all? Thanks again and cheers
We're glad they were helpful!! We docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and took an Uber into Manhattan. We didn't film anything, I don't think, because we didn't want to mess with camera while walking around the city. The only thing we filmed in NYC was our trip to Ellis Island!
@@AFoggyPath thank you, bummer it was brooklyn, I am really looking forward to cruising past the skyline, and we are staying not that far from there as well. How much was the uber, do you recall at all?
Looking back at our receipt, it was roughly $60 including the tip. We don't use Uber often, but in our experience, price fluctuates depending on time of day, traffic, how busy the drivers are, but at least that's a good ballpark. We were staying at the Distrikt Hotel on 40th.
@@AFoggyPath Thank you for that, it gives us a rough idea of the cost, and I think having a taxi or uber is the best idea to get to where we are staying, which isn't far from where you stayed, just a couple of blocks or so away. I will keep that in mind for the budget.
Don’t know if you’ll see this because I just found your channel, but I’m in my early 70s and thinking about doing the QM2 as a solo. You may not have any insight into this, I’m quite happy with my own company, but do you think eating meals by yourself would be awkward? Did you do a lot of of the formal things at night?
Eating on your own would be totally fine! You can either be seated with other guests, or on your own at a smaller two-person table. The choice is yours! We saw loads of people eating on their own, especially at the lovely two-person tables by the windows in some of the other areas.
We didn't do all of the formal activities, mostly just the gala evening. It was great fun to watch everyone dance, and there were people on their own, in small groups, and in big groups, so don't feel like you couldn't go on your own. Personally, I think it would be a dream. Just me, a stack of books, and the wide open ocean!
@ you and I are definitely on the same page!! Thank you so much for answering, I really appreciate it!
You are so welcome! Happy roaming!!
Hi guys.
Have become a huge fan. I’ve booked a Westbound crossing on the QM2, next Aug. and the English National Ballet will be on board.
Your 5 things is a great help, and I have watched your e tire crossing and was happy to see your perspective.
Somewhere in the middle a mention was made about Sir something. I’m glad you visited and loved it, even if late.
Great work! Thanks!
Ernie C
St Pete Florida
That's so exciting!!! We hope you have an amazing trip and we're so glad our videos helped in any way. Sir Samuel's was DELICIOUS. Don't wait like we did, haha!! I (Lydia) am so jealous that the English National Ballet will be there. I bet they are phenomenal!
Thinking of doing queen Mary 2 but only 4 nights as its my first time with cunard. Did you try princess grill
We did not try the princess grill. If I remember correctly, it is only for those staying in the Princess Grill Suites.
Hey guys, thank you for sharing your experience. How is the internet? Would you be able to upload a video the internet on the QE2?
We didn't try the internet, but were told by others that it was really only best for checking emails or Facebook. Uploading anything, even images, is incredibly slow.
I enjoyed this video as I am trying to decide whether or not to go on the Queen Mary 2. I have no partner to go with and I wonder if you can tell me how it would be as a solo traveler on board the ship. And is it much more expensive?
I think going as a solo traveler would be fine! They had solo traveler get togethers on board, so meeting other people would be easy. I don't know about cost though. I think there are prices for solo travelers but I recommend getting on the Cunard website and seeing what they offer.
A small number of solo cabins were added during the 2016 refit [categories KB and KC grabbing space from the casino and old photo gallery]. They are in demand and may be the first category to sell out. Other rooms have a 'single supplement' - check with Cunard or your preferred travel agent about each fare.
Ooo so good to know! Thanks for sharing!
What did you pack for clothing? Dress for dinner?
For dinner, we packed smart attire. Dresses for me and slacks with button ups for Billy. He usually also brought his suit jacket, just in case it was needed. During the day, there isn't a strict dress code, so we wore more casual comfy clothes that we'd packed for our travels through Wales before sailing. We'd change for dinner, unless we were planning on eating at the King's Court, which is a buffet and doesn't have a dress code. Hope that helps a little! We also have a few more videos about our time on the QM2. You can check those out to see more of what we wore.
My wife and I are spending our honeymoon aboard QM2 in a few weeks and your videos are certainly fun to watch. We won't be doing a transatlantic but their caribbean cruise. How are the planitarium experiences being booked?
How fun!!! We booked ours through the app that you can download once on board. They'll include the info on how to do that with your welcome packet in your cabin. We recommend booking as soon as you can as they sell out SUPER fast. We booked ours the second day on board and got some of the last seats available!
@@AFoggyPath great info and good to know. Thanks again!!
You're welcome!
Did you pre-purchase the drinks package and do you think it’s worth doing? Thank you!
We didn't purchase the drinks package because we don't drink much at all. Our friend said it's worth purchasing if you are going to have 6 to 7 drinks (alcoholic) a day. If you have less, it's not worth the price. You can so buy a soda daily package, but we don't drink a lot of sodas either so just purchased a small package that had a few brought to our room as a one-time purchase.
I did the drinks package if only for the convenience of it rather than concerning myself about drink costs. And with the alcohol included it may have been less expensive without the package but you can get, coffee, bottled water, and bottled sodas as well. Most likely less expensive going without. Also if there are two adults in your room both will have to take the drink package that is a requirement.
Great info, thanks for sharing!
It’s definitely not worth doing the drinks package….. we’ve done it both ways.
As others have said, the drinks package is CRAZY expensive and is only cost-effective if you and all other adults in your cabin can put away 8-10 alcoholics each day (and that's each person's consumption!). The other reason, as also stated, is if you don't mind parting with the cash for the sake of convenience. But I assure you, the ship has no problem putting individual drinks onto your ship account, so you're not gaining much in the way of convenience.
What is the dress code for dinner?
Smart attire. Most men were in slacks and jackets while ladies wore dresses or nice pant suit type outfits. They do have gala events that require black tie dress, but the majority of nights are smart attire. If you don't feel like dressing up, the King's Court doesn't have a dress code and the food there is excellent.
My biggest celebrity crush....bar none !
How did you manage the formal meal times? What about the dress code generally?
We only went to formal dinners a handful of times. The dress code for dinner is smart attire, unless it's a gala evening, and then it's black tie. You can choose your dinner reservation times at the start of the cruise, or during booking. There is also open dining if you want to change up your dinner times. Sometimes you might have to wait a little while if you're wanting to sit with a group of people all at the same table. Hope that helps a little!
Your a sweet couple! Thanks for sharing =)
Thank you, and thanks for watching!! 😊
This is great advice. Is there a better time of year to travel, when it’s a bit quieter or less harried?
I wish I could give you an answer there, but we really don't know. Hopefully another viewer might be able to give you some insight!
We are doing the QM2 in a couple of weeks and your series of videos are very helpful, thanks. You say that it's important to book the planetarium quickly - where/how do you book it and did you book it the moment you got on board before your muster station, or just later on the first day? Thanks.
We're so glad the videos were useful for you! There is an app to download on your phone and you can book everything through that. All of that information was in the welcome packet in our cabin. I think we booked it on boarding day, but not immediately. It might have been on the next day, I can't quite remember. I do remember some things already being sold out though, so I'd recommend booking everything you want as soon as possible. And if something sells out, check back because folks do cancel reservations and those tickets will open back up.
We hope that helps. Have a great trip!
Do they have a cigar lounge?
From what I'm seeing online, yes, they have Churchill's Cigar Room. We must have missed it while on board, we didn't see it!
Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Where did you stay the night before the sail, in New York?
We sailed from Southampton. Sorry!
@@AFoggyPath Where did you stay in Southampton, then, because we haven’t decided on the eastbound or westbound journey? Also, still haven’t decided on time year. Depends on the best weather chances.
We stayed at The Star Hotel in Southampton. You can view their website here:
www.thestarhotel.com/
@@AFoggyPath Thanks for that. Now I hope one of your viewers can help us with a place to stay on the NY side.
What is the dog situation on board? I heard you can take your dog. Is it one dog per person?
I'm not sure what the pet situation is like. We did walk past the boarding area and a little green patch for the dogs, but we never saw any animals out and about. I found a bit more information here. Hope it helps!
www.pettravel.com/cruiseship_ferry/QueenMary2.cfm#:~:text=Pets%20are%20accepted%20on%20all,last%20crossings%20of%20the%20year.
I enjoy watching your videos around the world, any plan to go on an expedition in the Himalayas at some point? Not saying you should climb Mt Everest, but say the Three Passes Trek in Nepal, which is a moderately challenging journey but hugely rewarding in terms of the views you would come across. I'd love to see you two vlogging on that route, as the scenery there never ceases to amaze me even though as an armchair mountaineer I've seen tons of trekking videos on that path lol. Give it a think!
That sounds amazing!!! Definitely just added that to our bucket list. Billy was an immediate yes 🤣 I don't know when, but this is definitely the kind of thing we'd enjoy. Thank you for mentioning it!
@@AFoggyPath Look forward to seeing your next trip. Good luck & have fun!
Thank you so much!! Flying out for our next adventure at the end of August. Can't wait to share it!
Not been on QM2 in 10 years. Taking her next week ... while I know they now offer wifi on board, do our cell / mobile phones work if want them to?
That's a great question! Unfortunately, I don't know. We kept our phones on airplane mode the whole time. Sorry we couldn't be more helpful!
@@AFoggyPath Well they do work but if you want to keep in touch with work via a VPN, you're SOL. service was no where near as good. But I am booked on her again Oct.
what is and is not included in the price of the trip?
All of the basics are included. Meals at the buffet and Britannia restaurant, tea, water, coffee, juices, milk. Sodas and alcohol cost extra, as do some of the other restaurants. You can see the breakdown from Cunard here: www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/whats-included
Let’s book our next cruise!
Yessssssss!
Do they offer tuxedo rentals for formal night?
I know that they used to but covid made things tricky when we went. I think they were renting tuxes but not shoes. I'd definitely inquire before you go, just to be sure.
Thank you! Question about Wi-Fi: Did you find that the internet was strong enough to video chat or stream during the crossing?
I’m hoping to WFH from the ship but I can’t tell if the bandwidth is good enough for uploading and downloading files. Any thoughts you have on the Wi-Fi strength would be most welcome!
Thank you again for the video!!!
We didn't try the wifi. It wasn't something we wanted to pay for, so we chose to fully disconnect instead. However, the original group we were supposed to sail with said that the wifi is good for checking/sending emails but they wouldn't recommend it for uploading photos of the trip to Facebook. I know that's not much to go on, but they advised that if you just wanted to check and send email, you'd be good. Anything beyond that would be incredibly slow.
@@AFoggyPath Thank you for the info. Much appreciated!
You're welcome!!
Hi can you guys comment on what kind of weather you experienced on your crossing?
We are sailing in August eastbound
We had a few days of very heavy fog and a few days of sunshine. We also had some rough seas for two days. Very high swells. Temperatures outside were chilly. On the warmest and sunniest day, we braved the hot tubs which were really nice!
Why didn't they do turndown every night?
Because we were always in our cabin running super late for dinner 🤣
Im surprised to hear the turndown service was just one night ,and not every night
It was every night, we were just in our room almost every night at this time so we missed it all but once!
Ah ok ,lol
You must be very new cruisers to not know that turn-down was a classic feature on all cruise lines until very recently.
That we are! This was only our second cruise, the first being back in 2012. Definitely a new world for us!
This has put me off of booking on the QMII. All of that queueing and popular spots packed out - no thanks.
I'd imagine that most cruises are this way at certain times of the day, especially larger ships. I think it's more about being aware of timing. But you might have better luck checking out some of the smaller ships if crowds aren't your thing!
Holy fucking shit!!! First time ever I know the RUclipsrs!! I’m doing NYC to Shouthampton in January for Brian O’Leary’s 50th.
Aaaahhhhhh hey, old friend!!! How is life treating you these days? That trip sounds amazing. You guys are going to have a BLAST!!!!! We've got a whole QM2 series if you're looking for more info! Feel free to hit us up with any questions!
How could you not be aware you were crossing time zones?
It just wasn't something that crossed our minds. We knew there was a time change, but we didn't know how it would be implemented during the crossing. We generally fly, so we deal with the time change once we get to where we're going, haha!
had known
I saw another video about transatlantic crossings on the QM2 and apparently there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can take. So for anyone relocating to the UK or the EU (some transatlantic crossings also terminate in Hamburg, Germany, instead of Southampton), this could be the least expensive way to get your things overseas if they fit in suitcases or maybe trunks, are not big and heavy furniture.
Cost for a cabin starts between $1200-1300 which seems reasonable to me given it includes fine dining meals and entertainment versus hotel rooms in nice hotels generally start at $300 per night for just the room for only.
They also have kennels and allow up to two pets (cats and dogs or a cat and dog) and you can visit them in the kennels multiple times per day; so although flying might be easier on your pet (only 9 hours vs 6 days at sea) if it can stay with you in the cabin, for dog owners with dogs that would have to travel in the plane hold, having them pampered in the ship’s kennel might be a better option. (note: many European trains allow up to two pets so you could travel by train to your final destination if it is elsewhere in Europe. Eurostar might be the only train that doesn’t allow pets).
*afternoon tea...... not high tea. two completely different things.
Sorry for the mistake!
Massage at home and in the middle of atlantic cant be same price
Very true. You're definitely getting a different experience on the ship!
Jetlag... Laughs in Australian.
We can only imagine!
Planes,planes are so much faster.
Too true, but sometimes it's all about the journey!