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Note -this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Donna Shuster
Email: dmshuster@usa.net
Age: 45
Occupation: marketing manager
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: May 26th
Itinerary: transatlantic crossing
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 92
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 92
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 03 Jun 1999
Time: 15:47:47
Remote Name: bogus.plano.sterling.com
Remote User:
Comments
Our QE2 experience was very enjoyable and enlightening. We had never been on a cruise
before and did
not know what to expect. We purchased a Princess class cabin which put us in the Princess
Grill
restaurant. The cabin was very large and spacious. Our walk-in closet held two weeks worth
of clothes and
all five pieces of luggage. We had a refrigerator with drinks in it and a safe for our
valuables.
A transatlantic crossing is not like a regular cruise where you have ports of call. This
is five and a half
days of straight cruising and you do it to relax and be pampered. There were tons of
things to do from
lectures to deck sports to trivial pursuit games to bridge tournaments. We enjoyed two
lectures by mystery
novelist P.D.James and a great talk by the captain of the Concorde. In the evening there
are movies,
stage productions, the casino, and several different dancing venues to keep you busy. We
had no
problem finding things to do.
I'm sure everyone says this but the food was to die for. Fresh and tasty fruits and
vegetables, interesting
entrees, an amazing variety of choices - you would have to be dead not to enjoy the QE2
cuisine. We
were very well taken care of in the Princess Grill, many thanks to Caroline and Jesper for
the highly
attentive service. We do not drink much but we had champagne for our anniversay dinner and
it was
perfect, a very smooth and silky French vintage.
We had a day of rough seas and I got sea-sick. I was directed downstairs to the hospital
where they gave
me a shot that worked like magic. For the whole rest of the trip I was totally unaffected
by the motion. A
good thing to remember for anyone who gets queasy in high seas. The rest of the crossing
was smooth
and beautiful.
QE2 is not for everybody. It's a very formal ship. Jacket and tie for men even on a casual
night, tuxedo or
dark suit on the formal nights and there were four of those during the crossing. I happen
to love dressing
up so this was no burden for me, but not everyone enjoys the ritual of changing for
dinner. Even during
the day people were very well-dressed as they went about their pursuits. I saw very few
shorts except on
the sun deck and no jeans at all. Also, the Queen is very mature as passenger ships go.
You will glimpse
some dignified fraying around the edges - a stain on the carpet here and a patched tile
there. I would say
that if you are the kind of person who is comfortable with good antiques, you will like
the Queen. If you like
everything to be shiny and new, you might not be quite as happy as we were. Despite an
army of cleaning
people (everywhere we went someone was cleaning something)it's still a 30-year-old ship
and is entitled to
its wrinkles.
A note to the ladies: the bedroom vanity is lit with florescent bulbs, if make-up is
important to you, bring
your own lighted mirror. A note to the gentlemen: my husband smokes a pipe and while
cigars and pipes
may be smoked aboard the ship, there were no pipe cleaners to be found anywhere. Be sure
to bring an
adequate supply.
The entry into New York harbor, was a real highlight of the trip. You come in very early
in the morning,
between 5AM and 6AM. I thought I would die trying to get up that early, but we made it out
on deck just in
time to see the sun rising over Manhattan. It was truly glorious. About 20 minutes later
the Statue of
Liberty came into view and I do not mind saying that I was truly moved. We were close
enough to see the
statue in quite good detail and the sun reflecting off the torch made it appear to be
blazing. Everyone on
board agreed that it was a breath-taking moment.
I would recommend this cruise for anyone who wants to relax and rejuvenate. You can be as
sociable or
private as you like. You can have all your meals brought to your cabin or go out to dinner
and dancing
every night. The passenger is really king aboard the Queen.
Name: Edward Rosenfield
Email: edward.rosenfield@virgin.net
Age: 39
Occupation: Systems Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 4th May 1994
Itinerary: Southampton to NY
Cabin: 4108
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 89
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 89
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 79
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 75
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 99
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon: 80
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 79
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 85
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 79
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 22 Oct 1999
Time: 17:24:00
Remote Name: m404-mp1-cvx1a.ren.ntl.com
Remote User:
Comments
Our voyage began as soon as we boarded the Ocean Liner Express at Waterloo. When they
checked us in on
board the train speeding towards Southampton, we knew that the trip really was a reality.
The old-fashioned
elegance of the upholstery and the wood paneling set the scene for what was to come.
We arrived at Southampton, and the next thing we knew, we were on the ship. The QE2 is
truly a city at sea. There
was always something to do or see, or there was always the opportunity to do nothing but
relax, read, or sit on the
deck, surrounded by the salty breezes.
Our waiters in the Mauritania restaurant were superb. Unobtrusive, but very attentive, by
the second meal, they
knew all our likes and dislikes, our needs and wants. We are vegetarian and a special menu
was prepared for us,
with a wide variety of dishes to choose from. One favourite was puffed pastry filled with
truffles and asparagus in a
butter sauce. Another was deep fried camembert with cranberry sauce. Each meal was a meal
to remember.
The Ocean Matresses on the beds were some of the most comfortable beds we'd ever slept on,
and wish we could
have them at home! The inside cabin was adequate, as most of the time we spent elsewhere
on the ship.
The entertainment in the Show Lounge, especially Lou Rawls, was superb, as was pianist
John Briggs in the
theatre. The service first class. The cruise staff had very inventive games to play, like
horse racing, Mr. and Mrs.,
and a scavenger hunt. It made for a sense of community.
Then after 5 days, going up on deck at about 4:30 in the morning, hearing the sound of
birds for the first time in
many days, then seeing the lights appear one by one from the shore. Dawn breaking over
Manhattan Island as we
entered New York, sailing under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty,
truly realizing the thrill
which it must have been for all the immigrants years before.
An orderly departure from the most marvelous ship, and there we were, refreshed, alert,
and ready to experience
New York.
Name: Chris R. Frame
Email: cunard@opera.iinet.net.au
Age: 16
Occupation: Student
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: January 08 1998
Itinerary: World Cruise Segmant
Cabin: 5149 / M1
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 88
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 92
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 87
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 89
ShoreExcVariety: 86
FoodVariety: 89
DeckService: 92
ShoreExcValue: 94
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 99
TenderService: 99
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 99
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 92
EntertShowLounge: 99
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 92
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 98
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 31 Oct 1999
Time: 07:52:40
Remote Name: jazz3.nv.iinet.net.au
Remote User:
Comments
I met QE2 when we were in a taxi driving up to the Miami docks with my parents and sister.
First impressions do last!
She was magnificent, Big, Black, Shiny, Beautiful, Proud and Perfect! We had to go to the
Taxi stop outside the docks,
and when we get out of the taxi I ran to the Dockside Windows and looked out. I saw this
enormous wall of freshly
painted navy blue steel Rise up in front of me.
We checked in our luggage and went to a nearby cafe for lunch; the view of cause was QE2
because she is so big she
takes up most of the view at Miami’s waterfront. At about 2:00 we were called to
board and the magic begun.
Entering the Mid-Ships Lobby, with the Wood walls, sunken lounge, murals of the Cunard
History and the soft music
from the harp player greeted us. Another first impression that would last forever. We were
greeted by a crewmember,
Good Afternoon Sir My name is Joel; may I please take your luggage? He took us to our
cabins 5149 and 5145
The Cabins were great, good size and nice deco. We settled into the cabins and then found
our way to the Pursers
office as I had a letter for Captain Warwick. Finding your way around the QE2 is an
experience in its self. There are so
many lifts, corridors and stairways. We then went around the ship, ending up in our
restaurant the Mauretania
The Restaurant manageress new who we were before we even said our names. I said.
‘Hello we are at table 514’ and
she said ‘It’s this way Mr. Frame.’ That was just a little thing that makes
you feel at home on the Queen.
Captain Warwick received me letter, and 2 days later I was on the QE2’s bridge, a
privilege usually reserved to Royalty
or V.I.P’s
I spent my time taking advantage of all the activities, and enjoying the food… Which
was absolutely brilliant! The
entrees were massive and the main courses were better then anything found on land, in any
city, and I have been to
over 25 of them.
A desert, on QE2 is UN describable. They are perfect sizes and all are decorated with
icing flowers or chocolate swirls
and sauce patterns. I had a birthday on the ship and they made me a cake in the shape of
my name and it had
sparklers and candles. Our waiters, Glenn and Huffed, even got the restaurant to sing
happy birthday to me.
The Queen is a great ship with a great crew. She is not a ship for the party hard loud
mouthed sort, but for people who
want to be pampered, looked after and enjoy the luxury of that by gone age of ocean liner
travel then QE2 is the ship
for you, and she has a good amount of party's in the Yacht Club and Club 2000 I might add!
She is not a new ship, and
that’s what makes her so good, she has had 30 years in service so the Cunard line
know what people want, and that’s
what you get.
The people at Club 2000 went out of their way to make sure my 13 year old sister and I had
the time of our lives playing
the Arcade games whilst listening to the top songs. The Pavilion restaurant was great.
Pavilion is like a burger take
away restaurant on the ships and they make the best Beef burger you have even tasted!
The cruise came to an end all too quickly, and on a very say day we had to get off and fly
back home. But we have
been on her again since then, and again, it was perfect. If you are thinking of going on a
cruise, QE2 is the way to go
here’s to another 30 years of QE2.
Name: Michael Bongiovi
Email: MTBNY7@aol.com
Age: 30
Occupation: Restaurant Maitre d'
NumberOfCruises: two
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: August 22 to August 28, 1999
Itinerary: Westbound Transatlantic
Cabin: 8014 / Q2
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 84
CabinComfort: 92
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 93
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 89
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 88
EntertShowLounge: 89
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 86
AirSeaProgram: 99
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 96
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 98
ShopsOnBoard: 84
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 10 Nov 1999
Time: 15:38:37
Remote Name: threshold9n.jpmorgan.com
Remote User:
Comments
Our transatlantic crossing on the Queen Elizabeth 2 was a life's dream come true (I'm not
kidding, both the ship and I
are from 1969!).We had a fabulous penthouse suite on the Signal Deck, which is the highest
deck. Our accomidations
also included a private balcony with no roof or deck above. Our stateroom (8014) was so
nice, as well as large, that we
entertained quite a bit there! The bathroom with its double marble sinks and full tub was
very nice. The walk-in closet
(with safe), and 2 vanities with drawers provided more than enough room for our clothes
and other belongings. Since
we booked catagory Q2, we ate alll our meals in the single seating Queeen's Grill
restaurant (the Queen Elizabeth 2
separates passenger dining rooms by class). The food was very , very good, and the service
was beyond exquisite.
Attached to the restaurant is the Queen's Lounge, which is for Grill class passengers
only. From this lounge there is a
private staircase and elevator going up to the Sun and Signal Decks, were the penthouses
are! What a nice touch to
make you feel special! I can't say enough about our trip, except to say that I'm going
aboard QE2 for the third time on
July 1st, 2000 for a four day cruise!
Name: The Frame Family.
Email: cunard@iinet.com.au
Age: 16 to 46.
Occupation: Company Director, Exeutive, and 2 students.
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: Feb 15 1999.
Itinerary: Fremantle + World Cruise
Cabin: Mauretania.
FoodDiningRoom: 99
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 99
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 99
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 99
CabinSteward: 89
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService: 92
ShoreExcValue: 99
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 84
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 96
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 96
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon: 96
EntertainmentPoolside: 70
CruiseActivities: 93
Casino: 97
AirSeaProgram: 100
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 100
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 04 Mar 2000
Time: 06:21:01
Remote Name: 203.14.175.10
Remote User:
Comments
My Mum, Dad and I wrote this review. We as well as my sister have been on QE2 three times, I have
written a review for this cruise, however with this review we worked together to present a review that will
help all age groups to understand what its like to cruise on the QE2 - the Queen of the Sea.
Arrival. Upon arrival to the docks in Miami, on January 8th 1998, we were asked to book our luggage in,
which was very easy, "Suite Number, Surname, Have a nice day."
We were then asked to check in and get our ticket stamped, which we did, and were informed at this time
that Cunard had up graded us to an outside M1 suites on five deck, just by an act of good will. This was
great, as we were now able to see the sea from one of our suites. Cunard staff knows what they are
doing and do it well. We then had to wait for 3 hours until we were called to board. In this time I took as
many photos' as my camera could hold, QE2 certainly is a sight! A very beautiful ship. When we boarded
QE2, a crewmember greeted us, and then escorted us to our suites. Ahead of us was an adventure,
which would unfold to the most wonderful experience of our lives.
The Cabins. Our suites 5149 and 5145 were excellent quality. Entering 5149 and 45, there is a foyer
which the Bathroom, Wardrobe and passageway to the bedroom leads off. The bathroom, was a good
size (Chris is 6"3' so if it was too small, I'd know) with a shower on one side, toilet on the other, and
marble basin, complete with silver taps and towel wracks in the middle. The robe was plenty big enough
to fit at least 2 weeks worth of clothes in it for two people, and that is including the jacket and tux's for
dinner. The passageway is also lined with cupboards for baggage storage, and this is where you find
your life jacket. The bedroom is quite big, and has two king-single beds with a chest in the middle, which
houses the telephone, QE2 directory, TV remote and other info like table number in the restaurant. The
beds are very comfortable and long enough for tall people like me. There is also a TV/VCR and a chair
for visitors. Finally, the porthole, and as five deck is the 3rd deck from the bottom, it was quite close to
the sea, so there was a good view. Both suites were very nicely decorated in blues and burgundy carpet.
The walls were done in real wood teak and the wood was in excellent condition.
The Ship. Mauretania passengers enjoy the whole of QE2, apart from the Queens Grill Lounge, which
only Queens Grill passengers have access to. QE2 is a big ship, and there is a lot to do. The Crystal Bar
on Upper Deck offers before dinner cocktails and serves drinks all through the day and is a great
meeting place. The latest blockbusters are showing in the Cinema, as well as classics for those wanting
to re live the old days. The Casino on Upper Deck is quite large with lots of slot machines and a cocktail
bar. On the Starboard side opposite the Casino is the wonderful Golden Lion Pub, which is decorated, in
dark woods and leather chairs, with a dance floor and live music. The Grand Lounge is the ultimate room,
with its red décor and large stage, it offers shows / entertainment by night, and lectures by day. The
Yacht club can't be more highly commented on, with its America's Cup deco. The room is decorated with
sails, light-wood's, blue chairs and is used as a lecture lounge by day, and disco nightclub at night. QE2's
large Quarter Deck library rivals all those on land, with over 6000 volumes, it also allows you to borrow
video's to play in your cabin. The Ocean Bookshop is great, with a large number of best seller ocean
liner related books, such as 'QE2 - By Captain R. Warwick' and also a number of other books. A drink in
the Chart Room bar is also great, with its maps of the ocean passages and new glass panel diagram of
the North Atlantic; this room has a very nice atmosphere. The Queens Room complements this ship
excellently. The trumpet shaped columns welcome you to this room, decorated in blues with wooden
walls, this room comes alive at night with parties and dancing under the disco lights. For Teenagers there
is the Club 2000 video arcade. This room is not what one would expect on QE2. It's small and provides
limited activities, but the arcade games are fun. In our opinion this whole room should be re built. The
Lido offers an alternative to the formality of the Restaurants with the buffet style dining. The food is
wonderful, and the Lido caters to Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner and the Mid-Night buffet - a real treat!
Just below the Lido on One Deck is the Pavilion Café, which serves Burgers, Pizza, and Soft Drinks as
well as a self-serve Ice Cream Parlor and over looks the QE2 Pool and shiny teak decks. The Synagogue
is on Three Deck. Inter-denominational Church is held in the Theater. Two deck offers the Beauty Salon
and Cunard Collection LOGO shop, where on Boat Deck you can find designer label clothes, and gift
items as well as a Chemist and Shoe Shop in the International Shopping Promenade. Down on Six Deck
is the amazing QE2 Spa, which takes up 1/3 of the passenger deck, and complementing this is the Gym
and Pool on Seven Deck.
Dining, The QE2 is a one-class ship, in public rooms, but the Cabin size and cost reflects which
restaurant you eat in. Being in M1 we were in the Mauretania. This restaurant was magnificent. In the
center the aluminum 'white horses' are the centerpiece of the room, illuminated in blue light. There is a
mural of "Cunard Cruising Scenes" in the back of the room. The tables are all laid wonderfully, with
magnificent precision. Fresh flowers every three days complement the freshly folded napkins. There are
two waiters or waitresses per table, or three for a large table, so there is always some one near to serve
you. The menu is very good, Soups, Starters, Mains, Deserts with Sorbet in between were what
Mauretania offered, with a large variety of mains, none the same as the night before. The restaurant
manager welcomed us every night at the door, which leaded off the Crystal Bar.
Entertainment, During the day, there are many different activities. These include Heritage Trail Tours,
where a guide takes you through the ship and points out all the historic artifacts that QE2 holds. QE2 is
full of Models of older Cunard ships, as well as historical artifacts such as the Laconia cup awarded to the
Cunard Steam Ship Co. for their ship Laconia. In the Queens Room, Ballroom dancing lessons are held
on the dance floor, and gentlemen hosts are at hand for any ladies wanting a dance partner. There are
lessons in the Computer Learning Center on Two Deck, or you can just use the computers to write letters
or play games, there are also CD ROM's in the Library. Some people like to just find a quiet spot in the
ship and read, or sit on the deck and relax as the sea goes by. There is a tennis court, Golf Range, Putt
Putt, basketball hoops, Shuffleboard, and other deck games as well as an on deck pool. By night QE2
comes alive with Shows in the Grand Lounge, Disco in the Yacht Club, Dancing in the Lion Pub, Mid night
buffet in the Lido, and much, much more, you can not be bored on QE2.
Final Day / Disembarkation, QE2 arrived in L.A at about 6:00 am, which was a little annoying because the
time it said in the guide was 8:30 am, so I woke up and missed seeing the ship arrive. Our last hours
onboard were sad because we knew we would miss the ship. You are disembarked by cabin number /
deck, Signal first, Five last, so we left the ship at about 11:00am. Everything ran smoothly, our luggage
was collected the night before and was waiting for us on the dock, for collection. Once we were off QE2,
the real world caught up with us; it was over an hour until we found a Taxi.
Name: PC Mar
Email: pcmar@netvigator.com
Age: 58
Occupation: Merchant
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 2/17/2000
Itinerary: Sydney/Hong Kong
Cabin: 4110/M3
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff:
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 75
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 21 Mar 2000
Time: 23:00:38
Remote Name: imscache04.netvigator.com
Remote User:
Comments
My partner and I have been on 4 cruises - Crystal Harmony, Royal Princess, and twice on the QE 2. For
what we are looking for in a cruise, the QE 2 stands in a class by itself. We enjoy strict tempo ballroom
dancing, and when we consider the various aspects of a cruise ship's dance environment - availability of
quality private and group dance instruction, proper dance music, enjoyable evening dance atmosphere,
size of dance floor - QE 2 is superior in all those aspects, and we don't feel the need to even check out
other cruise ships. The two QE 2 bands play a standard of music equal to or superior to dance music
available on land, or even on CD's. Instruction is provided by champion dance competitors/instructors,
and the availability of gentlemen hosts encourages and fosters a lively evening dance atmosphere. It's
no fun dancing in an empty room, which occurs often on other ships, but never occurs on the QE 2.
What else appeals to me on the QE 2? Paddle tennis and the camaderie it fosters, the quiet and more
informal, less crowded lunches in the main dining rooms, both Caronia and Mauretania restaurants,
afternoon tea and sometimes tea dances, and of course, the evening dancing.
The disco in the Yacht Club was excellent, because the band, Opus from St. Lucia, played good music.
One comment about punctuality - when the ship's programme says that dancing will start at 8:30 pm, the
band starts playing at 8:30, and doesn't quit early. On other cruises we've been on, punctuality is a lot
looser.
What did not appeal to me? The food is overrated. Generally, the consomme soups are excellent, the
desserts are good, but the entres are just so-so. The daily menus in all the restaurants are identical, and
the raw material stock is the same, but I hear that the Queens Grill and the Princess/Britannia Grills have
more personal preparation, though I have heard passengers say the the Queens Grill food is just as bad
as anywhere else. The shows in the Grand Lounge are not that enjoyable, I think, because the acoustics
in the Grand Lounge are no good. It's not a theatre per se, just as open area surrounded by the shops,
so the acoustics can't be good. Shopping is boring. On a 16 day cruise, there's no changing of the stock,
and very few attractive samples. Once you've seen the offerings, it's the same every day.
The library has a good collection of books. I rarely partake in the other activities, such as bridge,
lectures, etc., so cannot comment.
Name: Keith Hamilton
Email: keith.hamilton@soton-echo.co.uk
Age: 50
Occupation: Journalist
NumberOfCruises: 41
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: June 12 2000
Itinerary: Transatlantic
Cabin: 1116/1118
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff:
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 80
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness:
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace:
Stabilization:
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Jul 2000
Time: 13:30:44
Remote Name: webcachew06b.cache.pol.co.uk
Remote User:
Comments
This was the third time I have been lucky enough to sail on what has to be the most famous ship in
the world - one of the true great travel experiences of today. QE2 is the last remaining true ocean
liner, not counting SS Norway, formerly the elegant and chic SS France now operating just short
cruise out of Miami, and as such the magnificent Cunarder is unique. A trasatlantic crossing, a line
voyage in the tradition of the former golden age of ocean travel, has to be the best way to enjoy and
soak up the atmosphere of a ship that might be more than 30 years old but still leaves most vessels
wallowing in her wake as she powers her way from Southampton to New York at nearly 30 knots. On
this trip QE2 made a brief stop-over in Amsterdam before setting her course for the States and six
glorious days of sheer indulgence and stylish living. Since her last refit in 1999 QE2 has never
looked better with all the public rooms looking superb and the corridors and cabins down on decks
four and five enjoying a complete face-lift. The star of the ship has to be the Caronia restaurant
which under the guidance of its manager, David Thompson, is now probably offering the best service
on QE2. Even the famed grill-rooms will have to look to their laurels to compete with this restaurant.
Just to stroll the decks and watch the Atlantic roll by is enough for most people but QE2 offers a vast
range of activities and has without a doubt the best library on any ship sailing today. QE2 might not
stage the glitzy, feathers and sequin shows that many passengers expect this day but what she does
offer is a wonderfully civilised experience where afternoon tea is served by white-gloved stewards
and dinner is the perfect way to spend an evening. Nothing compares with the early morning arrival
in New York, with its towering skyline, after more than a week at sea. Just that alone is worth the
whole trip.
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