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Note -this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Andi Howard
Email: andi@andhow.demon.co.uk
Age: 38
Occupation: Accountant
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 10 August 1998
Itinerary: Newport Jazz Festival
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 26 Sep 1998
Time: 12:19:02
Remote Name: 195.11.50.206
Remote User:
Comments
This was my first cruise on the QE2 and I was a bit apprehensive about the
stuffy reputation that goes with her. The cruise that I booked (only
three days before she sailed) was the Newport JVC Jazz Festival cruise in North America.
I booked a single grade cabin, #8209, on Boat Deck dining in the Queens Grill. On my
arrival I found champagne and strawberries waiting for me
in my cabin, together with a very attentive and well-versed cabin steward who explained
all about the facilities in my room and Room service
procedures.
After the mandatory life jacket and fire drill I then started to explore the ship. You
could spend days just wandering about her and finding new
areas for relaxing in, being entertained or just being nosy on how the other
half lived.
The Queens Grill dining room is spacious and airy. The staff take only a short time to get
to know you and your likes/dislikes. They are all very
patient and are constantly asking if you would prefer to eat off-menu, which our table did
quite often. The adjoining Queens Grill Lounge is the
perfect setting for meeting new-found friends for a cocktail before dinner and relaxing
with a coffee and brandy when youve been fed. The
Lounge staff were mainly English and their service was impeccable. The standard of the
food was on a par with that of the big hotels and
restaurants in London. I never had a bad meal.
The cabin was well appointed and mine had a bathroom with a bath and shower. The cabin
steward service was fantastic, prompt and cheerful.
Even though I was booked on this theme cruise for just a relaxing week I joined in with
all of the entertainments both on and off-ship. The tender
and shore side arrangements went extremely smooth for a ship of this size and the number
of passengers being dealt with.
I have already booked for three further cruises on the QE2 and can only wait for the
departure dates to arrive even quicker. She is truly a
remarkable ship.
Name: B. M. Towbin
Email: btowbin@i-2000.com
Age: 47
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 15 Oct. 1998
Itinerary: Transatlantic Crossing99
FoodDiningRoom: 99
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 99
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 99
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 75
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall:
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 99
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 100
MedicalFacilities: 99
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace:
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 75
SpaceRatio: 75
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 05 Nov 1998
Time: 08:09:28
Remote Name: 204.97.99.38
Remote User:
Comments
This transatlantic crossing was the first leg of a three-week holiday. We booked two
Queens Grill
cabins on the Signal Deck with my parents. They are 83, 76 and we are I our 52 and 47.
None of
use has been on a ship before so this was our first sailing.
I can not say anything bad about this ship or the crossing. We did hit some bad seas
(50-60 mph
winds) the last 3 days out and yes the ship rocked and rolled so the ship stabilization
rating is a
bit low. My folks had a harder time getting about during the storm the we did, but other
then
that they had a great time.
The Telluride Film Festival was the program during the sailing. With Chuck Jones the
cartoonist
(Bugs, Daffy and the Roadrunner), Ken Burns, Roger Ebert, and Peter Bogdanovich as guest
speakers the trip became a movies goers dream.
The QE2 is a sailing dream, yes there are bigger and better ships but if you like a lot of
time to
read, relax and eat as well as been entertained this is the ship for you. By the way, the
food was
outstanding. The service impeccable both on the Grill Room, stateroom and the rest of the
ship.
The final leg of our three-week holiday was the trip back to the States. Cruising at Mach
2 at a
altitude of 57,000 feet drinking vintage Bordeaux.
We will be seeing the QE2 next year.
Name: Robert Mason
Email: ShipNOut@aol.com
Age: 44
Occupation: Architect
NumberOfCruises: 40+
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 9/4/98
Itinerary: Bermuda
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 75
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 75
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 60
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess: 85
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 100
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 14 Nov 1998
Time: 17:09:47
Remote Name: 157.238.1.160
Remote User:
Comments
After sailing many other ships and cruise lines, it was time to test the 'living legend'
of ships, the
QE2. The 5-day cruise to Bermuda gave ample time to enjoy Bermuda, and sample the QE2. The
QE2 really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The new decoration makes one feel they are
sailing in a floating maritime museum. There are museum-quality artifacts, ship models,
paintings,
and historical memorabilia everywhere. The ship's bookstore has a collection of maritime
related
books, posters, videos, and artifacts for sale that would rival or equal any shop in the
world. The
ship's library would hold it's own with any branch library in the world. Although
excellently
maintained, the ship's 30-year old age becomes obvious when comparing with newer ships.
The
circulation routes to the public areas and cabin areas is convoluted, with many stairways
and
elevators not continuous from top to bottom of the ship. There is a very definate
difference in
the accommodations on 4 and 5 decks (we were on Deck 4) compared with the accommodations
on the upper decks. Although adequate for a short 5 day cruise, our room and tiny bathroom
would be claustrophobic on a longer trip. This is very much an 'indoors'-type ship, suited
for the
cold, nasty transatlantic crossings. No soaring atriums, no endless vistas down the lounge
decks,
lots of dark-colored paneling throughout, and limited open deck areas. The service and
food
quality in the Mauretania Restaurant was very good, although we have experienced more
innovative recipes on other lines (Crystal and Windstar, for example). We checked out the
menu
selections in the Caronia and grille restauarants, too. The majoriy of the menu was
identical to
the Mauretania's, with only minor variations noted on the printed menu cards.
The midnight
buffets were very well presented, especiallt the 'grand buffet', with trays of cold crab,
lobster,
shrimp and tables full of pastries, fruits and chocolates (including minature chocolate
baby grand
pianos). The atmosphere on board is very, very formal. Our 5-night cruise had two formal
(tux &
gown) evenings, with the other 3 three nights being informal (jacket & tie). We saw
very few
people with shorts/T-shirts during the day, unless out on deck. The 4PM afternoon tea
ceremony/ritual was exciting, and has probably been served in this grand style since the
beginning of Cunard Line. We enjoyed afternoon tea twice; it is a leisurely, refined
repast, and a
welcomed rest after a day of touring Bermuda.
All the staff were extremely efficient,
service-oriented, but very formal. This is not necessarilly a complaint; this style of
service just
reminded us more of the PBS series 'Upstairs/Downstairs' than we have experiencied on
other
lines. The staff on QE2 takes their jobs very seriously; we never heard anyone say 'no' to
any of
our requests. Overall, we are very glad to have experiencied the 'legend'. We would
definately
recommend a trip before the ship is eventually withdrawn from service. The QE2 is
absolutely
from another era and another time...we were glad to have experiencied the trip.
Name: F J Murphy
Email: formur@aol.com
Age: 59
Occupation: chemist
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: Jan 5 1999
Itinerary: New York - Los Angeles
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 80
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon: 80
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness:
EmbarkDisembark:
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Feb 1999
Time: 16:22:43
Remote Name: 12.75.78.188
Remote User:
Comments
My wife and I enjoyed the first leg of the 1999 World Cruise of the QE2. Our cabin was
adequate is size and
exactly what we expected in Coronia grade on 2 deck. We chose a less expensive cabin with
a shower but no
tub. The twin beds were comfortable. The closet space held fourteen days worth of clothes.
Our cabin steward
was excellent. Our cabin was neat and clean at all times, although we did not spend much
time in the cabin.
Services aboard ship were excellent. The brand new Micron Computer Learning Center had
limited appeal
because the software was limited to Microsoft basic windows and Office 97. I can
understand the lockout to
prevent hacking but it was great for those passengers who had never used a computer
before. Bring your laptop
if you want to do serious computing. On board shopping was acceptable, Greyhound had just
take over the
shops, and had not restocked. There were no bargains and the selection was limited to high
end items. Souvenir
and QE2 marked items ranged in price from $15 for Tee Shirts and $45 for Collared golf
shirts, to $65 for fancy
work out top. Buy film and batteries before go; cigarettes are $2 but the selection is
limited. A man's hair cut was
$23 including service charge (tip)- not the best hair cut in the world but was cheaper
than getting a dog license.
The focus of the cruise for us was not the food. But it certainly could have been. We
dined in the Coronia
restaurant, the middle class. The restaurant manager, David Thomson, would put maitre` D
in 5 star restaurants
to shame. The multi course meals were excellent and never wanting. Superior is the best
word to describe the
service from Steffi and Pang our stewards. The food itself was worth of five stars. The
tables were set beautifully
set. Our sommelier, Carlos, anticipated our need.
If three multi course meals were not enough, the Lido was open for breakfast, lunch, tea,
dinner, and midnight
buffet. The Pavilion, on 1 deck by the pool, provided hamburgers, steak sandwiches, and
soft ice cream.
The ship itself was always clean and under constant care of the deck crew. The ship's crew
were friendly.
Entertainment was good. Ten formal nights at sea meant tuxedos and an elegant ambience of
bygone days. In
the past, Cunard would give each passenger an expensive memento of the voyage, this has
been eliminated. If
the passenger is looking for a fancy hotel on a barge, the QE2 is not for them. If the
passenger wants to
experience a historic trip on the last great ocean liner the QE2 is for them. We went from
New York to Los
Angeles, through the Panama Canal. This is the way to live history. Our only regret was
our leg of the World
Cruise came to an end.
Name: Charles V. Sheehan
Email: gecharly@sunet.net
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Cunard-QEII
SailingDate: 4/22/99
Itinerary: Miami/St. Croix/St Thomas/Nassau?Miami
FoodDiningRoom: 60
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 20
FoodRoomService: 70
CruiseStaff: 60
CabinAmenities: 50
FoodLidoDeck: 50
DiningRoomService: 50
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 80
ShoreExcVariety: 30
FoodVariety: 50
DeckService: 60
ShoreExcValue: 50
GoodForHoneymoon: 30
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 70
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 30
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 70
EntertShowLounge: 40
OverallPortsofCall: 40
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 30
CruiseActivities: 70
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 60
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 70
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 60
SpaceRatio: 60
OverallCruiseValue: 60
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 28 Apr 1999
Time: 17:19:53
Remote Name: ptp103-56k.sunet.net
Remote User:
Comments
Our first disappointment came when we were informed on the invoice from our travel agent
that the cruise had been reduced
from 7 days to 6 days. Although the price was appropriately reduced we had to modify our
post cruise plans because our
disembarkation date changed from 4/29/99 published in Cunard's brochure to 4/28/99
We were Queens Grill passengers and as such expected the best that Cunard has to offer in
terms of food quality and
service. What a disappointment! In six nights not one of the four of us traveling together
had an entre that could be
considered above ordinary. Except for the wine steward who was excellent, the service was
uneven at best. The attitude of
the wait staff was fine. They were trying hard but were just poorly trained. On the plus
side, the cavier which I had every
night was excellent. By contrast, the deserts were generally pathetic. The ice cream was
so soft it was more like a cold soup
than a frozen dessert. I repeatedly brought this complaint to the staff's attention but
without result.
The so called ultra-deluxe stateroom was old fashioned and had only 3 small dirty
portholes through which to view the
outside world. Our biggest complaint was the stateroom airconditioning. My wife and I both
had to sleep on top of the sheets
it was so hot. The bathroom, however, compared favorably with ones we have experienced on
other cruise ships.
The activities were extensive and my wife who likes to be programmed was quite happy with
the numbers of interesting
classes in bridge, painting, clay modeling, etc. that were available.
Perhaps the most memorable thing about the cruise for the male passengers was a German
assistant social director by the
name of Melanie, a striking blonde who was so tall that when I first saw her I assumed she
must be standing on a podium. My
wife estimated that she was 3 inches taller than me which would make her 6 feet 5 inches
in flats. Normally, however, she
would wear 3 " heels making her almost a full head taller than most of the male
passengers. One of the favorite pastimes for
the men was having their picture taken next to Melanie.
We had never before sailed the QE-2 and despite some of our unhappy experiences cited
above it was good to become
acquainted with this distinguished vessel with its proud traditions. While I am not likely
to schedule another cruise on the
QE-2, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to get to know her.
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