Recently, Karen from our stroud branch and I were fortunate enough to embark on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 ship whilst she was docked in Southampton for the day. One of the amazing bonuses of sailing from Southampton is that you are guaranteed a smooth embarkation and Cunard completely exceeded my expectations. I was welcomed by all the friendly crew and from my first impressions of the ship and the crew, I could imagine how perfect it would be to sail on a Cunard voyage.
The first place we visited was The Queens Room and I immediately felt the incredible atmosphere as I stepped in. The Queens Room offers a ballroom at sea however I was pleased to know that they serve their signature Afternoon Tea in there every day at 3:30pm. Who doesn't love an afternoon tea? The Queens Room is also where they host their iconic Gala Evenings which are known to be spectacular however be sure to make your way to The Queen's Room even when it is not a Gala Evening so that you can head to the dancefloor and dance the night away in your finest evening wear as the live orchestra plays. There have Music Nights in The Queens Room offering different themes on selected nights such as Sound of the 80's, 70's rewind and Soul & Motown.
We then headed to the G32 venue which is Queen Mary 2's nightclub. This boasts a vibrant atmosphere that guarantees a good time. If you are a fan of a livelier evening with plenty of dancing and space to let your hair down, then I wouldn't hesitate to head to G32. You will also find that the bar offers a fantastic selection of drinks.
After having a quick look at the G32 venue, I had the opportunity to view some of the cabins. Each cabin has a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for the guests. One thing I loved about each cabin was how spacious they are and you will always find tea and coffee making facilities inside. My tour of the cabins even included a look around the Grand Duplex which is one of the Queen Grill Suites. I was blown away by the luxurious touch and attention to detail that this cabin had. I wasn't even sure if I could call it a cabin as it truly is the most beautiful residence to stay in at sea.
The Grand Duplex offers a private space spread over two floors and even had a dedicated dining area that can host up to eight guests. I was shocked by the exclusive benefits for all Queen's Grill guests. You can also rely on your butler who is available 24/7 and can replenish your minibar if needed. If you are looking to experience the world of luxury cruising, then a Queen's Grill would not disappoint. I captured a video of the Buckingham suite whilst onboard so if you would like a sneak peek, please pop into our branch and see me!
We then wondered to deck 6 and enjoyed the views at the aft of the ship. Here you will find a hot tub and pool surrounded by plenty of sunbeds. This would be one of the perfect places to lounge during a sunny sea day or even after a long day exploring your port of call. You can also find The Play Zone on deck 6, which is Cunard's kids club. This will be included in your fare, however, be sure to register your children prior to sailing.
We then came across the main dining restaurant which is the Britannia Restaurant. This was brilliantly designed and offered a mixture of table sizes and plenty of welcoming staff. This restaurant has a varied menu with a three-week rotation so you will hardly ever see the same menu. I was pleased to learn that anyone with dietary requirements will receive a separate menu. Prior to sailing, you will be able to request your dining. This consists of early or late sitting. Each sitting will tie in with evening activities and the theatre so regardless which you choose, you won't miss out. Alternatively, you can choose freedom dining and turn up when you like.
Afterwards, we had a sneak peek at some of the exclusive restaurants. This includes the Queen Grill restaurant, exclusive to Queens Grill guests and the Princess Grill restaurant, exclusive to Princess Grill guests, both restaurants are located on deck 7. These restaurants serve A la carte dining with a different menu each day, however there is an always available menu. Both restaurants are the pinnacle of fine dining offering one of the most prestigious dining experiences at sea. On the same deck, you will also find the Grill Lounge, exclusive to Grill guests. This private lounge is perfect for pre-dinner, cocktails or even to relax in during the day if you are looking to enjoy a hot drink.
On deck 7, you will also find the Carinthia Lounge which is open to all guests. This was one of my favourite spaces onboard as it is beautifully decorated and has large windows that allow you to admire the scenery on a sea day or even a port day. If you are looking to travel with friends, I would recommend this as a meeting spot. A bonus is that the lounge serves food at certain times of day such as pastries in the morning and light bites in the afternoon. Next, we had a look at the Illuminations which is the ships planetarium. This has to be one of my favourite places onboard. The cool part is that Illuminations transforms into a luxury 3D cinema hosting films as well as recitals of classical music and concerts.
My favourite part of the whole ship was the Royal Court Theatre. The room was surrounded with Cunard's traditional red seating and the seats were so comfortable. It would be a dream to watch a West End style production here! This theatre offers incredible evening entertainment from comedy, dance productions, live music and West-End style performances. The nice touch that Queen Mary 2 offers in her Royal Court theatre is the cabaret seating.
One of the highlights of my day was the food. We ate in the Britannia Restaurant and received the most amazing service. The best part about my food was the dessert. I had never tried a chocolate marquise before even though I am a huge chocolate fan and the dessert did not disappoint. The food satisfied my taste buds.
After having food, Karen and I were given some free time to explore the ship before disembarking so that we could revisit some of the places we loved like the Golden Lion pub. It was very cozy in here and it offered the most authentic dining experience for UK generations.
Overall, I loved my experience on the Queen Mary 2 and I am hoping that I can embark on a journey with them in future. Maybe even for a transatlantic! If you are looking to do your next or even first cruise, then please contact me or pop into our Gloucester shop. The kettle is always on...
