| QUEEN MARY 2 |
| CUNARD |
QUEEN MARY 2
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
IN GENERAL: QM2 is a special ship and the feeling of being part of
something special permeates the experience. It is not simply that she
is a massive physical object or that her design incorporates the latest
nautical technology, or that she is capable of going across seas where
most cruise ships fear to tread, there is also something intangible. It is
what made hundreds of thousands of people come out and line the
River Elbe when she first came to Hamburg, Germany, what made
traffic on the streets and in the harbor of Sydney, Australia come to a
halt when she first appeared there, and even made New Yorkers take
notice when she completed her first transatlantic sailing.
something special permeates the experience. It is not simply that she
is a massive physical object or that her design incorporates the latest
nautical technology, or that she is capable of going across seas where
most cruise ships fear to tread, there is also something intangible. It is
what made hundreds of thousands of people come out and line the
River Elbe when she first came to Hamburg, Germany, what made
traffic on the streets and in the harbor of Sydney, Australia come to a
halt when she first appeared there, and even made New Yorkers take
notice when she completed her first transatlantic sailing.
The multi-story Grand Lobby is the central hub of
the ship.
the ship.
SEAKEEPING: On QM2, it is
easy to forget that one is on a ship.
Unlike the first QUEEN MARY,
which was a notorious roller, QM2
has very good sea-keeping qualities.
It takes quite a storm before one
feels any significant motion. This
may seem surprising because the
ship is so tall, one might expect her
to be top heavy. However, she has
been designed so that the center of
gravity is low in the ship. Her four
stabilizers also reduce the roll by
some 90 per cent. In addition,
largely because the bulk of her
propulsion system is located outside
of the hull in pods, engine noise
does not ring throughout the ship.
easy to forget that one is on a ship.
Unlike the first QUEEN MARY,
which was a notorious roller, QM2
has very good sea-keeping qualities.
It takes quite a storm before one
feels any significant motion. This
may seem surprising because the
ship is so tall, one might expect her
to be top heavy. However, she has
been designed so that the center of
gravity is low in the ship. Her four
stabilizers also reduce the roll by
some 90 per cent. In addition,
largely because the bulk of her
propulsion system is located outside
of the hull in pods, engine noise
does not ring throughout the ship.
ATMOSPHERE: In keeping with the ship’s ocean liner heritage, the ship is more formal
than most cruise ships. During the day, people wear what people typically wear on
vacation. However, in the evening, there are several formal nights and nights where
gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket and tie in the main dining room. If you want to wear
a tee-shirt and jeans, there is a choice of more informal alternative dining rooms but be
advised that you will be missing out on part of the experience.
Although QM2 can serve some 2,600 passengers, it does not feel crowded. Keep in mind
that many of today’s cruise ships pack more passengers into less physical space. Indeed,
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS, which is about the same size, carries nearly 2,000 more
passengers. Thus, one has plenty of space.
Along the same lines, the cruise director does not chase passengers around the ship trying to
prod them into joining the belly-flop contest. Nor are there a string of announcements
coming over the public address system announcing various events onboard. There is no
pressure; you decide what you are going to do.
than most cruise ships. During the day, people wear what people typically wear on
vacation. However, in the evening, there are several formal nights and nights where
gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket and tie in the main dining room. If you want to wear
a tee-shirt and jeans, there is a choice of more informal alternative dining rooms but be
advised that you will be missing out on part of the experience.
Although QM2 can serve some 2,600 passengers, it does not feel crowded. Keep in mind
that many of today’s cruise ships pack more passengers into less physical space. Indeed,
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS, which is about the same size, carries nearly 2,000 more
passengers. Thus, one has plenty of space.
Along the same lines, the cruise director does not chase passengers around the ship trying to
prod them into joining the belly-flop contest. Nor are there a string of announcements
coming over the public address system announcing various events onboard. There is no
pressure; you decide what you are going to do.
They may look like modern sculptures
but these items arrayed in front of the
superstructure are actually spare
propeller blades.
but these items arrayed in front of the
superstructure are actually spare
propeller blades.
- PASSENGERS: People who travel on QM2 tend to be sophisticated and
intelligent. Most passengers are Americans but there is also a high proportion of
British travelers. The ship is also very popular in Germany. QM2’s cruise staff
includes hostesses who are specifically assigned to taking care of the German
and French passengers.
It also tends to be an older group. However, an increasing number of families
with children are traveling on the ship. There are facilities for children and
teenagers, which are supervised by members of the cruise staff who are
dedicated to taking care of younger passengers.
Passengers can get an up-close look at the
waves from a series of picture windows on
Two Deck towards the bow of the ship
(above and below). A more detached view
can be had from the ship's library on Eight
Deck (above right).
waves from a series of picture windows on
Two Deck towards the bow of the ship
(above and below). A more detached view
can be had from the ship's library on Eight
Deck (above right).
Left: Running between
the Grand Lobby and
the entrance to the
Britannia Restaurant
on Deck 2 is a wide
corridor. On the walls
are six giant metal
panels each depicting a
different continent.
Below: The corridor
on Deck 3.
the Grand Lobby and
the entrance to the
Britannia Restaurant
on Deck 2 is a wide
corridor. On the walls
are six giant metal
panels each depicting a
different continent.
Below: The corridor
on Deck 3.
More photos, more tour --
Dining is next
CLICK HERE
Dining is next
CLICK HERE
Overview.................................... Page One
Dining ........................................ Page Two
Bars and Lounges......................... Page Three
Queens Grill Suites ..................... Page Four
Princess and Britannia
Accommodations ........................ Page Five
Pools and Outdoor Facilities......... Page Six
Spa, Salon and Gym ....................Page Seven
Activities and Entertainment........ Page Eight
Shops and Other Public Areas......Page Nine
Bridge, Working Areas ............... Page Ten
Dining ........................................ Page Two
Bars and Lounges......................... Page Three
Queens Grill Suites ..................... Page Four
Princess and Britannia
Accommodations ........................ Page Five
Pools and Outdoor Facilities......... Page Six
Spa, Salon and Gym ....................Page Seven
Activities and Entertainment........ Page Eight
Shops and Other Public Areas......Page Nine
Bridge, Working Areas ............... Page Ten
At noon on each day at sea, a
deck officer rings the ship's bell
located in the Grand Lobby.
deck officer rings the ship's bell
located in the Grand Lobby.
Cruise ship photo tour - - Cunard - - Queen Mary 2 - page 1
Above: The Britannia Cup
presented to Cunard by the citizens
of Boston after the company began
regularly-scheduled transatlantic
service in 1840.
presented to Cunard by the citizens
of Boston after the company began
regularly-scheduled transatlantic
service in 1840.
At the forward end of
the corridor on Deck 3
is a large portrait of
the line's founder Sir
Samuel Cunard. Upon
close inspection, one
finds that the image is
comprised of tiny
pictures of Cunard
ships.
the corridor on Deck 3
is a large portrait of
the line's founder Sir
Samuel Cunard. Upon
close inspection, one
finds that the image is
comprised of tiny
pictures of Cunard
ships.
QM2 has a diverse collection of
contemporary and marine art including
works by Giancarlo Impiglia (read
interview with the artist) and by
Captain Stephen Card (read interview
with the artist).
contemporary and marine art including
works by Giancarlo Impiglia (read
interview with the artist) and by
Captain Stephen Card (read interview
with the artist).
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 1
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 2
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 3
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 4
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 5
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 6
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 7
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 8
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 9
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 10
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 2
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 3
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 4
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 5
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 6
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 7
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 8
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 9
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 10
The Pursers Desk (above) in the Grand Lobby is the
ship's reception desk. It is the place to go for
questions and to interact with the ship's management.
Next door is the Tour Office (upper right) where
guests can arrange transfers at the end of a crossing or
bok shore excursions on a cruise. The Future Voyage
Office (lower right) is also the onboard headquarters
for the Cunard World Club, the line's repeat passenger
program. The port shopping specialist is next to the
currency exchange machines (below).
ship's reception desk. It is the place to go for
questions and to interact with the ship's management.
Next door is the Tour Office (upper right) where
guests can arrange transfers at the end of a crossing or
bok shore excursions on a cruise. The Future Voyage
Office (lower right) is also the onboard headquarters
for the Cunard World Club, the line's repeat passenger
program. The port shopping specialist is next to the
currency exchange machines (below).
