Staff stories: Queen Mary 2’s iconic transatlantic crossing

A few weeks ago, I was given the incredible opportunity to sail on board the iconic Queen Mary 2 during her transatlantic voyage to New York. This is undoubtedly a bucket list trip for many and one I felt very lucky to experience. Having never been on a Cunard cruise before, I was unsure what to expect, but it’s safe to say I was blown away.

Arriving at Southampton Mayflower Terminal, I was in awe of the pure beauty of Queen Mary 2 as she was docked and ready for our arrival. The embarkation process was swift and before I knew it, I was stepping on board via Deck 2 and into the Grand Lobby, which was magnificent. I was greeted by the quintessential bellboys (and girls) who were evidently excited for us to see Queen Mary 2 in all her glory.

Once on-board, I headed straight to my cabin, a sheltered balcony (#4.200) located at the aft of Deck 4, to settle in and see my new home for the next seven nights. It was extremely spacious and modern with all the necessary facilities including a kettle, complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits (replenished daily), mini fridge, television, and toiletries. It also had ample storage which was needed considering I had packed every frock I owned in preparation for the gala nights!

There were multiple dining venues on offer, and I was sure I needed to try them all! From the buffet, King’s Court, which offered every cuisine I could think of, to the Steakhouse at The Verandah, there was a menu to suit all palettes. I was fortunate to try out two speciality restaurants on-board – The Lido, offering fresh Asian cuisine and The Verandah which is the onboard steakhouse. The Lido was simply divine, serving a Bento Box which included five different traditional Asian starters. The food served here was mouthwatering and the aroma of spices filled the restaurant. 

The Verandah Steakhouse was equally as good. A top tip I would give to anyone is to make sure you’re hungry as the amount of food served here certainly is phenomenal and I left the restaurant stuffed. The whole experience was special, and a particular highlight was being presented with a box containing around 15 handcrafted steak knives so I  could choose my own. 

From German lessons to chair aerobics, there’s something for everyone on offer on Queen Mary 2. Whilst on-board, I was excited to try something new which came in the form of line dancing. Being a novice, I was apprehensive, but I was soon put at ease by our enthusiastic dance teacher. In our 45-minute session, I was taught three different dances and can confidently say it was a lot of fun! 

Eager to try everything, I also participated in a few quizzes which were hosted in the Carinthia Lounge. The Carinthia Lounge quickly became one of my favourite places to relax on the ship, its plush furnishings and modern décor make it the perfect place to sit and lose yourself in a book. 

Another highlight were the heartfelt talks and lectures which took place daily throughout the voyage. We were honoured to have had serving WWII veterans on-board who spoke from the heart when recounting their memories of the war. We also had the pleasure of having former journalist John McCarthy on board who gave two heart-breaking accounts of his time as a political hostage in the 1980’s. I jumped at the chance to join him in the Royal Theatre, where he had each person in the audience on the edge of their seat – including me! Although there were instances where he had us laughing, it’s safe to say his account of what happened during his 5 and a half years as a hostage didn’t leave a dry eye in the theatre and I was truly humbled to hear his harrowing story.

A perfect ship built to cross oceans, Queen Mary 2 has a plethora of locations to eat, drink, dance and socialise. Highlights from my week on board include:

• Queen’s Room – Traditional and elegant, the Queen’s Room was the perfect place to spend an evening listening to a live pianist and string quartet whilst watching passengers show their best ballroom dances.
• G32 – The hidden gem of Queen Mary 2, G32 offered a space to let your hair down and have a blast. This modern club offered a variety of evening entertainment, including karaoke, a live band and a resident DJ, playing an array of different songs to get up and dance to
• The Golden Lion – A hallmark on all Cunard ships, The Golden Lion pub was the perfect place to enjoy a few drinks and gorge on the lunchtime menu, featuring British classics such as fish and chips and pie and mash
• Afternoon Tea – You simply cannot go on a Cunard cruise without trying their famous afternoon tea. Served everyday between 3:30pm – 4:30pm, this unforgettable culinary experience serves up handcrafted treats, which are all baked fresh on board. What’s more, the white gloved waiters who serve you, add the finishing touch to this special experience

Of course, I couldn’t talk about my experience of my transatlantic crossing without mentioning the end goal of sailing into New York. Although it was an early start, undoubtably the feeling of sailing under the Verrazzano Bridge (Queen Mary 2 only clears the bridge by 13 feet) and past the Statue of Liberty, is one that will stay with me forever. As I stepped outside on Deck 11, I was met by the sight of the twinkling lights of the New York City skyline, and it was truly mesmerising.  I gathered with other passengers at the front of the ship just above the bridge, where the captain was gently navigating the ship down the Hudson River. 

After spending seven truly memorable days at sea, it’s fair to say my week spent on board Queen Mary 2 exceeded my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed trying out new activities and dining on the finest of cuisines. The incredible crew on board made me feel special throughout my voyage and I simply can’t wait to get back on board the Cunard fleet soon.”