The Magnificent Queen Mary 2

Step back into the golden age of ocean travel with a transatlantic crossing on the majestic Queen Mary 2. With its rich history and lavish offerings, this Cunard flagship vessel mesmerizes with its iconic style and impeccable service. Journey from New York City to Southampton and indulge in the nostalgic elegance of this legendary liner. Read Vanessa Lee's detailed article below.

A transatlantic crossing on the legendary Queen Mary 2 provides a nostalgic return to the sea

We crossed the Atlantic Ocean from NYC to Southampton on board the world's only ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2, flagship of the Cunard fleet. She is a venerable Grand Dame of the Seas with impeccable heritage. I first boarded her in January 2004 for a spectacular christening ceremony in Southampton attended by HM, The Queen (as Godmother) and HRH The Prince Philip. To say it was an impressive occasion would be an understatement. When a curtain drop revealed Her Majesty's bagpiper, standing on the ship's highest forward point, playing “Amazing Grace’, it brought the house down and it brought me, as an Englishwoman, to tears. Later that evening, we all gathered for cocktails, Champagne and a gala dinner with gentlemen wearing black tie and their medals, and ladies in glamorous evening and ball gowns. We were all delighted to be invited to such a unique and auspicious occasion.

I have been a "Cunarder" since first sailing on the original Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to New York as an impressionable girl, accompanying my mother for a lengthy summer stay in Canada. That particular Queen retired in 1968, and a second Queen Elizabeth, known as QE2, joined the fleet in 1969. Cunard Line has an impressive and revered history dating to Halifax-born Sir Samuel Cunard in the 1840s. Originally used as mail ships, Cunard Line eventually merged with White Star Line in the 1930s, and Cunard has since offered White Star Service on board its vessels. The first transatlantic crossing was on the Britannia in July 1840 when Samuel Cunard sailed with author Charles Dickens from Liverpool to New York City. In another first, Cunard sailed a World Cruise in 1922 on the Laconia, and Cunard has now carried more World Cruise guests than any other cruise company and still sails a World Cruise each year. It's the second oldest cruise brand in the world behind P&0.

The first Queen Mary sails out of New York

Being a Cunarder, I had long known many interesting facts about this impressive brand, including the fact that all their fships – before the Queens – ended with the letters IA: Carmania, Mauretania, Carpathia, Servia and so on. The ships are instantly recognizable by their iconic red funnels and when boarding, you’re greeted by the Cunard Bellhops wearing their signature red uniforms and caps – a charming nod to the line's time-honoured heritage. The company has four ships now, including Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and the recently launched and absolutely stunning Queen Anne joining the fleet this year and sailing a World Cruise in 2026 – 109 nights roundtrip Southampton.

During these 20 intervening years, I have sailed on QM2 often but not for a crossing, which is a different experience than a regular cruise. And so, in early May, we arrived in New York City to board this beautiful ocean liner with seven days at sea ahead of us as we set sail for England. A crossing can be as busy or peaceful and lazy as you wish – there is something to do virtually every hour of the day if one is so inclined. Many people, however, simply love to sit and read while contemplating a never-ending sea view. There is an impressive library of over 8000 titles on the ship and each guest may take out two books at a time during the cruise, returning them on the last sea day. The world slows down marvellously during a week at sea, and each day unfolds with much expectation. There are fascinating lectures and stage performances, excellent evening entertainment, daily trivia, exercise classes, a terrific spa and wellness centre, onboard shopping – including Liberty of London! – and a wealth of dining options.

For many, a transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2 is high on the bucket list – it's a romantic, nostalgic rarity. Some are maritime or history lover, and many love to sail time and again across the Atlantic or on other voyages just to enjoy the traditional aspects of life at sea, which Cunard offers in its own unique style

Golden Lion Pub

We frequented the Golden Lion Pub for craft ales and typical British pub food such as a Ploughman's Lunch or Steak and Ale Pie, and it was always packed. We also enjoyed stellar performances in the Royal Court Theatre and fascinating speakers in the Cunard Insights lecture series. We learned a great deal about Art History from a talk on 'London from Queen Victoria to King Charles III.' and dove into Maritime and World History, and Astronomy and Geophysics during presentations held very appropriately in the Illuminations theatre. There were watercolour art classes, dance classes, bridge lessons, blackjack tournaments, and Mega-Jackpot Bingo – always a sell-out! Music and dancing were ever-present on this ship, with talented performers entertaining us in various venues throughout the day and evening. We enjoyed a harpist in the Commodore Club, our pre-dinner cocktail locale, a pianist in the Chart Room and a string trio in the Grand Lobby. A folk duo played in the Carinthia Lounge, while another duo held court in the pub. Daily white-glove afternoon tea was served in the gloriously opulent Queens Room with finger sandwiches, scones, clotted Devon cream and jam in abundance – and, of course, with music as an accompaniment. It was one of the most popular and very tasty daily options!

Other Cunard features include outdoor deck games, darts competitions, space to promenade, golf putting and dancing in the Queens Room on most evenings. Cunard often references the onboard experience as harkening back to the golden age of travel – there's even a QM2 Orchestra. There was so much to see and do on our crossing, that we could easily have sailed for ten days.

Two nights on each crossing are designated as Black tie

There are special dress-up evenings, and two nights are designated as Black Tie on each crossing. One of ours was a Masquerade Ball with many fanciful masks on display. Another was "Red and Gold" night with gentlemen wearing red bow ties and pocket handkerchiefs, and ladies resplendent in long or shorter red cocktail gowns with matching accessories. Feather boas flew everywhere in the popular Champagne Bar and the Chart Room before and after dinner. Tuxes were available for rent onboard (though you needed to bring your shoes) and the less than $200 USD fee for the duration was reasonable. Shirts could also be rented, and bowties could be purchased, all from well-known British tailor Moss Bros.

Princess Grill Suite

On board Queen Mary 2, your stateroom or suite is paired with the restaurant designated to that accommodation category. For a truly rarefied experience, you can sail in the top suites of Queens Grill. Guests there enjoy a spacious, elegant suite with the services of a butler and take their meals in Queens Grill Restaurant – at the same table with the same staff each day. We enjoyed our well-designed Princess Grill suite, with all of its marvellous amenities: a walk-in closet and ample drawer space, a mini-fridge, a tea kettle and coffee maker, an elegant sitting area, a balcony and both North American and UK plugs and charging ports for phones.

Queens Grill Restaurant

We had a reserved table for two in Princess Grill Restaurant every day and appreciated the attentive, excellent service. Our Maitre'd was exceptional and suggested we order special dishes on a few occasions, including Crepes Suzette and a Chateaubriand cooked to order tableside – something not often seen these days. Both categories of suites offer an exclusive Grills Lounge, a delightful spot for drinks and relaxation. All guests also have alternate dining options, such as The Steakhouse at the Verandah, which must be pre-reserved and requires an upcharge. The main restaurant onboard is the Britannia, and it serves a range of stateroom categories as well as the Britannia Club category, which offers a balcony room and a designated area in the two-storey and impressive Britannia Restaurant. Other casual dining options can be found at the Pub and Kings Court, which also provides a small, reservation-only area at night with a menu that changes halfway through the week –Italian, Asian or Indian cuisine. The buffet at Kings Court or the Lido on the other ships is a casual, popular spot for every meal.

Gratuities are extra, as are drinks, but during the first two days of the sailing, guests can buy a drinks package that suits their needs – it's $80 USD per person per day and includes all wines, beer, water, soft drinks and cocktails.

If you want something different, laced with charming tradition and a dash of elegance, look no further than Cunard Line and their four ships – we certainly enjoyed a special and unique experience on the fabled Queen Mary 2.

Written by Vanessa Lee for Cruise and Travel Lifestyles (Fall 2024)