Some thoughts on the Queen Mary 2

[tv24]

I've found an excellent way to deal with the issues at Kings Chaos:  I just don't go there.  There are plenty of other places to eat on board!  Ever since this discovery, I've been much happier with the QM2 experience.

[Bigmike911]

19 minutes ago, tv24 said:

I've found an excellent way to deal with the issues at Kings Chaos:  I just don't go there.  There are plenty of other places to eat on board!  Ever since this discovery, I've been much happier with the QM2 experience.

Amen, there are plenty of good food, good service opportunities aboard. I cannot remember ever going to the Kings Court other than for the muster drill.

[navybankerteacher]

9 hours ago, wripro said:

Because they can pile their plates as high as Everest with food.

Exactly - they are living the dream, enjoying the all-you-can-eat buffet.

[wripro]

14 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Exactly - they are living the dream, enjoying the all-you-can-eat buffet.

That dream becomes a nightmare when their clothes no longer fit.

[seacruise9]

On 10/6/2019 at 10:42 AM, david,Mississauga said:

I appreciate the effort that members make to post a review and rarely comment on them. But one line in this review made me chuckle: " the ambience was more like a cafeteria" in reference to tea in the Queen's Room. I have experienced many cafeterias in my time, but not one had servers wearing white gloves pouring tea from china or silver teapots into Wedgwood teacups on tables set with tablecloths and silver cutlery. Nor have I ever enjoyed a string orchestra or harpist providing soothing music in a cafeteria.

 

 Kings Court, however, is a cafeteria.

 

Hi, 

 

I agree with your comment. I greatly enjoy afternoon tea in the Queens Room and don't think it resembles a cafeteria. This is one of my favorite parts of sailing with Cunard.

 

Chuck 

Edited October 7, 2019 by seacruise9

[Camgirl]

Also, 'proper' afternoon tea is not, in my experience, served from a trolley. I have had many, many different afternoon teas, including in Woburn (where it originated) and at many of the top London hotels and none have served afternoon tea from a trolley, it is always either on a cake stand of some sort or, occasionally, from plates or trays. Tea in the Queens Room is not perfect but it is a very enjoyable experience and is served in the best way possible for the situation.

[canoncruiser]

I guess I travel on a different QM2 because I find the new iteration of the King’s Court well laid out and the selection of food really rather good; esp. the varieties of smoked fish and condiments available in the afternoon. I’ve eaten in a lot of cafeterias over the years and KC bears no resemblance save that you serve yourself. My one complaint, the pizza, hamburger and hot dog arrangements need upgrading.  

[bourdon]

Thank you for the post.  Some things I would observe.

 

They don't serve High Tea on Queen Mary 2, they serve Afternoon Tea and there is a distinct difference between the two.  Afternoon Tea is not served from a Trolley, you only have to look at locations such as Fortnum and Mason to observe this.  I haven't been to many cafeterias that have a string orchestra, unless you think of the Cafe Florian in Venice as one.

 

The layout of the ship is for us an attraction of the ship.  Built for regular transatlantic crossings and not a regular cruise ship.  It invites you to explore the ship and find out the little quirks and hidden passages.

 

I have never found the ship to feel busy or cramped and there are many spaces you can go to where there is peace.

[Germancruiser]

Thank you, OP for your long review. If you are used to smaller ships and ships of the high end of the cruise market it does not surprise me, that one QM2 experience is enough for you! You review was very balanced and a good source for those who seek information about the last ocean liner!

 

KC- well that is a story for itself! I   ( and many around here, I bet) knew the old KC- before the 2016 refit. The new layout - well the new buffet areas-  are a real bonus. I find KC a good place to eat when you are in a hurry- as many wrote. The food is all right- nothing special- but much better than many buffets i now of other cruise lines!

 

For me it is the dinning room - for most of my meals. Breakfast in Cafe Carinthia, if to not too hungry- is a great alternative. They have nice choices of little bits and pieces! Freshly made and " jummy" AND they serve your tea there- high Quality tea.

 

Bourdon- I agree- Cafe Florian and F&M are a different story- and a different price range,  I might add. I love both for high tea.

The tea they offer is great.  F&M is also not to be missed on a visit in London.

Both are almost " trademarks" or " landmarks" for the City they are located in!

A great experience, both of them.

 

Afternoon tea in the Queens Room is special, i love it! No other ships than Cunarders offer it on that scale! I find it a triffle unfair to compare the QR to a cafeteria..!

 

It might be quite obvious - QM2 is my favorite ship out there- by fare and long. Both QV and QE are next.

Edited October 8, 2019 by Germancruiser

[Covepointcruiser]

The OP stated that he missed the tea trolleys in the Queens Room and that he frequents  smaller posh lines like Seabourn.   We have been on Seabourn many times and have yet to experience trolley service for tea, or even any location for tea.   The Seabourn Square has a nice Coffee Bar and if you wIt long enough you might get table service.   Don’t forget that on Seabourn everyone is treated the same whether in the top suite or in the 
lower fare ocean view suites.    There is no special dining or tea even if you pay much higher fares and no butlers.

 

[Underwatr]

On 10/5/2019 at 10:39 AM, bluemarble said:

For my money, some of the quirkiness to QM2's layout actually adds to the appeal for me.

That was my thought as well. While I concur with each of the observations in the OP I wouldn't ask Cunard to change a thing. Well, perhaps if the seating areas for Kings Court were arranged more symmetrically around the serving area, but knowing what they had to work with before the refurb the current serving area design is head and shoulders better than previously.

[newjoisey]

On 10/6/2019 at 6:32 PM, Bigmike911 said:

Amen, there are plenty of good food, good service opportunities aboard. I cannot remember ever going to the Kings Court other than for the muster drill.

Then you have no experience with the food or service there 

[Bigmike911]

2 hours ago, newjoisey said:

Then you have no experience with the food or service there 

It is necessary to pass through the food court to get to places forward of it if you are on deck seven, and going from the Queens Grill to the Spa. You can get a pretty good idea about the food and service from watching. When you see a lot empty plates on unbussed tables it gives you a pretty good idea about the service. 

[VK3DQ]

Afternoon Tea

 

I dont think you have had afternoon tea unless you have been to Reids Palace (Belmond Hotels) in Funchal Madeira

 

Regards

John

[Camgirl]

15 hours ago, VK3DQ said:

Afternoon Tea

 

I dont think you have had afternoon tea unless you have been to Reids Palace (Belmond Hotels) in Funchal Madeira

 

Regards

John

Yes, it's good. But don't book it through Cunard as you won't be seated on the beautiful tea terrace, which is what makes it so special. Book direct through the hotel's website.

[PORT ROYAL]

16 hours ago, VK3DQ said:

Afternoon Tea

 

I dont think you have had afternoon tea unless you have been to Reids Palace (Belmond Hotels) in Funchal Madeira

 

Regards

John

 

Or a window table for two in At.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa Dubai.

The Burj even discreetly inspects your apparel, to ensure their strict dress code is followed, prior to being escorted up to your table.

Dress code inspection prior to?  Now this could be an idea for Cunard.

 

Edited October 13, 2019 by PORT ROYAL
Predictive

[Bell Boy]

3 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Or a window table for two in At.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa Dubai.

The Burj even discreetly inspects your apparel, to ensure their strict dress code is followed, prior to being escorted up to your table.

Dress code inspection prior to?  Now this could be an idea for Cunard.

 

 Sign me up for this, I'll do the job free. 😂

[Bell Boy]

19 hours ago, VK3DQ said:

Afternoon Tea

 

I dont think you have had afternoon tea unless you have been to Reids Palace (Belmond Hotels) in Funchal Madeira

 

Regards

John

Or the Ritz,  no trolley service there. 

[jimdee3636]

On 10/6/2019 at 2:25 AM, exlondoner said:

The Kings Court/Lido mystifies me. No one seems to have a good word to say about them and yet they are always full. I don't like them, so I never eat there. So why do people eat there if they are so horrid? 

This reminds me of the old Yogi Berra line: "No one goes there anymore. It's way too crowded!"

 

(Note to U.K. readers: Yogi Berra was a famous New York Yankees baseball player from the 1950's and '60's, known today more for his unintentionally-amusing use of the English language. He also said, inter alia, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it.").

[PORT ROYAL]

19 minutes ago, jimdee3636 said:

This reminds me of the old Yogi Berra line: "No one goes there anymore. It's way too crowded!"

 

(Note to U.K. readers: Yogi Berra was a famous New York Yankees baseball player from the 1950's and '60's, known today more for his unintentionally-amusing use of the English language. He also said, inter alia, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it.").

 

The reason why the fork was taken, was because it can be used when dining in the USA.  If he came across a knife, it would have been declined and left in the road.

Edited October 13, 2019 by PORT ROYAL
Predictive

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, Bell Boy said:

 Sign me up for this, I'll do the job free. 😂

 

Could you use an assistant??  👗 👔 

[Germancruiser]

Those places you all mentioned are wonderful for High tea- no question about it!  BUT- for me-  what makes the QM2/QV/QE - AFTERnoon tea so special: IT IS ON BOARD AN OCEAN LINER- CRUISE SHIP- whatever you may call those Cunarders!

[LouChamp]

qm2 a beautiful ship

[koonard]

On 6 October 2019 at 10:25 AM, exlondoner said:

The Kings Court/Lido mystifies me. No one seems to have a good word to say about them and yet they are always full. I don't like them, so I never eat there. So why do people eat there if they are so horrid? 

Because the service in the dining room at lunch is so slow .. only time for soup if you want to be anywhere early afternoon.

[exlondoner]

2 hours ago, koonard said:

Because the service in the dining room at lunch is so slow .. only time for soup if you want to be anywhere early afternoon.

 

It can be quite leisurely, though, if you tell them your deadline, I have found they are often much speedier. Even so, there's the pub, or Café Carinthia, or the Chart Room, or the pool bar place, if open, or room service, all of which seem more agreeable, though of course the choices are much more limited.