Queen Mary 2 - saving the best 'til first
15 Jun 2016
Queen Mary 2, affectionately known as QM2, is a lady that turns heads. As the flagship of the world’s most respected fleet of luxury ocean liners, QM2 is the most magnificent luxury ocean liner ever built. Her every detail harkens to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel, while providing one of the most modern luxury cruise travel experiences on the planet.
QM2 is a ship of superlatives. Displacing some 151,400 tonnes, QM2 carries 2620 passengers and 1253 crew to attend to one’s every whim, and cuts through the ocean’s waves like a knife through butter. Boasting acres of bleached decks (perfect for a game of deck quoits, shuffleboard or an al fresco repast, a Promenade deck that three times around will clock up a mile and some 14 decks upon which to relax and unwind, QM2 is the grand dame of ocean cruising.
In between a bevy of ports of call, enjoy time at sea engaging in pursuits such as attending guest speaker talks, master classes on painting and Bridge, Bingo, shopping for a good read in the bookshop, frequenting the amazing gym, admiring gallery art, tripping the light fantastic at the nightclub, watching a good film at the cinema, having a facial, watching a show in the Planetarium, shopping for Harrods goodies, attending Mass, catching a production in the show lounge after dinner, playing Roulette, swimming and of course drinking and dining at an impressive array of lounges, bars and restaurants.
Start the day with a full English breakfast served in the privacy of your stateroom. Or head out and dine a la carte at Britannia Restaurant (or Queens* or Princess Grill*) or smorgasbord-style at the Kings Court. At lunch time, enjoy an authentic Ploughman’s lunch at the Golden Lion Pub, opt for a la carte or perhaps a spot of Italian at La Piazza. Enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot (QM2’s House Champagne) at the Champagne Bar, or take in afternoon tea with a Champagne kick in the exquisite Queen’s Room. As the sun sets, relax with cocktails and canapés at the Commodore Lounge – a spectacular bar at the bow. Enjoy dinner at Britannia, Queens* or the Princess Grill* restaurant or make a booking for dinner at the Verandah restaurant, which takes its design inspiration from the original Verandah Grill onboard the Queen Mary. The Verandah offers contemporary French cuisine that makes use of seasonal ingredients of real provenance. Quaff a glass or two of fine Pinotage for a marriage made in heaven, and a celebration of a dandy day at sea.
And, in between all the eating, a famous QM2 Galley tour will announce that almost 16,000 meals are prepared everyday, resulting in the daily use of approximately 87,000 pieces of china and glassware! As long as 41 double-decker London buses, words can only do such a lady so much justice. For to truly revel in the grandeur that is Queen Mary 2, you must sail with her.