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Queen Mary 2 (QM2) |
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| When Queen Mary 2, also known as QM2, was launched in 2004 she was the largest cruise ship in the world. Just to give an example of how large she is: she's twice as long as the Washington Monument and is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall. She's the world's leader in transatlantic cruising, and almost 75% of her staterooms have a private balcony. Among the most popular features found onboard the luxurious Queen Mary 2 are her 20,000 square foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub, the Royal Court Theatre (a lavish two-level 1,105-seat lounge) featuring performances by London's RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts), the Monte Carlo-inspired Empire Casino, Todd English (a Mediterranean specialty restaurant), and Illuminations (a Planetarium featuring various shows, such as virtual reality and constellation shows). Special onboard events include QM2's Royal Nights, which are themed balls held in the largest ballroom at sea (the Queens Room). Dog lovers should be happy to know that QM2 features an onboard kennel (available at an additional cost). |
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| Queen Mary 2 will be featuring cruises in the following regions (subject to change, based on the cruise line's discretion): 2010: Canada & New England, Caribbean, Europe, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, World Cruise 2011: Asia, Caribbean, South Pacific, Transatlantic, World Cruise |
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| Queen Mary 2 offers a wide range of accommodations, from basic inside staterooms all the way up to huge 2,200+ square foot duplex apartments. All of the staterooms onboard QM2 come with 24-hour room service, TV, telephone, refrigerator, a Bon Voyager half-bottle of sparkling wine, safe, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, nightly turndown service with pillow chocolates, daily shipboard newspaper, as well as 220V British 3-pin and 110V 2-pin sockets. Inside Staterooms: The standard inside staterooms onboard Queen Mary 2 (categories D2 through D8) are 155 square feet. These rooms feature two twin beds that can be converted into one King-size bed. A category D1 stateroom is an inside stateroom with an Atrium view, meaning that there is a window inside the stateroom that offers a view of the ship's Atrium. This is a nice feature, as it offers a simulated feeling of an outside view. The D1 staterooms are 161 square feet and have the same features as the standard interiors. All guests staying in interior staterooms are assigned to dine in Britannia Restaurant, on decks 2 and 3). Oceanview Staterooms: QM2's standard oceanview staterooms are categories C1 through C4. Such staterooms are 194 square feet. These staterooms feature everything a standard interior stateroom does, plus either a window or porthole, offering an exterior view. Categories C1 & C2 have a window view, while categories C3 & C4 have a porthole view. All guests staying in oceanview staterooms are assigned to dine in Britannia Restaurant. Balcony Staterooms: The most basic balcony staterooms onboard Queen Mary 2 are her Premium Balcony Staterooms (categories B1 through B6). Categories B5 and B6 have an obstructed view, meaning that there is something outside of the balcony (such as a beam or lifeboat) that blocks your view of the exterior. Categories B1 through B4 have sheltered balconies, meaning that there's a balcony attached to the room, but there's a wall with a large (picture window sized) hole in it, open to the outside of the ship. This is a really nice feature for those looking to have a balcony, but to be able to reduce wind (which can be especially common on a transatlantic voyage). It's also a less expensive way to have a balcony, but to avoid having an obstructed view. A negative to such balconies is that while sitting down in a seat on the balcony you won't be able to see the ocean. These staterooms comes with every in-room feature an oceanview stateroom has, plus a dual height coffee table for en suite dining, and are 269 square feet in size (including their balconies). A Deluxe Balcony Stateroom (categories A1 through A3) is 248 square feet in size, including its balcony. These staterooms feature everything a Premium Balcony Stateroom has, but its balcony is a normal balcony (not obstructed or sheltered). All guests staying in a Deluxe or Premium Balcony Stateroom are assigned to dine in Britannia Restaurant. A category AA stateroom is known as a Britannia Club Balcony. This is because guests staying in such a stateroom are assigned to dine in the exclusive single-seating Britannia Club (which offers a special a la carte menu). Special in-room amenities provided for Britannia Club guests include soft terry bathrobes, fine linens, a pillow concierge menu and a full bottle of sparkling wine upon embarkation. These staterooms are 248 square feet in size, including their balconies. Suites: Cunard refers to their suites as Grill accommodations. This is because guests that stay in a suite onboard QM2 get to dine in a very upscale Grill restaurant. The least expensive suites onboard Queen Mary 2 are her Princess Grill Suites (categories P1 through P3). Princess Grill guests have the following special amenities: priority embarkation (with a separate Grill check-in), a full bottle of sparkling wine with sugar-iced strawberries at embarkation, a fruit basket and bottled water that's replenished daily or as needed, a bud vase with orchid, personalized Cunard stationary, single-seating dining in the Princess Grill or En Suite from the Princess Grill menu, Grills Concierge service, shoe shine service, linens and duvet, pillow concierge offering nine pillow options, daily abridged newspaper, special Sweet Dreams turndown surprise on formal nights, terry cloth bathrobe and slippers, as well as fine Canyon Ranch soaps and shampoos. These staterooms also feature a full bathroom with bath and shower, a separate bar, and a walk-in wardrobe. Such accommodations are 381 square feet, including their balconies. The most premium level of accommodations onboard Queen Mary 2 are her Queens Grill Suites. Guest staying in these accommodations dine in the very upscale (single-seating) Queens Grill. Guests staying in such suites get all of the special amenities that one in a Princess Grill Suite does, plus a full bottle of French champagne (instead of sparkling wine), priority disembarkation and tender service (for categories Q1 through Q4 only), complimentary in-room bar setup, in-room Xbox, butler service (including packing/unpacking service), full flower arrangement, bath salts & manicure kit, in-room DVD player (for categories Q1 through Q4 only) access to Grills Concierge Lounge, Queens Grill Lounge and a private Queens Grill sun deck. The most basic Queens Grill Suites are categories Q5 through Q7. Such staterooms are 506 square feet (including their balconies) and feature a spacious living area, a dressing room and a bathroom with a whirlpool bath and shower. Q7 suites are wheelchair accessible and include a bathroom with a shower instead of a bath. The next most premium accommodation is a category Q4 suite, called a Penthouse Suite (which is 758 square feet including its balcony). Such a suite has a living and dining area with large balcony, a bedroom with a master bath (with a shower and separate whirlpool bath), and a powder room. A category Q3 suite is called a Royal Suite (there are two of them - the Queen Anne and Queen Victoria Suites). These suites are 796 square feet, including their balcony. They feature wonderful views of the bow of the ship, a living and dining area, a bedroom with a master bath (with a shower and separate whirlpool bath) and a second bath with shower. The next step up are the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Suites, referred to as category Q2 suites. These suites have living and dining areas, a large balcony, wonderful views, a master bath with a shower and separate whirlpool bath, a second bath with a shower and private elevator access. These large suites are 1,194 square feet each (including their balconies). Also considered Q2 suites are the larger (at 1,471 square feet, including their balconies) Windsor and Buckingham Suites. These suites have a large living room with an upstairs bedroom, oversized balcony, two marble baths with separate whirlpool baths and showers. The Hollyrood Suite is also a category Q2 suite. This suite is 1,566 square feet (including its balcony) and has the same features listed as the Windsor and Buckingham Suites. The most premium accommodations onboard Queen Mary 2 are the (category Q1) Balmoral and Sandringham Grand Duplex Suites. These massive suites are a whopping 2,249 square feet and feature a downstairs with a large living room, oversized balcony (larger than the balcony of a Q2 suite) and a marble bathroom with a shower. Upstairs is a bedroom with a separate marble bathroom with a whirlpool bath, bidet and seaview window. |
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| Queen Mary 2 features 10 dining venues. Depending on your accommodations, you're assigned to a certain main dining room. However, you can dine in many optional venues if you'd prefer to do that. Among such venues are a specialty restaurant, a pub and a buffet. If you're staying in a non-suite (interior, oceanview, balcony) stateroom, you're assigned dining room is Britannia Restaurant. This elegant main dining room spans two decks (decks 2 and 3) and has two assigned dining times. The "early seating" time is 6:30 pm, while the "late seating" is at 8:30 pm. When making your reservation you must let your booking agent know which one you'd like to request. The one you want may be on a waitlist. If that's the case, you'll have to wait it out and see if you get the one you want. There is a five-course menu that changes each day, with excellent cuisine that is well above average for the cruising industry. One of the nice things about having assigned dining tables is that you get to build a rapport with your waiter, rather than having a different one each night (as some of the other luxury cruise lines do). This venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Britannia Club is a private area that is only available to guests staying in Britannia Club accommodations. This venue has a single-seating setup, meaning that there is no early and late seating (there's just a range of time where you can show up and eat at your assigned/reserved table). The menu in this restaurant features special a la carte options, in addition to the nice menu offered in Britannia Restaurant. This venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Those staying in suites have the pleasure of dining in one of the Grill restaurants, which rival the finest dining venues on land. The Princess Grill is a single-seating venue exclusively for those that are staying in a Princess Grill Suite, while only those that are staying in a Queens Grill suite may dine in a ultra-gourmet Queens Grill (which is also single-seating). Each of the Grill restaurants serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Queens Grill features a special a la carte menu as well. Todd English is the upscale specialty restaurant onboard Queen Mary 2, located aft on deck 8. Todd English is a famous, award-winning American chef that features a wonderful Mediterranean cuisine at this venue. Reservations are required for this restaurant, and a $30 per person for dinner and $20 per person for lunch (both being subject to change) cover charge applies. Besides the main dining rooms and the specialty restaurant, there are various more casual dining options available. Among them is the King's Court, a large buffet onboard QM2 that is great for breakfast, lunch and a late-night snack. This venue turns into four restaurants at night: Lotus - serving Asian cuisine, the Carvery - serving British-style carved roasts, La Piazza - serving Italian cuisine, and the Chef's Galley - an interactive dining experience. Another option is the Golden Lion Pub, a British pub serving a traditional Pub Lunch daily, including items like fish & chips and cottage pie. Breakfast items (such as danish and muffins) and lunch items (such as salads, quiches and sandwiches) are available daily at Sir Samuel (a coffee bar by day, wine bar by night). The Boardwalk Cafe is a casual option located nearby the pool (outdoors, on the Sun deck). The Queens Room offers a traditional British Afternoon Tea daily, served with scones, pastries and finger sandwiches. Don't forget that 24 hour room service is available for all passengers. There is a basic complimentary menu, but it's an excellent option for a late night snack, or for when you're feeling a little lazy and would rather the food come to you. There are a few items on the menu that you can order at an additional cost, such as bar drinks. The quality of the food served in Cunard's room service is very good relative to the rest of the cruising industry. |
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| The Canyon Ranch SpaClub is a massive 20,000-square foot health club featuring a fitness centre, salon and a wide variety of spa treatments available (including an AquaTherapy Centre, thermal suite, stone massages and a rasul). Guests may pre-reserve all spa services 21 days or more prior to their sailing date. If less than 21 days, reservations must be made once you get onboard QM2. There are a bunch of entertainment venues onboard Queen Mary 2. Among them are Illuminations, a Planetarium. This unique venue features a wide range of shows, including constellation shows and virtual reality simulations. This area also serves as Queen Mary 2's movie theatre and (500-seat) lecture hall. Empire Casino is a Monte Carlo-inspired casino that features over 120 slot machines, 13 gaming tables, video poker and a bar. The Royal Court Theatre is a 1,105-guest, multi-tiered lounge that features a wide range of live performances throughout each cruise. Among the types of shows that may be performed during a cruise are Broadway-style production shows, comedians, singers and acrobats. A very special feature available onboard QM2 is performances and workshops given by members of London's much acclaimed RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts). The Queens Room is the largest ballroom at sea, as it spans the entire length of Queen Mary 2. Seating is multi-tiered and there are double-height ceilings. This venue is where QM2's daily afternoon tea is served, and is where ballroom dance lessons, bingo and Cunard's signature Royal Nights balls are held. These balls vary in theme each night, including themes such as an Ascot Ball and a Black & White Ball. There are many bars and lounges on Queen Mary 2. Among them are the Commodore Club, an intimate martini lounge that features piano music. G32 is QM2's two-level disco, located aft of the Queens Room on deck 3. This venue features a DJ and live dance band. Sir Samuel's is a coffee bar during the day that becomes a wine bar during the afternoon and evening. Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar is located right off of the Grand Lobby (on deck 3), and features seven different Veuve Clicquot champagnes. QM2 has five swimming pools throughout it. Among them are the Terrace Pool on deck 8, the Minnows Pool (for children) on deck 9, the Sun Deck Splash Pool on the top of the ship, and the Pavilion Pool (Queen Mary 2's most popular pool, which features a retractable dome) on deck 12. There are also various sports options onboard QM2 (on decks 12 and 13), including golf simulators, a putting green, paddle tennis, basketball and shuffleboard. Although Cunard is not well known for being a family-friendly line, they do offer facilities onboard Queen Mary 2 for children. The Zone, located on deck 6, is where Cunard's youth program is based out of. It features a nursery and children's center. This venue offers a wide range of activities for children ages 3 to 12. Art and literature lovers have plenty to do while onboard QM2. Queen Mary 2 features the largest library at sea, housing over 8,000 books. Right next door to the library is a bookstore and souvenir shop. The art gallery is located on deck 3, and features fabulous works of art by some of the greatest masters of all time (such as Dali, Picasso and Chagall) as well as contemporary artists (such as Bill Mack). Worried about keeping in contact with those at home or work? Not a problem, as there are 21 computers available for use in the Computer Centre. In addition to that, there are 14 WiFi (wireless internet) hotspots available in various public spaces around the ship. Please be aware that charges apply for internet and email usage. |
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| Cunard describes their general onboard atmosphere as elegant, but relaxed. Casual attire is fine for the daytime, including in the buffet areas (except at night). Shorts and swimsuits are not permitted in the main restaurants. Swimsuits, brief shorts and exercise clothing should only be worn while poolside, while participating in the various deck activities or if you're at the spa. For dinner, Cunard does have a specific dress code in place. Depending on the night, there may be a formal, semiformal or elegant casual dress code. Cunard defines each one as follows: - Formal: Black tie or formal dark suit for gentlemen. Evening dress or other formal attire for ladies. - Semiformal: Jacket and tie for gentlemen. Cocktail dress or trouser suit for ladies. No jeans. - Elegant casual: Jacket, no tie required for gentlemen. Dress, skirt or trousers for ladies. No shorts or jeans. |
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| There is a children's nursery and children's center onboard each Cunard ship. Your children will be supervised by trained nannies and a youth staff. Children must be at least 1 year old to participate in the nursery program without parental supervision. Private babysitting is not available, but complimentary group child-sitting is available in the evening, in the children's center. The children's center is filled with various toys and games. Older children and teens will be able to play video games, sports, and participate in various activities (such as scavenger hunts, discos, and arts & crafts). |
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| Cunard Line automatically charges your onboard account to pay for the gratuities for your dining room wait staff, cabin steward and various other employees that service you during your cruise. They charge $13 per person per day if you have Grill dining, or $11 per person per day if you dine in the regular restaurant. If you feel that this fee is too high or low it is at your discretion (before the cruise ends) to go to the passenger services desk to ask them to adjust it to an amount that you are comfortable with. A 15% charge is added to any bar charges (including drinks ordered in the dining room) and salon services. Because of these automatic charges you don't really have to worry about tipping, unless you find that a staff member that deserves something extra (or if you'd like to tip a casino or spa employee, since they don't get a share of the standard charges). |
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| The official minimum drinking age on all Cunard Line ships is 18 years of age. If you purchase alcohol at a port of call it will be collected by Cunard at the gangway, and will be delivered to your stateroom on the last day of your cruise. You're allowed to bring one bottle (per person) of wine or champagne onboard. Each bottle you bring onboard is subject to a $15 corkage fee if you consume it in a dining room or restaurant. |
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| The official minimum gambling age on all Cunard Line cruises is 18 years of age. |
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