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Home > Ocean Liners > Queen Mary 2 > QM2 Reviews > Jan 2004 - aboard QM2

Report From Queen Mary 2, 1/15/04 Madeira, Portugal

(pinched from the excellent LinersList - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LinersList/ )
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 12:07:18 -0500
From:
Alan Zamchick (TSSDORIC @ aol.com)
Subject: Report From Queen Mary 2, 1/15/04 Madeira, Portugal

First thing right off, scanning  quickly through my AOL emails (of which there are now some 616 waiting to be read), I noted many Subject lines stating something along the lines of "Why haven't we heard from Listers on the Queen Mary?"  Suffice to say there are so many pursuits onboard the ship no one in their right mind would spend much time - other than checking emails from loved ones or work - sending detailed dispatches to the list!  But I returned early from an entertaining visit to this lovely Portuguese Island and have a few moments to try to bring some of you up to date.  

The Queen Mary 2 is an Ocean Liner.  She is by definition and all appearances, NOT a cruise ship.  By any stretch of the imagination.  I would imagine being aboard her is very much what it was like being aboard the Queen Mary or the Queen Elizabeth.  Spacious, luxurious surroundings, very good food (bordering on excellent, yes, even in Brittania Dining Room), improving service (there have been a few service delays but nothing to write home about) and a very willing, dedicated, and enthusiastic crew - doing everything they can to make this Maiden Voyage a memorable one.  So far, they've succeeded.

The slightly delayed departure from Southampton on Monday was accompanied by one of the most incredible fireworks displays I've ever seen.  Surprisingly, the barge containing the pyrotechnics was just off her port side, so close to the ship that the display often occured OVER the ship herself.  We were joined on our slow voyage down the solent out to the channel by numerous vessels, all tooting their horns in salute to the new Queen.  Our first 36 hours were spent in a force 7-8 storm, complete with 20 foot troughs and a crossing sea which often splattered against the Deck 2 plate glass windows only about 20 feet above the waves.  The ship rolls nicely, doesn't hang on a roll.  Nor did she pitch very much.  Unfortunately, many of our fellow passengers fell ill and the busy sea's kept "Dame Shirley Bassey" from performing the 2nd night out.  Rumors of Ophra Winfrey or Mel Gibson being onboard proved false.  The ship was booked for 2,913 passengers, but strangely, and perhaps due to weather conditions through the British Isles, only some 2,500+ embarked.  The original weather report for her Southampton departure had called for winds of 70-90 mph and driving rains.  Fortunately, the storm took a turn north and the sailing was uneffected, despite an hour or so delay.

Her interiors are much simpler than what you'd expect to find on a modern day cruise ship.  I was happy to find most public rooms have "enclosures", meaning they don't have that free-flowing open ended access you see on the Statendam class of HAL.  The Britannia Dining Room is a wonderful piece of liner design.  Her five deck atrium is adequate.  She does, however, fail the column "test".  Rapping ones knuckles on the faux marble columns results in a deadened response.  Large frescos line the main gallery down the middle of the ship.  Some are spectacular, done almost in a Normandie-like style on glass.  Others fall short, created from plastics resembling some stone work.  Generally, the quality of the appointments lend a sophisticated and even opulent appearance.  I know others disagree, but I think the Queens Room is a spectacular venue.  Granted, it's rugs are a bit over the top, but I believe the two huge chandeliers, veneer dance floor, and "band shell" not to mention the grandiose space it occupies, represents a worthy throwback to grander era.  

Since the weather has been cool and wet, very little use has been made of her outside decks.  Her Deck 11 Observation area forward is brilliant, providing passengers with a bridge wing of their own, I think, for the first time ever.  Her Deck 8 aft pool area even features little throwback docking bridge wings, not seen on any modern cruiseships!

It's getting a bit late, and our group has reservations in the Todd English restaurant tonight at 6:00pm, so I'll wrap up here.  Portions in Britannia Dining Room are on the typical shipboard "small side", but I understand Todd English serves more traditionally sized fare.  

One final note.  Having four full sized males share one inside upper/lower cabin is extremely tight and not highly recommended.  While the four of us are existing peacefully and with good humor we all long for the day when space is not at such a premium.  Our cabin, however, would be fine for two, or a family of four with two small kids.  

More tomorrow - if I have a chance, after visiting Tenerife in the Canary Islands.  

Best,
Alan


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