Home > Ocean Liners > Queen Elizabeth 2 > Crossing Reviews > The Mauretania Experience
The Mauretania Experience
By SeaView reader Chris Frame
QE2, Cunard Line's celebrated 70,000 ton, 963 ft. long flag ship, is a floating legend, she is the last of the great liners, a 24 hour city at sea, the Queen of the Seas and I was eager to board for my second cruise on this great ship with my parents and sister.
I first boarded QE2 on February 5th 1995 for a voyage to Sydney VIA Christchurch, a total of six nights. It was just long enough to get me hooked. She was a magnificent ship, and our suites, 1022 and 1024 (Princess Grill Class) were amazing, with a full range of facilities, which included mini bar, Bath and Shower two marble wash basins, two sitting rooms & two bed rooms (connected by an inter-leading door) and two round windows per suite (a total of four). I enjoyed every part of QE2, and missed the life aboard a lot when we returned home.
By 1997 my family and I decided that we needed another holiday, and also wanted to experience a Trans Panama Canal Passage, so what better way to do it then on our favourite cruise ship, QE2. Knowing that the suite you book only determines the restaurant you eat in, we decided to save money on our suite and instead go on a longer voyage (this time 11 nights). So we booked two M3 inside suites, and as a result were eating in the Mauretania Restaurant.
Arrival
Upon arrival to the docks in Miami, on the sunny morning of January 8, 1998, we were asked to book our luggage in, which was very easy. "Suite Number, Surname, Have a nice cruise sir" is about how quickly it happened! We were then asked to check in and get our ticket stamped, which we did, and were informed at this time that Cunard had upgraded us to an outside M1 suite, and an M2 inside suite on five deck, just by an act of good will.
This was great, as we were now able to see the sea from one of our suites.
Check in is a very easy experience as well. The Cunard staff know what they are doing and do it well. We then had to wait for three hours until we were called to board. In this time I took as many photos as my camera could hold. QE2 certainly is a sight. A very beautiful ship.
When we boarded QE2, a crew member greeted us, and then escorted us to our suites. Ahead of us was an adventure, which would unfold to the most wonderful experience of my life.
The Suites
Our suites 5149 (out side) and 5145 (in side) were excellent quality. Entering 5149, there is a foyer which the bathroom, wardrobe and passageway to the bedroom leads off. The bathroom was a good size (I'm 6ft 3 so if it was too small I'd know) with a shower on one side, toilet on the other, and marble basin, complete with silver taps and towel wracks in the middle.
The robe was plenty big enough to fit at least two weeks worth of clothes in it for two people, and that is including the jacket and tux for dinner. The passageway is also lined with cupboards for baggage storage, and this is where you find your life jacket.
The bedroom is quite big, and has two king-single beds with a chest in the middle, which houses the telephone, QE2 directory, TV remote and other info like table number in the restaurant.ÊThe beds are very comfortable and long enough for tall people like me. There is also a TV/VCR and a chair for visitors.
Finally, the porthole, which, isn't as big as the ones we had in 1022/1024 on our 1995 cruise, but was still nice, and as five deck is the third deck from the bottom, quite close to the sea, there was a good view.
Our inside suite, 5145, was a little smaller than 5149 but still a very good standard. You entered into the bedroom and a small passage lead to the bathroom and wardrobe. The bathroom was as good as 5149s and there was ample room in the robe.
Both suites were very nicely decorated in blues and burgundy carpet. The walls were done in real wood teak and the wood was in excellent condition.
The Ship
Mauretania passengers enjoy the whole of QE2, apart from the Queens Grill Lounge, which only Queens Grill passengers have access to. QE2 is a big ship, and there is a lot to do.
The Crystal Bar on Upper Deck offers before dinner cocktails and serves drinks all through the day and is a great meeting place. The latest blockbusters are showing in the cinema, as well as classics for those wanting to re live the old days. The casino on Upper Deck is quite large with lots of slot machines and a cocktail bar. On the starboard side opposite the casino is the wonderful Golden Lion Pub, which is decorated, in dark woods and leather chairs, with a dance floor and live music.
The Grand Lounge is the ultimate room, with its red decor and large stage. It offers shows/entertainment by night, and lectures by day. The Yacht club can't be more highly commented on, with its America's Cup deco. The room is decorated with sails, light-woods, blue chairs and is used as a lecture lounge by day, and disco nightclub at night.
QE2's large Quarter Deck library rivals all those on land, with over 6,000 volumes, it also allows you to borrow video‰s to play in your cabin. The Ocean Bookshop is great, with a large number of best seller ocean liner related books, such as "QE2" by Captain R Warwick.
A drink in the Chart Room bar is also great, with its maps of the ocean passages and new glass panel diagram of the North Atlantic; this room has a very nice atmosphere.
The Queens Room complements this ship excellently. The trumpet shaped columns welcome you to this room, decorated in blues with wooden walls, this room comes alive at night with parties and dancing under the disco lights.
For teenagers there is the Club 2000 video arcade. This room is not what one would expect on QE2. It's small and provides limited activities, but the arcade games are fun. In my opinion this whole room should be removed, and a new nightclub/video arcade should be built over the aft sun deck, allowing for an indoor teenage nightclub with room to move in that leads out onto the Deck - which will put use to the Sun Deck which is rarely used.
The Lido offers an alternative to the formality of the restaurants with the buffet style dining. The food is wonderful, and the Lido caters to breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and the midight buffet - a real treat!
Just below the Lido on One Deck is the Pavilion Cafe, which serves burgers, pizza, and soft drinks as well as a self-serve ice cream parlour and over looks the QE2 Pool and shiny teak decks. The Synagogue is on Three Deck. Inter-denominational Church is held in the theatre.
Two deck offers the Beauty Salon and Cunard Collection LOGO shop, where on Boat Deck you can find designer label clothes, and gift items as well as a Chemist and Shoe Shop in the International Shopping Promenade. Down on Six Deck is the amazing QE2 Spa, which takes up 1/3 of the passenger deck, and complementing this is the Gym and Pool on Seven Deck.
Dining
The QE2 is a one-class ship, in public rooms, but the cabin size and cost reflects which restaurant you eat in. Being in M1 and 2 meant we were in the Mauretania. This restaurant was magnificent. In the centre the aluminium "white horses" are the centrepiece of the room, illuminated in blue light. There is a mural of "Cunard Cruising Scenes" in the back of the room.
The tables are all laid wonderfully, with magnificent precision. Fresh flowers every three days complement the freshly folded napkins. There are two waiters or waitresses per table, or three for a large table, so there is always someone near to serve you.
The menu is very good. Having dined in the Princess Grill in 1995, my expectations were high, and I was not disappointed. Soups, starters, mains, desserts with sorbet in between were what Mauretania offered, with a large variety of mains, none the same as the night before. The restaurant manager welcomed us every night at the door, which led off the Crystal Bar.
Entertainment
During the day, there are many different activities. These include Heritage Trail Tours, where a guide takes you through the ship and points out all the historic artefacts that QE2 holds.
QE2 is full of models of older Cunard ships, as well as historical artefacts such as the Laconia Cup awarded to the Cunard Steam Ship Company for their ship Laconia. In the Queens Room, ballroom dancing lessons are held on the dance floor, and gentlemen hosts are at hand for any ladies wanting a dance partner.
There are lessons in the computer learning centre on Two Deck, or you can just use the computers to write letters or play games. There are also CD roms in the Library.
Or some people like to just find a quiet spot in the ship and read, or sit on the deck and relax as the sea goes by.
There is a tennis court, golf range, putt putt, basketball hoops, shuffleboard, and other deck games as well as an on deck pool. And by night QE2 comes alive with shows in the Grand Lounge, disco in the Yacht Club, dancing in the Lion Pub, midnight buffet in the Lido, and much, much more. You cannot be bored on QE2.
Panama Canal & QE2
Transiting the Panama Canal on the QE2 was the most amazing experience! She is 963 ft by 105 ft, which leaves very little room on either side of the ship in the locks. It's wonderful to be sitting on the deck as a mountain passes by, or as QE2 passes through the locks.
Anyone who wants to transit the canal should do it on QE2. The Sun Deck observation deck is THE place to be as it looks over her bows, something most other ships can't offer. The ships mighty funnel looks brilliant as the ship passes under the "Bridge of the Americas" - the only road connection between the North and South Continent.
Final Day / Disembarkation
We arrived in Los Angeles at about 6:00 am, which was a little annoying because the time it said in the guide was 8:30 am so I woke up and missed seeing the ship arrive.
Our last hours onboard were sad because we knew we would miss the ship. You are disembarked by cabin number/deck, Signal first, Five last, so we left the ship at about 11:00am. Everything ran smoothly, our luggage was collected the night before and was waiting for us on the quayside for collection. Once we were off QE2, the real world caught up with us; it was over an hour until we found a taxi.
Mauretania Satisfaction
I found the Mauretania cabins and restaurant to be very good. The food was great, the room service was that of a five star hotel and there was plenty of space.
If you have lots of money, then there is no better accommodation at sea then the Grill class on QE2. Sure, the Caronia suites have the added luxury of a bath, but seriously, if you want a longer cruise on QE2 for a lower price, or you haven't got the money to spend on the Grill class ticket, Mauretania is the choice for you.
The rooms are quite spacious and very nicely decorated, the main difference between inside and outside cabins being the portholes which, if you don‰'t think you will ever look out of them, doesn't really make much difference to your room. Don't ever let people make you believe that Mauretania is the equivalent of Tourist Class. It is not at all true. QE2 has no 1st 2nd and Tourist Class.
Instead she works on the basis of Suite to restaurant. If you are wealthy enough to afford a "Q" suite, you will dine in the Queens Grill and be welcome in the Queens Grill Lounge and bar.
If deluxe accommodation is within your means, either the Princess or Britannia Grill will welcome you at mealtime. Other cabins allow the occupants to dine in the Caronia Restaurant or in the Mauretania Restaurant. This is decided by the size of the suite. Caronia are slightly larger the Mauretania and have a bath, which costs more.
All in all, I think Mauretania Grade is very high quality, and would recommend it to all. We plan to cruise on QE2 again in 2002, and again in a Mauretania suite. This time I would like to be on the Four Deck, in suites like 4185 and 4187, both M1 grade.
I look forward to being back on QE2 with eager anticipation.
QE2, Cunard Line's celebrated 70,000 ton, 963 ft. long flag ship, is a floating legend, she is the last of the great liners, a 24 hour city at sea, the Queen of the Seas and I was eager to board for my second cruise on this great ship with my parents and sister.
I first boarded QE2 on February 5th 1995 for a voyage to Sydney VIA Christchurch, a total of six nights. It was just long enough to get me hooked. She was a magnificent ship, and our suites, 1022 and 1024 (Princess Grill Class) were amazing, with a full range of facilities, which included mini bar, Bath and Shower two marble wash basins, two sitting rooms & two bed rooms (connected by an inter-leading door) and two round windows per suite (a total of four). I enjoyed every part of QE2, and missed the life aboard a lot when we returned home.
By 1997 my family and I decided that we needed another holiday, and also wanted to experience a Trans Panama Canal Passage, so what better way to do it then on our favourite cruise ship, QE2. Knowing that the suite you book only determines the restaurant you eat in, we decided to save money on our suite and instead go on a longer voyage (this time 11 nights). So we booked two M3 inside suites, and as a result were eating in the Mauretania Restaurant.
Arrival
Upon arrival to the docks in Miami, on the sunny morning of January 8, 1998, we were asked to book our luggage in, which was very easy. "Suite Number, Surname, Have a nice cruise sir" is about how quickly it happened! We were then asked to check in and get our ticket stamped, which we did, and were informed at this time that Cunard had upgraded us to an outside M1 suite, and an M2 inside suite on five deck, just by an act of good will.
This was great, as we were now able to see the sea from one of our suites.
Check in is a very easy experience as well. The Cunard staff know what they are doing and do it well. We then had to wait for three hours until we were called to board. In this time I took as many photos as my camera could hold. QE2 certainly is a sight. A very beautiful ship.
When we boarded QE2, a crew member greeted us, and then escorted us to our suites. Ahead of us was an adventure, which would unfold to the most wonderful experience of my life.
The Suites
Our suites 5149 (out side) and 5145 (in side) were excellent quality. Entering 5149, there is a foyer which the bathroom, wardrobe and passageway to the bedroom leads off. The bathroom was a good size (I'm 6ft 3 so if it was too small I'd know) with a shower on one side, toilet on the other, and marble basin, complete with silver taps and towel wracks in the middle.
The robe was plenty big enough to fit at least two weeks worth of clothes in it for two people, and that is including the jacket and tux for dinner. The passageway is also lined with cupboards for baggage storage, and this is where you find your life jacket.
The bedroom is quite big, and has two king-single beds with a chest in the middle, which houses the telephone, QE2 directory, TV remote and other info like table number in the restaurant.ÊThe beds are very comfortable and long enough for tall people like me. There is also a TV/VCR and a chair for visitors.
Finally, the porthole, which, isn't as big as the ones we had in 1022/1024 on our 1995 cruise, but was still nice, and as five deck is the third deck from the bottom, quite close to the sea, there was a good view.
Our inside suite, 5145, was a little smaller than 5149 but still a very good standard. You entered into the bedroom and a small passage lead to the bathroom and wardrobe. The bathroom was as good as 5149s and there was ample room in the robe.
Both suites were very nicely decorated in blues and burgundy carpet. The walls were done in real wood teak and the wood was in excellent condition.
The Ship
Mauretania passengers enjoy the whole of QE2, apart from the Queens Grill Lounge, which only Queens Grill passengers have access to. QE2 is a big ship, and there is a lot to do.
The Crystal Bar on Upper Deck offers before dinner cocktails and serves drinks all through the day and is a great meeting place. The latest blockbusters are showing in the cinema, as well as classics for those wanting to re live the old days. The casino on Upper Deck is quite large with lots of slot machines and a cocktail bar. On the starboard side opposite the casino is the wonderful Golden Lion Pub, which is decorated, in dark woods and leather chairs, with a dance floor and live music.
The Grand Lounge is the ultimate room, with its red decor and large stage. It offers shows/entertainment by night, and lectures by day. The Yacht club can't be more highly commented on, with its America's Cup deco. The room is decorated with sails, light-woods, blue chairs and is used as a lecture lounge by day, and disco nightclub at night.
QE2's large Quarter Deck library rivals all those on land, with over 6,000 volumes, it also allows you to borrow video‰s to play in your cabin. The Ocean Bookshop is great, with a large number of best seller ocean liner related books, such as "QE2" by Captain R Warwick.
A drink in the Chart Room bar is also great, with its maps of the ocean passages and new glass panel diagram of the North Atlantic; this room has a very nice atmosphere.
The Queens Room complements this ship excellently. The trumpet shaped columns welcome you to this room, decorated in blues with wooden walls, this room comes alive at night with parties and dancing under the disco lights.
For teenagers there is the Club 2000 video arcade. This room is not what one would expect on QE2. It's small and provides limited activities, but the arcade games are fun. In my opinion this whole room should be removed, and a new nightclub/video arcade should be built over the aft sun deck, allowing for an indoor teenage nightclub with room to move in that leads out onto the Deck - which will put use to the Sun Deck which is rarely used.
The Lido offers an alternative to the formality of the restaurants with the buffet style dining. The food is wonderful, and the Lido caters to breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and the midight buffet - a real treat!
Just below the Lido on One Deck is the Pavilion Cafe, which serves burgers, pizza, and soft drinks as well as a self-serve ice cream parlour and over looks the QE2 Pool and shiny teak decks. The Synagogue is on Three Deck. Inter-denominational Church is held in the theatre.
Two deck offers the Beauty Salon and Cunard Collection LOGO shop, where on Boat Deck you can find designer label clothes, and gift items as well as a Chemist and Shoe Shop in the International Shopping Promenade. Down on Six Deck is the amazing QE2 Spa, which takes up 1/3 of the passenger deck, and complementing this is the Gym and Pool on Seven Deck.
Dining
The QE2 is a one-class ship, in public rooms, but the cabin size and cost reflects which restaurant you eat in. Being in M1 and 2 meant we were in the Mauretania. This restaurant was magnificent. In the centre the aluminium "white horses" are the centrepiece of the room, illuminated in blue light. There is a mural of "Cunard Cruising Scenes" in the back of the room.
The tables are all laid wonderfully, with magnificent precision. Fresh flowers every three days complement the freshly folded napkins. There are two waiters or waitresses per table, or three for a large table, so there is always someone near to serve you.
The menu is very good. Having dined in the Princess Grill in 1995, my expectations were high, and I was not disappointed. Soups, starters, mains, desserts with sorbet in between were what Mauretania offered, with a large variety of mains, none the same as the night before. The restaurant manager welcomed us every night at the door, which led off the Crystal Bar.
Entertainment
During the day, there are many different activities. These include Heritage Trail Tours, where a guide takes you through the ship and points out all the historic artefacts that QE2 holds.
QE2 is full of models of older Cunard ships, as well as historical artefacts such as the Laconia Cup awarded to the Cunard Steam Ship Company for their ship Laconia. In the Queens Room, ballroom dancing lessons are held on the dance floor, and gentlemen hosts are at hand for any ladies wanting a dance partner.
There are lessons in the computer learning centre on Two Deck, or you can just use the computers to write letters or play games. There are also CD roms in the Library.
Or some people like to just find a quiet spot in the ship and read, or sit on the deck and relax as the sea goes by.
There is a tennis court, golf range, putt putt, basketball hoops, shuffleboard, and other deck games as well as an on deck pool. And by night QE2 comes alive with shows in the Grand Lounge, disco in the Yacht Club, dancing in the Lion Pub, midnight buffet in the Lido, and much, much more. You cannot be bored on QE2.
Panama Canal & QE2
Transiting the Panama Canal on the QE2 was the most amazing experience! She is 963 ft by 105 ft, which leaves very little room on either side of the ship in the locks. It's wonderful to be sitting on the deck as a mountain passes by, or as QE2 passes through the locks.
Anyone who wants to transit the canal should do it on QE2. The Sun Deck observation deck is THE place to be as it looks over her bows, something most other ships can't offer. The ships mighty funnel looks brilliant as the ship passes under the "Bridge of the Americas" - the only road connection between the North and South Continent.
Final Day / Disembarkation
We arrived in Los Angeles at about 6:00 am, which was a little annoying because the time it said in the guide was 8:30 am so I woke up and missed seeing the ship arrive.
Our last hours onboard were sad because we knew we would miss the ship. You are disembarked by cabin number/deck, Signal first, Five last, so we left the ship at about 11:00am. Everything ran smoothly, our luggage was collected the night before and was waiting for us on the quayside for collection. Once we were off QE2, the real world caught up with us; it was over an hour until we found a taxi.
Mauretania Satisfaction
I found the Mauretania cabins and restaurant to be very good. The food was great, the room service was that of a five star hotel and there was plenty of space.
If you have lots of money, then there is no better accommodation at sea then the Grill class on QE2. Sure, the Caronia suites have the added luxury of a bath, but seriously, if you want a longer cruise on QE2 for a lower price, or you haven't got the money to spend on the Grill class ticket, Mauretania is the choice for you.
The rooms are quite spacious and very nicely decorated, the main difference between inside and outside cabins being the portholes which, if you don‰'t think you will ever look out of them, doesn't really make much difference to your room. Don't ever let people make you believe that Mauretania is the equivalent of Tourist Class. It is not at all true. QE2 has no 1st 2nd and Tourist Class.
Instead she works on the basis of Suite to restaurant. If you are wealthy enough to afford a "Q" suite, you will dine in the Queens Grill and be welcome in the Queens Grill Lounge and bar.
If deluxe accommodation is within your means, either the Princess or Britannia Grill will welcome you at mealtime. Other cabins allow the occupants to dine in the Caronia Restaurant or in the Mauretania Restaurant. This is decided by the size of the suite. Caronia are slightly larger the Mauretania and have a bath, which costs more.
All in all, I think Mauretania Grade is very high quality, and would recommend it to all. We plan to cruise on QE2 again in 2002, and again in a Mauretania suite. This time I would like to be on the Four Deck, in suites like 4185 and 4187, both M1 grade.
I look forward to being back on QE2 with eager anticipation.