Here are some of the top line thoughts and
observations based on the Crossing we did from Southampton to New York
from 15 - 21 December 2004. The first time we had been on the QE2 and
our first Transatlantic crossing.
Good
· The experience of being on the QE2 and being part of
the history. Being on a winter trans-atlantic crossing was a great
adventure to have done.
· It was a fabulous experience. Even with the rough weather at the start
(which I am sure the QE2 weathered better than any other ship could
have). I am so pleased to have done it. It is definitely an experience
versus just another trip. (The rough weather meant the ship was very
quiet and so felt at times like we had the ship almost to ourselves!
very nice!)
· The "Queens Grill" experience, especially as we did in Q2, is very
special. The restaurant is beautiful, the food amazing, the service
outstanding. The pampering by the butlers good. Having the Queens Grill
Lounge to retreat to is quiet and handy, especially at tea time.
· Our cabin (8006 on the penthouse signal deck level with balcony) was
tastefully decorated, and very cosy at night. It is a good size at 350
square feet. It was (however) noisy as it creaked a lot in the rough
weather, and the air conditioning was noisy. The people next door did
not get much sleep for those 2 reasons. They were added as prefab units
and that is possibly why.
· The ship on the outside is glorious. It looks stylish from a distance
in spite of the age (35 years). On the decks it looks great with the
teak decks, levels at the back. I really enjoyed being out on deck
watching the QE2 ploughing through the sea. It was always quiet out on
deck and so you had it pretty much to yourself!
· There are some beautiful internal rooms that are classics and hold
their own in spite of their age, like the Queens Lounge, Queens Grill
Restaurant, bookshop and library, Yacht club bar and the Midships
lounge.
· The staff on the QE2 make a real effort to treat you well, get to know
what you like and you do feel like individuals even though there are
around 1200 of you on board. We both felt we had got to know the people
we came in contact with a lot (the room butlers, restaurant staff), and
that they had taken care to understand hat we liked.
· The gym facilities are good and the equipment modern. It is a good
size and was never too busy (although the rough weather may have helped
that!)
. The lecture program was excellent! |