Note: Yes, I did write that my New Hampshire post in May 2024 would be my last. However, encouraged from continued support from my readers, I'm keeping the adventure going. My posts will be less frequent (unless someone would like to underwrite my magnet trips), but each post will continue to be filled with helpful travel insights you may find interesting. In the following post, you can find out how to save hundreds (thousands?) on your next cruise. As always, your own experiences and suggestions are always welcome!
Ever since disembarking the Queen Mary 2 in New York City in 2007, I wanted to sail with her again. The opportunity arrived when seven of us agreed it would be fun to make our own “bridge cruise” across the Atlantic.
Since I have already written about one QM2 crossing, I’ll make this blog post more about the interior updating Cunard has done in recent months and specific highlights you can enjoy when sailing on the Queen Mary 2.
For our crossing, we booked our own cabins accordingly: four traveling as couples, two traveling as roommates, and one traveling solo.
Travelers Tip: If possible, if two folks are traveling as roommates, it’s advisable to make separate reservations so that each of you receive your own communications from the cruise company.
During the process, we learned quickly that traveling alone can be very expensive. Most cruise lines charge a single about 75% of the double fare rate. For instance, my roommate and I paid $8901.14 for our combined fare (4450.57 each). For the same cabin, a solo traveler was charged about 75% of the double fare (around $6700).
This does not mean the solo traveler has to break the bank necessarily —-
Travelers Tip: My friend Adrienne, traveling as a single, booked a much cheaper stateroom on a lower deck initially. Three weeks before the cruise, Cunard offered her the option to “bid” for a better room. For an additional $500, she ended up paying under $6000 for her accommodation including: a king bed, great location, and balcony!
In a nutshell, the trip was awesome! We enjoyed ourselves immensely. There are so many activity options, no one complained of being bored. The entertainment was first rate as usual, including the smaller duos and combos discovered in the lounges.
We particularly enjoyed hearing Till Bronner, touted as Germany’s leading jazz trumpeter, who played several times over the seven days at sea. From the moment he tooted his horn, he had the crowd going, and the dance floor hopping.
The Queen Mary 2 received a recent facelift giving her a fresh look. While I miss the abundance of Art Deco design she wore during my first voyage, her more modern vibe is classic and cheery. The Mareel Spa (formally the Canyon Ranch) also received recent sprucing up though we did encounter a broken steam sauna and foot bath during our cruise. Still, I got my money's worth spending a great deal of every late afternoon in the huge whirlpool swimming pool with the best jets ever.
Per tradition, Cunard hosts at least two gala nights for a crossing. The masquerade ball was great fun. Bringing masks from home, we enjoyed our evening of "dress up".
The interesting lectures offered daily included topics such as: U-Boat battles in the waters we were crossing that day, weathers role during WWII major battles, and Grogs (rum) place in naval history. We enjoyed all. I particularly enjoyed the lecture given by Captain John Hutchinson, a past captain of the French super-sonic airliner, Concorde. His stories and photos were mesmerizing.
We all agreed that our food and service was fantastic.
My personal trip highlight? Six of us congregated in the large outside hot tub at the stern of the ship on a blustery afternoon with air temps hovering around 45 degree F. Watching our ship’s wake while gently simmering in a perfect 101 degree tub will remain an all time personal trip highlight.
During our days at sea, most of us took bridge lessons or dabbled in watercolor lessons. The weather, while foggy initially, allowed for lots of walking on the deck most days. Three times around the ship = 1 mile.
Here’s what we learned when booking our cruise.
1) Though our advertised cruise technically sailed from New York to Hamburg, Germany, four of our party were able to depart in Southampton, United Kingdom to do their own side trips. One couple went on to Paris, the other rented a car for adventuring through the Cotswolds. Adrienne, Irma and I sailed on to Hamburg, enjoying another two nights sail.
2)Booking airfare through Cunard can be super cheap - much better than booking directly with an airline such as United, Delta, or American. This point becomes important when only needing a one way return ticket . American Airlines wanted $1400 for a one way ticket from Hamburg to Philadelphia. Going through Cunard, I paid $744. Seemed perfect, until there was a hitch.
Approximately six weeks before departure, Cunard contacted me saying that my flights had changed. Instead of catching a 10:30 am flight from Hamburg to Philly, going through Dublin, I was now booked on a 7:15 am flight out of Hamburg, connecting through London Heathrow. When I called American (the airline Cunard booked for me), I found out that no changes could be made (Cunard goes through a third party booking agent). However, my fantastic American customer service agent was able to reserve a great seat for me on the longer flight between Heathrow to Philly. Better yet, a British Airways turboprop ATR 72-600 was my transportation between Hamburg and Heathrow. A huge aviation fan, I was downright giddy.
So kudos to Cunard and the Queen Mary 2!!!!! An entirely different experience this time across but just as fun with my bridge buddies. I highly recommend the line and while we didn’t stay on the Britannia Club level this cruise, it’s definitely the way to go if you want a more private experience.
Next post - Beautiful Hamburg! First item on the agenda - losing over 50 pounds!
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