After two whirlwind days in New York City, it was time for something completely different: seven days at sea aboard the Queen Mary 2, sailing from New York to Southampton. For my dad, this was a retirement dream finally realised. For the rest of us, it felt like a rare pause. No ports to rush through. No changing time zones. No Wi-Fi. Just open ocean, a sense of calm, and the quiet rhythm of ship life.
But this wasn’t just any cruise. The Queen Mary 2 is a ship with a story, and quite a remarkable one at that. In the late 20th century, when the golden age of ocean liners was widely considered over, Cunard had a different idea. They envisioned a new flagship that would blend tradition with modern luxury and redefine what it meant to travel by sea. Built in France at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, Queen Mary 2 was christened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 and became the largest, longest, and most expensive ocean liner ever constructed. At 1,132 feet in length and 236 feet above the waterline, she still cuts an unmistakable figure today.
Since her maiden voyage, she has become synonymous with the iconic Transatlantic Crossing between Europe and North America. It is a journey she continues to make with grace and grandeur. We were lucky to be on one of them.
Boarding Queen Mary 2 and Setting Sail
At around 2pm, we checked into our cabin. Our room was lovely, complete with a balcony overlooking the ocean. We headed to the top deck for the sail-off celebration and soaked in the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline as we drifted away from port.
The ship itself was a marvel to explore. From the richly decorated staircases to the polished wood-panelled corridors, every space was thoughtfully designed. Cruises are all about activities, so we spent some time reviewing the week’s events and plotting out our plans.
Mornings, Midday, and Moments at Sea
Our voyage began on a Friday. The next morning, we joined a bridge lesson class. It turned out to be a surprisingly fun and social way to start the day. After breakfast at the Britannia Restaurant, the ship’s largest and most elegant dining room, we wandered the open decks, taking in the sea air and admiring the vastness of the Atlantic.
The Carinthia Lounge quickly became a favourite spot. We relaxed to the sounds of a small orchestra and enjoyed light bites from the chiller. With its art deco design, plush sofas, and calm atmosphere, it was ideal for quiet reading, casual drinks, light bites, or a chat between trivia rounds. We returned often throughout the week.
We also spent time in the library, one of the largest at sea, with over 6,000 titles. Nestled by the windows with panoramic ocean views, it was the perfect place to lose yourself in a story.
Later in the week, we booked time at the Aqua Therapy Centre, the spa’s hydrotherapy sanctuary. The warm saltwater pool with moulded seats and bubbling jets overlooked the open sea, while the sauna and steam room melted away any tension. Afterwards, we relaxed in the thermal loungers, wrapped in towels, letting the soft hush of the spa soak in.
In the afternoon, we took a dip in the Pavilion Pool, housed under a retractable glass roof and complete with a deck grill serving fresh pizza and drinks. On sunnier days, we headed to the Terrace Pool at the aft of the ship. With sun loungers and endless views, it felt like a private island at sea.
On Deck 12, we played traditional ocean liner games like quoits and shuffleboard. We also spotted a few four-legged guests. As we learned, Queen Mary 2 is the only ship with dedicated kennels, making it popular for travellers who don’t want to fly their pets. We met a couple on our flight into New York who were moving to London and chose the cruise just for this reason.
Food, Drinks, and Unwinding in Style
From pub fare to white-tablecloth dining, we sampled it all.
At the Golden Lion pub, we enjoyed hearty British classics and a great selection of ales, including guest beers from ports we had never even heard of. It was perfect for darts, quizzes, and relaxed drinks.
Before dinner, we stopped by the Chart Room, a celestial-themed art deco bar with a zodiac-inspired cocktail menu. I ordered a Negroni while enjoying the warm lighting and curved seating that made the space feel both intimate and grand.
One evening, we tried The Steakhouse at The Verandah, a specialty restaurant that exceeded expectations. The fruits de mer platter, served in a towering goblet of crushed ice, was pure indulgence with lobster, prawns, oysters, scallops, and more.
Afternoon tea in the Queen’s Room became a daily ritual. Served by white-gloved staff with fine bone china and live music in the background, it was every bit as elegant as you’d imagine. The scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches were exactly what you’d hope for.
Evenings Onboard and Gala Glamour
As the sun disappeared over the horizon, evenings took on a different rhythm. Some nights, we returned to the Commodore Club, a plush piano bar with sweeping views. Their signature cocktail menu, inspired by Cunard’s most decorated Commodores, became a highlight. I especially loved the “Punch Romaine à la Carpathia,” said to be the Titanic’s final cocktail. It featured advocaat, limoncello, cream sherry, lime, and mallow.
One evening, we headed to Illuminations, the ship’s planetarium and cinema. Reclining in the theatre’s comfortable chairs, we watched a narrated show about the cosmos unfold above us. Floating in the middle of the Atlantic with stars projected overhead made for a surprisingly moving experience.
We experienced two Gala Evenings during our cruise: Roaring 20s and Red and Gold. On these nights, the ship felt transformed. Guests arrived in flapper dresses and tuxedos, themed cocktails flowed, and live music echoed throughout the decks. I wore a champagne-gold dress covered in paillettes for Red and Gold night. The red detail came from my pomegranate earrings. Victor wore his new tuxedo.
Later, we danced in the Queen’s Room, where the ship’s band played remastered chart hits from Motown to disco. With chandeliers glittering above and a full crowd on the dance floor, it felt like a proper ballroom with a modern twist.
Hidden Corners and Iconic Features
We also discovered some of the ship’s more unique spaces. The Lookout, at the forward tip of Deck 13, offered a stunning panoramic view just above the Captain’s Bridge. It was a peaceful place to stop and watch the ocean stretch into the distance.
On Deck 11, we came across the “Commodore’s Cuff Links,” twin stainless steel structures that turned out to be spare propellers. Their sculptural design makes them look like an art installation. This turned out to be the answer to a trivia question later in the week. Luckily, Victor and I had noticed them the night before on our evening walk around the deck.
A Voyage to Remember
Our transatlantic cruise aboard Queen Mary 2 was more than just a journey. It was a celebration of elegance, history, and time well spent. It gave us the rare chance to slow down and spend long days reading, chatting, swimming, and sipping cocktails while sailing across the ocean.
I can’t say I would have picked this trip myself, but I am really glad I got to relax and unwind with my family for a full week. By the time we arrived in London, I felt completely refreshed and ready to jump back into real life.
What would you do with seven days at sea?
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