Barbara Petrosino

Age: 66
Occupation: Retires
Number of Cruises: 15
Cruise Line: Cunard,
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Itinerary: 24 days Transatlantic

This was a 24 day cruise on the QM2 after it was in service 6 months. and the kinks should have been ironed out. We sailed on the QE2 and Coronia on 9 occasions (before Carnival's takeover) and compare the QM2 to those experiences.

Balcony room disappointing due to four foot solid area in front which restricts view of the ocean. The room was absolutely soundproof and you could not tell someone was in the shower. Layout of the ship was somewhat inconvenient (cutting through the dinning room to get to entertainment on the other side)

The ship is striking and unique in many ways. Several large seating areas but woefully lacking in comfortable reading spots. Planetarium and computer area is excellent but the computer teacher was a disaster. He could not teach at all.

Many of the lectures were quite good Over the 24 day period. Exercise center was wonderful with private TV viewing.

The dinning room and the food was very disappointing. The Maiterd: suggested if we wanted we could order shrimp cocktail at night. We did and it was miniature canned dozed shrimp. SHAME.. After the first 6 days we ate in the Kings court, and Todd English restaurants nightly. Waiter were overworked, inexperienced, and slow. Food choices were never very varied, even the special lobster dinner was dry and unappealing. No special cold soups like other voyages. There was never a scone to be found. Lunch at the buffet Kings court was mostly a free for all with too many people and not enough seating areas. Food can not compare with the QE2 or Coronia. Can only assume the new Carnival influence has deteriorated the service and overall atmosphere.

The email addresses we were told to use did not work. Even when Cunard was called in Florida to get a message through our family was told - Email in broken, no email while they are in port, and ultimately "we were not on the ship". They were uncaring and never assisted our family to contact us.

We have been on Royal Caribbean with 2500 passengers and none of the dining problems were encountered.

I am afraid that it took Carnival only one great ship to ruin Cunard's reputation. What a shame. I would not recommend this ship.
 

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