Queen Mary 2

My Wife and I recently completed a Mini Cruise on Queen Mary 2 to Hamburg to celebrate Cunard’s 175 Birthday.

We have been on this Ship a number of times although not in the recent past. When I first viewed the Ship it was not as I remember with rust lines especially around the waterline, previously on our last cruise on her she looked magnificent.
Unfortunately when we reach our Princess Stateroom the Balcony was in a similar condition with rust all along the railings and the deck was discoloured. The inside of the Stateroom including the Bathroom was in very good condition.
We decided to go down to what was our favourite Bar in the daytime the “Golden Lion” and again areas around the windows were well worn, although the draught Lager was perfect and the service was good.
During the Emergency Drill we were sent to the Kings Court and I am not exaggerating I have seen Motorway service stations in better order.
The one time we used the Kings Court for Breakfast our Table was not cleaned. Unfortunately I require a walking stick and although there were two Personnel standing around my wife had to collect serviettes and cutlery and carry two meals back to the table. On Celebrity and Fred Olsen she was offered Assistance back to the table. Furthermore when I asked to see the wine listing for the area the Wine Steward did not have one. Although I must admit the Food and the Wine when it arrived was very good.
We decided to have the famous Cunard cr??me tea and as other times we have been on Cunard Ships many passengers have the same idea and as we were only on the Ship for three days we went to the area serving early to make sure of a seat. Unfortunately they closed the doors and after noticing the number of people coming down hastily placed a notice outside stating the room would not be open for another twenty minutes or so. Earlier this year we were on Fred Olsen on the Solar Eclipse Cruise and we were in the area where they were going to serve their version of Afternoon Tea and they asked us if we would be participating and worked around us. My opinion of the services was Fred Olsen was far superior with fresh sandwiches ( not from a Fridge like Cunard ) and the cr??me scones were very good. The live music was very good.
When we reached Hamburg there was not Leaflets/Maps regarding Hamburg placed in the Stateroom. Luckily there were plenty available on the Dockside and the Hop on Hop off Bus was perfect for our requirements. We did not use the Cunard Tour for as I said I walk with the aid of a stick and sometimes I am not as quick as I used to be
The inside of the Stateroom was kept perfectly clean and the Steward bought us some fresh fruit of which the quality was very good.
The entertainment was very good and the Cunard Singers and Dancers were very good. The highlight was on two occasions all the Bands on board became one and performed great swing music from the 1930s to 1940s and when the Cunard Singers performed.
The Food in the Princess Grille was very good although one meat course had to be returned as it was not warm to say the least as even the Jus had conquilled. It was replaced immediately and as a “favour” the Maitre D cooked Crepes for us which were very good.
However on the last night we noticed there were Crepes being served again and ask if we could have one but were informed our name was not on the list therefore no. We never knew anything of the list.
We are booked to go on the Queen Elizabeth in December this Year however in our opinion Celebrity Cruises are a superior line, I have never seen the Eclipse with rust streaks on her paintwork and have never had a Balcony with Celebrity which was not perfectly clean and free from rust