I was expecting this voyage round trip from Southampton – New York – Caribbean – New York – Southampton to be wholly pleasurable and relaxing.
It was not.
Everyday there were small irritations about service or lack of, which cumulatively undermined the experience.
I travelled solo in a sheltered balcony cabin.
It and my cabin steward were fine.
Food served in the Britannia restaurant was wholly unmemorable, Appetiser portion sizes were simply: silly three thin asparagus spears was one.
The terrines which featured frequently (and were of good flavour) were so thin that wafer thin mints might often be thicker.
My table waiter was pleasant and efficient.
But another drawback to eating in the Britannia was the so-called sommelier.
It took three days to persuade him that it was not unusual to wish to enjoy three different glasses of wine with dinner.
He also did not know what Fino Sherry was .
I had paid for the premium beverage package, it was very disappointing that every dinner was a challenge concerning being served the wines I desired.
On the night before disembarkation he told me that champagne was unavailable!
There was similar ignorance for the first two weeks in the Carinthia lounge.
Service for eg ordering a coffee in the Carinthia was also often poor.
I made experiments on several mornings as to how long I could sit there and wait to be asked if I wished to order anything.
The worst was 15 minutes surpassed on one day when the waiter di ask me but then told me that there would be a very long wait for coffee as they were very busy.
But service in the Commodore Club, Golden Lion, and Champagne Bar was usually OK and often good.
Afternoon tea is a simple disgrace – finger sandwiches 95% bread 5% filling at most, Chantilly cream served with scones unless you request clotted cream (which I thought was not of the first quality.)
Kings Court buffet food generally of OK quality – the standard I would describe as ordinary pub food.
Leaving aside a roast beef carvery that was so tough and dried out as to be inedible.
The Chefs Galley section of the buffet serving burgers and bratwurst at lunchtimes I found to be good.
The Verandah steakhouse restaurant (speciality – extra charge_ was good.
The Library on board is elegant but the Librarian typified much of the sloppiness of service.
It opened at 9.00 am.
Was it ready and waiting everyday? No, the person in charge was often opening the locked bookcases well after 9.00 am.
Both theatres are great spaces and the daily activity programme provides choice throughout the days and evenings, though I wouldn’t call any of the shows spellbinding.
There is a string trio on board who in the first week were simply execrable – the viola frequently plying out of tune during the first week.
I learned to avoid them.
Lovely ship – too few waiting staff who seemingly lack training and/or are managed poorly.
Everyone I spoke to over almost four weeks (and there were many) who had cruised on the QM 2 before COVID said spontaneously in conversation that corners were being cut and overall standards had dropped.
Will I cruise with Cunard again An emphatic no.
Charging luxury price for, at best, ‘ordinary’ service and food.
