It was smooth sailing as Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 plied the South China Sea from Hong Kong to Singapore this past spring. We knew a cruise on this majestic ocean liner would be sensational, worthy of royalty, but the experience proved to be even beyond our expectations.
“We are the only ocean liner in the world built for smooth sailing by design with our deep hull and ability to move quickly through the waters. We deliver a memorable experience for our guests with glamour, elegance and tradition, part of our history and distinction,” says David Shepherd, hotel manager for the Queen Mary 2.
Whether your clients are looking for a transatlantic experience, the opportunity to tour the world—or a portion of it—and never unpack, or celebrate an anniversary or a second honeymoon, this ship experience can deliver many types of sensations based on your client’s expectations.
It’s ideal, too, for clients who seek out a sophisticated, international scene, with our sailing hosting passengers from over 50 countries, the majority from Great Britain, Australia and the United States.
Travel and Dine in Style
The Queen Mary 2 offers a number of stateroom and suite categories, from the Britannia Staterooms—Singles, Inside, Oceanview and Balcony—to the Queens Grill, which are the largest suites on board.
The balcony suites are very comfortable and well designed, while the Princess and Queens Grill suites come with exclusive access to their own restaurants.
All cabin levels can book two specialty restaurants for an extra charge: Kings Court, which in the evening offers four alternating intimate venues serving everything from Italian to Asian dishes; and The Verandah, with a French-inspired menu. Both dining experiences are rewarding with cuisine that is artfully prepared, exquisite dishes and exceptional service.
Dining on delicious food isn’t the only culinary delight on board the Queen Mary 2. We opted for an educational and delightful Champagne tasting experience at the Champagne Bar. A handful of Laurent Perrier Champagnes are poured alongside food pairings while the sommelier explains the process of making champagne and the differences that make each of the Champagnes unique. Passengers can also attend a cocktail-making class in the Commodore Club, featuring windows that span the front of the ship and offer beautiful ocean views. Here, we experienced signature cocktails named after Cunard’s commodores, who have sailed the line’s ships across the oceans for almost two centuries. Last but certainly not least, Cunard’s traditional afternoon tea service, offered daily at no extra charge and featuring Twinnings’ fine leaf teas complemented by tasty scones and homemade sandwiches and cakes.
Be Entertained & Create
We can’t say it enough: The varied choice and quality of entertainment on board the Queen Mary 2 surpasses expectations.
There’s the Cunard Insights enrichment program, which changes on an ongoing basis and includes talks and discussions by well-known historians, explorers, politicians, scientists and the like. There’s a range of musical shows, including classical and jazz concerts, and choir presentations, as well as the opportunity to view dance performances—from Latin to ballroom, with lessons available for guests. Or, guests can dance the night away in one of the lounges to live music and DJs. We loved the planetarium show—Cunard has the only planetarium at sea—as well as the opportunity to participate in classes that run the gamut from beaded jewelry making to learning how to create watercolor pieces.
And Cunard has a history of helping artists fuel their creative juices—artistic luminaries such as singers Ed Sheeran and James Taylor to film director Francis Ford Coppola have sailed and created pieces we enjoy today while sailing on the Queen Mary 2. Days at sea are perfect for that client who wants the time and inspiration to create.
If your clients would rather lose themselves to some singular pampering, they can slip away to the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, offering a full range of spa services; fitness classes, including yoga and indoor cycling; a full gym; and a spectacular Aqua Therapy Center, with a pool, saunas, sensory showers, and other aqua environments.
2018 Special Cruises
Queen Mary 2 has some specialty voyages you’ll want to recommend to your clients, including the Greatest Generations Foundation transatlantic crossing, sailing July 20-27 from New York to Southampton with an opportunity to meet and interact with WWII war heroes. The 7-night Transatlantic Crossing Fashion Week, sailing from Southampton to New York on Sept. 2, features catwalk shows, fashion presentations, photography exhibitions, styling and fashion illustration workshops. And Nov. 4 to 11, sailing from Southampton to New York, there’s the Journey of Genealogy with Ancestry’s experts on board.
Contact Information
Cunard: cunard.com
