Queen Elizabeth 2, Cunard Line's famous liner, and probably the most famous ship in the world has had a powerful effect on my life since February 5, 1995 when I as an 11 year old boy first met this great vessel. She was docked in Auckland Harbour and I was in my element.
Since that day I have been back aboard QE2 six times, mainly voyages around Australia, and one through the amazing Panama Canal. Transiting the Panama Canal on the QE2 was the most amazing experience! She is 963 ft by 105 ft, which leaves very little room on either side of the ship in the locks. It's wonderful to be sitting on the deck as a mountain passes by, or as QE2 passes through the locks.
Queen Elizabeth 2 has four categories of formal dining which can be enjoyed in five restaurants. The cabin you 'rent' determines these categories. I have been lucky enough to travel in 'Queens and Princess grill' accommodations. This was truly the most luxurious way I had ever travelled. However, the majority of my travels aboard QE2 have been in the 'Mauretania' grade, the least expensive grade aboard QE2. This brings me to the point of this review.
The 'Mauretania' Grade
Situated on Upper Deck forward, the 'Mauretania' Restaurant (indeed named after the famous 1920's liner and not the country Mauritania) is of first class standard in design, layout and comfort. Designed in the 1994 refit, this room was to house the 'Caronia' Restaurant (one grade aboard 'Mauretania'), and indeed did from 1994 to 1997.
Due to passenger demand, the 'Caronia' and 'Mauretania' restaurants reverted to their pre 1994 positions in late 1997, leaving 'Mauretania' passengers with a truly top class dining experience.
The aluminium "white horses" are the centrepiece of the room, illuminated in blue light. There is a mural of a pond during an autumn sunset on the forward wall, which compliments the colours in the chairs.
The tables are all laid wonderfully, with magnificent precision. Fresh flowers every day complement the freshly folded napkins. There are two to three service persons per table depending on the size. Tables can seat 2, 4, 6 or 8.
The menu is very good. Having dined in the Grillrooms my expectations were high, and I was not disappointed. Soups, starters, mains, desserts with sorbet in between were what 'Mauretania' offered, with a large variety of mains, none the same as the night before. The restaurant manager welcomed us every night at the door, which led off the Crystal Bar.
The accommodations vary from "M1 and "M2", which are outside suites with a porthole, to "M5" which is inside, with an upper berth bunk. Generally very good value for money, the cabin sizes differ even in the same category. I have travelled M1, M3 and M4, and have always been satisfied. In terms of amenities, all cabins are well equipped.
Every suite aboard had its bathroom totally rebuilt in the 1994 or 1996 refits, which included the addition of marble sinks and silver taps. All Mauritania grade cabins are tastefully decorated in shades of deep red and gold.
In comparism with the Queens & Princess grill accommodations, space has definitely been sacrificed, and wood panelled walls give way to the more common and less lavish crme. However, in terms of comfort, 'Mauretania' grade is cosy but comfortable, with the same type of bed and pillows as those used in Queens Grill grade.
The Ship - A 'Mauretania' perspective
'Mauretania' passengers enjoy the whole of QE2, apart from the Queens Grill Lounge, which only Queens Grill passengers have access to. QE2 is a big ship, and there is a lot to do.
The Crystal Bar on Upper Deck offers before dinner cocktails and serves drinks all through the day and is a great meeting place. The latest blockbusters are showing in the cinema, as well as classics for those wanting to re live the old days. The casino on Upper Deck is quite large with lots of slot machines and a cocktail bar.
On the starboard side opposite the casino is the wonderful Golden Lion Pub, which is decorated, in dark woods and leather chairs, with a dance floor and live music.
The Grand Lounge is the showroom, with its red decor and large stage. It offers entertainment by night, and lectures by day. The Yacht club can't be more highly commented on, with its America's Cup deco. The room is decorated with sails; lightwood pillars, which compliment blue chairs and is used as a lecture lounge by day, and disco nightclub at night.
QE2's large Quarter Deck library rivals all those on land, with over 6,000 volumes, it also allows you to borrow videos to play in your cabin. The Ocean Bookshop is great, with a large number of bestseller ocean liner related books, such as "QE2" by Captain R Warwick. A drink in the Chart Room bar is also great, with its maps of the ocean passages and new glass panel diagram of the North Atlantic; this room has a very nice atmosphere.
The Queens Room complements this ship excellently. The trumpet shaped columns welcome you to this room, decorated in blues with wooden walls, this room comes alive at night with parties and dancing under the disco lights.
The Lido offers an alternative to the formality of the restaurants with the buffet style dining. The food is wonderful, and the Lido caters to breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and the midnight buffet - a real treat! Once ever week or so a Gala buffet is held, complete with ice sculptures.
Just below the Lido on One Deck is the Pavilion Cafe, which serves burgers, pizza, and soft drinks as well as a self-serve ice cream parlour and over looks the QE2 Pool and shiny teak decks. The Synagogue is on Three Deck. Inter-denominational Church is held in the theatre.
One deck offers contrast of lifestyles with the Beauty Salon and Chocolate shop. Talking of shops, on Boat Deck you can find designer label clothes, and gift items as well as a Chemist and Harrods in the International Shopping Promenade. Down on Six Deck is the amazing Cunard Royal Spa, which takes up 1/3 of the passenger deck, and complementing this is the small Gymnasium and Pool on Seven Deck.
Entertainment
During the day, there are many different activities. These include Heritage Trail Tours, where a guide takes you through the ship and points out all the historic artefacts that QE2 holds.
QE2 is full of models of older Cunard ships, as well as historical artefacts such as the Laconia Cup awarded to the Cunard Steam Ship Company for their ship Laconia. In the Queens Room, ballroom dancing lessons are held on the dance floor, and gentlemen hosts are at hand for any ladies wanting a dance partner.
There are lessons in the computer learning centre on Two Deck, or you can just use the computers to write emails sent from QE2 and arriving live at your loved ones computers.
Some people like to just find a quiet spot in the ship and read, or sit on the deck and relax as the sea goes by.
There is a tennis court, golf driving range, putt-putt, basketball hoops, shuffleboard, and other deck games as well as an on deck pool. And by night QE2 comes alive with shows in the Grand Lounge, disco in the Yacht Club, dancing in the Golden Lion Pub, midnight buffet in the Lido, and much, much more. If you were bored aboard QE2, then you are very hard to please indeed!
To sum up ...
'Mauretania' equals satisfaction; I found the 'Mauretania' cabins and restaurant to be very good. The food was great, the room service was that of a five star hotel and there was plenty of space in the cabins to move around comfortably.
If you have lots of money, then there is no better accommodation at sea then the Grill class on QE2. Sure, the 'Caronia' grade suites have the added luxury of a bath, but seriously, if you want a longer cruise on QE2 for a lower price, or you haven't got the money to spend on the Grill class ticket, 'Mauretania' is the choice for you.
