This Iconic Luxury Cruise Ship Has Big Bands, Elegant ‘Gala Evenings,’ and Incredible Food

When my husband, David, and I boarded the Queen Mary 2, we were laden with far more than our usual carry-on luggage. Though our trip from Southampton, England to New York City would take only a week, we had a lot to pack. We’d need his tuxedo and some of my dressiest jumpsuits — plus heels — to fit in with the crowds who do their best to dress to impress.

I also wanted to bring along plenty of drugs. We were sailing in November 2022, a time of year when the Atlantic Ocean can roar. Some passengers may enjoy the roll of the waves, but I’m not one of them. I planned to be well medicated and had brought along all sorts of motion-sickness remedies.

At the same time, we’d booked our passage on the 2,691-passenger flagship specifically to make the crossing. Operated by the venerable British line Cunard, which has been sailing for more than 180 years, the Queen Mary 2 is a true ocean liner purpose built for transatlantic trips. The season typically runs from April to December, with seven- or eight-day, one-way departures between New York City and Southampton. (Outside those dates, the ship often visits warm-weather ports, such as those in the Caribbean, or follows the sun on lengthy world cruises.)

As befits its heritage, the Queen Mary 2 embraces tradition. That starts with a rather old-school booking hierarchy that’s key to understanding the ship: passengers have the choice of four classes of travel that determine not only the type of cabin or suite but also which dining venues will be available to them. While there’s thankfully no longer a “steerage” category, Cunard does offer four tiers to choose from, in ascending order of opulence: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill. Each class of booking has its own dining venues and rules; more on those later.

For me, the vintage vibes are all part of the fun. During my most recent crossing, I enjoyed walking the promenade deck, reflecting on the trips my grandparents and great-grandparents made when they crossed the same sea for a new life in America. Though the views might’ve been the same, their trip would’ve been far less glamorous.

Queen Mary 2 has plenty of modern accouterments such as a nightclub with DJs and a planetarium, but favorite pastimes include evenings under the chandelier of the Queens Room ballroom where a big band plays as passengers dressed to the nines show off their moves. The ship’s equally elegant two-deck main dining room for Britannia guests is another pleasurable throwback with its chandeliers, Art Deco motifs, and grand staircase.

Some dedicated fans of Cunard will only do a crossing in the late fall, when the weather turns and occasional gale force winds test the mettle of the ocean liner’s reinforced hull and four stabilizers. On my most recent trip, we had our share of gale-force breezes, to the delight of many guests on board. Thanks to the medicine I packed, the experience was better than I expected. And, no matter the weather, the band plays on.

Here’s a closer look at the staterooms, suites, restaurants, and amenities available on the Cunard ocean liner Queen Mary 2.

Staterooms and suites

The Queen Mary 2 operates with four classes of service, and your choice of accommodation also dictates which dining venues you’ll have access to. That being said, this is a luxury ship, and even the introductory-level accommodations on this ship are larger than is typical on more mainstream lines.

Britannia cabins, the smallest aboard, start from 194 square feet; inside cabins in this category don’t have windows. One step up are outside cabins, then some choices with balconies. Fifteen Britannia cabins are specifically for solo travelers. Book this category, and you’ll dine at either the early or late seating in the large yet elegant Britannia Restaurant, under the twinkling chandeliers.

Britannia Club passengers stay in balcony cabins, and dine in a more intimate restaurant, with a table reserved for them. (That means they can dine at any time.) Think of Club class as the equivalent of an airline’s premium economy option.

Princess Grill is another tier up, with 381-square-foot balcony staterooms on Deck 10, each with a separate seating area, walk-in closet, and bathtub. These guests enjoy concierge service on board and dine whenever they like in the intimate, 150-guest Princess Grill restaurant, with its upgraded menus.

First-class Queens Grill guests travel in butler-serviced suites that start at 506 square feet. (Some of the more luxurious options include duplexes with sweeping staircases named for British royal residences; the largest is 2,249 square feet.) Queens Grill passengers also have, of course, their own private fine-dining restaurant, where chefs put creative spins on classics such as beef Wellington and lobster thermidor. 

The Queen Mary 2 has the distinction of being the only cruise ship that allows pets — though they can’t stay in your stateroom. There are 24 individual kennel accommodations, with indoor and outdoor exercise areas, and there’s an owner’s lounge for visits.

Bars and Restaurants

When it comes to dining, much depends on the accommodation you’ve booked. Guests in each of the four classes of travel on Queen Mary 2 are assigned to specific venues, though they always have the option of visiting one of the ship’s more democratic dining rooms.

Queens Grill guests may order from a set menu or have the chef whip up whatever they are craving. Traditional items such as beef Wellington or a 28-day dry-aged T-bone are among the choices, as is lighter fare.

Princess Grill guests can pre-order such treats as Dover sole and duck à l’orange, prepared table side. Other classics, such as New York strip steak au poivre are also available.

Queens Grill and Princess Grill guests also have exclusive access to the cushy Grills Lounge, with its own outdoor terrace, for cocktails or afternoon tea service.

In everyman’s Britannia — and in the slightly elevated Britannia Club — you’ll still have white-gloved waiters, with menus that tend toward British cuisine. Look for things like rosemary and garlic grilled lamb cutlets.

In addition to the mainstays, there are several casual dining options. Kings Court is a somewhat standard buffet; personally, I prefer the Carinthia Lounge, next door, where you’ll find complimentary (and creative) small-plate presentations and a less frenetic atmosphere. (At night, the lounge features the largest collection of vintage port wine at sea.)

My other go-to for lunch is the Golden Lion pub, which has selections such as fish and chips and a classic Ploughman’s lunch of cheese, meat, bread, and pickles. One extra-charge specialty restaurant to mention is the Steakhouse at The Verandah, which is known for its crowd-pleasing Cunarder burger, with bone marrow mayonnaise.

If you don’t want to dress up for dinner, there’s a section of the Kings Court set aside for table service, with a variety of menus including Indian, Italian, and pan-Asian, available at an extra charge.

The bar scene on the ship is extensive. The Golden Lion pub pours pints, while labels including Laurent-Perrier are on offer at the Champagne Bar. At the Commodore Club, with its windows over the ship’s bow, the cocktails are named for past Cunard commodores. The nautically inspired Chart Room has a selection of zodiac-themed drinks, one for each sign. Fans of martinis, like me, will want to sample Cunard’s own small-batch bottling, produced by Pickering’s Gin.

Where Queen Mary 2 Sails

From the end of April to mid-December the ship does seven- and eight-night transatlantic crossings. Most of these trips connect New York City and Southampton, England, the gateway city to London. Occasionally, these trips visit other ports, such as Hamburg, Germany, or Newport, Rhode Island.

Outside of “crossing season,” the Queen Mary 2 often sails in the Caribbean. In early 2026, the ship will embark on a multi-month World Cruise, departing from either New York City (109 days) or Southampton (108 days).

Shore Excursions

Most of the time, the Queen Mary 2 makes non-stop crossings between New York and Southampton. But, when the ship does call in port, guests can expect a standard array of bus, van, and walking tours. In Quebec City, for example, one choice is the Tastes of Quebec Walking Tour, which involves a sampling of various local flavors, including maple taffy. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, the line’s most popular excursion is a guided walk around Peggy’s Cove, a photogenic fishing village.

Pricing for these tours varies, and Cunard does not include any excursions in its rates.

Amenities and Entertainment

As befits a ship that spends lots of time at sea, Queen Mary 2 has a packed schedule of activities: on any given day, there are more than 60 things to do before dinner.

On my recent cruise, there was almost too much to do: professional dancers taught their moves, bridge instructors led card games, and casino dealers hosted blackjack tournaments. Elsewhere, there were trivia contests and darts competitions. An on-board planetarium offered visual journeys through the solar system, while movies played on big screens (and stateroom TVs). A full lecture series had talks on just about everything: one featured a British military historian who expounded on the Empire’s defeat of the Zulu Nation while another involved a forensic medical examiner who discussed the real Elephant Man. (Some crossings even offer fencing lessons, for an added fee.)

There are five pools on Queen Mary 2. The Terrace and Splash Pools are outdoors, while the Pavilion Pool has a retractable roof, which allows for all-weather enjoyment. The shallow Minnows Pool is reserved for kids; the spa has a delightfully warm thalassotherapy option. (Additionally, the spa has a sauna, various treatments, and salon services.) 

Another hangout, and one of my favorite spots, is the ship’s library, the largest at sea with some 9,000 volumes — and epic ocean views.

At night, a resident team of singers and dancers puts on theatrical productions featuring show tunes; there are also visiting comedians and cabaret artists doing their thing. The bars and lounges are also full of live music, including jazz. On select cruises, The Royal Shakespeare Company performs and does workshops for guests.

On Gala Evenings, the place to see and be seen is the Queens Room ballroom. (For those less confident in their steps, dance hosts are available as partners.) If ballroom isn’t your thing, there’s a discreet door in the back, behind which is the G32 dance club with a mix of DJs and classic rock tunes from a live band.

From time to time, Queen Mary 2 hosts themed crossings, whether that’s bringing aboard members of the British National Symphony Orchestra or hosting a Literary Festival at Sea, with prominent authors. 

Family-friendly Offerings

The Queen Mary 2 Isn’t the most kid-friendly cruise ship, but families do hop aboard, particularly during summer and the end-of-year holiday season. Various sections of the ship are designed for age-appropriate activities led by staff: The Play Zone, for ages 2 to 7, includes an indoor playroom and outdoor area with kiddie cars and tricycles. (Infants from 6 months up to 2 years are welcome to visit with their parents.) The Kids Zone, for ages 8 to 12, is equipped with foosball and game consoles. Teens can enjoy supervised time in the G32 disco and also have their own video gaming area.

Cunard has a complimentary Night Nursery that cares for children aged 6 to 23 months, from 6 to 11 p.m.

Accessibility

The Queen Mary 2 has 32 fully accessible staterooms and suites, spread across the Britannia, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill categories. These accommodations have wide doorways into the stateroom and bathroom and sufficient floor space for maneuvering a wheelchair or mobility scooter. There are flush thresholds between the bathroom and stateroom, and, for those rooms with balconies, ramped access to the outdoor area.

While most public areas have level or ramped access, there are raised thresholds throughout the ship, particularly in doorways for accessing outdoor deck areas. Pools have a hoist, the use of which can be reserved with 24 hours’ notice.

Cunard has additional advice for those with particular accessibility concerns on its website.