For the better part of 6 months, we have been traveling in Europe. It’s now time to figure out how to get home and rather than fly we have booked passage on The RMS Queen Mary 2 (RMS means Royal Mail Ship). The QM2 has served as the flagship of the Cunard Line since April 2004, and as of 2025, is the only active, purpose-built ocean liner still in service. Queen Mary 2 sails regular transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York City, in addition to short cruises and an annual world voyage.
The original RMS Queen Mary had been active doing the same route from 1936 to 1967 when she was retired and eventually found her was to Long Beach California where she is a floating hotel, museum, and convention space. We had been on board this ship a couple of times over the years so it was fun to schedule our passage on the QM2.
Ryan coordinated our passage via ferry from Caen France to Portsmouth UK where we took a taxi to our hotel the night before sailing. The Ferry was easy – large ocean-going ship with lots of lounge space and various restaurants. The lower decks carried cars, semi-trucks and other vehicles while the upper decks were all for passengers. Our seats were in the forward lounge with large seating overlooking the bow. Fortunately, the two or three school groups that boarded with us were all in separate areas. There were also several duty-free shops on the ship offering various products including a fairly nice selection of wines. The entire trip took about 5 hours but we had smooth sailing throughout the trip.
Our first look at the QM2 was from our hotel room – looking out across the harbor in Southampton.
Once through the check in process, which went surprisingly quickly, we started to explore the common areas of the ship and found a place for a bite to eat.
At the time of her construction, QM2 was the longest, at 1,131.99 ft, and largest passenger ship ever built. Queen Mary 2 has a maximum speed of just over 30 knots (35 mph) and a cruising speed of 26 knots (30 mph). Instead of the common diesel-electric configuration, Queen Mary 2 uses integrated electric propulsion to achieve her top speed. Diesel engines, augmented by gas turbines, are used to generate electricity for electric motors for propulsion and for on-board use. The ship can take as many as 2,695 passengers supported by 1,253 crew – about a 2 to 1 ration (smaller than the crew ration on Oceania…)
Our cabin was on the top deck – 13 – all the way forward. It’s a nice cabin with generally good amenities. Being at the top of the ship has some disadvantages, however, as we get more motion as a result.
Our first day was focused on getting situated into our cabin and getting a general ‘feel’ for the ship. There are clearly a lot of areas to explore! Queen Mary 2’s facilities include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and the first planetarium at sea. Of course, there is the shopping area with some very expensive shops ready to take our cash any time!
A large library with lots of books, computer stations and a nice space to just sit and read
Each afternoon there is a High Tea. A wonderful experience with lots of tea and finger food.
Way to much to report in only one blog…more to come!
Hey, make sure you check out the planetarium. And if you have clear skies late tonight/early tomorrow morning (w-a-y early :)) I hope you can see the total lunar eclipse (moon won’t disappear but will look brownish as the earth’s atmosphere sneaks between the earth and the moon :)) Thanks for taking me along with you on this wonderful journey!!
Quite an experience and fabulous photos. Loved seeing Janeen posing with the life guard buoy. Have a sip or two for me!
Beautiful shipboard photos, as always. She is a spectacular ocean liner!!
Wonderful choice for your homeward travel! 🚢❤️❤️
Marvelous photos and journal. Loved the shot from your hotel (Southampton) of the QM2 waiting for you two in the haze. Also Janeen peaking through the life preserver. Frame it. Can’t help but think of the contrast between where you been and the design and comforts of this crossing. Thanks for sharing.
Bon voyage! I’ll have to look for a Queen Mary life buoy here in Long Beach and snap a picture to send your way. 🙂 Enjoy the journey!
What a wonderful ship – 15 restaurants could be sorely tempting with different things to eat all day. Was it warm enough to go swimming? Home must be reaching out to you. Will be happy to talk to you soon.
What a nice way to soften the jet lag.
This is Sandy , (Molly Heath ‘s mom) Thanks for your story about Queen Mary 2. Jack and I are going on the world cruse next February. It’s 90 days but the last stretch for us will be New York. I wanted to know about the dress attire, most of the pictures I have looked shows a very dressy dinner attire. Can you give me a little more information about the dinner dress code?
Formal dress not required but encouraged. There were a couple of more ‘formal’ nights where guests put on their very fancy treads but generally smart casual was sufficient.