queen elizabeth 2nd cruise

What It Was Like to Cross the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth 2

By Madison Flager

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In the last decade, cruising has grown immensely , with hundreds of ships regularly ferrying passengers to nearly every corner of the globe: from Miami to the Caribbean, around the Cape Peninsula, through the Panama Canal, up and down the Mediterranean Sea. There’s a route, and a cruise line , for every type of traveler. But for many seasoned cruisers, one ship, and one iconic route, will always stand out as the crown jewel: Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 , more affectionately known as the QE2 .

In operation from 1969 to 2008, the QE2 brought the rich and famous— Neil Diamond, Nelson Mandela, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and several members of the Royal Family among them—from New York to Southampton, England, and vice versa. The ocean liner was a luxurious—and for some, less nerve-wracking—way to cross the Atlantic, and, at one time, was the only way to do so by sea.

When she was finally taken out of service, and eventually brought to Dubai to be turned into a floating hotel , crew and former passengers alike were “distraught.” We spoke to some of those former crew members and guests to find out what it was like to be on board, and what exactly made the ocean liner so alluring.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Sleek, streamlined, and elegant

The QE2 ’s design stands in stark contrast to the ships most travelers see today. “There are no ships like it today, quite frankly,” says Andy Dinsdale, a former cruise director on the QE2 . “She was the fastest ship of her type in the world at that time. You look at the ships nowadays, they're all sky rises on ship bases. The QE2 was sleek, she was slim. She was made to cut through the ocean waves and she did it beautifully—fast and elegantly.”

Tim Davey, who worked as a crew purser and hotel officer onboard the QE2 in the early 90s, echoes the importance of the ship's design. “This thing had some really sexy shapes about it, you know? It was well maintained, always immaculate. And it was the pride and joy of Cunard every time it came into port. You knew you were on something special, whether you were a passenger, or a crew member.”

When she first came into service, the QE2 had a slick modern '70s “space-age-y” design, Dinsdale says. Public spaces were decorated with plastic laminates, modular furniture, and abstract art. Over the years, refurbishments led to a slightly more grandiose aesthetic, but many original structural elements remained.

Christian Reay , who sailed as a passenger in early 2007 and has since been on 17 cruises, said in an email that he remembers the ship’s “sleek, yacht-like” design, the “intricate ceilings and space-age pillars” of The Queen’s Room, where afternoon tea was served, as well as “her funnel in the traditional Cunard red and black livery, and the beautifully tiered aft decks and superstructure.” 

“I still remember being in the taxi, approaching the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal at Southampton docks, and seeing QE2 for the first time, and being completely in awe,” Reay said.

The interior of the Queen's Room, where afternoon tea was served and cocktail parties were hosted, 1969

A dining experience ‘second-to-none’

Guests on the QE2 dined according to the tier of room they paid for. Still, though, the food in any dining room was considered five-star. “From top to bottom—even if you're in the Columbia Dining Room, which was for those in the lower cabins, the food and the experience were still magic,” Davey says.

Drinks were a given, too. “The cocktail waiters were just magnificent. I've never seen mixologists like that before,” Dinsdale says.

Former guests concur. “No midnight buffet has ever been the same since,” Benedict Montgomery , who sailed with his family around the Norwegian Fjords aboard the QE2 in 2006, said in an email. “From elaborate ice sculptures to fresh oysters and lobster to whatever your heart desired, there was so much choice.”

British traditions were a highlight, too. “Afternoon Tea took place each day, promptly at 3 p.m., and it was an event not to be missed,” Reay says. “Immaculate white gloved waiter service, and a vast selection of finger sandwiches, cakes, French fancies, and scones with jam and clotted cream.” Altogether, “The dining experience was second to none,” he says.

Passengers in a VIP lounge during the QE2's first year of service, 1969

An elaborate event

Entertainment abounded on the QE2 , especially for Atlantic crossings. Guests could enjoy a drink at the piano bar, listen to classical music or jazz orchestras, practice ballroom dancing, or attend lectures given by filmmakers, former Concorde pilots , and more. “When you're doing a five day transatlantic, you want to know that you're going to have the opportunity to meet a famous author and do some education across the pond as well,” Davey says.

María Casbas

Jessica Chapel

Madison Flager

Occasionally, a themed cruise would be on offer, sailing with soap opera stars, former Olympians, or comedians. Beyond the notable names, guests mingled with one another—“The QE2 had this way of attracting people from all around the world who would come to sail on here, so there were always interesting people around,” Davey says. And guests dressed for the occasion, wearing suits and gowns to dinners. “You were really going on the QE2 to be part of an elaborate event, and it made it special.”

Luxury from start to finish

Also unique to the QE2 ? Its partnerships with other luxury modes of travel at the time. Packages were available to allow guests to travel on the Orient-Express train to Southampton, sail over to America, stay a night or two at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, then fly a chartered Concorde plane back to London. “That means of traveling the world—you’re going in the lap of luxury on all three” modes of transport, Dinsdale says.

Janice Jeffery, who took the Concorde to Singapore on her 21st birthday while working for Cunard, and arranged these packages for guests, says the experiences helped to put the cruise line back on the map.

“Now I meet people, and they always say, ‘my big regret was I never did Concorde and I never did QE2 ’ because they were iconic," she says. "I don't think we'll see anything like that again. There are too many ships and too many planes.”

Sailing out of New York, 2008 

A warm welcome

In the QE2 ’s heyday, world cruises were still somewhat of a novelty—so much so that locals would crowd into ports to see the ocean liner coming in. Jeffery and Davey recall hundreds of small sailing boats and motor vessels that would sail in with them in ports like Rio de Janeiro and Sydney , and the excited crowds that would greet them, lining the decks as they sailed into places like South Africa ’s Port Elizabeth.

Davey remembers sailing into New Zealand , “and just the flotilla of boats that would come and greet you and sail into the harbor with you was amazing.” Stateside, locals would stand on their balconies around Fort Lauderdale ’s port with air horns and flashlights. ”The captain would sound the QE2 horn three times, and then they would all answer with their horns. And it became a ritual sailing out of Fort Lauderdale,” he says.

The end of an era

The nostalgia for the QE2 is evident, carved out of her long history, penchant for carrying notable guests, and white glove service. "It reminded people of a bygone era which sadly none of us will ever experience again,” Montgomery, who has since sailed on 13 more cruises, says of the fanfare over the liner. “She evoked a lot of real love in passengers and crew,” says Jeffery.

With 1,800 passengers and 1,200 crew, there was much more attention paid to each guest, too. “It didn't matter what level of cabin you were in, you were treated like royalty,” Davey says. Montgomery, who sailed at age 11, recalls the wait staff “always went out of their way to ensure a fussy child, like I was, enjoyed the experience.”

That level of service is at the core of the QE2 ’s legacy. “Why do [travelers] go to The Savoy in London? Why do they go to The Ritz ? They want to have that feeling of being looked after in a way that the Romantic era of the Victorians were,” Dinsdale says.

While cruisers can no longer experience a transatlantic crossing or world cruise on the famed liner, they can still spend a night on board , docked in Dubai's Port Rashid; former crew say she’s been well looked after, too. Says Davey: “If you have that hankering to go and see the traditional old lady, you still can, and that's a great way for it to end up.”

Vintage photos show the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship in its heyday during the 1960s and 1970s

• The Queen Elizabeth 2 was a luxury cruise liner launched in 1967.
• When it completed its maiden voyage in 1969, the QE2 was a marvel of modern cruising and design.
• The ship was retired in 2008 and later turned into a luxury hotel in Dubai.

Named for Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship is remembered as one of the most luxurious ships to ever sail the sea.

The ship was launched on September 20, 1967, by Queen Elizabeth herself, and it completed her maiden voyage the following year. 

Here's a look back at what the Queen Elizabeth 2 looked like when it first launched and during its heyday during the 1960s and '70s.

The Queen Elizabeth 2 was a British ocean liner and cruise ship that set new standards in luxury travel.

The Queen Elizabeth 2, or QE2, was launched on September 20, 1967. It cost £30 million, or $36.5 million, to build, according to Royal Museums Greenwich .

"There are no ships like it today, quite frankly," Andy Dinsdale, a former cruise director on the QE2, told Condé Nast Travel in 2021. "She was the fastest ship of her type in the world at that time. You look at the ships nowadays, they're all sky rises on ship bases. The QE2 was sleek, she was slim. She was made to cut through the ocean waves and she did it beautifully — fast and elegantly."

While flying was becoming an increasingly popular way to travel, cruising was still a way to cross the Atlantic for many people.

The ship was built by John Brown & Company of Clydebank, Scotland, for the Cunard Line.

It measured 963 feet long, which is 80 feet longer than the infamous Titanic that sailed in 1912. The QE2 weighed 65,863 tons and was fitted to carry 2,000 passengers. 

The ship was named after Queen Elizabeth II, who attended its launch.

In the photo above, Queen Elizabeth II and John Rannie, the managing director of the Clydebank shipyard, can be seen attending the launch of the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Roughly 30,000 spectators attended the ceremony and a bottle of Australian wine was smashed against the ship's bow. 

The ship completed her full maiden voyage in May 1969, after her maiden voyage in December 1968 was cut short due to turbine trouble.

For her maiden voyage, the QE2 sailed between Southampton, England, and New York. The voyage lasted about four days. 

Designed by Dennis Lennon, the ship's interiors were perfectly in keeping with the funky, modern design styles of the 1960s.

The photo above shows the interior of the Queen's Room, a large reception and dining area, on the QE2 in 1969.

The room featured carpeting and modernist furnishings that epitomized style and luxury at the time, which appeared inspired by the aesthetic of the jet and space age, The RIBA Journal reported.

Cruise liners like the QE2 set a new standard for luxury travel.

Above, passengers converse in the VIP lounge aboard the QE2 luxury liner in 1969.

The ship had a number of different dining rooms, which were seated according to which class ticket a passenger held, according to Condé Naste Travel. Afternoon tea took place each day with white-glove service, or guests could enjoy a cocktail at the piano bar.

The ship also offered guests the opportunity to attend classical music or jazz orchestra performances, take ballroom-dance classes, or attend lectures given by prominent filmmakers. 

There were multiple restaurants on board the QE2, including the Britannia Restaurant, which is still on board the ship today, and the Columbia Restaurant.

It was also typical for people to dress in suits, cocktail dresses, and gowns to eat dinner — something you rarely see on cruise ships today .

A photo of a recent menu that recreated the one served during the maiden voyage of the QE2 showed that guests dined on dishes like pan-seared scallops, fois gras parfait, halibut, and lamb. 

Many celebrities sailed on the QE2 during the height of its fame.

Actress Elizabeth Taylor and her husband Richard Burton sailed aboard the ship in 1970.

Audrey Hepburn, Carrie Fisher, Jane Seymour, and Meryl Streep are just a few other notable celebrities who have sailed on the QE2, according to Cunard.

By the 1970s, many of the modernist, space-age-inspired furnishings of '60s were replaced with simpler styles.

In 1972, the QE2 was refitted for the first time, and many of the original interior-design elements were removed. 

"In its original condition, which only lasted for three years, it was one of the great unsung masterpieces of the post-war era," Bruce Peter, a professor of design history at the Glasgow School of Art, told The RIBA Journal in 2018.

The cabins were still luxurious and spacious, but not as striking as they were when the ship first launched.

In the photo above, an employee makes the bed of one of the ship's cabins in 1975.

In the early 1970s, some of the ship's lounge areas were turned into restaurants and a casino in order to be more lucrative for the ship's owners.

As The RIBA Journal reported, "wear and tear" was another reason for the ship's redesign, thanks to years of cigarette smoke and the natural deterioration of the furnishings due to the thousands of passengers that sailed the ship during its first three years at sea.

In 1975, the QE2 set sail from Southampton on her first world cruise.

The ship sailed 38,000 miles and visited 23 ports in 92 days. The QE2 would go on to complete 25 world cruises during her career.

While the ship looks drastically different than many modern, luxury cruise lines of today, it still gave its passengers plenty of space to lounge, relax, and soak up the sun.

The photo above shows the original pool deck aboard the QE2. The original pool, where aqua aerobics classes once took place, is still there today.

In April 1982, the QE2 was briefly used as a troopship to carry members of the British military to the Falkland Islands during the war with Argentina.

The ship sailed to South Georgia with 3,000 troops aboard, and it arrived back in Southampton in June 1982. 

Throughout her life as an operating cruise liner, the QE2 traveled more than 6 million miles and carried more than 2.5 million passengers.

The ship was officially retired and sold in 2008. 

In 2018, after millions of dollars was spent refurbishing and restoring the ship to its former glory, the QE2 opened as a luxury hotel in Dubai. 

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Queen Elizabeth Overview

A cruise on the Queen Elizabeth , one of Cunard’s three ocean liners, is a chance to step back into the glamorous hey-day of cruising. Passengers can delight in the fabulously British touches of afternoon tea, a game of croquet and a formal royal ball. Queen Elizabeth also has lots of modern features, including a state-of-the-art Computer Centre, relaxing whirlpools and karaoke, for some fun at night. Cunard is also known for its cuisine - we recommend the Lobster Newberg at the Queens Grille and the decadent Cambridge Burnt Cream Tart at the Britannia Restaurant.

• Passenger Capacity: 2,081 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2010
• Last Refurbished:  2023

• The Queens Room The full history and grandeur of the Britain’s aristocracy comes alive on Cunard’s ocean liners. To really immerse yourself in the culture, you must have Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room aboard the Queen Elizabeth. Here you will be served tea along with cucumber sandwiches and scones, all while an orchestra plays. The Queens Room is also where the Royal Nights Themed Ball takes places.  

• Royal Spa Unwind completely at the Royal Spa on your next journey. The facility offers a chance to rejuvenate in the soothing waters of the Hydrotherapy Pool at the Royal Bath House. Renew your skin with a facial and revive your romance with a couple’s massage or body wrap. The spa is also home to the Queen Elizabeth’s fitness programs and salon services.  

• The Royal Court Theatre The Royal Court Theatre is home to the Queen Elizabeth Theater Company, known for their imaginative musicals and stirring production of Shakespeare classics. Some times this gorgeous theater with balcony seating doubles as a movie theater, showing recent hits and classic favorites.  

Queen Elizabeth Cruise Destinations

Cunard Line is famous for its transatlantic sailings, but they offer an impressive set of destinations and some fantastic itineraries all over the world. Visit four continents and hundreds of ports-of-call ranging from Tortola, British Virgin Islands to Tallinn, Estonia. Whether it be a historically enriching cruise to Northern Europe, or a tropical Hawaiian vacation, one of Cunard’s three regal ships will proudly be your vessel. 

Adventure is right around the corner with a Cunard Line cruise to Alaska. 

Delight in the historic treasures and scenic pleasures of the Far East on a cruise through Asia aboard Cunard Line’s world-famous ocean liners.

Immerse yourself in the delightful cultures and exotic locales of Australasia with a Cunard Line voyage to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Eastern Caribbean

Live the island life with Cunard in the Eastern Caribbean, where the sun is always shining. 

South Pacific / Tahiti

Inspire yourself with adventure, grand Sydney attractions, and vibrant marine environments on a cruise to Australasia and the Pacific Islands.

Southeast Asia

From culinary delights with bright flavors to traditional villages and towering metropoli, Southeast Asia truly has it all in one destination - best seen with Cunard.

Transatlantic

Enjoy the excellent experience that is a vacation away from the everyday, sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at intriguing ports—try a transatlantic cruise.

Transpacific

Sail to the marvels of the Pacific aboard a marvel of your own with Cunard Line’s exquisite fleet of luxury ocean liners.

U. S. Pacific Coast

Explore some of the most iconic cities in the United States on a Cunard Line cruise to the US Pacific Coast. 

Western Caribbean

Enjoy the allure of a classic cruising experience when sailing with Cunard in the tropical waters of the Eastern Caribbean.

Queen Elizabeth Departure Ports

Traveling across the pond, there’s no cruise line better than Cunard, with more than 150 years of history, this brand makes routine cruises from Southampton to New York City and vice versa. However, they offer more than just transatlantic sailings. You can sail around the world with Cunard from Tokyo to Athens to San Francisco. Call The Cruise Web for a great offer on a Cunard cruise.

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Melbourne, Australia

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Perth (Fremantle), Australia

Cruise to Perth and enjoy the blend of old with new, along with Western Australia’s natural beauty. Take in the vibrant culture as you enter old world cafés next to the lively bars all buzzing with music and locals.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sar, China

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Tokyo is a dazzling city where you might be overwhelmed at first by its modernity but will find lots of interesting subcultures in its various neighborhoods.

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

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Queen Elizabeth Deck Plans

Deck eleven, deck twelve, queen elizabeth staterooms.

Balcony (BA)

Enjoy the view from your private balcony and the comfort of your luxurious interior as you relax in your well appointed stateroom. The Britannia Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.

Balcony (BB)

Balcony (bc), balcony (bd), balcony (be), balcony (bf).

Balcony (CA)

Balcony (cb).

Balcony (A1)

Your Britannia Club Balcony stateroom offers the luxury of inside space and a stunning view from your private balcony. You will also dine in the intimate Britannia Club Restaurant, offering you the freedom to choose when you eat each evening. The Britannia Club Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony

Balcony (A2)

Inside (LC)

If you are travelling alone, our Single staterooms offer you the opportunity to enjoy more space for yourself. Each single stateroom offers comfortable accommodation with generous sized single beds, spacious bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas. The Britannia Single Inside staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

Inside (GA)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Deluxe Inside staterooms have two beds, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Inside (GB)

Inside (gc).

Inside (IA)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Standard Inside staterooms have two beds, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Inside (ID)

Inside (ie), inside (if).

Oceanview (FB)

Gaze upon an ever changing seascape from your large window, which offers an abundance of natural light in your spacious stateroom. The Britannia Oceanview staterooms have two beds, a living area and a shower.

Oceanview (FC)

Oceanview (EB)

Oceanview (ec), oceanview (ef).

Oceanview (KC)

If you are travelling alone, our Single staterooms offer you the opportunity to enjoy more space for yourself. Each single stateroom offers comfortable accommodation with generous sized single beds, spacious bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas. The Britannia Single Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

As our guest in a abluxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Master Suites have two beds, a bath and shower, living and dining areas as well as a balcony.

In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Grand Suites have two beds, a bath and shower, living and dining areas as well as a balcony.

In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Penthouse Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Queens Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

Your Princess Grill Suite is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Luxurious features such as a private balcony, separate seating area and a spacious bedroom make your Princess Grill Suite the ideal home from home. You also enjoy access to the Grills Lounge, Grills Terrace and renowned Princess Grill restaurant. The Princess Suites have two beds, a bath with shower along with a living area and balcony.

Photo Gallery for Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship

Get a glimpse at the regal atmosphere that awaits you on a Cunard Cruise among one of their three Queens: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in this photo gallery. 

Queen Elizabeth

Princess Grill

Top 10 Queen Elizabeth Cruises

• Queen Elizabeth 9 NIGHT Far East CRUISE Departing From Tokyo, Japan (Apr 2024 - May 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 19 NIGHT Transpacific CRUISE Departing From Tokyo, Japan (May 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 10 NIGHT Alaska CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Jun 2024 - Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 11 NIGHT Alaska CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Jul 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 9 NIGHT Alaska CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Aug 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 38 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 13 NIGHT Alaska CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 28 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 3 NIGHT U. S. Pacific Coast CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 25 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From San Francisco, California (Sep 2024)

Learn More About Cunard

Accessibility

Learn about Cunard Line's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.

Savor variety of dining options aboard Cunard Line cruises, including the Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia restaurant, Queens Room, Todd English, Kings Court, Golden Lion Pub and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Cunard Line's onboard entertainment, including live music, the Royal Court Theatre, Commodore Club entertainment, Royal Night Theme Balls, Queens Room dancing, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Participate in Cunard Line's onboard activities, including Cunard Insights lectures, Book Clubs, computer lab, duty-free shopping, sports courts, art galleries, dance classes, afternoon tea, deck games, golf simulators and more.

Service & Awards

Learn about Cunard Line's famous White Star Service and extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Cunard Line's cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Cunard Line's pools, the Royal Spa and Canyon Ranch SpaClub, where spa treatments range from relaxing massages to Ayurvedic experiences.

Special Events

Learn about Cunard Line's special cruises with exclusive speakers, activities and shore excursions, including Wine Lecture and Tasting voyages.

Explore Cunard Line's luxurious staterooms, including Queen and Princess Grill Suites, balconies, oceanviews and inside staterooms - each beautifully appointed in Cunard's classic style.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Cunard Line. Cunard's youth programs are for ages 2 - 17, including the Play Zone (ages 2-7), Kids Zone (ages 8-12) and Teen Zone (ages 13-17).

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Built in 1967 and originally known as Hull 736, Queen Elizabeth 2 was synonymous with luxury cruising. The ship’s colourful history, which saw her cover 5.6 million miles and complete 806 transatlantic crossings for Cunard – as well as a stint carrying troops in the Falklands War – means the QE2 is rightfully remembered as the world’s most famous ocean liner.

Now based in Dubai, Queen Elizabeth 2 has been reborn as an elegant hotel. The period furniture and original portholes have been maintained, while modifications to the ship’s suites and restaurants mean that she sits effortlessly among the world’s most desirable hotels.

The collection of packages below give you the opportunity to enjoy a stay on Queen Elizabeth 2 either before, or after, a voyage aboard another famous Queen, the QM2 . We’ve included a variety of Cunard sailings to suit all preferences and are delighted to feature itineraries in the Mediterranean, Asia and Australia.

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Review: Cunard Queen Elizabeth cruise ship

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Queen Elizabeth cruise ship facts

• 2,081 guests
• 2010 launched
• 2018 refurbished

The MS Queen Elizabeth is a large cruise ship that embraces Cunard's British heritage. This Queen Elizabeth review explains what makes it unique.

In this review

• Our review ratings
• Queen Elizabeth deck plan
• About Queen Elizabeth
• Food on Queen Elizabeth
• Accommodation onboard  
• Queen Elizabeth nightlife
• Fitness on board
• Onboard activities
• What’s included on Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Elizabeth dress code
• Fellow guests
• Review conclusion

This review of the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship explains the pros and cons of a cruise vacation on board. It rates the restaurants and bars, as well as the nightlife. There are also video tours and insiders tips to help make the most of your time on board.

• British traditions like champagne afternoon tea.
• Ballroom dancing and fencing
• Great art deco vibe.
• No beverages included.
• Service can be patchy.

The Queen Elizabeth deck plan is mostly easy to get around. There are a total of 12 passenger decks, the highest of which is deck 12.

• Reception : Deck 1
• Accommodation : Decks 1 to 8
• Main dining room : Deck 2
• Theatre : Deck 2
• Observation lounge : Deck 10

It is worth noting the lowest deck is -3 (a crew deck).

Queen Elizabeth is a Vista-class cruise ship in the Cunard fleet. She was built in Italy and debuted in October 2010. Queen Elizabeth is 289 m. / 964 ft. long with room for 2,081 guests. That’s almost the same as her sister-cruise ship Queen Victoria, but somewhat less than the famous ocean liner Queen Mary 2. Interestingly, because Queen Elizabeth is not a true ocean liner the bow has extra steel plating so it can cope with rough ocean crossings.

The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship had a major refurbishment in November 2018. During that time the Royal Spa got an extensive renovation. Also the Royal Arcade and Golden Lion Pub had a spruce up, while elsewhere on the vessel the decor was updated to make it “more British”.  

On Queen Elizabeth there are four different classes of service:

• Britannia Club.
• Princess Grill.
• Queens Grill.

These can be likened to economy, premium economy, business and first class. It’s worth noting that Princess and Queens Grill guests have exclusive access to certain areas of the cruise ship.  

The food on Queen Elizabeth can be outstanding, but that depends on where you choose to eat. There is a buffet and a pub, as well as cafes and fine dining restaurants.  My Queen Elizabeth review rates them all.  Most guests choose one of the restaurants for dinner, however some of these are reserved for Club or Grills guests only.

The Britannia Restaurant is the biggest dining venue and is where Britannia-class guests eat. It is a multi-level restaurant serving tempting dishes like Alpine Pepper-crusted Goose Breast, Rack of Lamb and Pan Fried Sea Trout. It has a busy atmosphere and sometimes the service can be patchy.  

Britannia Club guests can eat in a more intimate venue called the Britannia Club Restaurant . The service is better, but the menu is almost identical.

Princess Grill guests dine in their own elegant restaurant which has a more de luxe menu. While Queens Grill guests dine in the most exclusive venue, the Queen’s Grill Restaurant . As a matter of fact it serves some of the best food at sea, like White Sturgeon Caviar and Duck L Orange. Queens Grill guests can even order off-menu.

The Steakhouse At The Verandah is a specialty restaurant on Queen Elizabeth. It’s a glamorous, upmarket venue with a fascinating heritage, but the menu is a bit unadventurous with options that include a burger and seafood platter. That said, it’s a great dining alternative and is open to everyone, but it costs extra:

• Lunch: US$25 per person.
• Dinner: US$39 per person.

The Lido Restaurant on deck 9 is a sprawling buffet venue which is especially popular at lunch time (the self service buffet my be subject to COVID-restrictions when cruising resumes in 2021). In the evenings part of it becomes an alternative dining venue with waiter-service and a theme which rotates between pan-Asian (Bamboo), Indian (Coriander), Mexican (Aztec) and pizza (La Piazza). Check the Daily Programme newsletter for details. It’s worth noting that dining at Bamboo, Coriander, Aztec or La Piazza cost extra:

• Dinner: US$19.50 per person.

There is also the poolside  Lido Grill which serves burgers and hotdogs.  Cafe Carinthia has a tempting array of sweet treats and the conservatory-styled Garden Lounge offers drinks and snacks.

In addition there is the Golden Lion Pub  which is a relaxed, English-style venue where you can enjoy a quiet ale, or authentic pub food like fish & chips. In the evening there is an entertaining band.

The guest rooms on Queen Elizabeth are comfortable and practical. They range from Inside and Balcony Staterooms to spacious Grills suites , some of which have separate bedrooms. The guest rooms are spread across the entire length of the cruise ship.

When it comes to nightlife Queen Elizabeth has something for everyone. There is the Yacht Club disco, or the more intimate Commodore Club. A string quartet play in the Midships Bar and there is dancing in the Queens Room.

The Royal Court theatre has spectacular shows as well as entertainment by guest artists. Indeed, the standard of the performances is generally very good.

Queen Elizabeth has a great range of wellness options. There are two pools and a gym as well as Zumba, yoga and pilates classes. There is also bowls and golf on the open air decks. The onboard spa offers a range of relaxing treatments, as well as an Aqua Therapy Centre which has a hydrotherapy pool, aromatic steam room and sauna.

All the usual shipboard activities are available on Queen Elizabeth including bridge, trivia, shuffleboard and lectures from expert speakers. However, as my  Queen Elizabeth review explains  there are some more unusual activities too, like fencing and ballroom dancing classes.

There are also Watercolour Art Classes (US$35) and galley tours (usually once per voyage), as well as get-togethers for solo cruisers and friends of Dorothy.

In addition, Queen Elizabeth has a library and a shopping arcade, as well as dedicated spaces for kids and teens.

Your cruise fare on Queen Elizabeth generally only includes accommodation, meals and entertainment. Almost everything else comes at an additional cost.

Beverages are not included in your cruise fare – not even water. So I recommend purchasing a Stateroom Water Package. Other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages are also available.

Cunard cruise fares do not include gratuities. So a service charge of 15% will be added to the cost of individual beverage purchases, while a 12.5% gratuity will be added to the cost of spa and salon treatments.

It’s also worth noting that there is a daily “Hotel and Dining” charge of US$11.50 per person per day for Britannia Staterooms and US$13.50 per person per day for Grill Suites. This charge will be added to your account at the end of the cruise.

Dining in specialty restaurants also comes at an additional cost.

On the up-side, free self service laundry facilities are available. Also, in some ports there are transfers to and from downtown.  

During the day you can dress as you please, but in the evening the Queen Elizabeth dress code is more traditional. Indeed, from 5:45pm the dress code will be either Smart Attire or Formal in bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. This will be advertised in the Daily Programme newsletter.

Smart Attire

• For women this includes casual dresses, jumpsuits and informal evening-wear.
• Men should wear slacks. Jackets are optional.

On Gala Evenings the Queen Elizabeth dress code is formal.

• Women should wear a cocktail dress, smart trouser suit or formal separates.
• Men should wear a dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with either a tie or bow tie.

There are usually two or three Gala Evenings for every seven days on board.

The Queen Elizabeth attracts a loyal following of return passengers as well as first time cruisers.  

There is usually a mix of family groups and older couples on board. Indeed, during my Queen Elizabeth review sailing the guests ranged in age from teenagers to those over 80-years old.

Most guests generally come from the U.S.A, U.K, Australia and Canada.

It’s also worth noting that like all the Cunard cruise ships, Queen Elizabeth gay-friendly.

The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship embraces its British heritage. Indeed, traditions like afternoon tea and gin & tonic are a real treat. The West End-style shows are a great drawcard too.

The restaurants on Queen Elizabeth are generally good and it’s worth noting that the first class Queen’s Grill Restaurant is outstanding. Indeed, I rate it as one of the best restaurants at sea.

During my voyage some areas on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship felt crowded on sea days – in particular the pools and Cafe Carinthia. Also, during my review voyage I noted that service can be patchy, particularly in the busy dining venues.

Cruisers should also remember that Queen Elizabeth does not have the inclusions of some other premium cruise lines.

Read the accommodation section of my Queen Elizabeth review by clicking the button below.

The author sailed as a guest of Cunard .

About the Author: Jason Kerr

Queen Elizabeth Rooms

Queen elizabeth dining, queen elizabeth nightlife, queen elizabeth wellness.

We have been on all the Cunard ships and we find little to fault. My only objection is that Cunard is now American owned and sees itself as serving the USA and Far East markets before the UK. That is globalisation and it’s the same with major companies and football teams but things might change !! We like the crew, the organisation abd the people on board and the whole ship experience and as such, are frightening to try any other cruise line and can’t see ourselves going elsewhere.

I have sailed on QE four times now and find there it to be a most pleasant ship. Those who do not enjoy dressing and a relaxed environment should perhaps look outside Cunard.

I have cruised several times before but our first Cunard cruise is in January. I find that the Cunard website is not especially informative and thank you for such comprehensive information as to what we can expect, what is an additional cost etc :)

Dear Leanne

Thank you for your kind words and I hope you enjoy your cruise.

Regards Jason Kerr Managing Editor

I will be cruising with the Queen Elizabeth later in the year. This will be my first cruise with Cunard. I’m just wondering, does everyone dress up for the gala nights?

Dear Therese

On my various Cunard sailings the gala nights were always very popular. And yes, most guests did dress up for the occasion.

I hope you enjoy your cruise.

Kind regards Jason Kerr Managing Editor

I better get some frocks then :-)

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Queen Elizabeth Cruise Guide

Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth is its third new ship in six years and the second largest ship ever built during the company's history. On July 2, 2009, the keel-laying ceremony for Queen Elizabeth took place at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy, and construction officially began.

Best Queen Elizabeth cruise deals

3 night Pacific Coastal

10 night Alaska

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Queen Elizabeth cruises are among the largest cruise lines in the world. There are a variety of different ships that take you to beautiful and fascinating destinations around the world. You’ll find a variety of different experiences, including premium cabins with balconies, special dining options, and more. You can choose different lengths of stay, with the most popular being between 5 and 7 nights. Some Queen Elizabeth cruises also offer exclusive perks such as exclusive shore excursions or onboard discounts. Whether you’re looking for an entertaining trip with fun for all ages, or a romantic getaway, there is a Queen Elizabeth cruise vacation that’s right for you.

When is the best time to book a Queen Elizabeth cruise?

While there are no strict rules for when exactly to book, the earlier you book, the more likely you are to come across great cruise deals. In general, if you’re travelling far away then 12 to 18 months is the best time to book your cruise. This will give you the most options to select your cabin, experience, and book any necessary flights. Most travelers usually book a Queen Elizabeth cruise 6 to 12 months in advance. You’ll still find affordability for your destination, and you don’t leave the anticipation for your vacation too long. Queen Elizabeth does offer last-minute cruises at a range of prices and availability depending on your destination and dates.

How can I find the best Queen Elizabeth price?

You can find cheap cruise deals for Queen Elizabeth on Expedia easily. First, think about the itineraries and additional features you want. You can filter results based on amenities, cabins, experiences, and prices to find the one that best suits your budget.

How to book your Queen Elizabeth cruise?

Expedia provides a straightforward cruise booking process to make it as easy as possible to reserve your vacation. You can search by cruise ship type, itinerary, duration, and departure port. You can also filter your results by price, amenities, and area of the world. After making any necessary changes or checking availability, simply click ‘Book’ and complete your reservation.

What to look out for when booking your cruise on Queen Elizabeth?

When looking at Queen Elizabeth cruises, it's important to keep in mind multiple factors that go into choosing a cruise. These include the length, whether you prefer a smaller or bigger ship, and departure ports. Also consider who is travelling with you, as this will influence the type of cabin you choose and what activities you choose to do on board and ashore. You can choose from several types of cabins depending on your Queen Elizabeth cruise ship including ones with sea views and balconies.

Can I cancel my Queen Elizabeth booking?

Yes. Expedia does offer you the option to cancel your Queen Elizabeth cruise. You can do so by going to the My Trips page and clicking on the cancellation button. There is also the option to contact customer service to cancel your cruise. Be aware that each cruise has different refund policies. Usually, if you cancel early then you’ll receive a better refund.

Why should I book a Queen Elizabeth cruise with Expedia?

Booking Queen Elizabeth cruise with Expedia is an excellent option for travellers who want a high-quality, enjoyable, and reliable experience to suit a range of budgets. You can book easily thanks to the convenient booking tools. Use the cruise finder and filter options to find the best cruise deals. Expedia also provides you with information about each cruise ship so that you can pick the one that fits your needs. You can also join the Rewards Membership to earn points for future trips.

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Cunard Line Queen Elizabeth Cruise Review

Elegant art deco detail meets british formalities on the high seas..

Updated February 20, 2016

The newest member of the three-ship Cunard fleet, the Queen Elizabeth aims for a distinguished cruise experience glimmering with a touch of English royalty. Elegance is promised in Cunard literature, along with “spacious luxury and excellent service that attracts discerning travelers.” That kind of hyperbole is rampant in the travel industry, of course, but marketing push aside, the Cunard Line does indeed have a storied legacy to live up to.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Cunard Line, and Its Queens

About our cruise, the experience, our cabin: balcony, other cabins, britannia restaurant, lido restaurant & lido grill, asado, jasmine, indian bistro, aztec, the verandah, the golden lion, in-room dining, café carinthia, commodore club & admiral’s lounge, the yacht club, queens room, the garden lounge, midships bar, the grills lounge, royal spa & fitness centre, other recreation, other decks, shows & entertainment, empire casino, other venues, children’s facilities, internet facilities, dress codes, general health & safety, tips, alcohol policies & loyalty program.

Starting in 1840, Cunard was the first company to schedule regular trans-Atlantic crossings between Southampton, England and New York. Over the years the line established other seagoing firsts—the first ship to be lighted by electricity, the first “wireless” (radio) at sea, the first gym and health center, the first swimming pool, and more. In 1936 Cunard’s ocean liner the Queen Mary famously launched a new era in sea travel, and in 1940 the original Queen Elizabeth debuted as the largest passenger ship ever built (although this 83,650-ton Queen Elizabeth was destroyed by fire in 1972, it retained its title as the largest until 1996). At the end of WWII, Winston Churchill claimed the two ships—requisitioned by the British government to ferry 1.5 million troops around the world—had shortened the war in Europe by at least a year. There was also the legendary ocean liner QE2 launched in 1969—after 6 million miles the QE2 left the Cunard fleet in 2008; its ultimate fate is undecided.

Acquired by Miami-based Carnival Corporation in 1998, the Cunard Line got a new lease on life with the arrival of the one-of-a-kind Queen Mary 2, in 2004—at the time the largest, tallest and most expensive ever built. This was followed in 2007 by Queen Victoria, and in 2010 a new incarnation of Queen Elizabeth went to sea, a 90,400-ton, 2068-passenger vessel that is virtually identical in size and layout to Queen Victoria—both considerably smaller than Queen Mary 2. The main differences between the younger “siblings” are in décor, a few venue name changes, and Lizzie boasts an additional 39 cabins. The Queen Mary 2, on the other hand, remains an outlier—not only for Cunard but for the industry as a whole; it’s a true ocean liner designed for speedy trans-Atlantic crossings, much like her predecessors in the Cunard Line.

{{photo_gallery "Queen Elizabeth p1 g1"}}

The new Queen Elizabeth gets around: In her first year alone, the vessel visited 108 different destinations. Upcoming sailings navigate Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the South Pacific, many of them starting or ending at Cunard’s home port, Southampton (70 miles southwest of London’s Heathrow Airport); itineraries primarily encompasses cruises longer than a week.

With expectations high and our finest duds carefully packed, we boarded Queen Elizabeth with heightened anticipation.

First things first: Queen Elizabeth is one of the most beautifully designed cruise ships we’ve had the pleasure of sailing. Structurally, the vessel has a lot in common with Signature Class ships built for Holland America—both Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam share the same hull design. But from there, physical similarities end, and the ship’s lavishly detailed art deco interior spaces are a loving tribute to 1930s design fads from when the original Queen Elizabeth first sailed. The main dining room, the Britannia Restaurant, is a stunner; the lobby atrium, flush with polished wood, gleams warmly. These and other common areas of the ship were transporting, as befits a vessel with a direct connection to royalty (HM The Queen named this ship in Southampton in 2010, as she did the QE2 in 1967; at the age of 12, Princess Elizabeth also attended the naming of the original Queen Elizabeth in 1938).

But soon after embarkation, a nagging thought emerged: Was this Queen Elizabeth providing a luxury cruise experience, as Cunard advertises, or was that level of service and amenities limited only to those who signed up for the pricey Princess Grill or Queens Grill suites? While those guests had their private dining room and private sun deck, suites represent just 12 percent of the ship’s accommodations. Most of us were lodged in simpler digs and, from our perspective, we disembarked feeling that Cunard’s luxury angle was oversold, particularly when it came to service, which was sometimes clunky or nonexistent. Some crewmembers went overboard adopting a stiff-upper-lip attitude and, frankly, overly prim formalities aren’t a turn-on for us (except from a bemused distance). Fortunately, our fellow cruisers—who were primarily British—were easy-going and not condescending at all; we felt quite at home.

Our balcony cabin measured 192 square feet inside (when comparing cruise lines note that Cunard’s advertised cabin sizes include the balcony square footage; most others do not). While this size was hardly cramped for two guests, by comparison, starting sizes for standard cabins on the ships of Seabourn and Silversea cruise lines are almost 50 percent larger. The bathroom was particularly unimpressive. Nonetheless our Queen Elizabeth cabin was attractively appointed, with more lighting and décor than is typical on mainstream cruise lines; fine bedding and quality bath products were another plus.

Meals should have been a standout on Queen Elizabeth, but they weren’t consistent. For all its sumptuous design, the Britannia Restaurant, was the biggest disappointment, with spotty service and middling food, especially at dinner, which was also noisy. The Lido Restaurant, the ship’s buffet, was just average. But lunch and dinner at The Verandah, the ship’s most upscale venue, was excellent and the wait staff shined. We think The Verandah is one of the best specialty restaurants at sea, well worth the surcharge. And the corner of the Lido that was converted into one of four different ethnic venues nightly was a very appealing alternative to the Britannia, also involving only a modest up-charge.

There were lots of smaller attributes to Queen Elizabeth we appreciated, such as the near absence of printed literature plugging the spa, art sales and other marketing that typically litters our cabin mailbox on other ships. There were none of those annoying art auctions to trip over, and ship photographers were not overly aggressive about making their quota for the day. We loved the well-stocked library, and the ship’s retail outlets had a much broader range of wares than most of the mainstream cruise lines. The shows in the Royal Court Theatre were well executed, and the live music percolating through various areas of the ship was welcome. And the daily list of activities was noteworthy: From white glove tea service to bridge lessons, and ballroom dance class to watercolor art lessons, there was plenty to keep us occupied while at sea.

What stuck with us well after we returned home was the accessible elegance of the Queen Elizabeth. The vast majority of passengers dressed to the nines for Formal (and even Semi-Formal) nights, and we enjoyed doing our best to keep up. While the ship’s British lineage is often experienced through an American veneer—Cunard is owned by Carnival Corp. and the ship’s tender is the Yankee dollar—for the average American, the Queen Elizabeth won’t feel like a mass-market experience. It’s a fine option for anyone who loves the monarchy and all things English; couples who want a showcase for their evening wear or to show off their (ballroom) dance moves will also feel right at home.

With itineraries that reach for the four corners of the globe, Queen Elizabeth is a ship we look forward to boarding on a future cruise—but we’ll hope that the service issues we encountered on this voyage will have been smoothed out.

Editor’s Note: In March 2013, after our voyage, Cunard announced that it was loosening its dress code for its cruises going forward. Formal evenings remain, requiring “dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with tie for gentlemen; evening or cocktail dress for ladies.” Other nights are now designated as Informal—"jacket required, tie optional for gentlemen; cocktail dress, stylish separates or equivalent for ladies."

More than any other mainstream cruise line, a “class system” is still in effect aboard Cunard’s vessels. This anachronism dates to the early days of steamship travel, when guests of different cabin classes did not mingle together; the upper classes had their own dining rooms and entire decks of older ships might be off-limits to those in lower class, “steerage” cabins. On today’s Queen Elizabeth there are four “classes” of passengers, yet the vast majority of the ship is open to all.

Britannia Class represents the standard accommodations for Queen Elizabeth, in the usual assortment of Inside, Oceanview and Balcony cabins—in total they represent 84 percent of the ship’s 1034 cabins. We were comfortably lodged in a Balcony Cabin for our journey.

One step up is the Britannia Club level, 38 balcony cabins on Deck 8 that are essentially identical to balcony cabins on lower decks, but guests at the club level have a separate room adjoining the main dining room without set seating times (though sharing the same menu). Fares for Britannia Club cabins average about 40 percent higher than those for the least expensive balcony cabins—a steep up-charge for what is essentially just a more private and quiet main dining room.

Next level up is the Princess Grill category, which represent the entry-level suites. These start at 335 square feet (including balcony), and add in such extras as marble bathrooms with both tub and shower; guests here dine in a private restaurant on Deck 11 with an elevated menu. Top category is the Queens Grill suites, larger still, adding in butler service, nightly canapés and another private dining room on Deck 11. Both Princess Grill and Queens Grill share a lounge as well as a sun terrace on Deck 12 (where meals can be enjoyed when the weather suits).

Non-suite Balcony Cabins represent slightly more than half the accommodations on Queen Elizabeth, so this is the yardstick by which we’ll judge the ship. Our cabin was attractively appointed with plush bedding and great lighting, but it was not what we would call “luxury” in most other respects.

The cabin measured 192 square feet inside (Cunard says Balcony Cabins start at 228 square feet, but this figure includes the balcony). While we’ve definitely stayed in smaller cabins on mainstream cruise lines, the cabins of true luxury lines are larger: The smallest cabins on the ships of Silversea are 240 square feet (not including balcony); the smallest of Seabourn Cruises’ cabins are 277 square feet (admittedly, their cruises are also quite a bit more expensive than those of Cunard Line). But size aside, we were generally happy with our quarters.

Waiting for us in our cabin when we checked in was a bottle of Pol Acker sparkling wine, a French blanc de blanc we’d never heard of. While the wine is standard for all guests, there was also a plate of chocolate covered strawberries, gifted by our travel agent.

Tastefully appointed, the bedroom area of our cabin yielded no surprises, but the linens wrapping our mattress were upgraded, with a plush pillowtop concealing most of the seam between the two single mattresses, and a cushy duvet on top. The sleeping arrangements were very comfortable. We loved having ample light for reading in bed. Daylight from the balcony opening was well concealed behind a sheer, a blackout liner, and a decorative fabric curtain.

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The compact bathroom for our cabin was interchangeable with bathrooms for most other mainstream cruise lines—that is, there was nothing special about it. The small shower (only) measured 30 inches wide and 27 inches deep, at its maximum, with a thin synthetic curtain that could be pulled around—not exactly a generous cubicle for showering. Towels were inconsistently replaced by our cabin steward, even when they were hung up to dry; two pools towels were left for us under the sink. The inclusion of Gilchrist & Soames amenities—shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion—and a jar of cotton swabs were the only “extras” beyond what we usually find in typical cruise ship bathrooms. In all, we were disappointed that the bathroom was no better than ordinary.

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One of the best features of our cabin was abundant lighting. There were two main systems: One covered three ceiling lights in the entry hallway, a light on the wall opposite the bed and a light at the balcony door; the second illuminated two ceiling lights above the bed pillows. Both of these could be turned on at the cabin entry as well as switches on both sides of the bed. There were also three reading lights—two at the bed on nightstands and one next to the couch—plus an additional pair of lights over the desk.

The TV in our room was a 22-inch Sharp monitor that pivoted, allowing decent viewing from the couch or bed pillows. The selection of entertainment was diverse. There were three channels dedicated to English-language movies—about 40 in all, each played on one or two days of the cruise, several times in a row (most of the films were from the previous year, with a few older classics thrown in the mix). There were also German-, Spanish- and French-language movies on other channels. One channel each was dedicated to reruns of popular UK and US television programs, along with the major news and sports networks, plus 10 music channels.

At the desk were several outlets for different plugs, including two US. An additional plug in the bathroom, for “shavers only,” could be switched for either 120 or 230 volt.

Under each bed was an under-dresser for storing clothes. There were three individual closets at the cabin entry—two measured slightly over 22 inches, the third was 25 inches wide. In the closets was a pair of bathrobes, slippers, and a safe.

The cabin minibar fridge was stocked with Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and ginger ale ($2.65 each), Cunard-brand water, still or sparkling at $3.95 per 1.5 liter. The latter could be purchased in bulk—six for the price of five. Spirits and other drinks could be supplied through our cabin steward.

The balcony measured about 54 square feet, which was sufficient for two chairs and a small table that we could use—just barely—for a simple meal. The front of our balcony was glass with a railing; some cabins had balconies with metal rather than glass fronting the space.

We did not stay in the rest of these cabins, but we have summaries here provided by Cunard Line. Note that any photos below may be provided directly by the cruise line and not our reviewer.

Our Standard staterooms are anything but ordinary. The smallest is more like a “deluxe” guestroom on other cruise ships. And they’re beautifully decorated with fine prints on the walls, soft colours on the sofas and coverlets and turndown service when it’s time to retire. Guests dine in the Britannia Restaurant with a choice of an early or late sitting.

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At any time of the day your luxury stateroom provides a welcome enclave of comfort and good taste. Wrap yourself in the soft bathrobe, ease into your slippers, then settle down to a film on your TV. Our turndown service sets the tone for a comfortable night’s sleep. Guests dine at a reserved table for either early or late dining in the Britannia Restaurant.

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Club Balcony

Cherish the relaxing lounge area of your private balcony stateroom with direct access to the ocean breeze. Comfortable and stylish, your luxury Britannia Club Balcony stateroom shall be your inviting home from home throughout your memorable voyage. Guests in Britannia Club Balcony staterooms dine in the intimate Britannia Club restaurant.

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Princess Grill Suites

For guests in our luxurious Princess Grill Suites, the delights of our Grills Experience are more pronounced than ever before. Your lavish suite occupies up to 513 square feet, with flourishes that include personalised stationery, a Bon Voyage bottle of wine, fresh fruit and concierge service. Guests dine at a reserved table in the single seating Princess Grill Restaurant.

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Queens Grill Suites

Queens Grill takes everything that is so wonderfully indulgent about our Grills Experience and raises it to exalted new heights. Luxuriate in your own secluded haven of up to approximately 2,131 square feet featuring marble bathrooms and whirlpool baths. Guests dine at a reserved table in the single seating Queens Grill Restaurant.

{{photo_gallery "Other Cabin 5 Photos"}} For those of us not parked in suites, there were four main dining options nightly. Although Queen Elizabeth does not have a large variety of dining venues, the diversity of food on offer was impressive. The lovely main dining room, Britannia Restaurant, had a menu with an ambitiously French bent, and though the food—from frogs legs to venison to fish curry—didn’t always live up to expectations, the variety on offer was surprising, with good options for vegetarians. Although the buffet Lido Restaurant was just average, each evening one corner of the venue was converted into one of four different ethnic menus, where we enjoyed pleasing food at a modest surcharge.

Queen Elizabeth’s alternative dining option, The Verandah, was excellent—a refined showcase for French cuisine with polished service and quiet surrounds. Our lunch and dinner here were among the best we’ve experienced at sea, well worth the a la carte surcharge.

But all was not perfect. The Britannia Restaurant suffered from a cacophony of noise and hustle-bustle, with uneven service from an under-trained wait staff. And the Lido Grill, an outdoor extension of the Lido buffet, was understaffed at peak hours. While these problems would not be unusual on a lower priced cruise ship, with Cunard positioning itself as a luxury cruise experience the line should deliver a higher, more consistent level of service.

Those staying in Britannia Club cabins were invited to dine in the Britannia Club dining room, at their leisure between 6:30 and 9 p.m. The menus appeared to be identical to that of the Britannia Restaurant, but the 84-seat Club dining room—located immediately next to the main dining room on Deck 2—was a quieter, more subdued space, and guests appeared to receive more personalized service. The Club was also open for breakfast and lunch daily.

Queen Elizabeth’s main dining room is one classy-looking venue, a two-story affair that straddles decks 2 and 3 aft. Awash in polished woods, swooping curves and art deco angles, the restaurant should be a showcase for upscale cuisine in a soothing environment. Alas, that was not what we found. The food, somewhat ambitious and with a French accent, was okay, but it could have been better. But the real problem was the service and ambience.

The first night of our cruise, meal service was disorganized, our waiter inattentive to detail, and the noisy bustle of diners and wait staff settling into their routines was clamorous; buckets of cleaning products sat a few feet from our table. On our second night here, our waiter was less distracted, but the noise level was still loud, capped off by a collision at the kitchen entrance that sent plates and food flying (at least once per meal there was the sound of crashing plates from somewhere). At breakfast, which was slow to arrive, we were asked if we wanted toast and, since we’d ordered French toast, we passed. When our French toast was delivered, we were asked again—white or wheat? Inattention to details like these was a recurring issue.

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There were two seatings nightly in the Britannia Restaurant, at 6 and 8:30 p.m., while next door open seating was provided in the Brittania Club, but only for those in that cabin category. A sign said there were no tables for two available in the main dining room, but we spotted several (no doubt in high demand). Breakfast and lunch were served daily.

Each evening our first course was hit-and-miss. A bowl of beef consommé with barley and vegetables was delivered lukewarm. A salad of spinach, citrus, pecans and red onion had spry greens (a strong point throughout), but was delivered undressed. When we asked for dressing only one option was brought over—the menu had offered a choice—and then ladled on in excess (a recurring problem). Roasted butternut squash topped with apple and pecan salad and micro greens was beautifully presented, but the dish was bland—it needed spark. But avocado soup with salmon was silky and rich—a satisfying cold starter. Classic escargots à la Bourguignonne were properly redolent with garlic and butter. Other items on the appetizer menu included crispy Thai vegetable spring roll, shrimp and salmon cakes, frogs’ legs Provençale, wild mushroom and goat cheese risotto, and cheddar cheese soup.

Entrées were a little more consistent, including a grilled sirloin, cooked right to order and served with hunky fried potatoes. On formal night a smallish broiled lobster tail was served with sesame-crusted fried shrimp and rich Newburg sauce, a tasty treat. There was a light Mediterranean vegetable tarte tatin, topped with a goat cheese bavarois—a nice find for vegetarians. But a fettucini with salmon was disappointing: Some of the pasta was dried out, as though the noodles had been sitting under a heat lamp. And chicken Kiev was distinctly unambitious, and we weren’t much impressed by the duck à l’orange. Other entrées included a free-range, mushroom-stuffed guinea fowl, braised venison, lamb shanks with root vegetables, and a baked salmon fillet and wild mushroom Wellington.

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Each night there were at least two appetizers and two entrées suited for vegetarians, and “spa” selections were available nightly.

Desserts were generally decadent and fairly varied. We enjoyed the Bacardi Limon crème brûlée, a chocolate marquise, and a pavlova topped with fresh strawberries. And when our sweet tooth was sated the cheese plate was worth trying, with three selections that changed nightly, served with a few walnuts, dried apricots and a roll.

Breakfasts were solid, with a range of cold and hot items. This included juices, a fruit smoothie of the day, sliced melon, a mixed fruit salad and compote of stewed fruits; regular and low-fat yogurts were offered, along with assorted cold cuts and cheeses. Cereals included packaged options, Swiss muesli, hot oatmeal and Cream of Wheat; baked goods were tasty (Danish, croissants, banana bread) and there were pancakes (blueberry or banana available), waffles and French toast. Eggs could be prepared to order (with low cholesterol available), along with omelets to order, eggs benedict, grilled Scottish kippers and poached haddock, with side orders of bacon (English or “streaky”), chicken sausages, Cumberland sausage, mushrooms, baked beans and grilled tomatoes. One complaint: The first morning our coffee was both weak and lukewarm, but on request it was quickly replaced with a hotter, slightly stronger batch.

The mood at lunch was more relaxed and quiet, and service was much better (the room was less than half full). A salad of garden greens was pleasing, perky with horseradish and dill flavors. Cold cranberry soup was rich with yogurt, not too sweet (or sour). For entrées we tried the barramundi and found it to be tough and fishy-tasting; a dish of beef and wine ravioli was pretty boring. A broccoli quiche was just okay. Other entrées included gnocchi with confit of duck and shiitake mushrooms, a fish curry and vegetable moussaka. Dessert of crème caramel was fine, while mud pie—made with chocolate mousse—was only fair; a more bittersweet flavor and a silkier texture would have been welcome.

The buffet restaurant took up most of the aft portion of Deck 9, and it was a busy spot, especially at breakfast. Fortunately we didn’t have too much trouble finding a table in the morning. Although the buffet offered a relatively good spread we found variety somewhat lacking from one day to the next—the four or five choices of prepared salads, for instance, did not change during our entire cruise.

Just outside the main seating area on the outdoor aft deck was the Lido Grill, open for lunch daily. But the two times we visited we found just one person staffing the grill, and a line for burgers. The cook was doing his best to keep up, but a second person should have been assigned, particularly since the vats of condiments (lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.) were often virtually empty. Another frustration, back inside: Almost daily, the stack of plates marked “cold plates” was filled with plates that were warm or hot—yep, just what we like to load our salad greens onto!

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At breakfast we found a fairly predictable selection, with a few items added that catered to the English crowd. Cereals included Kellogg’s brand boxes and a few healthy choices, along with hot oatmeal. There was a good range of whole fruits—apples, pears, plums, peaches, oranges, kiwi, grapes and banana, along with sliced pineapple, grapefruit, melons, and strawberries. There were yogurts—flavored or plain—and we looked forward to fruit smoothies, freshly prepared each morning (a different flavor daily, such as watermelon, strawberry and banana). There was lox with bagels, onions, tomato, capers, plus various cold cuts and cheeses with crackers and walnuts. Various breads and pastries were available, along with small jars of Wilkin & Sons preserve—raspberry, strawberry, apricot, orange marmalade. Hot items included a pancake and waffle station (in addition to maple syrup there was chocolate and banana-butterscotch topping) and an omelet station. Sides included bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans—all the makings for a traditional English breakfast.

At lunch there was a modest salad bar including an unchanging array of five or six prepared salads, and we found a soup of the day—roasted shallot and butternut squash soup, cream of broccoli, stilton and spring onions, tomato soup. There was a pizza station, but the pies lacked spark and flavor. The carvery had a different selection daily, such as lemon and garlic chicken, prime rib and beef top round. Entrées included veal scaloppini with wild mushroom sauce, chicken schnitzel, vegetable moussaka, fillet of haddock, Somerset pork cider pot and a mixed vegetable quiche. Among the side dishes were steamed pesto new potatoes, cauliflower polonaise, steamed vegetables, creamed spinach with pine nuts, and pulao rice. The daily selection of desserts features puddings, cakes and cookies, and there was an ice cream station with vanilla and chocolate soft serve ice cream and cones.

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At dinner each night there was a theme buffet. This included nights dedicated to Italian, Scandinavian, American, English Carvery and Oriental. On the final night of the cruise there was a beautifully presented spread of seafood that came out, including prawns, mussels, salmon, tuna, fresh mahi mahi and cod, offered with various sauces. Also of note each evening was that one corner of the seating area each night was transformed into a specialty restaurant with a modest cover charge.

The ship’s standard beer and wine list was available, along with cocktails from the Garden Lounge and Lido Bar, on either end of the restaurant. A station was set up for drinks on both sides of the buffet, with coffee, decaf, and about a dozen teas from Twinings available. Iced tea, cranberry juice cocktail and, in the morning, orange drink were available; we also noted Horlicks powder for malted milk.

We were pleasantly surprised by this “alternative dining” venue. These days, it’s not unusual for cruises to devote a section of their buffet to a surcharge restaurant at night. But often these seem like little more than the buffet with window dressing, with minimal improvement on food or ambience. But Queen Elizabeth got it right, with not one but four alternating restaurants serving distinct meals for two or three nights in a row.

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There’s Asado, with grilled meats and side dishes served South American style. Jasmine offered a pan-Asian menu, and Indian Bistro offered a panoply of curries. The fourth option, Aztec, with Mexican fare, wasn't provided on our cruise (but usually is on cruises longer than a week). Menus were short, but portions were huge, and with a modest cover charge of $10 we found all of them to be a good value, the setting relaxed and not crowded.

For Asado, an appetizer combo delivered a spicy beef empanada, coriander and coconut crab cake, and ceviche of lobster and halibut. For mains we were invited to order two items from either the rotisserie—pulled pork marinated in chili paste and Argentinean spices or chimichurri chicken marinated in olive oil and garlic—or the grill. The latter option included rump of lamb in oregano, garlic and ancho chilies, beef short rib marinated in beer and lemon, a chicken skewer, grilled chorizo sausage, or prawns marinated in Serrano chili and citrus zest. There wasn’t one of the four we tried that we didn’t like. With by side dishes (avocado and sweet potato fritters were fabulous), and dessert (chocolate banana cheesecake, caramel flan or a donut with lime-pineapple-coconut ice cream), we were stuffed when we left and still had food on our plates.

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We returned the following night for Jasmine, and again, food was plentiful. The meal started with a pot of jasmine tea, with an hourglass-style timer. A tasting platter came with Korean barbecue pork spare ribs, shrimp toast, a chicken lollipop coated in sesame seeds, California style maki rolls, and wakame, pickled ginger and sour cucumber. There was a choice of two soups: Vietnamese phở, or Thai tom kha gai with crab, chicken and coconut milk—both were flavorful and spicy, but salt overwhelmed the tom kha gai. Dim sum was delivered—fried shumai and seafood Rangoon—and then off to our choice of one of three entrées: crispy duck with pancake, Mandarin-style crispy chili beef, and kropeck-crusted shrimp with sweet and sour sauce. Again, there wasn’t one we didn’t like, but the shrimp was most tantalizing. Dessert was another combo plate—a glass of mango lassi, coconut-caramel cheesecake, and a dish new to us called Wattalapam, a cinnamon and cashew caramel custard which seemed like a variation on Mexican flan.

On a roll, we signed up for Indian Bistro, and again it reached well beyond the typical cruise menu. We'd caution that spices weren’t particularly watered down for non-Indian palates. Starters to share included tandoori chicken, lasoon wali macchli (garlic fried sole in yogurt and ginger), onion bhajis (fritters), sheikh kebab (minced lamb skewers) and aloo chana chaat. The latter was the winner here—greens, potatoes and chick peas with tamarind, dates and pomegranate. The quantity of food that followed was truly overwhelming. Sides of dal, aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower) and makai saagwalla (corn and spinach), mains like Malabar fish and shrimp curry, lamb Jalfrezi and chicken tikka masala, with naan bread and basmati rice. Desserts were equally memorable: fried bread pudding with cardamom, pistachio, and saffron-spiked condensed milk; rice and coconut pudding served atop pineapple carpaccio; and a cappuccino crème brûlée.

There’s also Aztec, which wasn’t offered on our cruise, but we hope to try in the future. The Mexican menu featured starters of guacamole and chips, tamales, chile relleno and tacquitos, with entrées ranging from chicken with pecan-prune mole, a port and chorizo skewer, crepes with shrimp, and beef tenderloin.

Vegetarians should note that, at all four of the options, entrées were strictly meat, chicken or seafood based. But there were plenty of starters that were vegetarian, and we suspect a fairly diverse meat-free dinner could be composed on request.

In addition to the ship’s standard wine and cocktail list, there were themed drinks and wine to accompany each of the menus. And instead of an amuse-bouche a small cocktail sample was offered at the start of the meal. At Asado it was a mini caiprinha—cachaça, lime and passion fruit puree. With Jasmine, we enjoyed a sake taster.

Each venue was open for only two or three nights—the schedule was posted in the Lido Restaurant. While the space seated only a few dozen, it wasn't full on any night we ate here, though reservations are still advised.

Styled after the original Queen Elizabeth’s Verandah Grill, a favorite of the cruising elite in the 30s, this is the modern-day vessel’s top dining room. Seating only about 60, with a surcharge for dinner and (on sea days) lunch, the menu focuses on French cuisine. Not only was the food exceptional, but service was spot on—proper and deferential, but not stuffy or condescending. The room is plush and inviting, with lots of space between tables, allowing for quiet, intimate meals. The wine list is heady, but the sommelier was knowledgeable, and didn’t push us towards pricier wines (of which there were many).

This is truly Queen Elizabeth’s special occasion spot, but—relative to specialty dining on other ships—we found the charge fair. Instead of a set price for the entire meal, items are priced a la carte. At dinner, appetizers were $6-$7, entrées $17-$18, desserts $6-$7—so budget about $30 for dinner, not including drinks or tip. At lunch, appetizers were $5-$7, entrées $11-$12. Only quibble: We experienced a fair amount of engine vibration here at lunch.

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For dinner there was a choice of cold and hot appetizers, every one of them mouth-watering. There was a lobster and shellfish salad, nuzzled against avocado and tomato jelly. For another, a lump of crab bathed in chilled asparagus and feta cream, lathered in crustacean foam. We loved the presentation of the homemade ravioli, plumped with fresh peas and parmigiano reggiano set against a pair of fried quail eggs encrusted with Guérande salt and floating in watercress jus—packed with flavor and not overly rich.

Hearty entrées included a rack of lamb for two, roasted in a salt crust dough and served with shallot potato cake and “stuffed” courgette. Beef fillet was accompanied by morels, baby vegetables and black truffle. The filet of sea bass was baked with a wild mushroom crust, topped with a dollop of onion-fennel marmalade, and floating on a ying-and-yang sea of sorrel sauce and chicken jus.

Perkiest dessert, in taste and presentation, was lemon tart, topped with peaks of braised meringue; the winged creature to its side was an almond wafer with a raspberry sorbet torso. We also liked the dark chocolate parfait filled with caramelized praline and topped with espresso semifreddo. Vanilla soufflé was infused with Edmond Briottet peach liqueur, and the cheese trolley was laden with fine options from England and France, followed close by a trolley with after-dinner drinks—aged rums and cognacs.

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Again at lunch the appetizers sparkled, including a chilled green apple and cucumber soup with lobster salpicon and blackberry sorbet. Also lovely to look at (and eat) was the scallop mousse framed with chunks of langoustine and served atop of a green bean risotto. For mains, the supreme of guinea fowl was accompanied by a potato parcel, the fillet of beef was served with an orange-cognac sauce and parmesan bistro fries, and the roast rack of pork—Noir de Bigorre—perched atop puy lentils and Morteau sausage.

In addition to the standard cocktail selection, the Verandah had the most extensive wine list, a collection notable for its breadth of both Old World and newer wineries from more than 15 countries, with an emphasis on France. Despite some headier selections (Château Lafite-Rothschild First Growth—$895 for 1981, $1650 for 1999), the bulk of the list was below $100. The menu also feature the “Collection de Rothschild,” the ship’s selection from the Bordeaux and New World vineyards of the storied winemaking family, including Opus One from Napa, Caro in Argentina, plus Cunard-label wines produced by Rothschild and available by the glass. Five different wine flights—three glasses each and perfect to accompany a number of the dishes—were available for $25-$45.

The Verandah was open nightly, and on sea days for lunch. Reservations were essential, but we found plenty of openings available on the first day of our cruise.

Queen Elizabeth’s pub doesn’t quite feature the creaky, lived-in ambience of our favorite watering holes in England (that’s an American’s opinion), but it kept the British cruisers happy. International sporting events were played on the telly, while karaoke, a pianist for sing-along sessions, trivia contests, and board games were also available.

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A short list of food items were available for lunch, with no surcharge added, such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and cottage pie. While the food was nothing special, and we didn’t much care for the presentation of plastic packets of ketchup and malt vinegar on the side, it was sufficient for a change of pace.

In addition to the ship’s standard cocktail list, several draft ales were available, including Boddingtons, Guinness, Old Speckled Hen, Stella Artois and Becks; there was also Aspall cider on tap.

The Golden Lion was open from 10 a.m. till late in the evening.

There were two room service menus available. The first, for breakfast, was on a door hanger to be placed outside the night before; delivery times were in 15-minute blocks between 7 and 10 a.m. Selection included hot and cold cereals, toast, pastries and muffins served with various preserves, yogurt (plain or fruit), fresh fruit plates and a selection of juices. Hot options included eggs (scrambled, sunny side up, over easy) accompanied by bacon, sausage, baked beans, hash browns or grilled tomato. Coffee, tea, milk and hot chocolate were offered.

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Our breakfast one morning was ordered for 8 to 8:15 a.m.; the knock came at 7:54, and food arrived on a large tray with plastic lids on each plate. There was ketchup for hash browns, and a slice of lemon (perhaps for the fruit plate?). Toast was wrapped in a linen napkin. Salt and pepper was in paper packets along with plastic packets of ketchup, mustard and mayo (we found this tacky—glass jars or ramekins would have been more appropriate). Linen napkins wrapped silverware.

Breakfast was pretty much as expected. Eggs over easy and sunny side up arrived as ordered. We also ordered toast, a single small slice came—we'd have liked more, if it weren't barely lukewarm. The fruit plate was a bit flavorless, and comparable to what was on the buffet. Juices were fine, the coffee was watery.

A second menu was available 24 hours. This included salad, cold and hot sandwiches, fajitas, a Mediterranean quesadilla, penne Bolognese, grilled sirloin steak, and various burgers, including turkey. Dessert options included warm apple pie with custard sauce, vanilla cheesecake with cherries, a frozen chocolate bombe and crème caramel. There was no surcharge for late-night orders.

When we called for lunch, we were on hold for 1 minute before placing our order; no estimated delivery time was provided, but the food arrived 27 minutes later. We asked for the Caprese salad, nicely presented with a mound of arugula and dressed with basil infused olive oil; the menu called it balsamic dressing, but we couldn’t taste much vinegar. The mozzarella was good—not the rubbery American kind—but the tomatoes were bland. A toasted York ham and English cheddar panini sounded better than it tasted; the sandwich was warm, but the fries cool; a limp spinach salad sat alongside. Chicken Thai curry (also available with shrimp) was great—a mound of jasmine rice surrounded with a flavorful green curry; the dish packed lots of heat (more than some might like) but hit the spot for us. For dessert we had the chocolate fudge cake and it was about as expected, satisfying if unexceptional.

In addition to the soft drinks and water in our minibar, the in-room beverage menu had a good selection of 1.5-ounce “nip” bottles, starting at $5.95 up to 7.95, with 1-liter bottles available for $55 to $75, accompanied by six sodas of our choice. The short list of beers included Budweiser, Corona, Heineken, Guinness Draught and Spitfire Real Ale ($5.50-$5.95) but only two wineries were represented on the room service list: Cunard Private Label, and Wente Vineyards—other labels were available on request. Champagnes and sparkling wines included prosecco from Valdobbiadenne ($7.25 for 150ml and $35 for a full bottle), Delamotte brut NV ($12.75 and $59.50) and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and rosé ($17.50-$19 and $82-$95).

As with the ship’s bars, a 15 percent service charge was added to drinks ordered through in-room dining. In addition to the soft drinks and water in our minibar, the in-room beverage menu had a good selection of hard liquors. The 1.5-ounce “nip” bottles started at $5.95 for Myer’s rum, Canadian Club or Teachers whiskey, and G&J Greenall gin; 1-liter bottles of these were priced $55 (bottle orders were accompanied by six sodas of our choice). Other liquors included Johnnie Walker Black Label, Glenkinchie (12-year) Scotch whiskey, Courvoisier VS cognac and Grey Goose vodka, at prices ranging up to $7.95 for a nip bottle and $75 for a 1-liter bottle.

The short list of beers included Budweiser, Corona, Heineken, Guinness Draught and Spitfire Real Ale for $5.50-$5.95. Only two wineries were represented on the room service list: Cunard Private Label and Wente Vineyards—$5.95 for 150ml, $9.95 for 250ml and $29.75 for a full bottle—but other labels were said to be available on request. Champagnes and sparkling wines included prosecco from Valdobbiadenne ($7.25 for 150ml and $35 for a full bottle), Delamotte brut NV ($12.75 and $59.50) and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and rosé ($17.50-$19 and $82-$95).

As with the ship’s bars, a 15 percent service charge was added to drinks ordered through in-room dining.

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Named for the RMS Carinthia, a beloved Cunard liner launched in 1925, this was the ship’s tea and coffee emporium, a classy space with overstuffed couches, potted orchids and art deco embellishments. In this age of java joints on every street corner we were a little surprised that Café Carinthia didn’t open until 7 a.m., when we found it struggling to wipe the sleep from its eyes (on many cruise ships the coffee venue is open 24 hours).

A light menu was available through the day. In the mornings, this included some of the ship’s pastries, while from 12 noon till 2:30 p.m. there was a quiche Lorraine tartlet with mesclun salad, shrimp salad served on rye with roasted peppers and olives, smoked salmon in a lemon pepper bap, etc. At teatime (3 to 5 p.m.), a strawberry tartlet, black and white profiteroles, and Alsacian apple tart were offered. There was no additional charge for these items.

The tea selection was from Jacksons of Piccadilly, tea emporium started in 1815 and now focused on Fairtrade registered growers around the world. Eleven options were availed, including Ceylon Earl Grey, Kenyan, Assam, Chinese white tea silver tips, and Sencha green tea, available infused with, mint, lemon, lime or elderflower. Prices were $2.50-$2.75, served with proper china and a teapot, with a biscuit (no tea bags!).

The coffee selection included Americano, espresso, cappuccino, mocha, and latte (available with various syrups). Prices ranged $2.75-$4.25 for the regular size to $3.75-$5.25 for large. Iced iterations were available ($3-$4.50), along with hot chocolate, which could be spiked with Amaretto, Frangelico, Bailey’s or Grand Marnier ($7.25).

{{photo_gallery "Venue 6 Overview Photos", "Venue 6 Food Photos", "Venue 6 Drinks Photos", "Venue 6 Other Activities Photos"}}

This was our go-to spot for pre-prandial imbibing. The Commodore Club sprawled across the bow of the ship at Deck 11, creating an observation lounge that was ideal for watching the world go by, or the sun settling in for the night. It also had the most extensive cocktail list on board.

However, at most hours Commodore Club suffered from very slow service. Over the course of multiple visits we found the venue either understaffed or the staff present to be poorly utilized staff. On one visit we waited more than 15 minutes for the cocktail waitress to get to our table—does Cunard realize they’re leaving money on table with all the drink orders not taken? Fortunately, when they eventually arrive, the drinks are very good.

Hot canapés were served at cocktail hour. There wasn’t a lot of heart to them, but the odd good nibble was proffered.

The Admiral’s Lounge is a small area off to the starboard side of Commodore Club. While typically seating only 10, it was used primarily for lectures and private cocktail parties (and as overflow one evening when all the tables were taken at Commodore Club). In the hallways outside the lounge were handsome models of the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

Immediately next to the Admiral’s Lounge is Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, a small room dedicated to cigar and pipe smokers, with black and white photos of Sir Winston Churchill disembarking the Queen Mary in 1943. The humidor offered a selection of cigars including Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo (and Montecristo 1 and 2), Ednundo and Petit Ednundo, Davidoff Soecial T and Short Perfecto, and the Cuban Hopmann Coronas Major. There was a small selection of port, as well.

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Set on Deck 10, this was effectively the ship’s disco. On some evenings there was recorded ballroom music for dancing early, then the DJ would emerge at 9:30 p.m. or after to shake our grove things, usually with a different theme nightly (50s and 60s Night, 80s Night, etc.). On our voyage we didn’t see many guests using the disco most nights.

Named after the QE2’s original Yacht Club, note the silver Asprey’s yacht from the QE2 as well.

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This splendid, two-story ballroom served a number of purposes during our cruise. Chief among them was dancing, of course—nightly and with a live orchestra. Other entertainments were scheduled here, along with afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea was served here from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., daily except embarkation day. The sandwiches were unexceptional, but the scones, warm from the oven and topped with strawberry jam and clotted cream, were terrific. The event was very popular—rather than wait in line we found it best to arrive towards the end of the hour as tables started to open up. (Afternoon tea was also offered at the Lido Restaurant, though we much preferred the ambience at the Queens Room.)

Nightly music offerings included Big Band Concerts, with a smooth, polished 13-piece band, along with Ballroom and Latin dancing. There was dozens of couples on board with all the right moves, including a few that were knocks-outs. Tip: If you’re not fleet on your feet (as we aren’t) don’t miss the ballroom dance lessons offered early in the cruise itinerary. Wish we’d attended.

On Formal Nights a themed ball was scheduled for the Queens Room, and themed attire was encouraged (though not required). The first of these was the Cunard Ball, with black and white dress; the second was the London Ball, when appropriately decorated hats (with feathers for ladies) were suggested. Other themed nights on Queen Elizabeth included the Buccaneer Ball, the Elizabethan Ball, the Venetian Masked Ball, and the Starlight Ball.

On one sea day, a classical piano concert was held here—Rachmaninoff, Chopin and the like were featured.

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Styled after London’s Kew Gardens, this Deck 9 lounge had a conservatory-style glass half-domed roof, making it an appealing hangout when the weather was chilly. It was a good place to stock up on drinks when the nearby Pavilion Bar was not staffed. A pianist played here after 9 p.m. each evening.

The ship’s standard bar menu was available at the Garden Lounge, as well as a selection of fresh squeezed juices and smoothies. Fresh juices and presses included orange, grapefruit, apple, pineapple, celery and carrot ($4.25 each) with non-alcoholic cocktails also offered, such as watermelon and ginger cooler, and the apple and mint Collins ($4.75), also available with mineral boosters like gingko biloba. We ordered a smoothie one morning ($5.50) and were disappointed to see that the principal ingredient was ice, something we don’t bother with at home; among the flavors were mixed fruit, Berry Bliss, Tropical Paradise, Pineapple Blast and Pommeberry.

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This swell-looking bar served as the ship’s Champagne bar, with various Veueve Clicquot on offer, by the glass $17.50 for yellow label, $19 for rosé), by the half-bottle ($46), or full bottle ($82, or $96 for 2004 Reserve). It’s one of the areas of Queen Elizabeth we wished we had utilized more during our journey.

The ship’s resident pianist and (separately) harpist played recitals here at various occasions during our cruise.

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Guests staying in Princess Grill or Queens Grill suites had exclusive access to this area of Queen Elizabeth, located at midship on Deck 11. It included a cushy private lounge, a private dining room for Princess Grill guests as well as separate room for Queens Grill guests (with additional menu items available), and a private sun terrace on Deck 12, the highest public area of the ship.

As we were housed in a more humble cabin, maybe next time we’ll upgrade and gain entry.

{{photo_gallery "Venue 12 Overview Photos", "Venue 12 Food Photos", "Venue 12 Drinks Photos", "Venue 12 Other Activities Photos"}} Although a number of the recreational pursuits were light, there was a great selection of activities. The entertainers aboard were excellent, and the main theatre was a classy venue for shows.

Managed by Steiner Leisure, the major player in cruise ship spas, the Royal Spa was properly elegant and subdued and featured a full-service salon. The ship’s gym was accessed through the spa, as was the Royal Bath House, a surcharge facility within the spa.

Massages ranged from a back, neck and shoulder ($69 for 25 minutes, $109 for 50 minutes) to Swedish massage ($119 for 50 minutes) to sports or bamboo massage ($129 for 50 minutes, $179 for 75 minutes); the Royal Spa massage for two was $259 for 50 minutes, $355 for 75 minutes. Several Ayurvedic treatments were available, including Shirodhara ($99 for 25 minutes), Shirobhyanga massage ($130 for 50 minutes) or Chakra Rasul ($175 for 50 minutes). Fifty-minute facials included Elemis Skin Specific, Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing, Oxydermal, and Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift ($109 to $145). Men’s facials, barbering and grooming were available, along with hair, nail and waxing services for women. A 12.5 percent gratuity was added to the price of all treatments.

The Royal Bath House was an extra-charge facility located within the spa, which could be accessed by the day or with a pass for the full voyage. The bathhouse included a thermal suite with heated ceramic loungers, sauna and steam grottos, a relaxation area, and an indoor hydrotherapy pool.

The gym was stocked with the latest equipment, with treadmills, bikes, bench presses, cross-trainers by TechnoGym, along with rowing machines, weights, and more. In the aerobics room there were stretching and legs, bums and tums sessions at no charge, and available for $12 were Fab Abs and Pilates classes (there were also bikes for spinning, but no sessions scheduled on our cruise).

{{photo_gallery "Venue 20 Overview Photos", "Venue 20 Other Activities Photos", "Venue 20 Sports and Fitness Photos"}}

The Pavilion Pool was protected from the wind but still fairly open for sunning. There were two small Jacuzzi tubs and a pair of shower stalls for rinsing off, and in addition to sun loungers, sheltered outdoor furniture was available. A second pool area, the Lido Pool, was a popular spot for eating, sunning and swimming. There were two Jacuzzi tubs, a couple shower stalls and a good quantity of loungers. The pool depth was 4-feet, 9-inches at one end, 6-feet, 8-inches at the other.

{{photo_gallery "Pool Area 1 Photos", "Pool Area 2 Photos", "Spa Pools Photos"}}

Deck 11 forward served as the Games Deck, and we found a nifty collection of outdoor activities with an English bent. There was Short Mat Bowling (like lawn bowling), Croquet and Paddle Tennis. There were instructions for each, and tournaments were announced in the Daily Programme.

There was also an informal and inviting Card Room. Beginning and intermediate Bridge lessons were offered on the first full day of the cruise, and unhosted Social Bridge sessions were scheduled on remaining days. There were also several Scrabble box sets available for play (along with an Oxford English dictionary).

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The Promenade Deck was the one deck that circuited the entire ship. Jogging and power walks were permitted only from 8 a.m, to 8 p.m. (three laps equaled 0.9 mile). There were a deck chairs lining the corridor at midship. Deck 10 was the uppermost deck straddling the ship’s mid-section. There were plentiful loungers, four shuffleboard courts, and the Ping Pong tables were much in use. There was also a netted area for golf practice.

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Queen Elizabeth’s handsome theatre was modeled after the Gaiety Theatre on Isle of Man, a classic opera house still in operation. With seating for 800-plus, sightlines were excellent owing to the Royal Court’s steep rake and minimum of obstructions (we loved the box seats flanking the main seating area); portable headsets were provided for hearing-impaired guests.

The theatre was used for several different types of performances, best of which was La Danza, a dance review that showcased various styles from around the world. It wasn’t the type of show we’d normally jump for but we were impressed. The 55-minute performance utilized both backing tracks and a live band—there were great costumes and fine choreography to showcase the energetic 12-member team of hoofers. Also worth seeing was Vanity Fair, an English-style review, with songs from Mad Dogs and Englishman and Crazy for You. Again, the costumes were snazzy, though no real sets were involved (for this or any of the shows we saw). Other live shows included a comedian, a pickpocket act, and a classical vocalist.

In the Queens Room nightly music offerings included Big Band Concerts, with a smooth, polished 13-piece band, along with Ballroom and Latin dancing. There were dozens of couples on board with all the right moves, including a few that were knocks-outs. Tip: If you’re not fleet on your feet (as we aren’t) don’t miss the ballroom dance lessons offered early in the cruise itinerary. Wish we’d attended.

{{photo_gallery "Venue 26 Overview Photos", "Venue 26 Shows and Performance Photos", "Venue 9 Shows and Performance Photos"}}

Compared to the big-name brands catering to the U.S. market, Queen Elizabeth had a smallish casino, with 54 slot machines. But this appeared to be sufficient on our cruise—we never observed the facility heavily used. Table games included Blackjack, Face Up Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Poker and Three Stud Poker.

The casino was the only place on the ship where cash was accepted, and U.S. dollars only. There was a full bar here, serving the ship’s standard cocktail menu.

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The Royal Arcade was a gallery of interconnected stores on Deck 3 offering good shopping opportunities—in fact, we found a somewhat broader selection of merchandize than is availed on most mainstream cruise lines. Products from Chopard, Fabergé, Anya Hindmarch, Zandra Rhodes, Emporio Armani, Molton Brown and Gina Bacconi were among the more unique finds showcased at the Royal Arcade, in addition to the usual suspects for watches, jewelry, clothing and duty-free cigarettes and alcohol. Merchandize was priced in U.S. dollars throughout.

Near the shopping arcade, but easy to overlook was the Emporium, a cubbyhole boutique with a few specialty items. This included Cunard-brand chocolates and Queen Elizabeth-logo products, Fortnum and Mason teas, as well as sundries such as deodorant, toothpaste, insect repellant, shaving products, sun block and over-the-counter remedies.

A gallery of photos taken by the ship’s photographers was available for purchase at the Images Photo Gallery. Individual prints were $24.95 each. Photos could be ordered as prints or on CDs—a package of 10 was $149.95, 15 was $199.95 or an unlimited number was $299.95. Ship photographers were not overly aggressive, which was refreshing. A video of the voyage was also available for purchase at the end of the trip. We reviewed one but we were pretty unimpressed with the quality—it made our overall journey look like a bore.

Managed by Clarendon Fine Art, we found a lot of nice artwork hanging in this gallery, with a good deal more subtlety and nuance than is common in the art showcased on mass-market ships. Though most of it was not pieces that we’d jump to buy, we enjoyed perusing the canvases. Another thing we liked: There were no hard-sell art auctions on our voyage.

While most cruise ships have just a small collection of paperbacks for sale, Queen Elizabeth’s had a genuine Book Shop with a selection of several hundred titles for purchase. This included fiction and nonfiction (mostly paperbacks), a few travel guides, a particularly good selection of children’s books, plus lots of books about the ship and the Cunard Line. Also offered were diaries, pens and notecards.

Just outside the Book Shop, don’t miss the display cases with royal memorabilia—Christmas cards from Charles and Diana, photos and newspaper clips about Queen Elizabeth and Cunard Line through the years.

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The ship's excellent Library is among the finest at sea, with more than 6000 books covering a range of stories, styles and subjects, including a large collection of travel guides for the areas Queen Elizabeth commonly sails. The latter were not available for check-out (they could be read in the comfy chairs here), but other titles could be borrowed. There was also a small collection of jigsaw puzzles, plus Chess, Checkers and Yahtzee sets.

The intimate yet stunning Grand Lobby atrium occupied three levels starting from Deck 1, accented by a striking wood mural of the Queen Elizabeth as a backdrop to the curved staircase. At the lowest level was the Purser’s Office, the Shore Excursion desk and the future cruise sales desk. Wrapping around the upper decks of the lobby were The Verandah restaurant, Café Corinthia and the Midships Bar. A couple events took place here during the cruise, such as a pastry demo one day, but otherwise this beautiful space was under-utilized.

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Play Zone was designed for kids aged up to 6 years old, supervised by British registered nursery nurses and youth coordinators. There were Play Station 3 games, arts and crafts stations, toys, games and a private outdoor play area. Next door, the Zone was for older children and teens.

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Queen Elizabeth’s Internet Centre was located on Deck 1 and offered 21 Mac computers for checking email. While the equipment was good, we found access to be very clunky, with service not available for multi-hour periods. We didn’t find the attendant particularly knowledgeable about the service or the problems we had connecting; the venue was staffed two hours in the morning and 2½ hours in the afternoon on sea days, and 2 hours in the evening on port days.

The pay-as-you-go rate for internet use (using the ship’s computer or our won laptop) was .75 cents per minute. Packages brought prices down: 120 minutes was a more-reasonable $47.95 (.40 cents per minute), for instance. Printing was charged at .50 cents per page.

Next door, Connexions 1 was a learning facility with 19 Mac computers used for hands-on classes. Among the free options were 30-minute classes on iPads, iPods and iPhones and Tablets. “Next Step” worshops were $30 and included 60-minute sessions on Apple’s iPhoto (managing and editing images, creating books, calendars and slideshows), Adobe Photoshop Elements (basic repairs, effects, using layers), Apple’s iMovie. There was an advanced seminar called Using your iPad Efficiently, priced $10. All but one of the classes was offered only once, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule at the start of your cruise.

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More than perhaps any other cruise line we’ve traveled with, Cunard believes in a dress code, and Queen Elizabeth is a dressy ship. While it’s not necessary to invest in a wardrobe overhaul to embark, many passengers use a Cunard cruise as an opportunity to show off their fanciest finery. The rules sound imposing, but after a day or two we felt very much at home.

During the day, casual dress was encouraged, but bathrobes and bathing suits were “not suitable” for indoor public areas. After 6 p.m., evening attire fell into one of three categories, carefully detailed in ship literature before and during the voyage. On our seven-night cruise, two nights were designated as Elegant Casual: Jacket, no tie required for gentlemen; dress, skirt or trousers for ladies; no shorts or jeans. Two nights were Semi-Formal: Jacket and tie for gentlemen; cocktail dress or trouser suit for ladies. On the three Formal nights, black tie or formal dark suit was required for gentlemen, evening dress or other formal attire for ladies (gentlemen’s formal wear was available for hire or purchase onboard the ship). Note that the dress code for the Lido Restaurant at dinner was Elegant Casual nightly, for those who didn’t care to put on the dog on Semi-Formal or Formal nights.

Additionally, on each Formal Night a themed ball was scheduled, and themed attire was encouraged (though not required). The first of these was the Cunard Ball, with black and white dress and featuring the “Officer’s Gavotte” dance in the ballroom; the second was the London Ball, when appropriately decorated hats (with feathers for ladies) were suggested. Other themed nights on Queen Elizabeth included the Buccaneer Ball, the Elizabethan Ball, the Venetian Masked Ball, and the Starlight Ball. These sounded intimidating before we boarded, but the festivities were easy to enjoy from the sidelines (only a small percentage of the attendees wore themed attire).

On most other cruise lines dress codes aren’t strictly enforced—not so on Queen Elizabeth. One gloriously sunny afternoon we were milling about the Lido Restaurant as it was opening for the evening; a few minutes after 6:00, managers gently reminded three separate men that shorts were not permitted after 6 p.m. Our advice: Don’t get stressed out with the dress code, but pack accordingly and then focus on enjoying the overall experience.

Editor’s Note : In March 2013, after our voyage, Cunard announced that it was loosening its dress code for its cruises going forward. Formal evenings remain, requiring “dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with tie for gentlemen; evening or cocktail dress for ladies.” Other nights are now designated as Informal—"jacket required, tie optional for gentlemen; cocktail dress, stylish separates or equivalent for ladies."

Complimentary washers and dryers were available on all of the decks with cabins, except Deck 1. Each had an ironing board and iron, and laundry detergent packets were provided. The machines got a real workout during our cruise, and in the laundry room on our deck two of the three dryers and one of the three washers were out of order. Full laundry and dry cleaning services were also available.

We felt safe and secure aboard the Queen Elizabeth, and sanitation practices seemed well in order. The Muster Drill was conducted in an orderly, efficient manner. We were required to bring life vests from our cabin, for instructions in wearing them. Our room keys were not scanned, and names were not taken during a roll call.

The Medical Centre was located on Deck A (forward) and a doctor was available for routine, non-emergency consultations. Hours were generally 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. daily. Seasickness tablets were available at the Purser’s Desk.

Smoking was not allowed in any public areas except for the Churchill’s Cigar Lounge (located next door to the Commodore Club) and in designated areas of the open decks. Smoking was not permitted in the casino. Smoking was allowed on cabin balconies.

A hotel and dining service charge is added to the checkout bill for all guests, divided between waitstaff, cabin stewards, buffet stewards and others. The amount is $11 per day, per guest (including children); for those staying in Grill accommodations the service charge is $13 per day, per guest. Additionally, a 15-percent gratuity is automatically added to every drink order, including minibar purchases.

The ship’s alcohol policies are somewhat vague, and leeway seems to be granted to individual embarkation ports. Cunard states: “There is no restriction to the amount of that can be carried onboard.” But the line also warns that Cunard “reserves the right to remove alcohol at the gangway should the need arise. It is not our intention to invoke this policy as a matter of course and we will only implement on occasions where we consider it likely that the health, comfort, safety and enjoyment of guests may otherwise be compromised. Should you wish to take wine or champagne onboard to celebrate an event, the number of bottles you take on will be at the port authorities discretion.” For wine consumed in restaurants the corkage fee was $20.

We did not find Cunard’s frequent sailor program, Cunard World Club, to be exactly flush with benefits. Cruisers are automatically enrolled after their first voyage. At the entry level, the Silver tier, starting with their second cruise members receive up to 5 percent off early bookings on select voyages and other perks. After a second cruise (or 20 nights), members attain Gold status, availing two hours of complimentary internet access, a cocktail party, and “preferred” reservations in the specialty restaurants.

After 7 cruises (or 70 nights) members are elevated to Platinum status, which adds an additional two hours of complimentary internet, a 20 percent discount on laundry and dry cleaning, and a complimentary wine tasting and Senior Officers’ Party. With 15 voyages (or 150 nights) comes Diamond status, with further benefits.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Europe Tours & Trips 2019/2020

Queen elizabeth.

• Onboard Experience

The Queen Elizabeth Reigns Cunard

Named by Her Royal Majesty herself, the Queen Elizabeth offers elegantly appointed guest rooms in soft hues — and even staterooms for single travelers. What is there to do while you sail to your next destination? Play croquet or paddle tennis on the Games Deck. Or soothe your cares away in the Royal Spa with Elemis Spa amenities and a thermal suite. Shop for souvenirs or goodies at the Royal Arcade, featuring the Cunard Signature Collection and brands such as Harris Tweed Fortnum and Mason. The Queen Elizabeth offers a number of dining choices for when hunger strikes. Listen to soft, live music with your meal at The Commodore Club, indulge in afternoon tea at Queen's Room, or go casual at The Garden Room or Cafe Carinthia. Dance the night away aboard the Queen Elizabeth at The Yacht Club; you can even sign up for dance classes. Kids and teens onboard have their own hangout areas and activities, including pizza parties, bingo, and discos.

ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Entertainment & Attractions

• The Commodore Club
• The Golden Lion
• Royal Night Theme Balls
• Royal Court Theatre
• Empire Casino
• Queens Room
• Garden Parties

The Commodore Club provides magnificent views across the ocean or your delightful port-of-call for that day. Sink into leather chairs or sofas and relax while enjoying a delicious martini, cocktail, or whatever takes your fancy. This is a perfect location to watch the world go by during the day, or enjoy a post-dinner drink while listening to the mellow sounds of a pianist or singer in the evening.

Venture into the Yacht Club in the after hours and dance the night away. Named after the lively QE2 venue, with its quirky nautical features, including the compass shaped dance floor, this exciting addition to the Queen Elizabeth provides the scene for lively evenings and relaxing days.

A Cunard favorite, choose from a wide selection of beer, cider, and wine to compliment the delicious gastro pub style menus in a comfortable, traditional setting. Enjoy all the British pub essentials such as quizzes, live music, and screens showing your favorite sporting events.

The Queens Room Ballroom is host to Cunard’s magnificent Royal Night Theme Balls. Practice your newly acquired dance steps at the Cunard Ball, and show off your cloaks and caps or velvet gowns and high collars during the Elizabethan Ball. Or enjoy a traditional waltz, all to the sound of the wonderful orchestra.

The resident Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company presents an imaginative repertoire in the Royal Court Theatre, which includes stunning musical productions and abridged Shakespeare classics. You can also enjoy a first-run feature during your voyage in the spectacular setting of the Royal Court Theatre.

Each evening, the Midships Bar welcomes you with soft relaxing music from the resident pianist. The string quartet is the perfect accompaniment to white-gloved Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room and also sets the tone for the sparkling Royal Night Theme Balls.

This elegant casino will set your heart racing as you spin the roulette wheel, play the slots, or try your hand at blackjack. If you are not sure how to play then take part in our complimentary gaming lessons.

A magnificent Grand Ballroom whose artwork and murals reflect Cunard Line's cherished royal links. The setting for Royal Nights Themed Balls and white-gloved Afternoon Tea.

Guests may enjoy a country club-style gathering beneath clear blue skies on the expansive aft deck, as the wake follows behind.

Dining Options

• Princess Grill Restaurant
• Verandah Restaurant
• Café Carinthia
• Brittania Restaurant
• Afternoon Tea

The sophisticated, intimate Princess Grill restaurant serves up unerringly excellent cuisine for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner whenever it suits you between 6.30pm and 9pm each evening. To match your choice, the sommelier will gladly talk through the impressive wine list. In warmer weather the courtyard offers al fresco dining, wonderful in more exotic parts of the world.

The Verandah is Queen Elizabeth's formal alternative dining venue and is your invitation to savor contemporary French cuisine that uses ingredients sourced in France, along with an ambiance that recalls the legendary Verandah Grill aboard the original Queen Elizabeth.

Café Carinthia is the perfect place to sit and relax, watching the world go by. Sip specialty teas and coffees with an accompaniment of delicious pastries.

Your table reservation is at Britannia Restaurant, where grandeur and occasion combine with exceptional service. Breakfast and lunch always feel special here and, whether you've chosen to take your seat for dinner at 6pm or at 8.30pm, you can arrive with a flourish, down the steps of the curved staircase.

Indulge in this truly British tradition. White-gloved waiters serve decadent fresh scones with cream, finger sandwiches, and premium tea in the Queens Room.

Other Features

• Garden Lounge
• Royal Arcade
• Clarendon Fine Art
• Cunarder's Gallery

Enjoy some fun in the sun with traditional Ocean Liner games from shuffleboard to quoits. With daily tournaments to hone your competitive edge, you’ll be an expert before you know it!

A light and sociable room, inspired by Kew Gardens. Spend a lazy afternoon reading a book or relaxing with a Garden Lounge Smoothie, or return in the evening for live music, dining, and dancing under the stars at the occasional ‘Supper Clubs’.

Whichever shores you seek out in the company of Queen Elizabeth, her Royal Spa by Elemis invites you on a blissful journey thanks to its range of innovative and indulgent treatments, massages, and fitness services.

The very traditional Royal Arcade presents famous brands and chic designer boutiques in uncrowded elegance.

Clarendon Fine Art specializes in British and international contemporary painting and sculpture, and has an international reputation for numerous leading artists working in a wide variety of styles and genres.

Shop at the intimate bookshop and souvenir shop specializing in nautical literature, posters, postcards, collectibles, and memorabilia.

Gaze at the famous faces that have traveled on iconic Cunard ships, as fascinating black and white photographs tell their stories.

In warm weather, choose from one of the two inviting swimming pools, The Pavilion and The Lido, as well as four whirlpools.

Stay trim in the fully equipped gymnasium at the luxurious Royal Spa. All fitness center facilities are complimentary.

Choose from one of the most impressive collections at sea in serene, stately ambiance. Browsing the 6,000 titles is a real pleasure, and warm mahogany woodwork, the ornate spiral staircase, and leather sofas invite quiet contemplation.

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3 NIGHT PACIFIC COASTAL Cruise

Departing From: Vancouver

Duration: 3 nights

Ship: Queen Elizabeth (Ship Info)

Port of Call: Vancouver, Bc, Canada, Day At Sea, Day At Sea, San Francisco, Ca, Usa (View Itinerary)

3 Night Pacific Coastal Cruise

Best For: Gourmet, Honeymoon, Luxury, Ocean Cruise, Romantic, Senior, Wedding

$499

as little as $166.00/night

What's Included? -->

What 's Included in my Cruise?

Your Cunard Cruise Package Includes:

• Comfortable accommodations
• Ocean transportation
• Fabulous entertainment and daily activities
• On-board meals
• Some beverages
• Port charges

​It does not include travel protection, shore excursions, personal expenses, gratuities, specialty dining, wifi or alcoholic beverages.​

Cunard's Health & Safety Protocols allow you and your loved ones to cruise with the ultimate safety.

Visit Cunard to learn more about their Health & Safety Protocols.

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10 NIGHT ALASKA Cruise

Duration: 10 nights

Port of Call: Vancouver, Bc, Canada, Day At Sea, Ketchikan, Ak, Usa, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ak, Usa (cruise-by), Haines, Ak, Usa, Juneau, Ak, Usa, Glacier Bay, Ak, Usa (cruise-by), Sitka, Ak, Usa, Day At Sea, Victoria, Bc, Canada, Vancouver, Bc, Canada (View Itinerary)

10 Night Alaska Cruise

$629.

as little as $63.00/night

Port of Call: Vancouver, Bc, Canada, Day At Sea, Ketchikan, Ak, Usa, Endicott Arm, Ak, Usa, Skagway, Ak, Usa, Juneau, Ak, Usa, Hubbard Glacier, Ak, Usa (cruise-by), Sitka, Ak, Usa, Day At Sea, Victoria, Bc, Canada, Vancouver, Bc, Canada (View Itinerary)

$649

as little as $65.00/night

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9 NIGHT ALASKA Cruise

Duration: 9 nights

Port of Call: Vancouver, Bc, Canada, Day At Sea, Sitka, Ak, Usa, Glacier Bay, Ak, Usa (cruise-by), Juneau, Ak, Usa, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ak, Usa (cruise-by), Ketchikan, Ak, Usa, Day At Sea, Victoria, Bc, Canada, Vancouver, Bc, Canada (View Itinerary)

9 Night Alaska Cruise

as little as $72.00/night

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7 NIGHT ALASKA Cruise

Departing From: Seattle/Tacoma

Duration: 7 nights

Port of Call: Seattle, Wa, Usa, Day At Sea, Ketchikan, Ak, Usa, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ak, Usa (cruise-by), Juneau, Ak, Usa, Sitka, Ak, Usa, Day At Sea, Victoria, Bc, Canada, Seattle, Wa, Usa (View Itinerary)

7 Night Alaska Cruise

$659.

as little as $94.00/night

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Cunard Queen Elizabeth Deck Plans & Reviews

Cunard Queen Elizabeth

Activities & entertainment

• Aerobic Area
• Afternoon Tea
• Art Classes *
• Ballroom Dance Classes
• Bridge Classes
• Card Room *
• Champagne Afternoon Tea *
• Darts Competitions
• Deck Quoits
• Fencing Classes
• Fitness Classes *
• Gala Evening Balls
• Golf Competitions
• Hair Salon *
• Hot Tubs (4)
• Hydropool *
• iPad and Computer Workshops *
• Needlework & Knitting Corners
• Onboard Movies
• Royal Court Theatre (Middle)
• Royal Spa & Fitness Centre *
• Royal Spa Treatment Rooms *
• Scavenger Hunts
• Shuffleboard Competitions
• Solo Travelers Get Togethers
• Thalassotherapy Pool *
• Thermal Suites *
• Wellbeing Seminars
• Children's Outdoor Area
• Teens' Outdoor Area
• The Play Zone
• Nightly Live Music
• Onboard Lectures
• Passenger Talent Shows
• Queens Room
• Royal Court Theatre
• Bar - Pool Bar *
• Admiral's Lounge *
• Garden Lounge *
• Midships Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Lido Restaurant - Casual
• Churchill's Cigar Lounge - Cigar Bar
• Café Carinthia - Coffee and Wine *
• Golden Lion - English Pub *
• Lido Grill - Fast Food
• The Verandah Restaurant - French *
• Britannia Club - International
• Britannia Restaurant - International
• Commodore Club - Martini Bar *
• Lido Bar - Pool Bar *
• Grills Lounge - Suite Guests
• Grills Terrace - Suite Guests
• Princess Grill - Suite Guests
• Queens Grill - Suite Guests
• Excellent 69
• Very Good 42
• Terrible 32
• All languages ( 203 )
• English ( 200 )
• Japanese ( 2 )
• Norwegian ( 1 )

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Queen Elizabeth Review

Second cruise on cunard queen elizabeth barcelona to melbourne.

Rating by category

Additional details.

This is my second Queen Elizabeth review.

Cabin - This time we were in cabin next door to where we stayed last year. Everything was well maintained, clean, and plenty of space and storage for our 34 night cruise.

Cabin Review

Some occasional noise from the Lido but nothing to worry about.

Port Reviews

We did the excursion Hurgrada on your own which I do not recommend. Shuttle drops at a dodgy resort where you are at the mercy of taxi drivers to direct you to the beach. US$ welcome but be prepared to be fleeced.

The Red Sea is lovely once you find it!

Ship organises visa.

Get off the coach at the port gates, where the staff are very helpful ,rather than to the government gift shop where you will be bullied by swarms of tuk tuk drivers in an organised sting. Once you escape this, Colombo is a delightful, safe, clean city and easy to navigate by yourself by tuk tuk. Don’t miss Petta Market and the waterfront.

Transit visa can be done on board - free online. US$ welcome.

The coach will take you to a sad shopping centre, best to take a tour or taxi. Ship organises visa US$ 35. Local currency or credit card.

Coach will take you to the convention centre, then you can walk or cab into the city. Go to a hotel concierge to get a cab. Local currency required.

Coach will drop you to Rundle Mall ( near Haigh Chocolates) and plenty of tourist volunteers will look after you

Cruise terminal is very swish and great duty free

We tendered here via local operator Bali Hi who were trying to cram as many people as possible on the boat. It took us 2 hours for a 3 mile round trip and some people were close to fainting as we disembarked. Captain Stephen Howarth actually apologised to passengers over the PA system.

We did the tour Nusa Dua on your own which took us to Nusa Dua Beach Resort for half a day. Don’t pay another $60 US for the longer tour which includes lunch - it was a buffet in the hot sun. The Asian restaurant at the resort was in the shade and much nicer.

Credit cards and local currency.

Very good cruise terminal about 30 to 40 minutes cab fare from the airport.

Find a Queen Elizabeth Cruise from $499

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Queen Elizabeth cruises 2026

Queen elizabeth caribbean cruises 2026.

Take part in a brand-new season for Queen Elizabeth, sailing to the jewelled islands of the Caribbean from Miami. Swim in crystal seas, bask in golden rays, and taste every flavour imaginable in a variety of vibrant port calls.

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Queen Elizabeth cabins and suites

Queen elizabeth staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Queen Elizabeth cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Cunard en-suite amenities and services.

The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Grand Suite

Layout (floor plan).

Queen Elizabeth's Grand Suites are named after former Cunard Commodores (captains):

• "The Charles Suite" (6202, portside), "The Illingworth Suite" (6213, starboard) - James Charles, Cyril Illingworth
• "The Roston Suite" (7150, portside), "The Bisset Suite" (7177, starboard) - Arthur Roston, James Bisset

Master Suite

Queen Elizabeth's Master Suites are named after former Cunard Commodores (captains): 

• "The Thompson Suite" (7070, portside), "The Britten Suite" (7091, starboard) - Ivan Thomson, Edgar Britten

Penthouse Suite

Queen suite, princess suite, britannia club balcony cabin, britannia balcony cabin, britannia oceanview cabin, brittania deluxe inside cabin, britannia inside cabin, studio single cabins, queen elizabeth cabins review.

Of all MS Queen Elizabeth staterooms (1043), 71% are Balcony, 86% Outside, 7% Interior. Wheelchair-accessible are 20. The ship has no connecting rooms. The number of cabin categories is 34.

Follows the review of Cunard Queen Elizabeth staterooms as furniture, amenities and included (complimentary) services.

All Queen Elizabeth cabins and Suites have king beds (convertible to 2 twins/lower beds), smart HDTV (satellite television, infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies), DVD player, board games, PC gaming console, direct dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), mini-refrigerator, tea-coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, bathrobes-slippers, pillow chocolate, fruits (upon request), 24-hour room service, nightly turn-down service, onboard newspaper (daily), power sockets (3-pin/220V, and 2-pin/110V).

Perks offered complimentary for all grades Suites include Grill-passengers exclusive venues (restaurant, concierge-served bar lounge, sundeck/terrace), 24-hour butler service, priority services (check-in, luggage delivery, debarkation, tendering), shoeshine, in-cabin dining (Afternoon Tea, Canapes), welcome gifts (fruits, flowers, Champagne), complimentary mini-bar drinks, luxury bedding sets, pillow menu, Cunard-logoed stationery, luxury bath products.

All grades Suite accommodations have floor-ceiling sliding doors, large-size bedroom (king bed /convertible), bathroom (separate whirlpool bathtub, shower), living area (sofa, table, chairs, bar). In addition, Grand Suites (Q1) have a dining room, and Master Suites (Q2) have a dining area. Both categories have a dressing room with a walk-in closet. Princess Suites and Queens Suites have a convertible king bed, large living area (sofa, table, bar), dressing room/walk-in closet, bathroom (whirlpool bathtub, shower).

Britannia Balcony have a sitting area (sofa, table), bathroom (shower). Britannia Oceanview have one Picture Window. Balcony categories CA and CB, and Oceanview categories FA-FB-FC are cabins with obstructed views (due to lifeboats). Some Oceanview cabins additionally have an upper/bunk bed (Pullman) for 3rd person.

Queen Elizabeth single cabins (added on Deck 2 during drydock 2014 refurbishment) are designed specifically for solo travellers. Each of these accommodations (8 outside and 1 inside) can be booked with single-occupancy rates. The ship's single staterooms are furnished with oversized single beds (width 4 ft / 120 cm), en suite bathroom (WC-shower), wardrobe (2-door, with 3 drawers). Single Outside are with a large picture window.

Queen Elizabeth cabin and suite plans are property of Cunard . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.