I Cruised in The Cheapest Cabin on the World's LAST Ocean Liner

I booked the smallest, and cheapest cabin on the Queen Mary 2, the world's last ocean liner. What was it like and was it worth it? In this video, I'll show you everything!

Interested in quirky cabins? Here's some more:

I took a cruise on the last remaining ocean liner in the world and I stayed in the cheapest cabin onboard the entire ship. It was less than half the size of the average hotel room in the US and it was located right in the middle of the ship with no daylight or access to the outside world.

On the ship there were 286 inside cabins which meant that realistically there would be at least 600 people on this cruise alone cruising in inside cabins. Possibly a lot more.

Inside cabins are a popular choice for many but cruise lines very rarely advertise them, they’d usually promote the suites or the balconies, you’ll never see the inside cabin on a Cunard advert and I wanted to find out why.

I did wonder if I would miss the outside space, I wasn’t sure if this cruise would be different with it being an ocean liner instead of a cruise ship and I didn’t know how well a ship of this age would have been looked after.

The cruise that I booked was only three nights long, so I decided it would be a great way to give it a go without spending too much time, or money, in case I didn’t like it.

We didn’t have great weather on this cruise and I do get seasick, but that isn’t something I was thinking about when I booked, I just wanted to get onboard.

I hoped that the lack of daylight wouldn’t be a problem and that it wouldn’t feel claustrophobic especially since I would be sharing this cabin with my brother. I didn’t pay a lot for this cruise though really, but more about that later.

I knew that the ship was built in 2002 but I hoped that the cabins and the ship had been refurbished since then.

These photos on Cunards website did look very luxurious, apart from this one that made it look like the cabin was sliding down a hill, I did hope that the cabin would be flat at least.

On a cruise you can either pay a cruise fare where you pick where your cabin will be, or you can save a bit of money and let the cruise line decide where it is. I decided to save the money, after all we were only on for three days and I figured it couldn’t be ‘that bad’ which always seems to be famous last words.

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[EmmaCruises]

Interested in quirky cabins? Here's some more:

[traceytheisen]

From a historical perspective, I'm thrilled the Cunard keeps the Queen Mary name. My grandfather was a WWII veteran and brought home from the war on the Queen Mary in 1945. Many forget the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary transported troops during WWII. In an age when history is forgotten or overlooked, I think it's wonderful the heritage is remembered and honored.

[hatchling]

I once sailed on an ocean liner as a 14 year old, the SS United States.... it was an amazing ship, and yes, a long time ago. It was fast, comfortable, wonderful food and service, quite luxurious and a great experience. Our beagle traveled with us [we were moving to France, Dad was military, assigned to NATO] and was in the kennel [about a half dozen dogs were boarded in the kennel if I recall correctly], so we were encouraged to visit with him daily, taking him for walks on the designated kennel walkway. There were also other teens making the journey, so we had a lot of fun. It's so sad what happened to that ship in its later life. It was once the pride of the American maritime industry . Because we were a family of 4, we had a what I'm sure would have been called a junior suite today. There was a balcony, which I loved. I'd call for room service breakfast and eat it out there. Had my first croissant and cup of milky coffee with lots of sugar.

[ventureout]

I spent eight years working on a ship, bunk beds, roommate, inside cabin. Went to 100 countries, and made it to Easter Island, Antarctica, and traversed the Northwest Passage onboard Crystal Cruises. I loved my cozy little upper bunk.

[m.m.]

We have done several Transatlantics on QM2, in those very cheap cabins, in oceanviews and sometimes in balcony cabins. Always a great time!
Actually we love it in the winter months when the sea is rough, waves are high and this wonderful ship can really show how it can master the oceans.
Lovely!!!
Hopefully we will be doing another TA in 2024.

[johnbuckley]

Hi Emma. I know you said you don't really pay attention to subscriber count, but according to Gary Bembridge at Tips for Travellers' unofficial list, you are now the #2 cruise-focused website on Youtube. 🙂 Congratulations for a 275K subscriber milestone that you don't care about. 🤣

[johnpettigrew]

For all of the entertainment and dining choices, there is nothing better than standing at the front of the ship, feeling the sea wind and spray and silence. So therapeutic.

[jackieheidorn]

I think the extra charge for a balcony cabin is worth it. I like being out in the fresh air, even if the weather is not ideal.

[helend]

Inside cabins are excellent if the occupiers get out and enjoy the decks and facilities. Great for sleeping.

[davidhuntley]

I concur with your assessment. I've only booked inside cabins. I've been on 3 transatlantic crossings and find the QM2 to be stable, jet lag free way to get back and forth to Europe. I enjoy the room service for breakfast but have used it once early in the morning. Thank you for all your postings. You do a wonderful job and I enjoy your cheerful attitude!

[deidresmith]

Just got off a 10 day cruise on the QM2...wat a ship...and the crew were excellent...we are booked to do 2 more on her next year...loved her

[albertbrown]

First, it's always nice watching your videos. My wife is now insisting on an balcony cabin. We were cruising with inside cabins just to be frugal but we found we couldn't get up in the morning as we didn't know what time it was and we enjoyed sleeping a bit too much. I like your daylight alarm clock for this purpose.

[sammyh]

Great video Emma. I took a 7 night transatlantic crossing with my wife in July. We splurged for the Princess Grille suite, and it was the greatest trip I have ever been on in my life. I already very much miss the ship. Cheers.

[Cruisingwithbobby]

I have many times stayed in the cheapest cabin many times when I first started cruising. I'm not in the room enough to have a window, but now only book cabins with a window or balcony. Very nicely done thanks

[STANDREW]

We've done eight transatlantic crossings on QM2, in flat calm and hurricane-force storms and she just plows through the waves. Watching your video left me with pangs of nostalgia for the ship. We've also done cruises on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth which are OK but once you've been on QM2 nothing else compares.

[mrangelini]

I started taking the Queen Mary 2 back and forth from the UK instead of flying for some reason that inside cabin is cheaper internal business class ticket. This past Christmas 2023 when I was returning from the UK I believe it was one of the first crossings since it's been overhauled and I have to say the cabins look amazing inside now they're updated no scuffs anywhere the ship smelled like it was a brand new ship it looked amazing from the public areas to the cabin and even down on the bottom deck where the crew stays it was amazing.

[extraslayar]

I have worked customer service related jobs for my entire life. I appreciate the fact with the double beds error you blamed the ocean liner versus the staff that help you.

[QuintusAntonious]

Wow, this is ironic, my wife and I JUST disembarked the QM2 a few days ago! It was our honeymoon and her first cruise. The QM2 was a bucket list cruise ship for me, so I was super thrilled to be on it. We loved it!

[slowmads]

We adore the QM2 and will be taking our 4th crossing soon. We love a cozy interior and from a cost perspective much more pleasant than flying over the Atlantic.

[markiangooley]

My late Mom went back and forth between Europe and the USA a few times in the 1950s, usually on liners, sometimes in upper class cabins when she’d saved up enough money. The SS United States, now rotting away In Philadelphia, was her favorite. She dined at the Captain’s table at least one night.