10 Must-Know Cunard Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing Tips

Discover the 10 Must-Know Tips About Transatlantic Crossing On Cunard Queen Mary 2. One of the iconic trips available to cruisers today, many worry about being at sea for up to eight days. In this video I talk about the things I get asked the most about crossing the Atlantic on the QM2. I discuss everything including "will I get bored?", "when is the best and worst times to go?", "will I get seasick?", "what sort fo cabin should I book?", "what I have to dress up all the time" and "what about service and gratuities?".

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Every week Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers Channel posts a video to help you make the most of your precious travel time and money on both land and at sea. First-hand travel inspiration, advice and tips based on the over 20 years I have been travelling every month.

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[deniser]

When I was 28 (decades ago😊) I was going to Europe with only a backpack for 2 months. Since I was afraid of flying after a couple of scares, I decided I would have to take a “boat” to get there. It was 1986 & I learned about the QE II. Sounded fancy but was 5 days rather than others that were longer. So off I go with my backpack, a couple of dresses & one pair of nice shoes rolled up in it. It’s one of the best memories of my life but for different reasons. Had never been on a ship so everything was new. At that age I looked for a bar first. I met Steve the bartender as well as Jonathan who was a steward. I learned that I could order steak & lobster in my room rather than having to eat with all the “old people” at dinner and other tips. Also found out that my bar tab was ridiculously low. God love em. Nothing inappropriate with those guys. Learned about their families, kids etc. The best part was when Jonathan took me to “The Pig”. This was the club on the low level that was for the crew. Whenever I watch Titanic I think of The Pig. That’s when Rose went to the party below. It was like that. All of the crew were so nice and didn’t look down on me because I wasn’t fancy, just afraid to fly. Jonathan even took me to St Paul’s Cathedral (he had some shore leave when I got to London). Got to see them both again on the crossing home. The ship even stored the dresses & shoes for me so I’d have more room in my backpack for the trip!

[applemanuk]

Just booked for my second crossing on the QM2 - Standing on the top deck of the QM2 sailing out of New York whilst looking at the Manhattan sky line has to be one of the greatest experiences.

[Jonsey-lmsv]

I did a transatlantic crossing (NYC to Southampton) on QM2 in 2016. It was a bucket list dream, and well worth every penny. It’s probably the closest one will ever get to replicating the North Atlantic crossing days of the 1930s and before. She’s such an incredible ship! First class from top to bottom. She’s a true ocean liner in the tradition of the Titanic, Lusitania and Ile de France. A mere “cruise ship” she is not! I highly recommend a transatlantic crossing on this gorgeous ship if you ever get the chance!

[DrummerJacob]

I spent 3 years working on all 3 Queens in the Queens Room Orchestra. We were the band that would give the regular bands a 1-2 month break and we'd hop from one ship to the next doing that all year round. I bet I've been on each ship 5+ times.

Great video. Fun to see all those areas I've spent so much time in and made so many memories with guests!

[ericdumptee]

Wonderful, its good to know the QE2 still upholds tradition..truly the LAST passenger liner. My father was in diplomatic corps (US foreign svc). We travelled regularly on the SS United States, on the north atlantic track, NYC to LeHarve, always 1st. Although she was laid up in 1969, she still holds the record (Blue Ribband) for fastest liner crossing, ever...Well remember leaving NYC, throwing streamers, over the side, (provided)complimentary bottle of champagne in our cabins... Interesting that the QE2 still holds the semi, and semi formal dress codes in 1st. Jacket and tie were mandatory for breakfast, and lunch, in the US dining salon. Formal for evening meals. I was but a young teen then, and struck up a conversation with an elderly couple in the lounge. As we were getting ready to embark at LeHarve, to pick up the boat train to Paris, I asked if they were doing the same. 'Oh no", the wife replied.".We just stay on her, going back and forth., spring, summer, and fall."...I never saw them anywhere without a martini, or champagne close by. Always in formal....Interesting, at the end of the gilded era, those two were determined to ride it out to the very end of the sunset., as long as they were on the ship, time stopped for

[jeanstern]

I was fortunate enough to be in my teens and twenties during the "50's and "60's. We traveled on the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mary, the United States, the Michael Angelo, the Hanseatic, the Constitution, and various Canadian steamers out of Montreal. I never regretted a single trip.

[fredbach]

We did the Silhouette maiden crossing. There were 2 storms to dodge. 35-foot seas. When the sharp urge to hurl hits the back of your throat, a bite of sour apple kills it faster than you can blink your eyes. It's amazing. The staff walked around with bowls of sliced green apples. Yeah I took ginger and dramamine too.

[jesterd]

I've crossed the Atlantic 8 times round trip. On destroyers and frigates. I'd give anything to be able to cross each way on the QM2 and just sit in a deck chair and relax. Nice cigar and a glass of brandy after dinner and sit and look at the stars from the middle of the sea.

[garygrant]

Dear Gary, my wife and I will be on the QM2 for the 13 day cruise to the caribbean. We will be mid ship in Queen's grill. As you suggested. This will be our fifty wedding anniversary.
It was 49 nine years since our last cruise on the Oceanic. Going on the QM2 is my bucket list.
I have over the last few months watched every video you have. Thank you very much.
By the way, since we booked very early, our cruise agent made changes to the cost everytime the price went down for our Queen's suite or offered aspecial discount.They made changes to location since Ifirst wanted to be close to the dining area. I remembered we shouldn't be at the back. We can walk just fine from mid ship and lose any extra pounds that we may encounter during our cruise. Big ha ha! Also we are on the same deck as the Commodore club. Once again, thanks for all your videos. Oh yes Cunard said they will have a special recognition at the first formal get together for our 50th. Signed, another GARY.

[wolfman]

I hope to have enough money saved up in a year or 2 to do a round trip from New York to Southhampton and back simply for the sense of adventure.

[DannyJane.]

Re: Seasickness. I am terribly prone to seasickness, but I love cruising so I go to my doctor a week before I sail and ask for Transderm Scop (tm) patches. Put one behind your ear every three days, and no seasickness!

[nichall]

I did a December crossing on the QE2. We had extremely rough weather and I remember a couple of days going to the main dining room with only maybe 10 or 20 guests. I luckily never get seasick but almost all the passengers did. Even though I have photos of waves almost as high as the ship, I never really felt unsafe and certainly we were never bored. I would love to go on the QM 2 but this time in summer 😄

[deangillard]

QM2 is the most stable ship I have ever been on. Most impressive ship in the world imho.

[ndflash]

Sailed her through Hurricane Sandy. She sailed at 20 knots through it. Hardly noticed. The most magnificent trip of my lifetime. I will cross again some day. In my youth, I also sailed on Rotterdam and QE2. Crossing the Atlantic is a magical experience.

[KeithWinestein]

This is great. I've crossed twice on QM2 and Victoria (in tandem with the old QE2). The QM2 is a magnificent experience. I could do it over and over and over again. It's the only way to cross!

[sagwafare]

What a beautiful sight the Statue of Liberty. I’ve never seen her captured this way. Lovely.

[chrispitchford]

When I was 9 my family sailed on the SSAmerica across the Atlantic from NewYork City to Cohb Ireland, Southhampton England, LeHarve France ending in Bremerhaven Germany. I'll never forget this fantastic adventure!

[Scubabuddy]

After many cruises, my wife and I finally sailed on Cunard twice last year, once on the Queen Victoria and on the the Queen Mary II. We did not do a crossing in the Queen Mary, but did a 14-day cruise from New York to Quebec and back to New York, with three days docked in Quebec. I think the Queen Mary is a wonderful ship. We had 40 knot winds with 30 foot seas and never felt it. I loved the lectures and the planetarium, which is unique. Also, their library is fantastic. The ship is unusual, but that is part of the charm. As you suggest, I would highly recommend this ship, especially if you don’t mind getting dressed up in the evening, which adds to the experience. It is something you will not regret. I am just watching a lot of your videos and like what you present. With nearly 30 cruises, I am following you for some clues on how to get more variety into our cruises. Look forward to more.

[RM-ljbv]

It's actually quite exciting to travel on an ocean liner during a hurricane. I've done it while experiencing a hurricane in October 1987 onboard The QE2 while I worked onboard. During hurricanes I never felt sea sick when there were large movements but swells in the sea like in The Bay Of Biscay close to Portugal made me feel a little green.

[bootsff]

Personally I prefer to fly to New York, spend a few days shopping and enjoying the sites then travel home on the QM2 just because that way there is no worry about excess baggage