Voyasea Travel

Some of the best travel decisions aren’t planned months in advance; they happen over a casual drink at sea. While aboard the Carnival Legend, enjoying a transatlantic sailing, a chance conversation with fellow travelers completely changed our plans. What started as a unplanned encounter quickly set off a chain of events we never saw coming, ultimately leading us from one ship’s deck to a voyage aboard Cunard’s legendary Queen Mary 2.

Carnival Legend

I can’t make this all about Carnival’s distant cousin*—after all, it’s because of our time on the Legend that this story exists in the first place. My hubs and I decided to give a Carnival transatlantic cruise a try, and after searching through itineraries, we found one that hit every mark: price, port stops, and final destination were all perfect 10s.

A few days into the long voyage, we happened upon the piano bar and became instantly hooked with the vibe of the venue. I noticed a fellow that I sat next to in the casino and we began chatting about our collective time on the cruise. The conversation turned toward the end of the trip. Nobody was looking forward to the long flight back home after weeks at sea. Then came the turning point: our new friends said they had found a way to bypass the airport altogether by booking a return transatlantic crossing on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. In an instant, we were intrigued.

All Was Meant to Be

The moment the idea was planted, there was no turning back. Flying home after weeks at sea and a stay in London (read our London story) suddenly felt like a jarring end to a pretty perfect journey. The mere thought of sailing across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 felt like the only proper conclusion. We went straight back to our stateroom, opened the laptop, and held our breath. Low and behold, the QM2 had three cove balcony rooms left. SCORE! My fingers couldn’t type fast enough—and when we saw the total came out to just $1,500 for both of us (literally less than our flights home!), we locked it in immediately.

VT Insider: As a travel professional, I have to emphasize that scoring a fare like this on Cunard is extremely rare and not typical. If you have the flexibility, especially if you live near a major cruise port, keeping an eye out for last-minute deals can certainly pay off. However, this was pure luck, so always set your expectations accordingly when searching standard rates!

Fit for a Queen

Hey now—be kind! I’m talking about the ship here. Our transition from London down to Southampton was completely seamless. We booked with National Express (which is a motor coach service for non-UK folks), and while I know a lot of our UK readers aren’t huge fans, trust me: if you’ve ever taken a Greyhound bus in the States, National Express feels like a first-class private coach ride.

All jokes aside, the National Express ride got us to the Southampton terminal relaxed and right on time. Stepping off the coach and looking up at the iconic black and red hull of the Queen Mary 2, we knew instantly that the rest of our journey across the Atlantic was going to be something extraordinary.

Stepping off the gangway and onto the Queen Mary 2 felt less like boarding a ship and more like entering a grand hotel from a bygone era. It was like a scene straight out of a classic movie. You know the ones where the characters step out of reality and into a dream. As we stood in awe, we had to pinch ourselves: we were officially on Cunard time.

A Storied Past

Before we move forward, let’s take a major leap back. Way back to 1839, when Samuel Cunard founded the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. Yes, that’s literally the original name. Could you imagine if that name stuck around and you called to book a cruise? The poor reservation agents!

In reality, Samuel Cunard’s company wasn’t built for leisure cruise-goers; it was created to deliver mail across the North Atlantic on a strict schedule. But as decades passed, competition on the ocean heated up. Cunard transformed from a rugged transatlantic mail courier into the gold standard of ocean travel, giving rise to iconic, record-breaking liners like the Mauretania and the beloved Queen Mary which you can visit in Long Beach, California.

White Star Line, of course, was famous for the Titanic. Back in the golden age of steamships, Cunard and White Star were locked in an intense battle for Atlantic dominance. However, after years of competition and the economic hit of the 1930s, the two ocean giants merged into Cunard-White Star Line. That heritage still runs through Cunard today, making stepping onto the Queen Mary 2 feel like walking through a living museum of transatlantic history.

The advertisement above shows almost the exact route we took across the Atlantic—minus two stops. While honoring the tragedy of that historic era, our voyage aboard the QM2 was a direct, peaceful 7-day crossing straight from Southampton to New York City.

Fast-forward to today: the Queen Mary 2 pays homage to the ocean liners of the past, celebrating their rich history and their role in making the world feel just a tiny bit smaller—knowing you’re only a few days away from discovering a whole new continent.

Room With a View

Last-minute accommodations aside, how fortunate were we to score a cove balcony stateroom?

Enjoy the 28-second tour.

Our stateroom was in the very back of the ship, which made it handy to go out and get fresh air whenever we wanted.

Sorry, no photos of the bathroom since it’s fairly standard. However, there was one interesting element next to the commode: an ashtray. VT Insider: Don’t smoke in your stateroom please. It’s strictly prohibited.

Unlike standard recessed balconies high above the water, Cunard’s lower-deck Cove Balconies are built directly into the ship’s steel hull. It puts you much closer to the water, giving you an intimate, front-row view of the ocean swells while keeping you protected from heavy wind and spray.

The Valentino or the Prada T-Shirt…

What is it truly like being on the Queen Mary 2? Is it stuffy and overbearing? Are the passengers snobby or pretentious? Do you have to dress like a penguin every night? In one word: NO. Absolutely not. This isn’t your great-great-great-grandma’s era. Cunard welcomes you as you are—with just a few caveats.

VT Insider: Dress Code: Decoded.

Daytime – Relaxed, casual attire is welcome throughout the ship. T-shirts, shorts, jeans, polo shirts, and casual dresses are standard. Obviously swimwear is fine at the pool, however it is not permitted in dining venues. Ripped or torn clothing, even if they cost you a month’s salary, are not permitted.

After 6 PM – Smart attire, clothes that you would wear to a fine dining establishment. For men, a collared shirt (dress shirt or polo) with trousers/slacks or smart chinos. Jackets or blazers are encouraged but optional. Ties are optional. For ladies, cocktail dresses, skirts, tailored trousers with an elegant top, or jumpsuits. Shorts, sandals, flip-flops, t-shirts are not permitted in most venues after 6 PM.

Gala Nights – Looking your best. For men, tuxedos/dinner jackets with black tie, or dark lounge suits with a tie or bow tie. For ladies, floor-length gowns, elegant evening dresses, cocktail dresses, or formal pant suits/separates.

Many Gala Nights have optional themes like Black & White, Red & Gold, Roaring 20s, or Masquerade Ball. Participation in the theme is optional.

Those were excerpts from my Cunard travel advisor training. Now let’s put it into real-world perspective: we packed for Carnival. That should tell you everything right there! Yes, we had a few button-down shirts and chinos, but no tux, no ties, and no blazers packed…not a single one.

Were we ever asked to return to our stateroom? Nope, not even once. Did we dine in the main dining room? You bet. With the exception of Gala Nights, we wore button-down shirts with a sweater pulled over, chinos, and business casual shoes. I even wore a pair of clean black Vans, and nobody batted an eyelash. See the photo of me ⬇.

In other words, if you plan on cruising any of the four Queens in the Cunard fleet, live it up! Know that as long as you’re respectful of the evening guidelines and not walking around in your bathing suit and flip-flops, you’re going to be completely fine.

Vibe Check

I enjoy the finer things in life, but I am in no way a snooty type. I never once felt out of place on this cruise. In my opinion, the other passengers and Cunard themselves just get it. Cruising is meant to be enjoyable and fun. The ships themselves are elegant, as they should be, but you don’t have to be formal every second of the day. It’s optional, and it’s fantastic. Everyone we met was open, caring, and genuine. While everyone’s trip is unique, that was certainly our experience. The staff was incredibly accommodating, and the service was top-notch.

Food, Glorious FOOD

Food on a cruise is a make-or-break factor for me: if the food stinks, the cruise stinks. Our meals, from the buffet to the main dining room, exceptional. Period.

Kings Court: The Buffet. Freshly prepared sushi and sashimi, perfectly cooked steaks made to order, and deliciously crispy fish and chips. Is your mouth watering yet? Everything was incredible, and that’s saying something. Kudos to the chefs and staff for keeping quality standards so high in a buffet setting.

Britannia Restaurant (Main Dining Room). Service – A+, food – A, atmosphere – AAA+. I truly felt spoiled every single night we dined here. Growing up, going to Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus was a huge deal to me, heck, even going to Sizzler felt like an event! Imagine taking that childhood wonder and feeling it all over again, every time you step into the grand two-story Britannia dining room. That’s the feeling I got. Getting warm and fuzzy thinking about it now!

Golden Lion Pub. See photo. Explains everything.

Queens Room Afternoon Tea. Something I’ve always wanted to do. And here it was at my fingertips. If you recall, I got into the spirit of things with pinkies-up, tried every item on the menu, drank more tea than any other time in my life. The tea was incredibly smooth and a perfect complement to all the delectable savory and sweet offerings.

Photos by Andy Warren with Voyasea Travel

Sir Samuels. More of a cafe than a full restaurant, it was our groups favorite spot to meet for an afternoon pick-me-up. The following video speaks for itself.

Specialty Dining. While we didn’t end up dining at the specialty options this time around, it’s worth noting that Cunard offers a great setup in Kings Court each evening. A section of the buffet transforms into sit-down specialty venues. It features rotating themes from Asian fusion, Italian, Mexican, and Indian cuisines for a small cover charge. It’s a nice alternative if you want something different without the formality of the main dining room. The main area of the Kings Court buffet remains open.

Let Us Entertain You

There’s truly something for everyone onboard—from comedy and smooth jazz to West End–style production shows, educational lectures, and special guest speakers.

My honest take? It was fun and entertaining, if a little meh at times depending on what you like. That said, I absolutely loved the enrichment lectures and special guest speakers. The stand-up comic was great, and they even featured a hilarious live parody of Murder, She Wrote—yes, the classic Angela Lansbury show from the ’80s! The smooth jazz musicians were my favorite. Apologies, I forgot their names but they’re from Canada and featured in the photo below. Please comment if you know who they are!

Start Spreading The News

The days ticked by way too fast for my liking. I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of this crossing, and as New York City approached, I found myself feeling a little sad that it was coming to an end. There are so many more stories to share and moments I left out, some on purpose so you can make your own exciting memories onboard!

Final Thoughts

Is this a “one and done” cruise? No way. This is a “let’s check Cunard to see if there are any last-minute deals” type of journey! Again, I can’t stress enough how much of a fluke this was; a true once in a blue moon deal. I had such a great time because I went in with an open mind and took every moment as it came.

Is Cunard for everyone? No, just like any other cruise line isn’t for everyone. That’s why it’s great to have a travel advisor (shameless plug!) or an avid cruiser friend to help you decide if an experience like this is right for you.

For more information about the Queen Mary 2, logistics of booking last-minute cruises, and before / after land tours, please let us know in the comments or email us at: info@voyasea.com.

*Cunard is part of the Carnival Corporation – and now you know.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are entirely our own and based on our personal experience aboard the Queen Mary 2. Voyasea Travel was not gifted or compensated for this voyage; all fares were paid out of pocket. Cruise fares, itineraries, and onboard offerings are subject to change by the cruise line at any time.