Cruising Guide: Queen Mary 2
Queen Mary 2 arrives in Australia to much fanfare every year because it's still the biggest ship to visit our shores.
The Cunard flagship is the very model of the grand tradition of ocean liners. For formal dining, ballroom dancing and captain's events wrapped in elegance and opulence, Queen Mary 2 is the first and last stop. Formal it may be, staid it isn't
A suite on board Queen Mary 2. Picture: Dione Davidson
QM2 has the only planetarium at sea, a luxurious 3-D cinema, music recital room and the Cunard Insight series of enrichment lectures are an integral part of every cruise, covering subjects as diverse as international diplomacy, astronomy and music. There's a computer learning centre, a two-storey disco and a host of bars, including the first Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar at sea. The Winter Garden has a conservatory inspired by Kew Gardens, there are four swimming pools, including one covered by a retractable glass ceiling, and there's a two-deck spa centre.
Tradition and elegance are key on Queen Mary 2. Picture: Dione Davidson
Traditionalists will love the wraparound deck. Speaking of tradition, only Cunard assigns dining venues to passengers based on which cabin they occupy. Most will eat at the two-storey Britannia Restaurant while premium passengers may dine at the Princess Grill or Queens Grill.
All can follow dinner with a dance at the biggest ballroom on a ship - those without a partner can book a
gentleman host.
Queen Mary 2 is on a 112-day world circumnavigation which will end in May before the ship embarks on a series of transatlantic crossings. Travel agents, cunard.com.au and 13 24 41.
