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Our staff member Marilyn Goatman went on an educational fam trip on QE2 with a group of travel agents on the Grand Lady of The Sea, Queen Elizabeth II. Read her full report below.....
Embarkation/Cabin
I recently went on an educational on the QE2 to Norway and what a privilege!
After a fairly lengthy embarkation at Southampton you are welcomed on board by white gloved officers and a smile who show you to your cabin.
I had a C3 grade (outside twin), which was very spacious with separate wardrobes and dressing tables for each of us. The bathroom was properly tiled with a full size bath/shower, full size sink and WC plus plenty of shelf space plus towelling bathrobes. We had two portholes, and it was nicely furnished.
Dining
Our grade cabin meant we dined in the Caronia restaurant that served some of the best food I have ever tasted on a cruise. The menu selection was varied and the waiters took great pride in remembering your likes and dislikes and went out of their way to please you. The wine was not overpriced and they had a good list. Drinks in general were not overpriced at any of the bars
Most dinners consisted of 7 courses and each course was not overlarge so that you could manage them all, there was also a lighter option for those who are watching the calories.
For breakfast and lunch you could go into the Caronia restaurant to be waited on, but I preferred to go into the Lido casual restaurant that is self-service. At the popular times it was sometimes a bit busy to find a table to oneself, but most people were quite happy to have you sit with them and have a chat.
In the afternoons at 4 o’clock you could take afternoon tea served with white gloves in the grand lounge listening to a soloist playing soft music. This was a very popular event. Most evenings in the Lido you could eat a midnight buffet.
Room service was not an extra charge – should you want to eat there.
Entertainment
The shows, entertainers and musicians were excellent and suited all tastes. The musicals were spectacular and you were left wanting more –there was usually a standing ovation. As a classical music enthusiast I was pleased to go to a concert given by an excellent Russian quartet, and every evening in the Yacht club bar there was an hour of recorded classical music. Most evenings were fairly formal and 2 were fully formal.
Facilities
There were good facilities for children – I certainly was not aware of all the children on board. There is a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, mini golf, deck quoits, tennis court, and for the less active a good library, and various activities to go to during the day. There is a Hydro pool, gymnasium, spa and beauty salon.
Excursions
I didn’t go on many of the excursions – preferring to do my own thing, but the comments from the other passengers were that they were good and not over priced.
If you want to explore on your own the staff are quite helpful and so are the various tourist boards at the ports.
Overall impression
The QE2 is a very friendly ship with a wonderful atmosphere, she is dependable and solid and rather like a second home. Admittedly she is now 37 years old but she has been refitted and her interior furnishings are quiet, non glitzy and rather like a posh hotel. I would certainly recommend her for a wonderful experience.
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