Queen Mary 2 Guide: Cabins, Dining & Transatlantic Crossings

Launched in 2004 and remastered in a £90 million refurbishment in 2016, Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship — and the only purpose-built ocean liner of the 21st century. Every element of her design serves a single purpose: to cross oceans in comfort, speed, and style.

She is the longest, tallest, and widest ocean liner ever built, and remains one of the most powerful passenger vessels afloat. Her four diesel-electric engines and two gas turbines produce enough power to light a small city.

01

Ocean Liner

Only one in service

02

Planetarium

Only one at sea

03

Kennels

Bring your pet

04

Library

8,000+ books

QM2’s cabin hierarchy is more layered than most ships. Your cabin choice doesn’t just determine where you sleep — it determines where you dine. The Grills system means suite guests have access to exclusive restaurants, lounges, and a private sun terrace that other passengers simply cannot enter.

Choose carefully based on what matters to you. An inside cabin gives you access to every show, every lecture, and every public space on the ship. A Queens Grill suite gives you all of that plus a ship-within-a-ship experience with butler service.

1. № 01150–194 sq ft

   Inside

   No natural light, but a perfectly comfortable base. You'll spend most of your time in QM2's magnificent public spaces. Ideal for budget-conscious travellers who treat the cabin as a place to sleep.

   • TV, safe, hairdryer
   • Nightly turndown service
   • 24-hour room service
   • Access to all restaurants and shows

   Budget travellers · First-timers · Solo cruisers

2. № 02210–249 sq ft

   Balcony

   Your private front-row seat to the Atlantic. Morning coffee watching the waves is unforgettable. On a transatlantic crossing with 5+ consecutive sea days, a balcony transforms the experience.

   • Private balcony with ocean views
   • Sitting area with sofa
   • Nightly turndown service
   • Access to all restaurants and shows

   Couples · Transatlantic crossings · Sea day lovers

3. № 03242–264 sq ft

   Club Balcony

   The smart upgrade from a standard balcony. Club Balcony guests dine in the exclusive Britannia Club — a single-seating restaurant with à la carte flexibility, rather than the two-sitting Britannia Restaurant.

   • Premium balcony location
   • Welcome sparkling wine
   • Britannia Club restaurant (flexible dining)
   • Priority embarkation

   Foodies · Flexible diners · Those wanting a premium touch

4. № 04335–513 sq ft

   Princess Grill Suite

   The ship-within-a-ship experience begins here. Princess Grill suites include a private restaurant, exclusive lounge, and a level of service that feels like a boutique hotel. It's a fundamentally different voyage.

   • Separate living area
   • Exclusive Princess Grill restaurant
   • Grills Lounge & Terrace access
   • Priority embarkation & tender
   • Concierge service

   Special occasions · Luxury seekers · Anniversaries

5. № 05506–2,249 sq ft

   Queens Grill Suite

   The pinnacle of ocean travel. Butler service, a private restaurant considered the finest at sea, pre-dinner canapés, and suites that rival five-star hotels. The Grand Duplexes (2,249 sq ft) are the largest suites afloat on an ocean liner.

   • Butler service
   • Exclusive Queens Grill restaurant
   • Grills Lounge & Terrace access
   • Pre-dinner canapés & in-suite dining
   • Pillow menu & premium amenities
   • Priority everything

   Once-in-a-lifetime trips · The golden-age experience

QM2’s entertainment is built around enrichment rather than spectacle. You won’t find waterslides or go-kart tracks — instead, there’s a full planetarium, RADA acting workshops, guest lecturers who are genuinely world-class, and a two-deck library with ocean views.

The daily programme on a sea day typically lists over 70 activities — from fencing and bridge to wine tasting and ballroom dancing. The Royal Court Theatre hosts West End–quality production shows every evening. And then there’s the simple pleasure of sitting in the Commodore Club with a cocktail, watching the Atlantic slide past.

QM2’s signature voyage — and the reason she exists. Seven nights between Southampton and New York, with five to six consecutive sea days. No ports, no rushing, nothing but sky and ocean in every direction. This isn’t a cruise — it’s a crossing.

Westbound, the clocks go back one hour each night — giving you a 25-hour day, every day. You arrive in New York with zero jet lag, passing the Statue of Liberty at dawn. Eastbound, the clocks go forward, but the experience is equally extraordinary. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most dramatic arrivals in all of travel.

While the transatlantic crossing is QM2’s signature, she sails a diverse programme covering the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and even a full world voyage. Her ocean liner credentials mean she handles open-ocean sectors better than any cruise ship, while her size opens up a world of activities on sea days.

We're currently tracking QM2 sailings to 9 destinations. Here’s what you can expect from each itinerary type.

1. 01

   Transatlantic Crossing

   7 nightsApr–Dec

   QM2's signature voyage. Southampton to New York (or reverse). Five to six sea days, two formal nights, and one of the last great travel experiences on Earth.

   Typical ports: Southampton → New York

2. 02

   Mediterranean

   10–14 nightsApr–Oct

   QM2 brings ocean liner grandeur to the Med. Typically ex-Southampton calling at Barcelona, Rome, Valletta, and more. Fewer ports of call than smaller ships, more time at sea.

   Typical ports: Southampton, Barcelona, Rome, Valletta, Dubrovnik

3. 03

   Northern Europe & Fjords

   7–14 nightsMay–Sep

   Spectacular Norwegian fjords, Iceland, and Baltic capitals. QM2's size means she can't enter the narrowest fjords, but the deep-water ports she visits are stunning.

   Typical ports: Southampton, Bergen, Geiranger, Reykjavik, St Petersburg

4. 04

   Caribbean

   14–21 nightsNov–Mar

   Round-trip from Southampton or New York with stops across the Caribbean. A mix of sea days and island calls — the ocean liner experience meets tropical warmth.

   Typical ports: Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, St Kitts, Curaçao

5. 05

   World Voyage

   99–118 nightsJan–Apr

   The ultimate QM2 experience. A full circumnavigation calling at 30+ ports across every ocean. Book a sector or the full voyage. Many passengers return year after year.

   Typical ports: Southampton → around the world → Southampton

6. 06

   Short Breaks

   2–4 nightsYear-round

   Short taster voyages — perfect for trying QM2 without committing to a longer sailing. Typically round-trip Southampton calling at Hamburg, Bruges, or simply at sea.

   Typical ports: Southampton, Hamburg, Bruges, Le Havre

Real prices from our live database, updated every time we crawl new fares. All prices are per person based on the lowest available cabin type.

We’re currently tracking 202 QM2 sailings, of which 100 have live pricing.

Cunard operates four ships, each with a distinct personality. QM2 is the flagship and the only ocean liner — but that doesn’t mean she’s the right choice for everyone. Here’s how they compare.

All four ships share Cunard’s signature elements: the Grills experience, afternoon tea, formal nights, and the White Star heritage. The difference is scale, modernity, and — crucially — the ocean liner factor.

Cunard and P&O Cruises are both owned by Carnival Corporation and both sail from Southampton — but they couldn’t be more different in atmosphere. Think of Cunard as the Savoy and P&O as a great Butlin’s — both excellent at what they do, but aimed at very different markets.

QM2 is heritage, formality, and intellectual enrichment. P&O’s Iona and Arvia are modern, relaxed, and entertainment-focused. Neither is better — they’re simply different.

QM2 attracts a specific kind of traveller — people who value tradition, intellectual curiosity, and the romance of ocean travel. She’s not for everyone, and that’s part of what makes her special. Here are the passengers who love her most.

1. № 01

   Ocean Liner Enthusiasts

   “You know the difference between a cruise ship and an ocean liner — and it matters to you.”

   QM2 is the only true ocean liner still in service. Her strengthened hull, deep draft, and 30+ knot speed set her apart from every other ship afloat. This is the real thing.

2. № 02

   Transatlantic Dreamers

   “You've always wanted to cross the Atlantic by sea, arriving into New York Harbor at dawn.”

   QM2 offers the only scheduled transatlantic service. Seven nights of open ocean, no jet lag, and a New York arrival that's unforgettable. The journey is the destination.

3. № 03

   Book Lovers & Intellectuals

   “You'd happily spend an entire voyage reading, attending lectures, and thinking.”

   The 8,000-book library, enrichment lectures, RADA workshops, and planetarium create the most intellectually stimulating environment of any ship. It's a floating university.

4. № 04

   Dog Owners

   “Your dog is part of the family — even on holiday.”

   QM2 is the only cruise ship in the world with kennels on board. The Kennel Club at Sea includes a dedicated kennel master, a fire hydrant, and a lamppost. Seriously.

5. № 05

   Anglophiles & Tradition Lovers

   “Afternoon tea, formal dinners, and white-gloved service are your idea of heaven.”

   Cunard's heritage stretches back to 1840. QM2 carries that tradition forward with genuine white-gloved afternoon tea, Gala evenings, and a dress code that people actually enjoy following.

6. № 06

   Special Occasion Celebrants

   “You're marking a milestone — anniversary, retirement, birthday — and want it to be extraordinary.”

   A Queens Grill suite with butler service, a transatlantic crossing, and champagne in the Commodore Club at sunset. Some experiences simply can't be replicated on any other ship.

QM2 has a few unique characteristics that first-timers should know about before boarding. None of them are problems — they’re part of what makes the experience special. But a little preparation goes a long way.

1. 01

   Pack for Formal Nights

   Cunard has the most traditional dress code at sea. On a 7-night voyage, expect 2 Gala evenings — black tie, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns. Other evenings are 'Smart Attire' (blazer and trousers / smart dress). Daytime is resort casual. Don't worry if you forget — the on-board shop sells formal wear.

2. 02

   Choose Your Cabin Wisely

   Mid-ship, lower-deck cabins have the least motion — important on a transatlantic crossing. Port side gives you Statue of Liberty views on the westbound approach to New York. If budget allows, a balcony transforms a crossing.

3. 03

   Book Your Dining Early

   The Verandah steakhouse fills up fast — book on embarkation day. For Britannia Restaurant, request your preferred sitting (early or late) at the time of booking. Club Balcony and above get flexible dining automatically.

4. 04

   Gratuities Are Automatic

   Cunard adds a daily gratuity (around £11.50 per person per day) to your onboard account automatically. You can adjust this at Guest Services, but the standard amount is expected and well-earned.

5. 05

   Bring Binoculars

   On a transatlantic crossing, you may spot dolphins, whales, and seabirds. On the final morning into New York, binoculars make the Statue of Liberty moment even more special. The promenade deck is the best viewing spot.

6. 06

   Afternoon Tea Is Non-Negotiable

   Go at least once. White-gloved waiters serve finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and pastries in the Queens Room to the sound of a live orchestra. It's a signature Cunard experience that costs nothing extra.

7. 07

   Book Early for Best Prices

   QM2 sailings (especially transatlantic crossings) sell well. Early booking gets you the best cabin location and price. Use FareTide to track price drops — last-minute deals do appear, but specific cabins sell out early.

8. 08

   Don't Over-Plan

   Especially on a crossing. The daily programme lists 70+ activities, but the magic of QM2 is the freedom to do nothing. Read a book in the library, walk the promenade, stare at the ocean. Let the ship set your pace.

The most common questions about Queen Mary 2 — answered honestly.