Author Topic: Negative Opinions of QM2.  (Read 5383 times)

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Offline Oceanic

Negative Opinions of QM2.
« on: Dec 06, 2017, 11:13 PM »
I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss; It seems while QM2 has a great deal of avid followers, myself included, many still seem to observe QM2 with a great deal of distain.

So I ask you, what about the ship itself do you dislike? Or, if you are a fan of her, which of her many features do you admire and enjoy.
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Offline Trevor Harris

Re: Negative (And Positive) Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #1 on: Dec 06, 2017, 11:38 PM »
I don't have many negative opinions on QM2. However one of them is that I feel like her superstructure is too high, which makes her funnel so squatty.
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Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #2 on: Dec 07, 2017, 08:34 AM »
Having travelled on both QE2 and QM2 almost the same number of times, I have two dislikes. QM2 is too big, we have met fellow passengers early on in our trips to never see them again, whereas QE2 was just the right size and one would often meet fellow passengers from earlier in the trip several times more. Also, QM2 is much more obviously commercial (Canyon Ranch, extra surcharge dining options - however she has more dining options). It should be pointed out QE2's Lido had themed nights (such as Indian with the relevant chefs) whereas in QM2's equivalent the King's Court these themed nights are extra surcharge dining options (albeit slightly more upmarket). I like QM2 but QE2 will never be replaced or matched due to her uniqueness. Having said that QM2 is unique in her own way too. Finally QM2 isn't quite as happy a ship (crew cuts, larger ship etc.).

Having said the above I still love QM2 partly as she is the only Ocean Liner left in active service doing what she's designed for. Also she is very imposing and magnificent (including her funnel when onboard), the largest Ocean Liner ever built.

Thomas
« Last Edit: Dec 07, 2017, 08:37 AM by Thomas Hypher »
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #3 on: Dec 07, 2017, 09:01 AM »
If QE2 had remained in service there probably would have been charges introduced for the themed evenings in The Lido.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #4 on: Dec 07, 2017, 09:05 AM »
If QE2 had remained in service there probably would have been charges introduced for the themed evenings in The Lido.

Most likely with Cunard's (Carnival UK's) direction in recent years. However the themed evenings on QM2 have always been extra surcharge I think (they were in 2008).
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #5 on: Dec 07, 2017, 10:34 AM »
There was not a charge for for Lido dining when QM2 came out. Just as there was not a charge for Todd English when she came out - the charge was introduced when a physical fight broke out among passengers queuing to get a reservation!! As soon as the charge was introduced demand collapsed rather than slow demand. Which is why Cunard Club passengers got free lunches etc.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #6 on: Dec 07, 2017, 10:42 AM »
There was not a charge for for Lido dining when QM2 came out. Just as there was not a charge for Todd English when she came out - the charge was introduced when a physical fight broke out among passengers queuing to get a reservation!! As soon as the charge was introduced demand collapsed rather than slow demand. Which is why Cunard Club passengers got free lunches etc.

Wow, that's quite shocking to be honest! Do World Club members (of a certain tier of course) still get some or one free of surcharge meal/s?
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #7 on: Dec 07, 2017, 10:44 AM »
I think Diamond and Platinum get a free lunch. Its a wheeze to fill the place at lunchtime as lunch sales dire compared to poor dinner sales.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #8 on: Dec 07, 2017, 10:46 AM »
I think Diamond and Platinum get a free lunch. Its a wheeze to fill the place at lunchtime as lunch sales dire compared to poor dinner sales.

That's a tiny bit of incentive for me then lol.
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Offline Pete Hamill

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #9 on: Dec 07, 2017, 12:38 PM »
To answer the original question, QM2 has some unusual features with the location of some of the restaurant and rooms - I mentioned these in a reply to Michael's post regarding supplementary charge restaurants.

When we knew our time on QE2 was coming to an end, we were glad when QV came along because we felt QM2 was too big (mainly in terms of passenger capacity putting us off).
However, having travelled on QM2, it becomes apparent that the passenger capacity is in proportion to her ability to accommodate them and she is not cramped or over-populated.
Her larger dimensions mean her main corridors are much wider than expected and this gives her more of a spacious land-locked hotel feel.
Her Chart Room bar is a fantastic space akin to a country house hotel.
The Planetarium is also a neat feature (if all of the seats worked properly) and I have experienced some great films in there.

QM2 is a nice ship - not my favourite and not a patch on you-know-who!

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #10 on: Dec 07, 2017, 12:41 PM »
QM2 has an incredible passenger space ratio in the mid 50's which is on a par with Seabourn, Seven Seas, Silverseas etc and unlike any ship of her size. Her standard cabins are, again, a great 191 square feet. She could easily accommodate 1,000 more passengers just as the smaller Ventura and Azura do.

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #11 on: Dec 07, 2017, 01:40 PM »
I have a high opinion of QM2 - I quite like the feeling of space on her which gives you the choice of mingling or (if you feel so inclined) you can get away from it for a while in your own space.

I find her design interesting - especially with all the little design features based on previous ocean liners.

Her sea keeping is first class although her stabiliser reactions in certain seas make her movement feel "awkward" and she can shift along when required too - maybe not to the speeds QE2 attained but for something that size its impressive.

We have not sailed since 2012 and we felt that since we first sailed (Soton - NY 2006) the standards of service were coming down and she was sailing WAY too slowly (around 16knts) which was quite uncomfortable at times and made both myself and Shelagh feel quite sick at times. As soon as they took her above 18/20knts everything was fine. I am presuming that due to her design intent the hull form will perform better at higher speeds.

QE2 and QM2 are obviously have one big thing in common - they were / are specifically designed to be "Ocean Liners that do Cruising too" but they were conceived in very very different times indeed so direct comparison on a lot of points is not possible or indeed fair.

These days if you want to remain with Cunard and like the more cosy homely feel then QV is your ship! Shes not an ocean liner but I got a nice vibe when we were on her in 2010. A happy ship.

Back to the point - not everyone will like her but I personally am very glad someone had the guts to build her.

Gav


Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #12 on: Dec 07, 2017, 01:56 PM »
I have a high opinion of QM2 - I quite like the feeling of space on her which gives you the choice of mingling or (if you feel so inclined) you can get away from it for a while in your own space.

I find her design interesting - especially with all the little design features based on previous ocean liners.

Her sea keeping is first class although her stabiliser reactions in certain seas make her movement feel "awkward" and she can shift along when required too - maybe not to the speeds QE2 attained but for something that size its impressive.

We have not sailed since 2012 and we felt that since we first sailed (Soton - NY 2006) the standards of service were coming down and she was sailing WAY too slowly (around 16knts) which was quite uncomfortable at times and made both myself and Shelagh feel quite sick at times. As soon as they took her above 18/20knts everything was fine. I am presuming that due to her design intent the hull form will perform better at higher speeds.

QE2 and QM2 are obviously have one big thing in common - they were / are specifically designed to be "Ocean Liners that do Cruising too" but they were conceived in very very different times indeed so direct comparison on a lot of points is not possible or indeed fair.

These days if you want to remain with Cunard and like the more cosy homely feel then QV is your ship! Shes not an ocean liner but I got a nice vibe when we were on her in 2010. A happy ship.

Back to the point - not everyone will like her but I personally am very glad someone had the guts to build her.

Gav

I mostly agree with you Gavin (or do you prefer Gav?) except I have not travelled on QV and am not overly keen to do so along with QE for a few reasons including the obvious one!

I gave my negatives on QM2 but they are certainly not deal breakers for me unless standards of service (quality of the Cunard product) have fallen off a cliff since I was last onboard in August 2014 (when them dropping was very noticeable to me and my Dad too and we are not sticklers etc. that some people out there are). I suppose I will find out over the next couple of years when I hope to travel on her again as a passenger (if not a Deck Officer or Cadet onboard by that time as is my dream). In my opinion QM2's positives still very much outweigh the negatives I pointed out as part of my opinion except in regards to standards of service which is probably the case across the fleet anyway.
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Offline Oceanic

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #13 on: Dec 07, 2017, 05:27 PM »
I have a high opinion of QM2 - I quite like the feeling of space on her which gives you the choice of mingling or (if you feel so inclined) you can get away from it for a while in your own space.

I find her design interesting - especially with all the little design features based on previous ocean liners.

Her sea keeping is first class although her stabiliser reactions in certain seas make her movement feel "awkward" and she can shift along when required too - maybe not to the speeds QE2 attained but for something that size its impressive.

We have not sailed since 2012 and we felt that since we first sailed (Soton - NY 2006) the standards of service were coming down and she was sailing WAY too slowly (around 16knts) which was quite uncomfortable at times and made both myself and Shelagh feel quite sick at times. As soon as they took her above 18/20knts everything was fine. I am presuming that due to her design intent the hull form will perform better at higher speeds.

QE2 and QM2 are obviously have one big thing in common - they were / are specifically designed to be "Ocean Liners that do Cruising too" but they were conceived in very very different times indeed so direct comparison on a lot of points is not possible or indeed fair.

These days if you want to remain with Cunard and like the more cosy homely feel then QV is your ship! Shes not an ocean liner but I got a nice vibe when we were on her in 2010. A happy ship.

Back to the point - not everyone will like her but I personally am very glad someone had the guts to build her.

Gav
This just about sums up my opinion of QM2 perfectly, as far as modern ships are concerned she is the best you can, and will ever, get. Considering just how much effort and cost went into her planning and construction we, unless something major changes, will never see the likes of her again; I've been on board both QM in Long Beach and QM2 during her Atlantic crossings, you get the impression that they are cut from the same cloth. As for QV she is by far my favorite of the two Vista Sisters, as you said a very happy ship!   
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Online cunardqueen

Re: Negative Opinions of QM2.
« Reply #14 on: Dec 07, 2017, 05:58 PM »
Iv never sailed on QM2, but have done a couple of preview tours and the Princes Trust lunch. My own thoughts shes to big and l have neither the wish nor desire to sail on her. l did think the lunch portions seemed on the small side compared to QE2. i did however like the Queens Room.     
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