Queen Mary 2 - overview and thoughts (Copy)

Transatlantic trip from Brooklyn NY USA to Southampton England. This is the first post in a series that will hit on ‘overview’ and any special notes, food, entertainment/wifi, spaces on the ship, and what to do over 8 days at sea.

This was my first ever ‘cruise’ though they will repeatedly say it ISN’T a cruise. I have nothing to compare it to!

Getting there - we flew into JFK the day before the trip, just to make sure we didn’t miss it! We found an award stay in an IHG hotel (I wouldn’t recommend and area - the hotel was fine). It did end up being about $150 taxi ride from JFK…but that was due to some crashes on the freeway. Had I to do it again, I may have tried to get away from the airport before getting an uber. It was extremely over priced. Brooklyn was cold and windy - the neighborhood we ended up being in was just far enough from the fun/cute parts of Brooklyn that we didn’t end of doing anything. Considering we had real travel insurance for the entire trip, I think I would have just flown in that same morning instead.

Getting to the ship - we waited a lot longer than we really needed to - as the second we went through screening and photos, we got on the ship. I’m not sure if this was because a good chunk of the ship was traveling on from a Caribbean section of travel (UK to NY to Caribbean and back - over Christmas and New Years) or if they always allow you on whenever. Had I to do this part again, I would have gotten on board earlier.

My recommendation and we DID NOT test this, bring a couple extra bottles of wine - pack them in different bags. As long as you are OK with them taking them (something that didn’t seem to be a thing), I think you would be okay. Our table mates at dinner who have done the trip multiple times recommended this - we didn’t get the drinks package either. Honestly, I wouldn’t have gotten the drinks package. Considering I’m a daily wine drinker, this is saying something. I honestly enjoyed the break or just paying for a glass or two a couple nights. I DID drink my body weight in mint tea. Oh it was sooo good - mixed the mint with green for my breakfast or anytime caffeine hit. Honestly, the coffee was pretty terrible. It was so bad, that my husband resorted to using the instant coffee that they leave in the rooms as it tasted better. In the future, I may recommend getting the nonalcoholic/coffee package. I think I would have used that a ton and it did come with some extra fancy tea options too.

We went out to wave goodbye to the U.S. and we had seen prior videos showing this and it had looked like they were handing out free sparkling wine - this was not the case. Additionally, we went to dinner expecting a free drink at least the first night, again this didn’t happen. We DID get invited to the new to cunard night and got a number of free drinks - but that was the only time. They did provide a full bottle (not a half bottle we had been seeing) as a welcome drink - it was nice, but we didn’t drink it until the last night.

Once you are on board - literally drop all your stuff off and GO TO THE LIBRARY!!!! This should be your first stop to get the best selection of books. You can check out 2 at a time - luckily, my husband didn’t find anything he wanted, so I got three. I turned each one in when I finished it and I did read all three rather long books. I am an avid reader and my son set up my kindle, but for whatever reason it didn’t load and the internet at the hotel didn’t work…anyway, thankful for the library! Additionally, having a physical book to read was easier on the motion sickness issues.

The other perk I would have used that I didn’t opt for - because I really wasn’t sure if I was going to be a total mess on the floor with sea sickness (thankfully I wasn’t) - but would have or will in the future is the cruise pass 8 days to the thermal area. I probably wouldn’t have opted for the other stuff, but maybe…They REALLY do push this stuff a lot, but it would have been really nice to go do a steam after getting cold walking the deck.

This was a photo of the options provided for the 8 day transatlantic cruise Jan 3, 2026.

We also didn’t get the internet package - we did use the redbull meritime esim. Shockingly, it worked great and was much cheaper than the onboard wifi. Interestingly, we couldn’t get it to work very well up on deck - but also couldn’t get the free one hour wifi that everyone gets to work in our room on deck 6. Luckily, the work project I had planned on doing while on the boat fell through and it was a real vacation.

Overall impression - the boat is really large - they do provide you with a little map in the keycard (but only one). I’m sure you can get another at the Purser Desk. A couple things with that desk - there is ALWAYS a line. After I went once, I just called the two other times and was faster and easier.

Note - if you are like me and NEED conditioner for your hair, they do provide a full bottle for free of the same great product. You just have to ask.

Another key thing we did was to ask for two separate comforters - we had it set up as a king bed. The separate comforters was essential! Do note, that they did not change the sheets at all during the trip. I asked about halfway through for a new set and was brought the one sheet (no pillow cases) and had to make up the bed myself. Whatever, I didn’t really mind, but was surprised.

Bed layout - I know some rooms have beds that would be ‘in line’ with the boat, so instead of rocking side to side, you would rock head to foot. I’m not sure this would be a huge issue, as you could always sleep the ‘wrong way’ on the bed. I did get used to the sway side to side! I’m not sure I’d like the head to foot rocking — this would be an issue if you have any acid reflux concerns.

Laundry - oh boy - this is a big one. Figure out where those are early and don’t be the person that takes up multiple units at once! The sign on the door says opens at 7:30, this was anywhere from 6:50 to 7:20ish. We did laundry twice and the second time I just went early and sat outside the door waiting for them to open it. You will have to look at the signs in the halls to find the laundry. Soap IS provided.

I’d say the biggest disappointment was the food selection - the options for vegan protein were almost zero. I have seen videos saying people had no issues with getting extra tofu or vegan burgers - this was not the case for the January 2026 crossing. I’ll go more into that here. You absolutely won’t starve and maybe my expectations were too high, but it was a low point.

Getting fresh air - this was key and luckily it wasn’t too cold that we couldn’t get out at least for a little while every day.