THE PEOPLE
For this particular cruise the guest count was 2,509 passengers with an average age of 52 years. The break down by nationalities stated the United Kingdom to have 459 passengers on board, United States 445, Greece 213, and Germany 205. These four nationalities accounted for almost 53% of the total number of passengers. All the rest was scattered among 50 other nationalities. By the way, I asked for this figures at the purser’s office and they promptly provided them. It was the only time I needed their services and judging from this short experience I was well impressed. I still got the complete breakdown with me.

In fact the most commonly heard language was English, but also Greek, German, Russian and French. I particularly like the fact of being surrounded by many nationalities, since it gives me the opportunity of people watching. In fact, observing this bunch people from a secluded spot on the restaurant, theatre or swimming pool, was in its own, extremely interesting and an enriching experience. Observing the way people eat, speak, laugh, salute friends and family, and dress, was pretty much like sitting in front of the TV at home and watching a documentary of the ‘National Geographical Society’.

They all seemed well to do people, very few children and an overwhelming majority of elderly folks. However I would caution people with walking impairment, that this ship involves considerable amount of foot work. People on wheel chairs must bare in mind that there are elevators everywhere but the carpeting is heavy padded and depending on your weight, it may be difficult to get the wheels moving on. The ship was built in modules that were assembled together. Here and there around the alleyways I found surges on the floor that I suspect were the places of encasement of two different modules. Use caution not to stumble.

THE SHIP
Impressive, either from the outside or the inside. Whatever port we were docked at, there was people looking at it.

In my point of view, the designers of this ship were particularly happy, when they conceived the stern. In most modern ships I have been, this spot has several cabins with balconies and the impressive views that can be seen from this place is the tribute to the few passengers paying for such cabins. Obviously this is done in order to turn these spots into profit centres. The QM2 however has an amphitheatre like design on the stern, where they managed to accommodate two out of the five swimming pools the ship is provided with, three whirlpools and still lots of place for sunbathers, a terrace bar and a play zone for children. This place is also protected from the wind, during sailings. The only other ships where I have seen this design before are the remaining fleet of Cunard Line and in part of the fleet of the P&O. What a pity no other cruise lines turn this spots into the advantage of the majority of the passengers. The QM2 has also two other swimming pools placed on deck 12 midship, as in other ships, but obviously with no views to the outside. One of them has a retractable glass-roof, which was always shut, even if we only had rain in the last three days of the cruise. Floor on decks 7 (wraps entirely around the ship), 12 and outside aft areas of decks 8 through 12 is teak.

The interior is grandiose and tastefully decorated. Lots of paintings, the most part portraying the ships belonging to Cunard line since it was founded 160 years ago. Also lots of chandeliers that probably have cost fortunes.

Moving vertically around the ship is done through four stairways with elevators close to them. The stairways are identified by letters A (patrons of the carpeting on the stairs and elevators are green), B (red), C (grey) and D (yellow). Stairways A and D have banks of 3 elevators with the capacity of 20 passengers each, but I have to say I never saw them crowded. Stairways B and C have banks of six elevators with a capacity for 12 people each. Nevertheless they seemed already crowded with eight passengers. Probably the purveyor of such appliances thought, the QM2 passengers would very probably belong to some sort of undernourished and underdeveloped country from the sub-Saharan Africa. Whenever an elevators stops at a given deck, a metallic voice coming from an inside microphone and endowed with mechanical stubbornness, insists in announcing the number of the deck in overhenced decibels. This is particularly annoying when elevators are crowded (they often are on stairways B and C) and stop at almost each deck to let people pop in and off. From the second day on I was already prone to scream profanities to those microphones every time I heard ‘the voice’. There are also four other panoramic elevators forward and mid ship but they do not cover all the decks.

Since the QM2 has 13 decks and also deck 3L (L stands for lower and is located between decks 2 and 3 and consisting of 4 alleyways 2 starboard side and other 2 portside), lots of people would loose their way going from one place to another. The most common phrase I heard from those wondering around the maze or looking at the deck plans scattered around the ship was: ‘How my God! Am I lost?’

I am not going to describe all the venues around this ship since there are so many, however I will state those that much impressed me.

I have to say the library is stunning. They say it is the biggest aboard a ship.
The most anticipated ocean liner in the world also comes with an unprecedented cache of luxuries and innovations. Three-quarters of her staterooms have balconies. Lavish two-story duplexes even have their own private exercise equipment. Exciting restaurants like Todd English and Cunard's renowned Grills create the premier dining experience at sea. A space ratio of 57.25 makes her one of the roomiest vessels anywhere. Even that can't prepare you for the endless possibilities which occupy all this space - 14 decks of sports facilities, shops, bars, lounges, 5 pools and no fewer than 10 restaurants, a largesse which allows you the freedom to experience your own preferences and passions. Rejuvenate at the celebrated Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Or how about the classic British deck game of quoits? Try something novel. Learn something new! Cunard ConneXionsSM is almost like a college at sea, taking into account, of course, that you're on vacation. Or take a virtual ride into space at IlluminationsSM, the only planetarium afloat. EUROPE & THE AMERICAS WELCOME THE NEW QUEEN QM2 will spend her inaugural year in Europe, the Americas and crossing the Atlantic. Following her maiden voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, she'll winter in the Caribbean and visit Rio during Carnival. In April, QM2 will make her maiden 6-day eastbound Transatlantic crossing in tandem with her royal sister QE2. It will be an historic occasion, the first time two Queens have greeted each other in the North Atlantic since Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary in 1967. Throughout the year, QM2 will cross the Atlantic 14 more times including a magnificent Three Continents Cruise. You'll also see her sailing through the fjords of Norway, the Mediterranean, and along the rugged shores of New England and Canada.

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