Docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the majestic Queen Mary 2 cuts an imposing figure with her sleek black hull, tiers of white decks and signature red funnel. Royal in both lineage and bearing, Cunard Line’s largest, newest and fastest ship afloat exudes a regal, commanding presence.
Admirers arrive eager to sail the seas in her company and to savor, if just for a week, Cunard Line’s tradition of continental elegance aboard a luxury ocean liner. I am among those passengers, along with my husband Stuart, who as the author of 14 books was invited by Cunard Line to be a guest lecturer on a seven-day Caribbean cruise. From the moment we stepped on board, the experience was a royal treat.
Entering the ship to the lilting strains of a harp, we were immediately captivated by her classic beauty. Richly appointed from bow to stern, the Queen Mary 2 was primarily designed by Tillberg Design, a family-owned Swedish-based company with offices in London and Fort Lauderdale. The other firm involved with the ship’s interior design was London-based Designteam.
“We did 80 percent of the interiors, mainly from our London office,” says Tomas Tillberg, who heads the Fort Lauderdale office. “Our basic concept was to build on the heritage of Cunard’s great ships yet make it very up to date. We used Art Deco styling throughout but not too strongly because we didn’t want the ship to appear dated.”
Set within a light-filled atrium, the Grand Lobby makes a lasting first impression. Classic, white columns define a circular conversation area, where groupings of chairs, love seats and tables are arranged. Wide promenades with mirrored-glass murals and metallic bas-reliefs radiate from the Grand Lobby, while a sweeping twin stairway curves upward to a gallery of shops.
“There are 2,600 passengers and over 1,200 staff members on board, but it never feels crowded like other ships I’ve worked on,” cruise hostess Amanda Reid says. “The high ceilings and feeling of space are unique to this ship.”
Like a small city, the 13-deck ship bustles with activity as passengers follow the promenades to partake in the array of activities and programs, as well the variety of dining experiences available. Restaurants and bar areas range from the lively G32 Disco and romantic Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar to the tropical Winter Garden and Mediterranean-themed Todd English Restaurant.
Our most exciting dining experience, however, was with the ship’s captain, Commodore Ron Warwick, and his wife, Kim, in the elegant Britannia Restaurant. Designed with a sense of grandeur, the two-story restaurant features an illuminated glass dome and towering double columns that underscore its lofty interior.
It’s easy to feel special in such surroundings, especially when treated to impeccable service, gourmet cuisine and interesting conversation. “We’ve had some celebrities sail with us,” Kim mentions at dinner. “Actor John Cleese and writer Dick Francis have been on board. Singer Shirley Bassey sailed on our inaugural voyage. Our trips are long, so we seem to attract more financiers and bankers.”
Each day offered a different experience: high tea in the afternoon; classes or lectures, a rejuvenating visit to the Canyon Ranch Spa; a nightly show at the Royal Court Theatre; or gaming in the Empire Casino. We could even take a trip to outer space in the Illuminations Planetarium. From dawn to dusk, our time aboard the Queen Mary 2 was a royal experience.
For cruise information, visit Cunard Line’s website at www.cunard.com.