Queen Mary 2 vs Queen Anne

Queen Mary 2

• Genuine ocean liner built for the open Atlantic — far more stable in rough seas than a typical cruise ship, which makes the Southampton-to-New York crossing a bucket-list experience
• The only planetarium at sea (at Illuminations) plus a serious enrichment program with guest lecturers, a huge library, and a maritime history walk celebrating Cunard's legacy
• Princess Grill and Queens Grill dining are repeatedly called among the best food experiences at sea, with single-seating service and dedicated restaurants for suite guests
• Formal, elegant traditions done well — black-tie gala nights, the grand Queens Room ballroom with proper dancing and afternoon tea, and a dress code that sets it apart from casual mega-ships
• The only kennels at sea (Kennel Suite on Deck 12), letting transatlantic guests travel with cats and dogs — complete with a New York fire hydrant and a Liverpool lamppost

• Technology lags badly — Wi-Fi is widely described as poor and expensive, there is no useful onboard app, and many cabins lack USB ports and adequate charging
• The Britannia main dining room and the Kings Court buffet get mixed-to-mediocre reviews, with complaints about limited variety and inconsistency compared to the excellent Grills
• The Grills 'ship-within-a-ship' concept feels weaker than rivals — lounges and deck space are dispersed rather than a cohesive exclusive enclave
• The layout is confusing to navigate, with an unconventional deck plan that baffles passengers used to standard cruise ship design
• The fitness center feels dated and 'unloved,' with minimal classes and no dedicated studio space

Queen Anne

• Stunning modern design widely called Cunard's most beautiful new ship since Queen Mary 2, with a double-height Britannia Restaurant and dramatic Queens Room ballroom
• Retractable-roof Pavilion Pool (magrodome) is rare on Cunard and usable in any weather
• Expanded Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa with thermal suite, heated loungers, experiential showers, and a salt sauna
• Top-tier specialty dining shines, especially Princess Grill and Aji Wa, plus Sir Samuel's Steakhouse and the Michel Roux-designed Golden Lion pub menu
• Authentic British ocean-liner character: formal gala nights, white-glove afternoon tea, ballroom dancing, and daily fish and chips

• Inconsistent, sometimes thin service is the most common first-year complaint, with crew described as undertrained relative to Cunard's famed White Star standard
• Feels crowded for its size - it carries notably more passengers than Queen Elizabeth without a proportional increase in space, causing food-hall congestion
• Popular shows (such as the Noir murder mystery and Bright Lights Society) sell out almost instantly
• Some specialty restaurants underwhelmed, with Aranya (Indian) repeatedly called bland and awkwardly placed near the buffet
• Extra-cost entertainment friction - the Bright Lights Society surcharge irks some Cunard regulars