Cunard·Queen Mary 2

Queen Mary 2 - New England & Canada Independence Celebration

4.2(431 reviews)
via U.S. News & Cruise Critic · Jun 2026
|7 Nights|3 Ports|3 Sea Days

A round-trip from New York timed to America's 250th Independence Day, with Queen Mary 2 joining the Sail4th 250 celebrations before heading up the coast. The ocean liner calls at Gilded Age Newport and spends an overnight in Halifax, leaving unhurried sea days to enjoy the only true transatlantic liner in service.

SeniorsHistory BuffsCouples

Price Range

$$$

Premium

DepartureNew York, New York
Dress CodeFormal Nights
MealsIncluded
WiFiPaid

*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Cunard before booking.

Ship Details — Queen Mary 2

View full Queen Mary 2 details

Year Built

2004

Tonnage

149,215 GT

Passengers

2,695

Crew

1,253

Decks

13

Class

Ocean Liner

Itinerary & Route Map

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Onboard Amenities

Planetarium
Ballroom
Canyon Ranch Spa
Library
Theatre
Casino
Kennels
Swimming Pools
Specialty Dining
Fitness Center
Pub
Art Gallery
Queens Grill Restaurant
Princess Grill Restaurant
Britannia Restaurant
Canyon Ranch SpaClub
Royal Court Theatre
Illuminations Planetarium
Library (largest at sea)
Ballroom Dancing
King's Court Buffet
Golden Lion Pub
Kennels (Pets on Board)
Planetarium at Illuminations (only one at sea)
Kennels (Kennel Suite, Deck 12, only pet facility of its kind at sea)
Queens Room (largest ballroom at sea, ballroom dancing and afternoon tea)
Britannia Restaurant (main two-deck dining room)
Princess Grill and Queens Grill (single-seating premium restaurants for suite guests)
Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa (developed with Canyon Ranch; thermal suite, therapy pool)
Four pools with whirlpools
Commodore Club (forward observation lounge with live piano)
Golden Lion Pub (English pub with fish & chips, live music, quizzes)
Royal Court Theatre (West End-style productions)
Kings Court buffet
One of the largest libraries at sea
Verandah specialty restaurant and champagne bar
Maritime heritage walk and enrichment lecture program

Cruise Highlights

Departure tied to New York's 250th Independence Day celebrations with Sail4th 250
Newport, Rhode Island - Gilded Age mansions along the Cliff Walk
Overnight call in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Citadel and waterfront
Classic liner sea days with the Queens Room ballroom and planetarium

About the Ship

What Travelers Say About Queen Mary 2

Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Queen Mary 2 sailing. Based on 600 discussions.

Queen Mary 2 is not a cruise ship — she is the world's only true ocean liner in regular service, purpose-built to power across the North Atlantic on the historic Southampton-to-New York crossing. That heritage defines everything: a deeper, stronger hull that handles rough seas, a formal black-tie culture, white star service, and traditions like grand ballroom dancing and afternoon tea in the cavernous Queens Room. The vibe is elegant, civilized, and adult — a floating piece of Cunard history with the only planetarium at sea, a serious enrichment program, one of the largest libraries afloat, and even the only kennels at sea for guests crossing with their pets.

What People Love

  • 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

Common Complaints

  • 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
See the full Queen Mary 2 ship page — all 16 pros & cons, review & FAQs

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