Staterooms

Queen Mary 2 features a broad range of accommodations, from the most economical 194-square ft. inside cabins to lavish duplex suites. All in all, from the total of 1,310 cabins, 955 are fitted with the private balconies. As a rather unusual feature otherwise found only on Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships there are also 12 cabins looking out onto the atrium.

The largest number of cabins falls into the category of deluxe and premium balcony staterooms. The 248-square ft. (including the balcony) cabins are spread over six decks. They include a sitting area with a sofa, wardrobe space and bathroom with a shower. A handful of the cabins have also connecting doors and/or third berth as a single sofa bed. Be careful if booking a cabin with a connecting door, as the soundproofing could have been (much) better.

The desk is rather small, but can accommodate a laptop computer. The corners for both bathroom unit and a wardrobe are rounded which gives a feeling of more space. The wardrobe space itself is ample, and there is also a safe and drawer space. The colors of the cabins are light and airy.

The shower-only bathroom itself is spacious, but there is no light inside the shower, and as there is no shower door (instead a thick curtain), it is rather dark in there.

All cabins on Queen Mary 2 are also equipped with a fridge and the latest-generation interactive TV. Called QM2TV, it features several channels of movies, documentaries and satellite channels. Don't count on following your favorite channels every day as the lack of satellite connection during the crossing may cut all the programming, except the ship's own. Many shipboard activities, such as the celebrity lectures, can be watched on the TV later on. QM2 Interactive Television allows guests to order room service (I tried mine, and the breakfast order arrived on time in the morning), review your folio and order pay-per-view movies (from children movies to adult desires). As a hint: When reviewing your folio, please note that purchases necessarily don't show up immediately, but may appear there a day later.

Other comments: The balcony is spacious, but there is no teak flooring (except in a most expensive range of suites). The balcony furniture consists of plastic lounge chairs, but there are cushions; if your steward doesn't put them out, check under your bed. Cabins are also furnished with ashtrays, so prepare to smell smoke in your cabin (during my crossing, there was a smell of smoke during the entire voyage).

Duplex Apartment or Queen Mary & Elizabeth Suites Deck: Deck 9, Deck 10 Queen Mary & Elizabeth Suites Q2 and Duplex Apartment Suites Q2 feature master bedrooms with king-sized beds and bathrooms with whirlpool baths. Also included are private balconies, fully stocked bars, dining areas for eight, fresh flowers and fruit, and butler and concierge service. All units contain refrigerators, safes, velour robes with matching slippers, hairdryers, 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service, interactive TV systems providing multi-language digital film and music channels, direct-dial phones, data ports, email, and digital photograph preview capabilities. The Queen Mary & Elizabeth Suites include unique amenities such as secondary living areas with guest baths, marble floor entrances, and glass elevators providing access to the suites; approximately 1,076-sq.ft. suites with 118-sq.-ft. balconies. The Duplex Apartment Suites include unique amenities such as open stairways leading to the bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, exercise equipment, showers with body jets, powder rooms, home office corners, plasma screen TV systems, and balconies made of teak; Buckingham and Windsor Suites are approximately 1,291-sq.-ft. suites with 180-sq.-ft. balconies, while the Holyrood Suite is an approximately 1,345-sq.-ft. suite with a 221-sq.-ft. balcony.

Royal Suite Deck: Deck 10 Royal Suites Q3 feature master bedrooms with king-sized beds, floor-to-ceiling sloping windows, interactive TV systems in the living rooms and the master bedrooms, dining areas for four, guest baths, living rooms, and marble entryways. Other amenities include whirlpool tubs, walk-in closets, Frette linens, butler and concierge service, pre-dinner canapes, fresh flowers and fruit, and fully stocked bars. Additional amenities include refrigerators, safes, velour robes with matching slippers, hairdryers, 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service, interactive TV systems providing multi-language digital film and music channels, direct-dial phones, data ports, email, and digital photograph preview capabilities. Approximatelty 796-sq.-ft. suites.

Deluxe Balcony Stateroom Deck: Deck 11, Deck 12 Deluxe Balcony Staterooms B1 feature king-sized beds which may convert into two twins. The balconies feature furnished loungers and tables, and Plexiglas lower halves to enhance the ocean views. Other amenities include dual height coffee tables that may be used for en-suite dining, refrigerators, safes, robes with matching slippers, hairdryers, 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service, interactive TV systems providing multi-language digital film and music channels, direct-dial phones, data ports, email, and digital photograph preview capabilities. Approximately 194-sq.-ft. staterooms with 54-sq.-ft. balconies.

Standard Oceanview Stateroom Deck: Deck 6 Standard Oceanview Staterooms C1 feature king-sized beds which may convert into two twin beds, and dual-height coffee tables for en-suite dining. Other amenities include refrigerators, safes, robes with matching slippers, hairdryers, 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service, interactive TV systems providing multi-language digital film and music channels, direct-dial phones, data ports, email, and digital photograph preview capabilities. Approximately 194-sq.-ft. staterooms.