blacksmithcrm
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2001
- Messages
- 114
This is comparing apples to oranges in many respects. The Queen Mary 2 is an ocean liner while the Magic is a cruise ship. They are very different experiences. That being said, I’ll offer my opinions of how they compare in a number of areas, name who I believe is the winner, and why I feel that way. Please remember, opinions are like belly buttons - everyone has one.
Enjoy!
THE SHIPS
Ship size – QM2.
At 152,000 tons QM2 is about 60,000 tons bigger than the Magic. It is longer (about 30 meters) and wider (about 10 meters). Our QM2 cabins were on deck 11 and 12. Magic does not have decks 11 and 12!
Sea stability – QM2
We had one day of Category 9 seas on board the QM2, and the ship plowed through them without a shutter. The Magic gets somewhat busy in anything over 2 meter seas. Again, the QM2 is an ocean liner and is designed to handle the north Atlantic. The Magic is a cruise ship built for the usually calmer waters of the Caribbean. Both ships are equipped with stabilizers.
Speed – QM2
Why would the Magic want to speed along?
Décor – QM2
But not by as much as some might think. The Magic is very well appointed. The QM2 is just a bit better
Public Areas (general) – Tie
Both ships are lovely. The QM2 has a classier feel, but on the Magic even the architecture seems to be having fun.
Main Dining Rooms. – Magic
The Britannia is incredible with its multiple decks and classic, spacious feel, but the themed dining rooms on the Magic really are part of the fun. The “show” in Animator’s Palette is always enjoyable.
Pools – Magic
The main indoor pool on deck 14 (yes, 14) on the QM2 is larger than any pool on the Magic. However, it is just a pool. The kids will have much more fun with the Magic’s pools and slide
THE COMPLIMENT
Crew Number- Tie
About the same ratio of staff per guest on both boats
Crew Attitude – Magic
Both crews are friendly, but the Magic’s crew seems more eager to please
Officers – Magic
Always smiling and quick to greet you in the public areas. QM2’s officers seemed a tad more reserved
Captain – Magic
The Captains on the DCL boats made more appearances and seemed more personable. The QM2 had a great one in Capt. Warrick, but he retired last year.
THE ROOMS
Cabin/Stateroom –– Tie
On both ships we were one class below the concierge level of service (A1 on QM2 – Cat. 4 on Magic). They were very much alike in square footage and level of appointment. Can’t go wrong with either one.
Cleanliness – Tie
Both were spotless.
Beds – QM2 by a hair
You won’t have any trouble sleeping on either ship
Cabin/Stateroom bathrooms – Magic (by far)
The Magic’s split bathroom is wonderful. That feature should be repeated on every ship.
Soaps/shampoo etc. - Tie
Canyon Ranch (QM2) vs. H2O (Magic). Both were fine.
THE AMENITIES
On Board shopping – QM2
The Magic’s two little shops were nice, but not nearly as nice as the QM2’s boutiques. Much greater variety of merchandise on QM2.
Art Auction – Tie
Hated them both. If I want to buy art I’ll go to a dealer.
Bingo – Tie
(see above comment and substitute “play bingo” and “Bingo hall” for “buy art” and “dealer” respectively – Thank you)
The Spa – Magic
After a good deal of financially exhaustive work, my lovely wife declared the Magic to be the winner. Both spas are wonderful, but she felt that the service on the Magic was just a touch better
Golf Simulator – QM2
Not offered on the Magic
Bridge Simulator – Magic
Not offered on the QM2
Library – QM2
Not available on the Magic
Planetarium – QM2
Not available on the Magic
Character appearances – Magic
Not even at gunpoint on the QM2
Adult activities/classes – QM2 by a whisker
Both ships have the obligatory wine tasting, martini tasting (etc.) classes but the QM2 also offers an Academy at Sea lecture series. You get Ballroom dancing lessions on QM2 vs. the Cha Cha slide on Magic
Children activities – Magic
But not by as much as you might think. QM2 does a surprisingly good job of making sure the youngest of passengers have a wonderful time while sailing.
Computer/Internet – Tie
Both have tiny places for computers and internet hookup. Both charge a pretty penny for it too.
Gym/Exercise facility – Magic
Both are well equipped and staffed, but the Magic’s has a better view!
THE DINING
Breakfast (sit-down) - QM2
Better menu + more choices + more elegant setting = easy call
Breakfast Buffet – QM2
DCL has a lot of room for improvement in this area. Everything tastes as if it had been cooked with a light bulb.
Lunch (sit-down) – Tie
Neither one was worth writing home about.
Lunch (Buffet) – QM2
The Kings Court had a great variety and very good quality. Much, much better stuff than at Topsiders.
High Tea – QM2
The Tea at Palo on the Magic was nice, but not as nice as the Tea in QM2’s Winter Garden. Cunard’s white glove service is wonderful.
Dinner- Specialty Restaurant – Magic
Palo is better than Todd English. There, I said it.
In all seriousness, we were really disappointed with the food quality and level of service in the Todd English restaurant. Palo, on the other hand, was exceptional in both areas.
Dinner – Normal dining – QM2
Tough call to make since the Magic’s dining can be a production in and of itself. In the end though, it comes down to the food. The Magic’s meals were good “wedding reception” quality while the QM2’s were better. In addition, the menus on the QM2 offered a greater variety.
A la carte dining – QM2
I’ll take the very good fish and chips at QM2’s Golden Lion over anything (and everything) served at Pluto’s any day of the week.
Waiters and Asst. Waiters – QM2
Both offer excellent service. Our QM2 waiter (Dan) did a better job in remembering our individual taste and drink preferences. We also didn’t get the “mark excellent on the card” speech on the QM2.
THE NIGHTLIFE
Casino – Magic
The Magic doesn’t have one, and to me that’s a good thing. The QM2’s casino was clean and not too noisy, but still had much more of a “Vegas” feel rather than “Monte Carlo” ambiance. The dealers and roulette attendants were positively funereal in terms of warmth and personality.
Movie Theatres – Magic
The QM2 show movies twice a day. Magic has ‘em all the time.
Stage Show Productions – Magic (by a wide margin)
While the QM2 has the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts onboard, I’d humbly suggest that they send them to the Magic to learn about show production. No way that they’re going to beat Disney on this one.
Stage Show Music – QM2
DCL goes too cheap here. The QM2 has a real live pit orchestra for their shows. It’s a shame that none of their singers could take advantage of it.
Night Clubs – QM2
Disney has a few but the QM2’s has more. From a Disco to a champagne bar to an English pub the QM2 excels in this aspect
Night Club Singers – Magic
QM2’s lounge lizard was too busy trying to sell his own cd’s to the passengers. When he was singing, he was a bad Bill Murray (SNL) knockoff.
Night Club Musicians – QM2
The QM2 has a tremendously talented musician named Colin Campbell. I’d go back just to hear him play the piano again. (He really is that good!)
Café/Coffee bar – QM2
I loved Cove Café, but Sir Samuels on QM2 is just plain better. Great coffee in both locations, but QM2’s had better pastries and better service
MISC.
- The average age of the adult passengers on the Magic would be (maybe) mid-thirties. On the QM2 it would have been closer to the late-sixties. Of the 2,600 people on board our trip the QM2 (in late August) they only had two dozen in the Kids “Zone” club
- While the QM2 dwarfs the Magic, they both carry about the same amount of passengers ((2,600)
- Pulling into port on the Magic and hearing the horns blow is neat. Barely slipping under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and gliding past the Statue of Liberty on the QM2 is breathtaking.
Enjoy!
THE SHIPS
Ship size – QM2.
At 152,000 tons QM2 is about 60,000 tons bigger than the Magic. It is longer (about 30 meters) and wider (about 10 meters). Our QM2 cabins were on deck 11 and 12. Magic does not have decks 11 and 12!
Sea stability – QM2
We had one day of Category 9 seas on board the QM2, and the ship plowed through them without a shutter. The Magic gets somewhat busy in anything over 2 meter seas. Again, the QM2 is an ocean liner and is designed to handle the north Atlantic. The Magic is a cruise ship built for the usually calmer waters of the Caribbean. Both ships are equipped with stabilizers.
Speed – QM2
Why would the Magic want to speed along?
Décor – QM2
But not by as much as some might think. The Magic is very well appointed. The QM2 is just a bit better
Public Areas (general) – Tie
Both ships are lovely. The QM2 has a classier feel, but on the Magic even the architecture seems to be having fun.
Main Dining Rooms. – Magic
The Britannia is incredible with its multiple decks and classic, spacious feel, but the themed dining rooms on the Magic really are part of the fun. The “show” in Animator’s Palette is always enjoyable.
Pools – Magic
The main indoor pool on deck 14 (yes, 14) on the QM2 is larger than any pool on the Magic. However, it is just a pool. The kids will have much more fun with the Magic’s pools and slide
THE COMPLIMENT
Crew Number- Tie
About the same ratio of staff per guest on both boats
Crew Attitude – Magic
Both crews are friendly, but the Magic’s crew seems more eager to please
Officers – Magic
Always smiling and quick to greet you in the public areas. QM2’s officers seemed a tad more reserved
Captain – Magic
The Captains on the DCL boats made more appearances and seemed more personable. The QM2 had a great one in Capt. Warrick, but he retired last year.
THE ROOMS
Cabin/Stateroom –– Tie
On both ships we were one class below the concierge level of service (A1 on QM2 – Cat. 4 on Magic). They were very much alike in square footage and level of appointment. Can’t go wrong with either one.
Cleanliness – Tie
Both were spotless.
Beds – QM2 by a hair
You won’t have any trouble sleeping on either ship
Cabin/Stateroom bathrooms – Magic (by far)
The Magic’s split bathroom is wonderful. That feature should be repeated on every ship.
Soaps/shampoo etc. - Tie
Canyon Ranch (QM2) vs. H2O (Magic). Both were fine.
THE AMENITIES
On Board shopping – QM2
The Magic’s two little shops were nice, but not nearly as nice as the QM2’s boutiques. Much greater variety of merchandise on QM2.
Art Auction – Tie
Hated them both. If I want to buy art I’ll go to a dealer.
Bingo – Tie
(see above comment and substitute “play bingo” and “Bingo hall” for “buy art” and “dealer” respectively – Thank you)
The Spa – Magic
After a good deal of financially exhaustive work, my lovely wife declared the Magic to be the winner. Both spas are wonderful, but she felt that the service on the Magic was just a touch better
Golf Simulator – QM2
Not offered on the Magic
Bridge Simulator – Magic
Not offered on the QM2
Library – QM2
Not available on the Magic
Planetarium – QM2
Not available on the Magic
Character appearances – Magic
Not even at gunpoint on the QM2
Adult activities/classes – QM2 by a whisker
Both ships have the obligatory wine tasting, martini tasting (etc.) classes but the QM2 also offers an Academy at Sea lecture series. You get Ballroom dancing lessions on QM2 vs. the Cha Cha slide on Magic
Children activities – Magic
But not by as much as you might think. QM2 does a surprisingly good job of making sure the youngest of passengers have a wonderful time while sailing.
Computer/Internet – Tie
Both have tiny places for computers and internet hookup. Both charge a pretty penny for it too.
Gym/Exercise facility – Magic
Both are well equipped and staffed, but the Magic’s has a better view!
THE DINING
Breakfast (sit-down) - QM2
Better menu + more choices + more elegant setting = easy call
Breakfast Buffet – QM2
DCL has a lot of room for improvement in this area. Everything tastes as if it had been cooked with a light bulb.
Lunch (sit-down) – Tie
Neither one was worth writing home about.
Lunch (Buffet) – QM2
The Kings Court had a great variety and very good quality. Much, much better stuff than at Topsiders.
High Tea – QM2
The Tea at Palo on the Magic was nice, but not as nice as the Tea in QM2’s Winter Garden. Cunard’s white glove service is wonderful.
Dinner- Specialty Restaurant – Magic
Palo is better than Todd English. There, I said it.
In all seriousness, we were really disappointed with the food quality and level of service in the Todd English restaurant. Palo, on the other hand, was exceptional in both areas.
Dinner – Normal dining – QM2
Tough call to make since the Magic’s dining can be a production in and of itself. In the end though, it comes down to the food. The Magic’s meals were good “wedding reception” quality while the QM2’s were better. In addition, the menus on the QM2 offered a greater variety.
A la carte dining – QM2
I’ll take the very good fish and chips at QM2’s Golden Lion over anything (and everything) served at Pluto’s any day of the week.
Waiters and Asst. Waiters – QM2
Both offer excellent service. Our QM2 waiter (Dan) did a better job in remembering our individual taste and drink preferences. We also didn’t get the “mark excellent on the card” speech on the QM2.
THE NIGHTLIFE
Casino – Magic
The Magic doesn’t have one, and to me that’s a good thing. The QM2’s casino was clean and not too noisy, but still had much more of a “Vegas” feel rather than “Monte Carlo” ambiance. The dealers and roulette attendants were positively funereal in terms of warmth and personality.
Movie Theatres – Magic
The QM2 show movies twice a day. Magic has ‘em all the time.
Stage Show Productions – Magic (by a wide margin)
While the QM2 has the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts onboard, I’d humbly suggest that they send them to the Magic to learn about show production. No way that they’re going to beat Disney on this one.
Stage Show Music – QM2
DCL goes too cheap here. The QM2 has a real live pit orchestra for their shows. It’s a shame that none of their singers could take advantage of it.
Night Clubs – QM2
Disney has a few but the QM2’s has more. From a Disco to a champagne bar to an English pub the QM2 excels in this aspect
Night Club Singers – Magic
QM2’s lounge lizard was too busy trying to sell his own cd’s to the passengers. When he was singing, he was a bad Bill Murray (SNL) knockoff.
Night Club Musicians – QM2
The QM2 has a tremendously talented musician named Colin Campbell. I’d go back just to hear him play the piano again. (He really is that good!)
Café/Coffee bar – QM2
I loved Cove Café, but Sir Samuels on QM2 is just plain better. Great coffee in both locations, but QM2’s had better pastries and better service
MISC.
- The average age of the adult passengers on the Magic would be (maybe) mid-thirties. On the QM2 it would have been closer to the late-sixties. Of the 2,600 people on board our trip the QM2 (in late August) they only had two dozen in the Kids “Zone” club
- While the QM2 dwarfs the Magic, they both carry about the same amount of passengers ((2,600)
- Pulling into port on the Magic and hearing the horns blow is neat. Barely slipping under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and gliding past the Statue of Liberty on the QM2 is breathtaking.
