It was 7 nights over and 7 back. Separate 'voyages' but when the ship comes straight back they do roundtrip fares which are slightly cheaper than the 2 separate ones. Plus for some reason the first week was so ridiculously quiet they had absolutely amazing offers so we nabbed one of those. It worked in getting us hooked.
Because they do the Transatlantics on the QM2 regularly they offer so much to do onboard you could be doing something all the time. 3 lectures a day of different tastes, a Planetarium which has 4 different shows(we saw 3 of them). They use the Planetarium for some of the lectures as the dome goes up into the ceiling, and it is also the cinema. Other talks, a large computer area with lots of tutorials, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts folk who do some presentations but also tutorials too. Many dancing lessons, usual folded napkin stuff, carved ice or veggies etc. They have a card's room and offer Bridge classes. Art classes, flower arranging classes, games around the ship like darts in the pub and outside ones if weather good enough. Usual ones.
One thing we loved were the musicians around the place. There was a harpist and string quartet plus about 3 different pianists with different styles. They move around areas and bars particularly during the late afternoon and evenings. The harpist and string quartet alternated playing during dinner. Lovely.
Food was lovely. They dealt with my diet fantastically, 100% better than
DCL and also better than Celebrity. Our head waiter was marvellous and we had great waiters too. I don't have much experience of course but I get the impression the waiters are not as familiar with you as the DCL ones are, more like good restaurant waiters if you know what I mean. Very professional(not saying DCL ones aren't, just trying to describe)
They do afternoon tea every day either in the buffet or to be special, in the ballroom, served to you with the waiters wearing white gloves!! Fab experience. Also the harpist or string quartet played. Very posh.(though it really isn't) That is free but a couple of times they offer a Champagne Afternoon Tea which you pay for and also a couple of times they do an Afternoon Tea Dance. I meant to go to one of those just to watch and enjoy.
We don't bother much with the shows but the main ones with the onboard singers and dancers were spectacular. There is dancing every night in the large ballroom but 3 nights are themed, 2 they call balls. One a Black and White Ball so they suggest dressing in black and white, and the other is a Royal Ascot Ball so they have a hat making session during the day for ladies to make hats and then they can wear them to the ball!!! One night is Big Band night and I did so want to go and listen to the band but i was so tired. There are 2 orchestras onboard, one for the dancing and one for the shows.
They have a huge library, the largest at sea, plus an attached bookshop which is really good. There is an English pub, a Champagne Bar and lots of other bars of course, one of which is a coffee bar too but the coffee is rubbish and I told them so!!!
There are loads of little seating areas. Some just by portholes to look out to sea on the lower deck and some along the side of the theatre which have board games and jigsaws out on card tables for you to idle your time away.
So much to see around the ship. It is a big ship with lots of areas you might never find and it is good exploring. You can go at certain times to a viewing area behind the bridge and watch the captain etc working. That was fun. There are kennels onboard too!! Coming back there were 13 dogs onboard, 11 in the kennels and 2 working dogs in staterooms. You can go up and see them when they are walking on their bit of deck with their owners.A bit different.
I think I am coming to the end and I have missed the normal spa stuff and lectures, onboard tours. We didn't have port days other than NY. We sat in public places or bars and people watched. Formal nights were fantastic. We watched the gamblers in the casino too which was interesting.
Any questions just ask. The Transatlantics they are trying to recreate the early days of sea crossings. No good if you hate sea days though of course. The QM2 is the only true liner and is made for ploughing through rough seas. We had very rough seas a few days but it was fantastic. The other 2 Cunard ships are cruise ships but Cunard still call them liners!!
humph... no ship infested with mice... 
One day Michelle though I know it seems like it will never happen. I am sure it will. How about setting your goal for now on a different vacation that wouldn't be as hard to reach. The seaside somewhere if you like the sea. I know even that might be difficult to reach just now but you never know!!
I do.. it's just Susan's cabin when she's not there... a few days here and there.. it does start to get to you when you can't get away someplace new after a while... kind of stuck in a rut...
I am glad you are putting up your little tree. I always think the Christmas lights brighten our souls a little and making the effort will make you feel like you have done something!!
I'm trying to laugh about it...
