Family Adventures at Sea: A Transatlantic Journey on the Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2 is known for its timeless luxury and impeccable service. Whether you're traveling as a couple or as a family, the boat offers something for everyone. For families with young children who might dread a long plane journey across the Atlantic, this crossing is a perfect alternative — combining adventure and elegance with plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. For us, it was the ideal way to slow down and enjoy time together as a family while experiencing the glamor of a bygone era.

Check-in:

Our check-in experience was remarkably smooth. From the moment we arrived at Brooklyn Port, it was clear that Cunard had mastered the art of efficient boarding. Despite the ship's size and the number of passengers, we were checked in and settled in our room within an hour, allowing us to begin our adventure without any hassle.

The room:

We opted for an inside cabin, thinking we’d spend most of our time exploring the ship, so it wouldn't matter if we didn't have a window. While the room was spacious and comfortable, with a fold-down bed for our son and two twin beds for us, we underestimated the importance of natural light. As the ship gradually adjusted its time zone by an hour each day, we had hoped to ease into the new time zone. But without natural light, it was difficult to stay on track. When we do this crossing again, we’ll definitely choose a room with a window or balcony. Aside from that, the room itself was perfect — immaculately clean and surprisingly roomy for a ship cabin. Our dedicated cleaners, one from India and one from the Philippines, were amazing. They were so friendly and kept our area absolutely spotless.

The boat:

The Queen Mary 2 is nothing short of a stunner. This ship exudes elegance, with stylish lounges, colorful art deco paintings and a modern art gallery that surprised us with how cool and interesting its collection was. Fresh flower arrangements greeted us in the Grand Lobby, where a pianist played in the afternoons, and every corner of the ship was beautifully maintained. There wasn’t a worn carpet or shabby seat covering in sight. Everything was elegant, yet comfortable. It's also filled with wonderful nooks and crannies, and one of my favorites was the library. The library is absolutely beautiful, with small clusters of leather chairs perfect for curling up with a book. And there are plenty of books to choose from — 8,000, in fact! We loved how the library wound around, giving us the feeling of exploring as we wandered through it. The spiral staircase inside the library is also really impressive and really adds to the sense of grandeur.

Food:

The food was consistently excellent. At dinner, we had a dedicated table, waiter, sommelier and dining time. It was lovely to stroll into the room and greet our waiter, Ryan, and to have our sommelier know us by name and remember what kind of wine we liked. Every dinner felt like fine dining, and we enjoyed the meals tremendously. The menu was different every day, too. We never actually made it to the more formal breakfast, because we were never all awake by the time it closed. Instead, we would make our way to the all-day buffet on the seventh floor. This was our go-to place for breakfast and lunch, and it was a casual and tasty way to eat these two meals. High tea was served every day at 3:30 on the dot by waiters with white gloves, offering tea alongside delectable little cakes, scones and sandwiches. The experience of being at high tea felt genteel and English, and we loved it. This was our son’s favorite "meal" of the day!

Onboard experiences:

With so many activities to choose from, we had to think carefully about how to spend our time. We spent some time lounging in deck chairs, reading and hopping between the pool and hot tub. But on other days, we were more ambitious. One of my favorite experiences was taking a watercolor class with my son, led by the ship’s resident artist. There was a fencing class available, too, which I don't think is very common on cruise ships. Meanwhile, my husband took part in the near-daily paddle tennis tournaments, even winning one with his partner!

The evening entertainment was another highlight. We saw a variety of shows, from comedians and musical performances to dance shows. The entertainment was consistently good, but one of the most unique aspects of our trip was that it was the Queen Mary 2’s 400th transatlantic crossing. To mark the occasion, there were special maritime lectures, including a talk by the man who designed the ship! One of my favorites was a session on the history of zeppelin travel, which included news that zeppelins might be making a comeback as a mode of transportation. Although these experts were brought on specifically for this special crossing, there is always an Insights Series featuring different expert lectures on all sorts of topics. We loved this aspect of the trip!

Spa:

The Queen Mary 2 boasts an incredible 20,000-square-foot spa. I visited the exclusive indoor thermal suite pool on deck seven, which requires an additional fee but was well worth it. The spa also includes steam rooms, saunas and a relaxation lounge. I also got an Elemis facial, which was an indulgent experience, delivered by a skilled aesthetician from South Africa. After spending two blissful hours there, I left feeling completely relaxed. The staff throughout the ship, including the spa, hail from all over the world, adding to the cosmopolitan atmosphere onboard. While the spa is luxurious and fabulous, the fitness room is on the lowest level of the boat and feels a bit like... a basement. That said, the fitness classes themselves were great and still very enjoyable.

Kids Club:

On the sixth floor, there is a wonderful dedicated Kids Club. It's large and filled with natural light, and has different zones inside it. They have an area with computers for kids to play video games. For my son, who tends to be quite restricted on his video game access, this was a real treat. They also have a huge selection of board games, activities like face paintings, and movie nights. It was a great place to hang out. We had to book it in advance, but it was never full, and we could do this at the last minute. We got into the habit of taking our son down to the Kids Club for a few hours after dinner. Meanwhile, my husband and I would go to one of the swanky lounges and enjoy a quiet cocktail by ourselves. It worked out great for all of us!

A quiet escape:

As much as we loved the planned activities, some of the best moments were the quieter ones. Our family spent a lot of time in the hot tub, chatting with fellow passengers and simply watching the horizon. It was here that we met some of the most well-traveled people, exchanging stories and learning about their adventures. One lovely woman told us about her time working for Queen Elizabeth and how she met her husband while he was singing karaoke in Florida. We also befriended a couple from Tennessee who live near country stars like Billy Ray Cyrus and Wynonna Judd — they shared how down-to-earth their famous neighbors are. A pair of financiers from Connecticut, seasoned travelers who frequently take back-to-back Cunard cruises, filled us in on their favorite routes around the world. One afternoon, while soaking in the hot tub and chatting with these fascinating people, we were all lucky enough to spot a pod of whales — a magical moment we won’t soon forget.

The vibe:

The Queen Mary 2 has a reputation for being a more formal boat, and this is true. It's also one of the reasons people choose the Queen Mary 2 over many other companies. The experience of being on board evokes a bygone era of elegance and glamor, where people dressed for dinner. It barely exists anymore, but it does on the Queen Mary. We didn't find this to be stuffy, though. Everyone was wonderfully friendly, including the other guests. But it did elevate the experience and added to the sense of charm and occasion that we felt with the entire crossing. For us, the ship provided the perfect balance of adventure, elegance and relaxation.

Conclusion:

The Queen Mary 2 provided our family with an unforgettable experience of luxury, adventure, and connection. It was the perfect way to cross the Atlantic, offering elegance and sophistication without sacrificing fun and relaxation. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to a long plane ride or simply want to experience the grandeur of a classic ocean liner, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is a fantastic choice for families, couples and travelers seeking something special. We can’t wait to sail again!

Lastly, Cunard now uses Starlink for internet access, and we found the charge to be very reasonable with excellent connectivity throughout the trip. You’ll use two online platforms during your journey: "MyCunard" for pre-boarding information and planning, and "MyVoyage" once on board for daily schedules and ship information.

This trip can either start in Southampton, England or in Brooklyn, New York. We have wonderful hotels in both locations. On the New York side, it’s worth spending a few days and catching a show on Broadway. Our family stayed at the historic Iroquois Hotel in the Theater District and saw Little Shop of Horrors the night before we sailed — it was such a fun way to start the trip! On the Southampton side, we visited nearby Stonehenge and stayed a few nights in Bristol at the elegant Marriott Hotel before flying back.

As a certified Commodore with Cunard — the highest level of training they offer — and I’m here to help you book your Cunard voyage and ensure you receive extra perks along the way. Let me take care of the details so you can experience the elegance and tradition of a Cunard transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2!

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only true transatlantic ocean liner, not a typical cruise ship. It’s built to withstand rough seas, offering a distinctive and robust experience. While you won’t feel much movement on board, it’s still a good idea to bring seasickness medicine, just in case the seas get really rough.

If you’re concerned about jet lag, consider booking a room with windows or a balcony to help adjust naturally as the ship changes time zones. We traveled in late August and had great weather, but as we moved into the North Atlantic, it got cooler — so pack sweaters and warmer clothes to be prepared for different conditions.

Formal nights are a highlight of the journey. If you want to take part in the elegant evening events, be sure to bring formalwear. In addition to formal nights, there are two gala nights on every transatlantic crossing. Ours were "black and white" and "1920s," and people went all out — many men wore tuxedos, though my husband wore a suit and fit in just fine. If needed, tuxedos can be rented on board.

For families, if you plan to use the Kids Club, make sure to reserve a spot. It’s easy to do, even at the last minute. There are also many unique onboard activities like fencing lessons, lectures and daily high tea that add to the traditional charm of the ship.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Brooklyn, New York. In need of further inspiration? Check out Jane Hermstedt’s guide, A Local’s Guide to a Perfect Summer Week in Patagonia's Lake District.