Length of Trip

In order to get most out of a yacht charter, minimum length of trip should be about 7 days. As for maximum amount of time, that is up to you. Many companies will offer discounts for longer charters. Good charter companies will have lots of local knowledge on best routes and places to visit, and will work with you to agree an itinerary, which suits your needs. Remember that you do not have to spend your entire holiday aboard boat. You could arrange a couple of days at beginning or end of your charter to explore mainland. It is well worth spending at least two or three days in Athens - a wonderful city, which unfortunately is often side-stepped by people who head straight for islands.

Accommodations

Nearly 80% of QM2's staterooms are ocean view with over 94% of these offering spacious balconies. Accommodation choices range from merely commodious to shamelessly extravagant, such as Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Suites with elevator access reserved just for you.

Queens Grill Accommodation (Q categories) is ultimate in luxury living. Marble baths with whirlpool tubs, fully stocked en-suite bars, private butlers and concierge service. Choices range from duplex apartments to grand duplexes, to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Suites and Queen Anne and Queen Victoria Royal Suites. Guests enjoy single seating in renowned Queens Grill. The elegant Queens Grill Lounge and a private sun terrace are also reserved exclusively for Queens Grill guests.

Princess Grill Accommodation (P categories) is on Deck 10. The spacious 381 square foot Junior Ocean-View Suites feature a large balcony, bath with tub and shower, sitting area with sofa, TV, walk in closet, concierge service. Guests enjoy single-seating dining in elegant Princess Grill.

Britannia Accommodation (B, C and D categories). The Deluxe Balcony Staterooms, Premium Balcony Staterooms, Oceanview Staterooms, Inside Staterooms with Atrium View and Inside Staterooms found in B, C and D categories are anything but ordinary (more like deluxe staterooms on other ships). Guests in these accommodations have a reserved table in Britannia Restaurant.

Atmosphere

"Untold elegance and grace". Magical and worldly where glamorous, bejeweled women in beaded gowns and men in black tie or tails are in their element. Soft music, quiet murmurs, excited laughter and friendly banter around tuxedoed croupiers at roulette wheel. A string quartet and freshly brewed tea in Winter Garden, premier cru Bordeaux in Sir Samuel's, jazz in Commodore Club, cabaret in Chart Room. Dancing on moonbeams. Shangri-La really!

Dining

The centerpiece of QM2 experience. Superb award-winning gustatory celebrations inspired by Mediterranean master Todd English. Owner of internationally famous Olives of Boston among others, Todd English is one of America's leading chefs and darling of food critics. He has been named both "Rising Star Chef" and "Best Chef: Northeast" by James Beard Foundation. His beautiful restaurant on board QM2 overlooking Pool Terrrace has been designed with intimate alcoves and exquisite architectural detailing - perfect setting for his highly interpretive Mediterranean cuisine.

The best restaurants in land are now at sea and Queens and food critics as premier dining experience afloat have chronicled Princess Grills. Gourmet delicacies are staples in QM2's ten restaurants. Feast in baronial splendor. Superb amid genteel chatter in The Carvery. Dine al fresco on contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Fans of dim sum, tuna tartar and nouvelle cuisine, even pub food (accompanied by televised sporting events) have not been forgotten. QM2 is first Cunard ship to debut a "Chef's Galley" Restaurant where chefs will teach guests how to prepare their meal just prior to dining. Chef's Galley features both Cunard chefs and guest appearances by world famous chefs sponsored by Gourmet Magazine.

Entertainment and Activities

Brilliantly staged West End calibre shows in a state-of-the-art show lounge with tier seating, cabaret performances, ballroom dancing in Queen's Room, Empire Casino, G32 Nightclub for rock and disco.

At Cunard ConneXions enjoy workshops, seminars and lectures conducted by historians and scientists, college professors and top diplomats (as well as cooking classes, wine appreciation courses, foreign languages and photography spotlights as examples). On Transatlantic Crossings, renowned University of Oxford will present their fascinating Oxford Discovery Program.

London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) will perform plays and lead a variety of readings and workshops, including acting classes. In addition to seminars led by graduate students, QM2 guests will have rare opportunity to see talented performers on threshold of their careers in plays seldom seen in commercial theatre.

Public Rooms/Facilities

Grand lobby, restaurants galore, including Queens Grill, Queens Grill Lounge, Princess Grill, and Britannia Restaurant. Todd English Restaurant, King's Court with an Asian restaurant, an Italian trattoria, Carvery, and Chef's Galley (24-hour room service too). There's even a full-scale planetarium dubbed "Illuminations" where you can view stars and other visual spectacles or take a course on celestial navigation.

Cunard World Club

World Club is Cunard's Past Guest Program. World Club guests enjoy on board parties, priority check-in and embarkation, recognition gifts, additional savings, quarterly Cunard World Club Newsletters and periodic mailings. Guests will be automatically enrolled after completion of their first Cunard voyage.

Cunard's Connoisseur Collection

For a truly grand holiday, guests can combine a QM2 Transatlantic Crossing with a leisurely European exploration before or after their voyage. Cunard's fabulous selection of European land tours offers something for everyone. Guests can choose from a London Holiday, a Paris Holiday, a London & Paris Holiday, a Glimpse of Ireland, Royal Scotland, a Wimbledon Tennis Holiday, and ultimate QM2 holiday. In New York guests may select Broadway Up-close. These tours may also be requested in conjunction with Caronia, and QE2 cruises.

About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) - William is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of “Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site” available at http://www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com/index.htm