After day one which was quite chilly, a following wind made for incredibly benign conditions even on the top deck and I cannot imagine there has ever been calmer seas for an Atlantic crossing. Even the Bay of Biscay resembled a mill pond at times, much to my disappointment. Personally I would have loved at least one sea day that would have put this amazing vessel to the test. By the end of the journey I was yearning for 10 meter waves, but it was not to be. The masses remained happy.

I often wonder what people are talking about when they dismiss these Goliathons of the sea as floating resorts where you lose sight of the fact that you’re actually on a ship. In my opinion there is no finer ship than the Freedom or Voyager class for being in touch with the sea. The promenade deck on these vessels has to be the finest at sea and the wings extending out beyond the superstructure are a superb addition. I could stand there all day watching the ship majestically cutting through the waves. In addition to this, how many other ships are there where you can literally stand or sit on the bow of the ship, for the main part, in virtual solitude. The vantage points up high are also superb, both fore and aft.

You can talk all day about the pros and cons of this ship and that ship in terms of value for money, entertainment, customer service etc. etc. The list is endless, but I couldn’t care less. Give me a bed and a good book and you can have the rest, but to be honest this ship has it all anyway. It has something for everyone. To not appreciate what this class of ship has to offer is beyond my comprehension. You could spend two weeks without looking at the sea once and you would not be bored. You could spend two weeks looking at the sea, and if you were like me, you would not be bored.

I spent many hours roaming the decks of Indy particularly in the early hours and virtually had them to myself. She is an engineering masterpiece in what she offers to the discerning traveller. Oasis comes next which I am told is even more of a engineering masterpiece but I have to say I do have my reservation about what Oasis will offer people who just want to appreciate the ship and the ocean. I’m told the promenade deck has been replaced by a jogging track with a view obstructed by overhanging life boats. I’m also told there is no access to the bow? Don’t know these things for sure and hopefully someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

I also read that the Queen Mary 2 is the ultimate in transatlantic travel. I was lucky enough to talk to people who had done many Transatlantics including a QM2 crossing and I say in all honesty that every one of them said that this ship had far more to offer than QM2 for virtually half the money and twice the time to experience it. Obviously it is unfair to draw a direct comparison as the QM2 transits the North Atlantic without any ports of call, but I would be really interested to hear the opinion of anyone who has cruised on both. Is it possible to get as intimate with the QM2 as it is with a Freedom class ship? At one time I was hell bent on doing a transatlantic on QM2 but now I really don’t think the experience will live up.

Kind Regards.

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[ 05-15-2009: Message edited by: TC@Sea ]

I also have sailed the QM2 but not on a transatlantic. I did a short 4 nighter but instantly fell in love with her. She is a more of a sedate ship....seminars/speakers replace the ice rink and beer in a bucket. The shows are more geared to saluting operas rather then the 70's and 80's. The Mary is much more formal but her interiors resemble that of a fine grand hotel rather then a resort as does the Voyager/Freedom ships. Her furnishings are finer whereas the Voyager/Freedom borders on glitzy. Her speed is remarkable and I think you would enjoy a transatlantic on her. Give it a try. She has, I beleive, more outdoor deck space then the Voyager/Freedom ships and she a wonderful walkaround fully exposed promanade.

My only negatives with the Mary was that the serice was not all that great. RCI does much better in this category. Even the food was okay on the Mary had better on Carnival and RCI. However I have heard from many that the food and service on the Mary is much better on a transatlantic as opposed to her short cruises.

quote:

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Originally posted by TC@Sea:

I also read that the Queen Mary 2 is the ultimate in transatlantic travel. I was lucky enough to talk to people who had done many Transatlantics including a QM2 crossing and I say in all honesty that every one of them said that this ship had far more to offer than QM2 for virtually half the money and twice the time to experience it. Obviously it is unfair to draw a direct comparison as the QM2 transits the North Atlantic without any ports of call, but I would be really interested to hear the opinion of anyone who has cruised on both. Is it possible to get as intimate with the QM2 as it is with a Freedom class ship? At one time I was hell bent on doing a transatlantic on QM2 but now I really don’t think the experience will live up.

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First of all, great review and beautiful pictures!!

It’s hard to compare the QM2 and the Freedom class. Though they are similar in size they are completely different in terms of the on board experience and the clientele that each ship attracts. QM2, like NYcruiser pointed out, is much more sedate and relaxed then the Freedom class. She’s not about rock climbing walls, ice skating, flow ridding etc etc like the Freedom class, she more about relaxing and just being at sea ((not to say that you can't relax and enjoy the sea on the Freedom class)). The QM2 does in fact have a lot to do onboard just not always the same kind of stuff you would find on RCI.

If you like cruising for a relaxing and classy vacation then you probably would like QM2. I say you should try her and see for yourself! Just be prepared for a different experience then Indy.

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On her departure from Porte Delgado Indy drew quite a crowd. In fact the main street came to a stand still. Having said that she is the worlds’ largest cruise ship and without being disrespectful it was probably the most exciting thing that had happened in the Azores for many a month. Not a lot going on their to be honest.

The wonderful people at RCL invited me on a bridge tour which was very interesting. Having said that I was alarmed at how young the captain was and to be honest he wasn’t taking his job very seriously.

Ever wondered what freedom class ship looks like from about 3 miles away?

I was pleasantly surprised at the port of Vigo. I didn’t realise what a huge bustling city it was. Although it wasn’t for everyone’s taste. It’s not a romantic location but the Estuary approach is quite spectacular.

During the 1st week Indy celebrated her 1st birthday. The good people at RCI organised a grand party for her. Having said that I don’t think they were expecting literally every guest on the ship to turn up.

Unless you’ve actually stood at the side of a superliner it’s hard to describe the jaw dropping size of these ships. You can literally stand scratching your head at what you are looking at as your brain struggles to cope with the dimensions. Is it really that big?

Late Thursday in the Bay of Biscay we steamed past Oceana. It wasn’t a race we were due in Southampton two hours earlier than her.

The holiday had gone well up until the final day when on the Royal Promenade we witnessed the sickening sight of a young boy being mowed down by two huge teddy bears driving a Morgan.

[ 05-17-2009: Message edited by: TC@Sea ]

quote:

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Originally posted by TC@Sea:

I also read that the Queen Mary 2 is the ultimate in transatlantic travel. I would be really interested to hear the opinion of anyone who has cruised on both.

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A very nice review and photos.

The nearest I have got to being able to compare both is when I did a QM2 crossing a week later a weeks cruise of the Caribbean on board 'Explorer of the Seas'. (Voyager class, not Freedom, class of course)

For the price of standard balcony cabin on Explorer I only got a Inside cabin on board the QE2. However the QM2 carries half the number of passengers (at times) and the quality of food and service in the Britannia restaurant superseded that of RCI's. As for entertainment, I would suggest Cunard have the best programme afloat, if you enjoy 'enrichment' rather than belly flop completions etc. The passengers on board a Cunard trans are also completely different breed to RCI's, which helps create the atmosphere.