The Ships Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
In the years preceding the pandemic, more and more luxury cruise ships from world-leading companies like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Costa, and many others visited Israel. However, it’s not every day that the true queens of cruise ships arrive at Haifa Port: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth, both belonging to the Cunard Line.
♦ Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Elizabeth arrived in Haifa for two days as part of a 12-day Mediterranean cruise. This was an opportunity for me to tour it for several hours, to "taste" (literally and figuratively) its wonders, and to compare it to the many other ships I have sailed on and visited.
Queen Elizabeth – part of the Cunard fleet, owned by the Carnival Corporation, was built in 2010 and weighs 91,000 tons. She joined the company’s previous two luxury ships: Queen Victoria (which is a nearly identical twin sister) and Queen Mary 2, the largest of the company's ships at 151,000 tons.
The ship carries approximately 2,000 passengers with about 1,000 crew members, meaning there is one crew member for every two passengers! This is a significantly higher ratio compared to most other cruise lines. 85 percent of the ship's rooms are outside rooms, most with balconies. The ship also features beautiful suites whose guests enjoy enhanced conditions: their own dining rooms, a separate sun deck, and various other perks.
However, even the conditions for passengers in "standard" rooms are enviable. The ship has 14 decks where you will find dining rooms, a selection of restaurants, cafes and pubs, a casino, a magnificent shopping promenade, a gym and sports courts, pools and jacuzzis, dance halls, a cinema and theater, a spa (for an additional fee), all in an elegant design full of light, with plenty of chocolate and cream-colored marble and various artworks. Pictures of Queen Elizabeth, who gave the ship its name, hang in many places throughout the ship, including a statue of her.
The atmosphere is very British. There are no water slides, climbing walls, or ice skating rinks on the ship, so it is not particularly suitable for families with children. Nonetheless, the few children who do sail on it have access to playrooms and activities. The passenger population on the ship is diverse, both in terms of origin and age. I encountered honeymooners alongside couples celebrating their silver wedding anniversary, energetic youth and sports enthusiasts alongside seniors enjoying sunbathing by the pool in Israel's autumn sun. The ship also features indoor decks designed as magical gardens, suitable for days when the weather is less pleasant.
The service on the ship is extraordinary, and the food... there are no words. For lunch in the impressive main dining room, they serve high-quality fillet steak alongside sophisticated dishes, and the desserts... it’s a good thing the ship has a gym and sports activities...
In every corner, piece of furniture, and decoration, you feel the difference between the "Queen" and other cruise ships.
On none of the "Queens" (Cunard's ships) is it currently possible to board in Israel (and unfortunately they do not visit here often), but they have a variety of itineraries in Europe starting from England, Rome, and even Athens, so you don't have to fly too far to fulfill the dream. Those who have the time (and the money) can embark on a four-month world voyage on the Queen Elizabeth, which includes the USA (including Hawaii), New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and even Africa.
Queen Mary 2
Another ship in Cunard's royal series that arrived in Haifa and where I conducted a tour is the "Queen Mary 2". This giant ship is the largest in the Cunard fleet: 151,000 tons. It is equipped to a high standard with several facilities and activities unique only to it – did you know this is the only ship in the world where you can sail with dogs? It even has a dedicated deck for them!
It is also the only ship in the world with a planetarium that also serves as a luxurious cinema.
The ship features huge halls, luxurious lounges, and even the largest library at sea. The ship is full of statues and pictures with a strong influence from the British royal family.
The restaurants are highly impressive, the service is top-quality, and it naturally includes a massive spa, a gym, pools (including an indoor pool), and of course, a spacious casino.
Below is a video of a tour on the Queen Mary 2: