Queen Mary 2: A Walk Around the Decks...At Night

Night time is a special event aboard a cruise ship.  While each ship has its own unique persona during the day, at night the combination of the sea, the unique architecture, and innovative lighting combine to create an experience that is as peaceful as it is mysterious.

 Queen Mary 2 alongside the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal,

docked until 2008's Hurricane Kyle passes.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

In September of 2008, the remnants of Hurricane Kyle delayed Cunard Line's mammoth flagship, RMS Queen Mary 2, causing her to overnight at the Red Hook berth in Brooklyn, and to spend the following day anchored off Staten Island.  We were onboard, and spent the better part of the evening strolling the ship's unique promenade deck taking photos to pass the time. 

Come join us now as we go for a walk along QM2's promenade deck at night, and discover what makes this already unique ship so spectacular when the sun goes down. 

 Photo © Aaron Saunders

We begin our journey by exiting the air conditioned pleasantness of the Kings Court buffet area to the oppressive, pre-hurricane heat on the Promenade Deck.  Located on Deck 7, the Promenade deck completes a full circuit of the ship, from the extreme stern to almost the very bow of the vessel.  Classic steamer deck chairs are available to passengers wishing to take in the ocean sights and sounds. 

 Photo © Aaron Saunders

Heading forward on the Starboard side, we're directly outside the spa, who's windows are to the left.  High above us is the ship's navigation bridge, and we're about to enter the area where the promenade deck reaches its foremost point and begins to cross over to port.

 

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

The enclosed forward promenade is perfect for strolling in inclement weather.  Access to the actual, exposed bow area of the ship is provided through bulkhead doors on either side of the ship.  Let's cross through and see what's there...

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

This unique forward deck space is as close to the tip of the bow as passengers can access, and is totally unique amongst cruise ships.  The enormous spare propeller blades - eight in all - are on display here, a sort of 'art with purpose.'  Beyond the cargo cranes lies a large spare anchor in case of emergencies.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

While its design serves to dissipate any heavy seas the ship might encounter, the forward superstructure is impressive nonetheless.  From bottom to top, it houses the Internet Cafe and Library on Deck 8, the Commodore Club on Deck 9, two Royal Suites on Deck 10, the forward viewing area on Deck 11, and the Navigation Bridge on Deck 12.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

Coming around the front of the ship, we find ourselves on the Port side of the ship, moored alongside the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

Another subtle, unique feature of Cunard's ships: they're one of the few to be registered in Southampton, England.  Most cruise ships are registered in Panama or the Bahamas.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

 Because she was meant to cross the Atlantic regularly and in any weather, Queen Mary 2's lead designer Stephen Payne obtained special permission to raise the height of the promenade deck and lifeboats from the standard height of 49 feet above the waterline to 82 feet.  Payne reasoned with the SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) committee that the increase would keep the lifeboats and deck from becoming awash in abnormally heavy seas.  The increased height of the promenade deck is evident in the above photo, looking down at a tanker truck on the pier.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

All the way aft is one of Queen Mary 2's many swimming pools, again lit with such vibrant, colorful lighting.  Immediately aft of the pool are a series of water jets that shoot water up vertically at timed intervals.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

Moving forward on the Starboard side of the ship, we pass the Queen's Grill restaurant.  Dinner has finished, and the room has been meticulously set for the next guests who will dine here as part of their accommodations in the luxurious Queen's Grill suites.  Regular passengers - that's you and me - dine in the much more spectacular, but less intimate, Britannia Dining Room.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

All the way forward, just before the bridge wing and superstructure enclosure, is a small, glass elevator that goes largely unnoticed by the majority of passengers.  It has a twin on the port side as well.  Both whisk guests from the Promenade Deck 7 to Deck 11, which is where we are headed next.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

Located on Deck 11, directly below the navigation bridge, is a spectacular forward observation area spanning the dimensions and width of the bridge itself.  It's a modern throwback to the days of the transatlantic greyhounds, many of which included a similar arrangement.  At night, this area is still accessible, lit with navigation-friendly blue running lights.  It's a lesser known area, and offers some of the most spectacular views aboard.  But let's keep it a secret, ok?

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

Looking aft from the Deck 11 viewing area, below the Starboard side bridge wing.  The Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges are in the distance on the far left.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

Looking forward over the ship's forecastle deck.  Note the spare propeller blades, the heavy-lifting cargo cranes, and the spare anchor all the way forward.

  Photo © Aaron Saunders

After all that walking - almost 3,000 feet worth - it's time to hop back in our favorite "secret" glass elevators and head back down to Deck 9 and the forward-facing, incredibly inviting, Commodore Club.  

Your favorite drink is waiting!

For more information on the Queen Mary 2, be sure to visit Cunard's website.