Embarkation: Quick, Easy and Efficient (left from Brooklyn Cruise Port). Cruise Port itself is extremely difficult to get to, but easy to get around in, once inside the port itself. Everything went smooth with check and staff were very pleasant.
Arrival on Ocean Liner: Upon arrival and walking on board, we were shocked how faded the QM2 was. (We were used to seeing Royal Caribbean being painted on a regular basis to maintain it's freshness and newness). We stepped on board in the Grand Lobby and didn't even realize it, as it was small, cramped, was only about two decks high, and had nothing grand about it. A few crew said "hello, and welcome aboard," but it was very, very, low key. No one asked us if we needed any help finding our room, offered no champagne, etc. We didn't even know they had a Bonvoyage Party until I read other Cruise Reviews when we returned home.
Public Rooms: The public rooms were very, very, small, and segregated, depending on what deck your cabin was on.