A world of luxury on the Atlantic waves
When it comes to holidays, people often talk about ‘escapism’. To find it, they’ll regularly travel to the far corners of the globe. Yet leaving the ordinary and the everyday far behind can start or end much closer to home: in Southampton, on a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on an iconic ocean liner.
It’s strange to think that for so many years, reaching America by sea was measured by how quickly your ship could arrive. Nowadays, you can revel in that rare luxury of taking your time, about finding an idyllic retreat. Many who cross for the first time are amazed by the incredible sense of peace of gazing on the huge Atlantic horizon on all sides, the feeling of being so far removed from the ‘real’ world. It can be really quite liberating, humbling even. It’s a wonderful counterpoint to the glorious energy and bright lights that fill the famed streets and avenues of New York, its great sights, stores and museums like the Met and MoMA.
But of course, that’s just one side to every seven or eight night crossing. The true feeling of escapism comes from Queen Mary 2. That she is the only ship who still regularly criss-crosses the Atlantic is part of the reason this experience is such a rare luxury today.
More than anything, however, it is about the world you find within her decks. It’s one where the brightest talents from the Juilliard Jazz School might be playing tonight. Where astronauts, actors or authors might regale you with their stories at talks and seminars. One where a stunning theatre, that would be at home in any major city, puts on abridged versions of Shakespeare, and impressively choreographed dance performances that will set your pulse racing. Believe it or not, there’s even a planetarium and a 3D cinema.
Many people’s definition of luxurious escapism includes serious pampering. On Queen Mary 2, indulgence is in plentiful supply. The centrepiece is the impressive Canyon Ranch SpaClub, which fills more than 20,000 square feet with pools, a thermal suite and restful rooms for aromatherapy massages and hot wraps. Setting your watch for afternoon tea is all part of the pleasure too, a good old-fashioned treat. The dining seems to better itself every time you sit down. And then there’s the thrill of dressing up in your best clothes – especially for a masquerade ball. This is a holiday that, above all, gives you time. Time to squeeze every last activity out of every moment of every day. Or time to be unapologetically, unashamedly at leisure.
Even once you’ve considered all this, your overriding memory may well be of the service. On every transatlantic crossing, it’s so easy to become used to the friendly hellos and the feeling that nothing you ask is too much trouble. In today’s world, that in itself provides a luxury escape.
