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Linda Coffman

Queen Mary 2 — Follow Her Progress

Issue 10          Kings Court: A Closer Look This is not a typical Lido Deck buffet. Forget about the buffet breakfast and lunch counters that are offered on most ships. Kings Court aboard Queen Mary 2 will take casual dining into the 21st century. During breakfast, there will be traditional English, American and Continental cuisine, but there will also be a station where a chef will prepare cooked-to-order eggs and omelets. Another station will have freshly baked breads and pastries and a chef making waffles, French toast and pancakes to order. Yet another area will offer a selection of Japanese and International breakfast selections. At lunchtime the choices will be equally diverse. Guests can choose from English, American and Continental favourites as well as Pacific Rim, Mediterranean and California-inspired cuisine. There will also be a fully equipped deli and freshly made salads. However, it is in the evening that Kings Court best demonstrates its multiple personality. The expansive food pavilion is transformed into four distinct specialty restaurants through the use of decorative screens that pull out from the walls. Each has unique table linens and china, as well as its own wine list. Uniforms for service staff also vary by venue. The four choices include: La Piazza, a 24-hour Italian trattoria featuring many of the best-known Northern and Southern Italian favourites. Much like in Italy, guests can select their appetizer from a self-service antipasto bar. However, the entrée, beverages and dessert are ordered from an extensive menu. Lotus is the ship’s Asian venue, offering a 10-course tasting menu with dishes from China, Japan, Thailand and India. Guests have the luxury of sampling as many or as little of the specialties as they desire. The Carvery offers a contemporary twist on traditional British favourites. Items such as Yorkshire Pudding and Beef Wellington, for example, will be prepared with great flair as seen today in London’s best restaurants. Guests can also order the finest prime cuts of beef, roasted pork, lamb, ham, turkey, chicken and more exotic meats. A host of appetizers and British puddings will complement the main course. The most innovative venue in the elaborate Kings Court pavilion is Chef’s Galley, which offers an open-kitchen set up for 36 guests. Here, diners can watch and interact with the chef as he or she prepares their meal. This is the only QM2 dining venue with a surcharge. Rasul Ritual For Two It is widely known that the world-famous Canyon Ranch will operate the health spa aboard QM2. However, did you know that passengers can partake in the exotic Mid-Eastern Rasul ritual? This Canyon Ranch signature treatment takes place in an ornately tiled steam chamber. As part of the Rasul Ceremony, couples apply medicinal body mud to each other while being dowsed with intermittent jets of steam infused with herbs. A refreshing rain shower rinse from a fiber-optic sky completes the cleansing ritual. It is highly advisable to sign up for the Rasul Ceremony early in the voyage so as not to be disappointed.

Follow the progress...

• Queen Mary 2, Part 1

• Queen Mary 2, Part 2

• Queen Mary 2, Part 3

• Queen Mary 2, Part 4

• Queen Mary 2, Part 5

• Queen Mary 2, Part 6

• Queen Mary 2, Part 7

• Queen Mary 2, Part 8

• Queen Mary 2, Part 9

• Queen Mary 2, Part 10

• Queen Mary 2, Part 11

• Queen Mary 2, Part 12

Text & images courtesy of Cunard Line & PR Newswire Photo Service

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