Queen Mary 2: Sanitation Record & Health Report

Let's be clear about something: Queen Mary 2 is one of the most famous ocean liners on the planet. Cunard has been sailing since 1839. They have a literal White Star Service standard and black-tie dinners on a Tuesday. So when we tell you this grand old dame of the seas scored an 87 on her most recent CDC inspection — technically passing, yes, but sitting a solid eight points below the fleet average of 95 — we need a moment to process that. The ship that practically invented transatlantic crossings is out here scoring like a mid-tier Carnival vessel on a bad day. The audacity. The drama. The irony.

To her credit, the galley is doing considerably better than the broader vessel. A 94 food safety score and a Clean Kitchen grade mean your eggs Benedict at the Britannia Restaurant aren't going to ruin your trip — or your intestinal tract. That's genuinely good news on a ship where the dining experience is basically the whole personality. The CDC inspection from August 2025 flagged concerns outside the kitchen, so if you're the type who reads health reports before booking (hello, fellow neurotic travelers), know that the food side is solid even if the overall picture has some rough edges.

Who it's for: Classic ocean liner enthusiasts, Anglophiles, people who own formalwear and actually want an excuse to use it, and anyone whose idea of a vacation includes a proper afternoon tea with clotted cream. If you've always dreamed of a transatlantic crossing and want the most cinematic version of that experience, QM2 still delivers the vibe in ways no other ship can touch. Who should skip it: Score-chasers and sanitation hawks who want a ship cruising in the high 90s — because at 87, QM2 is coasting on reputation a little more than she should be. Also anyone who finds formality exhausting rather than charming. This ship has standards, and she will let you know it.