TRANSATLANTIC, CANADA & ICELAND

Your holiday begins in London, with two nights to explore before setting sail. Take in the sights along the Thames, browse Borough Market for a taste of the city, or catch a matinee in the West End.

Make the most of a full free day in London before boarding tomorrow. Browse Covent Garden’s markets in the morning and catch a West End show in the evening, or spend the day tracing royal history from Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London.

Step aboard in Southampton and straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle, just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moments. Relax and raise a toast as the English coastline slips away, with three weeks of ocean, ports and possibility ahead.

Your first full day at sea sets the rhythm for the crossing ahead. Settle into deck life with a walk along the Promenade, an hour in the Library or a first visit to the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, then dress for the evening’s first formal night in the Atrium.

With ocean in every direction, this is a day to slow down. Take a dip in the Indoor Pool or join a match on the Sports Court, then settle in for White Glove Afternoon Tea Service in the Winter Garden.

Look up rather than out today and take in a show beneath the dome of the Planetarium, one of Queen Mary 2’s signature features. In the evening, the Royal Court Theatre hosts the first of several stage productions to see you through the crossing.

Work up an appetite with a game of Deck Quoits or an hour in the Fitness Center, then unwind with a massage before dinner in the Britannia Restaurant.

Six days into the crossing and the ship finds its rhythm. Book a table at Todd English or La Piazza Italian Restaurant for something different tonight, then finish with cabaret in the Queens Room.

Your final sea day before New York calls for one more turn on the dance floor. Join a lesson in the Queens Room Ballroom, then toast the crossing at the Champagne Bar as Manhattan draws closer overnight.

New York never runs out of things to show you, from brownstone-lined streets to the treasures of the Met and quiet corners like Central Park. Shoppers can head to Bloomingdale’s on Lexington and Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue, or downtown to SoHo’s boutiques for something different.

After the energy of New York, ease back into sea day rhythm with a quiet morning in the Library or a browse through the Royal Arcade’s shops. By afternoon, settle onto the Sun Deck as the ship tracks north towards Nova Scotia.

The Halifax Citadel stands guard over this harbour city, where a band still plays the bagpipes and a cannon fires each day at noon. Wander the waterfront boardwalk or step inside for a look at more than two centuries of maritime history.

Sydney sits at the end of a long waterway on Cape Breton Island, off Nova Scotia’s east coast. As the historic capital and largest town on the island, it pairs a walkable waterfront with some of Atlantic Canada’s most dramatic coastal scenery just beyond town, from cliff top lookouts to quiet coves.

Leaving Cape Breton behind, the ship turns north into open Atlantic water for the run towards Iceland. Wrap up on deck to watch the changing light, or find a window seat in the Commodore Club to watch the swell roll by.

With four sea days ahead before Iceland, take the chance to try something new. The Golf Simulator and Cyber Golf are open through the afternoon, and the Observation Lounge is the spot to watch for passing wildlife.

Halfway between Canada and Iceland, evenings take on a different mood. Settle in at Sir Samuels Wine Bar before dinner in the Britannia Restaurant, then catch the night’s stage show in the Royal Court Theatre.

One more day of open water before Iceland’s coastline appears. Take a last massage before the port days begin, or spend a quiet hour with a book from the Library as the air turns cooler.

Few regions are as wild and unspoilt as Iceland’s Westfjords. With miles of mountains and few and far between roads, venturing here evokes the feeling of entering uncharted terrain. Embrace local life in Isafjordur town or visit the charming nearby village of Flateyri, or sail further afield to Vigur, home to Iceland’s last remaining windmill.

Reykjavik’s brightly coloured rooftops make for a striking first glimpse of the world’s northernmost capital. Spend the afternoon wandering the harbour district and Laugavegur’s shops and cafes, or head straight out to Gullfoss waterfall and the geysers of the Golden Circle.

With a full second day in port, venture further afield today. Soak in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, drive the south coast to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, or simply make the most of a later start before Queen Mary 2 sails this evening.

Iceland behind you, the ship turns south for the run home. Ease back into sea day rhythm with a coffee at Cafe Carinthia or a browse of the Boutique and Royal Arcade shops.

With Southampton two days away, make the most of what’s still ahead. Book a last treatment at the Spa or take a lesson at the Golf Simulator, then dress for a final Gala Night in the Atrium.

Your last full day at sea calls for lingering over a slow breakfast and making the most of every deck before Southampton comes into view. Catch a final production in the Royal Court Theatre, then raise a glass at the Commodore Club as three weeks at sea draw to a close.

Your Transatlantic adventure comes full circle as Queen Mary 2 returns to Southampton this morning. Take a last walk on deck over breakfast and reflect on three weeks that took you from Manhattan to the Westfjords, then disembark ready to tell the stories.