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8 lecture because I was in the library finishing a book in time for my book club meeting. But it is simply amazing. I thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere. It is so civilized, and I get to enjoy a vacation without the stress of flying and booking a hotel, and then all of the planning that goes along with that sort of trip." When Burgess Williams said that she enjoyed so many aspects of the crossing, she was not overselling her point. "I got to take part in the Canyon Ranch Spa treatment, and I made sure to never miss an afternoon tea, in the true British tradition (think Downton Abbey). But it goes well beyond that. I'll never forget going to the Golden Lion pub and playing trivia with people of all nationalities. Everyone comes together in such a fantastic way. The highlight for me is still the dancing in the Queen's Room. The ballroom is also so unique, and the Queen's Room is still the largest dance floor at sea. In one of my crossings, my daughter accompanied me and, being of an entirely different generation, she thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip. We went on to spend three days in London afterward." With Cunard, the journey is clearly the biggest part of the destination. Beyond the spa and tea and dancing, passengers can take part in working out in a full gym or go for a jog on the deck. From there, you could relax by taking a yoga or Pilates or fitness class. If you are looking for something a bit more low-key, perhaps attending a photography lesson or watercolor painting class are more your speed (and the ever present games of bridge). For those who enjoy competition, there are plenty of games featuring croquet, shuffleboard, tennis and fencing. If you are looking to broaden your horizons in other ways, no need to fret, as the Queen Mary 2 also has a library with over 1,000 volumes, as well as the aforementioned book clubs. In addition, each ocean liner offers Cunard Insights, where you may very well find yourself rubbing shoulders with a personal hero or two. From famous authors and legendary sports figures to renowned broadcasters and politicians – as well as the occasional astronaut – the Cunard Insights program is extremely enriching. Speaking of famous authors, history was written – yes, pun intended – on the Queen Mary 2 by one of the world's most well-known authors. In the summer of 2005, the world's most famous ocean liner carried the first ever J.K. Rowling-signed U.S. copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Whereas the Queen Mary 2 is quite accustomed to carrying very important public figures, it only made sense that this marked the first time in history that an 'internationally best-selling book traveled to its international debut aboard an ocean liner.' "The Queen Mary 2 continues Cunard's 165-year tradition of Royal Mail Service by transporting this priceless edition of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the first author-signed U.S. copy by author J.K. Rowling, to New York for Scholastic's U.S. book launch," quoted Jan Swartz, who was Senior Vice President of Customer Service and Sales for Cunard Line. It was truly a special and fitting occasion. As for just some of the other amenities, passengers can take part in a magnificent dining experience aboard the Queen Mary 2, from the Golden Lion British Pub, to the Queens Room Lounge and Afternoon Tea, to the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar. Whether your preference is dining in the Britannia Restaurant or the Princess Grill or the Queens Grill restaurant, everything is beautifully presented and offered with libations that complement each meal perfectly. Cunard is also able to cater to most special dietary requirements. If one of your concerns with taking a seven-day trip is who will take care of your pets, Cunard even has you covered with a fun solution. Why not take your furry little four-legged friend along for the trip? Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner to regularly carry animals. The kennels, which are staffed by a dedicated and trained Kennel Master, can be accessed by owners and allow passengers to take their dogs and cats on vacation, while their pets enjoy some much-deserved pampering and comfort. It should be noted that these kennels are very popular and in great demand. I feel that while I have mentioned so much, that I am just scratching the surface of the experiences on board the Queen Mary 2. Art buffs can enjoy the art gallery on the ship, with many beautiful pieces displayed throughout the entire liner. Also on board is a planetarium, a full performance theater rivalling anything on Broadway and much, much more. The Cunard experience truly offers something for everyone, including an emotional connection, as countless passengers have traveled the same way that their ancestors did over a hundred years ago. Cunard has been a big part of transporting people from many parts of Europe to the United States to start a new life (meaning people can look back and see how many family members have immigrated here). Speaking of the history that has ties to so many people, the city of Boston also has some very interesting history with Cunard. The Boston Cup, also known as the Britannia Cup, is a unique and extremely rare piece of Cunard history that currently resides aboard the Queen Mary 2. Upon the selection of their city as the American port for the new Cunard transatlantic service, the citizens of Boston rejoiced. They knew that it meant that their city would play host to the Cunarders, which would bring key commerce opportunities to the city and its people. The goodwill was so fantastic that Samuel Cunard earned celebrity status in and around Boston. To further celebrate this momentous occasion, the merchants of Boston commissioned the creation of a spectacular 2.5-foot-tall silver cup, which would be offered to Samuel Cunard as a gift of gratitude. The Boston Cup is located outside of the Chartroom aboard the Queen Mary 2, and remains one of the most treasured of Cunard artifacts.