Queen Mary 2

Pull up a leather banquette at this traditional British pub on Deck 2, where a darts board and occasional live sport give sea days a properly pub-like purpose. Choose a lighter plate or settle in for beer-battered Atlantic cod, the daily pie special or the Signature Golden Lion Ploughman’s.

Sample Cunard Black stout, Cunard Red red IPA and Cunard Gold pilsner in a tasting flight, then stay for folk music, a quiz or bingo. Most food is included, though some dishes and alcoholic drinks cost extra. Let Cunard know about dietary requirements.

Bright, airy and right by the Deck 7 promenade, Carinthia Lounge is your easy-going stop for a light breakfast, snacks and coffee, with live jazz adding a little rhythm to the day.

Come evening, settle in for tapas or light bites with a glass of port, sherry or wine. You can dress casually here, though after 6pm, leave the shorts and swimwear in the cabin.

For a proper glass of fizz, make for the Laurent Perrier Champagne Bar on Deck 3 in the Grand Lobby. Warm tones and fine wood furnishings give this Queen Mary 2 exclusive a suitably polished feel.

Choose from Laurent-Perrier pours or try a tasting flight, then pair your bubbles with caviar, blini and classic condiments. Afternoon tea visits are a rather good use of an unhurried sea day.

Tucked away on Deck 3 beside Sir Samuel’s, The Tasting Room is where you can give your wine knowledge a proper outing. It is discreet rather than showy, which rather suits a glass worth paying attention to.

Join themed tastings, food and wine pairings or Wine Academy sessions. Fine Wine Seminars feature at least eight wines, Riedel glassware and small dishes chosen to match, with live music adding a low-key evening note.

Chocolate has its own address aboard Queen Mary 2, and it is Sir Samuel’s on Deck 3. This Godiva Chocolate Café pairs speciality illy coffee with confectionery, chocolate cakes and Godiva ice creams.

Call in when a regular coffee simply will not do. You can also choose other drinks, with hot or chilled chocolate options reported at the venue.

Churchill’s Cigar Lounge is Queen Mary 2’s dedicated retreat for cigar and pipe smokers. You will find it forward on Deck 9, beside the Commodore Club, for an unhurried drink and a proper pause from the bustle elsewhere on board.

Only cigars and pipes are permitted here. Cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are not allowed, so it is very much a venue for those who enjoy the real thing.

The Chart Room on Deck 3 is a bright, lively cocktail bar with a celestial twist. Settle in for live jazz and work your way through Zodiac-inspired serves, including the Pole Star with tequila, bergamot liqueur, lime and agave.

Not drinking? There are low and no-alcohol options too, plus sandwiches and sharing platters when a cocktail needs company. Smart attire is requested in the evening, with Gala Evening dress applying on selected nights.

Perched at the top and front of Deck 9, the Commodore Club is where you settle in for big ocean views, a hot drink and a hopeful scan for dolphins. A rather better use of your morning, frankly.

Come evening, soft lighting, live jazzy piano and sparkling cocktails set the tone. Try Over The Top, inspired by Sir James Charles and his famously extravagant dinner parties. Smart attire is expected in the evening, with jackets optional.

A Monte Carlo inspired casino and bar on Deck 2, near the Grand Lobby, where you can settle in with a Cunard Martini and watch the tables come to life.

Try your hand at poker, roulette, blackjack or the slot machines. New to the game? Complimentary gaming lessons help you look like you meant to do that.