When the QM2 and the QE made their royal visit in Sydney this week it caused great excitement as the Harbor City viewed the arrival of the two magnificent cruise ships.

If you think the arrival of the ships and coverage on TV was fun, you should have been on board.  It was one of those moments even a commoner could feel a little blue blood coursing through the veins, as the QM2 in all of it’s 151,400 tone glory led the 90,000 tone QE into one of the world’s greatest cities on day break.

Cunard’s 3 ships are all less that a decade old making them the youngest fleet at sea – with the $630 million Queen Elizabeth was launched only in October, so it still smells like a brand new ship.

At 294 m long and with 12 guest decks, it can carry approximately 2000 passengers along with 1000 crew members.  The metal and the work are polished to ship shape and Bristol fashion; the uniforms the staff wear are crisp and starched white; it’s hull is the trademark famous Cunard black and red; and lovely traditions such as afternoon tea is done to perfection as only the British know how to do it.  The selections of teas served by quintessential English staff, a three-tiered tray of cakes, glass of champagne with a harpist gently playing in the background.

The interior design is luscious 1930s Art Deco glamor, harking back to the golden era of ocean liners, with lots of posters of movie stars and other famous people enjoying the earlier Queens. (The original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth rendezvoused in Sydney in 1941 as our troops ships carrying 1.5 million troops during the war and ending it a year early according to Winston Churchill).

The passengers aboard its maiden 103 night world voyage are an older demographic but definitely an active bunch of mostly British, Americans, a few Germans and Japanese, and for the leg from Auckland to Sydney lots of Australians and New Zealanders.

With its regal lineage there was a touch of trepidation of boarding in Auckland; would there be a touch of snobbery I thought to myself.

On the contrary the Queen Elizabeth cruise warm welcome on the entry was a hallmark of its charm.  This is about elegance, not elitism.  There is a lot of tradition and understated romance that makes you feel you are part of a special occasion as much as having a holiday.

Of course being British there is a little class structure; the top paying passengers have exclusive access to either the Queens Grill or Princess Grill, a private sundeck and butler service.  Others have access to the Britannia Club restaurant, while most guests enjoy the excellent Britannia Restaurant.

There is also the fine dining Verandah, which is an occasion in itself, the 24 hour Lido buffet, plus several other options for a meal. The Golden Lion is a warm British pub that does great UK-style lunches, or you can grab a burger from the rear pool grill.

A ship of this size has loads of facilities, which means a great stroll as it ploughs the seas with effortless grace.  Most are on Decks 2-3 or 9-11 so it is easy to get your bearings.

There are two main pools, a dozen bars and lounges, youngsters clubs, two-storey library, magnificent three storey main lobby, decadent spa centre, large gym, shopping arcade with outlets such as Fortnum and Mason, discreet casino and internet centre (Wi-Fi in your room) all framed by beautiful artworks, splendid staircases and subtle reminders of Cunard’s heritage.

The three storeys Royal Court Theatre complete with private boxes would put most land-based theatres to shame simply because of its size and state of the art equipment.

The daily program is jam packed with as much or little activity as you want whist to iPad lessons.  You can sit on a deck chair and soak up the sun, take dancing lessons or take a nana nap in the seductive warmth of the Garden Lounge with its soft chairs and conservatory roof.

Of course with a ship this size eventually you will find a certain place that just makes you feel oh so special and for me it was the Queens Room a two storey grand ballroom with magnificent chandeliers, inlaid parquetry, gorgeous stained glass and sumptuous drapes on the stage.  The first time I came across it a classical pianist was performing Brahms – sublime.

This is not a ship for schoolies or a buck’s party.  There are standards and that is part of the joy of joining a sector.

For example, the evening dress code rotates between formal, semi formal and elegant casual, and the latter requiring gentlemen to wear a jacket but no tie.  And it goes without saying that jeans or shorts are not permitted as evening wear.

That won’t be to everyone’s taste but there is something special about dressing to a nice standard in a venue that appreciates it.  Daywear is relaxed but again people do strive for a Cunard standard.  Shorts tend to be tailored rather than footy.  T-shirts designer rather than Bin tang.

There is a nightclub that rocks on until the wee hours, with a resident band rather than just a DJ, and a sports area that includes lawn bowls, paddle tennis and in very British fashion – croquet.

It is this impeccable attention to detail that gives Cunard the right to its slogan “the most famous ocean liners in the world”.