What makes the QE2 so special?

Many 'Cunarders' that have sailed on the QE2 in the past have fallen in love with her and seem to have such an emotional attachment to her. Some have sailed on her many times over the years and actually prefer her to the QM2. Why is this? I've never sailed on the QE2 and I want to know what makes her so special?

Well, I have yet to sail on her too but I am thinking the age of the ship along with its history is the prime reason. Its the last survivor of the olden days of transoceanic ocean liners when there used to be a class system in place, an odd assortment of cabins of various shapes and sizes (nothing cookie cutter about it) and several other quirky things that have been done away with in this day and age. As modern and spiffy as the QM2 is, the new ship is aimed at the modern cruise market and is more or less a cruise ship variant on the traditional ocean liner. So those who want to sail to relive the days gone by as they really were more or less have to flock to the QE2. I can definitely see why there would be such an attachment.

I'm doing both ships for the first time in the upcoming 12 months and am looking forward to seeing both for different reasons. Comparing them would be like comparing apples to oranges.

David

Well, AngryKing, I fall into exactly the category you describe...and I've just returned from two weeks on the QE2 followed by a TA on QM2 so this is recent information.

Let me put it this way: The QE2 is like one of the great classic London hotels. The QM2 is like one of the dazzling new Las Vegas hotels.

There are advocates of each; folks like them for different reasons.

For me, the QE2 offers an (admittedly romanticized) glimpse of the elegance of times past ... dressing for dinner in a elegant country house ... comfortable (if a bit quirky) accommodations in cabins with individuality ... and (after 6 voyages) a sense of homecoming.

Also, I have the strong feeling that the QE2 is a great vessel ... a great sea-going machine ... into which they have somehow fitted a grand hotel. The "nautical" aspects trump the "hotel" ones at every turn.

Whereas, the QM2 (after 2 voyages) seems more like a hotel which has somehow been liberated from its foundation and moves around the seas ...

They are both wonderful ships ... but for very different reasons. I like the QM2 ... but (as you suggested) ... I LOVE the QE2.

I encourage you to sail on the QE2 ... while you still can ... there'll never ever be another ship like her ...

Hope this helps.

Many 'Cunarders' that have sailed on the QE2 in the past have fallen in love with her and seem to have such an emotional attachment to her. Some have sailed on her many times over the years and actually prefer her to the QM2. Why is this? I've never sailed on the QE2 and I want to know what makes her so special?

Beats me???

I've never sailed on the QE2 and I want to know what makes her so special?

My answer in short is authenticity, sophistication and consistency.

First, the ship itself is a real ship, not a floating container, built as a liner, with staggered stern, portholes, large open decks as well as many places right by the window in all public rooms and many more.

Most cabins are originally decorated with real wood just like this and original pieces of art are present all over the ship.

Many stewards, especially the long serving ones, are genuinely interested in serving you. Service is provided in a friendly, formal, attentive and unobtrusive way.

Details include single-seating dinning for about half of the passengers, stewards who escort you to your room and bar stewards who remember your name after meeting just ones.

Nobody needs rock climbing walls, darts or pool games for entertainment; lectures, ballroom dancing and other pursuits are right there. Daily Holy Mass and a synagogue care for religious needs.

Most important:

Everything fits together and creates a harmonious atmosphere.

The passengers themselves are important for this: Passengers follow the dress code, which is formal or informal for almost all evenings, for the whole evening, and most behave accordingly. Most do not play “formal night” or “captain’s reception” for a picture but just live it. Thus the elegance of the public rooms, the attentiveness of the stewards and the attire and behaviour of the passengers enhance each other while on the QM2 the elegance of the ship is counteracted by the sloppiness of many people.

Many passengers are well-educated, well-travelled and interested in other people. Socialising is an important part of daily activities. (I.e. getting to know people and having interesting conversations.) The sense of having something in common is assisted by the low number of balconies. Passengers actually celebrate together sail-aways or get out on deck to see the world.

Yes, ideally all parts fit into the high level picture.

(PS: There is certainly some bias in this view that blinds out some shortcomings and strange things like those art auctions and gold by the inch Carnival introduced.. Objectively the QE2 has been redone many times, not everything is perfect and many people feel that there is a decline in standards. Yet, IMHO she is still years ahead of most ships.)

Why does one person want to live in an old Victorian Home, with quirky angles and curves, hardwood floors, plaster walls, old style sinks and toilets, cupolas, gingerbread adornment, often odd color schemes, a parlor room, cozy fireplaces, a pantry, a formal living room, and dining room, marvelous staircases with real carved wooden balustrades, while another would like a suburban "plastic" (vinyl-clad) ranch with plywood underlayment and wall to wall carpet or "engineered" wood floors, laminate counters, fake gas fireplaces, drywall, plastic tub and shower "enclosures" in a subdivision where each house is a mirror image of the one next door, perhaps with a different color on the shutters (grey or black, probably) and a "perfect" chemlawn postage stamp lawn of uniform thickness, (no grubworms) and all over little maintenance required?

I don't know. Guess which one I'd prefer?

Karie,

who has not yet had the honor of experiencing the QE2, but would certainly love to!

Well, some people "get it" and some don't. If you've not sailed in her, it's not easy to "get". Even if you have, it's not necessarily easy to get.

But then, what makes the Empire State Building special since there are plenty of taller buildings now? Why fuss over a vintage Jaguar when virtually any new car is safer, more economical, and so on?

QE2 is the last 20th century ocean liner in service for a traditional North Atlantic line. Frankly, I might not be a QE2 passenger if, say, HAL hadn't retired ROTTERDAM (V). QE2 is certainly not the greatest of her type; not even close. But she's what we have left.

And when she's gone, QM2 will still be there. She's still shiny and new, but eventually she will become what QE2 is now. (After all, when QE2 entered service, she was far more different from the old QUEENs than QM2 is from her.)

But she's what we have left.

Is she all that's left? The Caronia's still running as the Saga Rose; When the Albatross went that was the end of the Saxonia; The United States is still mothballed isn't she? What else is there that fits into the category of a proper transatlantic liner?

Many 'Cunarders' that have sailed on the QE2 in the past have fallen in love with her and seem to have such an emotional attachment to her

Well, for me she has Atmosphere, Panache and Class, and l "get it" everytime from the moment l go through the utter joy of checkin, and progress upstairs, where just beyond the windows she waits and untill the moment of disembarkation when l feel like a dead fish cast upon a beach and left to the mercy of the wind and tide.

And thankfully QE2 has not gone the way of the rock climbing walls and that dreadfull weddings at sea:eek:

Somethings she might be, tacky is not one of them!!

I have journeyed on QM2 once and just loved it. I would like to try QE2 for all the reasons given here - it sounds marvellous. However, what has put me off trying is the 'quirkiness' of some staterooms -Cunard describe them as 'modest' - I just think of 'cramped' in Mauretania grade which is where we would be. I couldn't enjoy the cruise if I wasn't comfortable in the room too.

Any advice on room choice in that grade please?

thanks

heywood

Well we've gone and done it Heywood! We've booked one of the Mauretania cabins for next summer and like you, are wondering what they will be like. This will be our 20th cruise - have had all sorts of cabins on other ships but this will be the first on the QE2 so will keep our fingers crossed that the cabin will be OK. After all, we are on the ship which is the main thing, and are looking forward to the cruise very much. We won't spend that much time in the cabin after all and that will be mainly sleeping. We would also be interested to read comments from others who know these "quirky" cabins. (I quite like that word.!)

Many thanks,

Marge M

Beats me???

C'mon dude ..... get over it

:rolleyes:

We would also be interested to read comments from others who know these "quirky" cabins.

I like the word "quirky" as well:) It sounds a lot nicer than small, pokey or cramped!:D (I don't think the cabins are either pokey or cramped, just well planned)

I've found that the amount of time I spend in the cabin is directly related to the size of that cabin - when I've been in an MI (the smallest there is) I spend very little time there except to sleep; when I was in a Q4 (the highest I've ever managed) I was much more willing to spend time enjoying the cabin (and conversely less time enjoying the ship).

If you have a bigger cabin with chairs, a table, etc then you're much more likely to sit in it that you would be if the only place to sit was the bed.

C'mon dude ..... get over it

 

 

:rolleyes:

NOTHING to get over !!!

Queen Elizabeth 2 is justly beloved because of the very kinds of comments posted in this thread and more. Arguably, every bit of posting space on all these boards combined could be filled with accolades from her adoring and loyal fans.

For me, QE2 is first and foremost an excellent example of a what a classic ocean liner or ship for that matter should look like. Her elegant lines and harmonious proportions are pleasurable to behold. Seeing her no matter where is always an exciting experience for me and those who love ships.

Internally, she has gone through many changes, both physically and cosmetically, some for the better (improved traffic flow; the Crystal Bar; the new Yacht Club; eliminating the pool & magrodome) and some for the worse (elimination of Observation Bar; the new Funnel bar; the fake wood paneling). Ultimately and curiously, and in spite of these changes, she has settled quite comfortably into an agreeable, idiosyncratic persona. This ship, I say, has a grand personality, heart and soul like no other. The sense of history and the excitement of sailing in this living legend, which is truly the most famous ship in the world, are palpable.

Perhaps borrowing from a recent film and saying QE2 is, quite simply, "The remains of the day" sums up my opinion best.

Some very well expressed posting above. I particularly like the comparison with a great London hotel as opposed to a Las Vegas Hotel.

Although I have not sailed on QM2, I have toured her. She is glitzy, smart but somehow not alive.

Whereas QE2 is. A very small number of machines stand out as having that quality. Concorde was one. QE2 is one.

And if you can compare QE2 to Concorde, you can compare QM2 to an A380.

Ultimately you have to sail on QE2 to understand. And if you do, you'll understand.

Unless, of course, you're one of those obstinates like Ken who just like causing trouble!;)

For me QE2 has got a bit of a sentimental meaning.

In my teenage years I started to collect brochures and the QE2 ones were my favourites. In 1982 I travelled from the Netherlands to Southampton to see her (and some P&O ships)

At that time she was painted in dove grey and just returned from the Falklands. Those were the days you could just walk up to the dockside and watch saling. The ship's departure with brassband on the dockside was a very emotional experience for me.

The years after I had allways wanted to sail on her but somehow it never happened. Until December 2002 when we went on a transatlantic from Southampton to New York. I still can remember how extremely excited I was the day we left London by train to southampton

The very first impressions once onboard were very very good. It wasn't the newest, glitziest, modern, flashiest, but it for me it felt very comfotable, pleasant and I felt immediately at ease.

However the people make the ship too. I was very impressed with service and had as far as fellow passengers the best cruise ever. Very sociable people, very friendly and open. Dresscodes were very formal (5 formal nights in a row) which gave it a very special atmosphere.

For me she's got a very homely feeling. I do not care about activities such as bingo and things. But have great memories about the lectures in the theatre. But above being seated comfortably, and ocaasionally gazing towards the sea while reading a book.

Reint

I have cruised on many cruise ships with many different cruise companies, but in 2003 i found Cunard when i sailed on the Caronia. This ship was like a luxurious country Hotel, i booked an inside single stateroom but was upgraded to an outside room. It was very spacious and included a Fridge,TV and Video recorder,i also received a bottle of champagne and a plate of chocolate covered Strawberries. The ship was beautiful, with lots of wood panelling and artwork, and a lovely room where they served Afternoon Tea while a Trio of ladies played music.The dinning room was also amazing.Sadly the Ship only sailed for one more year under Cunard

I decided to try the QE2 and i am now hooked, not only do i think the Ships are the best i have been on i also think Cunard is the best Cruise Company i have come across :D

The staff and the service is excellent and i have made many friends among passengers and crew and i cant wait to get back onboard next week :)

You know, reading Bobby's ode to the Queen, it suddenly occured to me- (Fake wood paneling) All real wood was taken out of ships in compliance with the new regulations due to risk of fire.

It was replaced, as was mentioned elsewhere (might have been in the same thread) by wood-look plastic. Plastic is made of petrochemicals (read: OIL) now besides that some plastics can burn and spread as badly, and burn hotter (ever had burned plastic drip on you? I'd much rather be hit by a burning wood coal- at least it doesn't glue itself onto your skin!)

many types of plastics when heated or burned, can also give off lethal chemicals. In fact, many rugs and a lot of the cubicle type office dividers are filled with formaldehyde foam! (well, if you die from it, at least they can save money on embalming, no?)

So I wonder, in reality, which is really safer

Karie,

Who will continue to enjoy cruising no mater if they build the walls out of lard

All real wood was taken out of ships in compliance with the new regulations due to risk of fire.

Real wood is fine... It just has to be a very thin veneer on a fireproof substrate.

Why do we love the QE2? Let me count the ways.

First and last, she is classy and a classic. Having sailed on her many times since the 1970's, we have so many warm, wonderful memories. Yes, there have been some ups and downs during that period, but she has always come back with a welcoming level of quality that is not achieved on any other ship. Caronia was close, but the management let that ship go down hill. Thanks to Saga for bringing it back up to a level it deserves.

If I had to pick one word to describe our relationship with QE2, it would be comfortable. It is coming home on a regular basis with other passengers who appreciate the unique atmosphere and a ship that is proud on its rich culture and works hard to share it with all of us.

Thanks for all the info everyone. She seems like a great ship that I hope to one day sail on. Rumor has it that she is only in service for another 3 or 4 years. Yikes!

Rumor has it that she is only in service for another 3 or 4 years. Yikes!

I have it from a good source (former Cunard employee) that the dreaded date is known and is a "classified" top level, guarded piece of information at the highest levels of Carnival management.

Woe is me.

I have it from a good source (former Cunard employee) that the dreaded date is known and is a "classified" top level, guarded piece of information at the highest levels of Carnival management.

And who is this former Cunard employee that he or she is so priveliged to know this?

Just because the person is a former Cunard employee does not necessarily make him or her a good source.

Keep in mind that the official line at Cunard (not that I necessarily believe it, or disbelieve it for that matter) is that there are no plans to retire QE2. This means that if, as your source claims, the date is known and is "top-secret", the mere fact that a retirement date has been set (or even thought of) should be top-secret as well... And your source just let out a big corporate secret of his or her former employer, and must have been someone pretty important to even know this information.

Forgive me for being cynical here... I've just learned to take these things with a large grain of salt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobby1119

I have it from a good source (former Cunard employee) that the dreaded date is known and is a "classified"

Bobby1119

Of course when you return from the big daddy of cruises, when is your next QE2 cruise ..LOL !!!!;)