"A Voyage of Superlatives" - The 2006 QE2 Transatlantic Crossing

“A Voyage of Superlatives”

Ship: QE2

Line: Cunard

Sail Date: January 3, 2006

Itinerary: 6-day Transatlantic Crossing

From/To: Southampton to New York

Cabin: 2108

Category: P1

Dining Room: Princess Grill

Email: eroller at bellsouth dot com

Pictures Link:

http://public.fotki.com/eroller/qe2_1-3-2006/

Getting There.

Cunard once used the slogan which proclaimed “Getting There is Half the Fun”. In the case of this six day transatlantic crossing, getting there was all the fun! This voyage was truly one of superlatives. The classic ocean liner, the vast Atlantic Ocean, the incredible food and service, and most of all the charming fellow passengers.

Things got off to a very good start. Cunard offered this crossing for a song, and even threw in the one-way air to London for good measure. I was booked on American Airlines from my home in Atlanta through Chicago and onto London. I ended up forfeiting my confirmed flights and instead opted to fly on Delta (which happens to be my employer). I was cleared on the flight in Business Elite and flew nonstop from Atlanta to London Gatwick. What a pleasant way to start things off. Upon arrival in Gatwick I was met by a Cunard representative who shuttled three of us off to a nearby hotel (Hilton as I recall) to await our transfer to Southampton. It was only an hour before we were on our way to QE2. The social aspect of this voyage quickly became apparent as I shared the bus ride with a new entertainer joining QE2 and a fellow Atlantan. We chatted the entire two hours to Southampton.

Embarkation.

Embarkation was really the only negative I can recall about this crossing. It was agonizingly slow and inefficient. One might think this was the first time embarking the ship. Once checked-in and through the usual security measures things quickly improved.

The Cabin.

It was my good fortune to be upgraded from a C-grade cabin to a P1. My cabin (2108) was located on the Port Side just aft of the Pursers Office. It was a great location and a truly fabulous cabin. Cabin 2108 was an original First Class cabin so the finish was a bit above grade. Wood paneled bulkheads, recessed ceiling, walk-in closet, full bath with tub, illuminated vanity mirror, refrigerator, safe, and tons of dresser space. This cabin was truly designed for extended voyages, or at the very least occupants with extensive luggage! I quickly settled in and met my cabin stewardess Bing. She was a gem and most efficient. Waiting for me were two bottles of champagne. One bottle was actually for my brother who was supposed to be traveling with me, but he unexpectedly had to cancel the trip due to a business obligation. The pressure was on to enjoy this beautiful cabin solo, and rest assured it was not a difficult task. Everything in the cabin worked as it should. Wonderful water pressure, steady hot water, and air conditioning that could freeze a side of beef if so desired.

Princess Grill.

I decided to stop by the Princess Grill soon after embarkation and let the Maitre d’ know my brother would not be joining the table. My initial dealings with Andrew were an indication of things to come. He was professional and accommodating. Andrew assured me I was at an excellent table and I would enjoy myself. He was right! I was assigned one of only two tables for eight. They are both round and in the center of the small dining room. Joining me were a couple from Jersey (Channel Islands) UK, another couple from Helsinki, a single lady from Louisiana, and a single gentlemen from Las Vegas. We all got along famously and dinner became an event to look forward to. Service and food in the Princess Grill was exemplary. The staff addressed you by name at all times, and you basically wanted for nothing. In fact, I can honestly proclaim my dining experience was the best of any ship I’ve sailed except Silversea. I could not have been more pleased. Most nights there was something wonderful being prepared tableside and you could also order many items a la carte. In addition special requests were encouraged if you had a unique desire. Our table got along so well that often times we found ourselves the last remaining occupants, lingering well beyond 10:30pm on many nights. Never once were we rushed or given those not so subtle hints that it was time to vacate the dining room.

Entertainment.

I think the best entertainment was my fellow passengers. They were far more interesting than any Las Vegas show or comedian. I did not attend one evening show on this voyage, as frankly I was having too much fun socializing. Special mention must be made of the lecture series. They were excellent and well attended. Any ship buff or historian was certainly in heaven on this voyage. On the lecture circuit were Ted Scull, John Maxtone-Graham, Patrick Allitt, and Dr. Peter Crimes. Also onboard was the charming (and new friend) Ann Haynes who was available to sign her book “Union-Castle Line Purserette”, and Douglas Ward, author of the infamous Berlitz Guide to Cruising. Especially enjoyable for me were Ted Scull’s ocean liner and New York lectures, and of course those given by John Maxtone-Graham as well.

I can’t talk about entertainment without mentioning all the parties. They were great fun and it seemed I couldn’t return to my cabin without finding another invitation. I enjoyed my first visit to the Officer’s Ward Room for a cocktail party, as well as two private parties given by fellow passengers (one in a suite and another in the Yacht Club). In addition there was the “Senior Officer’s Party” in the Queen’s Room and of course the traditional Captain’s Welcome party and the Cunard World Club past passenger party. All very festive indeed!

The Ship.

You can’t write about a traditional transatlantic crossing in this day and age without mentioning QE2. There has been so much written about this great ship by so many talented people that I dare not try to compete. Suffice it to say, the “Queen” has won me over. My first sailing on QE2 left much to be desired, but things were vastly different this time around. The ship seemed more cheerful and much of this had to do with a crew that seemed content, well trained, and happy. Is this the result of Princess Cruises at work? I don’t know. I do know I did not encounter a single rude crew member and the ambition seemed to be one of pleasing the passengers. The ship itself looked very good and in tip top shape. Everything worked as it should, cabins and public areas were spotless, and maintenance seemed to be of a very high standard. As with any ship 35+ years of age, not everything is going to look new and shiny and I think this is part of the charm. QE2 is a lady that has circumnavigated the globe many times over and it shows. This is a good thing. She is like a favorite old shoe that fits perfectly every time and is extremely comfortable. Favorite areas were the Princess Grill, Princess Grill Bar, Chart Room, Theater, Indoor Pool, Library, Book Shop, and the Yacht Club. Outdoor decks looked superb and I noticed plenty of beautiful new teak furniture.

The Weather.

This may sound a little strange, but many of us ship enthusiasts (myself included) were a bit disappointed in the fine weather. We had a few short hours one evening of moderate seas, but it was over almost before it began. We did experience a several days of consistent ship movement (side to side and not fore to aft), but nothing too serious. The last day was truly calm and this was especially evident when all the wonderful creaking in my cabin subsided. The air temperature was unexpectedly warm most afternoons. Several days I took my stroll on deck with nothing but the clothes I was wearing and no additional jacket. The first and last days were the chilliest, but I wouldn’t go as far to call it cold. Maybe next year we will experience the rough seas we all had hoped for.

My Fellow Passengers.

Special mention must be made of my fellow passengers. They were truly the reason this crossing was such an enjoyable success. Unlike your typical passenger on a 7-day Caribbean cruise, only a certain type of person is attracted to a North Atlantic Winter crossing. Call us insane (as my partner does), adventurous, or both! I’ve never traveled with a more interesting and enjoyable group of people. In fact many of us started communicating well before our voyage on the various Internet message boards. It was great fun actually meeting the online personalities and seeing how they stack up against their online persona. In every case I was not disappointed and feel I have made several new friendships for years to come. We nicknamed ourselves the “WCC”, or Winter Crossing Club and I’m hopeful this will become an annual event so long as QE2 is still with us.

One adventure we WCC members enjoyed was a “Cabin Cavalcade”. What is a Cabin Cavalcade you may ask? Since QE2 is not a cookie cutter ship, almost every cabin on the ship is different even within the same cabin category. We all thought it would be great fun to embark on a cabin exploration one afternoon. Participation was excellent and I would estimate we viewed twenty or so cabins of various WCC members. Many cabin types were represented from small inside single cabins, to large original suites midship on One Deck. It was great fun if not a little chaotic at times due to the large number of people involved.

One evening several of us went on an expedition to the funnel. This meant climbing steep stairs and ladders in our finest evening wear, and braving the elements of rather cold weather, drizzle, and sea spray. In the end it was worth it as we laid our hands on the base of the great funnel and posed for some incriminating photos!

Special thanks to all my new friends (and a few old ones to) for making this crossing something to remember. I must also thank Captain Rynd and his lovely wife Julie for making this crossing extra special. Their hospitality is greatly appreciated. When my brother had to cancel I was a bit concerned about sailing solo. Would I get lonely? Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact I had very little time to myself as you couldn’t walk around the ship without running into someone you know and getting involved in shipboard chat. Simply put, there were not enough hours in the day to enjoy all the stimulating conversation and shipboard gossip.

Disembarkation and Going Home.

Our arrival in NY on January 9, 2006 was during the wee hours of the morning. Too early in fact for me to get out of bed and watch the spectacle. It’s hard to awake at 4am when you just hit the sheets a couple hours earlier! By the time I awoke we were alongside at the Passenger Ship Terminal on the West Side of Manhattan. While outdated, this facility has many memories for me having visited so many ships here as a child. Sad to say, but the facility looks identical to my recollection from the late 1970’s. For this reason, and I’m sure many others, this could very well be QE2’s last visit to the West Side piers. Beginning later this year, all Cunard ships (along with many other lines) will dock at a new facility in Brooklyn. It’s hard to imagine arriving in NY by sea and docking anywhere besides the West Side piers.

I purchased a Cunard transfer to La Guardia airport and it went without a hitch. I was able to catch an 11am Delta flight to Atlanta and even got confirmed in First Class. I was pulling into my garage by 2:30pm. Just like the beginning of this adventure (and the middle for that matter), the ending also ended on a very positive note.

Until next time, long live the QE2!

Ernie Roller

Nice I can't wait until we go on our own Winter Crossing in January 2007. This will mark the 3rd time on the QE2 for me but the first for this type of unique voyage. I hope we get as good a group as y'all next winter. I look forward to it immensely. We are tentatively booked in M but we are watching the prices maybe looking for an upgrade. No big deal I don't eat a lot so the extra food in the Grills may or may not appeal to me but the cabins are another story!

Now that was quick ;) ! I haven't even started my review and photos yet - still catching up on e-mails etc. and re-adjusting to real life!

Anyhow, thanks for a great review and photos. I remember before this crossing, you said this would probably be your last time on QE2. Do I take it that you've changed your mind now ;) ?

It really was a magnificent crossing and I certainly do hope I can make this an annual event for as long as she sails. (And long may she sail!)

Now that was quick ;) !

 

Anyhow, thanks for a great review and photos. I remember before this crossing, you said this would probably be your last time on QE2. Do I take it that you've changed your mind now ;) ?

 

I'm actually a very quick writer. I sit down when I'm ready and spit

out a review in 45 minutes or so.

The pics are easy these days, thanks to digital cameras! You have to

love technology.

Ernie - who is considering another crossing on QE2

What a refreshing and interesting review!!!!

Ernie....... just reading that and looking at the pics made me feel that I was on board. Your pics are truly excellent and the narrative conjoured up in my mind the truly excellent times to be had on board as you meet people and enjoy wonderful conversations (etc.!!!).

Now, where *did* I put my booking form.........?

My wife and I enjoyed your pictures and write up about the crossing. We were suppose to get on in New York and Cunard upgraded us to P2 and moved us to the LA-Sydney leg. We are very excited about the cruise and your comments only added fuel to the fire.

R & J

Ernie,

How nice to read such a great review, and to put a face to the name !!! as a veteran of a number of Atlantic runs lt brought me back to the good old days!!

Superb photos!! How full was the ship? gathering by some of the last minute deals l wonder if she was full? and with the sailing just so soon after new year it does make you wonder had she sailed a day later would more people have been tempted?

cheers again !!!

Myles cunardqueen@aol.com

Yes, it most certainly was a voyage of superlatives!

Ernie, sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you. I think it was John Maxtone-Graham who remarked that on a voyage there's nothing to do and not enough time to do it. The five days/six nights passed by much too quickly. (Do you find that time moves at a different pace, and that the days of the week lose their land-based meaning?) And even after nearly a week on board, I know there are still parts of the ship I didn't explore.

That Princess Grill upgrade sounds like it was well worth it. Our C3 stateroom was very comfortable & I'd be happy to have the same room again, but I'm afraid things didn't go quite as smoothly in the Caronia Restaurant--the service was a bit spotty, despite the best efforts of our waitress; the maitre d' and his assistant were rather charmless; and with only two couples at a table for six, the conversational possibilities were limited. Oh well--it still beats dining on land. And everything else about the crossing was magical. (But where were those force 10 gales?)

I've just been looking at some of your splendid photos. (I see we have a similar eye for the ship paintings.) I fear mine--non-digital--won't turn out as well, so I really appreciate having yours to help remind me of this fine vessel & our wonderful crossing.

Hope to see you & other WCC members on board next year--in January again, or in April (in which case we'd have to take out membership in the Spring Crossing Club).

Cheers to all,

John

Thanks for a great review Ernie!

When I was onboard QE2 in June last year I thought servicewise things were really good.

This review brought back very good memories of the 2002 crossing we did. And you are right the transatatlantic public is hard to beat. Perhaps I should consider the 2007 crossing!

Reint

Thanks for a great review Ernie!

 

When I was onboard QE2 in June last year I thought servicewise things were really good.

 

 

Reint

Thanks Reint! I wish you were there, you would have enjoyed it. The only thing missing was the rough weather! ;)

Ernie

Hi Ernie,

I didn't get a chance to say farewell to you in New York. And many others in the WCC. But that's the way it goes...

I thought of you when my flight made it's unscheduled emergency landing in New Orleans. It was a chance to see what you guys do outside of "coffee, tea?" and "buckle your seatbelts please".

These guys really worked their tales off to make sure we were all comfortable and inconvenienced as little as possible. I was especially impressed by the buffet they arranged with provisions off of the plane in the otherwise closed up deserted terminal.

When, in flight, we saw the flight attendants abandon the in flight service and rush off to the aft galley, we all knew something was up!

As passengers we tend to forget the flight crews other training. But I don't need to tell you that!

It was a bit disconcerting upon landing to be surrounded by emergency vehicles, and thank goodness we were on the ground before the problem became the evening news.

see you next time!

Kyle

Hi Ernie,

 

I didn't get a chance to say farewell to you in New York. And many others in the WCC. But that's the way it goes...

 

Kyle

Hi Kyle,

I'm just glad you made it home safe and in one piece! A little adventure to end a marvelous trip.

I hope to see you on QE2 in 2007!

Ernie

We enjoyed your pictures very much. Thanks for posting them!

Nancy