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Live from the 2013 world cruise - on QM2

Whitemarsh

By Whitemarsh,
in Cunard Line

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tangoll

tangoll

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I am a GREAT fan of 1960's - 1970's music and cannot get enough of this popular music BUT I do accept some (a minority :p:D) of a younger generation might not appreciate this style of music... Thinking of Procol Harum A Whiter
as I type this..... (Is that tonsil tickling music or what?) If this gathering is perhaps over the age of forty then maybe this excellent music is for them (or even Bach or Mozart!!)

 

The melody for Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale, came from JS Bach's Air on a G String, Suite No. 3 in D Major. There are so many instances where popular tunes took their melodies from classical pieces. For example, Eric Carmen's Never Gonna Fall in Love Again came from Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, 3rd Movement. Or Caterina Valente's Tonight We Love from Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor.

 

So many. Many people may not realize that the base melody of quite a few of the popular tunes that they like came from the classics.

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Slow Foxtrot

Slow Foxtrot

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The melody for Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale, came from JS Bach's Air on a G String, Suite No. 3 in D Major. There are so many instances where popular tunes took their melodies from classical pieces......

 

One has to stretch the imagination to say the actual melodies are the same in those two pieces but there's no doubt that dozens of popular songs have words fitted to great classical melodies. Nice to hear the Hammond organ featured so well in White Shade of Pale.

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swanseaboy

swanseaboy

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Wow these trip reports are fantastic! We did the Southampton to Dubai leg of the Voyage in January this year on deck 5 in a balcony cabin.

 

We also went to the Friends of Dorothy meeting on the first night. It was fun! We did meet 2 guys from Bridgend (south Wales) who I think may be the 'Cunard Royalty' you are referring to. They are called Steve and John and were a great couple to talk to. They are on board until Sydney. They were on a shared table in Britannia but may now be on a table for 2.

 

If they are Steve and John and you talk to them, say Dave and Giles from Mumbles say hello!!!

 

Do keep posting your trip reports - it feels like we are back on the ship (if only!)

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Alibobs

Alibobs

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Hello Whitemarsh, I have not been on the forum for a couple of months but it's holiday planning time, as usual we said we will do something different this time but end up on the Cunard website!

 

Am enjoying reading about your adventures again, cannot believe it is a year since your last world segment

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Rotterdam

Rotterdam

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So good to hear you enjoyed your voyage!!! After directing the unpacking of your ball gown, trunks & jewel cases please let us know more of your holiday....

 

 

Strange.... you have arrived at home(despite the layover in Honkers)and we have not really heard from Whitemarsh!!!!!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM???? Do we need to contact Scotland Yard?????

 

 

It is the Countess here. I have just arrived back in Oz after 4 days in Hong Kong or as the common folk call it Honkers. I agree with all the previous comment Whitemarsh is a very gifted writer and it was a pleasure traveling with him when he was not leading me astray with the wine. Yes I do have pictures of him sleeping with his mouth open. (Black mail material for a later date) I am sure you will enjoy the rest of your cruise.

:)

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Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh

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Whitemarsh, what sort of magical camera are you using? Your photos don't appear to be the usual iPhone snapshots ... they're glorious, and add such a nice dimension to your tales (still waiting for the Hitchcock cameo ...).

 

It's a Canon EOS 550D.

 

Whitemarsh - great pics of Q suite, many thanks for that. One question, apart from the "walk in" wardrobe, it always appears on the Cunard pics that there is at least 1 other built wardrobe in the entrance corridor. I'm guessing there is the usual cupboard for the butler & steward to store cleaning materials, as there is on Queen Vic, but can you confirm if there is the extra wardrobe too please?

 

I'm interested because I can probably fill the main one on my own and Mrs Pies4u selfishly wants to bring some clothes with her as well. :)

 

I guess we won't need to use it but it would be handy, if it exists, for completeness.

 

Yes there is another wardrobe near the door. Plenty of space and shelves for shoes & t-shirts and that sort of thing.

 

i-5LRx2Sd-L.jpg

 

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Supplementary question - what is the evening situation in the Winter Garden? I am hoping to have a few pleasant interludes having a quiet drink whilst listening to a pianist or quartet and not have to scramble for a seat.

 

Look forward to your next instalment, complete with responses - in your own time, if it's not too much trouble.

 

I can't help you regarding the evening situation in the Winter Garden because I never use it. Although, the Grills welcome aboard cocktail party for the Hong Kong to Sydney sector was held there. That was nice, I thought I wouldn't like it, but I kind of prefer it as it's not as cavernous as the Queens Room.

 

The Commodore Club is a better spot for an evening drink whilst listening to the piano.

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Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh

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It is the Countess here. I have just arrived back in Oz after 4 days in Hong Kong or as the common folk call it Honkers. I agree with all the previous comment Whitemarsh is a very gifted writer and it was a pleasure traveling with him when he was not leading me astray with the wine. Yes I do have pictures of him sleeping with his mouth open. (Black mail material for a later date) I am sure you will enjoy the rest of your cruise.

:)

 

They better not ever see the light of day Countess. :)

 

I haven't had the heart to visit the Chart Room since you disembarked. :( Would it be as fun without you? Is there any liver pate left? Would I recognise the room if I was sober?

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Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh

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Hi Whitemarsh,

I read with interest your comments on both this thread and the post to Mr Shanks regarding G32.

 

I am a GREAT fan of 1960's - 1970's music and cannot get enough of this popular music BUT I do accept some (a minority :D) of a younger generation might not appreciate this style of music... Thinking of Procol Harum A Whiter

as I type this..... (Is that tonsil tickling music or what?) :o:o:o I know this song is as popular in the Night Clubs of Torbay now as it was when it was first released and we have some great disc jockeys (so my son and daughter tell me)

 

Could it be that the music is chosen for the majority? I ask this question in a polite and constructive manner because if the majority of the audience is aged forty or younger, then perhaps they might appreciate a newer type of noise!! If this gathering is perhaps over the age of forty then maybe this excellent music is for them (or even Bach or Mozart!!)

 

Hopefully the issue of the non disc jockey will eventually be resolved but have you thought about jumping up onto the stage and hosting a session or two?

 

I was up on the upper level of G32 having a smoke and thinking about this subject just the other night, and I would agree that they play the hits from the 60's to appeal to my parent's generation. But what about other generations that attend G32 (over 18 and under 60). Twenty years ago, people that are in their fifties now were in the 30's. Perhaps they might like to hear some music from the 90's. I know I wouldn't mind (as I loved the 90's), so shouldn't the DJ play some? And who decided that people only want to hear music that was popular in their twenties anyway? The current crop of people in their fifties (for example) probably listen (and like) current music, so why doesn't it get played?

 

In any case, unless Cunard has completely given up on attracting a younger demographic, they should have at least one evening space on board that provides this type of entertainment. By that I mean music that isn't classical or 50 years old. Maybe I just need to get over it and accept that my song requests will eventually get played in 30 years time when I'm in my sixties. Then they will have to play music that I want to listen to now, because if (at that point) they are still playing the Rolling Stones then they'd be playing music that was 80 years old. And I think we can all agree that that would be ridiculous in any nightclub - in Torbay or otherwise.

 

But this may all be academic anyway. There is a new DJ in town called DJ Alex and he is the best DJ that I have come across on this ship. Without even being asked, he played music that was less than 50 years old and he even came down onto the dance floor and showed us all how to do the 'Hustle'. The other night he played 'Party Rock Anthem' by LMAFO and he is even making an attempt to mix between songs! I have asked him to play 'Scream & Shout' by Britney Spears and will.i.am and he's promised to download it and play it for me. He wasn't onboard between Singapore & Hong Kong because he was on holiday. That's why one of the members of Vibez was filling in as DJ.

 

Whiter Shade of Pale has always been in my "top 3 songs of all time". Reminds me of school disco's in the late 60's, it was the proverbial last dance. As Glojo says, a genuine "tonsil tickler". :p

 

If any night club played that, plus The Searchers (my favourite band) and a selection of 80's electronic stuff then I'd be in there for sure.

 

Usually the volume, monotony and over zealous bass just gives you a headache and you can't converse - so clubs are best avoided in my view. I will give G32 a try in April and see what it is like. It looks and sounds pretty dire from what appears on here!

 

You don't have to worry about high volume or over zealous bass in G32...sadly. :(

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Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh

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Whitemarsh, Who you be kind enough to tell me who the Entertainment Director and Assistant are at this time.

Many Thanks

 

The Entertainment Director is Paul O' Loughlin. I do not know who the assistant is.

 

Wow these trip reports are fantastic! We did the Southampton to Dubai leg of the Voyage in January this year on deck 5 in a balcony cabin.

 

We also went to the Friends of Dorothy meeting on the first night. It was fun! We did meet 2 guys from Bridgend (south Wales) who I think may be the 'Cunard Royalty' you are referring to. They are called Steve and John and were a great couple to talk to. They are on board until Sydney. They were on a shared table in Britannia but may now be on a table for 2.

 

If they are Steve and John and you talk to them, say Dave and Giles from Mumbles say hello!!!

 

Do keep posting your trip reports - it feels like we are back on the ship (if only!)

 

Thank you :)

 

And, no it's not them. I haven't yet come across a Steve & John from Wales.

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glojo

glojo

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I was up on the upper level of G32 having a smoke and thinking about this subject just the other night, and I would agree that they play the hits from the 60's to appeal to my parent's generation. But what about other generations that attend G32 (over 18 and under 60). Twenty years ago, people that are in their fifties now were in the 30's. Perhaps they might like to hear some music from the 90's. I know I wouldn't mind (as I loved the 90's), so shouldn't the DJ play some? And who decided that people only want to hear music that was popular in their twenties anyway? The current crop of people in their fifties (for example) probably listen (and like) current music, so why doesn't it get played?

Hi Whitemarsh,

I'm with you and any decent DJ will very quickly sound out their audience and play what is liked. I like Ozzy Osbourne, and Guns-n-Roses but I am guessing I might be in the minority so can it be that a disc jockey is never going to please all of the people all of the time?

 

They should however consider the age group they are poerforming to and possibly play music that might appeal and why not play requests :mad::mad: ??

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Pies4u

Pies4u

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They're famously a one hit wonder band, but I prefer the follow up single. Full marks to anyone who can name it (without resorting to Google :D).

 

Colin

 

Conquistador.

 

Great album too - A Salty Seadog. Terrific band, saw them about half a dozen times in the 70's.

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glojo

glojo

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They're famously a one hit wonder band, but I prefer the follow up single. Full marks to anyone who can name it (without resorting to Google :D).

 

Colin

Bottom line is that here in the UK there are not many Night Clubs that do not play this record as one of the last tunes of the evening. yes it is 1960's music but who cares what the period is. The 'cream' will always float. (childish giggle and not my type of music)

 

Whitemarsh made anexcellent point about G32 and if there has to be a Night Club then it should not be half empty. 'Doors' shoulkd be opened :) 'Who' would you want to .listen to whilst the ships 'Troggs' along to the beat.

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Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh

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Happily the maitre d did give us the table we wanted and we have a table down near the windows overlooking the stern. There are seven of us at this table, the new Jane (because she reminds me of Jane from last year - as in glamorous blond), an American lady doing the full world voyage, a doctor (female), me, a couple from Sydney and another lady. On the first night the couple from Sydney were a no show but everyone else turned up. Dinner was good, the food is the same as the Princess Grill (which I thought it would be, as it would be hard to make it different considering it comes from the same kitchen). One of the waiters, who I remember from the Princess Grill last year, came over to say hi and we put in our orders for caviar, escargot and crepes suzette. After dinner I walked the promenade deck with the doctor and took in the view of Junk Bay. A hot chocolate in the Commodore Club followed, which is always nice. There's a new chap (passenger) who boarded in Hong Kong. He's quite a looker, although he is possibly eccentric. I say this because he was singing along to the piano, his eyes were closed and he reminded me of a white Stevie Wonder (but white and better looking).

 

The next morning we had a shore tour in Hong Kong. This is the Lantau Island tour and the meeting place was the place du jour for Cunard tours and that is, of course, the Royal Court Theatre. As we are anchored in Junk Bay we have to take a tender to Star Ferry terminal. The ferry ride is interesting enough and I'm pretty sure I picked out the new cruise terminal that QM2 will be able to dock in next year.

 

Boarding the tender to take us to the Star Ferry terminal.

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Queen Mary 2 anchored in Junk Bay.

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Forty minutes later we arrived at the terminal and boarded the bus. Our tour guide is a nice enough fellow and gives us a brief run down of all things interesting in Hong Kong whilst we make our way to our first stop, which is a photo op from a lookout point. Upon reaching the first destination everyone in the bus stands up to get ready to exit. Five minutes later we are still standing in the same positions as the front seat of the bus is occupied by a gentleman that needs assistance to exit the bus. Quite a lot of assistance as it turns out. Eventually we do make it off the bus and take some photos of some bridges of which I forget the names.

 

Our next stop is the cable car station where we are to board the cable car to take us to Lantau Island. There's quite a queue but pleasingly (as we're part of a tour) we get priority boarding. The cable car ride is quite long and the views are impressive. Looking down is slightly nerve racking as the height is very high. On the way we spot the giant Buddha that is part of the monastery that we're doing to visit.

 

The view from the cable car.

i-HskVzXN-L.jpg

 

The giant Buddha in the distance.

i-6qb58Nj-L.jpg

 

The monastery itself is very interesting and after walking up a long path to enter we are provided with a vegetarian lunch. The lunch was great and so were the people at our table. After the tour we went upstairs and visited inside the temple and then made our way to the car park where a bus was to take us up the hill to the Buddha. I decided the climb the stairs as an obesity prevention measure and managed to make it to the Buddha before the bus did - ten minutes before! I have no idea what they were doing down there. After some photos we're back on the bus making our way to our final destination which is the fishing village. On the way we pass the maximum security prison and I can the prisoners playing basketball. The maximum security prison wasn't on the tour, but it really should be - how interesting would it be to visit a prison and see how the other half live. My only experience of prison (being inside) is the show 'Prisoner'.

 

Whilst we are talking about famous characters etc, I have to tell you that there is a lady on board who looks remarkably like Penelope Keith from 'To the Manor Born'. The first time I saw her I was very excited (as you can imagine) but when she got closer I realised that my life long ambition to meet Audrey fforbes-Hamilton was to be, as yet, unfulfilled. I pointed 'Penelope' out to the doctor but she was unconvinced of the resemblance; I told her that she's not trying hard enough. In any case, as it's as close as I'm going to get to meeting Penelope , I'm going with it. There is also a lady on board who looks like Shelley Long (see below). 'Shelley' can be found dancing in G32 most nights and it's great to see so many of my favourite actress celebrity look-a-likes on board.

 

i-GXDjQK2-L.jpg

 

In other news, do you remember the lady I told you about who wore the stunning black & white ball gown (just pipping Dragana in the best dressed category for the Black & White ball) and followed that up with an even more impressive red gown with diamante waistband? Well this sector she has found a new BFF in a handsome young(ish) man who boarded in Hong Kong. They can be see having a very good time in G32, dancing and chain smoking upstairs in the 'smoking lounge'. They're having fun and they're certainly upping the elegance on board this ship. I enjoy watching them and, visually they're a stunning pair. It got me thinking, is that a job for handsome young men with time on their hands? Do some of them end up as escorts for beautiful ladies in stunning ball gowns on Queen Mary 2 as she sails around the world? I can think of worse things, so good luck to them.

 

Anyway, back to the fishing village. If you're looking for a picturesque Chinese fishing village then this is the place to come. There are dried seafood of all kinds available for purchase - even an entire dried shark! We're told that the villagers have large families, as the more family members they have to man their boats, the more money they make. Winding our way through the market we come upon a very elderly chinese lady who is pushing her shopping cart along the road. Walking alongside her, tied to the cart, is a cute (and elderly) Pekingese door. A couple of people from our tour group stop to take pictures (with the lady's permission of course). We visit another temple (ho hum) and are then instructed by our guide to make our way back to the bus. Despite these simple instructions one of the group manages to get lost. The guide goes back to look for her, running actually, as we have to be back at the Star Ferry terminal by a particular time to make the last tender boat. Eventually she is found, on the other side of the village, and we make our way to the ferry terminal for the ferry that will take us back to the Star Ferry terminal where we will board the tender boat that will take us back to the ship.

 

It was a great tour, marred only by the loser that felt the need to comment when I got out of my seat and went and stood by the exit door on the tender just as we reached the ship. "Rush rush" he said. In response I extended my middle finger and used it scratch the back of my head. As I was facing the other way I am sure he got the message.

 

Back on the ship I went to the spa to relax. Did you know that you can shave in the spa? I didn't, but I'm going to from now on as it saves having to do it back in the room. At dinner tonight the table was finally completed with the arrival of the missing couple. I had the lamb from the a la carte menu and it was excellent (still tastes the same as next door in the Princess Grill).

 

We did get our caviar, escargot and crepes suzette; but not before the maitre d came down and explained that orders for caviar and foie gras have to be made through him only (as he has to sign and account for it). The more experienced Cunarders at the table explain that things are different now - it's not like it was on the QE2. I haven't heard that before....

 

Yeah, maybe, but that ship is long gone. What I want to know is what happens to naughty Queens Grill guests who try to order caviar and foie gras from just any old person? Will I be sent to 8129?

 

Based on all the breathless reports on how amazing the Queens Grill is, I had half expected the room to be full of 'Bubbles DeVere' types shouting "champagne & caviar for everyone". The reality is somewhat different. Here are a few initial impressions:

 

1) The food is exactly the same as next door in the Princess Grill.

2) The service is exactly the same as next door in the Princess Grill (and in some areas not as good as my two previous voyages in the Princess Grill - but that has to do with a particular assistant waiter who's not up to par)

3) There are some daily additions to the al a carte menu which the Princess Grill doesn't have (or didn't have last year anyway) such as lobster thermidor. So far I've only spotted about 2 or 3 additional items that didn't appear daily on the Princess Grill a la carte menu.

4) You can get caviar & foie gras for free in the Queens Grill (unlike the Princess Grill) however neither dish appears on the menu anymore (they're special requests).

5) Not one single staff member in the Queens Grill has suggested I go off menu. This could be because our table is already adept at going off menu and they probably realise we don't need any encouragement. I recall reading reviews from people who say there were encouraged to go off menu; well, on this voyage, no one is stopping us but no one is encouraging us either.

6) No one has yet said no to a single request that I have made in the Queens Grill, which is as it should be.

7) The atmosphere in the Queens Grill is markedly different to the Princess Grill. There seemed to be more of a buzz, more energy, over in the Princess Grill. So, in some respects I prefer the atmosphere in the Princess Grill. However, once again, I am very fortunate with table mates and I'm having fun regardless.

 

So in summary, I'm not noticing any marked differences between the Princess Grill experience and the Queens Grill experience except the bigger suite and the free caviar & foie gras.

 

P.S. The 'unpublished extras' count is at zero - so far.

 

By the way, you will not believe this, but I got educated again! Later in G32 I was talking with a gentleman about the various port stops and I was mentioned the reason given to us by the commodore at the CWC party for the missed stop - (Koh Samui) - originally the itinerary was done on paper maps and when they moved to electronic maps a year or so ago they realised they couldn't make the stop. "Preposterous!" cried the man. "Who told you that?" he asked. "The commodore " I replied. But that wasn't good enough for him and he proceeded to explain why. At this point I don't really care why we didn't stop at Koh Samui and when he'd finished with his explanation of the 'real' reason we missed the port I considered following up with a story about how I used the extra day in Bangkok to go and see a ladyboy show, but decide against it. Also discarded is the idea of explaining that during this voyage I will be transitioning to the female gender, and after we leave Shanghai would he mind referring to me by my new name - Betty - as it would have been just too, too much for the second night.

 

People give me a hard time because I would like to see everyone adhere to the evening dress code. That seems simple enough to me, but what about all these unwritten rules aboard QM2?

 

1) You can't make a toast with diet-coke.

2) The afternoon tea in the QGL and the Queens Room is exactly the same (even though it isn't).

3) Not knowing your canapés is a social faux pas.

4) Apparently you shouldn't believe what the commodore says about ports that we don't stop at.

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Whitemarsh

Whitemarsh

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The view from beneath the Buddha.

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The entrance to the fishing village.

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Another shot of the QM2 anchored in Junk Bay.

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We left Shanghai last night and are now on our way to Cairns. It's still cold outside (Shanghai was freezing) but in a day or two we should be in warmer waters.

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CountessOz

CountessOz

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Hi. Whitemarsh I too was at Lantau Island on the Monday and it was a magical day. Even though I have been to Hong Kong on many occasions I had never been before. I enjoyed the chair lift immensely.

Reading your blog makes me wish I was still on board, but I do question if my liver could take the pace.

Rotterdam. poor old Whitemarsh could not blog when he was in Shanghai waters (PRC). All communication are embargoed you are persona none Grata:eek:. The watchers block everything. It does make one wonder why they are afraid.

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spursdebs

spursdebs

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Your Pictures of Lantau Island and the Giant Buddha have taken me back to this time last year when I was there, The chair was not working when I went, so I climbed the steps all 264? of them, of which I was very proud of myself as that was the last steps I climbed before my legs have decide to give up working!

 

Great pics much better than mine lol

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