What makes the QE2 so special?

[bobby1119]

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.

 

 

Doug, no need to excuse your cynicism. It is to be expected when the topic of discussion is corporate America and politics! The person I referred to retired sometime ago from Cunard when Cunard was still Cunard. He said that the retirement of QE2 will happen in a way similar to the retirement of the original Queens, rather sudden and abrupt, even though at that time Cunard to the end "officially" said there were no plans to retire the Queens. He expects that she will be retired sometime in 2009 or 2010.

 

I always enjoy your comments and contributions to these boards. Your knowledge is impressive.

Bobby

 

PS... Doug, do you know whether QE2 will use Pier 90 or Red Hook for the world cruise? I was surprised a few weeks back to see her head up river after being told in no uncertain terms by Cunard only the day before that she would definitely berth in Brooklyn?

[goodbutused]

It may be possible "With the will" to keep The QE2 sailing for a very long time, it would take the foresight to see that a grand ship would be a draw to people, it would probably price her apart from other cost effective ships and this would also mean that I personally could not afford it. I'm not knocking the other large ships, they will have their own heritage, the point is this a top notch ship “unique” The QE2, built with influences of a time past and for all its changes it has seen (I have only travelled on her once, this was recently) her proportions and intimate feeling I found very enjoyable. I dined in the Mauritania as well She is elegant. Slightly worn I'd call it character and charm like an old house. just to divert a second (Please no one arm bandits and fruit machines in the casino.)

 

Its has a modern power system and it would be a shame if they just let her go.. I'm sure their must be a future for a "Liner" it may need some cleaver selling along with great on board service etc.

Its not bad now I know. A little bit more on the price and who knows it could be “The Queen” of the sea for a long time... and that Cunard heritage ... Just my ramblings I,d like to see her go on.

[Transatlantic Tom]

I'd appreciate Doug's opinion on this...

 

Two themes have come up frequently here on the Boards with regard to QE2's future: (1) QE2 appears to be in good shape (hull, engines, etc.) - allowing for a few more years of service, and (2) there is this story that Micky Arrison has the attitude that as long as she is still attracting enough passengers/making enough money then she will continue to sail.

 

Tom

[dougnewmanatsea]

I'd appreciate Doug's opinion on this...

I tend to agree with both assertions, but can't be sure about either.

 

But ultimately it comes down to money.

[phileas]

Two themes have come up frequently here on the Boards with regard to QE2's future: (1) QE2 appears to be in good shape (hull, engines, etc.) - allowing for a few more years of service,....

 

Tom

 

Not so sure about the condition of the aluminium superstructure. I understood that it was 'age / stress hardening' and was starting to develop many cracks. It would almost certainly not be cost effective to replace the affected metal, so this may be a good reason for her to be taken out of service in the not too distant future.

 

Like a commercial aircraft, the QE2 has been in constant use all her life, but unlike the aircraft, which have major maintainence typically every 5-6 years, she has not had any major superstructure overhauls throughout her life. There are very few 40 yo commercial aircraft still in daily use, and those that there are, have no doubt had considerable amounts of any load bearing structure replaced. I dare say that there are many people far better informed than I about such matters, but I don't believe I am that far off the mark!

 

Phileas

Who is also suffering from age and stress hardening!:D

[Transatlantic Tom]

Phileas:

 

Give yourself credit, I think that you're probably quite correct about QE2's superstructure. A few very well informed regulars here on the CC Boards have indeed brought up the issue of the aluminum superstructure as one issue of concern.

 

Rumors being what they are, it's hard to know what to believe....One interesting perspective was offered up by Ken C - a CC regular who is NOT a fan of QE2 at all. Ken ran into a gentleman, a naval architect I believe, this spring who consulted on QE2's most recent visit to the drydock. This gentleman supposedly told Ken that QE2 is fine shape, and that he expects her to have a decent number of years to go. Again, I can't support any of this - but it was passed on by someone who doesn't care for the ship.

 

I think that we all realize that she can't go on forever, but hope that there are a few more good years left in her !

 

Tom

[KenC]

Phileas: .....

Rumors being what they are, it's hard to know what to believe....One interesting perspective was offered up by Ken C - a CC regular who is NOT a fan of QE2 at all. Ken ran into a gentleman, a naval architect I believe, this spring who consulted on QE2's most recent visit to the drydock. This gentleman supposedly told Ken that QE2 is fine shape, and that he expects her to have a decent number of years to go. Again, I can't support any of this - but it was passed on by someone who doesn't care for the ship.

 

I think that we all realize that she can't go on forever, but hope that there are a few more good years left in her !

 

Tom

 

Well hello Tom!

 

Not quite the full story ...... The gentleman concerned is employed by a UK marine engineering company which supplies maintenance reports and fulfills maintenance contracts on Carnival and RCI ships - he stayed at our hotel one weekend. He expressed surprise at the poor facilities on offer on QE2 compared to other ships his company worked on (his words not mine), confirmed that she was capable of being kept at sea for the next few years (inspite of SOLAS 2010) but said that Carnival were only keeping her sailing while she made a decent return on her upkeep (including the aluminium superstructure which apparently is cracking badly and is very expensive to repair).

 

Regards

 

Ken

Who fears he must confess to not being a QE2 fan!

[Transatlantic Tom]

Ken:

 

I knew that I wasn't doing justice to your story, but I wanted to get -as best I could remember it - that interesting anecdote of yours out there. Thanks for the clarification.

 

The thing that I took away from that item, when you posted it some months ago, was the fact that this particular gentleman seemed to think that QE2 had a few more years left in her...even in spite of issues such as the superstructure.

 

This information, combined with the Micky Arison thing, would tend to argue that she'll go on for a few more years - as long as she keeps making money....The latter part makes sense to me. Is she making money now ??

 

So many people seemed to be convinced that once Queen Victoria arrives, it's the end of QE2.

 

Of course, it's all speculation isn't it ??

 

Tom

 

PS My "re-telling" of your story proves how goofed-up stories/anecdotes/tales can become when passed from person to person !!

[KenC]

Ken:

 

I knew that I wasn't doing justice to your story, but I wanted to get -as best I could remember it - that interesting anecdote of yours out there. Thanks for the clarification.

 

The thing that I took away from that item, when you posted it some months ago, was the fact that this particular gentleman seemed to think that QE2 had a few more years left in her...even in spite of issues such as the superstructure.

 

This information, combined with the Micky Arison thing, would tend to argue that she'll go on for a few more years - as long as she keeps making money....The latter part makes sense to me. Is she making money now ??

 

So many people seemed to be convinced that once Queen Victoria arrives, it's the end of QE2.

 

Of course, it's all speculation isn't it ??

 

Tom

 

PS My "re-telling" of your story proves how goofed-up stories/anecdotes/tales can become when passed from person to person !!

 

Hi Tom

 

I think you are 100% correct about one thing and that's any discussion being pure speculation - but it's fun eh?? Sure the hull and engines are good for another 10+ years but it's all the 'bits' inside that may be a problem. There was an issue a few years ago (brough up on this Board last year) regarding an inlet valve in the engine room which sheered and caused a leak mid-Atlantic. I recall from the report on the incident that if the sheer had occured on the other side of the flange on this valve then the 'integrity' of the ship may have been endangered (i.e. she could have sunk!!!). I guess it's the cost of maintaining all these 40 year old 'bits' (including the A/C etc) that determines the profitability and viability of the ship (rather than the cost of replacing the carpets every few years!!!). And lets not forget that 'sentimentality' does not seem to enter the equation at Carnival - see how they have stripped Swann Hellenic of their only 'unit' and are turning her into the new Royal Princess in order to maximise income from the ship!!!

 

I would imagine that if Cunard is seen by Carnival as a 2 ship line then QV will signal the demise of QE2. If 3 ships or more is the target then the order for a second Cunard Vista (Queen Anne??) will be the warning sign!!!

 

Regards

 

Ken

[rjms74]

I agree that sadly QV will soon be QE2's replacement but if this leaves just the QV & QM2 I am certain that many loyal Cunard passengers won't just simply go onto QM2 or QV!! Many passengers I met on the Autumn Colours cruise to the US & Canada much prefer the QE2 to QM2 and I met guest who'd travelled in penthouse Queens Grill suites on QM2 who much prefer the food & service offered in QE2's Grill Restaurants. Only one person I met would go back on QM2 so Queen Victoria had better be much more like QE2 for us loyal passengers to want to sail on her! I though will not be happy when QE2 finishes her long 'reign' as there are no single cabins on these new ships!!!

 

Dare I say I think Cunard will be making a grave mistake if they retire QE2 earlier than expected & yes she is making a lot of money (some reliable sources have told me more than QM2) & she still and still attracts a very loyal following & interesting passenger mix & after my recent cruise in the Queens Grill is still a first class product - if not a bit tired in certain areas she is looking very good in others! All of the public bathrooms I went in have been refurbished and have granite work tops & fresh flowers. But then it's like any grand Hotel like the Waldorf Astoria (one of my favourites) it's far from modern and things sometimes don't always work but the excellent service & cuisine & of course ambience still prevail! Having tried two other cruise lines one in the Med & one in the Caribbean they were great cruises but the ship's just don't have the atmosphere of the QE2 - even QM2 does not have this but who knows she might have in another 20 years!!!

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

RJMS74