QM2 refit has already started

[pepperrn]

Sorry David, I should have said the "1972 refit" above, not 1973. As for the future Queens Grilll room, a few months after entering service this space was renamed from the "736 Club" to "Juliana's Discotheque" before a small casino section was added. In 1972 this casino area was moved to the port side of Upper Deck.

 

Very best wishes,

[keithm]

No, no I'm not. They're changing the registry regardless of what anyone thinks. Updating this rather uninspiring room would go some way to mollifying my disappointment in the registry change.

 

 

 

Well, that's news to me that some of the interior design of the QE2 was/is considered "understated". I have always believed it was quite avant-garde for it's day. In anycase, I wasn't thinking of the Burj al Arab, but more along the lines of these examples:

 

 

 

And for something more eclectic:

 

 

This is probably a bit too far, but I still like it.

 

Ahh! yes, my tastes are simple..I like the best!

[david,Mississauga]

Hi David, In fact it was the 736 Club that was converted into the Queens Grill in the 1973 refit. This nightclub was (like QM2's) named after the yard "build number". ... Whilst I admit to boarding QE2 (as a passenger) rather late in her career (2007) and am certain that there was no better looking ship built since the Normandie on the outside, her interior layout and decor were a mess. I was most disappointed. She was majestic looking from a distance, just don't look to close...

 

Thanks for the clarification. I have a copy of the QE2 huge original deck plan and it clearly shows that space as the 736 Club. On one of our crossings a crew member had said that it was originally the casino and that stuck in my mind.

 

As far as the interiors, it is obviously a subjective impression. I was not generally impressed with the decor in 1973 but I have to admit that over the years it became more pleasing to my taste. To me, the "Londoner" of the Tables of the World and the Mauretania were more attractive than the original Britannia. I was underwhelmed by the Columbia Restaurant, but its re-incarnation as Caronia impressed us. Alas, we never travelled in the Grills on QE2; the only time I sat in - as opposed to merely poking my nose in - the Queen's Grill was during muster drill in 2008.

 

By the end of her career the QE2 had a lot of faux wood panelling which annoyed some of the long-time passengers, although I didn't mind it. I also appreciated the more muted colours that were prevalent, compared to the bold colours of the 1970s. But there was lots of real wood in staterooms and public areas. There was a short corridor with gorgeous varnished wood panelling, dead centre aft on One Deck, which served little purpose as the main corridors were just a few feet away. On our earlier crossings I would make a point of walking down there at every opportunity just to enjoy the ambience. I can't remember in what year, but on one voyage I discovered that wallpaper had been placed over the wood. Perhaps the designer thought few would notice, and I suppose that person was right.

[Louise D]

There was a short corridor with gorgeous varnished wood panelling, dead centre aft on One Deck, which served little purpose as the main corridors were just a few feet away. On our earlier crossings I would make a point of walking down there at every opportunity just to enjoy the ambience. I can't remember in what year, but on one voyage I discovered that wallpaper had been placed over the wood. Perhaps the designer thought few would notice, and I suppose that person was right.

 

The wood panelling on One Deck was retained in the QG cabins on that Deck right until the end. That is one of the main reasons I enjoyed the Q3s on Deck One rather than the Q2s on the Signal and Sun Decks. The Q3s on Deck One were a very authentic part of the ship. In fact, the officers would take any opportunity to come into the cabins on One Deck just to have a look at all that beautiful wood.

[jenno10388]

has anyone onboard managed a photo of these new carpets yet?

[Bell Boy]

The piano in the (QM2) Grill Lounge !

 

Sorry to go off thread about Re fit.......

Has anyone ever seen/heard this piano played by a human ? :confused: Whenever I've been in there it only appears to make music when it's on the 'auto tape playing' during afternoon tea, and then it's often far too loud.

 

 

Bell Boy:)

[BigMac1953]

From time to time they put on mini concerts. They don't advertise them, but leave an invitation on your table.

 

On a TA last year we had a violinist and pianist and they played for about an hour.

 

In May this year, it was a solo pianist (can't remember his name) and amongst other pieces, played some Gershwin.

 

So it does work!

 

Stewart

[Bell Boy]

Thanks Stewart ... at least it works :D

 

Bell boy:)

[goldengatecruisers]

Rob - any luck sneaking a peak at the new carpeting? If anyone on board has an opportunity to photograph the new soft furnishings that would be wonderful. I am boarding on Nov 10th and am very excited at seeing some of the improvements before the 'official' dry dock. Of course, that means another booking for the early part of next year in order to fully appreciate the new and improved interiors.

 

Ashley

[edgeoftheworld]

No, no I'm not. They're changing the registry regardless of what anyone thinks. Updating this rather uninspiring room would go some way to mollifying my disappointment in the registry change.

 

 

 

Well, that's news to me that some of the interior design of the QE2 was/is considered "understated". I have always believed it was quite avant-garde for it's day. In anycase, I wasn't thinking of the Burj al Arab, but more along the lines of these examples:

 

 

 

This is probably a bit too far, but I still like it.

 

 

 

they look very American to me.

 

also, some decor schemes dont scale up very well, imagine that black room double the width & 5 times the length.

 

 

 

what id love to see for the interiors of a ship is something that references the fact that its a ship, & uses nautical elements.

 

 

 

 

 

[Leucothea]

Thanks for the clarification. I have a copy of the QE2 huge original deck plan and it clearly shows that space as the 736 Club. On one of our crossings a crew member had said that it was originally the casino and that stuck in my mind.

 

As far as the interiors, it is obviously a subjective impression. I was not generally impressed with the decor in 1973 but I have to admit that over the years it became more pleasing to my taste. To me, the "Londoner" of the Tables of the World and the Mauretania were more attractive than the original Britannia. I was underwhelmed by the Columbia Restaurant, but its re-incarnation as Caronia impressed us. Alas, we never travelled in the Grills on QE2; the only time I sat in - as opposed to merely poking my nose in - the Queen's Grill was during muster drill in 2008.

 

By the end of her career the QE2 had a lot of faux wood panelling which annoyed some of the long-time passengers, although I didn't mind it. I also appreciated the more muted colours that were prevalent, compared to the bold colours of the 1970s. But there was lots of real wood in staterooms and public areas. There was a short corridor with gorgeous varnished wood panelling, dead centre aft on One Deck, which served little purpose as the main corridors were just a few feet away. On our earlier crossings I would make a point of walking down there at every opportunity just to enjoy the ambience. I can't remember in what year, but on one voyage I discovered that wallpaper had been placed over the wood. Perhaps the designer thought few would notice, and I suppose that person was right.

 

 

I always loved being on QE2. Her appeal was more than her appearance, although I loved the oddly shaped cabins with portholes. She had character and class and charm. The atmosphere had a quintessential element of "Britishness", a savoir faire, and an intimate elegance that one can't recreate and that can only be experienced to be understood. It is gone (in all but perhaps small pockets in the UK that may or may not stay under the radar).

 

It was a tradition that was far more than the surface elements that non-Brits might think of; it had soul and a deep philosophical beauty and integrity. It has been maligned in the world, but apart from the negative aspects of Colonialism, unfairly so, and misunderstood. Reinterpretations of the past and rewriting history books have shaped the popular mind. A few good things have happened in the past 2 decades, especially in terms of civil rights, but it would be nice to keep some good things from our history too. What harm is there in keeping Cunard tradition? I'm reminded of an old Marxist ideal of removing everything from the past, wiping the slate clean, and starting over---but I seem to recall, that ideology never worked.

 

Back to QE2 decor, yes it was becoming rather dingy, and there were sewerage smells here and there, so she was getting old. But to those who say her decor was too plain, she was a ship above all, not a floating hotel. That was another thing I loved about her. I felt like a real seafarer on QE2.

[guernseyguy]

Well....here's the first news from Mr Shanks...

[Oahucruiser]

Well....here's the first news from Mr Shanks...

 

Finally some real information though I think we all knew a lot of it already. No mention of the Winter Garden which is so under used.

[guernseyguy]

Captain Greybeard's thoughts on the refurb....why go for 'American Country Club' in an "Bermudan Pub"? (oops!). Good question. Don't know what an American Country Club looks like - but I think this looks closer to a Bermudan Pub...

 

....And, we all know he's right....they can't keep putting of fixing the Kings Court forever....and 'sitting up straight' in Britannia for breakfast - with 'smaller portions (coz we're greedy wasteful so-and-sos)....is not the answer....

[guernseyguy]

No mention of the Winter Garden which is so under used.

 

They're going to do the weddings in there. Both of them....

[eroller]

Captain Greybeard's thoughts on the refurb....why go for 'American Country Club' in an "Bermudan Pub"? (oops!). Good question. Don't know what an American Country Club looks like - but I think this looks closer to a Bermudan Pub...

 

....And, we all know he's right....they can't keep putting of fixing the Kings Court forever....and 'sitting up straight' in Britannia for breakfast - with 'smaller portions (coz we're greedy wasteful so-and-sos)....is not the answer....

 

 

I've never seen an American country club that looks like the new Golden Lion Pub. Of course I didn't feel the old or new Golden Lion looked much like a traditional British pub either (Royal Caribbean actually does a better job). This being said I think the change is an improvement. It looks quite comfortable with a better use of the space.

 

I agree overlooking the inherent problems of the King's Court and suggesting the dining room is a not a solution. It's a shame that Cunard decided to shorten the dry dock (no doubt the profit argument won out again) by a week. QM2 deserves a bit more attention than a two week dry dock can provide. It's sort of a band-aid fix for now, but anything is welcome.

 

BTW, what ship are doing your Winter crossing on?

 

Ernie

[Oahucruiser]

They're going to do the weddings in there. Both of them....

 

Hilarious!

[guernseyguy]

BTW, what ship are doing your Winter crossing on?

 

Ernie

 

Seabourn Odyssey....

[zider]

Seabourn Odyssey....

Exerlent choice i was on the Seabourn Sojourn a couple of weeks ago & it was 1st rate in all aspects

[eroller]

Seabourn Odyssey....

 

 

Moving up in the world my friend!

 

I was just on the AZAMARA QUEST (amazing experience) and the SEABOURN QUEST was docked next to us in Mykonos. I think this class of ship looks quite sharp on the exterior, and from what I've seen the interior looks pretty amazing too!

 

Bon Voyage!

 

Ernie

 

 

[Whitemarsh]

Finally some real information though I think we all knew a lot of it already. No mention of the Winter Garden which is so under used.

 

The new version of The Golden Lion Pub is much improved on the current version. I'm looking forward to seeing it up close and personal.

 

Hopefully the trivia quizzes will get easier. :eek:

[guernseyguy]

Moving up in the world my friend!

 

I was just on the AZAMARA QUEST (amazing experience) and the SEABOURN QUEST was docked next to us in Mykonos. I think this class of ship looks quite sharp on the exterior, and from what I've seen the interior looks pretty amazing too!

 

Bon Voyage!

 

Ernie

 

Thank you! And given the ethanol is included in the fare Seabourn may well work out cheaper than Cunard!

 

Someone on the Seabourn board asked if I'd left Cunard....I replied that I rather thought Cunard had left me.....

[guernseyguy]

The new version of The Golden Lion Pub is much improved on the current version. I'm looking forward to seeing it up close and personal.

 

Hopefully the trivia quizzes will get easier. :eek:

 

Perhaps my memory is failing me - or its an optical illusion - but is the ceiling lower than currently?

[Whitemarsh]

Perhaps my memory is failing me - or its an optical illusion - but is the ceiling lower than currently?

 

It's hard to tell with the computer generated image.

 

 

The ceiling looks normal height in the second picture.

 

 

Lower ceiling or not, visually it's a great improvement. For some reason the ceiling has a nautical look to me. Like the inside of a clipper or something.

[guernseyguy]

Lower ceiling or not, visually it's a great improvement. For some reason the ceiling has a nautical look to me. Like the inside of a clipper or something.

 

Before:

 

 

 

After:

 

 

Looks like the ceiling is unchanged - the main difference the addition of the banquets down the side....and replacing the Queen's bust with the band stand....