How Has QM2 Changed since 2004?

[Classiccruiser777]

Hotel Manager John Duffy retired.

[newjoisey]

The OP was referring to changes since 2004.

 

David.

 

sounds like she time warps:D

[keithm]

Well the sky may have fallen for some, but I can't see that a huge amount has changed between 2010 and 2013.

 

Changes I have noticed are:

• No more free caviar in the Princess Grill.
  
• No ATM in the casino.
  
• The drink stirers are no longer the blue and gold embossed Cunard ones.
  

 

That's all I can think of at the moment. I should mention that none of these changes ruined any of my cruises…..of course all due respect to anyone whose cruise was ruined by these changes.

 

 

 

Very true, and so boring of Cunard. One thing you forgot to mention is that some of the band members are unchanged. It must be a special kind of hell to have to play 'Red Red Wine' over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

And over and over..........

[sfo-john]

That seems rather unjust and short-sighted to not allow same sex marriages on board. Especially considering how many faithful gay passengers that Cunard have for the QM2 crossings. I can't imagine what their reasoning would be for that. That will be a change that hopefully we can talk about in the not so distant future.

[SEFlyer]

That seems rather unjust and short-sighted to not allow same sex marriages on board. Especially considering how many faithful gay passengers that Cunard have for the QM2 crossings. I can't imagine what their reasoning would be for that. That will be a change that hopefully we can talk about in the not so distant future.

 

I suspect their reasoning is that it is not permitted under Bermudan law. There is no civil law jurisdiction called Cunard.

[Calliope]

That seems rather unjust and short-sighted to not allow same sex marriages on board. Especially considering how many faithful gay passengers that Cunard have for the QM2 crossings. I can't imagine what their reasoning would be for that. That will be a change that hopefully we can talk about in the not so distant future.

 

You're right, John. Cunard has been very disingenuous about all of this. Their excuse for reflagging to the Bermudian flag was so they could have marriages preformed by the captains onboard their ships, as the masters of Bermudian flagged ships can officiate at heterosexual marriages. Homophobic Bermuda does not allow gay marriage. In reality the evidence points to the fact that Cunard did not want to pay its crews European Commonwealth wages, if they remained flagged in England. Beginning in March 2014 England and Wales will allow the civil marriage of gays and lesbians. I doubt though that Cunard will return to the English flag.

[sfo-john]

Yes, I do realize that, but then why decide to do it at all, if you can't do it for all of your paying passengers. Obviously on-board marriages weren't the deciding factor in switching registries. Anyway, not trying to hijack this thread and I've loved all of my crossings on QM2.

[DDBINK1]

You're right, John. Cunard has been very disingenuous about all of this. Their excuse for reflagging to the Bermudian flag was so they could have marriages preformed by the captains onboard their ships, as the masters of Bermudian flagged ships can officiate at heterosexual marriages. Homophobic Bermuda does not allow gay marriage. In reality the evidence points to the fact that Cunard did not want to pay its crews European Commonwealth wages, if they remained flagged in England. Beginning in March 2014 England and Wales will allow the civil marriage of gays and lesbians. I doubt though that Cunard will return to the English flag.

 

Just a question from a lowly American. You know one of the old colony guys across the pond?? Isn't Bermuda a Commonwealth country?? with the Queen as the HOS? So doesn't their law have to mirror the over all empires law or anything like that?? So I was wondering how the change in Great Britain would effect their laws?

Please educate me?? And I mean no offense to anyone.

[Calliope]

OK, to return to the original premise of this thread, what are the differences from 2004 to the present. Cunard is now discriminating against gay and lesbian passengers.

 

Cunard in a veiled effort to shield itself from criticism about reflagging to escape paying their crews European Commonwealth wages while claiming it was to allow marriages onboard now is overtly discriminating against gays and lesbians by not offering them the same services provided to heterosexuals. Could that be why Cunard is now a "Bronze Corporate Partner" of Human Rights Campaign, one of America's largest GLTB lobby group?

Edited December 12, 2013 by Calliope
syntax

[pmb1]

Just a question from a lowly American. You know one of the old colony guys across the pond?? Isn't Bermuda a Commonwealth country?? with the Queen as the HOS? So doesn't their law have to mirror the over all empires law or anything like that?? So I was wondering how the change in Great Britain would effect their laws?

Please educate me?? And I mean no offense to anyone.

Take a look at what Wiki has to say about the Commonwealth. It seems to me that the most important considerations are recognizing the Queen as HOS and using the English language to express disagreement with all the other members.

[david,Mississauga]

Take a look at what Wiki has to say about the Commonwealth. It seems to me that the most important considerations are recognizing the Queen as HOS and using the English language to express disagreement with all the other members.

 

Most of the Commonwealth countries do not share The Queen as head of state (South Africa and India, are just two notable examples). There has previously been some discussion about Bermuda - formerly known as a Crown Colony and now known as a British Overseas Territory - so I won't go into great detail. Bermuda is essentially self-governing even though it is not an independent country like Canada and many other Commonwealth countries who share The Queen as head of state.

[Salacia]

Be fair, you can't blame Cunard for that change. The smaller bedtime chocolates are something else again, and much more important.

 

Yikes, I wasn't blaming Cunard for Pluto getting knocked off the list of planets - the Disney Line is responsible for that! (Hope you know I'm only kidding). But regarding the bedtime chocolates getting smaller on Cunard ships: yes, that is true. Is there anything on the Cunard ships that are increasing in amount, other than my on board charges and my waistband :eek::) Cheers, -S.

[Salacia]

Just a question from a lowly American. You know one of the old colony guys across the pond?? Isn't Bermuda a Commonwealth country?? with the Queen as the HOS? So doesn't their law have to mirror the over all empires law or anything like that?? So I was wondering how the change in Great Britain would effect their laws?

Please educate me?? And I mean no offense to anyone.

 

From one American to another: Bermuda has it's own laws which were put in effect by the voting citizens of Bermuda; any change in laws in Great Britain are not likely to have an immediate impact.

 

Just to mention that anyone being married on board Cunard ships is bound by the laws of Bermuda regarding marriage, divorce and child custody. Due consideration to these issues is important. Frankly, gay or straight - would you really want to have a Bermuda Marriage License? While being married at sea sounds very romantic, read the fine print please.

 

 

-S.

http://www.bermudalaws.bm/default.aspx

http://www.cunard.com/documents/brochures/cunard_wedding_brochure.pdf

Edited December 12, 2013 by Salacia

[balf]

From one American to another: Bermuda has it's own laws which were put in effect by the voting citizens of Bermuda; any change in laws in Great Britain are not likely to have an immediate impact.

 

 

From one Brit to an American thanks for knowing the difference between England and Great Britain.

 

David.

[bobby1119]

We will be on the Christmas cruise in Princess Grill in less than two weeks. My eyes and ears will be open for any changes, for the better or for the worse, and notes will be taken. :rolleyes:

[ovccruiser]

Back to topic :D there are more and better seats in the Chart Room now than there were in 2004, many of the carpets have been replaced with some, shall we say, louder ones, most if not all of the pictures are still on the walls, and on the food basis and Brittania Restaurant, I thought standards were on a par over the 9 years. We have cruised 11 times on QM2 over this period and still rate it as our favourite ship.

[eatsallinsects]

My daughter reminded me that passengers were not allowed to visit "Prophenge" in 2004 and now it is allowed.

[Salacia]

We will be on the Christmas cruise in Princess Grill in less than two weeks. My eyes and ears will be open for any changes, for the better or for the worse, and notes will be taken. :rolleyes:

 

Bobby, I hope any changes you encounter are good ones, and that you have a wonderful cruise! Best wishes for a very happy Holiday Season! Cheers, -S.

[DDBINK1]

I did hear more creaking in the cabin on my last voyage than on my first few voyages on QM2. When I asked The Butler about it, he attributed it to the ship being older. The noise I found was from the ceiling having a slight movement to it as the ship moved a bit with the sea swells. I know I did not hear that on my first or second voyages on QM2. Overall, I think the ship has been maintained pretty well.

[pmb1]

My daughter reminded me that passengers were not allowed to visit "Prophenge" in 2004 and now it is allowed.

Did you and your daughter coin that marvelous word, "Prophenge"? Huzzah if you did and thanks for propagating it.

[pmb1]

Let's not forget the kennels; the kennels, and the kennelman, have been gussied up quite a bit. Here is a 2006/2012 comparison.

[Salacia]

Let's not forget the kennels; the kennels, and the kennelman, have been gussied up quite a bit. Here is a 2006/2012 comparison.

 

Yikes! Does that mean Cunard is going to the dogs (and cats)?!!! teehehehehehehe :D

[Jim Avery]

My daughter reminded me that passengers were not allowed to visit "Prophenge" in 2004 and now it is allowed.

 

On the Maiden Voyage (2004) "Prophenge" (love it) was freely available. I have the pictures to prove it.:D

[eatsallinsects]

Did you and your daughter coin that marvelous word, "Prophenge"? Huzzah if you did and thanks for propagating it.

****************************

I wish we could take the credit but I do believe it was someone else who coined the phrase! Edith

[eatsallinsects]

On the Maiden Voyage (2004) "Prophenge" (love it) was freely available. I have the pictures to prove it.:D

*************************************

Jim, would love to see them. As well as I remember (memory might be failing me here!), they did not allow passengers to go out there on our trip around the Horn. But we were allowed out there on subsequent trips. Edith