Final QE Transatlantic - Should I or Shouldn't I?

[Guest Anorak33]

Hi

This lady you mention is probably not Miss Katsuko. There was a Japanese Tour Group on board and maybe about 30 of them, not many of whom were in QG.

Katsuko is probably not the age you mention ( bit younger) but my command of Japanese is much less than Katsuko's command of English ( somewhat basic) and in any case I would never ask a lady her age.

 

We had a lot of fun in QG, perhaps many on here would say that fun should not happen there but it did!

 

I particularly like smoked salmon and fresh pineapple as a first course for breakfast, the waiters gave me a strange look when I first ordered it but by the end of the cruise the demand for this had spread across the dining room like a virus!

Give it a try, its magic in the mouth.

 

Most of the meals in QG were really OK, just not very exciting. Much the same as on other good ships. As our waiter said they keep on serving the same meals every week, just give them different names.

 

It is not the Japanese way to complain directly or get angry, in their view it is then the complainer who loses face, but I don't think Katsuko had any problem except she used to poke the fish a bit and didn't always look happy about it. She would on occasion leave quite a lot of the meal however. Maybe thats how she keeps her figure and how I haven't kept mine.

 

If you see Kasia the wine waitress tell her Mike the Viking says Hi! Until she mentioned she had seen me on the cruise DVD I did not realise the crew watched it on their cabin TVs. I must be more careful.

 

I am just about to book on Seabourn Legend we'll see what that food is like compared to QE2.

[rjms74]

anorak33

 

I am surprised re the same meals each week comment in QG as when I was onboard for 3 weeks in 2006 & indeed 2 weeks last Oct the menus are always so varied & in any case you can order off menu & whatever you like -provided they have it in the stores / kitchens they will cook it!!!!

 

I too have fun in the QG Rest and for most of my cruises have had table 69 in the 'Well' lower middle section of the Restaurant and I've met some very interesting & lovely people many of whom I've kept in touch with since my cruises & even met some past passengers / friends worldwide since making friends onboard QE2.

 

As I said I will of course be posting my review upon my return & hope that there will be no decline in the food standards! I too have contemplated Seabourn but as I like the Grill Restaurants and service on Cunard I've stuck with them but I also like P & O although Cunard does have the edge re food & service!

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

Richard

[lesley50]

Why don't you treat your friend as you're paying anyway for the cabin.

Maybe I'm old fashioned

[MI1083]

Hi, I my first trip ever on the QE2 was this past April eastbound crossing. I thought it the dream of a lifetime!! I had a single MI up on One Deck, dined in the Mauretainia and it was absolutely superb!! I know the final crossing is sold out and I would give anything to be onboard one more time. I say go for it!! In fact I would be more than happy to consider sharing the crossing with you! In any event, you will never regret the experience!!

[Buddy604]

Why don't you treat your friend as you're paying anyway for the cabin.

Maybe I'm old fashioned

I would have considered it but in truth, my friend is in much better financial shape than I am, and is a better overall money manager, evidenced by her unwillingness to spend beyond her budget even for a "trip of a lifetime." I can applaud her fiscal restraint, but I'm unwilling to subsidise her, nor reward the late cancellation of our plans, especially after I had pre-paid extras that she wanted and I did not (four days in London comes to mind). :D

[david,Mississauga]

...

Did anyone do the farewell trips on the Canberra? l wonder how the mood was on her towards the end? or indeed has anyone done farewell cruises before? Can we expect a very upbeat mood or doom and gloom among the passengers ?

 

.....

 

Our trips on the Canberra were a few years before her retirement and we were unable to make any in her last year or so.

 

In 1977 we sailed (first class) on the Union-Castle Line's lovely RMS Windsor Castle on her last voyage from Port Elizabeth and Cape Town to Southampton. It was both a sombre and upbeat voyage. The standards were very high and the ship, admittedly only 17 years old, was in great shape. She was a very traditional liner in many ways, especially that first and tourist classes were completely separate. (This was great for those in first but of course not so good for those in tourist.) There was a memorable send-off from Cape Town with thousands of people waving us off, two military bands, an Air Force flypast, a naval escort and even a group of South African Navy sailors dressed as pirates who boarded our ship in the outer harbour and took command of the bridge for a short while. There were many events during the voyage to commemorate the ship and the UK/South African mail ships. But we have such fond memories of the ship because standards did not slip, although we had only one previous voyage on which to base that assessment.

 

In 1988, Polish Ocean Lines retired their Stefan Batory which was the last regularly-scheduled transatlantic liner between Canada and Europe. Although there were several farewell cruises afterwards, we sailed across from Montreal to Tilbury on the very last crossing. It had been 10 years since our previous crossing and what a disappointment it was. The ship was in many ways in rough shape (although the steam engines worked well!) The crew was as pleasant as before, but the food quality had plummeted and the organisation of events was chaotic. My wife and I were still glad we took the farewell crossing, but we prefer to think of the ship how she was on our previous crossing.

 

We had to take our farewell voyage on the QE2 in April, but if I had a chance to go once more I would take it.

[Guest Anorak33]

RJMS74 here is a photo , Katsuko is on the right of center

[Guest Anorak33]

Here is a photo of my favorite print of 4 world class icons, by November only 1 will be left operating as the constructor intended, the Statue of Liberty.

 

This is a print on a stairwell on QE2 and as such will I suppose be lost to Dubai along with all the other memorabilia.

 

I believe it is one of a limited edition of 850 and you used to be able to buy them in the Library Gift Shoppe but there are no more available there as of last week.

 

Sorry its not sharper but there are severe constraints on the maximum number of pixels an image may be on here.

 

Asa an aside - at the chart auction from our cruise some of the charts went for as much as $3000, some as little as $300, it was difficult to know which you were bidding on, not too well organised. The money goes to charity.

[cunardqueen]

This is a print on a stairwell on QE2 and as such will I suppose be lost to Dubai along with all the other memorabilia.

 

I believe it is one of a limited edition of 850 and you used to be able to buy them in the Library Gift Shoppe but there are no more available there as of last week.

 

Sorry its not sharper but there are severe constraints on the maximum number of pixels an image may be on here.

 

 

The print "Salute to a Queen " was indeed limited to a run of 850 and most were snapped up pretty quickly, l bought one of them and recall thinking at the time how expensive they are . The framed version arrived by courier and has had pride of place in my collection ever since. Iv only ever seen 3 on ebay including one right now, but they are usually only buyer collects which does limit the market.

[Guest Anorak33]

Cunardqueen, I have searched Ebay to find it but I am obviously not using the correct search words.

Could you please post the item number? I would like to have a bid!

[cunardqueen]

Cunardqueen, I have searched Ebay to find it but I am obviously not using the correct search words.

Could you please post the item number? I would like to have a bid!

 

Sure its item no 280237416789

TWIN TOWERS WITH QE2 AND CONCORDE

 

 

Cheers

Myles

(and no its not me selling it!!! lm only selling the life buoy;) )

[Guest Anorak33]

Thankyou and well spotted. You must have some strange shaped luggage to be able to smuggle off a lifering! Respect!

We kept hearing passengers whispering about what they would like to remove from QE2 for safekeeping and to preserve the ownership of the memorabilia in the UK.

I saw several folk with screwdrivers and noticed one of those cheap plastic QE2 logo clocks hanging off by an elevator one day, we wondered if it was just falling off or whether someone was trying to take it into private ownership.

There isn't really much which is a good souvenir, even the milkjugs or teaspoons are not marked QE2. And anything bigger, like the original paintings are quite big (also it is definitely nicking).

Our waiter was going to buy (they get a discount) a silver effect charger to take home, similar to those used in our diningroom but with an image of QE2 engraved in some way in the centre. I meant to look in the shoppe but got waylaid by shuffleboard.

 

The seller of the print seems possibly to be misinformed about the printrun unless its a different print edition. I have emailed asking hard questions, see what he says.

 

Once again, Thanks!

[seabourndt]

having read this thread i really envy you, i really love the qe2. i was booked on her in jan 2008 on the tandem crossing but sadly i had to cancel due to iullness. luckily i got a refund from my insurance company but i was so sad at missing the last time on qe2. not sure the date you are going but if you are interested in a share dolet me know. is it $4000 you paid sounds quite a bit but if you are interested let me know. iam good friends with myles by the way.

dave

[GAV BOY]

iam good friends with myles by the way.

dave

 

Be Careful of what you admit Dave :eek: :p :D

Gav :cool:

[VirginCruiser II]

!:eek:

[cunardqueen]

I saw several folk with screwdrivers

 

Words fail me!!! A souvenir is one thing, part of the ships safety equipment is another, the life ring l can asure you was legally obtained and has spent a fair number of years ashore. Besides can you really see me walking off with one of them, sorry seconds thoughts lets not go down that road

 

The olden days they used to have a lot of QE2 stamped items, now a days its all generic and stamped Cunard.

 

Gavboy, Im pleased to see Seabournet has superb taste in his friends:D

cheers

Myles

[Buddy604]

Well, things are looking up. When I dropped my friend from the reservation, my cabin price dropped by $500, and it turns out one of the overseas tailors I know is doing a fitting trip to Vancouver next month so I've booked an appointment for a new tux fitting (at 66 Tall Portly, I'm out of luck for off the rack!), so I think I've made up my mind to go. :D

[Buddy604]

The olden days they used to have a lot of QE2 stamped items, now a days its all generic and stamped Cunard.

Myles, do you know if they sell those silver toast racks anywhere? I saw a picture on MI1083's flickr stream and suffered from major toast rack envy.

[Guest Anorak33]

The print "Salute to a Queen " was indeed limited to a run of 850 and most were snapped up pretty quickly, l bought one of them and recall thinking at the time how expensive they are . The framed version arrived by courier and has had pride of place in my collection ever since. Iv only ever seen 3 on ebay including one right now, but they are usually only buyer collects which does limit the market.

 

Sorry to ask such an indelicate question but do you by any chance remember what they sold for when they first came on the market?

[lesley50]

I would have considered it but in truth, my friend is in much better financial shape than I am, and is a better overall money manager, evidenced by her unwillingness to spend beyond her budget even for a "trip of a lifetime." I can applaud her fiscal restraint, but I'm unwilling to subsidise her, nor reward the late cancellation of our plans, especially after I had pre-paid extras that she wanted and I did not (four days in London comes to mind). :D

I should have guessed you'd considered that option.

In any case I now see things are getting better for your trip.

have fun!!

[cunardqueen]

Myles, do you know if they sell those silver toast racks anywhere? I saw a picture on MI1083's flickr stream and suffered from major toast rack envy.

 

Mike

Im sorry l dont know,l have never had a cabin breakfast onboard, perhaps some of the others members who enjoy breakfast in bed can help?

cheers

[seabourndt]

not sure what happened after i offered to share with you on this incredible journey. you have got a discount since you deleted your friend so you are going on your own in a large cabin? if you are still interested just let me know. as i checked the dates i thought someone said it was 27th oct which is my birthday. but its 16th? unfortunatly iam booked ion the EURODAM 15th-18th. but if you still are interested and i can afford it i might change it, just let me know.

dave

[MI1083]

Hi, the silver toast rack in my photos is from the original 1969 QE2 silver service, long since discontinued. I found mine at a flea market many years ago, it is marked Cunard underneath. Today, in the Mauretania they still use toast racks however they were stainless steel and plain. Not sure what they may use in the Grilles. Onboard, the QE2 Logo shop was selling silver sugar and tea tongs.

Rick

[Buddy604]

not sure what happened after i offered to share with you on this incredible journey. you have got a discount since you deleted your friend so you are going on your own in a large cabin? if you are still interested just let me know. as i checked the dates i thought someone said it was 27th oct which is my birthday. but its 16th? unfortunatly iam booked ion the EURODAM 15th-18th. but if you still are interested and i can afford it i might change it, just let me know.

dave

Dave, thank you so much for the kind offer. I think I'm going to try to do a solo - my cabin has changed and they are gradually getting smaller and smaller. I suspect that waitlist notwithstanding, there is going to be some movement after the final payment date. The single occupancy cabins which were closed to waitlisting have opened up again and I've put myself down for one.

 

Hi, the silver toast rack in my photos is from the original 1969 QE2 silver service, long since discontinued. I found mine at a flea market many years ago, it is marked Cunard underneath.

It's stunning, you lucky dog! :D

[seabourndt]

sorry to hear that you are going solo after all it would have been able to go on qe2 again before she goes, never mind, thanks anyway

dave