36 years old and still a Queen
By Anders Johannessen
When it came to the Queen Elizabeth 2 I wondered if the legend exceeded reality. After all, countless books, articles and documentaries have been produced about the ship over the years, all stressing her unique history and status – until last year – as the last transatlantic liner. The QE2 has undergone several extensive refurbishments during the past decade, the aim being to restore the ship’s somewhat outdated interiors to the grand style associated with the Cunard liners of the past. So when I finally got to go onboard the QE2 for a quick visit I was curious to see the results.
My guide was Thomas Quinones, a QE2 veteran of 17 years. In his position as Cruise Host, he has served such distinguished guests as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, as well as many famous actors and artists. Quinones clearly has great affection for the QE2. “She is the last true ocean liner,” he says, “the Queen Mary 2 simply can’t compare with this ship!” Although he doesn’t mind cruising out of Southampton, Quinones regrets that the QE2 has retired from the North Atlantic, where he feels she truly belongs She now sails to New York only occasionally. However, he reports that the ship is booking extremely well and that an incredible 80% of all passengers are repeaters.
From the moment one enters the circular Midships Lobby down on Two Deck, the Cunard Line heritage is clearly evident. Here, a series of four wall murals by British artist Peter Sutton depict the company’s history, from the first scheduled North Atlantic crossings in 1840, with Samuel Cunard and the little paddle wheel steamer Britannia, through to the QE2 of 1969. A large, stunning silver model of the latter ship also contributes to the beauty of the space. Made in the mid-seventies, by Asprey of Bond Street in London, the existence of the model was unknown until it was spotted in an old photograph in 1997. Following a long search, it was finally located and later placed on board the QE2.
Ascending one of the wood-paneled, red-carpeted stairways to the principal public rooms on Quarter, Upper and Boat Deck, more of Cunard’s history is on display. A wealth of paintings, prints, memorabilia and models pay tribute to the many famous ships that have served the company over the years, including the Britannia, the two Mauretania, the first Queen Mary and Caronia, as well as the original Queen Elizabeth. This is all part of the so-called Heritage Trail that can be found throughout the ship, not just in the stairways and lobbies, but in the restaurants and bars as well. This contributes to the feeling of being onboard a true ocean liner – and rightfully so.
For a long time, the QE2’s interiors suffered from the numerous refits and conversions that had been carried out, which resulted in a lack of consistency in style, and some say from a lack of proper maintenance. Today, it is obvious that the legendary vessel is being very well looked after, no doubt benefiting from Carnival’s positive cash flow. Her current interiors are the work of MET Studies, which were responsible for the 1994 conversion at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, and Tillberg Design, which oversaw the 1999 and 2001 refurbishments at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven. Together, these two design offices have succeeded in creating a coherent nautical style on board, celebrating both the heritage of Cunard Line and the QE2 herself.
The Chart Room Ba, with the grand piano from the original Queen Mary, and a leather panel from the ancient German ocean liner Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, as well as the Queens Room with its blue and gold décor, are particularly beautiful. The nautically themed Yacht Club, with a view over the stern, is also very stylish. If there is any public room that feels out of place it must be the Grand Lounge, which somehow doubles as a show lounge and shopping arcade. However, it must be remembered that this is a result of the ship not having been built with a large-scale entertainment facilities in mind.
Passengers travelling on the QE2 (as well as on the QM2) still dine according to cabin grade, which in itself is something of a throwback to the old days. Of the five restaurants on board, three are particularly impressive. The beautiful Caronia Restaurant is reminiscent of a Cunard dining room from the turn of 20th century, with its wooden fittings and furniture. The intimate Princess Grill, located forward of the Caronia Restaurant on Quarter Deck and accessible only by way of a private staircase, is very different. It was the top grade restaurant on board when the QE2 debuted in 1969, and it is the only public room that has retained its original sixties décor and space age furniture. A central feature of the space is the Four Elements sculptures created by Janine Janet, which are made entirely of marine items such as shells, coral and mother-of-pearl. Then there is the elegant Queens Grill, which, together with the adjoining Queens Grill Lounge, can be found above, on Boat Deck. These venues are reserved for passengers residing in suites. In a small corner of the bar at the entrance to the restaurant, a series of photographs commemorates the many visits paid to the QE2 by the British Royal Family over the years.
The QE2 recently celebrated 36 years of service, having sailed more than 5.3 million nautical miles (equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 11 times) and carried almost three million passengers since her maiden voyage in 1969. This September, she is set to become the longest serving Cunard liner ever, breaking the record of the steamer Scythia, which sailed from 1921 to 1957. Hopefully the QE2 will keep on sailing for a long time; she certainly is becoming more and more unique – and, it seems, more popular – with each passing year!
|
|
Public rooms & dining - QE2's Caronia |
Public rooms & lifestyle - QE2 Library
|
|
|
| QE2 Accomodation - QS Suite (cabin) |
Queen Elizabeth 2 |
|
|
| Fine dining in QE2's Queens |
Lifestyle - drinks at the bar in QE2's yacht |
|
