Joserus

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

Not wanting to stop you from cruising on QM2 again, but I went to the Lloyd's Register site, and their database shows QM2's GT as 149,215.  I'd take this as pretty confidently accurate.

Another mystery solved!  Thanks, this is great.

6 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Oh, believe me, when the new deck was added, the ship was "remeasured".  That's the law, as all legal documents describing the vessel, like the Certificate of Registry, must include the GT of the vessel.  Whether or not Cunard feels the need to publicize the new tonnage figure is another thing.  Probably the only way to find out the correct tonnage figure is to go to whatever class society Cunard uses (Lloyds?), and access their database, or take a ship tour and ask the engineers about the tonnage markings "carved" (welded) into the "main beam" (a girder or bulkhead in the engine room) that has the IMO number, GT and NT figures welded there.

Thanks for the info chengkp75!  Finding the new tonnage would also solve the issue of the many reported sizes.  I actually like the idea of the ship tour as that involves sailing on her again 😉 

Going on two years now and it doesn't appear that Cunard will remeasure her.  If we were to estimate her new tonnage, we could probably look to the SS Norway.  Her tonnage was increased by 6000 by running a new deck of cabins (standard height) along the entire length of her superstructure.  There was also an additional small deck above this deck.  Judging that the QM2 and the Norway were roughly the same length in superstructure, QM2's new deck of cabins would be about 1/3 of the length of the Norway's added decking and slightly wider.  This would probably be about 2000 tonnes.  Even being generous, it could only be about 3000.  Looking at the variations in QM2's reported tonnage, even with the high figure of 3000 added to the highest tonnage of 151,000, she would still only be around 154,000 tonnes.  That would still keep her in the same position on the list of world's largest liners (behind Oasis class, Quantum class, Norwegian Epic and Freedom class respectively as of 2018.)  With a list of planned new builds exceeding 150,000, it wouldn't seem worth the trouble or expense of gaining a few tonnes.  

Also Wheelhouse Bar, but will be in the Princess Patter each day including the one on embarkation day.

Any other gay cruisers on this sailing? My buddy is turning 50 so we decided to do the cruise. Looking forward to Blue Chairs during the PV stop (will most likely take a taxi.) Be sure and check the daily schedule for the LGBT socials each evening around 6 (usually in Adagio lounge)

Has this ever happened on any other cruise line? Or does it seem to be unique to Carnival ships?

Happens to all of the lines and is not unique to the old ships like this one.

Looks like Cunard has posted the new deck plans for QM2 post refit. The atrium elevators are gone.

There are updated deck plans in the 2017 brochure that you can download from the Cunard website on the home page. Although the Winter Garden and Todd English are now listed as Carinthia Lounge and the Verandah, it still shows the elevators in the lobby and up to the King's Court. Perhaps these are not the final deck plans.

Yes, I sure hope that the refit is documented by either CC or others like Maritime Matters. Will be great to see the process. I imagine that the cabin structure on deck 13 will be lowered onto the ship already assembled much like what was done on the Holland America ships a few years ago.

It is definitely an improvement on the decor of Todd English. I see that there are homages to the surrealist paintings on the Queen Mary. Overall I think that it is a bit safe and I'm a little underwhelmed by it compared to the renderings of the Queen's and Princess Grills which are amazing transformations. It would be nice for them to push the design a little more toward what they were going for in the luxury eateries. Although a clean and elegant design, this rendering just doesn't get me excited about dining in this venue, sorry to say.

I really like that they are keeping the surcharge instead of a la carte pricing.

With all of this talk about Todd English, let's hope that this is the reveal next week ;)

Since next week is the final reveal, I think that it may be more than one venue. Perhaps G32, Grills' Lounge or the lobby in addition to Todd English. Maybe they can reveal their new tiny casino (jk).

Other areas that I think are wasted opportunities are the Atlantic Room (possible lounge or cafe) and Boardwalk Cafe.

Another question, are they going to replace the pool and hot tubs that are being removed for the new club balcony rooms on deck 13? Would be great to see the upper deck utilized like on Princess ships (although always so cold and windy up there).

I agree that TE needs a makeover as the decor caused some head scratching even in 2004. I think that they were having a Joe Farcus moment when they decorated that one ;)