The “Carnivalization of Cunard” continues…

[deck chair]

5 hours ago, K.S. said:

 

That is SUPREMELY tacky. Sale tables? I wouldn’t expect that on Cunard. It’s disgusting.

 

Hi

These have been sales tables on the QM2 for years and they draw crowds and sales otherwise they would be gone.  Mainly on deck three outside the various shops.

I don't believe they are a detriment.

 

Deck Chair

Edited August 23, 2019 by deck chair

[K.S.]

2 minutes ago, deck chair said:

 

Hi

These have been sales tables on the QM2 for years and they draw big crowds and I guess sales otherwise they would be gone.  Mainly on deck three outside the various shops.

I don't believe they are a detriment.

 

Deck Chair

 

They may have been there for years. That doesn’t mean they are appropriate. And at the very least, not outside the Queens Room.

Edited August 23, 2019 by K.S.

[Underwatr]

23 minutes ago, deck chair said:

Hi

These have been sales tables on the QM2 for years and they draw crowds and sales otherwise they would be gone.  Mainly on deck three outside the various shops.

I don't believe they are a detriment.

The "Gold by the Inch" will turn your neck green. That's beneath Cunard.

[Underwatr]

2 hours ago, Gazroberts80 said:

As for calling Princess tacky I think that’s a rather naive comment.

When the MDR waiters dress up like gondoliers on Italian Night you gotta roll your eyes.

 

I forget whether Process waiters sing as well or was that only on Carnival...?

[K.S.]

20 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

When the MDR waiters dress up like gondoliers on Italian Night you gotta roll your eyes.

 

I forget whether Process waiters sing as well or was that only on Carnival...?

 

Or “Pirates” that come through the dining room to hold fake knives to your neck, so a company photographer can snap a photo and try to sell you a copy later. Good grief, I had forgotten about that!

[Germancruiser]

I really never got the hype about QE2- other then " The Legend" and the last of her kind...! My one sailing on board QE2 was quite enough. They called the original Queens Room the most elegant room on the seven seas-  I never experienced the original QR - by 1998 the interiour was put back in time to accomodate the wish for a real ocean liner feelinng!

The tried hard but those white colums and ceeling- just ugly - they just did not fit anymore!

Those white colums and ceelings had a revial with the then brand new Solstice Class of Celebrity- to this day I don´t like those dining rooms- in neither of the S- Class ships!

I found her to be a totaly confusing ship- like an old lady with way to much make- which could not mask the age and outdated layout!

Edited August 24, 2019 by Germancruiser

[eroller]

47 minutes ago, Germancruiser said:

I really never got the hype about QE2- other then " The Legend" and the last of her kind...!  

 

 

It took me a while to warm up to her.  I first sailed on her in the 80's.  I couldn't understand what the hype was about.  I felt there were far superior ships.  A long time past and I returned.  I experience some of the worst food and service of any ship I have ever sailed ... but ... the crossing was special because of my fellow passengers.  Lifelong friends and a certain eccentricity that simply did not exist on other ships.  I went on to sail QE2 many times, and frankly I never thought she was the end-all be-all of ships, but I loved the atmosphere that existed on her.  She had so many refits, mostly poorly done, and in the end she was Carnival's vision of what an old ocean liner should look like.  Quite the opposite of her beginnings, when she was hyped as a ship of the future with decor to match.  I think I would have liked her best in the very beginning, with her original layout and decor but unfortunately I never got to experience that.

 

Now that she is a hotel in Dubai I have no desire to stay on her.  Again because I never thought she was that great of a ship.  It was all about the passengers and the special comeraderie they created.  That can't be duplicated on a static ship/hotel sitting in Dubai.   

[Gazroberts80]

I think people have made many a fair comment here. I think one thing that is apparent is that people have different definitions of what Cunard is and what the line represents. 
 

Firstly QM2, QE and QV were all designed and built under Carnival ownership, so it is really hard to argue that changes made to these ships are an attempt to Carnivilise the product as it was a Carnival product you were experiencing from the start. In addition very few companies  would have been brave enough to have bank rolled such a unique and massive ship as QM2. A ship very much optimised for an extremely niche market. So got that Mickey Arison and Carnival will always have my admiration. 
 

In the early delays Cunard was not defined by luxury but by its ability to safely transport Passengers and Cargo across the Atlantic. Certainly a crossing on Cunard was not a luxurious experience for all of those travelling onboard and just because you travelled Cunard did not make your experience a luxurious one.  
 

It would seem that many people see the experience of the First Class passengers on the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in the 1930’s - 1960’s era as the absolute definition of the Cunard Experience. 

 

Others see the epitome of Cunard as being the QE2 with her modernistic 1960’s design that made crossing the Atlantic by ship cool again. Queen Mary and Elizabeth  Yet it’s clear her design wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Most people seem to choose to forget the likes of the Cunard Princess and Countess in the 80’s and 90’s as being anything to do with Cunard. Even more chose to forget the Atlantic Star and Atlantic Conveyer cargo ships of that era. 
 

So while it appears that currently Carnival have positioned the brand to reflect that 30 year “Golden era” between 1930 and 1960  in tribute to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth it should be remembered that this period and these ships make up just a tiny fraction of Cunard’s 178 year history, which is why it frustrates me somewhat when people compare their expectations of what they expect to such a relatively small part of Cunard’s phenomenal maritime history. If you read the menus from back in the 30’s you will see that there are items that we would no longer  see on current menus. They are a modern day reinterpretation, because tastes change and evolve and with increased travel people now consume a far greater variety of cuisine on a daily basis and will thus demand and expect that choice from menus on a luxury large ship. 

 

What is evident is that Cunard line would not have survived so long if it wasn’t able to evolve. In the late 60’s for example that was to construct a futuristic new ship and in the 2000’s it was again to construct brand new ships but with a retro look. So let’s not try and freeze our expectations of Cunard and let’s be excited to see how our experience continues to evolve as it naturally will if Cunard is to survive for another 178 years. Sadly none of us will be here to see that 😂 but hopefully our future generations will be lucky enough to experience this fine shipping line. 
 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2019 by Gazroberts80

[deck chair]

8 hours ago, K.S. said:

 

They may have been there for years. That doesn’t mean they are appropriate. And at the very least, not outside the Queens Room.

HI

 

There have never been sales tables outside the Queens Room at least not the many times I have sailed on her.

Thank you.

Deck Chair

[BellaAnna]

I agree with Deck Chair.  They are usually outside of the shops and very crowded with shoppers. 

The only time I personally saw them in the Queens Room was a ‘Market’ atmosphere when we left St.Petersburg, Russia.

On that Journey they were packed with shoppers. Much appreciated because we had been on all day tours and were unable to shop.

[K.S.]

1 hour ago, deck chair said:

HI

 

There have never been sales tables outside the Queens Room at least not the many times I have sailed on her.

Thank you.

Deck Chair

 

Apparently, there have been now!

[Host Hattie]

7 minutes ago, K.S. said:

 

Apparently, there have been now!

Only on QE & QV because that's where the shops are ! Unless you have experience to the contrary ?

[exlondoner]

4 minutes ago, K.S. said:

 

Apparently, there have been now!

 

Rereading the original post, I think it may be the shops that are being described as outside the QR, though, a fortiori, that means that  is where the tables are, though in my experience some way along. I don't like them, but they don't impinge unless I'm leaving a lecture in the theatre. Why bother about them, if you don't like them? In any case, they can hardly be the result of Carnivalisation, as they seem to predate Carnival ownership.

[K.S.]

3 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

 

Rereading the original post, I think it may be the shops that are being described as outside the QR, though, a fortiori, that means that  is where the tables are, though in my experience some way along. I don't like them, but they don't impinge unless I'm leaving a lecture in the theatre. Why bother about them, if you don't like them? In any case, they can hardly be the result of Carnivalisation, as they seem to predate Carnival ownership.

 

Even if you don’t patronize them, they are still an eyesore. On *any* line. That’s my opinion.

Edited August 24, 2019 by K.S.

[K.S.]

8 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Only on QE & QV because that's where the shops are ! Unless you have experience to the contrary ?

 

I’m going on what another poster has reported.

 

EDIT: Going back, I see this was reported on QE. So, yes, the shops are there. But it doesn’t change my opinion on sales tables in general. I don’t like them, I think they are really tacky. What’s wrong with that?

Edited August 24, 2019 by K.S.

[exlondoner]

6 minutes ago, K.S. said:

 

Even if you don’t patronize them, they are still an eyesore. On *any* line. That’s my opinion.

 

Well, I feel much the same about slot machines in the casino, but they are clearly enjoyed by some and raise revenue (which helps keep fares down), so I ignore them and don't let them worry me.

[K.S.]

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

 

Well, I feel much the same about slot machines in the casino, but they are clearly enjoyed by some and raise revenue (which helps keep fares down), so I ignore them and don't let them worry me.

 

I don’t have a problem with a casino. It’s another public room. Although, I don’t like that it’s not fully enclosed.

Edited August 24, 2019 by K.S.

[Host Hattie]

8 minutes ago, K.S. said:

 

I’m going on what another poster has reported.

 

EDIT: Going back, I see this was reported on QE. So, yes, the shops are there. But it doesn’t change my opinion on sales tables in general. I don’t like them, I think they are really tacky. What’s wrong with that?

Nothing, but you seemed to be complaining about sales tables outside the Queens Room on QM2, that's not happening. There are sales tables outside the shops some of the time but on QM2 that's nowhere near the Queens Room. They are easy to avoid. I agree with exlondoner gambling machines are much more visually offensive but others seem to enjoy them so I have no problem avoiding them.

[K.S.]

3 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Nothing, but you seemed to be complaining about sales tables outside the Queens Room on QM2, that's not happening. There are sales tables outside the shops some of the time but on QM2 that's nowhere near the Queens Room. They are easy to avoid. I agree with exlondoner gambling machines are much more visually offensive but others seem to enjoy them so I have no problem avoiding them.

 

Slot machines certainly aren’t as tacky as sales tables. And they aren’t out in the halls. That’s my opinion. And what about the table with the spread of M&M’s and Pringles? That’s ultra tacky too. In my opinion.

Edited August 24, 2019 by K.S.

[exlondoner]

3 minutes ago, K.S. said:

 

Slot machines certainly aren’t as tacky as sales tables. And they aren’t out in the halls. That’s my opinion. And what about the table with the spread of M&M’s and Pringles? That’s ultra tacky too. In my opinion.

 

Well, I find them infinitely tackier with those flashing lights. And, on leaving the theatre on Deck 2, it is really pretty hard to avoid them. Nonetheless, I have survived unscathed and unruffled.

[K.S.]

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

 

Well, I find them infinitely tackier with those flashing lights. And, on leaving the theatre on Deck 2, it is really pretty hard to avoid them. Nonetheless, I have survived unscathed and unruffled.

 

Okay. Doesn’t change my opinion on sales tables. Doesn’t change your apparent opinion on slot machines. That’s all anyone is doing here. Stating their opinions.

[hamrag]

46 minutes ago, BellaAnna said:

I agree with Deck Chair.  They are usually outside of the shops and very crowded with shoppers. 

The only time I personally saw them in the Queens Room was a ‘Market’ atmosphere when we left St.Petersburg, Russia.

On that Journey they were packed with shoppers. Much appreciated because we had been on all day tours and were unable to shop.

 

Yes, we were on that cruise also. This event was marketed as a 'Russian Culture' event days in advance, was in the Queens'  Room, and was a huge event with a 'tape cutting' ceremony and sparkling wine and various snack food items for all who chose to attend.

 

We avoided it, disliking such, but had no problem as many (probably most) others enjoyed. They were selling replica Faberge Eggs and the Russian Dolls that many seem to love, and much other tat.  

[exlondoner]

6 minutes ago, K.S. said:

 

Okay. Doesn’t change my opinion on sales tables. Doesn’t change your apparent opinion on slot machines. That’s all anyone is doing here. Stating their opinions.

 

Absolutely. But I avoid such emotive pejorative terms as 'disgusting' and 'eyesore'.

[K.S.]

Just now, exlondoner said:

 

Absolutely. But I avoid such emotive pejorative terms as 'disgusting' and 'eyesore'.

 

I think they are an eyesore. I think they are disgusting. Opinions.

[3rdGenCunarder]

11 hours ago, eroller said:

 

 

It took me a while to warm up to her.  I first sailed on her in the 80's.  I couldn't understand what the hype was about.  I felt there were far superior ships.  A long time past and I returned.  I experience some of the worst food and service of any ship I have ever sailed ... but ... the crossing was special because of my fellow passengers.  Lifelong friends and a certain eccentricity that simply did not exist on other ships.  I went on to sail QE2 many times, and frankly I never thought she was the end-all be-all of ships, but I loved the atmosphere that existed on her.  She had so many refits, mostly poorly done, and in the end she was Carnival's vision of what an old ocean liner should look like.  Quite the opposite of her beginnings, when she was hyped as a ship of the future with decor to match.  I think I would have liked her best in the very beginning, with her original layout and decor but unfortunately I never got to experience that.

 

Now that she is a hotel in Dubai I have no desire to stay on her.  Again because I never thought she was that great of a ship.  It was all about the passengers and the special comeraderie they created.  That can't be duplicated on a static ship/hotel sitting in Dubai.   

 

I agree completely! I was disappointed in her the first time I sailed on her. Most of what I knew about her was the hype when the World Cruise left NYC and local news would cover that, complete with pictures of QG stateroom and descriptions of lavish service. A rower in a low inside didn't get that experience. After the warm and friendly service we had experienced on a few HAL cruises (all of this pre-Carnival), I found the service lacking. But I gave her another try and went in with realistic expectations. We had better servers, discovered our "home" on Sundeck with Dennis and Roger and I fell in love with the ship. 

 

And as you say, it wasn't the physical ship so much as the people on her--passengers and crew. So many made their life-long careers on that one ship and thought of her as their second home. Many repeat passengers felt the same way. She was home. When people ask what is was about QE2 that kept me returning to her, I would say that it's like love. You can't explain it, you just know it's love. 

 

I suppose it's a bit silly, knowing I would be on her more than ashore looking at her, but the sight of her always made my breath catch. She was a SHIP. My last sight of her was her last departure from Manhattan. I stood in Battery Park with friends watching her sail away, lights on, full of passengers, doing what she was born to do. I'm grateful for wonderful memories of cruises and crossings on her, but I don't want to see her as she is now.