Biggest Fears - QM2

[OceanLinerGeek24]

I thought this could be a good hypothetical conversation and am generally curious about what people will say when I ask the following question. What are your biggest fears about the future of QM2? Or of the future of Cunard in general?

 

With all the talk lately of Carnival being in the red post Covid and cutting costs across all of its brands, I can't help but wonder if the original plan/life expectancy of our beloved QM2 will ultimately be altered. She is now, safe to say, at her mid-life point, with a service life expectancy of ~40 years. So hopefully that gives us another 20 years to look forward to, but what will those 20 years look like? We've all seen the posts on here about deferred maintenance, slipping standards (in some people's opinions), and dated looks on parts of her interior (The dreaded shower curtains, need I say more?) In my view, that leaves two options in the coming years. A major, mid-life refit to overhaul a good portion of the ship (similar to QE2 in 1986) OR smaller, less intense (therefore less expensive) refits over the years with the ship continuing to slowly age.

 

So, all of that being said, what are some of your fears? I personally would hate to see her service life cut short in any way. I also would hate to see her beautiful lines/profile altered, ala Queen Victoria. Imagine seeing QM2's terraced stern be cluttered with new cabins in the future to make some extra revenue? 

[NE John]

Let’s see what happens after November 2023 retrofit. 
Too early to fear how Carnival can manage its debt. 

Since the upcoming Queen Anne won’t be a true ocean liner like QM2, I believe there will be a role for QM2 for next couple decades - a true unique form of transportation.  However a more modern QA can siphon away pax from QM2. 
 

[Guest SilverHengroen]

I would say the most obvious scenario is the most likely. She continues in service for her full 40 year fatigue life, doing the job she was built to do, and receiving minor refits at regular intervals. That's the most lucrative option for Carnival with this ship, provided she continues to remain popular and sail full. Btw the '40 year' mark isn't a set in stone end-of-the-line marker, that's just the minimum time she was designed to last without any major structural repairs being necessary. If Carnival choose, and she remains in good structural condition, they could extend the life of the ship out even further than this by addressing anything which needs to be addressed. It may be cost effective when the time comes, it may not be. 

 

I think the next Cunarder we see (the 250th) will be her successor liner, announced/ build commencing around 2030. Probably a ship built off the same platform (so looking quite similar) but with a more modern engine plant (LNG?) and the more modern interior design being brought in with Queen Anne. That would be a similar timeline to QM2 being announced around QE2's 30th birthday. 

[OceanLinerGeek24]

I too would like to think that the next ship (250) would be a special one simply due to the number, but it also wouldn't surprise me if we just get a possible packaged cruise ship (along the lines of Vista and Pinnacle classes) replacement for QV around that time. 

[canoncruiser]

I was on QM2 Westbound in May. The ship looked great, maintenance was being done-I noticed that the concerns about enclosed balcony signs of rust had bee dealt with, the public rooms looked splendid, the stewards-bar and dining room and cabin were in very good humor-willing and able. Many of them were new, I suspect that because of the ‘pandemic’ and the attendant job losses, there has been a lot of training up to standard. Steven Payne was on board and lecturing; the weather was good. Captain Hashmi was in command; and my friends who had never crossed before had a very good time. I always have a good time on the Atlantic on QM2!

 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Have been blessed to sail in her many times since 2004.  I remember when sailing in the QE2 it was said she would be the last liner so it is possible that a successor to the QM2 is possible if Cunard is able to sustain itself financially whether with Carnival ownership or another company. I could see hypothetically MSC buying them since they are private and own the massive cargo company. That would be a prestige purchase and of course secure the future of Cunard. 

[ovccruiser]

I have had the benefit of cruising on QM2 on many occasion, but, one has to bear in mind that refits are usually major works yet most of the maintenance type work is carried out while at sea by the crew onboard ship. They were obviously missing during lockdown so the works were effectively deferred for about 2 years and have taken about the same time to catch up, IMO hence the "rusty" patches mentioned by some cruisers. Probably most cruise ships suffered the same over the last few years.

[Pear Carr]

3 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha. Have been blessed to sail in her many times since 2004.  I remember when sailing in the QE2 it was said she would be the last liner so it is possible that a successor to the QM2 is possible if Cunard is able to sustain itself financially whether with Carnival ownership or another company. I could see hypothetically MSC buying them since they are private and own the massive cargo company. That would be a prestige purchase and of course secure the future of Cunard. 

MSC???? Heaven forbid! Often described as ‘Butlins at sea’ by UK cruisers unless you can travel in Yacht Club, which appears to be a ship within a ship.

[Winifred 22]

3 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha. Have been blessed to sail in her many times since 2004.  I remember when sailing in the QE2 it was said she would be the last liner so it is possible that a successor to the QM2 is possible if Cunard is able to sustain itself financially whether with Carnival ownership or another company. I could see hypothetically MSC buying them since they are private and own the massive cargo company. That would be a prestige purchase and of course secure the future of Cunard. 

MSC have just launched there own luxury brand so can’t imagine it’s on their agenda nor is there desire for CUK to sell Cunard. 

[MylesS]

On 6/20/2023 at 11:06 AM, LouChamp said:

Aloha. Have been blessed to sail in her many times since 2004.  I remember when sailing in the QE2 it was said she would be the last liner so it is possible that a successor to the QM2 is possible if Cunard is able to sustain itself financially whether with Carnival ownership or another company. I could see hypothetically MSC buying them since they are private and own the massive cargo company. That would be a prestige purchase and of course secure the future of Cunard. 

Carnival would not sell Cunard. It's one of their most profitable brands (at least it was prior to COVID). Arguably its not being treated as such as of late, but the corporation in general is prioritising paying down its debts. I suppose we'll find out how much on the 26th.

Edited June 21, 2023 by MylesS

[gentlemancruiser]

MSC have just a lauched a luxury brand Explora, they are working on building that up.   MSC have a solid European base of clients, they are not well known in the NA market. 

 

QM2 will be around for many more years because of the demand for her unique summer crossing schedule.    

Edited June 21, 2023 by gentlemancruiser
spelling error

[Lakesregion]

7 hours ago, gentlemancruiser said:

MSC have just a lauched a luxury brand Explora, they are working on building that up.   MSC have a solid European base of clients, they are not well known in the NA market. 

 

QM2 will be around for many more years because of the demand for her unique summer crossing schedule.    

Which, according to another thread here, has been tossed into the dumper for 2024. Not a good look to sell a bunch of TA crossings and then find out you don't have a place to dock in NYC on those dates.

[new to cuising]

QM2 is the ship that sets Cunard apart from all other companies. The space, deck heights even cabins all are a little larger than the equivalent grades on most other ships. Yes the bathrooms are small and the shower curtains a nuisance but retro fitting the bathrooms would be very time consuming with each one needing to be done in situ, so could be done whilst at sea by taking a block  of rooms out of use and upgrading them. Remember when these ships are built the whole of the cabins are constructed shore side, put onto the appropriate deck, moved into position, and “plugged in”. 
I think the greatest challenge facing her for her upcoming refit will be the generator exhaust systems, which are rotting, and the various scrubbers and filters that will need replacing in order to meet the ever increasing stringent emissions limits. On a voyage earlier this month I was talking to one of the engineers who is part of a team on a six week secondment who are specialist fabricators who are on board specifically to troubleshoot problems as they occur until the job can be done properly in the autumn refit. The main issue is of course the diesel generators are running most if not all of the time so these exhausts never cool down. Unlike practically all other cruise ships the vast majority of QM2 days are spent at sea, eg during the TA season she spends about 12 hours a week in port. Majority of other cruise ship spend 12 hours a day in port, this also has a major impact on what can be done as part of the ships overall maintenance program.