FAREWELL QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

[Rotterdam]

"I LOVE THE SEA AS I DO MY SOUL" - H. HEINE (1797- 1856)

 

As today is the end of an era I wished to pay homage to a ship that started as a state of the art oceanliner when she was launched, became a symbol of a way of life that seemed to be dated & unpopular and then turned out to be the link between the past & future of transatlantic liners.

 

As a forty something year old - I grew up with the last of the great transatlantic liners - seeing them & boarding & sailing on a few - here in New York City. My beautiuful Aunt(my Aunt Mame) would introduce me to travelling by ship & all that it entailed.

 

At first it was the beauty of the life on board - the clothes, wonderful long dinners with food that just made ones palate desire for more, great music floating out of lounges while people danced laughed & incidentily had the times of their life. Going to sleep at night wiith the portholes open in the caribbean & having the steward make sure they were shut & covered in the North Atlantic.

 

As I grew older -I learned to appreciate the engineering & design of these great ships, speaking with crew & officers. The beauty of a bow's line - the sound of the whistle.

 

So today is the beginning of another era - as with all people - I have seen a world of change to these ships & mourned their fate. The QE2 holds a place in my heart that I never thought it would. THe FRANCE was my favorite - the Italian Line the all time best. All of this is gone - even my beautiful Aunt is now in a home fighting Alzheimers.

 

And now QE2 will sail down the Hudson River & cross the Atlantic Ocean for perhaps her last home port. I was use to seeing her sail on the annual World Cruise & the 3+ months she was gone was my way of measuring the winters here in NYC - spring arrived when the QE2 returned from going around the world! Yes she will be back in December - but change will distance us.

 

I can't put my arms around her & tell her I love her & wish her well - but I will toast her tonight & remember all that she gave me - the moon & stars at sea & once a smooth sea across the Atlantic in November (it was the only crossing I made with a full moon).

 

Every nite before retiring I would put on my coat & walk the Boat Deck - it was at those times that QE2 was not just an Oceanliner - but a man made object that brought me so much closer to God.

[friedchickN]

Thank you, Rotterdam.

God bless the QE2 and all who sail her...and God bless your Auntie Mame.

[mufi]

Rotterdam, I have just spent five weeks on her and she can still give you all that. We came through rough seas in the Biscay, and I do not believe there is any ship afloat that could have coped better. Let's love her for as long as we are able. There will never be her like again.

 

David.

[JudyJB]

She's not scrap yet. We'll just have to fly to Europe to board her for the next few years and hope Cunard does a handful of transatlantics with her. I'm planning to do a Mediterranian with her in 2005 if I can afford it out of my meager budget.

 

Wish everyone who is fascinated with new and big would take an opportunity to experience this old and classy ship that is the last of her kind before she really is gone.

[cadum]

Rotterdam,

 

Thanks for the memories...I’m too had an “Auntie Mame†much more before your time when the real thing was a crossing and not a cruise...My past sailing to name a few on the Liberte, the two old Queens, and my old time favorite SS United States, surprise?...And later our beloved QE2 ...I also remember a westbound crossing in November on that gracious ship and what a moon!...And now just back from the maiden westbound crossing on the QM2 ...Enough has been said con & pro about her on this forum... To me was the icing on the cake and more than I expected. So lets say to the QE2 not “goodbye†but “until we meet again†and welcome with open arms the new QUEEN MARY 2.

 

cadum

[Krazy Kruizers]

QE 2

 

We have sailed the QE 2 and hope to be on the QM 2 in the near future.

 

Since Thursday we have been able to watch the QM 2 on the Krooze cam as she enter New York and was docked.

 

But for unknown reason we have not been able to view her today. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Tedson]

Yes, we haven't been able to get the NY cam to come up on Kroooz-cams all day. Really a disappointment.

 

Ted

 

November 2004-Sapphire Princess?

May 2004-Sun Princess

March 2004-Brilliance OTS

October 2003-Mercury

April 2003-Grandeur OTS

September 2002-Grand Princess

May 2002-Star Princess

 

Work is just something I do between Cruises....

 

[Rotterdam]

Reporting from the Ritz Carlton Battery Park in NYC - - - -- -

 

Well it was a wonderful send off for both QE2 & QM2. Its a cold 40 degrees here & cloudy - but the rain held off until a few minutes ago.

 

Below the clouds - the sky was very clear & you could see the QM2 sail down the Hudson River & the QE2 following 30 minutes later. There were so many flash bulbs going off from the buildings across from NYC it looked like the Academy Awards with paparazzi. Both the ships looked quite beautiful all lit up - the Promenades were packed (on land & at sea - considering how cold it was -

 

When the ships were close to the Statue Of Liberty the fireworks started(about 9:00 p.m.) & the QM2 took the lead out of the harbor - very very slowly - it was quite a sight. The fireworks lasted about 30 minutes & then the ships sailed out under the Verrazano Bridge.

 

It was striking - so many people came out to see the event & it was wonderful to see the excitement.

 

The QM2 blew its whistle as she came down the river & people could not get over how big she is.

 

But when the QE2 came by people started to clap, whistle & yell - all well received by those on QE2 - this continued for quite some time. There were quite a few moist tears for QE2(yes I too was amoung those - or was it the champagne).

 

If I find pics in tomorrows newspapers I 'll post the links - it was a very special evening here in New York for many of us.

 

To see those 2 ships in front of the Statue of Liberty with the fireworks - well all I can say is that tonite was one of those great evenings in NYC that can only be had in NYC - one the QE2 certainly deserved & hopefully welcomed QM2 in a most fitting manner.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, Rotterdam. I appreciated your quick posting. Wish I could have been there.

[Finch]

Thank you, Rotterdam.

[Linerguy]

Thanks, Rotterdam. After reading your post, there's not a dry eye here as well.

 

Russ

[cunarder]

Thanks Rotterdam,

 

The QE2 will be sorely missed. I too had a little wet eye condition.

 

I guess I will have to plan a European cruise so I can sail on her one last time.

 

Here's lifting a brandy to the QE2 and all her fans.

 

Ed

[Rotterdam]

Well I am awake from the fog of champagne consumption of last nite.

 

You are all welcome - glad I could contribute. Unfortunately only the NY Times had a picture that does not do the event justice - If I come across more I'll post the link. The Today Show did have beautiful footage from their helicopter.

 

Well it was a wonderful evening - one thing stands out in my mind - the affection for the QE2 was overwhelming - as I said - as the QE2 followed by 30 minutes the people started first to applaude, then shout cheers towards her - with response from QE2 passengers(there were a few megaphones & mikes in the crowd). A group started a "Thank You QE2" shout that many joined in. Altho QE2 was not lit up as QM2 was, the beauty of her profile could be seen all the way down the river & out to sea - she was a proud symbol of the great ocean liners of the 20th century. To see her pass under the Verrazano Bridge - so beautifully lit - was magnificent. It was the same view that I had for the last time of the NORWAY when she sailed to Europe back in September 2001. A fitting last sighting of these 2 great liners.

 

In comparison - the QM2 was all aglow - not only by her own lights but also thanks to the many helicopters circling the sailing - as she sailed by people were in awe of her size - it was interesting to see & hear so many young people voicing interest in this new ship - opinions were mixed but the interest will hopefully fill QM2 for years to come.

 

There was some growling about the security issues here in NYC - with all due respect - the sight of these 2 ships - for the most part - without hundreds of small craft around them - truly hi-lighted their uniqueness. THe fireboats that excorted them spouting water into the air were ablaze in flood lites - so the effect was a moving waterfall/ sconce escorting the ships down river. THere were a few dinner boats & tugs on the river but not much else(earlier we cheered the folks in the kayaks for their bravery) - Other ports did allow flotillas to escort the QM2 - surely a beautiful site. But as usual - NYC did it their way - and it was singularly spectacular.

[wotec]

Thanks Rotterdam. We just disembarked QE2 in New York after joining the World Cruise in Hong Kong in early March. Our voyage was the trip of a lifetime. My first Trans Atlantic was on QE2 June 1, 2003. For my companion, the World Cruise was his 5th sailing, beginning in 1972. She is truly THE Queen. We watched Sunday evening from a Circle Line boat in the river - when QE2 passed us we saw cameras flashes from the bow where many of the crew would be - as all of you know who've experienced QE2, she has such a soul and the officers and crew truly are the most special on the sea, there is so much love bestowed upon her.

 

While we're not ready to sail QM2 just yet(although we'll be on QE2 soon after her refit we hope)we hope those her sail her will discover the magic that have many of us and that the officers and crew will create that same aura we've come to know and love on QE2. In the meantime, we're holding our breath for the 2007 Queen Victoria and hope she will have the style and elegance of THE Queen.

 

Thanks again Rotterdam!

[Jeanne S]

What a heartfelt tribute to the Queen. I too was introduced to ocean travel by an Aunt (and Uncle) - definately not Autie Mame though - my very first crossing on the Rotterdam in the 60's. I do so miss that whole way of sailing which sadly is gone from us now. Your memories help to bring it all back. Thank you.

 

Jeanne

[TXChristopher]

Rotterdam Thank you for the nice words on the Qe2. I have been lucky to sail 7 times on her as well. Thank god for my MOM working for Cunard Line in LIC for just under 10 years. The first cruise i went on was the Cunard princess and they day we got back from bermuda the Queen was in port and WOW what a sight she was. so i was like MOM can we go on her and look? she called her boss and had some a few passes sent to us from the office and i got to go on her that day and i was in haven.Then a few months went by after the world cruise and we got to do a 10 day south to where it was warm.I sure miss them days. I am now 32 and i have been on 17 cruise's the last 3 on RCI and the 4 in Oct on RCI VOS out of NJ But no matter how big the ships get there will never be a ship with lines like the Qe2. I just got back from a 4 day and that ship was 70,000+ GTons and i cant say she was like the Queen. Now that i got my wife hooked she wants to go on the Qm2 but First i told her the Qe2 to see how a cruise really is.

 

I sure miss them days that i use to just take my Mtbike down to the pier to see the queen whne she was in port and i had a day off

 

I remember on Captain's night when i meet Captain woodall he was my fav of all.The man was so tall But so nice.

 

Ty Christopher

 

Ships i have been on

Cunard Princess 1 Time

Cunard Countess 1 Time

Cunard QE2 7 Times

Cunard Sagafjord 1 Time

Cunard Crown Jewel 1 Time

Cunard Crown Dynasty 2 Times

Enchantment of the Sea 1 Time

Navigator OF THE Sea 1 Time

 

Till Splendor Of The Sea's 

 

Till Voyager Of The Seas  

[dougnewmanatsea]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wotec:

we're holding our breath for the 2007 Queen Victoria and hope she will have the style and elegance of THE Queen.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I certainly can't say whether QM2 will have the same elgance of QE2, but if she doesn't, I cannot see how QUEEN VICTORIA possibly could.

 

Regardless of the changes that are made in comparison with the original QUEEN VICTORIA, she will still be just another deriviative of the ubiquitous Vista-class design and my mind will forever be a fake, however nice a ship she may turn out to be.

 

Doug Newman

Cruise Critic Message Boards Host

e-mail: shiploverny AT yahoo DOT com

[Rotterdam]

The Queen Victoria - from what Cunard has pu out - will be a cruise ship a la carnival. No matter the interior - she won't have the lines or grace of QE2.

 

And certainly a different passenger. As with HAL & Costa - Carnival has a cookie cutter approach to their companies & cost containment - too bad.

[marco]

Thanks, Rotterdam! I too was introduced fairly young to transAtlantic ocean travel. Being 1st generation of immigrants who "did well", almost every summer saw a trans-Atlantic sailing, mostly on Italian Line. I have fond, and still vivid memories of Columbo, Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Raffaello. A sailing on the Isle d'France, the Constitution, the United States, the France. Yes, they were grand, but it was the WAY we traveled, not the SHIP we traveled on that was so very different than the cruise ships of today. Even QE2, which I've sailed on 4X, and probably even QM2, which I will give a go this summer are more akin to the new cruisers than the ships of "then". At least sailing out of NYC on "anything" still has that rush that it had years ago!

[wotec]

We just sailed into New York on QE2, the end of the World Cruise which we began in Hong Kong in early March. Oh, what a beautiful rush it is to sail into our country. I shall never forget the morning sun on the Statue of Liberty early Sunday morning. We watched the fireworks from the harbor as QM2 & QE2 "held court" each in their own fashion - another magnificent experience.

 

After just experiencing a variety of customs and cultures and meeting many locals in the counties just visited, where without exception we were well received, we are prouder than ever to be Americans.

 

Thanks to all for sharing their experiences on the great ocean liners of the past.

[Rotterdam]

Marco - we were probably on the same ships at some point - oh the Italian line......such beautiful ships, design, decor, service & food.

 

Yes - it was the way we travelled and through the years NYC is my favorite port to sail out of - the Statue of Liberty - so regal. Yes the rush is still there. My great grand parents came over in the 1890's through NY!

 

Wotec - so happy to hear of your positive experiences - you also were on the last TRUE Full World Cruise for QE2 - next year when Qe2 gets to Southampton - passengers will return via the QM2 to NYC.

 

I know what you mean about being Americans - 20 years ago this month I went to China - it was the most foreign experience I had ever had - for a month I was isolated from all I knew - it also brought the realizatio of being so fortunate to be in this great country.

 

One of teh great trips I had on QE2 was a short 4 day over 4 th July 2000 - on the last day we dropped anchor off of Bay Ridge & saw the parade of ships & the 4th of July from QE2 - SPECTACULAR to say the least.

[Katyany]

I love QE2, and, from the deck of the QM2, was very moved when she took her final leave. I was happy to have sailed on her last NY/Southampton crossing (but I will sail on her again to other destinations). It's been a wonderful trip.

 

This is my first time on QM2. She is spectacular, like a grand floating hotel, and spanking new of course. My stateroom is very comfortable (C category with balcony). From glimpsing several cabins walking down hallways, I'd say even the simplest cabins are more like QG's on QE2, with king sized beds, and many amenities.

 

The computer romm is very high tech, and the entire ship is just gorgeous---I still have so mush to explore (looking forward to seeing the planetarium).

 

Having said all that, QM2 is still not QE2. QE2 has the graciousness, the old world grandeur, the personality, the charm and the ambiance, and is much more intimate. One can feel at home on QE2. A bientot j'espere, QE2...