Cunard Queen Mary 2 QM2 Q6 Suite 9010

Cunard Enrichment program update!

Latest email update from Cunard says:

In addition to a wonderful choice of legendary voyages, Cunard offers an array of enrichment programmes and guest speakers across the fleet. This year on Queen Mary 2 we have a host of special guests joining us, so join us if you can for one of these special Transatlantic Crossings.

Juilliard plays on board

As part of our ongoing partnership with New York's acclaimed Juilliard School, performers will be on board Queen Mary 2 during 2011 to showcase their extraordinary talents. The deep twang of the double bass, lively trumpets and smooth saxophone will resound in the Royal Court Theatre and the Chart Room - there will even be Q&A sessions where you can quiz the musicians on their backgrounds and inspirations.

Juilliard musicians will be travelling on 10 very special Transatlantic Crossings this year. For more details on Juilliard and the dates they are travelling on please click here.

The National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antony Inglis

We are delighted that Antony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra have once again agreed to perform on Queen Mary 2. Join us on this eastbound crossing, departing New York on 7 October 2011 and you'll have the opportunity to attend their rehearsals as well as Cunard's rousing version of the Last Night of the Proms. You could even experience what it is like to sing with them on stage if you choose to join our special Cunard choir.

To read more about last year's Transatlantic Crossing with the National Symphony Orchestra please click here. For more details on this year's plans and to sign up for regular updates please click here.


Nicholas Owen - Ambassador for The Prince's Trust

Cunard has been supporting The Prince's Trust since December 2007 and with the help of our guests has raised over £500,000 for this charity which helps disadvantaged young people change their lives. Now as a Gold Patron we have pledged to raise a further £500,000 by 2013.

We're delighted that Nicholas Owen, news presenter for the BBC and ITV and Prince's Trust ambassador, will be joining us on Queen Mary 2 for her eastbound Transatlantic Crossing on 6 July 2011 as part of our Cunard Insights programme.

Cunard Queen Victoria: updated review and photos

Cunard Queen Victoria

One of the biggest challenges Cunard may face with the Queen Victoria, is if it can attract enough premium passengers.

The newest Cunard ship, the Queen Victoria is a cruise ship. This is unlike her predecessors which tended to be more "ocean liners". They tended to look different, especially the bow which was designed to slice through the aggressive Atlantic sea on regular trans-Atlantic crossings - but they also tended to be "one offs". They were distinctive and unique. There is no other ship that looks like either the QE2 or the Queen Mary 2.


The Queen Victoria quite simply from the outside looks like many other cruise ships from the outside, which is not remarkable since it was built using a Carnival (the owner of Cunard) template structure called "vista".

Pool on Cunard Queen Victoria

One of the marketing differences for Cunard has been its uniqueness, its specialness - and the feeling that there is something exclusive about being on one of their ships. Even if you were travelling in an inside cabin whose fares are not that different to competition. You feel you are part of something almost historic. I do think this is driven by the transatlantic habit and schedules that generates a lot of this, and also the fact that the "crossings" do attract celebrity, names and the rich (as well as the regular cruise and ship addict).

There is no doubt that Cunard have done an excellent job, in my view at least, in designing and fitting out the inside of the ship in a rich, plush and feel that harks to the romance and tradition of the old liners. It was interesting that the first comments left on FLickr when I posted my photos of the interior, where about how the interiors look "Titanic" and traditional cruise liner like. Inside the ship it feels distinctive.

There are some very large and premium cabins in Queens Grill, and there is a special access (by your cruise card/ room key) to deck 11 and deck 12 for only Princess Grill (kind of "club class") and Queens Grill (kind of First Class). Here there is a lounge, the separate dining rooms, an outside courtyard and then a deck only for Grill passengers with better loungers. So there is an attempt to create this special enclave that Cunard nurtures and I think is part of and integral to the Cunard story and positioning that appeals to some but adds to the sense of glamour versus other cruise companies.

However, I am not sure that the schedules that the Queen Victoria will run as a cruise ship with the limitations on what that means versus doing regular "crossing" schedule, will make it have the same mystery, allure and specialness as its sister ships like the QE2 (had as it heads to retirement) and the Queen Mary 2. It is not the right design to handle a regular trans-Atlantic crossing which hammers a ship and takes some designing for - and also having seen pictures taken from the QE2 on their joint crossing at the start of both their 2008 world cruises where the Queen Victoria struggled more through the Atlantic winter seas, I am not sure many would be up for doing it either!

Cunard Queen Victoria in Rotterdam

Some facts and figures before more thoughts and review:

The ship has 990 staterooms, holding a maximum of 1980 passengers. It's maiden voyage set sail on 11 December 2007. It is 90000 tons.

We went on a 4 night "taster" cruise to a few European ports out of Southampton from 2 - 6 May. We travelled in Queens Grill, on a super deal thanks to our excellent travel agent (Jane Chadwick; Go cruise). That deal may already indicate the challenge in attracting people to pay a high premium to travel Queens Grill on regular cruises on the ship versus just doing a suite on other brands.

Q4 Penthouse Cabin

We had a Q4 Penthouse (5106). I am not sure why it is called a penthouse as it was on deck 5. It was an unusual shape, but large. I suspect there was some structural beam in the middle of the room and so it had been designed around it. There was a hallway and then a desk area and bar area with lots of glasses, fridge and basin opposite. Then there was a lounge area, with sofa that could fold out into a bed and flat screen TV and DVD player, and the door onto a large balcony with 2 chairs and table. Opposite the lounge area was the bedroom with high and very comfortable bed. To the left as you lie on the bed, was an area with desk and cupboards. This was a strange space that I suspect they could not think of what to do with it. There was a walk in cupboard, which had more coat hangers than I have ever seen in my life! Then the bathroom with very large Jacuzzi bath and separate glass surround shower. Off this room was the toilet and basin. Unlike other suite style cabins, there was only one basin and not 2. Off this room was a door leading back to the hallway.


A video I took of the cabin can be seen on YouTube, or on the blog.







Queens Grill Restaurant

This is, as mentioned earlier, is on deck 11. One thing that is better than the Grills Restaurants on Queen Mary 2 which are on the Promenade Deck and so is no view other than people going for a stroll on the deck looking in, these are right at the top of the ship with wall to ceiling windows and so glorious views across the ocean.

The service is, as you expect from Cunard, excellent. They have their "White Star Service" philosophy and training which shows.

In Queens Grill you get to chose at dinner from the huge menu choices of the day, or from the ala carte menu choices (and with notice, you can also ask for a dish they takes your fancy that is not on the menu).

Personally, I felt the food on both the QE2 Queens Grill and Queen Mary 2 Queens Grill was better, despite how good it was on here. The food here felt a bit more pre-prepared. I am not sure if that is a memory thing, but as we are back on the Queen Mary 2 later this year for a crossing, I will be able to check!

The Grills lounge serves afternoon tea for Grill passengers. This is great with sandwiches, scones and cake - but a bit stressful as the service was very erratic. I think the restaurant staff get allocated sessions and resent it cutting into their time off and also as different people each day it is not consistent nor slick through experience.

Queens Grill Restaurant on Queen Victoria

Public Rooms

Rather than spend time on each, the key thing is (as mentioned earlier) these are well done and large. Having been on PandO Arcadia (which is also a Vista style and was originally started to be built as the QV but was allocated to them instead earlier on), I was amazed at how much more public space there seemed to be.

There is the huge, several deck and impressive Grand Lobby. The large Queens Room where there is a band and dancing, the large Royal Arcade shopping area and then the impressive Royal Court theatre. Plus of course the bars all over the ship.

Grand Staircase on Queen Victoria

American

Although Cunard is an old English brand and has a very English heritage and feel, the ship (as with the Queen Mary 2) is American. By this I mean the on-board currency is the US$ and so everything is priced in dollars. If you gamble, take dollars with you as they charge a 3 per cent fee to convert currencies either at the casino desk or on the conversion machines. It also mean if you are not from the USA take plug converters as all but 1 plug is US - and the voltage is the US voltage.

Overall

We really liked the ship from the inside, and lived the Queens Grill experience. It may not be "special" enough to attract us back much. It will be interesting to see what happens!

View all my photos of Queen Victoria on Flickr: click here

Do you have any thoughts, tips of comments? Leave a comment on the blog. Where you will also find details of how to subscribe for email updates, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe for the free podcast.

Tweet

QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2 - Cunard) 1996 Onboard Tour

A short tour of QE2 taken during 1996.

Cunard's Flagship, QE2 Arriving in Auckland, New Zealand 1995

Cunard's Flagship, QE2 Arriving in Auckland, New Zealand and Lyttleton, New Zealand as part of her 1995 Golden Route World Cruise

Touring QE2 Queen Elizabeth2 in 1995

A video tour through Cunard's iconic QE2 during the 1995 World Cruise.

Queen Mary at Long Beach. Worth visiting still? Yes and here is why...

RMS Queen Mary at Long Beach California

When I first wrote this posting and recorded a podcast about the RMS Queen Mary liner at Long Beach in California, it was heading towards Halloween time at the end of October. What got me thinking about writing the posting was that I received an email newsletter reminding me that one - if not THE - most haunted places in the United States was the ship and it was celebrating (is that the right word!) Halloween.

Today, the Queen Mary is still billed as one of the most haunted venues in the United States.

In this posting I cover:

• History of ship in Long Beach
• Things to do on the ship
• Attractions and events around the ship

RMS Queen Mary at Long Beach

Being in Los Angeles California for work, I could not miss the opportunity to head down to Long Beach and visit the famous “Queen Mary” which is berthed there and operates as a part hotel and part museum. Located at 1126 Queens Hwy. Long Beach, Ca. 90802. You get there by heading south from Los Angeles on any Freeway (405, 91, 105) to the 710 South. The Queen Mary is located at the very end of the 710 Freeway in Long Beach.

The ship has now been there sitting at the same berth for significantly longer than it was actually in service. The ship arrived there in 1967, and so has been there for coming up to a staggering 40 years. Long Beach authorities paid a few million dollars for the ship, but soon regretted it as the costs to refurbish it as an attraction spiralled into something like $100 million.

I had visited the ship years ago, but with my new found passion and interest in cruise liners and Cunard. I really wanted to visit the ship again. And I am glad I did. 

It was even more interesting having read more and seen videos about the Queen Mary history. I would encourage you to try and do that before you visit the ship, although they do have some good and concise exhibition areas and videos covering its history.

In my view they do not capture enough of the glamour and varied life the ship led while in service from the mid 1930s, through the 2^nd World War, and into the glory days of trans-Atlantic liner travel through the 1950s until the rapid decimation and pretty much destruction of the trans-Atlantic service by the jet liners in the early 1960s which led to both the Queen Mary and her sister ship the Queen Elizabeth being sold up after often there being more staff than passengers on the route.

The ship is large. Although it did not initially look as large as I remembered the ship, once I was on and wandering around (at one stage getting lost) inside it!

The thing that struck me, reading the material posted around the ship about its history since it arrived at Long Beach, was the very patchy history of ownership and success of the ship as a museum and hotel. It sounded like it has not really been that successful and came close to being scrapped…although as it has been declared a heritage site or something now it is protected.


Even Disney, operated the hotel and attraction at one time. Disney took on the lease as part of a clever – if maybe naughty – attempt to play off Long Beach and Anaheim as the venue for the new Disney attraction which they walked away from after deciding on Anaheim.


As you approach and go on the ship, you do get the distinct feeling that it is a kind of maintained neglect. But do not let that put you off, as the ship is still an amazing experience and well worth visiting.


They keep adding new initiatives like the “ghosts” tour, which I will cover later, being used to try and drum up new interest and reasons to get fans back to visit again.

Queen Mary Funnels

The “Queen Mary” attraction – what to do there and some tips

The day I visited (a Monday) it was very quiet indeed, and initially I thought that this was great as I had the ship more or less to myself… but it became increasingly spooky wandering around the corridors and beneath the deck areas of the ship and long and gloomy corridors with no-one around. I can see why so many 'ghost stories' have emerged!! And found myself scuttling around some parts of the ship.


On board, the public (i.e. those not staying at the hotel part of the ship) you get to go around the upper decks of the ship and see the bridge. This was quite something, with its brass controls. It is quite visually amazing. 


You also get to see the Captain and his immediate senior officers' cabins. I really found these very interesting as all the furniture, fixtures and uniforms are there on display and as they were when the ship was in service. But even more interesting was to see where and how the ship was adapted for service in WW2, and how they managed to cram at time anything from 10000 to 15000 men on-board the ship. That’s about 4 times more than it was designed for. 


You get to see how the accommodation was configured to achieve that. It certainly was crammed and cosy.


One of the best sections on the tour is the 'Treasures of Queen Mary' section which recreates all the cabins. That part of the attraction is quite hard to find, and it is really badly signposted and I almost missed them altogether and had to ask a few times how to get to that part of the ship. Last time I visited the ship, I had no idea that part even existed. So you need to make sure that you make sure you don’t miss this part of the ship, as it is well worth the visit as you get to see replicas of each of the different classes of cabins and the large diversity that existed on the ship.


I have taken a fair few photos of the ship, which you can take a look at. My photos of the ship: http://www.bembridge.co.uk/Queen_Mary_2004.htm

Decks of the Queen Mary at Long Beach

What else is there to do on and around the ship?

There are 3 things worth mentioning:

1. Eating and drinking venues
2. The Ghosts and Legends Tour
3. The Russian submarine anchored next to it which you can visit

I am not going to talk about staying on the Queen Mary as a hotel, other than to say there are over 200 rooms that are all the old better class cabins and that you can find out rates and how to stay via the official site at: http://www.queenmary.com

Eating and Dining

There is a wide range of places to eat across all levels and prices. I cover these on the podcast and more information can be got from the link above.


Ghosts and Legends Tour

Many people, including psychics, believe the Queen Mary is a very haunted ship. They argue that it lives up to the name of 'The Grey Ghost' that it was nicknamed during the 2^ndWorld War due to her camouflage paint that meant she was a ghostly looking apparition churning through the seas.


The Ghosts and Legends show is a daily, special effects, walk-through show created aboard the ship that dramatizes actual paranormal and historic events that have been reported over the years. The set up is that some of what you see may actually not be created – it may be real ghost activity. The tour is based on stories from passengers and people who work on the ship.


The tour is spread over a huge 25,000-square-foot area and takes guests through locations not accessible to the public on other tours.


The main haunted areas are:

1. The 1^st Class Swimming Pool. Closed for almost 40 years, images of women in period swimming gear and wet footprints appearing are reported. Psychics claim the pool area is a vortex that allows spirits to enter and leave the ship. Give you the chills!
2. The Engine Room/ Door 13. In 1966 an 18 year old was crushed in the water tight door, and reports of a blue overall lad walking down the corridor and disappearing at the door are common.
3. The Queen Salon (old 1^st Class Dining Room). A woman in white is seen dancing in the shadows. The spookiest story is the one tour guides tell of a young girl on a tour constantly claiming she could see the woman when no-one else could.
4. First Class Suites (it does seem that the 1^st Class spirits are the more persistent haunters doesn’t it). People staying there report ringing phones, breathing, covers being pulled off and a photographer had the image of a man dressed in 1930s clothes in one of the mirrors.
5. 3^rd Class Nursery. A baby died not long after birth and crying is often reported from the area the nursery used to be.
6. The hull. In a tragic accident in the 2^nd world war the Queen Mary zig zagging to avoid being destroyed by the German Navy submarines spliced through a Royal Navy escort ship called the H.M.S. Curacao killing 300 men. A TV crew had left recording equipment on overnight a few years back and found lots of pounding and other report horrible screams from the area the ships collided.

The Annual Queen Mary’s Halloween Terror Fest

Building on the haunted theme, this event is now been running for over 20 years!

The site says: “Every October the Queen Mary in Long Beach transforms into “The Most Terrifying Place On Earth” for Shipwreck, the Queen Mary’s Halloween Terror Fest. Each year Shipwreck unveils a new creation that delivers ultimate horror to the daring mortals that brave this terrifying event. Admission includes unlimited entry to all Mazes, the Boiler Room Club, featuring Live Bands, plus the huge 3 level Dance Party in the Queen Mary’s Exhibit Hall. Plus, don’t forget to visit the frightfully sexy Fright Mistress in her private lair.

Everyone knows the Queen Mary is haunted and is no stranger to haunted happenings. Throughout the years, Queen Mary employees, guests and visiting psychics have reported unexplainable events and paranormal activity aboard the ship. Visitors to Shipwreck will have the opportunity to encounter these areas as they descend deep into the bowels of the ship and navigate the closed corridors and dark hallways of this massive haunted vessel!”

Russian Submarine: Scorpion

Read More: http://www.russiansublongbeach.com/

Moored next to the “Queen Mary” is this Russian Submarine. Looking a bit shabby, it is very interesting.

The "Scorpion" theater, exhibit and gift shop areas are can be visited by everyone, and the views of the exterior of the submarine from the wharf are good. But the real interesting part is if you clamber inside.

But you need to be agile as it is very cramped and you better be fine and happy moving about in enclosed spaces.

On the sub, you learn and see that 78 crew shared 2 showers and 3 toilets, for up to 3 months at sea. Only officers had their own bunks. Ordinary sailors "hot bunked." 27 bunks in the aft torpedo room were shared by 54 crew. They managed that by having 3 shifts per day: duty, maintenance and sleep.

The sub, you find out, is a Foxtrot class which was the largest conventional (diesel-electric, non-nuclear) Soviet sub. It searched for and tracked enemy forces during the Cold War, extensively in the Pacific Ocean. 79 Foxtrots were built between 1958-1984 for both the Soviet Navy and others countries including India, Libya, Cuba and Poland. Although it was diesel powered it carried nuclear tipped missiles that could destroy a whole port.

3 diesel engines generate power for electric motors that drive the 3 propellers. At periscope depth, air for the diesels can be sucked from the surface using a snorkel. Below that, 4 gigantic battery banks take over.

I have no idea how men coped being in that sub. It is worth a visit.

Russian submarine next to Queen Mary Long Beach

shopping arcade on the Queen Mary

The bridge on Queen Mary at Long Beach

So all in all if you are in the Los Angeles area, I really do recommend a trip down to Long Beach to visit the Queen Mary!

Links

· The “Queen Mary” attraction – what to do there and some tips

· Read more: http://www.queenmary.com

· My Photos of the ship

· Visit: http://www.bembridge.co.uk/Queen_Mary_2004.htm

· Ghosts and Legends Tour

· Read more: http://www.ghostsandlegends.com/

· The Annual Queen Mary’s Halloween Terror Fest

· Read more: http://www.queenmaryshipwreck.com

· Russian Submarine: Scorpion

· Read More: http://www.russiansublongbeach.com

Cunard Queen Elizabeth QE2 Arrival in Freemantle Australia(1996)

A video by Chris Frame, fan and writer on Cunard books

Do you have any thoughts, tips of comments? Leave a comment on the blog. Where you will also find details of how to subscribe for email updates, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe for the free podcast. Tweet

WIDEST EVER VARIETY OF VOYAGES AND 10% EARLY BOOKING INCENTIVE FOR 2012

Cunard Queen Mary 2 QM2 Rotterdam (12)
Originally uploaded by garybembridge

A new press release from Cunard about 2012 trips...

With three ships now in the fleet, Cunard Line announces their widest ever range of voyages for 2012 with 84 voyages visiting 129 ports and 48 countries around the world.

The launch is supported by a comprehensive range of Early Booking Incentives including, for the first time, an additional 10% saving on all voyages booked before 31 May.

Cunard Line will celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and Her Majesty’s long association with Cunard, with a unique Three Queens Event in Southampton on 5 June 2012, the Bank Holiday Jubilee Celebration

Queen Elizabeth will spend the first half of the summer sailing out of Southampton before setting off on her Inaugural Mediterranean Fly-Voyage season from Venice, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Athens on a series of 12-night voyages. In early 2013 she will embark on a new Pacific Islands voyage offering a 91-night voyage from Southampton or a 36-night voyage from Los Angeles.

Queen Victoria has developed a very loyal following and will spend the summer sailing out of Southampton to the most popular Northern Europe and Mediterranean destinations. A new feature will be overnight stays in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Istanbul, St Petersburg, Madeira and Venice – giving guests more time to experience the destinations.

Queen Mary 2 goes from strength to strength on her unique Transatlantic Voyages and will cross the Atlantic 20 times during 2012. She will also offer voyages to Northern Europe, Canada and New England and a new 16-night Central Mediterranean voyage. The Transatlantic is fast becoming a ‘must do’ choice for regular cruisers.

The programme goes on sale worldwide on 4 April. Highlights include:

Value for Money - This year Cunard is offering exceptional savings to those booking prior to 31 May 2011. For example, Early Booking Savings of up to £900 per couple are available on a typical 12-night voyage. In addition and for the first time ever at Programme Launch there is an additional 10% saving on all 2012 voyages for guests booking prior to 31 May 2011. There is also complimentary onboard spending available of between $40 and $1000 per couple on Mediterranean Fly voyages and transatlantic crossings. And complimentary car parking is available to guests booking 2012 Southampton roundtrip voyages with durations of five nights or more (excluding roundtrip transatlantic crossings and World Voyages).

Overnight Stays – Feedback from passengers has shown that they would like to spend more time in big-hitting destinations. All three ships will now offer overnight stays that include Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, Hamburg, St Petersburg, Boston, Quebec, Madeira and Barcelona.

Traditional Values – As the pace of life accelerates, the values, traditions and White Star Service experienced with Cunard are gaining more and more recognition both from loyal Cunarders and with first timers to the brand. For example – on many cruise lines shorts can often be seen in dining rooms – this would never happen on a Cunard ship. Dancing is going through a renaissance through high profile television programmes in many countries. With state of the art ball rooms, the biggest dance floors at sea, big bands and dance hosts – Cunard is setting the standards and attracting many passengers who hanker for a taste of tradition and class.

Commenting on the 2012 programme, Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks says:

“Since the high profile introduction of Queen Elizabeth last year, Cunard has seen a step change in interest and demand in the fast growing UK cruise market. As the pace of life accelerates, more and more people are looking for unique experiences, traditional values and service excellence – with our unrivalled heritage and now with the youngest fleet in the world we are proving to be more popular than ever”.

“With three ships in the fleet, our range of itineraries and holiday choices is greater than ever before – proving attractive both to loyal Cunarders and to first timers”.

“It’s no surprise that we will be celebrating Her Majesty’s Jubilee in fine style. All three Queens will be in Southampton together for the first time on 5 June next year, and we intend to make it an occasion Southampton and our passengers won’t forget”

“Our scheduled transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 go from strength to strength. Word is out amongst the 1.5 million UK cruisers that it has to be done and is fast appearing on the ‘bucket list’ of every regular cruiser – no matter which cruise they have been on before. We are unique in offering this historic and evocative service and nothing beats seven luxurious days on board the world’s biggest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2”.