QE2, QM2 and QUEEN VICTORIA are scheduled to meet at New York on 13 January 2008. This will mark the conclusion of the tandem crossing of QE2 and QV (QE2's 804th Atlantic crossing).

QV may be a clone, but I still think it will be great seeing the three Cunarders united.

[ 09-04-2006: Message edited by: shipsnorway ]

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Originally posted by Patsy:
This has been mentioned before. Only then there were rumours where each would be berthed. According to vacationstogo.com Lizzie will be in Manhattan with the other two in Brooklyn.

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They'll probably change things to have one ship docked in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn and one at Bayonne.

Brian
-being cynical-

[ 09-10-2006: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

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Originally posted by Patsy:

Brian_O, that was the rumour.

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That rumour already existed? I thought I was starting a new one. Darn! Too late! Oh well, c'est la vie.

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Originally posted by Patsy:
Rowan was telling me she overheard some people in Plymouth last week saying what a huge waste of money the clone is and they could use that to refurbish Lizzie.

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The money that has been spent on Lizzie already over the years would probably pay for a few 'Vista Class' ships - sorry, 'clones'. The point is that Lizzie is increasingly NOT offering the facilities and quality of accomodation that people now expect. However the QM2 does, combined with an Ocean Liner feel and the heritage.

Although I'm no fan of clones, I bet when people see that dark hull and Canard style funnel of 'Queen Vic' in Southampton waters, they will be smitten. People will say “She’s a real Queen after all”.

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Originally posted by Patsy:
Wanna bet? I hate the exteriors of all of those so sticking a Cunard funnel on won't make the slightest difference. I have absolutely as much intention of sailing on the clone as I do sitting on the roof of my house...

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Patsy,

Remind me again, which ship(s) will you actually consider sailing on?

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Originally posted by Patsy:
Well next year it's Constellation, Navigator, Aurora (twice) and QE2. I quite like Oceana and Black Watch and want to do them sometime. Boudicca would be an interesting comparison decor-wise to BW. I've always liked the Royal Viking sisters even though they're clones. LOL! Sagas when I'm old enough! LOL! Though they may have replaced Rosie and Rubes by then. QM2. Maybe a Princess (there's not many recent reviews of Sea about so I'm waiting to hear what someone I know thought after he and his boyfriend have been next September). If I had the money Silversea, Crystal, Regent, Oceania and the Statendam class of HAL (yes I know they're clones as well but I really like the design and at least when they're in different parts of the world you can tell them apart even if you can't normally).

That answer your question?

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There are plenty of "clones" in your list, Patsy... RV sisters, Oceana and Sea Princess, Silversea, and even the Oceania R class ships which are certainly the more alike clones in the industry (they even share the same decoration !)...
Perhaps, you're just bothered by the fact that QV is a Vista Class where as you hoped an original liner...

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Originally posted by Patsy:
Wanna bet? I hate the exteriors of all of those so sticking a Cunard funnel on won't make the slightest difference. I have absolutely as much intention of sailing on the clone as I do sitting on the roof of my house. I'll only go if Rowan is mad keen and I know for a fact she isn't. As for photographing, if you've seen my site you'll know I've managed to avoid Arcadia a lot this year. Let me see.... 29th April and er.... Well nothing until the cruise next month. My dad will be taking any photos from the marina, not me. If I wasn't going away I wouldn't even be down there.

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So much derogatory nonsense written about 'clones ' these days. Passenger ships have been built based on similar templates for hundreds of years - would you expect Titanic or Britannic to be called 'clones' of Olympic - or the Cunarders of the 1920's or the 1950's Saxonia sisters are they all 'clones'???

I hate to admit but I was around at the launch of QE2 and, for all her current 'iconic' status, her appearance was not much appreciated at the time. I for one can't wait for another new Cunarder with modern facilities (you can keep QE2 for the old f*rts who want to sail on a famous but second rate ship deluding themselves that this is how it used to be in the golden transatlantic age - yeah right, like in the 1970's???).

I don't care if QV has a few sisters - she will be slightly different externally and largely original on the inside. I can't wait to see her in Southampton for the first time - it's almost like QM2 all over again - sighhhhhhhh!!

Living in the UK we will be facing some interesting consumer choices in the future. Do I cruise from Southampton on P&O's Arcardia (Vista class) or Cunard's Queen Victoria (Vista class). Do I cruise on P&O's 'Ventura' (Grand Class) or Princess' Cruises 'Golden Princess' (Grand Class), as the latter visits our shores each summer. Or maybe I will take a fly-cruise on one of Vista Class ships of Carnival's, HAL or Costa?

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
On the subject of clones:

Living in the UK we will be facing some interesting consumer choices in the future. Do I cruise from Southampton on P&O's Arcardia (Vista class) or Cunard's Queen Victoria (Vista class). Do I cruise on P&O's 'Ventura' (Grand Class) or Princess' Cruises 'Golden Princess' (Grand Class), as the latter visits our shores each summer. Or maybe I will take a fly-cruise on one of Vista Class ships of Carnival's, HAL or Costa?

Faced with 'Hobson's choice' I may no longer choose my cruise by brand, I may simply look for the lowest fare?

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And that is exactly what has happened over the past 10-15 years with the North American cruise market. For a vast majority of cruisers, the choices have become so homogenous that often it just boils down to price and convenience of departures.

For our friends in the UK, please take advantage now of the small, older, unique ship options still available to you. Just as we lost our Dolphin, Commodore, Regency, Premier, etc. ships to the new generation of ships, those giant mega-clones will be taking over your cruise markets in the near future, as well.

Rich

[ 09-13-2006: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
On the subject of clones:

Or maybe I will take a fly-cruise on one of Vista Class ships of Carnival's, HAL or Costa?

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Patsy, if you wish to boycott Q.V. that is, of course, entirely up to you. But to constantly listen to you slice apart anything Carnival-related proves over and over that you simply have an axe to grind; especially when you bash "clones" and then turn around and say that you're going to sail on ships like Constellation & Navigator.

And with regards to the Olympic class, check your liner books again. With the exception of a few minor design changes (and yes, I know what they were), the first two ships were virtually identical. Cunard's A-class of (then) intermediate ships were the epitome of design cloning,...and that was in the 20's. Hamburg Sud's Monte class were all very similar as well,....."cloning" is nothing new. The same goes for cross-branding,...

These are exciting times for ship buffs. Only a few years ago, we were all moaning because QE2 was in the twilight of her career and that the era of the liner was over. And now, even when there stands to be three Cunard Queens in service, some folks are still moaning,...only this time it's because the ships are not good enough.

Too bad some folks can't embrace what's happening now; the fact that they can't go back only means that they're going to miss out twice.

Russ

[ 09-13-2006: Message edited by: linerguy ]

[ 09-13-2006: Message edited by: linerguy ]