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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » QM2 - 5 years on

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Topic: QM2 - 5 years on

OceanVoyager
First Class Passenger
Member # 5585

posted 06-26-2009 05:49 PM

Now that we've got used to her looks, including at the time, what I thought was a way too squat funnel, do you think the QM2 is ageing gracefully?

Broadside on and from the bow, she certainly has presence with beauty, but from her stern angle, it still does not look that attractive, but thats only my humble opinion!
Brgds,
Andrew

Posts: 627 | From: Hythe, Southampton, UK | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

TC@Sea
First Class Passenger
Member # 20076

posted 06-26-2009 06:05 PM

I have to brutally honest here. QM2 has always been a major disappointment for me. From the front she looks like a plug eared monster and from the back she looks like she has on a huge nappy (dyper).

Also what right minded person would design a ship with life boats infront of balconies. That one left me speachless.

I was expecting much more. When she came together I was very disappointed.

Posts: 22 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2009 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 06-26-2009 07:02 PM

Email Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES

Had they used the same design team as used by Disney Cruises they might have got some decent looking ships !

To try and copy some of the outside appearence of the QE 2 has not worked !

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 06-26-2009 07:41 PM

I think the QM2 is an absolutely stunning ship. There wasn't really anything I didnt like about her. I even enjoyed the Winter Garden. And I think her exterior design is amazing. She commands attention everywhere she goes. I'm not a dyed in the wool cheerleader for any cruise line in particular, but this giant Cunarder has a special place in my heart. I would jump at the chance to sail in her again, anytime.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Cam J
First Class Passenger
Member # 24617

posted 06-26-2009 08:10 PM

The QM2 is a very beutiful ship. Her desighn outside is superb,and the inside is great as well. Ive read reaving reviews about QM2. I havent had a chance to cruise on her, maybe when i'm old and wrinkly.

Over and Out,
Arison

R.I.P Michael Jackson

Posts: 503 | From: Belvedere, CA | Registered: Jun 2009 | IP: Logged

HomeLines
First Class Passenger
Member # 1707

posted 06-26-2009 08:54 PM

On the exterior she really is a wonderful modern interpretation of a classic liner. And her interior public spaces are gorgeous! Having cruised her three times now I can say she's my favorite ship afloat. Her biggest disappointment are the cabins are too small considering her size.

Posts: 165 | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 06-26-2009 09:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by OceanVoyager:

This is of course her best angle-she looks stunning and beautifully proportioned from this broadside view. She does look a little odd from a 3/4 stern but I really like her stylish bridgefront.

Her massive dimensions required the stepped-back superstructure (lowering the center of gravity) but that allowed a lovely open promenade deck w/a sky view.

The stern is simply funky but the PODS AND the rounded stern required the strange looking lower portion. I'd still rather have that layout that the ugly boxy rear-end most cruise ships have.

Overall her looks have grown on me (still no fan of the funnel) and she is unique. There is no mistaking her for any other ship!

[ 06-27-2009: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

aggablinky
First Class Passenger
Member # 6402

posted 06-27-2009 12:09 AM

Yes i agree the funnel does look too small and squat, i remember how much better the
QE2 looked when she had her hideous stovepipe replaced by the much nicer larger funnel back in `87, but i imagine as long as this ship is only going to fit under the Verrazano Bridge with the present funnel, thats never going to change. It looks ok side on, but bow and stern on she does look a little deprived, i suppose a bit like a stunning girl with stumpy legs

Posts: 55 | From: hobart | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

avalon1025
First Class Passenger
Member # 5383

posted 06-27-2009 12:22 AM

Having just sailed her for the 6th time last week, she is aging wonderfully. Inside and out she is well cared for and looks fantastic. Service was great and food much better than our previous Celebrity and HAL cruises. Our waiter had come from QE2 and really was fantastic. QM2 has gained quite a personality over the years.

Posts: 331 | From: West Hollywood | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

DEIx15x8
First Class Passenger
Member # 14958

posted 06-27-2009 03:24 AM

I've always found her to be a stunning example of the great ocean liners of the past. With both her younger sisters being nothing more than cruise ships she is truly in a league of her own. I've never sailed on her but a few years ago we went to New York for the day (no idea she was their) and as we were heading down to the Lincoln tunnel you could see this beautiful while liner sitting over in Manhattan. I've seen many ships but nothing compares to this ships ability to be as massive as a modern ship while appearing like a ship from years ago. She is able to disguise her size tremendously. I really wish Carnival hadn't ruined Cunard and would have actually built a set of smaller twins to resemble her.

Posts: 521 | From: Kutztown, PA | Registered: Apr 2008 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-27-2009 05:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by TC@Sea:
I have to brutally honest here. QM2 has always been a major disappointment for me.

Have you cruised on her? What's on the inside in terms of decor and service is unlikely to dissapoint you.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 06-27-2009 07:36 AM

On my bathroom wall, I have two cabinets of ocean liner models. In one, from the top down, are Queen Mary, Normandie, Queen Elizabeth, France, QE2 and QM2. And over the last few years something odd has happened. From thinking QM2 boxy and with a squat funnel, she has continued to grow on me so that now I find her almost the definitive atlantic liner with the others looking a bit like prototypes for her, just as White Star's 1899 Oceanic was a precursor to the Olympic Class. I think she looks fantastic.

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 06-27-2009 01:14 PM

I think still my favorite modern ship sailing today. She is simply stunning in my book. Yes there are a few things (inside and out) I would like to change about her, but that goes for every ship I have sailed. Overall I think QM2 is a masterpiece.

CELEBRITY SOLSTICE came close to dethroning QM2's first place ranking for me, but since there will be five Solstice Class ships that sort of takes away some of the appeal for me. I love the fact that QM2 is one of a kind.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

viking109
First Class Passenger
Member # 6280

posted 06-28-2009 07:26 AM

Fantastic ship inside and outside. Great stern decks - true Atlantic liner style. A ship that really does live up to and maybe surpasses Cunard PR.

Posts: 499 | From: southampton | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

TC@Sea
First Class Passenger
Member # 20076

posted 06-28-2009 10:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Have you cruised on her? What's on the inside in terms of decor and service is unlikely to disappoint you.

No I haven't but I will one day. She is definitely a ship that fascinates me but there's just something about her exterior proportions that are not right. On reflection my opening comments are a little harsh but IMO there is no way that her lines could be described as stunning.

Admittedly from side one, from distance her looks are distinguishing but from front and rear she just does not look right.

I have never seen her in the flesh so maybe when I do I will change my mind.

[ 06-28-2009: Message edited by: TC@Sea ]

Posts: 22 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2009 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-28-2009 02:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by TC@Sea:
I have never seen her in the flesh so maybe when I do I will change my mind.

Like all big modern ships, close up she looks like an apartment block, but as you get further away she looks very graceful,

I suspect much of her proportions were dictated by physics and the need to maximise the number of balcony cabins. For example the funnel needed to fit under the 'narrows' bridge.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 06-28-2009 02:46 PM

I agree...her broadside view is stunning! I cannot imagine thinking the Celebrity Solstice has come close to dethroning her externally. However, we all have our own humble opinions.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 06-28-2009 03:28 PM

Celebrity Solstice ????

The only bit I really think was a bit of disappointment is here stern section. And not the stern but the aft deck house. I really don't like it. But the overall appearance is quite good. Influenced by the high irritation of the ongoing mass hysteria surrounded here introduction. I really was surprised by here overall good looks.
Looking forward to see here back on July 22 in Rotterdam.

Greetings Ben.

[ 06-28-2009: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 06-28-2009 04:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by NAL:
I agree...her broadside view is stunning! I cannot imagine thinking the Celebrity Solstice has come close to dethroning her externally. However, we all have our own humble opinions.

I stated for me personally, SOLSTICE came close to dethroning QM2 as my favorite modern ship. I did not say it was all about external appearance.

Absolutely QM2 is superior looking externally to SOLSTICE. No question about that. In fact there are many ships I think are better looking than SOLSTICE and even QM2 externally. Neither ship is my favorite in that single regard.

I was speaking of the entire experience. The ship, interior design, layout, entertainment, service, accommodations, food, service, outdoor decks, the gym/spa, restaurant choices, etc. etc. In this regard, when I pull it all together, SOLSTICE came very close to topping QM2.

I love both ships and they are a couple of the finest sailing today. As I mentioned before, QM2 gains extra points for being entirely unique and one of a kind. Unfortunately we can't say that about too many ships these days.

Ernie

[ 06-28-2009: Message edited by: eroller ]

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 06-28-2009 06:17 PM

Some pictures of here maiden call at Rotterdam 2004.

Greetings Ben.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 06-28-2009 09:38 PM

Wonderful Ben! Thank you. QM2 just keeps getting more attractive with time. I love her.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Cam J
First Class Passenger
Member # 24617

posted 06-29-2009 12:35 AM

The QM2 has aged beutifuly! Even though she is still a baby 5 years is not long for a cruise ship.

She still looks new. QM2 has a stunning quality about her a timeless look about her like her predessors, she was a good investment for Mickey Arison. She will be around for many years to come and I hope to sail on her soon!

Over and Out,
Arison

R.I.P Billy Mays (Oxi Clean Guy)

Posts: 503 | From: Belvedere, CA | Registered: Jun 2009 | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 06-29-2009 10:13 AM

I've sailed on QM2 six times now, and she remains my first choice. If I was confined to sailing only one ship for the rest of my life, I would pick QM2.

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 06-29-2009 03:11 PM

I have to agree with Nathan; if someone said that I could only sail on one ship for the rest of my days, it would be QM2.

Sure, there are many lovely ships out there....but it's just not the same. She has that special something that no other ship has.

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 06-29-2009 04:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by linerguy:
She has that special something that no other ship has.
-Russ

I have sailed her twice with Russ on the first voyage. He has hit the nail on the head.

Within five years she has become an institution in her own right, like her ancestors.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

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