Cruise Talk: Woman who sailed QE2 for nine years looking for new home

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Woman who sailed QE2 for nine years looking for new home (Page 1)

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Author

Topic: Woman who sailed QE2 for nine years looking for new home

Lubber
First Class Passenger
Member # 13710

posted 08-18-2008 11:10 AM

Think QM2 would be a good fit for her?

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=51075048.blog

Posts: 241 | From: Land | Registered: Feb 2008 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 08-18-2008 11:18 AM

Time she did go back ashore perhaps? At 89 she is probably going to fall over and knock herself out one-day aboard ship. I gather from various reviews she is not too pleasant to staff either, taking them for granted.

QM2 is a mighty walk to get anywhere.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-18-2008 01:40 PM

It isn't as if she hasn't had enough time to make a decision. We've all known about QE2 retirement for a long time. As far as joining Royal Princess, one long range tenant is enough per ship. These queen bees can be a bit testy if they think one gets more attention than another. I've met two...one on Sagafjord and another on Rotterdam V...they can be difficult for the staff. Perhaps she should consider Saga Ruby....

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

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 08-18-2008 02:32 PM

I have it on good authority from a contact working aboard QE2 she's going to Mary. She refuses to do QV because of lack of drawer space and she's so slow. She had a fall a few days ago and was receiving treatment today at a Barcelona hospital while still being an evil witch to the crew. However, any passenger goes up to her and says, "Aren't you the lady who lives on the ship?" leads her into the full PR sweetness and light mode they can all recite by heart. They all hate her.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 08-18-2008 02:59 PM

You know that's a total shame that someone would be like that. I couldn't be that way to anyone, when my late husband and I sailed, we treated all of those who worked onboard, room steward, table steward and his assistant all with great dignity and respect. Because we knew it would be wrong to treat others in a way that we would want to be treated. Too bad I'm not on the QE 2 and giving the staff who would take care of me with the best Royal Treatment that they would give me. They deserve it, they work too many hours and kindness means alot.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 08-18-2008 03:21 PM

I've met the lady in question twice before, although she wasn't aboard during my crossing this April because she stayed in NY to do her taxes. But I truly believe there is a touch of dimentia setting in, as quite often happens among the elderly. She has convinced herself of her celebrity, and that she is actually doing Cunard a favour by being on board. It has just grown to the point where she takes all the crew and staff for granted, the same way many shoreside people did and do with their household staffs.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-18-2008 03:57 PM

Rich/Patsy....the crew must love tax time as it gives them a break for a few weeks from this shrewish lady. Let's hope she treats the crew on Mary a bit better. She may not venture too far from her stateroom due to the sheer size of Mary. Of course pax have been known to disappear mid-ocean for no apparent reason......in particular unpopular pax and or crew. Perhaps this is the reason her sons are pleased she is a/b ship for the duration.....she may treat them the same as crew.

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

WhiteStar
First Class Passenger
Member # 2740

posted 08-18-2008 04:27 PM

I would think if you lived on a ship you would end up having more in common with the crew rather than the pax. The crew would seem like friends or nieghbors and you would be looking forward to see returning crew members after their vacations.

Posts: 668 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 08-18-2008 05:20 PM

NAL, she gets crew to take her to various public rooms as she can't get about so well since the hip operation. My particular contact often ends up having to have dinner with her and more often than not she'll bawl him out in public. He, like the rest, have jobs to do and aren't paid to be abused by the likes of her. She's a passenger the same as everybody else but knows if they dare answer back their jobs are on the line. Rich is right about her claiming to be doing Cunard a favour. She reckons she's made them millions with the publicity. I really wish someone at Cunard would tell her to belt up. Apparently Captain Rynd nearly did on Mary. She was invited over for a bridge visit when the ships met up and she thought she was being presented with something. He warned that if she didn't stop bad mouthing the company she'd be off. Still there though for some reason. They're mad. They could have made more money from that cabin. Many of the current crew I spoke to on the last trip want to return to Mary so will have to suffer her all over again. I'm surprised Carnival/Cunard allow it to go on and will on another ship.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

TDM99
First Class Passenger
Member # 6196

posted 08-18-2008 06:40 PM

Here Mrs Muller ...

http://www.goworldtravel.com/ex/aspx/articleGuid.BDC4D660-54DC-4EBF-9591-C49B2222AA55/xe/article.htm

Noel

Posts: 88 | From: Pfaffenhoffen - FRANCE | Registered: Jan 2006 | IP: Logged

timb
First Class Passenger
Member # 5901

posted 08-19-2008 12:05 PM

Is this where I suggest it must be the clientele Cunard attracts like the mass market bashers suggest all NCL passengers are drunken boors

[ 08-19-2008: Message edited by: timb ]

Posts: 437 | From: S FL | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-19-2008 12:37 PM

I that article she says she can live onboard for less that $100k per year. I would think it was quite a bit less than that based on her grade of cabin.

On land she could be in a good retirement home for around 60k per year but she would'nt be seeing the World.

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

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 08-19-2008 12:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by timb:
Is this where I suggest it must be the clientele Cunard attracts like the mass market bashers suggest all NCL passengers are drunken boors
[ 08-19-2008: Message edited by: timb ]

In all of my cruises I met nice and nasty people on all ships without exception. On Stella and Regatta with 300 passengers; both times a yenta was trashing another visible passenger. One old geezer yelled at the ship manager for being in a storm. On Mary 2 was a geezer at breakfast who was yelling at the waitstaff, after he ate clamed down.

Stella was a drunk passenger who would get up on stage and sing into the mike.

On Regatta and Mary 2 I did make lasting friends.

On SSNorway I befriended a woman; single mother with 2 teenage boys. She is an RN. We ate lunch at the Sports Bar ethnic buffet to avoid the crowds. Her kids were really nice, w/o being goody goody, yet cool looking. She saved 3 years for the trip.

I take Ernie's advice and cruise while school is in session for 7 day or longer cruises. There is less riff raff.

On the old bag: When you have a certain amount of physical pain and as Rich says age, you lose impulse control and become crochety.

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

timb
First Class Passenger
Member # 5901

posted 08-19-2008 01:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod7:
In all of my cruises I met nice and nasty people on all ships without exception. On Stella and Regatta with 300 passengers; both times a yenta was trashing another visible passenger. One old geezer yelled at the ship manager for being in a storm. On Mary 2 was a geezer at breakfast who was yelling at the waitstaff, after he ate clamed down.
Stella was a drunk passenger who would get up on stage and sing into the mike.
On Regatta and Mary 2 I did make lasting friends.
On SSNorway I befriended a woman; single mother with 2 teenage boys. She is an RN. We ate lunch at the Sports Bar ethnic buffet to avoid the crowds. Her kids were really nice, w/o being goody goody, yet cool looking. She saved 3 years for the trip.
I take Ernie's advice and cruise while school is in session for 7 day or longer cruises. There is less riff raff.
On the old bag: When you have a certain amount of physical pain and as Rich says age, you lose impulse control and become crochety.

David,

I completely agree my comment was made with tongue firmly planted in cheek
Sometimes I like to stir the pot just to see what surfaces

Posts: 437 | From: S FL | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

Lubber
First Class Passenger
Member # 13710

posted 08-19-2008 02:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by timb:
Is this where I suggest it must be the clientele Cunard attracts like the mass market bashers suggest all NCL passengers are drunken boors

Can I infer from this that "Freestyle Cruising" is actually code for "getting sloshed"?

[ 08-19-2008: Message edited by: Lubber ]

Posts: 241 | From: Land | Registered: Feb 2008 | IP: Logged

Kevin Gillespie
First Class Passenger
Member # 5748

posted 08-19-2008 09:30 PM

Gives the term "house hunting" a whole new meaning.

Posts: 21 | From: Columbia, MD | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-19-2008 09:46 PM

Well, she sounds like a miserable old biddy. Too bad she doesn't take a lesson from Mama Lou, who sails weeks on end on a few of the HAL's ships.

She treats the staff like her sons & daughters, in fact she told me they are her children and she likes them better than her own sons. They all love her and would do anything for her.

While talking to her one day at lunch she said that her sons don't know where she is - "I've run away from them". "I get better treatment here than with my sons or in a retirement home". Good for Mama Lou.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 08-20-2008 09:29 AM

I'm surprised the captain of Mary doesn't have the clout to demand she never moves across to continually abuse the staff. My contact thinks one of her sons is boarding Friday for the next few cruises so she'll hopefully lay off everyone while he's there. He says they got the money, but I don't know if that's true. So if anyone's doing the next cruise keep an eye out. I'm meeting my contact early Friday morning so will try and get goss. He's worked for Cunard several years so knows her as well as any there. Must have many stories to tell.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-20-2008 06:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Patsy:
He says they got the money, but I don't know if that's true.

Being onboard is far less expensive than a good retirement community so she may stay until her health no longer permits it.

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

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 08-21-2008 01:29 AM

If she is that bad here is how to do it . A little urine on the bedsheets will ensure she placed ashore pronto - guaranteed it is in the book. It is the one thing cruise lines will not tolerate !

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 08-21-2008 06:25 AM

Great idea, Mike. I'll suggest it! There's talk of getting me a pass for next week but he won't introduce me to her so I wouln't get the chance to attempt it. He knows her steward though.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-21-2008 08:00 AM

It's worth a try, Patsy. Just think how much the crew will appreciate you. You'll rise to instant stardom, if you haven't already. The captain may even want you to have a free cruise!

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

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 08-21-2008 08:06 AM

Oh that would be great, NAL. I'd pick the farewell then I can go to Dubai and see the new show which is currently being worked on (if it's ever finished). They can squeeze me in somewhere. I'll have to persuade him to make that introduction or at least show me where her cabin is. He can distract her while I get to work.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 08-21-2008 01:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Patsy:
Oh that would be great, NAL. I'd pick the farewell then I can go to Dubai and see the new show which is currently being worked on (if it's ever finished). They can squeeze me in somewhere. I'll have to persuade him to make that introduction or at least show me where her cabin is. He can distract her while I get to work.

Oh Patsy dear, that is evil

If this lady is that pain in the ... Why nobody at Cunard take notice. Other passengers where kicked of ship in no time.

Greetings Ben.

[ 08-21-2008: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

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

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-21-2008 04:27 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maasdam:
[QB]
Why nobody at Cunard take notice. Other passengers where kicked of ship in no time.

/QUOTE]

Cunard could end up w/bad publicity if she was given the boot. Most service companies train their employess to put up w/the nonsense from customers and most employees just put up with the abuse-but within limits.

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

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