Oohhh Weeee !

[Sandra]

#1083

/laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

[VEGAS LADY]

#23987

Hi Sandra….. <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

I did'nt know that the Queen Mary was still in service, bet it was an awesome sight seeing them both together like that a real bit of history.

I fear its going to take a lot of donations for a ride on the QE2….. <img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ /> never mind at least you have all that sunshine.

Margaret

[Sandra]

#23988

The Queen Mary was recently refurbished or rebuilt (?) sorry, I haven't read the papers recently, at a cost of one billion dollars . . . I believe this is her maiden world voyage (?)

Also, further apologies, the figure quoted for was for the Queen Mary for a trip around the world (in first class of course).

The QE2 is a little less, but probably still in the same sort of vicinty, give or take a few tens of thousands ! <img src='style_emoticons//cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ />

[VEGAS LADY]

#23989

Make sure that you book an outside state room with a balcony ( of course )

That should cost you another 20thousand on top…… <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

Margaret

[Sandra]

#23990

Sounds like you speaking from experience, Margaret? <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

[ione1956]

#23991

Hello Everyone,

The original Queen Mary sailed in 1936 and is now located in the Long Beach, California Harbor where she reached her final destination in December 1967.

The Queen Mary was relieved of her propellers and underwent a $72,000,000-refit into the ëHotel Queen Maryí emerging in May 1971. She has remained there ever since.

I live in Southern California and have had the opportunity to stay on the Queen Mary twice. It's a beautiful ship and my favorite is the grand ballroom. Every Sunday there is a delicious and pricey Sunday Brunch on the Queen Mary. They also offer a very expensive New Years Eve package each year. My husband and I got to do that one year and it was fun. The sleeping rooms are beautiful with all the original wood on the walls. I also like all the original wooden decks. It is not a big ship compared to all the new cruise ships, but a fun place to visit.

I former co-worker of mine from Scotland that is now in her late 70's sailed twice on the Queen Mary from South Hampton when it was still in service.

I wish I could afford to sail on the newest ship!! In my dreams!!

Ione

[Petals]

#23992

Thank you for all the wonderful information which is being written
through these posts!

<img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[SINNETT]

#23993

Now as you all know I am one of the LUCKIEST people around, so sorry to bring you down to earth but this was my experience of the QE2.

My ex had a terrible fear of flying, so holidays for us were Europe – he would set off two or three days before me on the bus or train and of course I'd hop a plane for a couple of hours and would be halfway through my bottle of wine as he arrived. <img src='style_emoticons//tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ />

Then the subject ot the USA came up.

Well the only option was to take the QE2 across the atlantic, have ten days in the US while the ship was cruising the Caribbean, and then sail back on her. A Holiday of a lifetime – oh yes, but as we weren't married at the time I had to pay my own way!!! <img src='style_emoticons//mad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’mad.gif’ />

It was October 1987, I lived in London at the time and we were booked to take the boat train to Southampton – nice and easy.

However the night before was the famous once in a zillion year HURRICANE in the south of England which was not the best of starts!!! <img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />

The following morning there was no electricity and my little portable radio was blasting out tales of woe and disaster. Should I have taken this as an omen – YES <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ />

We managed to get through to Cunard who told us that there were no trains running, but to get to Victoria Station on time as they were getting a fleet of coaches arranged.

The drive to Southampton was unreal, we had never seen anything like it before with whole swathes of countryside dessimated by the storm.

When we finally arrived at the port we were beaten to the quay by four fire trucks blasting their horns and firemen running on board – another omen perhaps <img src='style_emoticons//huh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’huh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ /> mmmmm

Well whatever the crisis was it got straightened out and by now I was too tired and stressed to worry – we sailed on schedule.

Oh a life on the ocean waves!!!! <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

I made it to breakfast, even ordered the food – and was a little surprised how quiet it was – all of a sudden I started feeling a little queasy.

I grabbed the sole waiter around and he told me to get to the doctors clinic as they had an injection for sea-sickness. His directions weren't neccessary – all I had to do was follow the line (very long line) of others – passengers and crew alike!

When it was my turn I bent down as asked and paid my ten dollars “that should last you five days” he said with a smile – and the crossing takes five days.

Who in their right mind gets on a ship to cross the Atlantic in the wake of a Hurricane – just lucky ol me!!!!

[VEGAS LADY]

#23994

Going back twenty years or so, my Mother and I decided that we would like to take a cruise together.

We joined the ship in Greece and then sailed around the Greek Islands for a few days stopping at a different one each day. We then sailed onto Turkey, Egypt and Israel.

The weather was good and the sea calm untill we started to cross from Turkey to Egypt.

We all sat down to dinner and one by one we all left the table for the sanctuary of our cabins ( trying not to notice the buckets that had been placed at intervals along the corridors )

We were sick for a good few hours but the next morning I woke up with the most ferocious appetite and when I went into breakfast I found that I was the only one there. The dear little waiter piled my plate high ( all the time he was whispering in my ear what a brave little English lady I was )…….Think he was after a large tip,never have I enjoyed a breakfast so much

We were all given a magic sea-sickness pill and with in a few hours all was back to normal.

Margaret

[Sandra]

#23995

<img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ /> What stories !! <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

I bet you both look back on it with fond memories though!!

What's life without an adventure or two?

Imagine what people went through on those crowded tall ships that came here in 1778, and during the wars, and when travelling by sea on a crowded boat was the only way to get anywhere !!

The horrors they could tell! Brave old souls!

Take it easy, you two . . . . . <img src='style_emoticons//cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ />

[Petals]

#23996

<img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ /> YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN SANDRA!

TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO LONDON CAROLINE. I WILL
CATCH THE FIRST TRAIN TO DERBYSHIRE! <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//unsure.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’unsure.gif’ />

KEEP ON WRITING………… <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[VEGAS LADY]

#23997

NO PROBLEM JACKY,…. I WILL KEEP MY EYE OUT FOR A WORLD WAR TWO AIR-RAID SHELTER GOING CHEAP, THAT SHOULD KEEP US ALL SAFE……. <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

Margaret…. <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ />

[VEGAS LADY]

#23998

Hi Sandra, Hi Ione…… <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

This is the write up from one of our daily papers.

SIDNEY SALUTES A MEETING OF MAJESTIES.

Mary met Elizabeth in Sidney yesterday, but their reunion was far from a private affair.
Tens of thousands turned out to witness the spectacle as the two queens of the ocean shared Sydneys magnificent harbour for the first time in 66years.
The height of a 23-story building, the Queem Mary 2 was too big to sail under the Sidney Harbour Bridge. Instead she docked at the navel base wharf in the early morning. Then in the afternoon horns blared and streamers tumbled from the decks in greeting as the QE2 sailed past. At one point the ships were close enough for the passengers to wave to each other.
The last time Cunards royal liners- The orignal Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth made a dual visit to Sidney was to carry Australian soldiers to war in north Afirca.

WISH I HAD BEEN THERE TO SEE IT.

Margaret

[Sandra]

#23999

Thanks Margaret! I have some fantastic photographs but don't know how to upload them onto here. However, if someone does know how to put them on then I can either email them over or follow very good instructions (but they have to be very good!).

Ta <img src='style_emoticons//cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ />

[Author]

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