Qe2 1976

[J Gowers]

When I was on the Denholm's container ship Euroliner in New York I went for a walk outside my cabin before starting watch and saw the OE2 passing. It berthed in Manhattan just opposite the Seatrain container terminal in Weehawken. A few years later the QE2 came back to the Clyde and docked at the container terminal I was home at the time and went down to Greenock where there was a party atmosphere with thousands of spectators. Ronnie Kerr 3/E, who I sailed with on the container ships eventually joined Cunard became C/E on the QE2. Ronnie had served his time in the John Browns when the QE2 was being built and always told us he built the ship. Sadly he passed away a few years ago.
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[John Gill]

My experience regarding QE2 was in the summer of 1968. I was working aboard Queen Elizabeth as tourist pantryman when I was called into Cunards office in Southampton and was offered the same position aboard the newly launched QE2. I was asked to form a team of reliable staff from those who were aboard the 'Lizzie' and elsewhere. Looking forward to the task, new ship, maiden voyage, good job, I rang my wife with the good news. One of my children had fallen I'll with a bad reaction from German Measles and had been hospitalized. I had no option really, I had to return home to Liverpool. The head chef aboard the Lizzie was not very pleased when I told him. Two weeks after arriving home my daughter had fully recovered (as children do), but decisions had to be made.my new position had gone, I was in Cunards bad books and my wife was virtually bringing up three children on her own, so, time to go. I never did get to sail on QE2 but the satisfaction of walking off the biggest (then) ship in the world went some way to ease my decision.

[Captain Kong]

I have done several cruises on QE2. World Cruises,Trans AT, and South Africa etc.
Always enjoyed them. sorry to see her go to Dubai

[j.sabourn]

How are you keeping yourself these days Brian, and your partner. I know how you both looked forward so much to your wanders over the globe and must be a big miss in your life. Let’s hope your once more able to walk the deck of a ship , there is no other feeling like it. Memory’s are just memory’s far better to be doing it , keep fit and ready for the next trip wherever you decide to go. All the best .JS.

[Captain Kong]

Hi John
thanks for the post
We are keeping OK at the moment,, 86 in four weeks so hope we will be fit enough to get a few more world cruises in before its too late.
Our world cruise was cancelled last year and none this year so hope its OK next year.I miss standing on the after end watching the Islands fade away in the wake.
Cheers
Brian#

[Bill Morrison]

I first saw the QE 11 in Le Havre in 1969 as she was leaving for New York. Flags and bunting flying and band playing a great sight made you proud to be British.
It was along time before I was to see her again. It was in 1998 up in Invergordon as a cruise ship but still looking good, have this photo.

[happy daze john in oz]

Brian, some good news.
The USA people in charge of allowing cruises to go ahead have give the OK for many to begin in July to Alaska and others.
Hang in there mate, you will get away yet.

[John Gill]

There's always the possibility of a Pier Head Jump Kong, you know where it is. Take your covid pass as well as your Discharge Book otherwise you won't get aboard.

[Alan Briggs]

At least the QE2 looked like a ship, not like the monstrosities these days.

[Lewis McColl]

Modern cruise ships these days just look to me to be a Barge shaped hull with a block of Flats welded to the deck. I know I would not look forward to a North Atlantic storm onboard one of those things.