“Oh look at her she's beautiful “ Queen Elizabeth uttered when she first saw QE2, before the launch. These are words that have been repeated again and again, especially wherever she is approaching port, docked or leaving for her next destination. The joy of seeing the ship approach is balanced by the sadness of seeing her leave, wishing you were onboard.
There is a poem by Bishop Charles Henry Brent “The Sailing Ship” often used in eulogies, to comfort those grieving. The theme is of the sadness people feel as they watch a ship sailing over the horizon, being balanced by the joy of those who shout “here she comes” as somewhere else in the world the ship comes into view.
Cunard quoted an extract of the poem on the back of a QE2's Farewell Season menu, which probably described the feelings of those saying goodbye to the ship.
But she is still with us, just in another place!
Photo by Highlander 01/08
“Though I never sailed on her or even went aboard, I saw her many times in Manhattan and was always in awe of her beauty, size, and grace as she sailed in and out of New York Harbour."
“With the impending departure of the QE2 to become a floating hotel in the Middle East, we caught her one last time as she sailed out of the Southampton Water on a grey May day in 2008”
Photo Credit: SS United States Conservancy via History.com
SS United States
Exciting news that Crystal Cruises plans to spend around $800 million to transform the SS United States into an 800 passenger luxury liner. The company will cover the $60,000 costs of caring for the ship while a feasibility study is carried out. Read more in the Crystal Cruises to return SS United States to the sea topic
Photo : Ken Railton
QE2 Casino Gaming Tokens
We like the story of how forum member Ken Railton, bought gaming machines and found 350 tokens that had been used in the casino, onboard QE2. Read more on Ken's Casino Gaming Tokens topic about his find and how you can purchase token(s).
Photo: Isabelle Prondzynski
QE2 Jigsaw Challenge
Are you ready for TQS jigsaw challenge? Add your name to the list, have a go and add your name to the log of people who have completed one of our jigsaws!
We are even compiling a log of how many miles the jigsaws have travelled. Isabelle said "A challenge will be to work out how far QE2 (by proxy) travelled on QE, while Ian McNaught's son was carrying out a refit on board."
QE2 in New York
QE2 in a tropical setting
Evening at sea
Pride of the Clyde
Liverpool Calling
Poll for the January Photo Competition
Voting for the January Photo Competition closes on 1 March, so why not take a few minutes to remember the wonderful surroundings, food and service from the QE2 Restaurants/Dining Rooms and vote for your three favourite photos.
We have many happy memories of the flotilla of ships that waited to escort QE2 in and out of port, but do you have a winning picture?
Isabelle has provided easy instructions to enter the competition on thePhoto Competition topic but if you need any help just email: admin@theqe2story.com and we will be only too willing to assist.
The prize this month has been donated by Isabelle Prondzynski. The official DVD of QE2's voyage to Dubai, which is a very special piece of memorabilia. Or you may like to choose a jigsaw of your winning photo.
The QE2 Story 2016 Calendar
Again we have two different choices on offer, the Premium and the Standard, details of which are outlined on the Calendar Ordering page. All images used in each calendar are the same, although the choice of cover image is different between the two versions due to the differing formats of the layout. We have simply swapped images so that the cover image of one will be found on the inside pages of the other and vice-versa. Watch out for discount code offers, which we try to post on the 2016 Calendar topic.
Thank-you Cunardqueen for the photo, we love the QE2 teddy. Looking forward to seeing more photos of members with their Calendar.
Thank-you for your continued support for the QE2 Story Forum. We know how special the ship is to everyone onboard the forum and we appreciate the contributions that are made to keep her memory alive.
