The Welcome Home Sign

[Chris Frame]

Let's see how many of us took photographs of those marvellous "Welcome Home" signs.

[Malcolm]

I didn't but hubby did!

[Twynkle]

Was it used in every port of call?

Your photo Chris, would make a wonderful poster too.......

[Malcolm]

Was it used in every port of call?

That one was only used on the WC. It was just one of those things that you became accustomed to seeing so I don't remember if they used a sign at every other port. I'm fairly sure they did at some though because I can remember making comments like "It's nice to be back".

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Here's another nice one, from Nick Herber, complete with comment and explanation here :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickherber/102583955/


welcome home? by nickherber, on Flickr

Caronia had the "Welcome Home" signs all the time -- QE2 only during the World Cruise...

[Malcolm]

QE2 only during the World Cruise...

Are you certain? I'm sure that I've seen one at other times, not just during the WC.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Are you certain? I'm sure that I've seen one at other times, not just during the WC.

I'm as certain as I can be... all the more so since Nick Herber is certain! But then, of course, I only knew QE2 during the last nine years of her long life -- it may not always have been so.

What I do remember (hopefully correctly!) is that she had her Welcome Home sign out for us during the 2002 World Cruise, and that Caronia had it out in the Baltic in 2004. I may be able to find photographic proof... but shall have to go looking for it!

[Malcolm]

I've been on a sector of the WC in 1995 and the entire thing in 2007. It was definitely there on the 2007 trip (not that we're debating that ) but I also have a recollection of seeing a similar sign on some other cruise - I don't think it was in 1995 though (I remember my father commenting about it rather than remembering the sign itself). I just can't remember when or which port it was, only that it was not always there.

[Chris Frame]

A few more I found in a long lost online photo album I had forgotten about:

2003 (A very poor quality screen grab from a video):


And 2005:

[Chris Frame]

On World Cruises QE2 used to always (well, at least from 1995-) have a Welcome Home sign above the 2-Deck entry for returing passengers:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chriscunard/4097804514/in/set-72157622787264230/

This is sadly lacking from the current Queens during their world voyages.

Does anyone know the origin of the Welcome Home sign - who had the idea for it? when did the tradition start etc.

It was superb, passengers loved it. I noticed that HAL are using the same idea on their ships - why on earth don't QM2 and QE have these for their World Voyages?

Cheers,

Chris.

[Stowaway2k]

I know that a "Welcome Home" banner was used on the Green Goddess, RMS Caronia.  I wonder if earlier Cunarders on world cruises did, such as the Franconia in the 1930s.

It's a shame that the new ships aren't doing it.  Such small touches go an awfully long way towards creating a special atmosphere.
 

[Lynda Bradford]

It is a nice thought to have a welcome home sign for the passengers who have been away from home for over three months. 

Chris when I looked at the photo I could not resist having a look at the other photos which are superb.  I especially like the painting of the funnel. If you have not already done so you should put this in the QE2 photo gallery for all to see.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

What I do remember (hopefully correctly!) is that she had her Welcome Home sign out for us during the 2002 World Cruise. I may be able to find photographic proof... but shall have to go looking for it!

Found it!


Welcome Home by prondis_in_kenya, on Flickr

Wonderful memories... wish I could do it all over again!

[June Ingram]

Excellent, lovely to see. Running out of positives to say for that particular photo. She's in good hands (although I personally haven't doubted that in recent months/last year or so).

It is interesting that QE2 was welcomed back to her new home with the words, "Welcome Home, QE2" (See photo above).  Remember when there was a Welcome Home sign on QE2's side after coming back from a shore excursion ?

[Thomas Hypher]

It is interesting that QE2 was welcomed back to her new home with the words, "Welcome Home, QE2" (See photo above).  Remember when there was a Welcome Home sign on QE2's side after coming back from a shore excursion ?

On the gangways? Personally I don't remember this as far as I can remember (confusing phrase!) so may have been a feature before my time? Unless it was onboard when going through the security...

[June Ingram]

Please scroll through the above posts to see some of the "Welcome Home" signs.

[CasinoChris]

Loved those signs, us folks working on her regarded her as HOME too!!!!!

[Twynkle]

Casino Chris -
Yes! QE2 has Always been the Home of the Crew,
no matter where she's been, and in which ever part of the world.
They looked after the ship better than anyone else ever could, or would have done.
This is something that maybe many others haven't had the opportunity to appreciate, or -  better still, enjoy.
Something that we shall always be incredibly grateful for.

Thomas,
Lots of photos here!

I also have one - but little time to find it at the moment!
Rosie.

[Thomas Hypher]

Thomas,
Lots of photos here!

I also have one - but little time to find it at the moment!
Rosie.

These particular QE2 signs must've gone over my head in the literal sense of the phrase as I was a child and am still quite small in stature! 

Just looked through my own and my parents photos and cannot see any of these particular signs. Also seeing the World Cruise versions makes me think they were used mainly on the World Cruises which would explain why me and my parents have no photos of them! An orange cushion (an old lifejacket or similar repurposed life saving device?) was often used when I was onboard instead (between 2003 and 2008) for the adults 

[Thomas Hypher]

Loved those signs, us folks working on her regarded her as HOME too!!!!!

Indeed, her hard working crew made the ship and the different voyage experiences on each voyage (as a passenger). QE2 wouldn't have been QE2 otherwise except in name. Lovingly caring for the ship to the end too. The QE2 I remember died on 27th November 2008 but I have confidence her new hotel staff/crew will be equally caring and hard working for the ship and those onboard as guests (planning to see myself).