Captains Cabin

[jdl]

Following on from the excellent thread on the QE2's captain's cabin does anyone know where the QM2's Captains cabin is located and is it well appointed as the QE2's ?

jdl

[holynougat]

QM2's Captain’s Cabin is located behind the bridge on deck 12 Starboard Side.

It is not as large as the QE2's or as well appointed, although it is very nice! (think QM2 Queens Grill Cabin without a balcony)

It is not large enough to do cocktail parties, so on QM2 they do not hold Captain’s Cabin parties like the used to on the QE2.

Interestingly, the deck officers all live on Deck 4 forward, unlike on the QE2 where the used to live on the boat deck!

Personally I used to like the Deck officers accommodation on the QE2 because every cabin was different and had been on the receiving end of 'personalization' from many previous occupants... and of course, no deck officer cabin was more than 30 meters from the Wardroom!

[jdl]

Thanks, what a shame they couldn't find enough free space on the worlds largest liner for a Captains Cabin big enough for cocktail parties!

Taking into account your thoughts on the officers cabins as well as the well known comments on the passenger accomodation it sounds like the unique-ness of QE2 has been replaced by the standard one box approach. 

Whilst no doubt this saves vast ammounts of cash for the owners as cabins and interiors can be pre-fabricated off site en-mass, it lowers the appeal and feel (or even soul) of the ships in my book.

jdl

[Stowaway2k]

How does it compare to the captain's cabin on the Queen Mary?
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2481283620055338351BRydZI

To my eyes, QM's seems "cozy", but it is legendary for the parties held there.  Kings, Queens, heads of state from all over the globe, film stars, you name them... before the age of transatlantic flying, the world's "A-List" partied in this little reception room.

IMO, a QM2 Queen's Grill cabin has plenty of room for an intimate cocktail party  
Is it truly too small, or is this simply another tradition done away with?

[holynougat]

The Captain does very occasionally hold small gatherings for friends or passengers who he knows very well in his cabin, but unlike QE2 this is not something that is scheduled to take place every cruise.

It is the same story with the Wardroom, while the QM2 does have an officers wardroom it is considered too small to host a cocktail party and its location does not really lend itself for entertaining guests.

[jdl]

can't believe the wardroom is too smal for parties and not in a decent location either - more tricks missed by Cunard.

But in their defence these aren't techincally passenger rooms so no need to make them passenger friendly I suspose.

Where is the officers wardroom on the QM2 then holynougat ??

john

[holynougat]

The officers mess and wardroom on the QM2 are connected and are located just aft of the Starboard Forward Tender lounge on deck 1.

The Wardroom on the QM2 is much less formal than the one on the QE2, partly because it is used by many more people. The QE2 wardroom was reserved only for officers as the concession crew had their own bar which does not exsist on the QM2 so all officers and concession managers etc use the wardroom.

The QE2's wardroom used to be operated by the officers themselves (prior to 2004) so it was self service 24 hrs per day pretty much, post that it was taken over by the company and operated a more strict opening hour policy!

[jdl]

Thanks holynougat much appreciated, it's great to have this insight into the inner workings of QE2 and QM2.
The only problem is I'm even more gutted now that I never made it into the qe2's wardroom!!

john

[Cruise_Princess]

Cunard arent daft .....just think of the savings on EVERY cruise for not holding Wardroom parties ....captains cabin parties etc.....thats old cruising..its all about new age cruising.....you want to eat in a different place? great   add on $25.....they dont want to be bothered with 'special' parties anymore.... unless you want to PAY for it.......I even think captain cocktails  will scale down as  some of the clientelle cruising now just cant be bothered with it and they are the folks the cruise companies listen to. they arent interested about what happened in the past ....but trade their new wares on that basis.

[534]

What a shame there are no more Captain's cocktail parties. I had the privilege to be invited with my lady friend to one on the final westbound on QE2. The highlight of the trip for me, talking nautical matters with the Master, meeting long-term resident Bea and enjoying the free-flowing champagne.