D Stairway

[Michael Gallagher]

The port side of D Stairway had 119 steps as did the starboard side (238 steps total) plus six steps on Boat Deck leading to the Theatre.


When being designed as a three-class vessel this staircase was principally for First Class passengers and was designed to take passengers from the main First Class deck Promenade (Quarter) down to Tourist Class accommodation on Main (One), Foyer (Two) and A (Three) Decks. While there were no barriers between classes like in past liners the lifts stopped on A (Three Deck) and went no lower and the stairway down to B (Four) and C (Five) Decks became quite narrow and much less ornate. Below Three Deck the staircase split into three smaller stairways down to Five Deck. One bottomed out on the starboard side passageway, the other on the portside and the last in an athwartships passageway just forward of the other two landings. The width of these stairs were very narrow.

Perhaps even the design of the staircase – a double spiral suggested that this was the main stairway for the highest passenger class.

When QE2 was in two-class operation, D Stairway was the main First Class staircase.

The collection of contemporary drawings / prints (including the Graham Sutherlands) selected for QE2 in 1969 hung on this staircase until being relocated to A Stairway in 1994.

BOAT DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

UPPER DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

QUARTER DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

ONE DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

TWO DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

THREE DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

FOUR DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

FIVE DECK

[Michael Gallagher]

I could do a tour of each staircse. Rob - where do you want them? Here or in the Gallery?

I suspect passengers would often jump into Lift 4 Bob despite the signs! Afraid I don't have close ups on my computer but the signs can just be seen next to the visible Lift 4:

[Rob Lightbody]

I like how you're doing it Michael - but perhaps a new topic for each - but with a similar topic name?

[Scott Ebersold]

Just re-read Scot's post about a tour down D Stairway. I used to spend hours photographing the stairs - mainly in the middle of the night so no-one appeared in them! Here you go from top to bottom.

BOAT DECK

Thanks, Michael.  Looking forward to the stairway tour!

[Lynda Bradford]

Hi Michael

I really like the idea of the individual stairwell topic.  I felt as if I was actually walking down D Stairway when I read the topic this morning.

Looking forward to seeing more. 

Lynda

[Bob C.]

It still amazes me how narrow two of the three staircases from 4 to 5 Deck are. The world will never see anything like this in a passenger area on a ship again.

[Cruise_Princess]

I always tried to use the stairways instead of lifts on board...for exercise..exercise  exercise!! 

Tried it again this morning  on all A to G Stairways  all the way up and all the way back down again. whilst online  here at the forum...didn't  lose many pounds though...LOL

great topic......

this forum has now become as addictive as the ship herself!

[Bob C.]

The one, the only, the elegant original design of Stairway D. 

The colors are yellowed but the style is timeless.