Cunard Fleet celebrates Queen Mary 2's 10th Birthday - Southampton 9th May 2014

[Twynkle]

They'll be whistling Happy Birthday to their old Fleet-mate!
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11192136.Party_to_remember_will_mark_Queen_Mary_2_s_10th_birthday/
and
'A very special In My View from Godfrey Hall from the decks of the QM2'
http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/special-View-Godfrey-Hall-decks-QM2/story-21058635-detail/story.html

[June Ingram]

Hi Rob - Importantly, it was only when I woke up this morning and read something about there being no beds in So'ton, from a Great QE2-er somewhere else that I got brain in gear and realised the significance of Mary's Birthday party being tied in with the End of the Worldies!
Having our Gathering in Liverpool is going to be  really special - and thank goodness you organised it well away from possible dilution by inevitable  chaos in So'ton

My first and only choice for QE2 was always as either a crew training ship and /or Hotel / and / or Conference centre in Southampton - or Liverpool - as you have written too.
Had she been thought about sooner and  more sensitively by her owners, how much she she would have loved coming home. It would been absolutely wonderful for her as well as Cunard - Mary might have felt a bit upstaged / possible miffed, even - however she's a big girl and almost grown up, now!

Cheers
Rosie

I still think that QE2's owners should be considering the King George V Dry Dock (listed building) for her and very close to DWW in So'ton, it would be the best step forward for every economical reason imaginable.....

Rosie - I could not agree with you more !   

[Hank Hargrove]

Happy birthday QM2! I can't wait to be aboard her someday soon.

[Adam Hodson]

Happy birthday QM2!

Hear Hear. Happy Birthday QM2! 

[Jeff Taylor]

I was reading comments from Cunard's new CEO David Dingle (can you imagine as a kid growing up with a name like that--poor chap) on the occasion of QM2's 10th and he went on and on about the tremendous appeal of the transatlantic service and how it constituted the heart of Cunard's appeal.  He even mentioned the thought being given to either putting QM2 permanently on TA service and/or introducing a second TA liner to complement her.  I couldn't help thinking what a shame that they named the two Vista sisters (Vista Sista--has a ring to it) "Queens".  If they had named them perhaps Carmania and Franconia, we could have had another Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth duo on the TA run, and how much more appropriate that would have been.

[Rob Lightbody]

I was reading comments from Cunard's new CEO David Dingle (can you imagine as a kid growing up with a name like that--poor chap) on the occasion of QM2's 10th and he went on and on about the tremendous appeal of the transatlantic service and how it constituted the heart of Cunard's appeal.  He even mentioned the thought being given to either putting QM2 permanently on TA service and/or introducing a second TA liner to complement her.  I couldn't help thinking what a shame that they named the two Vista sisters (Vista Sista--has a ring to it) "Queens".  If they had named them perhaps Carmania and Franconia, we could have had another Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth duo on the TA run, and how much more appropriate that would have been.

Couldn't agree more Jeff.  I've always thought the Vista twins should not have been Queens, it dilutes and confuses the story of the great Queens, up to and including QM2.  Their marketing makes it worse by calling them all Ocean Liners.

[Graham Taylor]

Perhaps the Queen Camilla? Oh God somebody lead me out and shoot me!

[Peter Mugridge]

I was reading comments from Cunard's new CEO David Dingle (can you imagine as a kid growing up with a name like that--poor chap) on the occasion of QM2's 10th and he went on and on about the tremendous appeal of the transatlantic service and how it constituted the heart of Cunard's appeal.  He even mentioned the thought being given to either putting QM2 permanently on TA service and/or introducing a second TA liner to complement her..

Is that possibly some kind of a hint from him about what would be very exciting news two or three years down the line from now, I wonder...??

Then again, I suspect I know where they could source a very popular TA liner far quicker than doing a new build...  It might need a bit of a refit first, though... 

[Jeff Taylor]

Personally, I had always harbored a secret wish for another Caronia.  Always loved that name.  I suppose you could change the Vistas to Mauretania and Lusitania, but Lusitania does have that unfortunate association.  Mauretania and Caronia perhaps?  Or Berengaria?  Too much history to ignore, and Queens should be restricted to TA express liners.  Even Carnival can't be stupid enough to think that people won't book Cunard unless it's a Queen ship.

[Adam Hodson]

Then again, I suspect I know where they could source a very popular TA liner far quicker than doing a new build...  It might need a bit of a refit first, though... 

Yes, I so do I

[Hank Hargrove]

I was reading comments from Cunard's new CEO David Dingle (can you imagine as a kid growing up with a name like that--poor chap) on the occasion of QM2's 10th and he went on and on about the tremendous appeal of the transatlantic service and how it constituted the heart of Cunard's appeal.  He even mentioned the thought being given to either putting QM2 permanently on TA service and/or introducing a second TA liner to complement her.  I couldn't help thinking what a shame that they named the two Vista sisters (Vista Sista--has a ring to it) "Queens".  If they had named them perhaps Carmania and Franconia, we could have had another Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth duo on the TA run, and how much more appropriate that would have been.

Oh wow! I would love another transatlantic liner! It's interesting that he didn't consider the vista class which hints at the fact that they don't have good enough seaworthiness to be on the run. They are nice ships though. If they had another liner, I'd be very happy.


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[Adam Hodson]

Oh wow! I would love another transatlantic liner!

Wouldn't we all?

[Adam Hodson]

It's interesting that he didn't consider the vista class which hints at the fact that they don't have good enough seaworthiness to be on the run.

Sorry if anyone disagrees, but we all know the vista Queens don't deserve to be Queens.

[Hank Hargrove]

Sorry if anyone disagrees, but we all know the vista Queens don't deserve to be Queens.

I don't disagree. I like them for reasons other than the names. However, they are 100% cruise ships.


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[Adam Hodson]

Maybe one day we'll have a QE3...