I must admit l always said l wanted to be on QE2s final voyage, but as it happened l was booked on the two cruises that Cunard changed ,down the the Canaries and a med trip when the news broke, and they swopped me over on a voyage per voyage basis with the news l had to fly home from NY. it took a few days but eventually got it sorted that l had early booking status for the final eastbound. l had suggested about trying for the Dubai voyage, but that would have required the cancellation of the uk and both crossings and there was no sure way l would get on the Dubai voyage. In view of the change of voyage Cunard did give me $300 for each of the two voyages, l actually ended up with an extra $300 for some reason, but l fear this was to do with the mix up which resulted in me packing up my cabin October 10th at 2am, not the most ideal time, and the Pursers office saying l had no choice even though it was their fault, but that is another story
My agent told me he had about 170 passengers requesting the voyage and only expected to get about 20-30 booked, turns out he got everyone booked, the waitlist on all the farewell trips l gather was a joke, several months into the season it turns out like most l assumed that if you were waitlisted you woud take your place on the list and await the call from Cunard, a number of passengers semed to bypass this method with the help of a good agent and when a cabin showed as free they would jump in and book it,( fair or not??)
As for doing the Dubai trip, the flight home put me off with the limited luggage, and knowing what l buy the excess would have been crazy,there was no sure way l could have a cabin and the expense, but in reality l couldnt have handled it emotionally and when you start to think of the last this and that it does get a bit to much, also the looting from onboard. and could anybody really imagine walking down the gangway on the last cruise, A few friends were onboard and gave very mixed reports.
Im pleased that l was on for the round uk that was to be was a superb voyage, the ports Cobh,Liverpool,Greenock Newcastle gave QE2 a stunning welcome and farewell, Belfast lm afraid to say was a joke, to see us off only the 4 police who very kindly flashed their lights, was pathetic. South Queensferry, well why Cunard insist on using that place again what a joke, there is nothing there, combined with a train strike and the weather, perhaps they might do well for QM2, personally had they gone to Invergordon they would have been assured of an outstanding welcome and farewell
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The farewell crossings were good, But not as good as l had expected, and NY didnt quite qive the send off that was expected
As it was l did venture down on the 11th, pleased that l did but it was to awfully sad
