Constructive feedback and suggestions for small improvements.

[Rob Lightbody]

We're all bowled over that we're seeing the QE2 that we knew and loved reappear, especially given some of the previous destructive plans that were put forward.  Based on what we've seen, however, what *small* things would you suggest to improve what they've done?

For me I think they went overboard with the beige carpets in some areas - The Golden Lion in particular I feel needs a darker carpet, and also the wooden floor put back in the area near the bar itself - this is what made it feel like an actual British pub....

I can see that they were trying to "declutter" and freshen up the ship by keeping most of the momorobilia in the terminal building, however I think some of it needs selectively put back to make the ship a bit more special again - e.g. the display cases inside the yacht club, and the large display units outside the toilets at the foot of the stairs going up to the shopping.  They may well be planning this, as the stuck-on graphics look temporary.

We shouldn't judge the incomplete areas (e.g. the Chart Room) until they're finished.

What have your thoughts been?

[Pete Hamill]

Lose the strings of lights up and over the funnel.

[Thomas Hypher]

Lose the strings of lights up and over the funnel.

Likewise I agree, it has an element of tackiness to it in my opinion and is out of character! Lose all those lights - they are secured to the fog horn's mast on the foredeck when stretching to the signal mast!

[Scott Ebersold]

Stop lying in press releases and info drilled into tour guides.

[June Ingram]

Perhaps we should not be too critical yet with the tour guides.  I speak from experience regarding tour guides here at Connecticut College.  We are talking about students acting as tour guides who actually go to this school, are instructed what to say, and yet, it is amazing to hear what is sometimes said.  It seems to me that Dubai have done a very good job in trying to stay true to our beloved QE2, and I am hoping that things will go smoother and smoother as time progresses.   

[Lynda Bradford]

I would not want to make judgement or comment.  QE2 is about the experience of being onboard and I hope to be able to stay on the ship and experience QE2 Hotel for myself.  Difficult to give constructive feedback when looking at the pictures or videos. 

I remember when the Cunard ship Queen Victoria was commissioned people were making quite rude comments about the carpets and the brown wood, even being so rude as to call the ship "Mrs Brown", but then people went on to love the atmosphere onboard. 

I am sure there will be the opportunity for hotel guests and visitors to give feedback.

[Twynkle]

Lynda

I'm waiting too!  However it's just possible that I shall never see QE2 again 

Rob - as you are making enquiries,
The possible collection of fine books apparently in the "Foyer" - hopefully these can go into the Library asap!

Edited later, to add a query about the contents of the Heritage collection.
Hopefully this is already in a closely controlled air-conditioned space?

[Peter Mugridge]

Regarding the... inaccuracies:  It could be that nobody has actually explained those things to them yet and they really believe what they have been saying...?

[Scott Ebersold]

To be clear, I am not criticizing the specific tour guide on the video we've all be discussing (or any tour guide onboard!). My issue is that the same "untruths" that are in the press release were also repeated in the tour guide's comments.

So the problem comes from higher up. The desire to better align the ship with UK's Monarch may vary well be in line with the hotel's marketing scheme, and it is this that I take issue with, not the tour guide.

QE2 has a rich history -- intwined with HM QEII but not parallel to exactly -- and the history of the vessel and those who actually sailed on her are much more interesting that any made up stuff.

I feel like this particular distinction that I am making is getting misinterpreted.

[Clydebuilt1971]

1. Correct the inaccuracies in their tour - make sure everything they say is factually correct - not designed to make their clientele oo and ah.
2. As Rob suggested - get some of the memorabilia back on board - I felt in some of the shots I looked at that she looks a little "sparse" in places? Minimalist is OK to a point but as I said perhaps a little too much.
3. Hoping that the decks currently closed are open soon. The Queens Room still looks stunning but again needs some furniture!
4. And now for the engineer in me - sort out some way of opening an engine room and perhaps the ECR to the public? Same with the bridge. ie a behind the scenes tour. Shes totally intact (except for bow thrust machinery which you'd never see as a punter anyway) from this point of view.
5. Step away from the bling at all times - they've managed it so far so keep it up!

Gav

[Thomas Hypher]

1. Correct the inaccuracies in their tour - make sure everything they say is factually correct - not designed to make their clientele oo and ah.
2. As Rob suggested - get some of the memorabilia back on board - I felt in some of the shots I looked at that she looks a little "sparse" in places? Minimalist is OK to a point but as I said perhaps a little too much.
3. Hoping that the decks currently closed are open soon. The Queens Room still looks stunning but again needs some furniture!
4. And now for the engineer in me - sort out some way of opening an engine room and perhaps the ECR to the public? Same with the bridge. ie a behind the scenes tour. Shes totally intact (except for bow thrust machinery which you'd never see as a punter anyway) from this point of view.
5. Step away from the bling at all times - they've managed it so far so keep it up!

Gav

The remaining decks will be open in October or by October from what we know (the Caronia Restaurant is having major work done as we speak for example - like a major refit in the past). The bridge is planned to be open for tours from what I've been told, but is far from ready (the bridge wings specifically) even though it looks much like it did in 2008 (from seeing very recent photos from inside and outside the bridge itself, some that cannot be made public). The ECR and Engine Rooms for tours are apparently in the pipeline after the bridge.

Having said that I think tours will have to be guided due to wanting to preserve (hopefully) the relevant areas of the ship (not like on HMS Belfast and Queen Mary for example where people are free to tour the bridges if open etc) and because of access to the bridge at least (up through the rabbit warren from a long staircase starting from Boat Deck A stairwell for example) where personally I wouldn't want things reconfigured for any reason as the rabbit warren is part of her character for example.

[Rob Lightbody]

Get the lighting right - use your fancy new lighting effectively.   All the public rooms need to be dimmed down in the evening - all the restaurants and bars.  Its utterly essential.  The same goes for the promenades.  This isn't just a case of us wanting to keep it the same as Cunard did - its what you do in a hotel.  On Cunard QE2, the lighting was programmed, so that large areas could be changed to "evening" at the touch of a button...

[Scott Ebersold]

Double ditto what Rob said. Lighting was so key in revealing her beauty.

[Rob Lightbody]

The lights are still far, far, far, far, far too bright in the Mauretania.

https://instagram.com/p/BiUpB8LnKEI

[Thomas Hypher]

The lights are still far, far, far, far, far too bright in the Mauretania.

https://instagram.com/p/BiUpB8LnKEI

One of the reasons for this seems to be because of the whiter, starker new lighting (almost like fluorescent lighting, that would likely be LEDs for energy saving) but the new lighting is dimmable apparently...they just need to dim it now!!! The tungsten, orangey lighting she used to have was easier on the eyes at a similar brightness so I suspect the new lighting will have to be turned down quite a bit more.