PASSENGER AREAS
Dennis Lennon, the original co-ordinator of all QE2’s 1960's interiors was commissioned to lead the design team. The company was keen to ensure that any changes made at this time would fit in with long-term target marketing of the ship.
RESTAURANTS
Queens Grill:At a cost of £400,000 the Queens Grill was enlarged and redesigned by Dennis Lennon to create a “cool, elegant and classic ambience”. The new design of cobalt blue, cream and green with silver trim included new wall coverings, rich new sycamore panelling, new richly upholstered blue velvet chairs in a classic design, a new carpet with a dark blue geometric pattern, Italian tiles and 17 original paintings by world renowned artist Romain de Tirtoff, known as Erte. To provide a dramatic centrepiece, a seashell sculpture, lit from below, was installed.
Queens Grill Cocktail Lounge:In order to encourage greater use of the area, the Queens Grill Lounge was redesigned along similar lines to the Grill with a new small cocktail bar (covered in Italian tiles with a navy blue flower motif and a blue mirror) being built and comfortable oversized chairs, upholstered in special French, Italian and English fabrics, being installed and arranged in intimate seating groups.
Tables of the World Restaurant:The five dining areas were refurbished with new carpets, artwork and upholstery. The Oriental dining area / section received new chairs.
NEW PUBLIC ROOMS
Club Lido
Phase One: Q4 Room (which had been eliminated during the Falklands conversion for war to accommodate the aft heli-pads) was expanded, redecorated and renamed the Club Lido, a dual purpose room where passengers could enjoy an open air buffet during the day but in the evening it was used for entertainment and dancing.
Phase Two: involving the installation of the Magrodome, would be completed in the 1983 refit.
“The bar was repositioned temporarily to the port side, new sliding smoked glass doors were fitted at the after end leading onto the open deck and a larger dance floor was fitted. New recessed lighting was installed. This created a much lighter and therefore more versatile room.
The new décor consisted of orange, reds, greens and greys with slate-grey upholstered chairs and banquettes, sleek black stools at the bar, soft white walls and warm orange carpeting.
New custom-made buffet equipment would be installed in October 1982 that would enable salads and health foods to be served.”
Golden Door Health Spa: Originally installed as a temporary programme for QE2’s 1982 World Cruise, the Golden Door programme, offered by the world-renowned Golden Door Health Spa of Encino (California), proved to be one of the most popular attractions of the voyage. Passenger response was so overwhelming that in April 1982 Cunard and Golden Door finalised an agreement to make the floating spa a permanent part of QE2’s on board offering. The spa’s inauguration was interrupted by QE2’s Falklands service.
During the reconversion to passenger ship the Six Deck health facilities and indoor swimming pool complex were completely revamped. The Turkish Baths were removed and the space was transformed into the “world’s first floating spa” at a cost of $365,000.
The room as a whole was done in the ‘California Modern style’ – a light, airy environment decorated in buttercup, tawny and beige all set off by tropical plants and clean architectural lines. The centre featured the original large indoor pool with a new platform of teak that could be lowered into the pool for hydro calisthenics. Other facilities included a large mirrored exercise area with ballet barres, three large Jacuzzi whirlpool baths (these replaced the Turkish Baths) set off by black tiles and special lighting that spotlighted the whirling motion of the water, saunas and a climate-controlled gymnasium. Music could be piped into the area.
Players Club Lounge: A new lounge (complete with a new ’L’ shaped bar) was created in the port side promenade between the Casino and the entrance of the Tables of the World Restaurant. The stylish décor consisted of beiges, greens and mink brown velour with marble tables with striking glass lamps, each crowned with trailing plants, giving the area a garden-like atmosphere.
A new dividing system could easily shut the Casino off from the lounge allowing passengers to take full advantage of the new lounge even when QE2 was in port.
Teenage centre: A special area for teens was furnished with video games and other equipment.
EXISTING PUBLIC ROOMS
Casino: The Casino was renamed The Players Club and was expanded and totally redecorated with a new colour scheme of rich green leather bulkheads, gold velvet curtains, a green and beige carpet and a new entrance way. Access to the Casino was now possible through the Tables of the World Restaurant.
General Refurbishment
- 17 miles of carpeting was cleaned and renewed where necessary.
- The Burma teak decking was renewed and replaced by hand.
- Thousands of feet of flooring and trim was scrubbed and polished.
- Artwork, furniture and china, removed during QE2’s conversion to troopship, was brought out of storage and returned to their former locations on board.
- Outdoor sports facilities were improved and re-designed.
PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION: All but 27 cabins were surveyed and refurbishment work was undertaken where necessary. Those cabins not surveyed were done so after the refit.