Any regrets?

[singlemalt]

Anything you wish you had done but never got the chance to? 

Or else; anything you did and wish you hadn't? 

Ali

[QE2_MATTHEW]

Total cliche, wish I had been able to go on the bow...

I wish I was able to capture her smell inside.

Wish I had returned to my first cabin 4008. Although It is somthimes not always best to revist old haunts. But im not one to dwell. A part in the talent show would have been fun.

I wish there wernt certain people on my 2nd cruise who nearly ruined it for me. Still its all in the past

[Andy F]

Not doing a T/A or the funnel run, visiting the bridge and engine room and like Matt says, standing on the bow would all have been great experiences.  However, just being aboard more than made up for any regrets I may have had.  It took 35 years to achieve the dream I had as a small boy and which remained with me through my later life.  I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to sail on her a couple of times.  More times would have been great obviously but no, I've no regrets just happiness and no-one can ever take that away fro me.

[Chris]

I thought I would regret never seeing QE2's engines in action - but last year we were given a superb tour of the Engine Room - it was amazing.

We were there to photograph the areas for our book. The tour extended to the store rooms, Bridge (where I'd been a few times before) and other crew only areas - we were both on such a high at the end of the day. It was bitter sweet as the tour occurred on the last day of what we thought was our last ever trip aboard QE2 - however I was not willing to accept that - and later on, in September, we found ourselves back aboard as Guest Lecturers.

So many superb memories from QE2.

[Chris]

I wish I was able to capture her smell inside.

So many people remember the smell of QE2, especially as you as you entered the ship at the start of a new cruise! It brought all the memories of previous cruises flooding back!

[Andy F]

OK but no need to rub salt in my open wounds there Chris lol!  Seriously though, good for you and I have certainly enjoyed seeing the results of your efforts and sharing with me those parts I would otherwise unlikely see.  I also recall speaking with you & Rachelle as we stood outside the Lido that final morning watching them unload the new sunloungers and you saying that you just wanted to leave now rather than hang around any longer.  I know exactly what you meant, beacause I was feeling the very same!

Matt - I remember may smells, not all of them pleasant lol!  Does anyone remember the often overpowering smell of fuel as you progressed deeper down into the bowels of the Grand old Girl?  That was an 'interesting' smell that one!

[Chris]

.  I also recall speaking with you & Rachelle as we stood outside the Lido that final morning watching them unload the new sunloungers and you saying that you just wanted to leave now rather than hang around any longer.  I know exactly what you meant, beacause I was feeling the very same!

I was liable to chain myself to the mid-ships lobby in protest had I not disembarked when I did!

[hollihedge]

Anything you wish you had done but never got the chance to? 

Go on a world cruise on her, or at least a segment.  Was to be my retirement plan.  Sadly not to be

[Mauretania1907]

Yes, not ever getting around to doing a second trip. Troubles at work, which finally became so toxic that I resigned in 2002 and have not worked fulltime since. I was a busdriver for 25 years until Stagecoach bought out the Auckland busses and everything turned to mud. Hence, without wages, could not afford to cruise . Oh well, at least I took the day off nearly everytime QE2 came to Auckland, got up early to see her arrive many years. Am not sure whether I would bother for QMary der Grosse. She has to woo me. QE2 had me falling in love the first time I saw her.

[Twynkle]

Oh Mauritania - that's just an awfully sad story... How long was it since your one precious trip?
 ( I'm sorry if I've missed reading about it..)
Rosie

[Andy F]

Agree Mauretania that's certainly unfortunate and sorry to hear. However, you can at least say you did it and no-one can ever take that away from you.

[Twynkle]

Perhaps the sheer enjoyment of it all got in the way of allowing for more details to be taken in!!
It's amazing how much detail is being referred to in the posts -  I just wish I'd written down the words written on the walls - in (I think?) the Chart Room bar

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I just wish I'd written down the words written on the walls - in (I think?) the Chart Room bar

I kept going back to those too but being lazy, never wrote them down. Really liked the excellent calligraphy too...

Took a few pictures, they are here :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/2970642703/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/2971487004/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/2971488958/

And the other day, on a shore excursion in Brussels, I found this scene, so reminiscent of the Chart Room atmosphere :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/seikinsou/3256595894/

But I suppose, to us QE2 fans, there will always be something that makes us think of her... 

[QE2_MATTHEW]

I always kept a diary on board. it started on my first T/A for school as a project- but then I decided I never wanted to forget a thing. Still I ahve now filled the original diary. I even did it ar 4am one night. Only to get up some 3 hours later for brekkie!!!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I always kept a diary on board. it started on my first T/A for school as a project- but then I decided I never wanted to forget a thing. Still I ahve now filled the original diary. I even did it ar 4am one night. Only to get up some 3 hours later for brekkie!!!

Any of it quotable for us here?