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Mr Bricknell came to give a talk with slides about a cruise on the QE2 from Los Angeles to New York. He was on board to give talks to passengers about Concorde. The QE2 was built for trips across the Atlantic and not as a cruise ship. Whereas in cruise ships the cabins have beds side by side, on the QE2 the beds are end to end, except in the more expensive suites. There was plenty of entertainment on board, every evening there was a cabaret, two piano bars, a disco and of course a casino, which was open whilst the ship was at sea, but closed when in port. Even during the day whilst the ship was at sea there was plenty to do, films and talks, fitness classes and a swimming pool. The swimming pool is small as the water would overflow when the ship was in heavy seas. The bridge is 80 feet high, but in stormy weather it has been known for waves to go over the bridge. There was a guided tour of the ship called the Heritage Trail where passengers were shown around the ship and could see photos and memorabilia of the history of the Cunard Line. The QE2 is no place for someone on a diet. There are two dining rooms and a cafeteria where mouth watering food is served from early morning until the midnight buffet. Most of the crew are from the Phillipines and they are very artistic and would make beautiful sculptures out of ice and butter. They would also amuse passengers during the day by making animal shapes out of fruit and vegetables. En route to New York the QE2 had to go through the Panama Canal, which was not intended for ships of this size. When the ship went through the locks there was only eight inches to spare on either side. On each side of the locks there are little trucks on rails running parallel with the lock. There are attachments between the trucks and the ship and these enable the vessel to be kept in a central position. On the canal, boat people would come alongside the ship to sell their wares, passing items up to the passengers for inspection. The ship passed through some beautiful places, Acapulco was one, where a four bedroom house on the beach would cost around one million. Nassau in the Bahamas has a lovely warm climate and has beautiful flowers growing all through the year. However, one of the most impressive sights was at the end of the cruise when the QE2 sailed into New York Harbour with its magnificent skyline. Margaret Deal |
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page last updated 16 MAY 2002 |
