September 2022 Speaker
Steve Herra related the story of the QE2 Liner from its initial build in 1965 until its final retirement in 2008 to Dubai.
Steve was the 3rd generation member of his family to serve on Cunard ships and was the Senior Purser.
The Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth ships were built in the early 20th century to transport passengers and cargo across the Atlantic. The journey would take about seven days often in very stormy seas and the passengers were usually travelling for business not pleasure.
After 1960 air travel became more appropriate so these early ships were less popular and were not financially viable. In 1965 the government donated £18 million pounds to start building a new cruise ship at The John Brown Dockyard on the Clyde. After many problems with the build the ship was finally launched in 1967 after suggested names of The Ocean Queen, Rose of England and many others, by our Queen Elizabeth who named it the QE2. Tradition stated that the ship should be named by a female.
Steve showed us many photos of the beautiful interior lounges and bars and the ensuite bedrooms, a lido on the upper deck as well as the areas for children to play games and be supervised by qualified staff. Activities also included a theatre, cinema, ballroom and gym for passengers to enjoy.
In 1970 the trip across the Atlantic would take about 3 days. It transported many famous celebrities including Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, Max Bygraves, Ringo Starr and Danny Le Rue. Passengers also bought their pets along with them, dogs, rabbits, hedgehogs and even a pigeon.
During the 1970’s cruises from Southampton expanded around the Middle East and South Africa, but in 1982 the QE2 was transformed very quickly into a warship to transport soldiers to the Falklands to defend the island. On its return to Southampton, it was purchased by Carnival Cruises and refitted with Shops, a Photo Gallery and Casino. In 2008 The QE2 started a new life in Dubai as a Floating Hotel.