Cunard Cruises | Queen Elizabeth 2 | Goodbye to an old Friend, Queen Elizabeth 2

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Goodbye to an old Friend, Queen Elizabeth 2
Reviewed By: Ballantyne, St Fillans on 1st Dec 2008
Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises	Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Queen Elizabeth 2	Sailed: July, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 56-65

In a corner of the mural that surrounds the midships lobby of the QE2 is a drawing of a ships telegraph set at 'Finished with Engines'. It has been there for many years and probably noticed by very few but it is now sadly true as this great liner now rests in her retirement in Dubai. Her webcam was switched off at 1.56 on the 28th Nov. so we will never again be able to see that proud bow thrusting through the seas of the world. It was an honour and a great pleasure to have made my final cruise on her during the summer round the mediterranean-cruises/">Mediterranean and we were on board when the travel office opened for bookings for the final cruises.............you should have seen the queue ! We were in a stateroom on one deck that had been one of the First class ones in the days when she was a three class ship. It was superb ! Extremely large with a separate changing room attached to a real bathroom and with two hanging wardrobes and so many drawers that I lost count ! The fold down cocktail cabinet with crystal glasses and the always full ice bucket was very usefull for the pre-dinner glass of wine with friends. (cunard-transatlantic/">transatlantic/">Cunard are very nice about you taking a couple of bottles on board...at every stop !!) We had chosen the Queens Grill because it was the last time we were going to experience this great resturant. We had a table for two as we like to talk to each other during our meals as after all, you have the whole of the day to mingle with others and it's nice to have some time together quietly. The food and staff were of the highest Cunard standard, as, of course, they should be and any request for something that was not on the menu was met with a positive attitude. We did not take any of the tours and just did our own thing unlike the year before when we booked a full day excursion in Crete and then because we were having such a great relaxing time...........forgot to go on it !!! One could be over critical about the entertainment...........if I never see La Pashionata again I will be happy........and yes, some of the artistes are past their sell by date and clinging on to the last of a career but after a superb dinner and a few glasses of wine is it the most important part of a cruise ? I don't think so. It was a great pity the Golden Lion pub area where they had an excellent jazz band seemed to be the haunt of smokers and just walking through it was not a pleasant experience and although the band were great one didn't want to linger unless you wanted you clothes to end up smelling like a state dustbin ! I know smokers bang on about freedom of choice but smoke travels, even to supposedly non smoking areas. I was a great pleasure to see so many of the crew and staff from previous voyages so she must have been a happy ship to work on. We had a tear in our eyes when we left her for the last time and it was not surprising that Captain McNaught was the same when he couldn't speak in a tv interview from Dubai. Never again will we hear that magnificent sound of her foghorn when she was leaving a port.....................goodbye dear friend, you will be sadly missed by many, many people who have come to love you over the years.
Quality of Food
We ate all our meals in the Queens Grill and whilst the quality of the food in the Lido looked very good I fail to see the point in queuing up with a tray when you can have exemplary resturant service !
Entertainment
La Pasionata has had its day ! Please Cunard spare us from all these repeat shows !!!
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff
Impossible to pick out anyone. Most people seem to select their room steward or waiter..........I think I'll select Captain McNaught !
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Excellent library with a very helpful staff.....................afternoon tea in the peace and quiet of the Queens grill lounge, superb !!
Cabins
Wonderfull.........great size for a party ! What a pity that on modern cruise ships you get a cupboard with a bed and a shower.
Overall Rating