Good grief - QM2

[david42]

So I got a text message today from SWMBO and it went like this,

'Oh my god - I've just booked us on the QM2 for her first cruise from Southampton to New York'

We had spoken about it a couple of days ago and I think, after a few beers, I had said that it sounded like a fun thing to do - not realising that she would go ahead and book it!

The argument for the trip is two layered and goes like this
1) I thought you'd enjoy it because it involves sailing.
2) Well if you can spend all that money on a boat I can spend some on a holiday.

I know I should be pleased/excited (and I am secretly) but all I can think is £3500!!!!!! That's a DSC/VHF, Navtex, a new GPS, new standing rigging, new cabin sole and some more.

But to more practical issues - I've got to get on the bridge at some point, does anyone know how to go about it? Would my oilies (complete with soup stains) count as a dinner suit?

David

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[Twister_Ken]

How to visit the bridge of the QM2

With insouciance.

Dress code. The usual Harris Tweeds and big brown brogues. A gentlemen never wears anything else, unless going to the opera, or servicing her ladyship.

Suggested conversational gambits:
"Good morning driver, just ask your people to carry on as normal."
"D'you get many grouse out here?"
"Frankly, old boy, I'd be more interested to see the wine cellar."
"New York, my man, and don't spare the horses."


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Evadne]

Crikey, for three and a half grand you could probably fly to New York, buy a boat and go sailing!
She is a pretty ship but as a significant fraction of my work is spent on ships, nothing could entice me aboard during my free time. I'm not sure they allow anyone over the age of 12 on the bridge or down the engine room these days, on the assumption that Alky Eeda doesn't have a cubs section in the UK yet, but if they do there will be organised tours that you can sign up to, or ask one of the flunkies. Pick the one with the most gold braid on his/her sleeves. Have a nice trip.

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[BlueSkyNick]

".... QM2 for her first cruise from Southampton to New York"

This does not compute. QM2 must have made several trips to New York by now, hasn't she?


<hr width=100% size=1>I can't be bothered with a footnote - it's usually rubbish anyway.

 

[jhr]

Like others, I suspect it will be difficult to get on the bridge. For God's sake, don't let them know you're a yottie - they won't let you near the place/forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

My old man (who held a mate's ticket) went across the Atlantic as a passenger on a Banana boat a few years back. Although he was ex Grey Funnel Line, the crew all made him very welcome and, in the middle of the Atlantic, the Captain left him in command on the bridge for a couple of hours whilst he went off to cause unexpected mayhem during a fire drill.

Incidentally, the trip sounded a lot more interesting, for boaty types, than a trip on a liner. Basically you set off from Southampton, go trans-Atlantic to The West Indies and then stooge around the Islands for a couple of weeks, going to wherever the bananas are ripe. When the holds are full, you come back to Blighty.

Not for everyone and, as there are only about half a dozen guest cabins, the wrong mixture of people can be a turn off, but my old man had a great time doing it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[TheBoatman]

I disagree!

Present yourself at the info desk and say your a yottie and ask, would the captain let you onto his bridge to see "his" problems when confronted with yotties and confined spaces. Show a genuine interest in the running of the ship.

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[jhr]

Re: I disagree!

Hmmm; cunning plan. Might just work............/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[gregmlucas]

Much as I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, I hope your dining experience on QW2 is a lot better than ours on QE2 in the med earlier this year. School dinners spring to mind - as a result of which we got a large discount of a P&O cruise for next year. Much better cruise experience if not with the same cache as the old girl.

Hope you enjoy

. . Greg

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[david42]

Re: How to visit the bridge of the QM2

Hmm Harris tweeds and big brown brogues. Should I just stroll onto the bridge like I own it and strut around carrying my matching pair of Purdeys half cocked - or might that offend the driver?

David



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[mirabriani]

Re: How to visit the bridge of the QM2

Surely the captain would be more impressed with the sort of one word
questions heard at boat shows......
"Passengers"?
"Speed"?
"Crew"?
"Icebergs"?
And at that point......
"I'll get my coat"

Regards Briani

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[david42]

Re: I disagree!

So I need to approach the bridge in my Mustos and convince the skipper that I'd really like to see just how hard his job is and that I really want to appreciate exactly how much of a pest us yotties really are.

And

I need to have Harris tweed and brogues on underneath my oilies as a fall back plan.

Or

Pretend to be under 12.

Hmmm, maybe I'll just sit by the pool trying to digest the school dinners and trying not to think of all the new goodies I could have bought for Take Five with the money.

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[david42]

Re: How to visit the bridge of the QM2

Icebergs! Which reminds me - I was thinking of taking my own lifejacket and maybe a spare that I could sell to offset the cost of the voyage. I'm sure I'd get a few quid for it when it comes to 'women and children first' time.

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[pugwash]

look for an old codger

Whatever you do don't try asking a girl or some young Filipino clerk in the purser's office. Go for the top. Look for a white-haired bloke with several gold bars and present yourself as someone who is really interested. Failing that, a nice letter to the Man Himself has always worked for me.

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[BrunoandChianti]

You should have no difficulty with a bridge visit. My wife and I have done big ship cruising with Fred Olsen a couple of times and visited the bridge both times.

Ask at the "reception" desk, do it early on as the visits are popular.

Engine room visits not so good. H&S restricted the visit to the control room which although interesting could have been any power station.

Enjoy your trip

Bruno



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[nicho]

Re: I disagree!

Worth a try, but I doubt if it will work. I tried very hard to get on the bridge of P&O's 'Oceana' earlier this year whilst in the Caribbean - not a cat in hells chance (9/11 and all that). Having said that, someone I know did manage to get there, but only after he'd flashed his Gov't Security Clearance pass. Now, if you've got one of those, you might just make it.

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[oldharry]

Re: I disagree!

Same on the cross channel ferries. used to be you just asked at the info desk when you boarded, and were given a time when you could go up. Nowadays you have to apply in advance to head office, so they can check you out. 9/11 and all that....

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