Queen Mary 2 transatlantic

I have recently returned from a trip to Europe by sea. I traveled over to the United Kingdom on the Queen Mary 2 and I returned on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas. In between the two crossings, I did a cruise around the British Isles on Ocean Princess.

If you have the time, transatlantic crossings are a great way to get to and from Europe. Air travel has become notorious for its hassles and delays. In contrast, traveling by sea is a relaxing and memorable experience.

A transatlantic crossing, however, is different than a cruise. There are more sea days and the sea sometimes can be more turbulent than on a cruise. But most people find that there is more to do on a crossing than there is available time. Also, modern ships are good at handling the weather.

Like cruises, the guest experience on a crossing differs from ship to . A crossing on Queen Mary 2 is much different than a crossing on Brilliance of the Seas. Both are good experiences but they are different.

This week, we take a look at what it is like to cross on Queen Mary 2. In an article that will be published later, we will look at a crossing on Brilliance of the Seas.

I spoke with David Shepard, Hotel Manager on Queen Mary 2, about what a crossing on QM2 is all about. David has some 17 years experience in the cruise industry, primarily with P&O Cruises, and thus is in a good position to talk about what makes a crossing on QM2 different than the type of experience one has on a cruise ship.

I wanted this article to be a concise overview of the QM2 crossing experience. Therefore, I have included links to our more in-depth articles about various aspects of QM2 when those topics are discussed in the article.

The article is posted at: http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-shepard.html

In addition, I have posted a review of the Coriander specialty restaurant on QM2. Coriander is one of three alternative dining experiences that Cunard has added to QM2. Unlike QM2's primary specialty restaurant, the Todd English Restaurant, these alternative dining experiences do not have their own permanent locations. Rather, they come to life on certain evenings in a section of the ship's buffet restaurant. It gives guests more choice but is it consistent with QM2's luxury image? http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-coriander.html

Finally, we are adding two new FAQs. The first explains what a bulbous bow is and what it does for a cruise ship. http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-bulbous-bow.html

The second is about cruise ship itineraries. Recently, I heard a guest ask a cruise ship captain why the ship did not stop at some of the nice looking islands that we had passed earlier in the day. I think most people know that a cruise ship captain cannot decide to stop the ship at whatever island takes his fancy. But I thought it might be of interest to provide some information about how it is decided where a ship will go. That FAQ is at http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-cruise-itineraries.html

Photo essay - Cruise ships in Southampton; cruise ship size and crowding

Southampton in southern England is a great place for cruise ship enthusiasts. Not only do quite a few ships call there during the warmer months but there are several places around the harbor from which you can get a good view or photograph the ships. There always seem to be a few people around taking photos as the time for the ships to sail draws near.

This week, we have a series of pictorials of ships that were in Southampton when I visited there in May. The ships covered include: Oriana and Oceana of P&O Cruises; three sister ships - - Ventura, Azura and Crown Princess; and Queen Mary 2, Celebrity Eclipse and MSC Opera. I have also tried to give bits of information about each of the ships. The pictorials begin at http://www.beyondships2.com/seen-in-soton-oceana.html

We also have a new FAQ. I often find that people are under the impression that the larger the ship is, the more people it will have onboard and thus there will be more lines and crowding. However, the fact is that there is no absolute correlation between size and number of passengers. There are very large ships that have much fewer passengers than smaller ships. In addition, the fact that one ships has more people than another does not necessarily mean more lines and more crowding. This topic is discussed at http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-ship-size-and-crowding.html

Queen Mary 2 - Stargazing, the Environment and Europe without Flying

This week we add to our collection of articles and interviews about Queen Mary 2 of Cunard Line. (see index of QM2 articles at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-articles-interviews-reviews.html) QM2 is one the most extensively-covered ships on Beyondships. I have sailed on her more times than any other ship currently in service. In part, this is due to the fact that she sails between Europe and America and thus facilitates getting to and from the ships based on either side of the Atlantic. But it is also because I like the atmosphere onboard, particularly the enrichment program.

One aspect of the enrichment program that I like is that it goes beyond what you normally find on ships. QM2 has the normal sea-going activities such as trivia contests, Bingo, and arts and crafts. Like several other cruise lines, she also has a good lecture series. However, QM2 also has activities such as: acting classes with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts; jazz workshops with professors and/or students from Julliard; and a song writing program in which guests are guided by professional musicians. Some of these activities are regular features on QM2's daily program, others are presented on some but not all voyages, while still others may only occur once. However, the point is that QM2 consistently provides high quality programs that are beyond what you would normally expect at sea.

QM2's astronomy program is an example of this kind of programming. The ship was built with the only planetarium at sea. In this facility guests journey through space via programs developed in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium. This alone would be enough to place the ship's astronomy program beyond the norm. However, Cunard also has a relationship with the Royal Astronomical Society in which noted astronomers not only give talks but interact with guests in other ways. Our article about the astronomy program, including an interview with Dr. Chris Crowe of the University of Cambridge, is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-astronomy.html

A question that is frequently posed by guests is what happens to the leftover food, garbage and waste that is generated during a cruise? In the old days, the solution was just to toss it over the side. However, in these more environmentally conscious days, we know that such an approach has adverse consequences for the planet.

I asked Ariadna Mayoral, Environmental Compliance Officer on Queen Mary 2, about what happens to the garbage and waste on her ship. During the course of our conversation, I learned that there are environmental considerations in nearly every aspect of the ship's operation. The interview is posted at: http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-environmental.html

During the course of my travels, I have met many frequent cruisers in North America who say that they would like to visit Europe but that they do not want to fly. Flying is no longer the glamorous means of transportation that it once was and it is very understandable that people do not want to spoil their vacation by flying.

However, this does not mean that you have to miss out on the experience of going to Europe. While it is more time-consuming than flying, many people sail both to and from Europe. Queen Mary 2 sails both ways. In addition, it is possible to sail at least one way on a cruise ship. In a new FAQ item, we discuss how this is done and some of the considerations involved. It is at http://www.beyondships2.com/faq-europe-without-flying.html

Talking with the Captain, Hotel Manager and Entertainment Director on Queen Mary 2

During the last couple of years, Cunard Line, and its flagship Queen Mary 2 in particular, have seen the retirement of a substantial number of senior officers including Commodore Bernard Warner, Captain Paul Wright, Captain Nick Bates and Hotel Manager John Duffy. It is also my understanding that Entertainment Director Ray Rouse is now semi-retired. Those familiar with the Cunard world know that these people played a significant part in bringing the Queen Mary 2 into service and shaping the on board experience.

Now they have been succeeded by a new generation of leaders. Some of them have only been with Cunard a relatively short time. However, it is now their responsibility to take Queen Mary 2 into the future.

This is a more difficult task than taking over the leadership of any other major passenger ship. Queen Mary 2 was built as a transatlantic liner and although she does other types of voyages, her mainstay is the crossing between New York and Southampton, England. Whereas at one time hundreds of ships were making this journey on a regular basis, only one ship makes regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings today. The question that constantly haunts Cunard is whether there is enough of a market for such voyages to even sustain one ship.

The direct crossings on Queen Mary 2 are different than the transatlantic re-positioning cruises that cruise ships moving from the Caribbean to Europe or vice versa do during the Spring and Fall. On a direct crossing, there are no port days. Thus, the focus of the voyage is on what happens onboard, not on the ports. In addition, it is a shorter voyage than the re-positionings even though with the high cost of fuel, Cunard has lengthened its crossings in recent years to reduce fuel consumption.

Queen Mary 2 was designed with such differences in mind. The ship is geared for sea days, with facilities and programming to occupy your time fully. Furthermore, the ship was designed to withstand whatever weather she may encounter on the Atlantic and still proceed at speed and in comfort.

There is a core of people who love the traditional crossings and their elegance. Consequently, Cunard has a very high number of repeat passengers. However, in order to sustain the ship, it must also attract other vacationers and holiday-makers.

Thus, Cunard must balance preserving tradition with providing the type of onboard experience that contemporary travelers seek in an ocean voyage. Queen Mary 2's predecessor, Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) managed to tread this tightrope for nearly 40 years. As one who traveled on QE2 many times, I can attest that she constantly evolved throughout her career.

I recently met with some of the new generation of Queen Mary 2's senior officers and asked them about their vision for taking the ship forward. As noted earlier, even though some have only been with the line for a relatively short amount of time, I was struck by their commitment to preserving the Cunard heritage, which goes back some 170 years. At the same time, they recognized the need to move forward. But changes will be done in a keeping with the Cunard style, not by merely copying whatever becomes popular on other ships.

Beyondships interview with Captain Kevin Oprey is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-captain-oprey-interview.html

Our interview with Hotel Manager Robert Howie is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-howie-interview.html

And our talk with Entertainment Director Keith Maynard is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-maynard-interview.html

We have also updated our Queen Mary 2 section with new daily programs and with new photos so that the photo tour of the ship reflects the changes that were made in the 2011 refit. http://beyondships.com/QM2.html

Queen Mary 2 videos

 I was recently on a cruise during which Queen Mary 2 was with us in three of the ports as well as when we embarked from New York. It was interesting to watch the reaction of the passengers on the ship that I was on each time they saw QM2. People would stop and make some comment like: “Is that the Queen Mary?” And then they would pause for awhile just to watch. It was a recognition that this was something special that you could tell your friends and family about - - “I saw the Queen Mary 2.”

Cunard's QM2 is an imposing sight. At 150,000 gross tons, she is much larger than the majority of today's cruise ships. Also her sleek streamlined silhouette has a traditional grace and beauty.

But the thing that stops people in their tracks is the fact that Queen Mary 2 is heir to a tradition that goes back some 170 years. She is the only true ocean liner providing regularly scheduled transatlantic service. As such, she follows in a tradition of such legendary ships as the original Queen Mary, the Normandie, the France, the United States and most recently, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

These ships became legendary not just because of their technology but as the epitome of luxury. They captured the public's imagination with images of movie stars, royalty and the rich and famous mingling in beautiful surroundings.

Queen Mary 2 brings that image into the modern era. Leaving QE2 aside, the luxury on the historic ships was pretty much limited to first class. On Queen Mary 2, everyone can participate. (One of the myths that has arisen about QM2 is that she is a two-class ship. She is not. There are separate dining rooms for passengers traveling in the suites but other than that every passenger pretty much can go anywhere any other passenger can go. There is actually more separation of passengers on some of today's cruise ships than there is on QM2).

This ship is also technologically unique. In order to be able to handle any weather that might confront her during an Atlantic crossing, the ship was built to be strong and powerful. Although she is rarely called upon to do so, she can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. In addition, I have been on her in tremendous storms during which the dining rooms were nonetheless full of passengers. That is a testament to her stability.

Another thing that makes QM2 interesting is that she does varied itineraries. Her mainstay, of course, is the transatlantic crossing between New York and Southampton but she also turns up in the Norwegian fjords, in the Caribbean, circling the British Isles, in Germany, Australia, and on the Canada & New England run. When she does appear, the reaction is always the same: people stop and stare. Indeed, there have been instances in Hamburg and in Australia where they came in the thousands just to have a look.

I've put together several new videos on Queen Mary 2. The first is an introductory piece with video of the ship sailing and a slideshow of the ship's public areas – theaters, restaurants, bars and lounges etc. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-video-review.html

The other two videos will primarily be of interest to QM2 fans. One shows the ship sailing into Halifax, Nova Scotia and maneuvering into her berth. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-arrives-video.html

The third video is the flip side of the second one. Filmed some eight hours after the arrival shown above, this video shows QM2 leaving her berth and going out to sea. In it, you can hear Queen Mary 2's fabulous deep fog horns. The video is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-departs-video.html

Queen Mary 2 Video and Queen Victoria Dining

This week we present our first video on Beyondships.  It is a short item showing P&O Cruises’ Oceana leaving Southampton.  However, what makes it exciting is that it includes an exchange of salutes between Oceana and Queen Mary 2.

I was standing on the forward observation deck of Queen Mary 2, trying out the video feature on a small Nikon that I had just purchased.  We were getting ready to sail on what had turned out to be a sunny and pleasant afternoon in Southampton when Oceana approached on her way out to sea.  I trained the camera on her and as Oceana approached the pier where QM2 was berthed, QM2 sounded her horns in salute.  These horns have a distinctive sound as one is from the original Queen Mary while the other is a copy of the Queen Mary’s original horn (actually, it is the better sounding one).  In any event, the sounds of the horns as well as Oceana’s answering salutes are captured on the video.

The video is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/video-qm2-salutes-oceana.html

In addition to the video, this week we have added two culinary articles on QM2’s fleetmate, Cunard’s Queen Victoria.  In the first article, Food and Beverage Manager Bernhard Fischer gives us his insights into the various dining venues on Queen Victoria from the luxury Grill restaurants to the new alternative dining options in the Lido.  It is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cunard-queen-victoria-dining-guide.html

The second article is a review of the specialty restaurant on Queen Victoria, the Todd English Restaurant.   Although similar in its menu offerings to the Todd English on Queen Mary 2, the Victoria’s version has an ambiance of its own. http://www.beyondships2.com/cunard-queen-victoria-todd-english-review.html

Cunard's Queen Victoria at Five - new photo review and interview

            It has been almost five years since Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria entered service.  As such, it is appropriate to take a look and see just where the ship is these days.

            Queen Victoria was conceived to solve a problem that had plagued Cunard since the 1960s.  Ever since it began in the 1840s, Cunard’s business and reputation had been based on transatlantic crossings.  However, by the 1960s, the jet airliner had become the method of choice for most people traveling between Europe and North America.  As a result, there was only room on the Atlantic for one ocean liner.

Despite some who questioned whether even one liner was too many, Cunard built a new liner, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) http://www.beyondships.com/QE2.html and entered her into service in 1969.  Although she went through some difficult times, that ship proved that there was still enough of a market to support one liner in the jet age.

            But Cunard wanted to remain a major name in the passenger ship business and you could not remain a major player with a one ship fleet.  Therefore, during the second half of the 20^th century, Cunard tried a number of ways to expand beyond the transatlantic service: mass market cruising; luxury yacht cruising; and purchasing a variety of ships that catered to different niche markets.  As a result, the line ended up with a polyglot fleet that had no real focus.

            When Carnival Corporation purchased Cunard in 1997, it decided that the way to revitalize the company was to return to the original focus.   The first step was to build a new ocean liner that would assume the transatlantic crossing role that had been fulfilled by the aging QE2.  This resulted in the Queen Mary 2, which entered service in 2004. http://www.beyondships.com/QM2.html

            The next step was to sell off the rest of the polyglot fleet or redistribute the ships to other Carnival companies which were more closely aligned to the markets those ships served.  They would be replaced by new ships especially built for Cunard.

            These new ships would not be ocean liners in the strict technological sense of the term.  Rather, they would be cruise ships designed to provide a cruise experience similar to that of the great ocean liners of the past.  They would complement QM2’s transatlantic role by providing cruises in Europe and America and by doing world cruises.  Consequently, Cunard would once again become a distinct, coherent brand.

            The first of these new ships was Queen Victoria.  Built by Fincantieri, she is based upon the Vista class design, which has been used for ships sailing with Holland America, P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.*   However, going beyond those ships, Cunard made her longer and strengthened her hull in order to enable her to do itineraries involving rougher waters.

            What really distinguishes Queen Victoria from the other ships of the Vista design is the interior.  The overall theme of the decor is 19^th century and successfully recalls the great ships of the early 20^th century.  This is helped to a large extent by some multi-deck high public rooms such as the Queens Room ballroom that give the ship a sense of grandeur beyond its physical size.  Even after five years, the interior remains one of the elegant on the seas.

            The elegance of the physical surroundings would be for naught unless the service levels were also consistent with people’s expectation of what service on a great liner was like.  On my most recent voyage on Queen Victoria, I found the service levels to be quite good.  This may be due in part to the injection of a large number of QE2 crew members into the ship after that ship left service.  In addition, as Hotel Manager David Hamilton described it, the ship has “settled.” The crew is familiar with the physical plant and with each other and so relationships and routines have developed that make it all work harmoniously.

            Thus, Queen Victoria is a successful ship.  She does what she set out to do - - she provides a cruise experience that has the ambiance of a classic ocean liner.  Having sailed more than 70 times on QE2 and nearly 30 times on QM2, it seems to me that she has the Cunard feel about her

            Beyondships’ coverage of Queen Victoria has been significantly expanded.  The profile page has been augmented with the addition of new menus, daily programmes and informational leaflets distributed on the ship. http://beyondships.com/QV.html  The photo review has been almost entirely redone.  http://beyondships.com/QV-Tour-1.html  In addition, there is a new photo essay showing the ship in various Mediterranean ports  http://beyondships.com/QV-photos-Med.html  and there is a new interview in which Hotel Manager David Hamilton and Entertainment Director Paul O’Loughlin share some thoughts on Queen Victoria today.  http://www.beyondships2.com/cunard-queen-victoria-comes-of-age.html

* There appears to be some confusion as to whether the Queen Victoria was originally ordered for Holland America.  One of the reasons why Carnival purchased Cunard was to get a brand name that was a household name in Great Britain and which could be used in competing with P&O, Britain’s largest cruise line.  Therefore, after Carnival purchased Cunard, it designated one of the Vista class ships that it had ordered for Holland America from Fincantieri as being for Cunard.  This ship was to be the start of a series of ships that would compete with P&O and had the working name “Queen Victoria.”  However, before that ship was completed, Carnival merged with P&O.  Since there was no longer any reason to have a Cunard ship that would compete with P&O, the ship was re-designated as a P&O ship.  Today, that ship is the Arcadia of P&O Cruises.  http://www.beyondships.com/PO--Arcadia-Profile.html              

Cunard Celebrates The Diamond Jubilee and The Beatles

This week the focus is on celebrations.

            In early June, Cunard Line participated in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations marking the 60^th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II accession to the throne.  There were celebrations throughout the UK for this anniversary ranging from local street parties to a concert with a series of mega-stars outside of Buckingham Palace.

            Considering the long connection between Cunard and the Royal Family, and this monarch in particular, Cunard decided that it had to do something more than just send a card to mark the occasion.    Therefore, it planned a spectacular event where all three of its Queen ships would meet together in Southampton.

            Because of the legendary reputation of the Cunard Queens, their rare gatherings have been recognized not only by ship lovers but by the general public as special occasions.  The first gathering of three Queens occurred in New York in 2008 when Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria were all in port together.  A few months later, the same three ships met in Southampton but because QE2 was there for a re-fit rather than to begin a voyage, the meeting was considered unofficial even though it generated significant attention.  Then, shortly after the new Queen Elizabeth entered service, she met with Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in New York with all three ships exiting the harbor in a grand procession.

            For this year’s celebration, Cunard planned to have all three ships enter and exit Southampton harbor together.  In addition, there would be a display by Britain’s precision flying team The Red Arrows and a fireworks display as the ships left Southampton.  There would also be a day-long radio broadcast from the roof of the Carnival UK building which overlooks the harbor.   Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate.  It caused the cancellation of The Red Arrows performance and interfered with the fireworks.

            Still, it was a spectacular event.  The stars of the show in their black and white liveries and Cunard red funnels were majestic.  For those onboard the three ships, the proximity of the ships to each other was indeed an awesome sight.

            Beyondships’ photo essay of the celebrations (including a slide show) is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cunard-royal-jubilee-celebrations-part-one.html

            A much different type of celebration was the performances by The Beatles Celebration onboard Queen Mary 2 during one of her recent transatlantic crossings.  The Beatles Celebration is not just another Beatles tribute band but a show in which the performers place the audience in an imaginary Beatles performance.

            This show was particularly appropriate for Queen Mary 2.  While not mentioned as much as Cunard’s connections to royalty and its connection to the celebrities and movie stars of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Cunard has a substantial connection to The Beatles and to the so-called British Invasion music of the 1960s.  In addition, a performance of this caliber fits nicely with the ship’s overall quality level.

            Beyondships’ review of The Beatles Celebration, including an interview with the cast, is at http://www.beyondships2.com/cunard-qm2-beatles-celebration.html          

Designing Queen Mary 2; Queen Elizabeth Photos; Photo Guide to St. John USVI

We have several things for you this week.



To begin, we have an extensive interview with Stephen Payne. Mr. Payne is the naval architect who designed Queen Mary 2 for Cunard Line. QM2 is a unique ship. She was built to do regularly-scheduled transatlantic crossings. This meant that she had to have the strength and power to cope with the uncertain weather of the North Atlantic, arrive as scheduled and be comfortable for her passengers. No one had designed such a ship, i.e., an ocean liner, in more than 30 years when Payne was given the task of designing QM2.



In addition, QM2 had to be able to do cruises as well as transatlantic crossings and do them as well as any contemporary cruise ship. Thus, Payne also had to incorporate into his design all of the new thinking and technology of a modern cruise ship.


Finally, the ship had to be superlative. She was following in the wake of a line of great ships that included Mauretania, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE2.



I have sailed on Queen Mary 2 many times and can say that Mr. Payne’s design clearly accomplished these objectives. The ship is impressive to behold and her ability to handle seemingly any weather condition is amazing. Also, she can more than hold her own cruising as I’ve seen her do in the Caribbean, the Norwegian fjords and around Britain.


Beyond the success of his design, Mr. Payne has an interesting life story. It is one that supports the theory that you can live your dream if you remain faithful to it.


I’ve divided our interview with Stephen Payne into three parts. Part one is a profile of his career and is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/qm2-stephen-payne-interview-part-one.html In Part Two he discusses designing QM2 - - the concept and why things are the way they are on the ship. It is at http://www.beyondships2.com/qm2-stephen-payne-interview-part-two.html Finally, in Part Three, he discusses the future of QM2 and of passenger ships in general. http://www.beyondships2.com/qm2-stephen-payne-interview-part-three.html


The next item we have this week is a new photo essay on Cunard’s latest ship, the new Queen Elizabeth. I encountered her at the beginning of her 2012 world cruise as she made a swing down through the Caribbean. The weather cooperated and yielded a good light for photo taking. http://www.beyondships.com/QE-photo-Caribbean.html



Leaving Cunard aside, we have a cruise destination photo guide of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. The smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is also the least commercially developed. Most of the island is a national park. Consequently, its beautiful white sand beaches and its lush green mountainsides are largely unspoiled. Our photo guide begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-StJohnUSVI.html


Finding a cruise that goes directly to St. John may be difficult. The island has no cruise terminal or pier. However, it is plainly visible from St. Thomas and it is a short ferry ride between the two islands. In fact, most of the ships that call in St. Thomas offer shore excursions to St. John.


So, while we are on the topic of St. Thomas, we have expanded our cruise destination photo guide of that port to include some more of the attractions in Charlotte Amalie such as Blackbeard’s Castle, the 99 Steps and the Synagogue. The St. Thomas guide begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-StThomas.html

Talking with Cunard Commodore Rynd and Oasis of the Seas Photos

We have two new items this week.




First, we speak with Commodore Christopher Rynd of Cunard Line. The commodore of a passenger ship line is the senior seagoing officer in the line’s fleet. Traditionally, he has been the master of the line’s flagship and unlike a commodore in the military, his role has been pretty much limited to that ship.



Commodore Rynd, who was appointed commodore in April 2011, aims to break with tradition. While his two immediate predecessors as commodore were necessarily focused on bringing the line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, into service and establishing her as a viable competitor in the modern cruise industry, Commodore Rynd sees his role as extending fleet-wide - - the goal being to further facilitate a unified Cunard product across the line’s three ships.



I sat down with Commodore Rynd during a transatlantic voyage on Queen Mary 2 and asked him about his vision for his new role. As in past interviews, his answers were well-thought out and well-articulated. Our conversation is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-Rynd-3.html



The second item this week is a new photo essay on Oasis of the Seas. On November 23, 2011, Oasis paid a call at the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. Although there were five other first-class cruise ships in port with her, Oasis was the center of attention. As the photographs of her during the course of the day and into the evening show, she attracts attention not just because of the enormity of her size but also because of the sense of excitement that she generates. The photo essay is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/RCI-OOS-StMaarten.html

Songwriting, Juilliard Jazz, and Gourmet Dining - - Sea Days on Queen Mary 2

People considering a transatalantic voyage for the first time often ask “Won’t I be bored with all of those days at sea?” However, unlike the old days when passengers had to entertain themselves, today ships crossing the pond offer an array of activities design to entertain and stimulate passengers. Moreover, the intense competition amongst the cruise lines is driving the lines to continuously develop new and innovative programming for sea days.




This is particularly tru for Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, which specializes in transatlantic crossings. QM2 is a beautiful ship both technologically and in the facilities it provides to passengers. However, Cunard is well aware that today’s vacationers want more than a pretty face. Accordingly, the line strives to present sophisticated programming that will attract the discerning traveler.



One example of such programming is the QM2 Songwriting Voyages. Developed with British songwriter/musician Chris Difford, this program gives guests the opportunity to write songs during the course of the voyage. Working with a team of professional songwriters, the guest write, record and perform their songs in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre. Along the way, the guests have fun, make new friends and often learn something new about themselves. My article about the songwriting program is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-songwriting.html



Another way Cunard enhances its transatlantic voyages is through partnerships with renown artistic academies. For several years, Cunard has had troupes London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts onboard QM2 to perform and to provide acting workshops. (See article at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-rada.html). More recently, Cunard has had faculty, graduates and students from the jazz division of New York’s Juilliard School onboard selected crossings. The jazz musicians perform and interact with the guests. My article about this popular program is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-Juilliard.html



A longstanding Cunard partnership is with celebrity chef Todd English, who has developed a seagoing version of his restaurant for QM2. Sea days allow QM2 to open this specialty restaurant for lunch. My review of lunch at QM2’s Todd English is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-review-Todd-English-lunch.html



The bottom line here is that with activities such as these available, it is very unlikely that any one is going to get bored during sea days on QM2. In fact, most passengers complain that there was not enough time during the voyage to do everything that they wanted to do.

Talking with the Capain of Zuiderdam; Afternoon Tea on Queen Mary 2

This week we have three new articles on Beyondships.




The first is an interview with Captain Christopher Turner and Hotel Director Edwin Blunik of Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam. When I booked my cruise on Zuiderdam, I wasn’t expecting anything special. My impression was that she was just another of the larger HAL ships. While I had enjoyed my cruises on HAL Vista and Signature class ships, I had no reason to think that this one would be special.



Yet when I had actually experienced Zuiderdam, I learned that she was special. Yes, she adheres to the basic HAL formula of a cultured environment with good food and service but she carries out that formula very nicely. Also, the atmosphere, perhaps reflecting the décor, seemed brighter than my previous HAL experiences.



Apparently, other cruisers have found the same thing. Based on guest comment cards, in 2010, Zuiderdam exceeded HAL’s target ratings in every area. in which a ship is rated. No other ship had similar results. Therefore, I asked Captain Turner and Mr. Blunick to explain why Zuiderdam receives such top ratings. The interview is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam-Captain.html



If you are interested in food, you’ll probably want to check out The Pinnacle Grill on Zuiderdam. It is the ship’s top specialty restaurant. Once a cruise, the Pinnacle Grill is transformed into a seagoing version of New York’s famed Le Cirque. (See review at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-LeCirque.html ). But most nights it is its own brand of relaxed elegance; combing a steakhouse menu with elements of fine dining. My review is at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam-Pinnacle.html



Changing ships, a unique experience at sea is afternoon tea on the Queen Mary 2. Several other lines have afternoon tea. These are usually done in one of the ship’s dining rooms or in one of the bars. In addition, the staff is often unfamiliar with how an afternoon tea works. On Queen Mary 2, one can have afternoon tea in the largest ballroom at sea. As one would expect from a very traditional British line, the staff understands afternoon tea. Consequently, afternoon tea on QM2 is more than just a culinary event. My review is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-review-tea.html

Holland America's Zuiderdam, Profile and Photo Tour

This week, the focus is on Holland America’s Zuiderdam. I will confess at the outset that I quite like Zuiderdam. In fact, I would say that she is now my favorite of the Holland America ships.




To start at the beginning, Holland America Line provides a premium cruise experience. All of the ships have a magnificent art collection and there is a feeling of cultured sophistication. The crews strive to provide excellent service.



The HAL fleet can be broadly divided into two parts. There are the smaller ships - - the S-class, R-class and the unique Prinsendam - - and the larger ships - - the Vista and Signature classes. The smaller ships are somewhat older but more intimate. The larger ships are newer, have more features but are still relative to the rest of the industry only medium size.



Zuiderdam was the first of the larger HAL ships. She marked a new direction for the line when she entered service in December 2002. Accordingly, she was given a décor that is somewhat brighter and bolder than the prior HAL ships. The line subsequently retreated from this direction and so Zuiderdam is also different from the ships that followed. There is nothing outrageous about it but it does give the ship a noticeably livelier atmosphere.

At the same time, it is noteworthy that Zuiderdam was the first Vista class ship built for HAL by the Fincantieri, the Italian ship builder. This design was used for three subsequent Vista ships for HAL and the Signature class is really an expanded version of the design. Indeed, the design is also the basis for ships in the Costa, Cunard and P&O fleets. Clearly it is a successful design and it all began with Zuiderdam.



Holland America likes to roll back the successful features that it develops for new ships into the line’s existing fleet. As a result, Zuiderdam has the Screening Room movie theater, the Canaletto Italian specialty restaurant, the Digital Workshop, and the Explorations Café that debuted on subsequent Vistas or Signature class ships.



What makes Zuiderdam stand out, however, is not the features but how they are used. My impression was that the officers and crew on Zuiderdam enjoyed being there and when people like their work it translates into a better experience for the customer.



Beyondships profile page for Zuiderdam with copies of daily programs, menus and restaurant reviews is at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam.html The multi-page photo tour and commentary begins at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Zuiderdam-Tour1.html



Also, we have added a new photo essay on Queen Mary 2’s Fourth of July cruise roundtrip from Manhattan. QM2 normally does not dock in Manhattan. However, because another ship was at her usual berth in Brooklyn, the largest ocean liner ever built had to dock at the piers that were the New York home of the great ocean liners of the past. Because of the currents and the size and layout of the piers, this is not so easily done. But, it is magnificent to sail up or down the Hudson past the Manhattan skyline on a summer’s day. The photo essay is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-Manhattan-2.html

Profile and Photo Tour - Celebrity Constellation

A problem that arises when a cruise line builds a series of new and innovative ships is the effect on the line’s existing ships. Your new ships make your competitors’ ships look less attractive. But without all of the new features of their new fleetmates, your existing ships are also going to look less attractive. The last thing you want is for a customer who has been attracted to your cruise line because of a great experience on your new ship to be disappointed when he or she cruises on one of the line’s older ships.

To avert this outcome, Celebrity Cruises is investing millions of dollars to “Solsticize” its existing fleet. This means taking features that have proven popular on its new Solstice class ships and putting versions of those features on its Millennium class ships. This includes new specialty restaurants, new bars and lounges as well as changes to the décor of the ships. At the same time, the line is refurbishing the ship’s accommodations.

Solsticizing the four Millennium class ships is a complicated undertaking. The Millenniums have always been popular in their own right and so Celebrity would like to maintain their character. However, while they are large ships (91,000 gross tons), they are not as large as the Solstice ships (122,000 gross tons) and they do not have larges areas of unused space. Thus, in order to add new features, some of the existing features would have to go.

Celebrity began this process last Spring with the youngest of the four Millenniums - - Celebrity Constellation. At least in my view, the line managed to carry out the Solsticization very well. The new features add to the cruise experience but at the same time what made Constellation a standout premium ship has been maintained. Constellation is still Constellation; not a mini-version of Solstice.

The best example of this is the addition of the Tuscan Grill specialty restaurant. This concept debuted on Celebrity Solstice and combines Italian cuisine and an American-style steakhouse - - two very popular types of dining. The atmosphere is upscale but not overly formal. On the Solstice ships, this restaurant occupies a large area along the stern of the ship. The comparable space on the Millennium class ships is occupied by the main dining rooms, which are spectacular. So, Celebrity could not simply transplant the Tuscan Grill concept as is to Constellation.

Looking around the Millenniums, Celebrity saw that an area at the top of the ship that had been used as a conservatory/florist shop was rarely used by passengers. Adding some space that had been used for ping pong tables and a lobby area, Celebrity saw there was enough space here for a restaurant. The conservatory’s tall glass windows bring in natural light just as the large windows in the Tuscan Grill on Solstice do. As a result, Celebrity was able to transplant the Tuscan Grill concept to Constellation.

The Beyondships’ photo tour of Constellation has been re-photographed to show the changes that have been made to Constellation. It begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Celebrity-Constellation-Tour-1a.html
In addition, the profile page has new menus, daily programs and other information about the ship. http://www.beyondships.com/Celebrity-Constellation-Profile.html
Finally, we have added a new part II to our photo essay Constellation in the Caribbean showing the ship in more Caribbean ports of call. http://www.beyondships.com/Celebrity-Constellation-Caribbean-2.html
Changing topics, this week Commodore Bernard Warner of Cunard Line retired. Commodore Warner’s firm hand did a great deal to shape Queen Mary 2. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

Cunard also announced that it had appointed Captain Christopher Rynd as its new commodore. Commodore Rynd brings with him a wealth of experience from his time at Princess Cruises and P&O. He is also one of the few masters who can claim to have commanded three of the Cunard Queens - - Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2. For more information about Commodore Rynd’s career, see our interview at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-Rynd-1.html

Queen Mary 2 - Captain Paul Wright Interview; QM2 Profile and Photo Tour

Last week, when Queen Mary 2 reached Sydney, Australia on her current World Voyage, Captain Paul Wright turned over command of the ship to Commodore Bernard Warner. Such changes in command happen periodically. However, what was significant about this one was that it marked the end of Captain Wright’s last contract with Cunard. He is retiring after more than 30 years with the company.

During his time with Cunard, Captain Wright’s commands have included the Queen Elizabeth 2, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria. In fact, he was the first person in Cunard’s long history to have commanded three Cunard Queens. Moreover, he oversaw the construction of Queen Mary 2 and was Queen Victoria’s first master. These are only some of his accomplishments.

Captain Wright, however, seldom talks about his accomplishments. He describes himself with a smile as “just a simple sailor.”

His name came up one time when I was speaking to an officer on one of the Princess Cruises ships. Shortly after Princess came into the Carnival Corporation family, there had been an exchange of some of the senior officers between Cunard and Princess. The idea was that the officers from Cunard could learn from Princess and vice versa. Captain Wright was one of the officers who participated in this exchange. The Princess officer that I was speaking to said that he knew Captain Wright and thought highly of him. However, he said that he had no idea that Wright had been with Cunard or that he had commanded QE2 and QM2. As I said, Wright does not like to talk about his accomplishments.

Although he is very much a private person, he is also outgoing and friendly. He enjoys hearing what others have to say, especially if they have a sense of humor.

His personable and relaxed style also extends to the bridge. “I can’t stand shouting on the bridge.” However, with an incredible breadth of experience to draw upon, Wright is firmly in control of the situation.

As a result, Captain Wright has earned the respect and admiration of both the guests and his co-workers. My interview with him is at http://beyondships.com/QM2-art-Wright.html

Captain Wright also provided me with copies of a bar list and a daily programme from the first passenger ship that he served on - - Canadian Pacific’s Empress of Canada. This ship was later to achieve fame as the Mardi Gras, the first ship of Carnival Cruise Lines. The bar list and the daily program are of historical interest because they show just how much cruising has changed since the late-1960s/early 1970s. These items are posted at http://beyondships.com/Cruise-historic-EmpressCanada.html
Finally, I have also updated and expanded Beyondships’ profile and photo tour of Queen Mary 2. There are new menus, daily programs and perhaps a hundred new photos of the ship, which required adding two new pages to what was already an eight page tour. The profile page is at http://beyondships.com/QM2.html and the photo tour begins at http://beyondships.com/QM2tour1.html

Queen Mary 2's Todd English Restaurant

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is a unique ship. She is the only ship sailing for a major cruise line that was designed as an ocean liner as opposed to a cruise ship and is the only ship that sails across the Atlantic on a regular basis Moreover, she carries on in the elegant tradition of the great liners in the lifestyle onboard.

This elegant lifestyle extends to the dining. As a nod to the modern age, the ship does have a buffet and some casual eateries but the main dining experience is fine dining. All of the main dining rooms present high quality food, professional service and a sophisticated atmosphere.

On many cruise ships, the role of the specialty restaurant is to offer guests a fine dining alternative. However, since this role is already filled on QM2 by the main dining rooms, the specialty restaurant must have a different role. Therefore, I decided to take an in-depth look at the specialty restaurant on QM2 - - the Todd English restaurant.

Todd English is an American celebrity chef who also owns several restaurants. His unique style of cooking has won him numerous awards. However, how is he able to transplant that style onto a ship that is at sea most of the time. Is it just his name on the door?

To help answer these questions, I spoke with QM2’s Executive Chef Mark Oldroyd who not only supervises the ship’s Todd English restaurant but also all of the other dining venues on QM2. Our conversation is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-review-Todd-English.html


In addition Chef Oldroyd selected several items off the menu at the Todd English for a pictorial in which he discusses those items. http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-review-Todd-English-3.html

Finally, I have prepared a review in which I discuss my experience at both a lunch and a dinner in the Todd English. http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-review-Todd-English-2.html

Talking with the President of Cunard and Reviewing the Steakhouse on Carnival Glory

Cunard Line is perhaps the most famous name in the history of the passenger ship business. Not only has it been carrying passengers across the Atlantic on a regular basis since 1840, but its fleet has included an array of ships that were not only famous in their day but which are still recognized as being great ships - - Mauretania, Lusitania, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

Today, Cunard is no longer the biggest name in the passenger business. It fell on hard times during the second half of the 20th Century and really only survived because the QE2 was such a fabulous ship both technologically and in the atmosphere that was created onboard.

In 1997, the cavalry arrived in the form of Carnival Corporation, which has invested heavily in the venerable line; building the largest ocean liner ever built, the Queen Mary 2, and two large cruise ships that are designed to evoke the feel of the great ocean liners. It also re-focused the line. The succession of owners that Cunard had prior to Carnival were never able to decide what to do with Cunard and so the company tried to do mass market cruising, luxury yachts, Norwegian-style cruise ships and various other strategies. Carnival shifted the focus back to the ocean liner experience.

A year ago July, Peter Shanks became the President and Managing Director of Cunard Line. I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Shanks about Cunard at its headquarters when I was in Southampton. Because that conversation produced so much material that I would like to share, I am presenting it in two parts. The first part focuses on Mr. Shanks’ vision for Cunard and what he views as differentiating the onboard experience on the Cunard ships from Cunard’s competitor. It is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/Cunard-Shanks-1.html

In part II, we discussed the new Cunard ship, Queen Elizabeth, which will go into service in October, as well as some thoughts about ships that may follow the Elizabeth. In addition, we talked about Cunard’s position in the Carnival family of companies. Part II will be posted next time.

This week I’ve also posted a restaurant review. For the most part, I have tried to avoid explicitly stating opinions about the various ships on Beyondships. There are a lot of other sites that do feature reviews and which do that very well. Beyondships rather is designed to present information that you can use in making up your mind about the ships.

One area that has not received much attention on the web is the specialty restaurants that are now proliferating across the cruise ship fleets. These are dining venues that are an alternative to the ships’ main dining rooms. They often specialize in one style of food and are intended to be a premium experience over and above the main dining room. There is usually a cover charge for these dining venues.

When I cruise, I usually enjoy a visit to the specialty restaurants. Sometimes I am accompanied by one of the ship officers who I have interviewed who often have a uniquer perspective about the restaurant. Thus, I thought it might be helpful to post some on my experiences.

This time the review is of the Emerald Steakhouse on Carnival Glory. Carnival has a reputation for serving good food. However, it is not usually thought of as a premium cruise line. Thus, the question that comes to mind is can a Carnival ship have a good premium restaurant? Helping me explore this question was Jorge Solano, Cruise Director on the Glory. The review is posted at: http://www.beyondships.com/CarnivalGlory-Review-Emerald.html

Talking wiith John Duffy, Hotel Manager on Cunard's Queen Mary 2

John Duffy has been an eye witness to the transformation of the passenger ship business. He began his career on the original Queen Elizabeth, one of the great ocean liners of all time and a ship that was a household name in her day. He sailed on the first voyage of the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) and served as her hotel manager from 1981 until her last voyage in 2009. Now, he is the hotel manager on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner (as opposed to cruise ship) ever built.

Along the way, Duffy has met royalty, heads of state and numerous celebrities. He has received awards for his work and heads up a department that includes some 900 people. Yet, he remains approachable and friendly, not only talking to but listening to passengers.

Having had such a unique career, I asked him to describe what it was like on the various ships that he has sailed on and how they differ from the passenger ships of today.

In addition, having spent so much of his career doing transatlantic crossings, I asked him why people should choose to spend their vacation/holiday on Queen Mary 2, the only ship that still does transatlantic crossings on a regular basis. I also asked him to address some of the concerns that people sometimes express about a crossing.
My conversation with Mr. Duffy can be found at: http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-art-Duffy.html

Talking with QM2 Captain Nick Bates and Celebrity Summit HD Julian Brackenbury

Beyondships presents two inside interviews this week. One continues Beyondships in-depth coverage of Queen Mary 2 while the other adds to last week’s profile of Celebrity Summit.

My first memory of Nick Bates was of him being lowered down the side of the Queen Elizabeth 2 in the middle of the night. QE2 had just struck two submerged rocks off the coast of Massachusetts and Nick was being sent down to inspect the hull. It was a great relief to the passengers that he decided to come back to the ship rather than sail away. There was significant damage but as Nick correctly determined, it did not threaten the integrity of the hull.

At that time, Nick was Chief Officer of QE2. Not long after that, he became Staff Captain and in those positions had responsibility for maintaining the ship and seeing her through some of the major changes that ship underwent in the 1990s.

Nick was not the typical Cunard officer. He was not at all reserved. Rather, his Irish wit and love of a good laugh enlivened the tables he hosted at dinner and the various passenger receptions. At the same time, he was clearly proud of being a part of Cunard and had a justifiable pride in the legendary ship.

As time went on, Nick was given his own commands, first with the other Cunard ships, then Qe2, then a time with Princess Cruises. Most recently, Nick has been alternating with Commodore Bernard Warner as the master of Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2.
Captain Bates still combines the qualities he displayed when I first met him. He is still very serious when it comes to his command. However, he is also able to weave his lighthearted approach to life into relations with passengers. Indeed, he has compiled the stories that he tells during his noonday announcements into a popular book, the profits of which he donates to charity.

My conversation with Captain Bates about his 35-year career and about his current command appears at: http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-art-Bates.html

The second interview that I have posted this week is with Julian Brackenbury, Hotel Director of the Celebrity Summit. Julian has also had an interesting career in the cruise ship industry but in this interview, I asked him to tell us about Summit. The goal was to round out the Beyondships’ profile of Summit with an insider’s perspective about the vacation experience that one can expect on Summit. The interview appears at: http://www.beyondships.com/Celebrity-Summit-art-brackenbury.html

Turning to the news . . .

As I mentioned last week, Royal Caribbean has continued to have its ships call at the line’s private resort in Labadee, Haiti. In addition to helping maintain the local economy, the ships have brought supplies for the earthquake victims in Haiti. To my surprise, Royal has been criticized for this move on the grounds that people should not be vacationing and enjoying themselves on one part of the island when there is so much misery elsewhere in Haiti. This strikes me as an unfair criticism. The issue for Royal is whether to have the ships call in Haiti or go somewhere else. If the ships went somewhere else, people would still be vacationing and enjoying themselves despite the misery in Haiti. If the ships continue to call in Haiti, at least there will be some benefit to the people of Haiti in the form of jobs and supplies. Thus, in my opinion, Royal is doing the right thing.

Princess Cruises received a thank you from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the weather observations made on Princess ships These observations help NOAA track weather patterns. The ships measure air temperature, humidity, wind direction and strength, sea waves and swells. They then send information at a minimum of every six hours when at sea to a database which is forwarded to NOAA. The Princess ships sent more observations to NOAA in 2009 than any other cruise line.

Queen Mary 2 Photo Tour and Other Cruise News

I recently completed my 18th voyage on Queen Mary 2. In part, all of these voyages are the result of the fact that QM2 goes to a variety of places. Not only does she do transatlantic crossings but she cruises to Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Norway, Germany, and to other places. In other words, one voyage on QM2 is not going to be exactly like the one before it and the one after.

Another factor that I like about QM2 is her nautical properties. She was designed to cross the North Atlantic and during the design process simulations were done to test her against the worst Atlantic storms on record. As a result, even though she towers over the water, she is remarkably stable in bad weather. Even with waves washing over the dining room windows some 30 feet above the waterline, I have noticed that most of the passengers are out and about in the public rooms. She also manages to plow through the waves at a good speed even when other ships are heaved to.

The third factor that draws me back to QM2 is the atmosphere. The programming onboard tends toward the cultural and the intellectual. Thus, she is stimulating as well as relaxing. There is also the sophistication of the bars and restaurants as well as the traditional formal receptions. While I enjoy the less formal ships as well, QM2’s style is more closely attuned to my personality.

One result of all this is that the QM2 section of Beyondships is one of the largest on the site. I have done interviews with several of her captains, senior officers and managers in an attempt to give people a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of this historic ship. In addition, there are pages of photos, menus, daily programmes and other information. At about this time last year, I updated the section to reflect some of the additional information that I had accumulated over that year. So too, I have done an extensive update of the QM2 pages on the site this year adding dozens of new photos and information collected this year.

The QM2 section of the site is at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2.html
and the photo tour begins at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2tour1.html

Turning to other items in the news. . . .

Celebrity has announced that the name of the fourth ship in its Solstice class will be Celebrity Silhouette. These are beautiful ships. I was recently on the second ship of the class, Celebrity Equinox, and was impressed by the grace of her contemporary design. In addition, Celebrity has created numerous options for guests to choose from in the activities and in the dining. The third ship in the class, Celebrity Eclipse, is being built at the Meyer Werft yard in Pappenberg, Germany and is scheduled to enter service in April 2010.

Speaking of new-builds, the Silver Spirit of Silversea Cruises entered service on 23 December. The ship is aimed at the luxury end of the market, carrying just 540 passengers. This is the line’s first new ship in several years and while a small ship, 36,000 gross tons, she is considerably larger than the other ships in the Silver sea fleet.