"Carry on QE2" - 1995 BBC programme about the 94 Refit Fiasco

[Rob Lightbody]

Another of Myles' VHS Gems!

This programme is filmed on QE2 before, during & after the BIG 94 refit, and all its problems.  The footage is amazing!  I'll see if I can get some screenshots of it.

One thing is clear - Cunard were MAD to leave Southampton with the ship in this state.  Or at least mad to embark passengers.

[cunardqueen]

The same could be said for the Maiden Voyage of the NEW QE2 in 1987.
But ahead we sailed onto the front pages of the newspapers
Enjoy the video.. did l give you the one of the last steam crossing 

[Beardy Rich]

I've just found these listed on the British Film Institute website. Wouldn't it be great if they were available to watch again?

1. CAPTAIN OF THE QE2, 1980
2. SONGS OF PRAISE: AT SEA ON THE QE2, Great Britain, 1990
3. QE2 BAHT'AT PART 1, Great Britain, 1999
4. QE2 BAHT'AT PART 2, Great Britain, 1999
5. TIMEWATCH: QE2: THE FINAL VOYAGE, Great Britain, 2009
6. CUNARD PRESENTS QE2 - EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD, USA, 1979
7. CARRY ON QE2, Great Britain, 1995

[Rob Lightbody]

I've got Songs of Praise, Eigth wonder, timewatch, and carry on (althought its missing the end cos the tape ran out!) - all from Myles!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I've got Songs of Praise, Eigth wonder, timewatch, and carry on (althought its missing the end cos the tape ran out!) - all from Myles!

I wonder is there a (legal!) way they could become regular items in the QE2Story shop?

[Rob Lightbody]

Yes, I'm wondering the same thing.  There SHOULD be, surely.  We've discussed this before I'm sure! 

[Bob C.]

Looks like good titles to search and perhaps do some early Christmas shopping!

[Twynkle]

I wonder is there a (legal!) way they could become regular items in the QE2Story shop?

Not too sure about the purchasing of pre-recorded DVDs - or copied DVD's, without first obtaining the permission from the owner of the copyright. In the case of the BBC this would almost certainly be 'out of the question'
 - However, if someone would like to give a DVD as a gift to someone else, mightn't there be a way of the receiver of the gift, then 'volunteering to give a donation' to the The QE2 Story shop?  Or is this drifting off course?   

[Michael Gallagher]

Another blast from the past. I was in the room behind the camera during John Olsen's post refit interview where he refused to apologise. He left Cunard a month later!

[Chris]

One thing is clear - Cunard were MAD to leave Southampton with the ship in this state.  Or at least mad to embark passengers.

Amazing also that it wasn't the first time Cunard sailed QE2 incomplete after refit!

[Rob Lightbody]

i think the fact that they had to rush parts of it, meant it actually took longer, and caused problems in the following years.  For example they show people bashing away at the plumbing trying, i think, to stop it leaking.  The person to blame is whoever worked out it would take 24 days to create 'the new QE2' !

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I may be the only ignoramus here... but could someone please explain what was wrong with QE2 when the 1994 refit ended in a fiasco?

What happened during the refit, and what happened afterwards?

And how about the film?

Thank you    !

[Rob Lightbody]

image 1 - pavillion, after 1994 refit

image 2 - title screen - referencing british comedy series, the Carry On Films

image 3 - the midships lobby - before refit - preparations

image 5 - before refit, during a cruise, work begins...

[Rob Lightbody]

image 6 - previous cruise ongoing, work on cabin bathrooms well underway.  passengers complaingin

image 7 - mauretania model being installed

image 8 - ship entered dry dock

image 10 - cabin corridors, 2 days before leaving hamburg...

[Rob Lightbody]

"as the deadline approached, more & more men & materials were brought aboard."

en-route from Hamburg to Southampton, 4 days to 1st passengers.

3 decks & 100 cabins not finished, as well as many public rooms.

"some of the german workers were complaining about communication problems" (which the British workers which Cunard appear to have forced the Blohm & Voss yard to work with).