The secret preliminary programme for QE2’s Maiden Season issued internally in April 1968 scheduled a four-night ‘Dress Rehearsal’ cruise (23 – 27 December) that would be an inaugural shakedown cruise entirely at sea. It was decided that this cruise would be under the sponsorship of a selected charity which would sell or otherwise assign accommodation to passengers to be carried. Cunard would receive from the charity all operating costs for this one-class cruise where 1,000 passengers would be carried.
By the end of July 1968 details had been amended to increase the passenger carry to 1,350 with a 2300 hours departure on 23 December (rather than a 1700 hours one).
In August 1968 John Whitworth succeeded Philip Bates as Managing Director. Dan Wallace updated John Whitworth:
“…unless there is a serious dispute we should still meet our completion date of 19 December. The degree to which the ship will be complete then depends on how successful we are in avoiding further labour problems. I feel that we are like a person living in a volcano, which may erupt tomorrow or may never erupt in our lifetime. Mr Rannie and Mr Parker have been extremely successful in resolving minor recent disputes. I am now satisfied that although far from perfect, the general organisation and planning in the shipyard is reasonably efficient and the building is under complete control. As already indicated, the standard and finish in the accommodation will vary, dependent upon the manpower available, but apart from accommodation at the forward and after end of Two Deck and the after end of One Deck, all should be completely habitable by mid-December. The degree to which cabins 2001 – 2003, 2151 – 2152 and 1090 – 1121, will be finished is still problematical and I hope that is possible the passenger departments will not book these until at least the 10 January voyage. From the foregoing you will gather that unless there is a sudden change in the next ten days, you will be able to proceed with details of the Charity Christmas Cruise”.
Details of the cruise were issued on 3 September 1968. The National Society for Cancer Relief was the selected charity and they hoped to raise £100,000 to fight cancer. The agreement was signed by Lord Mancroft and the Deputy Chairman of the charity at Claridges Hotel in London. A full programme of Christmas festivities would be offered and each day a Mini-car would be raffled.
The Duchess of Roxburghe, Chairman NSCR:
“The proceeds from this Christmas Dress Rehearsal cruise will be devoted to the work of one of the most worthwhile and well-known of charities, the National Society for Cancer Relief, of which HRH The Duchess of Kent is Patron, and Her Grace The Duchess of Roxburghe is Chairman”.
The fares for this cruise were:
Suites reserve price 800 gns for two people
One and Two Deck 200 gns per person
Three Deck 180 gns per person
Four Deck 150 gns per person
Five Deck 120 gns per person
Children 12½ reduction under 18 years of age
As only 20 suites were available for purchase on the cruise tenders were invited for the two-room suites. The reserve price was 800 guineas for two persons and people were invited to tender with all tenders being considered and the 20 highest bidders being successful. All other bidders would be allocated normal accommodation so had to also enclose 200 guineas per person when tendering. All tenders would be treated in a confidential manner.
Interestingly, the Terms and Conditions stated:
In the event of cancellation:
1. More than 28 days before departure a full refund will be made if required.
2. Within 28 days of departure: NO REFUND WILL BE MADE WHATSOEVER.
A special booklet was printed for distribution to passengers on QE2’s first voyage in order to help raise funds for the charity.
QE2’s sea trial finished abruptly on the morning of 30 November 1968 and was abandoned when oil fuel contaminated the feed water system because of a faulty non-return valve.
At a stroke, her delivery was delayed by one week while the trouble was located and put right. This required a lengthy period of cleaning out in dry dock and forced Cunard to cancel the Christmas Charity cruise.
The National Society for Cancer relief estimated that they lost £70,000 due to the cancellation. Cunard made a payment of £5,000 to the charity.
Topic: QE2's First Christmas - Postponed (Read 2299 times)
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Sep 24, 2016, 10:45 PM