Scary but still a memory

[Bob C.]

It was August 1969, I was 6 1/2 years old and strolling about the QE2 with my mom, aunt and two sisters (5 and 3 y.o. and I think my dad was taking the engine room tour).  We were probably heading back to our room on 4 Deck and were taking the Stariway E lift to get there.  The lift doors opened and I rushed in and then the lift doors closed prematurely.  I remember my mom seeing what was about to occur and frantically trying to catch the door at the last second.  She failed.  Not having been on an elevator by myself before I panicked and started to scream.  The lift started down but my mom says she had no problem knowing what deck I was on as she chased the lift and the screaming down the stairs...

I vaguely remembered visions of the event until I came across this Flickr video posted by our very own Isabelle Prondzynski(http://flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/2976368178/).  Although the lifts and stairway colors have significantly changed and the lifts did not speak back then, the memories came flooding back once I saw it.  So thanks for the post Isabelle!

[Chris]

That video of Isabelle's brought back so many memories. I'm actually looking for a photograph of the Cunard Marketing Poster that shows the Mauretania (1907), Berengaria and Aquitania together - it was hung on the E-Stairway... can anyone help?

I was in the lift on the A Stairway in 2002 when the ship was hit by a large wave while transiting the Great Australian Bight... and of course the lift got stuck. It was actually quite exciting - picking up the telephone and dialling 999 the Officer on the Bridge answered "Bridge" - I told him of my plight and he said "just hang on a few moments someone will come and rescue you" - so we waited no longer than 5 minutes before we heard a few bangs and the doors were prised open by one of the maintenance staff.

Luckily it hadn't stopped on Quarter or One Deck - or I might still be waiting!

Chris.

[Rob Lightbody]

My very first memory of being inside QE2 is almost the same as reltco's... to start with, but nearly 20 years later.

1987, April, QE2 is in the shipyard and is a MESS.  Our cabin is flooded and unavailable.  Mum & Dad are exhausted, and disappointed.  I'm excited.

We decide to head to the Queens Room, I get into the lift, and the doors slam shut without warning... the lift shoots upwards, and all i can hear from my mum down below is RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!   The doors open many decks above, and my Mum's there!  Red-faced and panting...

She ended that night in tears, in the midships bar and then went to her cabin... she almost missed the amazing departure from Bremerhaven, where QE2 had been for over 6 months, with both river banks for miles and miles and miles absolutely THRONGING with people and camera flashes, it was quite something, and remembering it now just sent a shiver down my spine.  We had 3 AMAZING days on board, and I'll never forget them.  We also had Cunard's Chief Engineer's cabin because my Dad got it for us when my Mum threatened him with alarming alternatives!!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you for having watched my video! It seems to bring out the most compassionate nature in its viewers... 

My lift memory is a bit like Chris's. On our most final QE2 voyage last year, a Transatlantic cruise to New England and Canada, we hit an Atlantic storm on the first sea day 1, and I was incapacitated...  ... in my cabin for a good bit of the morning. When I eventually ventured out, I took the A Lift up to the restaurants, together with several ladies, also ready for lunch.

Once the lift doors shut, we had no idea what was happening, as the ship continued to sail into those huge Atlantic waves. Are we going up or down? I wondered. "Don't know whether up or down", the reply went, "but whatever else, we're going sideways!"

True, of course, for the A lifts at any time QE2 was underway -- but it gave us a great chuckle!

[singlemalt]

Can I just say I have never used a QE2 lift 
At the time, I was all self righteous and proud of the fact - okay, and so it was a way of justifying to myeslf that i could have dessert AND a cheese plate - but now I feel like I definitely missed out on something. 

Although i have had the opposite experience to Bob and Rob - I've had many an occasion where I've been waiting for Jet Set Betty (mother dearest) to emerge from one but she's been so busy blathering with random strangers she's missed her floor and gone up and down a few more times
 
Isabelle - I did enjoy your virtual lift experience  I do concur with my earlier statement that you are a crazy lady (in a good way!)
 I think I need to click it and enjoy before I meet you all for future a Crystal Bar rendezvous

[Lynda Bradford]

I have so enjoyed reading these lift experiences.  Like Ali I never used the lifts on QE2 and only used the stairs hoping to burn off a few calories but after watching Isabelle's video I wish I had.  I would never had thought of taking a video from the lift but so glad that you did Isabelle. 

[Twynkle]

Oooh - Scary moments!

Didn't ever experience one, day or night - however, it seemed that other passengers did!
Overhearing conversations about things getting lost overboard, people getting lost on board,
people missing the sailing times, people dreading the mal de mer, people dreading being late, people  etc etc
A few times it felt as if almost the entire population of guests were in a constantly state of scary-ness!

That video of Isabelle's brought back so many memories. I'm actually looking for a photograph of the Cunard Marketing Poster that shows the Mauretania (1907), Berengaria and Aquitania together - it was hung on the E-Stairway... can anyone help?

I was in the lift on the A Stairway in 2002 when the ship was hit by a large wave while transiting the Great Australian Bight... and of course the lift got stuck. It was actually quite exciting - picking up the telephone and dialling 999 the Officer on the Bridge answered "Bridge" - I told him of my plight and he said "just hang on a few moments someone will come and rescue you" - so we waited no longer than 5 minutes before we heard a few bangs and the doors were prised open by one of the maintenance staff.
Luckily it hadn't stopped on Quarter or One Deck - or I might still be waiting!
Chris.

btw Chris, did I ever send you the image of the poster of the 3 Cunarders on E stairway wall?