QE2's Final "Voyage around the British Isles"

[Twynkle]

It's been a year - the 30th September 2008  
There will be so many memories
- some already recorded here....

Farewell to the British Isles

Did you see her?
Did you manage to take part?

[cunardqueen]

It's been a year - the 30th September 2008 
There will be so many memories
- some already recorded here....
Did you see her?
Did you manage to take part?
 

Where do you start !!!
Sailing was a tad delayed and we found out then that Cherbourg was probably off owing to high winds
The send off really was nothing special, It was Cobh that really set the tone  for me & also when the stark realisation hit home that this was the beginning of the end, and from here on in it could only get worse.

I used to lay in bed some nights and for no reason it would all get to me that here were are, No more QE2, this really was my last time onboard. Even though l was staying on to do both round trip crossings, Fate had thrown the cruel hand that by chance here l was taking part in a sad part of history. I would never in amillion years booked a round UK trip on any ship.

It was "nice" if thats a good word to use to be able to reflect on my 22 years cruising.Lots of highs and lows for me onboard And it was without  a doubt a great pleasure to share this voyage with some people who made that voyage what it was.     

[highlander0108]

Magical....from the moment we arrived until the early morning departure, so many memories to cherish.  Meeting Commodore Warwick and having a chat with him and my son in the Lido would be right up there with the arrival at Greenock for her final time as the most memorable events, enjoyed in the company of new friends.  I have Myles to thank for the not so gentle persuasion to get onboard this trip when a few cabins popped up.  (was there any other answer?) I was already booked on the QM2 for the final crossing out of NYC, but could not take the time off to do both.  I made the right decision.

[k.sailaway]

Can it really be 12 months since we sailed on that wonderful voyage? It was a spur of the moment decision and a late booking for us as we had already spent a number of weeks at sea with Cunard last year. We picked up what must have been a cancellation and we were so glad that we did because this turned out to be one of the most memorable and certainly the most emotional in my cruising span of 40 years. And it was around our own country too!

We've experienced many great welcomes and departures over the years but few match those in Cobh, Liverpool, Greenock and Newcastle. Shame on Belfast and South Queensferry for not making much effort. I don't think they had any understanding of the significance.

It was wonderful to meet up with so many fellow enthusiasts, a number of whom are on this forum. Your company added greatly to the experience, which we often relive through the DVDs. It was the most fitting way to say goodbye to the ship I saw depart on her maiden voyage and on which I first sailed in 1970. Bitter sweet it certainly was........

k.

[slightlydented]

Great photo loverly Its what is so nice about people.

[highlander0108]

Here's two I just posted.
Ken

[cunardqueen]

It didnt take place !!!

Seriously though, l was looking forward to seeing this place and toping up the party supplies. Not to mention a look round and see if there much maritime heritage there, or close by, Might we have had a day excursion in Paris??

 Interestingly enough, and l just remembered on my very first crossing in June 1986 we were scheduled to leave Southampton at 11.30am with a call at Cherbourg to pick up some passengers, this was cancelled and instead we left around the normal time of 7pm, well it was normal back then.

 And still on the subject l recall seeing at the time an advert for a day across the Channel on QE2, You sailed across to Cherbourg, enjoying the QE2 for a few hours and then l think you either caught the ferry back. For the life of me l cant think where l saw it or how much the prices were, But l seem to recall Sealink was invloved???
 Flagship, can you find any details of this in your archives??  

 Im probably well into off topic here, but here goes anyway... with the later sailing and we arrived back a few hours early l figured l was paying £110 a day and being cheated out of half a day (its the Scotsman in me) l mentioned this to Paul Hopely (?) cruise director when he joined out table one night, lm not sure if he thought l was being serious or not, l was being deadly serious!! He did however buy a bottle of champagne,but back then little old me did still feel cheated      

[Peter Mugridge]

Myles, funnily enough I dug up the details of this Channel hop offer and mailed them to Flagship myself a couple of weeks ago!

I'll let him have the pleasure of posting up a copy of the letter I scanned for him.  All I'll say now is that yes, it was offered but there was an interesting sting in the tail when it came to the fare...

[Michael Gallagher]

She was originally scheduled to call in Cobh on 1 October and Dublin on 2 October but that was changed for "operational reasons" to Cherbourg on 1 October and Cobh on 2 October but we know that Cherbourg was cancelled so we havd a lovely overnight in Cobh (1 and 2 October).

[cunardqueen]

She was originally scheduled to call in Cobh on 1 October and Dublin on 2 October but that was changed for "operational reasons" to Cherbourg on 1 October and Cobh on 2 October but we know that Cherbourg was cancelled so we havd a lovely overnight in Cobh (1 and 2 October).

And very nice indeed Cobh was, Everyone it seemed was throughly impressed with the place . And such a contrast to Belfast....The weather,the people even the atmosphere..They did QE2 and themselves proud and the white hankies were such a novel idea.

I wonder,What, if any, input did Cunard have with the Farewell celebrations at the various ports?

[cunardqueen]

The fly past...

images no longer available.

[Cruise_Princess]

Think they wanted to put in Belfast instead as that would be  the maiden and final call for QE2... .Cobh had more significance for Cunard hence Dublin was dropped in favour of the maiden to Belfast.... ( think that was it)

[cunardqueen]

What was the official name of this cruise around britain, cherbourg, cobh and belfast?

Im not even sure Cunard knew what to call this cruise "British Isles Voyage" was the early attempt .The brochure listed it as" Northern Europe" the tour office called it "British Isles Voyage" and  "Farewell to the British Isles" The Daily Programmes just plain old Queen Elizabeth 2 British Isles Voyage Number QE817.
 There was a distinct lack of the word Farewell or Final.

Even the "Voyage to Dubai" l remember thinking there was never much mention of the word "Final voyage to Dubai" rumours on the Round UK trip had us believe Cunard didnt want to use the word "Final"as Dubai "might" have sailed her a few times,(this was voiced on a cruise l was on the previous year)  and they could hardly proclaim "The final voyage under Cunard ownership" that would have set tongues wagging even more, and there was enough of that already. 
   

image no longer available.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

A blog article by Warren Smith about that final Round the British Isles voyage :

An old one but worth re-reading...

http://wearecunard.com/2008/10/time-to-say-goodbye…/

[Tyne Turbine]

Having just posted my first picture of the QE2 at Clydebank in a separate thread here is one of my final shots as she left the Tyne just over forty-one years later: