John Duffy

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

John Duffy has received the Seatrade Insider Award for “Seagoing Employee of the Year”.

We never knew him well, but he was (and no doubt is!) friendly and cheerful. We met him almost every day on our most recent voyage, when he passed the Computer Learning Centre in the evenings... we used to sit there, enjoying ourselves with our computers and benefiting from the wifi facilities!

http://seatravel.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/cunards-john-duffy-receives-seatrade-insider-award-for-seagoing-employee-of-the-year/

[hollihedge]

Thanks for posting Isabelle - very interesting, and glad he has gained deserved recognition

[Chris]

we used to sit there, enjoying ourselves with our computers and benefiting from the wifi facilities!

I preferred sitting in the Yacht Club with a drink when using WiFi

[Rob Lightbody]

I preferred sitting in the Yacht Club with a drink when using WiFi

Me too!  Had a great signal while sitting at the starboard side in one of those lovely big windows looking out at the sea - never, ever had a happier surfing experience!!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Here's a rather longer article about John Duffy, which I enjoyed :

http://wearecunard.com/2009/03/john-duffy-receives-the-seagoing-employee-of-the-year-2008/

I really like the replies he gives to the interviewer. Here is one :

You have had an incredible career at sea. What do you think kept you at sea all these years?

Having attained the position of Hotel Manager QE2, in l98l, which of course was the most prestigious liner in the world, where else would I go to better myself?  I was of course, over the years, offered innumerable prestigious positions elsewhere, but my loyalties remained with QE2 and Cunard Line.

Now a man who thinks like that, must be all right!

[Chris]

I preferred sitting in the Yacht Club with a drink when using WiFi

Me too!  Had a great signal while sitting at the starboard side in one of those lovely big windows looking out at the sea - never, ever had a happier surfing experience!!

My sentiments exactly ... it was wonderful to sit there and watch the Ocean go by while writing to friends from the Magnificent QE2!

[cunardqueen]

I had the great pleasure to be at his table in 1988 and again 19 years later in 2007.
It was l must admit a pleasure to be on such a table and to compare tales of that voyage
Now if only he could be persuaded to put his diary to print...   

[Andy F]

Agree Myles and whenever you think of QE2, John invariably comes to mind as one of the great characters.  It would certainly be interesting to read his stories and I bet he has a fair few to tell but IF he should ever be persuaded to go into print, it would no doubt have to wait until retirement.

[KEV]

Sounds like a Top Guy

[Malcolm]

I preferred sitting in the Yacht Club with a drink when using WiFi

I found it depended on where your cabin was. When we were amidships on Deck One the Pavilion was great, forward on Deck Two put us close to the Computer Centre (we were so close you could sometimes pick up the WIFI signal in the cabin) and when we were towards the stern of Deck Three we used the Yacht Club.

[Glengavin]

Sounds like a Top Guy

Yes, he is a top guy, a real gentleman.  Always had time for a cheery word of welcome. John was onboard when we made our first voyage in '94 and he was last crew member we saw on the pier after disembarking in Dubai.  He must have had all sorts of emotions running through him but he still came over, shook my hand and gave my wife a hug.   Sort of seemed right that he should be the last.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Great interview with John Duffy here :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7723300.stm

"Well, you can't get better than the best, and when you're hotel manager of the QE2, there's nowhere else to go that compares..."

He must have spent more years on board QE2 than most... lucky man...

[Twynkle]

Isabelle,

Thank You for posting this.  He IS one of the best!  His knowledge and experience of his work couldn't ever be matched.

Rosie

[Louis De Sousa]

He was a very good man to talk with, i used to love doing the Cocktails Parties in his Quarters.

Louis

[Kindlychap]

I preferred sitting in the Yacht Club with a drink when using WiFi

I found it depended on where your cabin was. When we were amidships on Deck One the Pavilion was great, forward on Deck Two put us close to the Computer Centre (we were so close you could sometimes pick up the WIFI signal in the cabin) and when we were towards the stern of Deck Three we used the Yacht Club.

And in 8183 there was a superb signal - I think wifi had been installed for the cabin above - or was it the four stripe officer forward?

Matthew