Songs of Praise on the QE2

[Rob Lightbody]

In 1990, as part of the Cunard 150 celebrations

screenshots attached

[Rob Lightbody]

screenshots attached

[Rob Lightbody]

screenshots attached

[Rob Lightbody]

screenshots attached

[Rob Lightbody]

screenshots attached

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you for all these screen shots, Rob! Gives a vivid impression of the event.

Where was this recorded? In port or while underway?

Interesting to see the Grand Lounge in your favourite constellation!

[Scott Ebersold]

And also great to see Gordon, my first cabin steward in image 9!   Didn't have a picture of him and thought I'd never see him again.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The broadcast itself must have been about half an hour.

I wonder how long the filming took, and how much time went into the preparations...

Did this involve passengers of only one, or of several crossings / cruises?

[Michael Gallagher]

They were on board from 17 July until 27 July 1990 which encompassed a New York - Southampton crossing and the first Round Britain. These trips were part of the 150th Anniversary of Cunard celebrations. The Round Britain saw QE2's first return to the Clyde since her departure 21 years earlier and her first visit to Liverpool where more than ONE MILLION turned out to see her (more than the number who turned out to see the Pope in the city in 1982).

[Rob Lightbody]

The more I see this 1990 material, the more sure I am that they should have left the Grand lounge alone. It was terrific as a ballroom, a really wonderful lounge & ballroom to dance and listen to music, and watch singers BUT turning it into a bad show lounge was a bad idea!

[Rob Lightbody]

Was that the same record-breaking voyage that the Royal Voyage film crew (which feels very like a BBC programme?) were on board for?

[Michael Gallagher]

It certainly was the same voyage.

[cunardqueen]

The Grand lounge back then was perfect for everything, But of course the double room was even better, and the seats were so much more comfortable. A nice dance floor used for the horse racing and all that kind of things, as a show lounge l always felt it was wasted

Gordon of course ended up as Butler in the Penthouse suites, and a Consummate Professional in his art.
 The bottom selection of course shows Bob Venning the security officer...
 Rob remind me to tell you a story l was told many moons ago

[Lynda Bradford]

These trips were part of the 150th Anniversary of Cunard celebrations. The Round Britain saw QE2's first return to the Clyde since her departure 21 years earlier and her first visit to Liverpool where more than ONE MILLION turned out to see her (more than the number who turned out to see the Pope in the city in 1982).

Do you have any more information on QE2 participation in events to celebrate the 150 years of Cunard in 1990?

[Michael Gallagher]

17 - 22 July Anniversary Crossing (eastbound). 4 days 6 hours and 57 minutes / average speed: 30.16 knots making it her fastest eastbound crossing.

22 July: Southampton
23 July: Cork. She opened the Ringaskiddy Terminal. President or Ireland visited and lunched on board.
24 July: Liverpool. First visit. Biggest ever crowd. Service held in church for Cunard War dead.
25 July: Greenock. First time back on the Clyde.
26 July: Cherbourg
27 July: Spithead Review. HM The Queen (and DoE) boarded from Royal Yacht Britannia after inspecting Cunard ships and naval vessels.
Back to Southampton

28 July - : Anniversary Crossing (westbound).

The Spithead Review was impressive. Will need to scan images.

Then in the autumn she made an anniversary cruise to Halifax.