Ask the QE2's Captain (Commodore Ronald W Warwick)

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Ask Commodore Warwick

Chris Frame has spoken to Ron Warwick on our behalf and Ron has very kindly agreed to answer our questions in the third "Ask the Captain" feature here at the Forum. Many thanks to Chris for arranging this for us all!

Commodore Warwick's father, Commodore Bil Warwick, was the first Captain of QE2, taking her out on her maiden voyage in 1969. In 1990, history was made when his son, Commodore Ronald W. Warwick, was named Captain - the first time that a father and son had both commanded the same Cunarder.  

Commodore Warwick returned to be the Captain of QE2 once more during her initial months in Dubai.

Closing date for this one is Monday 25 April 2011 (extended deadline). As the Commodore is quite busy with many projects, the responses may come through some months after that.

Once again please post your questions here, which will let us compile them into a coherent list for Commodore Warwick to answer.

This is open to all our members, however we would appreciate it if real names could be given to Commodore Warwick.  

If you don't wish to put your real name in this topic and/or on your profile, please send it to admin@TheQE2Story.com with the subject of 'my real name for ask the captain'.

Many thanks to Commodore Warwick for agreeing to talk to us.

To see how this worked previously, click here for the questions to Robin Woodall and here for the questions to Ian McNaught. The web pages that resulted are here and here respectively.

[Chris]

Thanks Isabelle for kindly posting this.

I'll start the ball rolling. I'm keen to know more about what it was like for the Commodore to be back aboard QE2 as Captain in Dubai; so my question(s) for the Commodore are:

How long were you aboard QE2 as Captain in Dubai. At what stage of your time aboard did it become clear to you that the redevelopment plans for QE2 had gone off course? What was the atmosphere like aboard QE2 during this time?

--

Many thanks,

Chris.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you, Chris, for setting up this interview -- and thank you also for correcting my mis-spelling of the name "Bil" Warwick.

I met Ron Warwick in the year 2000 on my very first QE2 voyage, up to the Norwegian fjords. His wife Kim was on board with him, and we had the pleasure of having a relaxed chat with both of them for a while.

I would like to ask him whether he managed to travel more often with his wife onboard than most captains did. Was he able to separate his working hours from his family hours and live a private life on QE2?

[Jeff Taylor]

I don't know about other captains, but Kim generally travelled with Ron and functioned as a hostess on cruises.  She was far more than a mere passenger or companion for Ron, and made a point of introducing compatible "guests" and making everyone feel welcome. Nice lady.

[Chris]

I was aboard in 2003 and Commodore Warwick kindly invited me to the Bridge for our Sydney arrival. Kim was there and we spoke at length. It was a superb morning.

[Twynkle]

Thank you so much for this great opportunity!

Please Commodore Warwick, would it be possible for you to tell us - purely from a mariner's / maritime perspective,
what were the very best moments /times that you remember as QE2's Master?

Rosie Claxton

[cunardqueen]

A question, if l may

As Master of QE2 how did you feel the very first time you stood on the bridge, knowing that you were literally in your fathers footsteps, and what do you think he would have thought of it. It must have been privately a very moving moment. And what were your thoughts walking down the gangway in Dubai for the last time ?. 
 Myles

[Lynda Bradford]

I would like to ask Commodore Warwick the following:

You have had a long sea going career in which you have been involved in many memorable and historical events.  Is there one particular event that stands out for you, either on the QE2 or other ship

and

Knowing that his father also had a successful sea going career.  I would like to ask if there is a tradition of sea captains in his family. 

[Ron Champness]

Ask Commodore Warwick

Chris Frame has spoken to Ron Warwick on our behalf and Ron has very kindly agreed to answer our questions in the third "Ask the Captain" feature here at the Forum. Many thanks to Chris for arranging this for us all!

Commodore Warwick's father, Commodore Bil Warwick, was the first Captain of QE2, taking her out on her maiden voyage in 1969. In 1990, history was made when his son, Commodore Ronald W. Warwick, was named Captain - the first time that a father and son had both commanded the same Cunarder. 

Commodore Warwick returned to be the Captain of QE2 once more during her initial months in Dubai.

Closing date for this one is Thursday 31 March 2011. As the Commodore is quite busy with many projects, the responses may come through some months after that.

Once again please post your questions here, which will let us compile them into a coherent list for Commodore Warwick to answer.

This is open to all our members, however we would appreciate it if real names could be given to Commodore Warwick. 

If you don't wish to put your real name in this topic and/or on your profile, please send it to admin@TheQE2Story.com with the subject of 'my real name for ask the captain'.

Many thanks to Commodore Warwick for agreeing to talk to us.

To see how this worked previously, click here for the questions to Robin Woodall and here for the questions to Ian McNaught. The web pages that resulted are here and here respectively.

On 3 May 1997 my wife and I sailed Southampton to New York on the inaugural 6 day crossing (previously 5 day crossings) Captain was Ronald Warwick who I understand was retiring within about 12 months at that time.  My understanding of the reason for 6 day crossing was less problems with crowded embarkation and disembarkation procedures each end and less speed requirement making the journey more efficient.  Are you able to confirm these queries please

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

What age were you when you first set foot on the QE2, and what are your abiding memories of that day?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

We have extended the deadline for questions to Captain W Warwick until Monday 25 April -- so there is still time to post them here.

Questions you have already asked other captains can of course be asked of Ron Warwick too!

[Scott Ebersold]

I will ask the same two questions I asked of another favorite QE2 Captain:

If you could decide her future, what would it be?  And, what was your fondest memory from being aboard?

-Scott

[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2]

Hi Commodore Warwick

I'm only 20 years of age and I just LOVE QE2 she has a very special place in my heart like many others hearts too. When I watched the news for her farewell I was in buckets of tears. I've always admired her since I was a child and I just love her. Have you met any young fans of QE2? Is it a good feeling when a child, teenager or young adult come up to you and say they have a love and fondness for QE2?

How would you feel if the plans to slice off her funnel, her engines being ripped out and her profile changes ever do take place? (heaven forbid it)

Like in Keeping Up Appearances when Hyacinth Bucket missed QE2 at Southampton and made a show of herself waving and shouting as the ship was leaving. Has that ever happened when you were Captain when passengers were late? But without mud on them obviously

Thanks
Shaun

[matdark]

I've had the pleasure of sailing on board the QE2 only once, but it was a dream come true having been an ocean liner buff for as long as I can remember...

I'd like to ask the Commodore the following questions:

- Regardless of time, era, country, is there another great ocean liner you'd like to have been in command of? and why?

- There has been a lot of talk about her conditions in the latest years (cracks in the aluminum superstructure, bow thrusters failures etc.). Do you think she could have sailed much longer?

- aesthetically speaking, which funnel/appearance do you prefer? the sleek, streemlined original profile or the somewhat "bulkier" but oh-so-classy post 1987 look?

Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer to our questions!

Mathieu Pontécaille

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I read somewhere of a Captain who had a guest on the bridge as they came into harbour. There were many small boats out, and people standing watching. The guest was impressed. "Ooh, he said, there must be something happening today - look at all these people. Do you know what it is?".

"Yes", said the Master. "QE2 is calling".

I'd like to ask Ron Warwick about this exchange between himself and Micky Arison! Circumstances and all that...