Commodore Warner

[Jeff Taylor]

Just curious if anyone knows the real story behind Bernie Warner's departure.  Admittedly he didn't have the length of service that Ron Warwick did, but you can't help noticing the enormous difference in how the two events were handled.  Personally, I found him to be both charming and the epitome of a ship's captain, so I do hope it ended up to his satisfaction.  Still, I can't help feeling that it was sudden, he wasn't that old (62 I gather), and with the series of departures of iconic captains in recent months or to come shortly (McNaught, Bates, Wright) one wonders.  Any thoughts?

[cunardqueen]

Jeff l had the same thoughts, but perhaps just thought it was me being a cynic. and didnt want to say anything for landing in hot water...
It appears to have been a very sudden departure with notice only given in the last days of the world cruise, usually the boards are buzzing with rumours , look at Bates he was forever being mentioned as retiring, and Wright is still there in spite of all the supposed people in the know that he was retiring.
Heck it even caught the Chairman by shock, how else do we explain the two day silence, perhaps Mr Shanks was thinking of some suitable words of praise, and after all that he comes out with two lines...
Compare that to the gush the spewed forth words spoken when the unforgetable cruise director (whose name escapes me) went onto pastures new, poor devil didnt get a chance to hardly say anything. 

After an uncharacteristic two-day silence, Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said today: "I must put on record our appreciation for the marvellous contribution that Bernie made to Cunard Line. We wish him and his family all the best for his retirement."

[highlander0108]

I can report that this was not a hastily planned exit and had been in the works for awhile.  I was informed on my January trip by well placed sources that he was retiring after the World Cruise.  The source was spot on.  It is interesting that not much was made of it, but perhaps that was to his wishes. 

Okay, I will say it....if only Ian had hung on long enough on QV, kept regurgitating the company line about QV/QE being liners and perhaps he could have had the command of QM2, but that is me selfishly wanting my favorite captain onboard to sail with again.  It does seem like there has been quite a round of departures lately from Cunard.

[cunardqueen]

  It does seem like there has been quite a round of departures lately from Cunard.   

Crew AND passengers, l had lunch with friends recently who l last saw on the farewell crossing, they haven't booked anything either...

[Alex Tarry]

I'd certainly agree with Cunardqueen on the point of passengers...ourselves and many of our friends made on board have simply drifted away...to other lines or types of holiday...

Looking at the review sites there seems to be a growing perception that standards do not match the expectations set by the marketing...
 
I have a lot of time for Bernard Warner, and have had the pleasure of dining with him at his table on QM2, and visiting the bridge with him...a great loss to Cunard for sure.

Swift action needed by Cunard imho...

Alex

[Jeff Taylor]

I first met Bernie on the cruise when he assumed command after the accident in Ft. Lauderdale some years ago with Ron still onboard.  There were so many of Ron's friends on the cruise that he had what could have been a challenge and handled the situation so beautifully that he instantly made many new friends.  Quite a gent.  Ditto the comments about Cunard needing to rethink some of their policies.  For a line with such traditions (which they exploit when convenient) and such a base of loyal "guests", they need to realize quickly that a black hull and an orange funnel do not a storied line make.  I hope they figure it out.

[cunardqueen]

   Looking at the review sites there seems to be a growing perception that standards do not match the expectations set by the marketing...
 

In recent times Iv often wondered that myself, reading the glossy brochure (with a cartoon drawing on the cover,isnt probably the best way to start) the hype, traditions and white star service, are Cunard guilty of sexing up the brochures.Then again are passengers just expecting too much based on what we were used to on QE2...Style,service and standards.
 

[Twynkle]

Cunard's farewell to a great Master Mariner
and Commodore Warner's reply

http://wearecunard.com/