Andy is there any chance you could tone down your language a bit please, just in case it gets us in trouble in future. You don't need to change the gist of what you're saying - and the abrupt insertion of Princess into Cunard is an important part of the QE2 Story.
But what about what happened next, all the subsequent "carnival" captains?
Rob, i thought i had 'toned down' my language, you should have read my first draft!
I'm sorry if i offend anybody but, the truth is THE truth and needs to be told, any 'old' Cunard/QE2 crew who were around in 2005 for 'the ethnic cleansing' will agree. Peter Ratcliffe openly stated that he disliked Cunard when he was with P&O and would do all in his powers to bring about it's downfall. Fortunately his hands were somewhat restricted by others in Princess management and Cunard survived, just!
When we had the first 'welcome' lectures by Princess it was stated that things would remain, which those of us in similar positions to myself doubted and thought strange, as there were a lot of things in Cunard that definitely needed upgrading and modifying for the 20th century, let alone the 21st!
It was stated that ALL systems and procedures, across both brands, would be looked at and then, the best and most efficient versions would be rolled out across the combined fleet! The only thing that was used from Cunard was the Bridge Procedures, which actually Carnival as a group actually adopted across their whole brand.
Then we come onto 'The Ethnic Cleansing' of Cunard Officers in 2005, 'we' were told that it was to help other brands with less experienced, non English speaking Officers, adapt to 'English speaking' passengers and spread our experience across the brands, mainly Princess although some of us 'ventured' further afield as well.
Nick Bates was one of those of us who went on 'work experience' with Princess as did many other well known Cunard Officers, Ian McNaught, Inger Klein Olsen, Martin Carroll etc, etc.
It wasn't even a case of "would you like to go to A or B or C.." it was more this is where you're going, take it or leave it.!
In my case, before i was even told i was moving, my 'relief' turned up at the gangway in Southampton for a look around! Later that day i was 'officially' told i was moving to Star Princess, which later was changed to Ocean Village!
But i did had had a good laugh at Princess' expense when we were in Athens for the 2004 Olympics.
I was working for Cunard Port Operations, based in Miami at the time, with partial responsibility for QM2's Security at the Olympics. As a rider here QM2 was chartered by ATHOC and as such was officially an 'Olympic Venue' and as such came under Olympic Laws, yes there are such things. One being that, you are not admitted to an Olympic venue if you are intoxicated, as one young QM2 chef found out to his 'inconvenience' the first night we were in Athens. He was arrested while returning back onboard around 0130, locked up and not released to the QM2 Duty Security Officer's custody until 1500 the next day!
Anyway to continue, during a lot of the pre-event meetings in Athens we were accompanied by a 'security adviser' from the UK Embassy in Athens. At a 'breakout' meeting one day, mainly for QM2 Security items, also present was Princess Fleet Security Manager and ex USN Naval Intelligence Officer. The meeting progressed well until we came to a specific subject, and the Embassy man asked the Princess man to leave the meeting as his next input was for 'UK Passport Holders' only! After much argument about his position etc, said Princess man reluctantly agreed to leave but said he would be reporting Mr UK Embassy to Princess in Santa Clarita! After he left 'Mr Embassy' told those of us left, all UK Passport Holders and ex UK Military, that he had nothing to say that actually Mr Princess couldn't have heard, it was just that he was making a point and Mr Princess had 'p*s*ed him off with his pompous and 'know it all' attitude and the way he always tried to belittle 'US' Cunard people, and as we couldn't say anything to Mr Princess and he could he did! Mr Princess was very nice to Mr Embassy after that but treated with with caution and respect, especially when he found out his Military background!!!
With regards your last sentence about 'Carnival' Captains, the same applies, they never were or never should be regarded as 'true QE2 Captains', a true QE2 Captain has come up through the Cunard Officer Ranks, knows Cunard history, it's traditions and most importantly of all QE2 PASSENGERS, and they him or in some, sadly all too rare occasions,her!
