Maggie O'Donnell, QE2 Casino girl 1981-1983

[MARIA]

hi guys - i am crying with joy looking at your post - i was one of the female crew working in the queens room and then on 5 deck as cabin crew- looking after the casino guys in the 80s -with Alan Barnet a lovely guy we worked from the pantry by your cabins- so i know all the things that went on - hahaha - i had a fab time with all of the guys and girls... getting them up and putting them to bed - hahaha. i was on the ship from 1981 till 1987 - life was a blast most of the time x we worked hard and played hard ... i still live by this to day... love Maria xx

[Casinogirls]

Hi Alan

Dont recognise any of the Casino staff... but as we were all selected from different clubs it doesn't mean that we would know everyone anyway !  I was on there from 81 - 83... and Maria .... Alan Barnett and Martin were our bedroom stewards for two of those years... our cabin was 5054 and Gordon Gushee was next door to us !!...

Happy days !  photographers were, Paul, Duncan and a few more.

[Alan Snelson]

Hi Maggie
The dates you were on board our paths definitely would have crossed. The other photogs you mention, I assume you mean Paul Guest. A really good fine art photographer, he went to the Falklands to document QE2's journey and took some great pictures. Last I heard he had a successful studios in Bristol, his home town. I came across a photo of him and the team from the '83 World cruise somewhere on this forum but I can't remember where now, maybe in the gallery. I was on the '81 World cruise with him but he and the Chief photographer had a big falling out and if I remember right he got off at the end of the cruise. Have attached a picture of the photographers team for the '82 World cruise, see if it rings any bells. The name Gordon Gushee you mentioned sounds familiar but I don't know why. What did he do on board?

[Rod]

Whom was the guy on the left?? He was really nice.

[Alan Snelson]

Hi Rod
That was Dave Barnicoat who worked on board for many years on and off and yes he was a good guy. On the '82 World cruise he was pioneering the use of video for sale to passengers. I never did get to see the final production from the cruise but I assume it was a success as he was back on board for the '83 World cruise.

[Jim Bennett]

I know this is an old topic now but I recognise at least one of the girls in one photo. I was a photographer from 79 to 82 so our paths might have crossed. I was in cabin 5004 in 1981 but in earlier years was in a cabin surrounded by casino staff I think it was 5042 or 5048. Have attached an even earlier pic of  some of the casino girls with myself and Steve Dean (another photographer) afraid I don't remember any of the girls names now.

Hi Rod / Alan,

I remember Maggie - and Gilly of course! Don't recognise any of the girls in this photo, but the guy almost out of shot on the left is Mike Millen - one of the Electrical Engineers.

[backinthehatch]

Hi Maggie
The dates you were on board our paths definitely would have crossed. The other photogs you mention, I assume you mean Paul Guest. A really good fine art photographer, he went to the Falklands to document QE2's journey and took some great pictures. Last I heard he had a successful studios in Bristol, his home town. I came across a photo of him and the team from the '83 World cruise somewhere on this forum but I can't remember where now, maybe in the gallery. I was on the '81 World cruise with him but he and the Chief photographer had a big falling out and if I remember right he got off at the end of the cruise. Have attached a picture of the photographers team for the '82 World cruise, see if it rings any bells. The name Gordon Gushee you mentioned sounds familiar but I don't know why. What did he do on board?

Check out this article about Paul Guest and his son, !!     http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Judge-condemns-drugs-gang-pure-greed/story-16744591-detail/story.html         The casino girl next to you on the right was called Cathy.

[Lynda Bradford]

Enjoyed taking time to read again, Maggie's account of work and leisure time on shore, when she worked on QE2 1981 to 1983.  Also lots of memories from Peter Ward. 

From the First post to the last worth reading!