Listing

[Twynkle]

When aboard in choppy, rough and calm water, I often stood (not at a mealtimes!) equidistant from the windows, in the very centre of the Caronia Dining Room.

There was a  definite list - to both sides, quite often - and then it seemed to have had been righted at others.

[Rob Lightbody]

I understand that in her latter years, QE2 had some problems with her ballast tanks, and that this is fairly common in old ships.  I dont think it was a huge problem, but they weren't working like they had done orginally.

I also understand that at her service speed (28.5 knots) she was easier to keep upright than when dawdling/stationary!

When I returned to QE2 for the first time in nearly 21 years for the 2 night party cruise before Christmas 2007, she had quite a list the whole time she was in port - at Southampton and Zeebrugge.  Because it being winter, and the itinerary, on that cruise I didn't experience her upright in daylight!!  She was upright at sea, but we only did that in the dark on that trip.  We had a fairly epic flood in our bathroom from the shower in (unoriginal) cabin 2154 because of the list!

[Bob C.]

I also understand that at her service speed (28.5 knots) she was easier to keep upright than when dawdling/stationary!

The faster the ship goes, the more efficient the fin stabilizers are.  I'm sure they work very well at 28.5 kts although I remember a crossing or two with some really good rolling going on.  My brother, sisters and I loved it but my parents were not so pleased. It was especially fun to get up as far as you can on the bow, jump at the top of a pitch and float in the air for a second or two. 

[Malcolm]

I'm sure they work very well at 28.5 kts 

Which isn't something she was allowed to do very often in later life

[Chris]

I'm sure they work very well at 28.5 kts 

Which isn't something she was allowed to do very often in later life

Funny that you say that because we experienced 28.5 and even 30 knots on several occasions in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008 - if only I'd been prepared with the camera to take shots of the TV Screens.

[Malcolm]

several occasions

Yes And on the WC we experienced it four or five times in four months. I count that as "not very often". It was nothing like as often as when she was doing transatlantics in five nights.

[Rob Lightbody]

And of course at least 32.8 knots as late as March 08... and there's proof of that one!

[Malcolm]

... and there's proof of that one!

I remember it - I was there!

And of course at least 32.8 knots as late as March 08

I'm talking about it being a regular thing, not a series of one-offs to get round various problems.

[Rob Lightbody]

And of course at least 32.8 knots as late as March 08

I remember it - I was there!

How was it for you?  Could you tell?  I'd want to be right at the stern for that one I think.... or on the tip of the bow Leo DiCaprio style, that would have been spectacularly awesome... sigh...

[Malcolm]

How was it for you?  Could you tell?

I'm assuming that the time you meant was once we had left Vung Tau last March.I've just looked back at my notes. I was aware that we had been very late in leaving the anchorage, I was aware that our arrival in Hong Kong was delayed and I was aware that we were trying to go faster because of that; however, apart from the TVs, there was no sigh that she was going fast nor was there any announcement made about it.

[Rob Lightbody]

nor was there any announcement made about it.

"Can I have your attention ladies and gentlemen please, this is the Captain speaking.  As you are unaware, this magnificent ship, which has already travelled far further than any other ship ever, is currently travelling at around 33 knots, far faster than any other liner in service.  This is why she has temporarily stopped listing gently to one side or other!  Normal listing will resume once we're back to 15 knots.  Apologies for any inconvenience being temporarily upright may have caused you."

[highlander0108]

How was it for you?  Could you tell?

I'm assuming that the time you meant was once we had left Vung Tau last March.I've just looked back at my notes. I was aware that we had been very late in leaving the anchorage, I was aware that our arrival in Hong Kong was delayed and I was aware that we were trying to go faster because of that; however, apart from the TVs, there was no sigh that she was going fast nor was there any announcement made about it.

Malcolm,  after she lost power just outside of Ft. Lauderdale, the captain had to makeup time.  Did you recall seeing over 30 knots on your way to NYC.  Despite all the hurring up, the fog delayed your arrival.  I was on the parking deck, with others as we saw first the glorious funnel appear out of the fog and then the sun poked out as the ship neared the pier.

I briefly experienced the service speed of 28.5 knots on our 2000 Carribean cruise, after experiencing a 'cockup" with a tug not arriving in St. Croix. I do recall the listing on that cruise, now that I think of it.   My sole crossing was the Tandem with QV and I think the best time we made was 24 knots, and likewise on our farewell to Britain cruise.  I definitely would have been on the fantail documenting 33 knots and envy those that experienced that.

[Malcolm]

Did you recall seeing over 30 knots on your way to NYC.

Not seeing. One of the problems was that the speed display on the TV kept vanishing. I don't know why this happened but I can think of a couple of possibilities!

Perky did make an announcement on the 11^th to say that we would hopefully make 30 knots.

[Thomas Hypher]

I recall a frequent slight list to starboard (as my times aboard were from 2003 to 2008) which seems to match with the ballast system situation in her later years. I thought it was completely in my head lol, but it is visible in some of her webcam shots (even if you take into account the wide angle lens the webcam used that curves the horizon for example) here on the forum's index page too, and in some photos and videos from the latter years. The listing wasn't always due to the weather either. I wonder if it persists in Dubai? As she does seems to have a slight starboard list in some photos?

[Trevor Harris]

Don't they make ships her size list to the dock when in port?