Personal Story of QE2

[Oceanic]

Not sure which section of the forum I should place this so mods relocate this as you see fit.

I thought I may as well share my childhood introduction to QE2 and how I came to know her with those here on this forum for old times sake.
I have recently learned that I will become a Father sometime in the coming months and with that fantastic news memories of my own childhood came flooding back one in particular being linked to QE2; I grew up in Southampton by the water side and as a result played in and wandered the area from the time I could walk to the moment I moved away, one of the earliest memories I can recall from those years was a large vessel i simply called "Big Red" due to the vibrant colour of it's one prominent smokestack, I watching it come to and fro for most of my Early years and as I aged I became further interested in said vessel, so I went to the local library and started digging and what I found was years of fantastic tales and feats that further pulled me down the rabbit hole of said vessel and maritime history as a whole, I also discovered the true name of "Big Red" Queen Elizabeth 2. From then on I followed the ship closely and upon my 16th Birthday was able to embark on a cruise on the mighty vessel herself, the voyage was splendid with fantastic service and excellent views from QE2's decks, a few days into the cruise I was returning from dinner and walked to the Boat Deck for some fresh air and as I went to lean on the rail too look out to sea I began talking to a Girl who was too my right and after a few hours of semi awkward talk and realizing we both resided in Southampton we exchanged Cabin numbers and went on our own ways for the night. By the end of the voyage we were very familiar with one another and became close friends and stayed in close contact for years, eventually getting together and have stayed as such for 12 years, we married 4 years ago and now we have a child on the way; I apologized if this rambled on and was poorly written as I just wanted to share how this magnificent ship changed my life for the better and how without it I would not be married or be in the wonderful position I am today, I will always be thankful to Cunard for building and operating the QE2 and this forum for keeping it's legend alive.     

[June Ingram]

Thanks very much, Oceanic, for your marvelous account of your connection with QE2 !  Please tell us more.  And congratulations on the coming arrival of your baby !  June   

[Brandon Sterkel]

Great to hear your story Oceanic!

[Oceanic]

Thanks very much, Oceanic, for your marvelous account of your connection with QE2 !  Please tell us more.  And congratulations on the coming arrival of your baby !  June   

Thank you June! I will make sure to post updates her regularly with more of my experience with QE2 and updates on my child as and when they come 

[Rob Lightbody]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story of meeting your future partner on board QE2.

We've heard so many of these stories, she's intertwined into so many people's lives.  As you say, that's why this site is here.

[Rod]

Many congratulations.
Both of my marriages were caused, if thats the right word by the QE2.

[Oceanic]

Many congratulations.
Both of my marriages were caused, if thats the right word by the QE2.

It's amazing how many people this ship has effected, when she opens in Dubai as a Hotel me and my wife fully intend to visit her and spend atleast a week onboard and by then our child will be able to join us, it's all come full circle!

[Thomas Hypher]

Not sure which section of the forum I should place this so mods relocate this as you see fit.

I thought I may as well share my childhood introduction to QE2 and how I came to know her with those here on this forum for old times sake.
I have recently learned that I will become a Father sometime in the coming months and with that fantastic news memories of my own childhood came flooding back one in particular being linked to QE2; I grew up in Southampton by the water side and as a result played in and wandered the area from the time I could walk to the moment I moved away, one of the earliest memories I can recall from those years was a large vessel i simply called "Big Red" due to the vibrant colour of it's one prominent smokestack, I watching it come to and fro for most of my Early years and as I aged I became further interested in said vessel, so I went to the local library and started digging and what I found was years of fantastic tales and feats that further pulled me down the rabbit hole of said vessel and maritime history as a whole, I also discovered the true name of "Big Red" Queen Elizabeth 2. From then on I followed the ship closely and upon my 16th Birthday was able to embark on a cruise on the mighty vessel herself, the voyage was splendid with fantastic service and excellent views from QE2's decks, a few days into the cruise I was returning from dinner and walked to the Boat Deck for some fresh air and as I went to lean on the rail too look out to sea I began talking to a Girl who was too my right and after a few hours of semi awkward talk and realizing we both resided in Southampton we exchanged Cabin numbers and went on our own ways for the night. By the end of the voyage we were very familiar with one another and became close friends and stayed in close contact for years, eventually getting together and have stayed as such for 12 years, we married 4 years ago and now we have a child on the way; I apologized if this rambled on and was poorly written as I just wanted to share how this magnificent ship changed my life for the better and how without it I would not be married or be in the wonderful position I am today, I will always be thankful to Cunard for building and operating the QE2 and this forum for keeping it's legend alive.   

Congratulations again on being a father  . I was wondering what the dates of your trip on QE2 where you met your wife are? I may have been onboard with my parents at the time as we are of not massively different ages (I was 11 nearly 12 when last on QE2 in July 2008). Small world if that turns out to be the case!

Thomas

[Thomas Hypher]

Congratulations again on being a father  . I was wondering what the dates of your trip on QE2 where you met your wife are? I may have been onboard with my parents at the time as we are of not massively different ages (I was 11 nearly 12 when last on QE2 in July 2008). Small world if that turns out to be the case!

Thomas

Bumping (if you're happy to reply of course)!

[Oceanic]

Bumping (if you're happy to reply of course)!

While nor me or my Wife remember the exact date I can tell you it took place in 2008 and had to have been after February due to me being 18 at the time; That being said the only children I saw the entire journey were two irritating brats. So I highly doubt it was you, but then again, I was off my face most nights don't recall a great deal. But even if we were not on the same voyage I still find it incredible how close members of this forum have come over the years.

[Thomas Hypher]

While nor me or my Wife remember the exact date I can tell you it took place in 2008 and had to have been after February due to me being 18 at the time; That being said the only children I saw the entire journey were two irritating brats. So I highly doubt it was you, but then again, I was off my face most nights don't recall a great deal. But even if we were not on the same voyage I still find it incredible how close members of this forum have come over the years.

Ah okay, my last trip on QE2 was in July 2008 (Waverley's last too) and I was with the teen club and one of my fellow teens invited us up as a group of about 7 or 8 lol to his family's place (The QE suite of the two grand suites no less!!) and we did run around and were noisy as a group onboard lol. I too know what being under the influence on ship is like (on my last voyage to date on QM2 in August 2014 with my Dad and I was a minor, 17 at the time, when the bottle of glorified sparkling wine disappeared quite quickly on departure from Southampton!

[Oceanic]

Ah okay, my last trip on QE2 was in July 2008 (Waverley's last too) and I was with the teen club and one of my fellow teens invited us up as a group of about 7 or 8 lol to his family's place (The QE suite of the two grand suites no less!!) and we did run around and were noisy as a group onboard lol. I too know what being under the influence on ship is like (on my last voyage to date on QM2 in August 2014 with my Dad and I was a minor, 17 at the time, when the bottle of glorified sparkling wine disappeared quite quickly on departure from Southampton!

Exact same story for me. I decided to save the complementary bottle for later. "Later" comes. I tell myself I'll only have a glass. Wakes up next morning beside the bed with no recollection of the previous night. I would be lying to say this only happened once during my teenage years! (Thankfully I calmed down a tad before becoming a Father