QE2 Refit: 12 November to 11 December 1999

[Thomas Hypher]

If i remember rightly these were added in the 1999 Bremerhaven refit, when all 3 Cunard large ships were refitted concurrently. Well almost QE2 & RVS arrived together, RVS was finished and was leaving as Vistafjord arrived to be transformed into Caronia. I think QE2 was in for - possibly - over a month, whereas the others were only 2 or 3 weeks.
The contractors for this conversion to Aquitania Suite were a Greek 'gang' who specialised in 'sub standard work' called Ipocampo, they even made 'jerry builders' look good!

Thank you Andy for the extra information, committed to the sponge brain now  . Wasn't QE2 completely (or mostly) sandblasted too?

Glad you're well and had an amazing holiday! One of my Aunties and her husband just got back from NZ too, after 5 weeks!

Note: see refit information

[Andy Holloway]

Thank you Andy for the extra information, committed to the sponge brain now  . Wasn't QE2 completely (or mostly) sandblasted too?

Glad you're well and had an amazing holiday! One of my Aunties and her husband just got back from NZ too, after 5 weeks!

1999 was the refit when they completely removed ALL the paint from the hull and repainted her. It was reported that tin places the paint was almost 50 coats thick! Afterwards her speed went up by 1/1.5 knots and fuel consumption improved by single figures.

Note: see refit information

[Michael Gallagher]

1999 Refit and three Cunarders together at Bremerhaven. Vistafjord became Caronia. Royal Viking Sun became Seabourn Sun. And QE2 remained the greatest ship ever to sail!


Note: see refit information

[Michael Gallagher]

Another 1999...


Note: see refit information

[Thomas Hypher]

Excellent aerial photos, Michael! Seems early on in that refit for QE2? Was Norway refitting (where RVS/SS is in the photos) when QE2 left that refit? I have recently seen a photo that suggests that.

Note: see refit information

[Thomas Hypher]

I didn't realise Vistafjord had her own speed stripes for a time! Can't say I'm sorry they were removed either...

[Michael Gallagher]

Yes to Norway refitting there with QE2 in 1999, Thomas.

The following Cunard ships had speedstripes: QE2, Royal Viking Sun, Vistafjord, Sagafjord, Cunard Countess, Cunard Dynasty, Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II.

[Thomas Hypher]

Yes to Norway refitting there with QE2 in 1999, Thomas.

In the photo with Norway (taken at night) QE2 is gleaming so the 1999 refit explains it!

[Thomas Hypher]

Yes to Norway refitting there with QE2 in 1999, Thomas.

The following Cunard ships had speedstripes: QE2, Royal Viking Sun, Vistafjord, Sagafjord, Cunard Countess, Cunard Dynasty, Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II.

Learn something new everyday! It looks as if QE2 is in the same drydock as during her 1986/7 re-engining refit? When Canberra was astern in RVS/SS's position for refit. Only Prinsendam is left in service 

[Andy Holloway]

Yes to Norway refitting there with QE2 in 1999, Thomas.

The following Cunard ships had speedstripes: QE2, Royal Viking Sun, Vistafjord, Sagafjord, Cunard Countess, Cunard Dynasty, Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II.

It was during this refit that Norway had some serious problems, i think it was flooding, that rendered her unfit to go to sea again. Lloyd Werft wanted to buy hr and convert her into an accommodation for crew of ships in refit. Anyone who has done a refit at Bremerhaven will know how bad finding accommodation in the area for crew is. Our Filipino crew were accommodated at Cuxhaven about an hour and half away!
Sadly NCL wanted too much for her and the deal fell through, consequently she left Bremehaven and headed east to be broken up for scrap, what a wasted opportunity.

[Thomas Hypher]

It was during this refit that Norway had some serious problems, i think it was flooding, that rendered her unfit to go to sea again. Lloyd Werft wanted to buy hr and convert her into an accommodation for crew of ships in refit. Anyone who has done a refit at Bremerhaven will know how bad finding accommodation in the area for crew is. Our Filipino crew were accommodated at Cuxhaven about an hour and half away!
Sadly NCL wanted too much for her and the deal fell through, consequently she left Bremehaven and headed east to be broken up for scrap, what a wasted opportunity.

That was a few years later after her boiler explosion in May 2003. She was then used as crew accommodation in the shipyard (as you say) for the in training crew of then new Pride of America (which partially sank at the yard in a storm) after being towed across the Atlantic (with a skeleton crew) from Miami arriving in Bremerhaven a couple of months after the boiler explosion. Pride of America started construction in the USA before NCL bought her and towed her hulk across to Bremerhaven. I have read about NCL being greedy with Lloyd Werft, not the first time they've been greedy sadly...Norway was neglected in her last years of active service and NCL skimped on dealing with her boilers for many years (her boilers not handling her short cruise routes very well either) having read the accident report.

Anyway back to topic!

[Lynda Bradford]

Source: This is research work by Michael Gallagher, please do not copy without Michael's permission
Date: 12 November – 11 December 1999
Timescale: Refit rescheduled from original 21 days to 30 days
Contractor: Lloyd Werft GmBH Shipyard, Bremerhaven, Germany
TOTAL COST: £30 million (approximately $32 million)
Captain: P Wright

On 14 April 1999, at a special 30th Birthday party for QE2, the full scale of the refit work was unveiled as a special Birthday present to the ship. It was also announced at this time that three shipyards were on the shortlist for the prestigious contract:

   A&P, Southampton (who undertook the 1996 refit)
   Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (who undertook the 1994 refit)
   Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven (who last worked on QE2 in 1988)

On 17 June 1999 Cunard announced that the contract for the refitting of its three largest vessels, QE2, Vistafjord and Royal Viking Sun had been awarded to the Lloyd Werft yard with all three vessels scheduled for dry-docking in November and December.

QE2 left Southampton for Bremerhaven on 12 November 1999 where the Greenpeace Protest Group had organised a protest at the use of an anti-fouling paint on QE2’s (and other ship’s) hull that had, as a chemical biocide, a high tin content known as tributyltin (TBT). This effectively prevented algae and molluscs from growing on ships’ hulls, thus slowing them down and increasing fuel bills. It also prevented undesirable foreign marine life from being spread from one world location to another. However it was also a highly toxic substance, which was released during the hull cleaning process, causing pollution of the water with the potential to kill wildlife.

“Cunard countered the action by confirming the removal of all tin-based paints in 2001 (seven years ahead of the required IMO date) and confirmed that this commitment could not be completed in the 1999 refit because of the significant hull work planned.”

PASSENGER AREAS

Cunard appointed internationally-acclaimed Swedish design firm Tillberg Design, and its UK associate SMC Design, for the interior design and refurbishment.

In total $18.5 million was spent on refurbishment.

QE2’s passenger areas would receive a new colour scheme throughout with new carpets, textiles and other materials.

Over 3,500 pieces of furniture were removed for refurbishment and re-upholstery.

MIVAN Marine were awarded a £1.6 million contract to refit the Caronia Restaurant, Queens Room and Promenades as well as to build the new Cruise Sales Office on Quarter Deck.

RESTAURANTS AND GALLEYS

Queens Grill - Refurbishment here was mainly decorative with pictures being re-arranged and the removal of the Royal coat of arms which had been the centrepiece of the Grill since its installation in 1972. This was re-located to the Queens Room and replaced by a portrait of HM The Queen.

Queens Grill Lounge - The chairs in the seating area forward of the bar were re-upholstered in red and pictures of Royal visits hung (formerly on display in the Queens Room). The red material in the bar / entrance to the Penthouses was re-done in red leather.

Princess Grill Restaurant - The dominating colour scheme of the Grill became red again and refurbishment included new Axminster carpeting throughout (including the stairway entrance down from Upper deck), curtains and blinds. The existing chairs and banquettes were recovered in red (replacing the blue introduced in 1996) and some minor changes to the table layout were made. All bulkheads clad in suede were re-clad in quality leather. The entrance to the galley was re-clad in wood.

The bulkhead in way of the spiral stair down to the bar on One deck was re-opened to create further space.

Princess Grill Lounge - The Grill Lounge was re-carpeted with a carpet in the same design as the new one laid in the Grill.

Britannia Grill - The Grill was refurbished in a principal colour scheme of purple. Further enhancements included new Axminster carpeting throughout (including the stairway entrance leading down from Upper deck), curtains and blinds. The existing chairs and banquettes were recovered in dark purple and an area of banquette seating near the entrance was removed and alterations to the table layout made to provide greater comfort for diners.

Caronia Restaurant - This was one of the key areas of the refurbishment. At a cost of $2.5 million the Caronia Restaurant benefitted from a complete ‘back to steel’ refurbishment that replaced the 1970s retro-look with one of traditional elegance with darker colours and rich mahogany panels – all in the style of an English country house.

The complete refit (which had been planned for some years but never fully undertaken) incorporated new bulkheads, feature deckheads, lighting (including crystal chandeliers), Axminster carpets, curtains, sunblinds, new chairs, music-system and tabletops. The new design incorporated a white ceiling, large square wooden columns, leafy Murano glass chandeliers and hand-painted murals. The entrance to the Restaurant was improved with new patterned glass entrance doors.

Noted Dutch artist Bas Sebus was commissioned to create a large oil painting / mural on the forward bulkhead of the Caronia region.

In addition a new table configuration was laid out featuring new Captain and host officer tables and an additional feature was ‘rainfall’ air-conditioning thus eliminating draughts.

Overall, some space was lost with the construction of the new Cruise Sales Office in the port annex.

Mauretania Restaurant - Refurbishment of the Mauretania Restaurant included a revamped main entrance from the Crystal Bar with new signage and Restaurant Manager’s desk. A new Axminster floral carpet was laid and new curtains hung. The lighting was enhanced with the addition of crystal chandeliers.

The Restaurant also had traces of the second Caronia removed:

A model of the Mauretania (1907) was relocated from the Officers’ Wardroom and replaced the one of Caronia (which was transferred to the ‘new’ Caronia).

Artwork was re-vamped with the mural of the second Caronia in the Caribbean being replaced with one depicting a lily pond at evening which reflected the warm tones of the room’s furnishings. Noted Dutch artist Ton Dubbleam was commissioned to produce this new mural.

Lido Restaurant - Work in the Lido consisted of the inclusion of new pale green carpeting and storage lockers. The hard flooring was replaced and all existing rattan chairs and barstools were re-covered in either plain or patterned pale green fabric. Other work included a new feature forward entrance, decorative extraction hood over the main service lines and new deckheads. The walls were re-done in green.

The two murals by Giancarlo Impiglia were relocated from the corridors separating The Lido from the Queens Room to the forward bulkheads of The Lido.

Pavilion Cafe - All chairs and barstools were recovered in the same pale green style as that found in The Lido.

EXISTING PUBLIC ROOMS

Queens Room - The Queens Room was totally refurbished in a new regal style with rich colours of blue and gold. All bulkheads were clad in dark mahogany. A new Axminster carpet in royal blue with gold Tudor roses woven into it was laid. New chairs and sofas in blue or gold were introduced and new curtains were hung. Extra seating was created with the movement forward of the sound booth - this was now incorporated into the dividing barrier. A new stage curtain was hung and the dance-floor was re-polished.

The walls and white plastic arches that formed semi-dividers along the indoor promenade were framed in a medium tone wood veneer. However, the original white tapered columns and the recessed lighting in the ceiling, a distinctive 1960s modern design, remained.

The artwork throughout the room was altered, the most important change being moving the Queens bust (by Oscar Nemon) further aft to a more prominent position. The Royal Standards were re-arranged and the Royal pictures of launchings and visits were re-located to the Queens Grill Lounge. The Royal plaque was moved from the Queens Grill to the aft bulkhead of the Queens Room.

Grand Lounge - The original scheme included a complete re-vamp of the Grand Lounge with a new stage area, banquette seating and a new balcony level was scaled down and the refitting here was limited to cosmetic changes with new Axminster carpeting, although the dance floor remained uncovered for a time as not enough carpet had been ordered.

Crystal Bar - The Crystal Bar was completely refurbished with new Axminster green carpeting, re-upholstered (in gold or green) chairs and barstools and new curtains and blinds. The existing beige walls were redone in green. The entrance canopy and signage leading to Mauretania restaurant was renewed and decorative glass infill panels to restaurant were installed. New artwork was placed throughout. 

Boardroom - The Boardroom benefited from a ‘back-to-steel’ enhancement that included new paneled bulkheads, deckhead (incorporating ‘rainfall’ air-conditioning), lighting, blue Axminster carpet and large 16 segment board table with chairs. In addition a new audio-visual unit was fitted. The upgrade was designed to re-confirm the room’s primary function.

Chart Room Bar - Enhancements included new: bar shutters and Axminster carpeting in dark green with the existing chairs and banquettes being recovered in light green. The deckhead was re-painted and the existing blue walls were redone in dark green.

The artwork was altered with the leather panel being re-located from One deck (D Stairway) to the aft bulkhead near the bar and the existing framed charts being removed or re-shuffled.

Golden Lion Pub - The Pub was refitted with a darker décor. Enhancements included new Axminster carpet and wood effect hard flooring. The existing chairs were re-covered in black leather and the banquettes were recovered. The deckhead was painted in dark green.

Above the timber frieze, QE2’s commemorative port plaques were fitted around the top of wall. In addition two gaming machines were installed near the bar.

Casino - The appearance of the Casino was improved further with new Axminster carpet, curtains and blinds. Four feature entrance signs were installed and the entrances were further improved with the addition of granite floors. In addition, the arches contained in the promenade section of the Casino were clad in real wood. Some alteration and reconfiguration of the gaming machines took place. New black jack and roulette tables were fitted together with new leather topped gaming stools.

Pursers Square - The entire reception area was re-designed to make it more efficient and more attractive in order to improve service.

The re-design included the complete reconfiguration of the Pursers Office (front and back of house facilities) to incorporate the Cashiers Desk, Business Centre, Communications Centre, Bank, Mailroom, Lost and Found, Lock Box and Baggage Master. The new front desk facilitated seven reception staff with improved counter space. A new guest waiting area was provided including fixed banquette seating.

The Baggage Master and Mailroom was sited in the existing redundant pantry forward and to port of the Pursers Square.

Access to the new guest Business Centre was from the starboard side of the Pursers office.

Decorative murals similar to those found in the Midships Lobby decorated the new front desk area.

Royal Promenade -n Harrods: the ‘Toy Box’ shop aft was removed and replaced with a branch of Harrods (last on board QE2 in 1996).  The entire Royal Promenade was re-carpeted in a new red carpet.

Library - The artwork was altered with the hanging of the Queen Mary painting (previously located outside the Theatre) which replaced the one of Cuba behind the Librarian’s desk.

Midships Lobby - The Asprey silver model of QE2 was placed on display here providing a new centrepiece.

The new (1999) Cunard logo was placed at the gangway entrances as a ‘welcome’ to QE2.
 
Club 2000- Enhancements included new video game machines provided by Carnival Corporation. These machines were now pay-for-play like on the other Carnival ships. Minor decorative finishes to bulkheads were undertaken.

Tour and Travel Office - The satellite World Image (previously located near the Library) was re-located here.

Photo Shop - The existing facility was enlarged and a new sales desk was built in a similar position as the existing desk. As part of the new promenade scheme, new display units were installed. The now redundant Cunard World Club and Cruise Sales Managers Office was incorporated in order to provide additional space for photo displays.

Doctor’s Waiting Room - The Doctor’s Waiting Room remained at Two deck, G Square and was upgraded to match the new Lobby scheme there with new decorative glazed doors. Similar glazed doors were fitted opposite on the starboard side.

Public Toilets and Washrooms - The Queens Grill ladies and gentlemen’s toilets on the Boat deck (A Stairway) were enlarged and completely re-built to a high standard with ceramic tiles incorporating quality fittings.

NEW PUBLIC ROOMS

Cruise Sales Office - The existing sales facility on Upper deck was re-located to the aft port annex of the Caronia Restaurant in a new dedicated office area that was fitted out to a high standard with new feature entrance doors (incorporating the brochure racks) direct on to the Promenade. The space was provided with two desks.

Conference Room - A new Conference Room, with a large boardroom-style table, was built on the port side of the aft lobby on Two deck.

ARTWORK

The Enterprise & Art Consultancy of Amsterdam was commissioned to act as a consultant (in conjunction with SMC Design) for the acquisition of new works of art for QE2. In total, 200 contemporary works were selected for the public areas and staterooms.  A complete survey of the ship’s entire collection of over 2,000 works and a CD-Rom of the collection was compiled.

[Lynda Bradford]

PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION

NEW SUITES
In order to obtain greater revenues from QE2’s deluxe range of accommodation, a plan to create three new luxury suites was implemented which resulted in the creation of a new grade of stateroom: QS. This new grade would fit in between Q1 (the Grand Suites) and Q2 (Penthouses).

A series of original paintings, watercolours and sculptures, in the themes of water, dance and country life, were used to decorate the three new suites.

Caledonia Suite
Boat deck (Cabin 8200)

The Radio Room was completely removed on the port side of Boat deck (advances in technology with the arrival of GMDSS had rendered the large facility redundant with equipment transferred to the new compact Communications Centre on Two deck and individual department terminals now installed on the navigation bridge). A new 575-square foot suite (54-square metres), The Caledonia, was built.

This new suite featured living area, separate dining area, bedroom, bar, separate master and guest bathrooms and walk-in wardrobe. Six large feature windows were cut to provide daylight. Luxury fittings and artwork were provided throughout.

Aquitania Suite
Two deck (Cabin 2149)

The existing Hotel Managers and Cruise Directors cabins on the starboard side of Two deck forward of the Midships Lobby were gutted and combined to provide space for the construction of a second suite – the 777-square foot (73-square metres) Aquitania Suite.

This new suite featured living area, separate dining area, bedroom, bar, separate master and guest bathrooms and walk-in wardrobe. A mirrored entryway lined with mirrored chests lead in to the new unit. Three large feature windows were cut in the living area to provide daylight. Luxury fittings and artwork were provided throughout.

Carinthia Suite
Two deck (Cabin 2151)

The existing 463-square foot Midships Suite located on the starboard side of Two deck aft of the Midships Lobby was totally gutted and enlarged by incorporating the small Conference Room and locker facility off the Midships Lobby to become the location of the third new suite: the 700- square foot Carinthia Suite.

The new suite included the same features as the other new units: living area, separate dining area, bedroom, bar, separate master and guest bathrooms (the existing bathroom was totally re-built) and walk-in wardrobe. A mirrored entryway lined with mirrored chests lead in to the new unit. One additional large feature window was cut in the new bedroom area, to accompany the three windows already the suite. Luxury fittings and artwork were provided throughout. A new front door was provided.

NEW CABINS
New P Grade Cabins
Two deck (Cabin numbers 2154 and 2153)

Again to further improve revenues, two new P Grade cabins were built forward on Two deck, both port and starboard side of the Forward Lobby.

Formerly the location of the Executive Chefs (2153) and Finance Managers (2154) cabins, the two new P grades were constructed to the same standard of the existing P-Grade cabins, incorporating similar features. The bathrooms were totally refurbished. Each cabin measured 246-suare feet.

STATEROOM REFURBISHMENT
For the first time since 1994, all suites and cabins on board were completely refurbished (with the exception of the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Grand Suites). Each room received new carpets, bedspreads, valences and curtains and all chairs / stools were re-upholstered.

In total, 30,000 metres of fabric was required for this project incorporating 21 special custom fabrics including double sided jacquards for bedspreads, colourwoven jacquards for upholstery, damask jacquards for wallcoverings and printed curtains and voiles – all produced to exacting maritime standards including the latest IMO fire safety regulations.

In total, £500,000 was spent on new carpets in the passenger accommodation.

For the first time, sets of colour schemes were introduced:

Penthouses and Deluxes         primarily tan or yellow
One and Two decks            primarily burgundy
Three deck               primarily blue
Four and Five decks                 primarily burgundy

Penthouse Cabins (Signal and Sun Deck)
(22 cabins in total)
Numbers: 8001, 8002, 8003, 8004, 8005, 8006, 8007, 8008, 8009, 8010, 8183, 8184, 8101, 8102, 8103, 8104, 8105, 8106, 8107, 8108, 8109 and 8110

All were totally refurbished with new fittings and a colour scheme of tan. Changes included new Axminster carpets, curtains, bedspreads, valances, nightstands, TV stands and wall fabrics. All existing furniture was recovered. Fax machines were installed.

Penthouse Cabins (Signal Deck aft)
(8 cabins in total)
Numbers: 8011, 8012, 8014, 8015, 8016, 8017, 8018 and 8019

These Penthouses (added in the 1986 / 87 re-engining) were totally redone and upgraded to the same standard as that found in the other Penthouses. The refurbishment included new deckheads, Axminster carpets, curtains, bedspreads, valances, nightstands, TV Amoire, fixed furniture and wall fabrics. Again, the new colour scheme here was primarily tan. Fax machines were installed.

Q-Grade Cabins Boat Deck
(10 rooms in total)
New colour scheme primarily tan

The ten Q graded deluxe rooms here were upgraded to a level similar to that found in the refurbished Penthouses. Work included new Axminster carpets, curtains, bedspreads, valances, nightstands and TV stands and wall fabrics. All existing furniture was recovered.


One and Two deck Q-Grade Cabins
(74 rooms in total)
New colour scheme primarily yellow

Refurbishment included new carpets, curtains, bedspreads, valances and wall fabrics. All existing furniture was re-covered.

One and Two deck standard P, C and M Grade cabins
(182 in total)
New colour scheme primarily burgundy

Refurbishment included new carpets, curtains, bedspreads, valances and wall fabrics. All existing furniture was re-covered.

Three deck standard P, C and M Grade cabins
(185 in total)
New colour scheme primarily blue

Refurbishment included new carpets, curtains, bedspreads, valances and wall fabrics. All existing furniture was recovered.

Four and Five deck standard C and M Grade cabins
(467 in total)
New colour scheme primarily burgundy

Refurbishment here included new carpets, curtains, bedspreads and valances. All existing furniture was recovered and bulkheads were re-painted.

GENERAL WORK
The Trafalgar Penthouse (8002 and 8102) was renamed the Queen Victoria in line with the existing Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne Suites.

Replacement of vanity lights in 20 cabins.

BATHROOM WORK
One and Two deck Q-Grade single cabins
(10 in total)

Enhancements included ‘back-to-steel’ renewal of all sanitary fittings, porcelain and bathtubs. All bulkheads and decks were laid to new marble. The standard was that of the 1994 refitting of the Q-Grade bathrooms.

The cabins involved: 1032, 1035, 1056, 1059, 1086, 1089, 2070, 2063, 2094 and 2087.

[Lynda Bradford]

HERITAGE TRAIL AMENDMENTS

The enormously popular and successful Heritage Trail (installed in 1994) was the subject of some major alterations during the 1999 refit with several artefacts and displays being re-located, removed or replaced.
Caronia Mural in the Mauretania Restaurant was painted over.

Caronia Model in Mauretania Restaurant re-located to Caronia and replaced by Mauretania Model (from Officer’s Wardroom)

Queen Mary Painting in Casino Lounge re-located to the Library; replaced by typical cruising images.

Ship Plaques outside Theatre re-located to Golden Lion Pub and replaced by Cuba Painting (from Library).

Laconia Cup on Upper deck D Stairway re-located and replaced with Japanese Warrior (from outside the Tour and Travel Office). Cup re-located to Two deck, D Stairway.

Leather Panel on One deck D Stairway moved to Chart room replacing wall of framed charts. Panel replaced with painting from Queens Grill.

Royal Pictures in Queens Room moved to Queens Grill Lounge and Penthouse staircases.

Royal Standards in Queens Room re-arranged.

Royal Coat of Arms from Queens Grill re-located to Queens Room and replaced with a Portrait of HM The Queen.

Bust of HM The Queen in Queens Room re-positioned.

Lifestyle Murals by Ginacarlo Impiglia outside Lido re-positioned inside Lido on forward bulkheads; replaced with deck image on starboard side and 1960s artwork on port side.

QE2 Bell on Two deck, D Stairway re-positioned to Three deck, D Stairway.

Silver Model placed in display in Midships Lobby.

Royal Plaques re-hung on Upper deck, D Stairway.

Mandela Plaque re-positioned to Quarter deck, D Stairway near to Chart Room.

[Lynda Bradford]

EXTERIOR

Continuous painting over the years had resulted in the hull wearing some 57 coats of paint (one inch thick).

Restoring the exterior involved grit- and hydro-blasting of the hull taking it back to the steel (last undertaken during the 1986 / 87 re-engining at Lloyd Werft) – an operation that took three weeks to complete. In total, some 91,000 square feet of hull was blasted prior to the application of new self-polishing anti-fouling paint. In addition, the boot-top was coated as was the hull and topsides. In total, International Coatings supplied about 12,000 litres of paint to cover 657,000 square feet.

Other external work included:

The painting of the hull a matte black replacing the dark blue she had worn since 1994.

The removal of the ‘speed-stripe’ Cunard tricolour. (A plan devised by Captain Warwick for a red stripe to separate the black hull and the white superstructure was submitted too late.)

Bow-thruster markings were painted on the lower hull.

Four new windows were cut into the starboard side of the superstructure. This was necessitated by the building of the new Aquitania Suite and the enlargement of the old Midships Suite.

The Cunard Lion ‘badge’ underneath the Bridge on the forward superstructure was removed as the Lion logo was out-of-date. The ‘badge’ (which had been transferred from the Cunard Princess after her sale in 1995) was stowed on board QE2.

TECHNICAL AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES

In total, £7.5 million was spent on technical work.

Surveyors from QE2’s classification society, Lloyd’s Register and the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), also attended the ship while she was at the shipyard to monitor all work undertaken and ensure it was done in accordance with the Society’s rules.

One of the biggest tasks to be undertaken saw the replacement of the 2,165-foot anchor chain (weighing 160 tons) for the first time in her 30-year history. The new chains were made in Holland.

All of the lifeboats, with the exception of the two Harding Tenders, were removed prior to QE2 entering dry dock.

Several thousand feet of piping was replaced.

The propeller hubs were renewed.

42 of the ship’s various ballast, black water and fuel tanks were inspected and where necessary patched up and coated.

Repairs were made to the aluminium superstructure.

A number of minor safety upgrades were performed to ensure that QE2 conformed to the latest Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations (scheduled to be enforced in 2000).

The machinery and navigation equipment was checked although little work was required here because Cunard imposed an on-going maintenance and update regime to ensure these vital components stayed in perfect working order.

RETURN TO SERVICE

QE2 returned to service on 12 December 2000 (after a one-night pre-Christmas ‘party’, 11 – 12 December) departing Southampton for New York on the last transatlantic crossing of the 20th Century.