QE2 Charters

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The QE2 has in the past been chartered a few times for blocks of time, and in particular locations.

When I started searching for these periods and places, I began with Yokohama and found at least three contradictory dates for this period within the first five minutes! If in doubt, I go by what Ronald Warwick says in his book.

Yokohama : 27 March 1989 for 72 days.
Osaka : December 1989 for 6 months.

Ron Warwick says : "... the ship docked alongside the passenger terminal in the port as a central attraction. Although she did not go to sea, she maintained her status as an ocean liner throughout her stay. Every day several hundred visitors arrived to spend the night aboard and another twelve hundred or so would just spend a few hours having lunch, looking around, or shopping. All the usual events took place -- the bars, casino, swimming pools, beauticians, and shops were open, and there was a full program of entertainment. The atmosphere was kept Western, but it was supplemented by Japanese staff with signs and menus translated into their language. The authorities permitted wedding ceremonies to be carried out on board, but the captain only acted as a witness."

After the end of the charter, he adds, the ship made short cruises to Hong Kong and other nearby ports.

You can imagine why this comes to mind at this stage. I wonder though whether anyone here has memories of the time she spent under charter, either in Japan or elsewhere? What was it like to live, visit or work on the ship while she was lying in port for extended periods? Was the atmosphere very different from that during a cruise?

[Louis De Sousa]

In 1990 from 7th October to 13th October the ship was on charter to the following

http://www.ypo.org/

Over the years their has been small charters of 3-4 days ill get back to you on that Isabelle.

Louis

[Louis De Sousa]

23-05 to 27-05 1992
05-06 to 09-06 1995
03-06 to 06-06 1996
03-06 to 06-06 1997
04-05 to 07-05 1998  During this dates the ship was under charter to what was called PIMM"S Charter.Ill have to go through my papers and find out the meaning again.



22-09 to 01-10 1997 during this time the ship was docked in Algeciras,Spain for the Ryder Cup.


Louis

[Kathy M.]

She was chartered by DEC in 1987, docked in Boston Harbor (along with another "lesser" ship!) - it was the first time I saw her in person, and was what prompted me to book a crossing in 1988!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

That's quite a lot of charters already!

I suppose the charters that involved her travelling somewhere, must have resembled normal cruises. How about those where she was stationary and people were able to walk in and out without spending nights on board?

What was it like? Did her atmosphere change a lot? And if, as in Japan, these involved taking on non-QE2 staff, did that make a big difference?

[Twynkle]

This'll be an interesting thread to follow!
I wonder when how long it will be before
the experience of QE2 chartering will turn from the past
into the future!
Wouldn't the owners need to keep her very safe,
and in the style to which she is accustomed
especially if she is to be a temporary home
to large groups.....?

[Louis De Sousa]

In 1990 from 7th October to 13th October the ship was on charter to the following

http://www.ypo.org/

During this Charter we called at Cadiz,Tangier and Lisbon.

Louis

[Louis De Sousa]

23-05 to 27-05 1992
05-06 to 09-06 1995
03-06 to 06-06 1996
03-06 to 06-06 1997
04-05 to 07-05 1998  During this dates the ship was under charter to what was called PIMM"S Charter.Ill have to go through my papers and find out the meaning again.

Charters are very different to normal cruising.When we done the above charter there was no ports of call the sailings were from Southampton or New York then just spend 2 days at sea.

This charter belongs to groups that come onboard to do bussiness.Most of day it is just meetings all bars are set up for meetings water and coffee are to be supplied they go for a quick lunch then back to meetings they cant be disturbed for this reason there is tannoy annoucements.

In restaurants that is were most of the chages are done in the big ones most of the tables for 2 and squares get taken away,most of the restaurant is set up with round tables.The food menu is also changed.A new list is printed for this charter with only about half of the normal wine menu.

Louis

[Louis De Sousa]

In 1990 from 7th October to 13th October the ship was on charter to the following

http://www.ypo.org/

During this charter i had the chance to serve Shimon Peres and the former South African President F.W. de Klerk.That is me on the photo with the former.

Note on my jacket i have a pin of the old South African flag and the one blue was from the YPO charter we had to use it.

Louis

[Louis De Sousa]

In 1990 from 7th October to 13th October the ship was on charter to the following

http://www.ypo.org/

Heres a photo of the President boarding in Lisbon.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ex-crewmember/3810442177/in/set-72157618625802312/

Louis

[Bob C.]

Judging from the shell door shape and size, this is one of the old automobile accesses on 4 or 5 Deck.  Can you verify that Louis?  If so, why would not visiting dignitaries board at a more prestigious location?

I've been intrigued by the shell doors (auto & passenger access) on how they worked and their various locations.  I didn't know the autmobile ones in the picture hinged from above.  Were all of them like this or did some hinge on the side?

[Louis De Sousa]

Judging from the shell door shape and size, this is one of the old automobile accesses on 4 or 5 Deck.  Can you verify that Louis?  If so, why would not visiting dignitaries board at a more prestigious location?

It was either 4 or 5 Deck i cant remember but in Lisbon there is no other access to board apart from theses 2 Decks.

I've been intrigued by the shell doors (auto & passenger access) on how they worked and their various locations.  I didn't know the autmobile ones in the picture hinged from above.  Were all of them like this or did some hinge on the side?

The are opened by hydraulic power.The bigger shell doors hinge up and there are a few smaller ones that hinge on the side.


Louis

[Michael Gallagher]

And HM The Queen and Prince Philip, Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela and many other VIPs used the same doors.

[Scott]

It always amazed me that they would be willing to charter out the ship. But then looking at the clients, they certainly are prestigious.

Actually even the original Queen Mary was chartered out to 'News of the World' in Dec. 1965. Under the command of Commodore Marr. She got into heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay, shipped a wave which brok the for'd Promenade windows and injured a man and his son.

[Dave Lowing]

Back in 1973, or 1974, she was chartered by Shaheen, the oil man. He chartered the ship from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then on to a bay call Come By Chance, Newfoundland. A desolate wind swept place. We tied up there for a day, then sailed back to New York.