Dismantling the Synagogue

[Michael Gallagher]

As soon as the sale to Dubai had been announced the presence of a Synagogue on QE2 was always going to prove thorny. After I received an approach from the Chief Rabbi’s Office in London Cunard decided that they should be allowed to remove what items they wished. I escorted a group including the Chief Rabbi who viewed the items on 27 August 2008 prior to returning on 27 October 2008 to remove the items.

The Synagogue was ‘closed down’ on 25 October 2008 while QE2 was in Le Verdon. Staff removed the signs from the door and the internal fittings were removed from the walls. The room remained ‘closed’ for the remainder of QE2’s service. Most of the items inside were collected by representatives from the Chief Rabbi’s Office in London on 27 October 2008. The sign from the front door was given to long-serving Queens Room Band member Stevie.

QE2 was the last Atlantic liner to have a dedicated Synagogue thus ending a ‘tradition’ that started with Normandie in 1935.

As of 2015 it looked like even Israeli-cruise line Mano Cruises did not have a Synagogue on either of its two ships: Golden Iris (formerly Cunard Princess) and Royal Iris.

So, as far as I know, there is not a Synagogue at sea today and hasn't been since QE2 but it does seem strange Mano Cruises and its current one ship (Golden Iris) doesn't have one.

[June Ingram]

Thank you, Michael, for giving us this information !  Very much appreciated !   

[Brandon Sterkel]

What interesting information. Thanks Michael!

[Andy Holloway]

Thank-you Michael,

Steve was the name of the Musician i was trying hard, but unsuccessfully, to remember.

[Michael Gallagher]

Further to my post above regarding Golden Iris (ex Cunard Princess) which now sails for the Israeli cruise line Mano Cruises - I have just been studying the plan for Golden Iris and she appears to now have a Synagogue so she is the only (?) cruise ship to have such a facility.