So why is Cunard altering QM2’s fore castle? See the picture below. In al the QM2 material and renditions and even the official model the ends of the forecastle have large windowed observation lookouts. Where the library and the commodore club are going to be. Now in the construction picture of the fore castle these windows are gone and replaced by the small windows of the type that are on the front part of the forecastle.

I liked the larger windows, knowing that the ship is designed to reflect the famous liners of old I had the impression that the large windows where supposed to simulate the open observation decks of the original Queen Mary. Now that that feature is gone (and judging from the looks of the construction picture they wont be installed anymore) what changes can we expect further on in the construction.

Does someone know why this alteration is made and why it isn’t shown on Cunard’s own official renditions?

Best, Onno

Best, Onno

[ 01-23-2003: Message edited by: Keitaro ]

You can just about make out her name and port of registration.

I didin't notice the lettering until miamicruiser mentioned them. Good eye! I'm confused, though. You can clearly see the ARD, but where is the CUN going to go? The A starts on the corner! And on all the renderings it shows the name one deck lower. Is what we are looking at somthing that is sitting next to the ship?

As far as the original post about the design change... It looks to me that the builder photo shows the curved/forward area as being narrower at the top. Notice that the drawings all show an even number of windows on each deck. The actual ships windows are not alighned as shown in the drawings.

Best, Onno

[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

quote:

---

What is the two poles behind the funnel for? It reminds me of the Rotterdam IV and the Doric.

---

These are the ventilation shafts for the kitchens, though they look a bit like Rotterdam V smoke uptakes they are actually more like the France/Norway aft ventilation shafts.

quote:

---

During construction there are always design changes as the shipyard gets under way, hopefully not too many (costwise)and hopefully for the better(designwise).
We wait with anticipation and growing impatience for the new Queen to come out.

---

At least she will be unique in appearance, I cant imagine Cunard ever building a sister ship of the QM2-class.

quote:

---

Originally posted by jeffrossatsea:
geesh onno....i LOVE the renderings of the QM2 you do...if you ever decide to make post cards of them...let me know...i'll definatly buy all of them....jeff

---

That would be something, I have quite some renditions of QM2 from different angels to make an interesting set of cards.

Early one released by Cunard:

Onno's:

quote:

---

Originally posted by JudyJB:
Onno, you are right about her being a bit of everything. I was on the QE2 last spring where one of the lecturers was the marine architect of the QM2. He said he copied the bow and the thing the wave breaks against if it goes over the bow (sorry I don't know the right name) from the France, which he said he thought was the most beautiful ship ever built. There are also elements of the bow from the QE2.

---

Hi Judy,

Like the in modern car design you find many retro shapes that reflect the old days but then a bit styled, the QM2 is also build up out of retro shapes we know from the classic liners in a restyled package. Not only are the France and QE2’s bow great in apearnce they are also efficient, so it is not strange to see that QM2 will have a similar bow shape. I would have loved to see one of Mr. Payne’s lectures about QM2 but it was not to be, maybe you could share some interesting info about QM2’s design.

quote:

---

Originally posted by rd77:
Keitaro,

Onno's rendering reflects the most recent appearance of the ship. The drawing you posted at the top of your post was made when the order for the ship was placed in late 2000. Some changes were made since then and they are reflected in Onno's rendering...

---

Indeed QM2’s design and details has changed a little bit. Some of the early renditions show that her funnel was taller and the windshields around the funnel smaller (more QE2 like). Due to technical reason (mainly clearing the bridge to New York) the funnel can not be taller as it is going to be now. Because the funnel is smaller the wind shields had to be bigger to get the most effective airflow. Another change are the arrangement of the lifeboats and the arrangement of the privet verandas. And of course the double kitchen ventilation shafts which look nicer and more balanced than a single one.

Best, Onno

[ 02-03-2003: Message edited by: Onno ]

[ 02-05-2003: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]