The funnel bar actually looks nice. The covering is nicely integrated with the funnel base.
The plasma screens in the lion pub are silly. I would imagine you take a cruise to leave the normal day world for a fantasy world, I wouldn’t want to be confronted with those screens.

Somehow if you place a TV in a room with people, people strangely start staring at the screens like they are hypnotised. In my opinion placing screens in a pub means the people there aren’t interesting enough to have a conversation with. Can’t our civilisation do just a couple of days without the presence of TV screens?!

Onno

[ 06-09-2004: Message edited by: Onno ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
See here for some pictures posted from QE2's first sailing after her refit. A number of photos of the Funnel Bar area, other new bits, & some not so good areas that hadn't been finished off at the yard.
Pam

---

Photos were made by mr. Kyle Johnstone from Los Angeles, who has been my guest during his visit to Amsterdam.

Regards,

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willem H. van der Leek:

Photos were made by mr. Kyle Johnstone

---

I understand that the upkeep is an ongoing thing but, wiping scum off walls is just a simple thing that any crew member, when they see it, should take care of right away.

If the problems are to be blamed on the shipyard not getting everything done on time, then she shouldn't have left to embark paying passengers.

The funnel bar is nice, not posh but, so what; it fits QE2's style perfectly.

About the TV's: I guess if there is any place on a ship where a TV would be okay, it's in a pub or sports bar. Other than that (or your cabin), I'm opposed to the idea. Personally, I'm with Onno ... I cruise to get away from EVERYTHING. Still, sports nuts have strong convictions so I see where they wouldn't mind it. I was on Norwegian Dream years ago and they had TV's in the lido restaurant ... tuned into CNN. For 7 days straight, we were treated to images of the Colombine school shootings; just what I wanted to sit down to breakfast and lunch and see.

Thanks, Pam, for posting the link ... an interesting, eye-opening set of pics.

Russ

[ 06-09-2004: Message edited by: linerguy ]

It is particularly bad on the road, when one is overnighting in some town, and the only "dining room" in the motel is a multi-screen sports bar filled with shouting, obnoxious, and obscene "fans," cheering on a team in which I do not have the slightest interest. Sure, let them have their venue...but please "include me out!"

The QE2 funnel bar has replaced the pleasant, quiet, and comfortable sundeck. It is sad, but, OK, a bar is a bar. But if it is to be filled with raccous loudmouthed "fans" cheering on a soccer or football team on large TV screens, said facility belongs in the bilge area!!

[ 06-09-2004: Message edited by: Cambodge ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cambodge:
I agree with Onno. I detest sports bars, But if it is to be filled with raccous loudmouthed "fans" cheering on a soccer or football team on large TV screens, said facility belongs in the bilge area!!

[ 06-09-2004: Message edited by: Cambodge ]

---

Cambodge, do you really think that beer swilling fraternity jocks would book the QE2 or any Cunard ship if they had to dress for dinner every night?

The QE2's Caronia dining room and Golden Lion pub are contrived retro kitsch. GL was the loudest bar on the ship. TV's would be more of a sin in the Chart room. I preferred the Crystal bar, Chart room, and Yacht club.

The one deck Princess Grill Lounge clad in maroon vynil is unused.

The new sun deck bar with bandstand is necessary with the new role as a warm weather cruiser; a role for which QE2 is marginal at best. There was a bar there before, but kinda small. One can find quiet on one deck, boat deck promenade, and upper deck behind the yacht club.

What is more necessary that the A/C get fixed. Each stairtower get a unique color scheme, better trained Mauretania waitstaff, and better signage.

quote:

---

Originally posted by sslewis:
I think the TV on QE2 may show more than footies and have a civilised broadcast...

---

They could play some tapes of Ocean Liner documentaries.

My comment about the screens was actually for the reason Desirod mentioned, somehow I don’t think it fits in with the target group Cunard is aiming at. As for TV’s in sports bars fine with me, they fit well there. (all bars and café’s in my neighbourhood are already decorated with orange flags for Euro 2004 football in Portugal)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cambodge:

...But if it is to be filled with raccous loudmouthed "fans" cheering on a soccer or football team on large TV screens, said facility belongs in the bilge area!!

---

Actually, the TV screens appear to have been added to the Golden Lion Pub, which while not quite the bilge area is a significant distance from the new Funnel Bar.

For the record, I too enjoyed being able to sit quietly up there. The small bar that was there previously was fine for me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by desirod7:
Cambodge, do you really think that beer swilling fraternity jocks would book the QE2 or any Cunard ship if they had to dress for dinner every night?

---

I am bringing a dark suit for my very soon to come QM2 voyage.

One cannot dress like Onslow or Daisy on any Cunard ship.

Mauretania service levels, M4 and M5 cabins are not worth more than the price offered: $90 per day.

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:

But they don't have to dress for dinner every night anymore. 14 nights on 17th July for £809! Pam

---

[ 06-09-2004: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by desirod7:

Mauretania service levels, M4 and M5 cabins are not worth more than the price offered: $90 per day.

---

I agree 100%. QE2 is finally being priced in line with the product offered.

I interpreted from the posts here, that the TVs were being placed in the funnel bar...as the thread seemed to lead in that direction. I previously had bemoaned the conversion of the pleasant and relaxed sundeck, where my wife and I spent many pleasant hours, into a bar (as opposed to bar service being offered by deckchair attendants as used to be the case). I assumed that the next step would be the TVs.

great pics - the funnel bar, i can't really comment on it coz i've not seen it pre...

thanks!

LuKe

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
There are 2 casual nights per week, where a jacket & tie is not required. Pam

---

Pam,

Just went thru my QM2 info pack and my previous QE2 one.

I read that the "dinner seating" is according to the class/category of staterooms. This is also applicable to the place of your table Inside the Britannia restaurant, so, for example all "D-cabins" on the first, second or third floor of the restaurant,or am I wrong ?

The classless society is something unheard of on North Atlantic Waves...

quote:

---

Originally posted by eroller:

I agree 100%. QE2 is finally being priced in line with the product offered.

Ernie

---

In th elatst price lists i saw, the cheapest QE2 raters for the transatlantic crossing were some 3-400 EUR more expensive than QM2's transatlantic crossings? Why, I should think that QM2 as the newest and most up-to-date ship would be more expensive ???

On the CRUISES that I have been on the Sun Deck was totally under-utalised and thus, now she shall not spend much time on the Atlantic, it makes sence to create interest up there.