Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...
Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. “Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...
Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbean’s latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...
Graham.
quote:Originally posted by bcscot:That forward canopy area on the top deck makes her look like she is wearing a crown. How appropriate! Graham.
Cunard should have some fun with it and paint it up to look like a crown .... then when she shares a port with the NCL Norwegian Epic she will have her crown and the Epic will have her top hat.
Brian
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:So what's the crown?
My understanding is that it is an awning covered Astroturf games area for croquet & bowls, not present on the QV.
quote:Originally posted by DEIx15x8:I really like the look of that reflection on her hull. I thought it was fake until I saw that Queen Victoria image with it as well. Is this a result of the black or what is causing it? Odd to see a ships hull reflect like a mirror.
Clean paint w/no salt spray will do it. I saw a documentary on the Royal yacht Britannia and her spotless hull (everything about her was over-the-top perfection) also gave off a wonderful reflection.
quote:Originally posted by bcscot:My understanding is that it is an awning covered Astroturf games area for croquet & bowls, not present on the QV.Graham.
I heard that QVs deck area was quite windy and it was closed-in w/glass windscreens and the awnings on QE. I don't mind it as much as the cattle carrier stern.
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:.... I saw a documentary on the Royal yacht Britannia and her spotless hull (everything about her was over-the-top perfection) also gave off a wonderful reflection.
.... I saw a documentary on the Royal yacht Britannia and her spotless hull (everything about her was over-the-top perfection) also gave off a wonderful reflection.
Britannia was sailed and maintained by the Royal Navy so she was as 'perfect' as a naval vessel. Having toured the ship, I wouldn't say the interiors were over the top perfection, they're rather modest. Even the queen's bed was made to a size that would enable the re-use of Queen Victoria's bed linen from previous royal yachts!!! It's also very small and must have given the Royal Family many episodes of mal de mare!!!
Cheers
Ken
I don’t really understand WHY the Queen is naming this Italian built, American owned bog-standard cruise ship.
What is that about, and what is 'bog standard'? Is there actual logic to a statement like this or is this just resentment, spite, hater-style words from someone who can't get past a Vista design as a Cunard 'Queen'?
I'm guessing the writer thinks the new QE is'nt up to being a 'Queen' passenger ship.
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:I don’t really understand WHY the Queen is naming this Italian built, American owned bog-standard cruise ship.
The old girl needs the work!
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:What is that about, and what is 'bog standard'?
It's not a derogatory phrase in the UK at all, it just mean 'standard'. I'm not sure where the pre-fix 'bog' comes from?
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:I need help. I am not sure what would make somebody say this:I don’t really understand WHY the Queen is naming this Italian built, American owned bog-standard cruise ship.What is that about, and what is 'bog standard'? Is there actual logic to a statement like this or is this just resentment, spite, hater-style words from someone who can't get past a Vista design as a Cunard 'Queen'?
I'll be honest, I'm partly with the original comment here. The ship *is* Italian-built and (ultimately) US-owned; there is almost nothing about her that is British. Her Majesty is the head of state, and a certain amount of dignity is supposed to go with that. I'm not sure I can see a President of the US naming a cruise ship - I don't think it would be regarded as appropriate. So why ask a British monarch?
As for the historical resonances, I think there's a world of difference between Queen Mary launching RMS Queen Mary in 1935, and Queen Elizabeth naming MS Queen Elizabeth in 2010. The earlier ship was possibly the biggest ship ever built (depending on how you measured them, and which measurement you chose), was a vital piece of the country's maritime infrastructure, and was an expression of British industry. It's also the case that finishing her construction was seen as part of the post-depression recovery. The new ship has many virtues, I'm sure - I would like to cruise on her myself - but has no real significance, even nationally let alone internationally. She's a further good development of what has turned out to be a very successful class of ship, aiming at an international clientale. I don't really see what it's got to to with Elizabeth Regina, other than the coincidence of name.
quote:Originally posted by Tom Burke:I'll be honest, I'm partly with the original comment here. The ship *is* Italian-built and (ultimately) US-owned; there is almost nothing about her that is British. Her Majesty is the head of state, and a certain amount of dignity is supposed to go with that. [...]
I suppose her homeport will be Southampton so why shouldn't the head of state of the flag state name her?
Also, it should not really matter that she has been built in Italy giving that we have the year 2010 and giving that both the U.K. and Italy are members of the European Union.
Cunard is promoting a cliche of Britain which is also not to my taste BUT they are advertising for Britain and that should be more than enough of a reason for her Majesty to name one of their ships.
[ 09-06-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by Tom Burke:I'll be honest, I'm partly with the original comment here. The ship *is* Italian-built and (ultimately) US-owned; there is almost nothing about her that is British.
That original comment...
...was made in the same breath as proclaiming the QM2 the 'best ship in the world'. My response was that QM2 was built by that exact same American owned Cunard Line subsidiary of Carnival Corporation but in a French shipyard. So I wonder why all the discord over the new Queens, especially between historians (who really seem to hate them) and actual Cunard passengers (who really seem to like them)?
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:That original comment...I don’t really understand WHY the Queen is naming this Italian built, American owned bog-standard cruise ship....was made in the same breath as proclaiming the QM2 the 'best ship in the world'. My response was that QM2 was built by that exact same American owned Cunard Line subsidiary of Carnival Corporation but in a French shipyard. So I wonder why all the discord over the new Queens, especially between historians (who really seem to hate them) and actual Cunard passengers (who really seem to like them)?
I agree totally with you dmwnc1
To go a step further, there was no such comment made by anybody when HAL announced that HM Queen Beatrix would dedicate the Eurodam back in 2008. The same reasons are here in place as with the QE. Italian build American owned not etc. What is different between The Dutch Queen dedicating a vista clone and the British Queen dedicating a vista clone. Nothing!
I think they recognizing that these ships are flag wavers fore both there country's. Al over the world. A sort of giant bill board. Providing work to British and Dutch crews (most in the officers and engine department) And they are paying taxes to fly the Red ensign and Dutch tricolor. Beside that I think they find it fun to dedicate ships it brings them good lots of positive attention.
Just my thoughts, Ben.
[ 09-07-2010: Message edited by: Maasdam ]
Gr. Ben.
quote: I think they recognizing that these ships are flag wavers fore both there country's.
Well, I don't think so (with respect to QE). Queen Mary and the first Queen Elizabeth were, Canberra might have been (especially after 1982), and QEII also (ditto), but not this Queen Elizabeth.
Speaking as a Brit I really don't see any real connection between this ship and this country - it certainly doesn't represent it.
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...