Cruise Talk: Queen Mary's Reminicent Visit

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Queen Mary's Reminicent Visit

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Topic: Queen Mary's Reminicent Visit

fluctuant nec mergitur
First Class Passenger
Member # 577

posted 05-27-1999 11:33 AM

PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, KEIZO OBUCHI,
MAKES A REMINISCENT RETURN TO THE QUEEN MARY
Long Beach, Calif. -- The first time the Prime Minister of Japan, Keizo Obuchi, visited America in 1963, it was aboard the legendary luxury liner, the Queen Mary, traveling from Southampton, England, to New York City. On Thursday, April 29, he and his family revisited the historic ship in Long Beach, California.
The Prime Minister, a student at that time, had graduated from Waseda University and had begun his graduate studies in Political Science. Obuchi, interested in politics, decided that the best way to learn about the world and people was to travel. He felt that "seeing for oneself is better than reading any travel book." So, with a travel allowance given to him by his mother, Obuchi embarked on an around-the-world journey of discovery.
Because of his conservative budget, Obuchi traveled in moderate tourist accommodations and purchased second class passage aboard the majestic Queen Mary. However, second class accommodations were overbooked, so he was upgraded to a first class single stateroom - Cabin B-121. When the ship arrived to Long Beach in 1967 and was refitted by the City, the cabin was refurbished and is now stateroom B-461.
En route to Washington, D.C., where Prime Minister Obuchi will meet with President Bill Clinton, the Prime Minister specifically requested to once again visit the great ship that first brought him to the United States, which he referred to as his "love in Los Angeles." He was officially greeted by the Mayor of Long Beach, Beverly O'Neill, and by the Queen Mary's President and CEO, Joseph F. Prevratil, who presented the Prime Minister with gifts of welcome in a private reception.
Upon revisiting the original cabin Obuchi once traveled in, Queen Mary President, Prevratil stated, "When he saw that room his eyes lit up, and he went to sit on the bed. He said it brought back a lot of memories." The Prime Minister recalled his gratitude to the Queen Mary personnel, and related that even though he was not traveling first class in 1963, as a courtesy to him, the Queen Mary printed news from Tokyo each day in the shipboard newspaper. Obuchi said that when he was aboard, he took advantage of the fact that passengers could send post cards free to anywhere in the world, and so he would send post cards each day to his constituents in Japan, as he was running for office. He said it was with the Queen Mary's help that he won his first election.
When the Prime Minister formally booked passage aboard the Queen Mary in 1963, she was the "Reigning Queen of the Atlantic," making over 1,001 crossings, transporting many of the world's rich and famous, dignitaries, politicians, world leaders and celebrities.
Today, permanently berthed in Long Beach, California, the historic ocean liner, turned hotel and attraction, welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually to enjoy shipwalk tours, to dine, and also to stay aboard in the classic, Art Deco 365-stateroom Hotel Queen Mary.

Posts: 42 | Registered: May 99

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 05-27-1999 06:39 PM

I don't know what "Fluctuant nec mergitur" means, but I appreciate the article you posted about Prime Minister of Japan, Keizo Obuchi. I never crossed on the Queen Mary (wish I could have) but I've read so much about her history that I feel like I've been there. Working on the QE-2 was as close as I will ever get to crossing on the Queen Mary. I spent many visits to the Queen Mary in Long Beach imagining what it would be like. Thanks again for your article.
Barryboat, Minnesota

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99

fluctuant nec mergitur
First Class Passenger
Member # 577

posted 05-27-1999 07:32 PM

bonsoir berryboat,
i was very happy to share the article. I have taken that same journey many years ago and it brought back a lot of fond memories to me just to read. it sounds like you have also had some fond experiences and also have been able to live the ones you have desired to but unable vicariously through the study of different histories. I have also been on the QE2 and was veri happy to hear about your shared love for the ship. I am very new to all of this internet but enjoy the shared knowledge and experiences here.
you asked me what fluctuant nec mergitur means, and it is French for something like "it is tossed by the waves but does not sink" it is acutally the motto of Paris.

Posts: 42 | Registered: May 99

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 05-28-1999 02:02 AM

Welcome to the forum Fluctuant Nec Mergitur!
We enjoy you appreciate it.
Où bien: Bienvenue sur ce forum et nous sommes ravis que tu l'apprécies. (because you are french like me).
Bye.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99

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