By P.W. Mooney
She's the last of the great transAtlantic ocean liners , and this fall the QE2 celebrates the 30th anniversary of her christeningin 1967. But the Grand Lady is eagerly looking forward to the future.

So far Cunard has invested more than 10 times the building cost of the QE2 to maintain her reputation as the ultimate in floating luxury and keep her sailing serenely into the next cetury.

A massive re-engineeringmulti-million-dollar upgrade in 1987 converted the ship from steam to dieselpower.
In 1994, the ship again had a major £30 million interior redesign ofits public areas to reflect the ship's heritage and tradition since SamuelCunard started the company in 1840.
This was followed by an £11 million overhaul in late 1996, including the intimate Princess and Britannia Grills. The Mauretania, the ship's largest restaurant, was fully redesigned at a costof £600,000 to allow for single-seating dining in line with the othershipboard restaurants.
The overhaul has been a success. In the five-star rated Queen's Grill, the restaurant along with its cocktail lounge, was totally refurbished and new lighting installed. The elegant restaurant also introduced an a la carte menu conceived by Cunard's Corporate Executive Chef Rudi Sodamin. As many as 24 appetizers and 20 entrees are offered nightly, reflecting Chef Sodamin's favourite recipes as well as passengers popular dishes.

Queen's Grill diners can special order anything they so desire - whether it be a special lobster dish , Beluga caviar, or a dessert souffle.

In the Lido, the ship' cafeteria-style dining area, warmer colors and more comfortable seating arrangements were introduced and, more importantly, a reduction in the harsh noise level was effected with the installation of sound-absorbing carpeting over the formerly tiled floors.

This softer ambience along with attentivetable service and a delectable array of food make this a popular eatingdestination morning until late night.

Up on Signal Deck two newly conceived luxurious penthouses with 800 square feet of flexible living/sleeping space with a sun veranda and deck with a side balcony were added and many deluxe cabins were increased in size and given new marbled full bathrooms.

Tune in to SeaVision
In all cabins a new interactive TV system, SeaVision, was installed that features an information channel for ship news and a view from the bridge as well as a selection of movies that can be viewed at any time.

An interactive service is also provided that allows pay-per-view channels at a fee to passengers and the ability for passengers to keep tabs on charges to their onboard accounts.

Our crossing seemed to have twice as many activities starting at 8 am for the earlybirds and lasting until 6 pm. Not only were there four authors discussing their works at various times during the crossing, passengers also could choose lectures on computers, investment planning, nutrition and other health-related topics; dance classes, movies, even a fine-art auction.

The sports minded could indulge in the ship's Spa facilities, practise their golf, skeet shoot or go for a jog. One could go nonstop until dinner, after which there was Broadway-style entertainment, recitals, nostalgia night, and the glitzy Casino for gaming buffs.

Of course, one did not have to join the whirligig of activities. Quieter pursuits were also available. With the reduction in passenger capacity, there seems to be more space to lose oneself - little nooks where one can just stare at the sea and meditate. Although I found the boat deck crowded with speed walkers, other areas were quiet such as the Sun Deck or the Queen's Grill lounge where one could indulge in a favuorite book.

Innovation and consistent quality contribute to the liner's high degree of passenger satisfaction. Many on board were taking their third or even fifth crossing on the QE2. But the distinguishing hallmark of the ship is the constant refinement of the cuisine in the ship's six restaurants, most notably in the Queen's Grill with its epicurean delights that have earned the restaurant its coveted five-star rating

Cunard's continual upgrading of the QE2 assures that the liner will certainly be around in the next century. Already plans are underfoot for the year 2000, with a series of millenium cruises designed to sail connoisseurs into a new era by voyaging them to exotic and cultural destinations of the past.

It's a wonderful way to cross the Atlantic - six days of blissful living, elegant dining and a staff attending to one's needs.

What a way to go!