domdavis.com

I always wanted to fly to New York on Concorde and return on the QE2. It was something I was going to do when I was older… and then the French went and bent their Concorde (well, technically they leant it to the Germans and they bent it). Shortly afterwards and Concorde was no more, I’ll never fly on one.

Not long after than Cunard announced that the QE2 was being pulled off the transatlantic run, being replaced by the QM2. Great though the QM2 looks, its a cruise ship. The QE2 is the last of the great liners; the distinction is small, but important. It was pretty obvious the QE2 was not going to be cruising for much longer so I made damn sure I got to go on her before she was retired. I actually managed two trips, both weekend jaunts, but well worth it.

Recently Cunard finally announced they were selling the QE2 to Dubai where she will become a floating hotel. A sad end for such a great ship, but up close she really needs refurbishing and with the QM2 and the Queen Victoria (which looks like a stunning ship) in the fleet the poor old QE2 was no longer the flagship.

I’m sat here with an invitation to one of the last farewell season voyages, 8 nights, April 2008. The kind of Cabin I’d want means it would cost something in the region of 4 or 5 grand (for two people with a special early booking rate for being a gold Cunardier - oooh, get me - it’s more like 8 grand full price), but I’d be willing to pay that for one last holiday on her. Unfortunately I don’t have anyone to go with I’m almost tempted to book it anyway and ebay the chance to go on holiday with me in one of the top cabins on a grand old liner. I won’t though as a lot can change between then and now and I’d need the name of the other passenger to book it.

Hey ho…