My dad’s time working on QE2 – Part One

As some of you know, the cruise industry is ‘in my blood’.  My dad worked on the iconic Queen Elizabeth II back in the 70’s and I recently managed to get hold of his photos taken during that time.

They’re all in an album and my plan was to run them through a ‘photo machine’ (I don’t know the technical name for it) to restore the colour in them and save them to my PC but I haven’t been able to do this as they’re stuck fast to the pages of the album and I fear damaging the album or the photos if I try to free them.

So you’ll have to make do with photos (taken on my trusty Samsung S3 Mini) of the photos.

Dad was working on QE2 in 1975 and 1976 which was when she undertook her first World Cruise.  She visited 23 ports in 92 days and the promotional brochure stated ‘Because QE2 is faster than the average cruise ship you spend more time in port’

Cunard had announced in May 1973 that QE2 would undertake her first World Cruise in early 1975.

Nigel Thompson, Cunard’s Managing Director, stated: “We think QE2 is the best ship afloat for this type of cruise.”

Below is her full itinerary which of course started in Southampton. The terminal named after her still looks exactly the same today!

QE2 Terminal – 1975

1975

Saturday 4 January:         Depart Southampton at 1200.  Arrive Cherbourg 1900. Depart Cherbourg 2030
Thursday 9 January:        Arrive New York 0900
Friday 10 January  :         Depart New York 2100
Sunday 12 January:         Arrive Port Everglades 1300;  Depart 1700
Wednesday 15 January:   Arrive Curacao 0800; Depart 1800
Monday 20 January:         Arrive Salvador, Bahia 0800;  Depart 2359
Wednesday 22 January:   Arrive Rio de Janeiro 0800
Thursday 23 January:      Depart Rio de Janeiro 2359
Wednesday 29 January:   Arrive Cape Town 0800
Thursday 30 January:       Depart Cape Town 2359
Saturday 1 February:       Arrive Durban 0800
Sunday 2 February:         Depart Durban 1600
Wednesday 5 February:    Arrive Mombasa 0900
Thursday 6 February:       Depart Mombasa 1800
Saturday 8 February:       Arrive Mahe Seychelles Depart 1700
Tuesday 11 February:      Arrive Bombay 1400
Saturday 15 February:     Depart Bombay 1900
Monday 17 February:       Arrive Colombo 0800 Depart 1900
Thursday 20 February:    Arrive Singapore 0800 Depart 1900
Saturday 22 February:    Arrive Bali 0800
Sunday 23 February:      Depart depart Bali 1900
Thursday 27 February:    Arrive Hong Kong 0800
Sunday 2 March:             Depart Hong Kong 2359
Wednesday 5 March:       Arrive Kobe 0800
Thursday 6 March:           Depart Kobe 1900
Friday 7 March:               Arrive Yokohama 1300
Monday 10 March:           Depart Yokohama 1900
Saturday 15 March:         Arrive Honolulu 0800
Sunday 16 March:           Depart Honolulu 0700
Thursday 20 March:        Arrive Los Angeles 0800; Depart 1900
Sunday 23 March:           Arrive Acapulco 0800; Depart 1900
Wednesday 26 March:     Arrive Balboa 0600
Wednesday 26 March:     IN TRANSIT PANAMA CANAL
Wednesday 26 March:     Arrive Cristobal 1700; Depart 1800
Thursday 27 March:        Arrive Cartagena 0800; Depart 1400
Saturday 29 March:        Arrive Port Everglades 1700; Depart 1900
Monday 31 March:          Arrive New York 0900; Depart 2100
Saturday 5 April:             Arrive Southampton

Dad was a chef onboard so we have him to thank for some of the amazing food that came out of their kitchens (and it’s still a no-brainer when asked to go over to his for dinner).  Cunard always have been – and still are – known for their impeccable service and food.  The time, effort and precision that goes into each dish is evident with every meal.

Except when it ended up all over the staff……

The photo in dad’s album is titled ‘2 confectioners after pie fighting’

Being such an iconic ship, QE2 was welcomed wherever she went.

A big welcome in Sri Lanka

The photos fascinate me.  Having a huge interest in the cruise industry and of course my family history, I’m in my element and I’ll continue this post in my next blog.  I have lots more photos to add of destinations and the ship herself.  Stay tuned!

Lx