Guest Blog – Robert Powell – The Prince’s Trust Ambassador 

In 2007 my wife Babs and I, as Ambassadors of The Prince’s Trust, were invited to Southampton to the Naming Ceremony of Queen Victoria, staying overnight in one of the staterooms, so when 4 years later I was invited to give a couple of talks on board, as far as I was concerned it was only a question of which voyage.

It turned out that ‘Pearls of the Black Sea’ was the voyage mutually convenient for both Cunard and ourselves. We had the most fabulous trip!

From Venice to the ancient site of Olympia, the temple of Poseidon in Athens, a cruise down the Bosporus in Istanbul, visits to palaces and cathedrals in Yalta, climbing the Potemkin Steps and discovering the ‘Champagne’ making techniques of Odessa (don’t ask), the extraordinary archaeological site of Ephesus and the glories of the Amalfi coast.

All that in just 12 days and still managing to eat some spectacular cuisine on board, a couple of times as the guests of the completely charming Captain Ian Hutley and Chief Engineer Ronnie Keir, not to mention the delightful Entertainment Director Sally Sagoe. I could go on and on, the crew were all charming. The only problem was finding time to sleep as every evening the Royal Court Theatre put on shows that would grace any West End theatre. The young dancers and singers were particularly brilliant.

I’ve just read back what I’ve written so far and it reads like something from out of a Cunard brochure! Well, I promise you I’ve not been paid to write this blog. I sailed with Cunard for the first time in 2000 on QE2 when Jasper Carrott and I did a couple of talks as a double act. Mayhem ensued, enormous fun. It’s taken 11 years to be invited back for my second voyage. All I can say is, I hope I don’t have to wait so long for the next.

On behalf of the Prince’s Trust Charity – Entertainment Director Sally auctioned off the Navigational Chart depicting the route taken during this voyage including Dardanelles and Bosporus.The auction involved  “giving away kisses”  all of which helped raise $840. This very well attended auction was a joyful and humorous event helping an excellent cause.

Hello All

I could not help but be saddened when I heard that Dolores Hope passed away at home in Los Angeles recently at the grand age of 102. In my youth I remember fondly Bob Hope’s films ‘Road to…’ in black and white. We at Cunard Line have fond memories of both Bob and Dolores Hope who often travelled on Cunard Liners. Even today we have some wonderful Black and White photos displayed in the Heritage Trail on Queen Mary 2.

In memory of both Bob and Dolores Hope – and all the laughter and fun they gave so many of us – here are some pictures of them both enjoying their time on board and of Bob Hope performing on the original Queen Mary.

It was in 1939 that Bob and Dolores Hope travelled on Queen Mary from England to New York. Bob had taken his new wife to introduce her to his family in London. On the ship during the crossing on 3 September 1939, it was announced on the BBC that war had been declared by Neville Chamberlain that morning in London, seeing how upset everybody was, Bob organised a show to lift people’s spirits – he wrote his show that afternoon and then performed in the First Class lounge.

Here are a couple of his one-liners that will lift your spirits today;

How does it feel to be almost 100 Bob – ‘I don’t feel old, in fact I don’t feel anything till noon and then it’s time for my nap’

‘I asked my good friend Arnold Palmer how I could improve my game – he advised me to cheat’

In October 1962 Bob Hope performed at the Royal Variety Show at London’s Palladium – in front of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. At the start of his show, he looked up to the royal box and said – ‘We don’t have titles in the US. No – we just have two classes, the people and the Kennedy’s’. The Queen turned and smiled to her husband. Bob Hope continued – ‘And there are more people than Kennedy’s’. The Queen roared with laughter.

So – God bless Bob Hope and God bless his wonderful wife Dolores. We will remember them fondly and they have a very special place in Cunard’s history – they just don’t make them like that any more.

Best Regards

Peter

Guest Blog – Mike Perkin – Guest on board Queen Victoria’s Pearls of the Black Sea Voyage

This was our seventh cruise with Cunard, taking us to nine historic cities in five countries, across four famous seas (the Adriatic, Aegean, Ionian and Black Sea), and two Continents.  If that sounds daunting, cruising provided the answer, waking up each morning to find our 5-star hotel having re-located itself overnight! After a short flight from Heathrow to Venice, we transferred to Queen Victoria and quickly found ourselves at home.  Our stateroom had the customary welcome pack and additional “goodies” to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  After a splendid dinner, the day ended with the sailaway party and a welcome show in the Royal Court Theatre. 

A day and a half later, we anchored off Katakolon in an idyllic bay at the Southern tip of Greece, and visited Olympia to see the historic beginnings of the Olympic Games.

Sailing overnight through the Dardanelles, we arrived in Istanbul – a huge, bustling city with hundreds of mosques, ornate palaces, a famous bazaar and two modern suspension bridges across the Bosphorus.  For us though, the “main event” was to visit the Crimea, recalled from history lessons years ago. In Yalta our shore trip was to Sevastopol’s Panorama building, where we saw a 3D recreation of the defence of the city.  Outside the city, looking down from Sapoune Heights, where Lord Raglan had observed the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade, our guide Olga recited the whole of Tennyson’s famous poem of the battle – a stunningly poignant moment.  By complete contrast, we then drove to Balaklava for lunch and a tour of tunnels that housed nuclear submarines of the Soviet Black Sea fleet during the Cold War – amazing!

Day 8 brought us to Odessa and a tour of the Soviet Partisan Catacombs and several of the architectural highlights of the city viewed en route from the coach.  That evening, sailing south across the Black Sea, we were blessed with another glorious sunset. The following day we were again able to see Queen Victoria’s funnel creep under Istanbul’s two suspension bridges and, as the day ended, see the monuments on the Dardanelles that commemorate the many lives lost in the Gallipoli campaign of the Great War.

Our next port was Kusadasi, on the Asian side of Turkey, to visit the archaeological sites at Ephesus, Miletus and Didyma. Our amusing guide Oz gave a great account of these ancient places.

Having sailed overnight to Naples, we took a hydrofoil trip to the nearby island of Capri. “In Capri we don’t need driving lessons, we need imagination”, said our comical guide as we sped away, threading our mini coach through the eye of several needles up the hilly landscape.  Here were great views, a pleasant lunch, if a bit hot indoors, but another fine destination to tick off the list.

Throughout the voyage, we had faultless service from our Princess Grill waiters and superb food.  We relaxed while at sea, in between talks by newsreader Nicholas Owen, readings from Charles Dickens and Jane Austen by Robert Powell, listening to some of the musicians around the ship, and occasional retail therapy.  We always go to the evening shows, they may not all be to everyone’s tastes but with great costumes and backing music, the performers clearly enjoy what they do and work so hard that we are rarely disappointed. On other days we saw fine musicianship from Kenny Martyn but best of all were the comedy juggler, Pete Matthews, with his great skill and hilarious interaction with the audience, and comedian Allan Stewart who had us in stitches!

Finally, they say the sign of a good company is how it responds when things go wrong.  After another super cruise with Cunard we faced chaos and confusion when checking in at Rome’s Fiumicino airport for our flight home.  But sensing the mood as we boarded, BA’s cabin services director gave an immediate, comprehensive and heartfelt apology that received spontaneous applause from all on board; “If you’re going on a business trip I hope it’s a successful one, if you’re in transit I hope it’s a smooth one, if you’re going on another cruise may it be a Cunard one and if you’re flying I hope you’ll fly with BA”.  As Cunard’s preferred flying partner it was good to see them striving to maintain the high standards that both companies are known for, so many thanks to Cunard and BA for a wonderful holiday.

Day 1

New York City – it was a bright, sparkling morning and as the car headed across the Brooklyn Bridge, I caught a sight of Queen Mary 2 alongside Pier 12 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. I was on my way to join Queen Mary 2, feeling very honoured to have been invited to sail as the Ambassador for the Cunard World Club for the voyage from New York to Southampton. Minutes later we checked in at the large and efficient terminal and shortly after boarded the magnificent Queen Mary 2. I had not been on board since 2006, and my first impression, as I entered the ship on 3 Deck, along the line of staff waiting to assist and direct,  was how beautifully maintained the ship looked, immaculate everywhere.  

Soon it was time for boat drill, and then up to Deck 8 Aft for sailaway.  It was such a beautiful afternoon, the skyline of New York and the Statue of Liberty outlined clearly against a backdrop of bright blue sky – a perfect picture postcard.   Gradually the skyline grew smaller, we were clearing the Verrazano Bridge (always a breathtaking moment for those watching the mast and funnel going under – will there be sufficient space?) and then heading into the North Atlantic for Voyage M120, another Transatlantic crossing and part of the long tradition of Cunard since they started regular voyages on this vast ocean in 1840.

Day 2

This morning, Paul O’Loughlin, the Entertainment Director, kindly invited me to be a guest on his TV show  ‘Wake up With Paul’, a lively and fun  entertainment  to start the day. The weather was perfect and soon many guests were up on deck. After UK Immigration Inspection, I joined the Solo Travellers Welcome Get-Together, and was delighted to meet Mrs Maxine Bernstein, who has sailed on Cunard ships for many years, besides meeting other guests, some of whom were sailing for the first time.  The ballroom dance class is always a great venue for meeting and mixing with guests – today we did the waltz.  The class was very full, but Anthony and Kristina quickly got everyone dancing with their expert tuition and organisation.  During the afternoon I went to the Needlework and Knitting interest corner – always a sociable and fun occasion (and good for me to continue my counted cross stitch project which I’m slowly completing!). As ever the Entertainment Programme was full, two busy events being the Planetarium shows and a maritime lecture on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

This evening Commodore Rynd held two receptions for Britannia Restaurant guests in the Queens Room and I then hosted a dinner table with the Deputy Captain, Robert Camby.  Mr and Mrs Robert Poda and Mr Thomas Fitch were some of the guests that we welcomed to the table this evening.

Day 3

This morning I took part in the first of the RADA workshops.  The Queens Room was packed but the RADA team quickly organised everyone into groups for movement and storytelling.  It was enormous fun, I met up with many guests and it was much enjoyed by everyone.  Do join a workshop when you travel again.  A lecture was given by the journalist and war correspondent, Martin Bell, which drew a full house.  Once more, the weather was lovely and my day slipped away mingling with guests at the Cha Cha Cha class, tea in the Queens Room and at the Commodore’s Reception for Grill guests. This evening it was lovely to welcome, among others, Mr and Mrs Benford and Mr and Mrs Grayson to dinner in the Britannia Restaurant.  After dinner I caught some of the Royal Cunard Singers and Dancers production ‘Viva Italia’.

Day 4

This morning I gave a Cunard World Club presentation in the Royal Court Theatre, an account of my many years working with Cunard Line and some of the people, ships and events that have been part of that story.  An Art Talk on the life and works of Rolf Harris was one of the many events for today, and guests were out enjoying deck sports as the weather continues to be warm. I’ve spent some time this afternoon wandering the outside decks, socialising with guests.  This evening, Mrs Martha Hufford, Mr Charles Warder and Mr Michael Comer, who have been travelling for many years with Cunard, were among the guests at dinner.

Day 5

Another great RADA workshop (each group acting out their various interpretations of Red Riding Hood!), followed by a lesson in jive dancing, both events attended by large numbers. As ever, the Daily programme was full of activities including Bridge, Art Class and Trivia.

This evening I attended the Cunard World Club Reception, a lovely occasion, when I was delighted to make the presentation to the Top Sailor of the voyage, Mrs Maxine Bernstein, who has accumulated a magnificent total of 2253 days sailing on Cunard ships.  I again hosted a table – there always seems to be such a lively exchange of conversation, making us one of the last to leave the restaurant!

Day 6

This afternoon a Wine Tasting was organised for Platinum and Diamond Cunard World Club members.  We tasted five wines and the sommeliers, all very experienced and knowledgeable, gave in-depth descriptions of each wine and its background.  The participants really enjoyed the event! Later I went to the Tea Dance in the Queens Room, combining the traditional Cunard white glove afternoon tea experience with the Queens Room Orchestra.  Couples floated round the floor some ladies in dance dresses – an elegant occasion.  This evening I met John Smith, the Environmental Officer, and together we hosted a table in the restaurant. After dinner, I watched the Ascot Ball Hat Parade in the Queens Room – always fun to see the entries for the show, some of them very ingenious, particularly a lady with a model of Queen Mary 2 on her head – lit up!

Day 7

Commodore Rynd’s Interdenominational Church Service took place this morning in the Royal Court Theatre.  I was honoured to be asked to read at the service – some verses from the Book of Revelation.  During my years with Cunard, there has always been a church service conducted by the Master of the ship – one of the lovely Cunard traditions that endures to this day.

 A small gift has been sent to the cabins, specially created for the Cunard World Club voyages of 2011, plus a certificate signed by the Commodore, the artwork showing the route of the voyage.

The last afternoon has passed quickly and walking on deck at about 6.15pm, one could see in the distance the Isles of Scilly, the first land since departing the coast of the United States – our transatlantic crossing is almost over and the real world is at hand!

Tomorrow Queen Mary 2 will dock at Southampton.  As ever, I am so very impressed and proud of this great Cunard ocean liner.  The crew, as always, are the best, their level of commitment and standards are constantly upheld in true Cunard tradition.  The ship looked lovely, her spacious public areas immaculately maintained.  The cuisine was superb and the Daily Programme of entertainment quite outstanding in its extent, variety and standard, including A Night At the Opera, a three hour performance of Carmen in 3D! Travelling the North Atlantic in this fine ship is truly ‘The Only Way to Cross’.  If you haven’t experienced a crossing on Queen Mary 2, you should certainly think about it for the future!

I would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to Louisa Gould, Senior CRM and Loyalty Executive from Cunard Office and to Yo-Yo and Eli the Voyage Sales Specialists on Queen Mary 2 for all their help and kindness to me during the voyage.

Hello all

Those of you who regularly follow the blog will know that Peter and the ‘All Aboard’ team took part in The Prince’s Trust Palace to Palace bike ride last Sunday. Over the last few months the team have been training and raising sponsorship money – a big thank you to all of you who sponsored, your contributions will make a big difference to young people in the UK. Have a look at this link to find out more about the trust and how the money we raised will help with the great work that they do: Prince’s Trust 

So, on Sunday 18 September the team took a coach up to London to join the thousands of other cyclists taking part in the ride, this is the 5th year the ride has taken place and last Sunday saw the largest number of participants – over 3000! The ride starts at Buckingham Palace and finishes 45 miles away at Windsor Castle. There were people of all ages taking part, some dressed as Boris Johnson – riding ‘Boris Bikes’, a Wills and Kate look-alike on a tandem and even a tiger made an appearance!

Here’s the All Aboard team ready for the miles ahead:

And here we are at the starting point:

After 3 hours 45 minutes, 45 miles and some challenging hills we reached the finish line in Windsor, where hundreds of supporters were cheering and clapping for their friends and family and we were each presented with a wonderful medal.

From sponsorship and events leading up to the ride we reached a grand total of…… £10,000!! And as Gold Patrons of The Prince’s Trust we have now raised over £650,000 – thank you to all of you who have helped us.

A couple of days after the bike ride we were involved in another Prince’s Trust event, this time it was on board Queen Mary 2. Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles hosted a lunch and tour of our flagship for a group from The Prince’s Trust, here he is during his entertaining speech in the Commodore Club:

That’s all for now, we’ll be back next week with guest blogs from Queen Mary 2 and Quen Victoria, and soon as we have all of the details of Queen Mary 2’s refit in November – you will hear it here first.

Hello All

Thank you to so many for making such positive comments on my report of our visit to Liverpool last week. Often people ask me ‘What is a blog – what does it do?’ Well I think those that read our blog on the visit and those that made such warm remarks about their own experiences in return demonstrate just what blogs are for – a way of us conversing with our loyal and future guests and bringing to life some of the many experiences of Cunard.   

Well – as promised – we have two videos to help share the remarkable day in Liverpool. The first one paints a picture of the day and why Liverpool is our spiritual home – and I do hope you enjoy it. The second will follow later in the week – and that will share with you just what we got up to in the Cathedral – not one to miss.   

I am also pleased that in both videos you will meet our new Entertainment Director on Queen Elizabeth – Keith Maynard. Here we go……   

Back soon with the second half of the story. That’s all for now.   

Best regards   

Peter

Hello All

This week we will share some of the wonderful happenings of Queen Elizabeth’s maiden call to Liverpool – including some moving video footage. I thought I would share with you my personal perspective of the visit.

The ship was due in on Thursday morning and so on Wednesday evening I found myself on a train speeding up to Liverpool. On arrival at the hotel – the receptionist said she was delighted to say that I had been upgraded to ‘The Cunard Suite’. My first reminder that Cunard touches so many parts of Liverpool.  As I awoke early the next morning – the breakfast TV coverage was already up and running and talking of the excitement that Queen Elizabeth would be arriving at around 0800. Of course it was raining. I am not quite sure what it is about Liverpool and the rain – it rained when QE2 made her farewell visit in 2008, it rained when Queen Mary 2 made her maiden call and it really, really rained last year when Queen Victoria made her maiden call and when her Godmother The Duchess of Cornwall came to say hello. You know it is quite remarkable that having started in Liverpool some 171 years ago – we have visited Liverpool with 3 new ships in the last four years.

I walked down to the waterfront – and my first sight was of the many local people who had come down to see Queen Elizabeth arrive. And there she was – just starting her 180 degree turn on the River Mersey. Here is a shot I took that you don’t see very often – Queen Elizabeth sideways on in the River Mersey. The ship – as ever – did a grand job in safely coming alongside – but there was something missing – what was it? The whistle – I think Captain Wells was so busy rightly making sure he arrived safely – he had not had time to blow the ship’s whistle. Well happily – I knew somebody who did have the authority to blow the whistle – me. So I called the ship on my phone and sure enough he whistle soon blew loud and clear to the waiting crowds.

The next couple of hours turned into a little bit of a media frenzy. We were really pleased that so many TV, radio and local press had come down to see our arrival. I was able to talk of what a proud day it was for all of us at Cunard to bring our new Elizabeth to her spiritual home of Liverpool – and to see her sitting proudly in front of the famous Cunard Building (more of that in a minute).

The real media frenzy was over a little – or rather a larger row that has broken out between the ports  of Southampton and Liverpool. Liverpool currently only have a ‘landing stage’ – which works for a day like this but would not work for a full embark or disembark. They now have an ambition to invest further to enable them to do a full operation in Liverpool so that cruise lines could sail from Liverpool. I sense there is quite a political agenda here and we have been very careful to remain agnostic – it is not our task to get involved. But it was quite tough for me to manage – even though I do have quite a bit of media experience. The TV reporters from Liverpool were asking me if we would ever sail out of Liverpool instead of Southampton and the TV reporters representing Southampton were asking me if we would stick to Southampton and never sail out of Liverpool. As you can imagine – this was a moment where it would be difficult to keep everybody happy. Just to be clear then – Southampton will always remain our UK home where we commence our UK voyages and where we have excellent facilities in the port– and Liverpool will always be our spiritual home and where Samuel Cunard established Cunard in 1840. If Liverpool were to develop their facilities in future years – then in the same way that we have some sailings starting in places like Hamburg, Venice, Rome, New York and Sydney – we would of course consider one or two voyages out of Liverpool that would be very well supported– with Southampton remaining our UK base – so there you have it.

As the ship was tying up – and before we welcomed some dignitaries on board – I took a walk over to look at the Cunard Building. Here are a couple of pictures I took – and note the Cunard flag flying proudly atop the building;

When you walk into the building it is still magnificent – and gives you a real sense of what Cunard was like all those years ago. The two main booking halls are intact and I intend to return at some point for a future blog where the building manager has volunteered to give me a tour of the many aspects of Cunard that still exist in the building.

So – back to the ship and a chance for me to catch up on how the ship’s company were doing and how the Maiden Round Britain Voyage was doing. We then held a plaque exchange where the Deputy Mayor spoke beautifully of her memories of Cunard as a child – and that her late husband had spent 52 years at sea as a merchant seaman. Events like this always remind me of just how many people’s lives have been touched by Cunard – and just how remarkable and visionary Samuel Cunard was in creating Cunard – I often wonder how he would view us today and I think that to still be here 171 years on with the youngest fleet in the world is a testament to his vision all those years ago.

Now on to the highlight of the day. We were taking all 2,000 guests to Liverpool Cathedral for a concert to celebrate ‘The Magnificent Elizabeths’.

There will be plenty of coverage on our video blogs later this week – but here is a little sense of what we got up to and how I felt it went. Well first of all – we had all the right ingredients – and ingredients that only Cunard can create. So as many of our TV chefs would say these days ‘In order to prepare the perfect dish – you need some very special ingredients’ – here is what we had to hand;

• Queen Elizabeth
• 2,000 of our guests – many loyal to Cunard and many with us for the first time.
• An International mix – over 450 North American friends, 100 from Japan and over 1,000 British
• A packed Cathedral with not a spare seat in sight
• The Royal Liverpool  Philharmonic Orchestra
• The Liverpool Welsh Choral
• Liverpool Cathedral Choir
• One of our great friends and Conductor – Anthony Inglis
• Two wonderful performers in Lesley Garrett and Jenny Williams
• A host of famous speakers to share their Elizabeth memories

To those remarkable ingredients you need to add 171 years of Cunard history, the wonderful and friendly people of Liverpool and what you get is another remarkable, magical  and moving Cunard event. Our approach was simple – each speaker would relate to their own personal involvement with Cunard and Elizabeths over the years to be followed by an apt and moving piece of music.

After the National Anthem – and that was moving enough – I spoke first of the three Elizabeths, our proud links to Her Majesty the Queen and my final words were ‘Let’s Celebrate’ – which was followed by a full rendition of Zadok the Priest with the giant video screens showing the naming Ceremony of Queen Elizabeth.

Dennie Farmer – our Madrina  went next and spoke of her memories of the first Queen Elizabeth and of her late husband whom she met on the ship and who went on to become Chief Engineer on a number of our ships.  She was followed by Maureen Ryan whom many of you will know and who for many years worked on Queen Elizabeth and the QE2, she spoke so movingly of her memories and of so much dancing – as she finished  Lesley Garrett sang ‘I could have danced all night’ – marvelous and uplifting. Next we had one of our most treasured guests – Keith Gledhill MBE. He spoke of when – as an 18 year old – he joined Queen Elizabeth in the Pursers Office. He spoke of how he was very nervous – and that the very first guest he was asked to look after was Bette Davis – remarkable and so good that he and his wife still sail with us on a regular basis, I was so pleased that Keith was able to speak and to do so on behalf of so many of our loyal guests.

And so to a moment of the concert, a very special ingredient that nobody other than Cunard can create and a moment that had tears in the eye of every person in the Cathedral. Simon Weston OBE served in the Falklands and travelled there on QE2. As he went up to the pulpit to speak there was a hush around the cathedral. As many of you know he was badly injured whilst there and commands so much respect in the way that he remembers those he fought with and those that did not return, he spoke of his time on QE2 and his joy that after the war and for many years since he has been fortunate to sail with us again. As he moved to the end of his speech, he spoke of those regiments and friends who travelled with him on the QE2 to the Falklands. And he spoke of those that did not return, especially those from his very own regiment – The Welsh Guards. At that moment, the main doors of the cathedral opened and to the stirring sound of drums, the full Band of the Welsh Guards marched into the cathedral whilst playing ‘I am Sailing’. I will own up straight away to having a tear in my eye and a huge amount of respect for people like Simon Weston.

The ingredients kept coming – Carol Thatcher spoke beautifully of her fondness for the QE2 and how much her mother Margaret Thatcher had agonised over sending the ship to the Falklands. Actress Anna Bentink spoke of how she starred in the footage of the QE2 maiden voyage and then actor and much-loved Roy Barraclough spoke of his memories of our ships. The final word was left to Captain Wells – very forward looking and uplifting. He also saved the best laugh of the day for his speech – and yes it is very joyous to hear 2,000 people laugh out loud in a cathedral. He referred to the fact that it was common on the very first Cunard ship Britannia for people to be ankle deep in water at times – and that water would run down the stairs. He then referred to a former Cunard Captain who famously said ‘You don’t want to worry when you see a little water running down the staircase – it’s when you see water coming up the staircase that you want to worry…’

And then it was time for the last Cunard ingredient. So here we were, poised for Captain Wells’ final words, in Liverpool Cathedral, with our guests, with Queen Elizabeth moored just down from the Cunard Building, Lesley Garret poised to sing, supported by Anthony Inglis and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – what would the final ingredient be. The Captain finished by saying – ‘To travel with Cunard, now or in 20 years time, means you’ll never walk alone’  and as the finale to the concert the final ingredient was a magnificent rendition of Liverpool’s most famous song – ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. I have never witnessed a standing ovation in a Cathedral before– but at that moment not only did I feel immensely proud of all things Cunard and the team who had created this magical event – but of those three words that help us to carry on this wonderful tradition ……We Are Cunard.

Look out for the videos that will follow later in the blog – and do come and join us on our Round Britain Voyages in the future – they really are very special indeed….

Best Regards

Peter

Hello All 

Last week I attended a lovely little ceremony in Southampton. Following the retirement of the QE2 in 2008 – along with our friends in Dubai we donated one of the famous ship’s anchors to the city of Southampton. The city kindly decided to rename one of the roads leading into the town centre ‘QE2 Mile’. And along the mile they have created a nice location to place the anchor. It stands proud, surrounded by a very smart polished stone surround and a very appropriate plaque.

So one evening last week we assembled next to the new anchor to mark our donation to the city. The Mayor of Southampton and the Leader of the Council said a few words – as did I. I referred to the important relationship that both QE2 and Cunard Line have with the city of Southampton. I also said it was very good of them to create the QE2 mile – in fact the QE2 sailed over 5.8 million miles from Southampton and she will rightly be warmly remembered by all in the city. Here are some pictures from the event;

The next morning Queen Elizabeth was in town and ready for her maiden voyage around the British Isles departing that evening. Of course it is our new Elizabeth that is carrying the name ‘Southampton’ around the world. Whilst I was walking round the ship that morning I could not help notice just how many wonderful plaques we have from the many places Queen Elizabeth has visited in her first year. Here is a selection of some of them located outside the entrance to the Commodore Club:

Quite a few blogs to follow over the next couple of weeks as Queen Elizabeth goes right around Britain- including a very special event in Liverpool. We will also be sharing some views as to how the ship is faring in her first year – with my own personal thoughts. This is all by way of building up to her 1^st birthday on 11 October where we rightly plan to remember that special day last year and reflect on her first year in service.

I am writing this on Sunday afternoon. This morning I completed my ‘wet weather training’ for our forthcoming Prince’s Trust Palace to Palace Bike Ride. By ‘wet weather training’ I mean that I cycled 15 miles in the pouring rain – yes the English Summer just carries on. I mention this in case any of you feel any sympathy for my Sunday morning efforts on behalf of the Prince’s Trust – and may be moved to moving the curser to the top right hand corner of the blog and clicking on the ‘Just Giving’ site to safely sponsor me and the Prince’s Trust. A big thank you to those of you who have already supported us already.

That is all for now – back soon with some news on the Queen Elizabeth Round Britain voyage….

Best Regards

Peter

Guest Blog

Commodore Rynd

Queen Mary 2

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It’s quite often you meet someone who either sailed in the original Queen Mary or had family who did. They often bring a photo, menu or Daily Programme from that early time and it is interesting to compare the then and now. Some is familiar and some has not continued. Many people travel Cunard as their parents and grandparents did. Part of a great tradition and loyalty.

However it is not often that you get to meet a guest who travelled on the original Queen Mary in that fine vessel’s first year in service and as a young person in their first job.

Mrs Henderson in front of a painting of the vessel in which she sailed 74 years before

Gertrude Henderson was nearly 17 years old when she took the job as a ladies maid to Lady Craigie who was travelling to the U.S. from Southampton via Cherbourg. Lady Craigie was accompanying her husband Sir Robert Craigie to Japan to take up the post of British ambassador, travelling transatlantic on Cunard, of course, then across North America to the west coast from where they would take another vessel to Yokohama for Tokyo. Lady Craigie was short of a maid and young Gertrude, from Wismar in Germany, was looking for a job. It all came together in Cherbourg.

Gertrude showed me her list of passengers titled RMS Queen Mary Wednesday August 4^th 1937.

 

Her  voyage was uneventful. The suite of rooms the family occupied was wonderful and memorable, beautiful wood panelling. Good food.

Following the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in 1941 the British mission left Japan and young Gertrude, as a German citizen could and did  transfer to the German embassy to work there. She still has a trace of her German accent.

In the German Embassy, in wartime she knew and associated with Richard Sorge, the German journalist and secret communist working as a spy for the Soviets. She recalled his charming manners and social skills that made it possible for him to extract information vital to his masters. And later she wrote a short account of this.

She survived the events that brought the war against Japan to an end. Of the bombing of Tokyo she says ‘I was lucky’. After liberation, and following extensive interviews by the US intelligence forces she was cleared to go free. Her father had sent a message via Switzerland not to return home, the home town then being under Soviet control. She finally got permission to emigrate to the US and settled in California. She married an Englishman, Henderson, who was an entertainment director with Canadian Pacific Lines. A long and happy marriage. She kept her fitness and health into advanced years by playing tennis and walking.

Gertrude sailed on the recent transatlantic crossing from New York to Hamburg, en route to the town of her birth, Wismar, on Queen Mary 2.  She had travelled from California unaccompanied and gets about using only  a stick for assistance. She was visiting Wismar to celebrate her 100th birthday at an official event in her honour organised by the town mayor.