WORLD SHIP SOCIETY

Following a late spring refit at Blohm + Voss, Hamburg, the QUEEN MARY 2 re-entered service with enough changes to call the extensive shipyard work “Remastering.” Given the interest our Branch has in the ship, this month’s program was a PowerPoint presentation by panel of PONY Branch members who have recently sailed on her. The discussion was moderated by Ted Scull, and panelists included Pat and Denise Dacey, David Hume, Marjorieann Matuszek and Alan Zamchick. Following presentation of a CUNARD promotional video showing the work undertaken during the refit, each of the panelists chose areas of the ship to discuss, providing fairly complete coverage of the changes. Varying views of the results were shared during the discussion, which covered the transformation of the Winter Garden into the Carinthia Lounge; the complete redesign of the often maligned Kings Court (buffet dining and evening specialty restaurants); the replacement of the Todd English restaurant with The Verandah (recalling the Verandah Grill restaurants aboard the original QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH); the addition of new passenger cabins including the ship’s first dedicated cabins for singles; and a doubling of the number of kennels and the addition of a private lounge for cat and dog owners. Also discussed were changes to the cabins, suites and public spaces – lounges, corridors, stairs, atrium and foyers – which received new curtains, upholstery and carpeting. Opinions were divided about color and design. However, the changes to the ship’s bookshop, which once sold a wide selection of maritime books, posters and souvenirs, but now offers relatively few such items for sale, were negatively reviewed by all.