Question #1

First, could you briefly share your background when it comes to the
grand cruise ships?

 

Visiting the original Queen Mary in Long Beach in 1977 captured my imagination, and I became fascinated with ocean liners and the history of the Queen Mary at that time.  Early to mid 70’s was the beginning of the cruise vacation industry, and many ocean liners became cruise ships.  While I was in college and single, I pursued a job working on cruise ships as an entertainer and eventually a Cruise Director.  My ultimate dream since I was a young man was to one day work aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, and that dream was fulfilled in 1992 when I was offered a position as Stage Manager aboard the QE2.  I worked on six different cruise ships with four different cruise lines during my experience working on ships.

 

Question #2

What is it about the big ships that captures your imagination?

 

I have been fascinated with the illustrious history of the great ocean liners, like the Queen Mary, the Normandie, Titanic, ss United States, and many others.  At the peak of the trans-Atlantic era, the only way to get across the Atlantic was by ocean liner, and these liners developed there own endearing qualities and history like any other famous city around the world.  The community onboard these ocean liners was a microcosm of a much bigger world, yet that community at sea transcended the reality of life on either side of the Atlantic, offering a surreal experience for passengers from all walks of life, all traveling together on one vessel.   I was also fascinated with the engineering aspects of these giant machines, that were self-sufficient cities at sea.  When you add the experience of  being AT SEA in one of these giant liners, there are few experiences that compare to the romance and nostalgia of life on the vast ocean. 

 

Question #3

What was your first impression of the Queen Mary 2?

 

I have been following the story of the Queen Mary 2 for six years, from it’s initial conception, through her construction phase, her first sea trials, and finally her maiden voyage, but seeing her for the first time was very exciting for me.  My immediate thought when I first saw her from nearly three or four miles away, enroute to the port of Ft. Lauderdale,  is that this was no cruise ship, Cunard has successfully created a grand ocean liner that will draw attention where ever she goes.  When you set aside the fact that the QM2 is absolutely HUGE, there is also a sense of excitement in the air among those who are also seeing the ship for the first time.  

 

Question #4

What were your favorite features of the new ship -- details that caught
your eye?

 

As I walked through the halls, stairwells, lounges, and dinning areas, I was continually impressed with the beautifully polished wood-like paneling that was reminiscent of the original Queen Mary and many other liners.  With the latest Safety of Life at Sea regulations, modern passengers ships are not allowed to be constructed using the vast amounts of wood paneling the old liners use to have, because fire was the number one hazard on a ship.  The French builders who constructed the QM2 did a fantastic job with their attention to even the smallest details in creating the best simulated wood paneling I’ve ever seen.  The QM2 has an excellent blend of art deco, elegantly modern, yet a timeless interior décor that is very rich, but not too flashy.  The interiors have a very permanent and solid feel like that of a fine hotel or English manor, unlike many cruise ships of today that have the décor of a Las Vegas resort.  I was particularly thrilled to see fine artwork of many ocean liners from the past, like the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, QE2 and the Caronia.  Every stairwell and elevator seemed to have a wonderful painting of a famous ocean liner.  For me, another favorite feature on the QM2 was the ship’s whistle, one of which is the original whistle from the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

 

Question #5

What didn't you like about it?

 

I heard comments from people who were on the maiden voyage, and also from some on our two-night cruise, that were not happy with their experience in the Britannia Dinning Room.  Food was sometimes not as warm or hot as it should be, the level of service, and timely delivery of the food, was not quite polished yet, which is uncharacteristic of a ship of this stature.  Even in the Queen’s Grill where my wife & I dinned, the food was excellent, but the anticipated level of service & finesse of the waiters did not meet my overall expectations.  Perhaps it is the fact that the ship is brand new, and the staff will need some time to make the necessary corrections, and fine-tune their craft.  I do expect that these minor details will be corrected in a short period of time. 

 

Question #6

Cruising has a reputation as an older person's form of travel. Cunard
has said it wanted to appeal to a broader, and younger, clientele with
this ship. Do you think they have succeeded?

 

The Queen Mary 2 is an incredible ship filled with all the amenities and facilities of an upscale resort.  Cunard does anticipate that QM2 will attract families and younger couples who are busy with their careers, but want the time to slow down, relax, and rejuvenate their mind and body during a crossing or a cruise.  QM2’s G32 nightclub was among the best I’ve seen on a ship, and the Canyon Ranch Spa is attractive for those who are health conscious.  Designed & built for today’s generation, QM2 has the internet in every stateroom, numerous dinning options, the latest in work-out facilities, personal trainers, a luxurious spa for the ultimate in pampering, personal enrichment programs, workshops and seminars, there’s no shortage of shopping in the many stores onboard, and the cosmopolitan social experiences available aboard this magnificent ship will become legendary. 

 

Question #7

What surprised you the most about the QM2?

 

Through one of the grand halls stretching from the lobby to the Britannia Restaurant are large, elegant, molded wall panelings, depicting various scenes of cultures from Egypt to Africa, to South America and finally the USA.  In the panel representing America, you can see the Space Shuttle, the Statue of Liberty, and other scenes depicting American culture, but if you look really close…it’s hard to find, there is a tiny Homer Simpson character, sitting with his remote, watching television, embedded into the art.   I just found it surprising that Homer Simpson would find his way into the grand artwork throughout one of the greatest ocean liners ever built.

Chris Welsch Interviews Barry Vaudrin

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