I know you were not expecting a blog today but I wanted to post this message from the President of Cunard and our man in London…………Peter Shanks.
It is quite amazing that such an important and influential man like this should take the time between running the world’s most historic and famous Ocean Liner company and enjoying his daily serving of spotted dick and custard ………………to write to us.
So, Ladies and Gentlemen…………….I give you the great…………..Peter Shanks.
Hello young Mr. Heald – hope you are well.
QUEEN ELIZABETH – Our beautiful new liner is certainly going to turn heads.
Earlier this week I spent a full day with our designers reviewing the designs for each of the public rooms on Queen Elizabeth. We had the designs and drawings all together in one room and the first impression I had as we started the day was that she is going to be a beautiful addition to the Cunard fleet.
At this stage we are very well advanced in all of the detailed designs, but to be able to spend the day immersed in the detail was very exciting. Over coming months we will be revealing a number of ‘innovations’ and ‘firsts’ to further build the excitement and anticipation as we head towards her maiden voyage on October 12, 2010. And I was reminded this week that 12 October is a special day in North America – Columbus Day – the very day in 1492 that Columbus himself discovered that great nation for the very first time. A perfect day for the Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage.
But back to the review of the designs for Queen Elizabeth. Here are some highlights of some of the public rooms to whet your appetite as to just how special the ship is going to be:
Grand Lobby – The reaction to the Queen Victoria Grand Lobby has been very warm and appreciative – Queen Elizabeth will be just as special. We reviewed the colours of the marble floors, the intricate carpets, quite different railings on the sweeping stairs and of course the major piece of art that will dominate the Grand Lobby. More of that in weeks to come. The artist we have chosen to produce that piece of art is famous indeed and a perfect fit with the Cunard Brand.
Britannia Club – This is new to Queen Elizabeth, a separate restaurant twinned with the premium balcony staterooms and offering dining at individual times to suit our guests. Britannia Club has proved to be very popular on Queen Mary 2, but we take it to a new level on Queen Elizabeth with a totally separate and beautiful dining room. A grand entrance, engraved glass panels, evocative light fixtures, and beautiful carpets.
I am convinced this is going to prove very popular. It will not be as special as the Princess or Queens Grill, but it will offer another option for those guests who like the flexibility of when they dine and more intimate surroundings. The menu will be the same as the menu in the main Britannia Restaurant.
Carinthia Café – This bar and café has proved to be very popular on Queen Victoria throughout the day and evening. We have expanded the seating area, beautiful carpets, some very interesting ‘art deco’ comfortable and striking furniture, wonderful and intricate glass panels on the ceiling. It will be every bit as popular on Queen Elizabeth as it is today on Queen Victoria.
Theatre – Well how could we possibly beat the theatre on Queen Victoria? The layout is the same, the private boxes just as special, but we have changed the colours in the room from Queen Victoria’s traditional theatre red and gold. This is a brave move. We researched and visited many famous and provincial theatres in the UK. And we have come up wit the colours………….. Actually that I am not going to tell you just yet, that is something we will keep up our sleeve so our guests can marvel on the first day they see it.
Queens Grill and Princess Grill – The feedback we have had for these two restaurants on Queen Victoria, and the Grill Lounge, has been tremendous. The location of the two restaurants at the top of the ship, with panoramic views and private outdoor terrace is simply unbeatable by any other cruise line. So, you may ask why make any changes? We want to make sure the décor, the furniture and the art is simply stunning, and it will be. One thing we are doing, following feedback from our guests, is having the ability to offer more tables for two in both of our Grill restaurants.Midships Bar – A new room for Queen Elizabeth. We have taken the name from previous famous liners. The area will be steeped in reminders of famous Cunard liners of the past. The highlight will be a large piece of art taken from the original Queen Mary showing the two continents and the transatlantic routes, the moon and the stars and all set in beautiful gold brass and silver. Those who are familiar with the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth will be able to sit back in the surroundings of the Midships Bar, enjoying a martini or other preferred tipple, White Star Service and feel every bit as special as many Cunard guests would have felt years ago on the first Queen Elizabeth.
Garden Lounge – This too is a very different room on Queen Elizabeth. The glass roof is reminiscent of Kew Gardens in London, the tiled floors and carpets are beautiful in every detail. It is a room where relaxation will be the motto, but also a room where we plan some special events in the evening to recreate some of the special events and entertainments that took place on the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.
The day was one of the most motivating and satisfying days at work we have had in a long time. The new ship is coming together very well indeed. I am going to leave news of other rooms to another time, too much to share with you all in one go. In particular I look forward to sharing our plans with the Yacht Club and the links to QE2 and of course our plans on Art, which are very special indeed. There is also a story to tell about the Queens Room, and that too will have to wait till next time.
In the meantime, the shipyard is very busy and Queen Elizabeth is taking shape. If you have not already, then please take the time to look at Alastair’s recent video blog.
I hope you have found this update useful and informative, I have enjoyed sharing it with you. The anticipation for Queen Elizabeth is building fast – right around the world – and justifiably so.
I can’t wait!
Best Regards
Peter
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
John please reply
Not sure if you will get this in time. We leave for Italy next week and for the October 3rd sailing of the Carnival Dream. I was thinking about tipping room service and normally have always used dollars. Do you think the crew would prefer the Euros or shall I just use dollars? I am hoping to use room service ALOT as we sit out on our aft balcony # 8466
thanks
Mel
Hi John, Thanks for the special and surprise blog from you and Peter Shanks. It was an interesting read.
Jo
Dear John,
Please thanks Mr. Peter Shanks for the post. He needs someone to take some pictures for him as you had Radu do for you. The ship sounds wonderful and I still hope to do a Bloggers cruise aboard some of these flagships. The “BEST OF THE BEST BLOGGERS CRUISE” so to speak. How fun would that be. I don’t know how big a group we would have but I bet we would all be spoiled rotten by the end.
All the best to you and the family,
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy
I wonder what you think about this topic?
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1065628
Dear Mr. Shanks:
Thank you so much for that “sneak peek”. It sounds as though you have combined the best of the best to make a beautiful “original”.
We look forward to sailing on her one day.
Linda (Mom of DJ)
John:
Just a shout out until next week.
I look forward to catching up on all the Blogs I miss while we are cruising with Gary on the Valor!
Linda (Mom of your friend ~ going on his first cruise since turning 18 and all grown up~ DJ)
Hi John….PLEASE REPLY.
I really enjoy your blog and have had a brilliant time catching up on on of the past posts and have shared the fun with my cruising compadres. Can you please direct me on who to contact to set up a meet and great for our CC group that will be sailing on the Spirit on 11/3? We are a lively group and have been discussing on meeting once on board.
Thank you so much…and keep doing what you’re doing !!!!!!
Hi John,
I am so glad I came across your Blog Thingy. You have such great down-to-Earth information and comments that the reader feels like we have known you for years (and some of them have). Even though I am new to meeting you, I know I appreciate the humor you bring, as well as the humanity you share in missing your family. In fact, I am hoping this weekend finds you enjoying each others’ company.
Now onto my reason for blogging. Would it ever be possible to create a customer benefit program for returning cruisers on all the companies Carnival encompasses? Even if it were at a reasonable additio feet due to the gianormous undertaking it would be so worth it. I have cruised on Costa, am now booked on the Dream and am enthusiastically looking forward to voyages on the Magic, etc. in the future. Let me know if that is too much to ask for. Mom always taught me, “the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask and wish you had”, so I am asking. Please tell your family that we thank them for sharing you with us. Enjoy your weekend & God Bless!
Dear Mr. Heald,
Please Reply,
I know that the Cunard Line still in a way does the First Class, Second Class and Third Class categories, so my question is, Will the Britannia Club be for First Class passengers who can afford the staterooms that go with it, or will any passenger be allowed into that Club. Just wondering.
Best Wishes,
Kathleen
This is the first time I have posted, but I have been lurking for over a year. Love your blog.
John, pls. reply….
Hi, John! Just a note to tell you we’ll be away again for a wk. but we’ll try to stay in contact with the blog. Please, whenever you have time, don’t forget the bio on CD Wee Jimmy…
The latest pictures of Kye are absolutely precious! We enjoyed enormously your water slide adventure competition with Mr. Cahill….
Regarding Cunard…. we know that they are on a class of their own…. Years ago we were on the Cunard Princess & in Jan. of this year we sailed on the Queen Mary. Absolutely magnificent. But, we have to recognize that nothing compares to the fun that we have sailing on Carnival — specially if you are the CD!! We are looking forward to sail with you again early 2010 on the Dream. We know that you’ll be on the Dream until March 20th… Correct? Although we live in Miami Beach and we truly regret that the Dream doesn’t call the Port of Miami or Port Everglades home, we’ll probably drive to Orlando first to make a “pit stop” before driving to Port Canaveral.
Warmest regards to you and Heidi. Kisses to Kye.
The Santanas of Miami Beach
Queen Mary 2 sounds elegant and very beautiful But I will have to admire her from a distance. I’m afraid she is a little too elegant for me. I’d feel like I needed to dress very elite and elegant on her instead of relaxing and enjoying myself. Besides that they would not recognize my platinum status that we worked so hard to achieve. So I’ll continue to be a loyal Carnival cruiser and enjoy reading about her.
Countess Carolyn………… waiting on the beautiful Carnival Dream to be elegant and enjoy
Thanks for taking time off from your incredibly busy schedule and time off to write for your loyal readers. I really appreciate all the bloggy space you used up to do a commercial for another cruise line. Same family yeah, but not a close enough family member that loyalist can get recipical cruise status. I agree it was nice of “Peter” to write you personally. All that cut and pasting he did from their website must have worn him out. I for one prefer to read about your shelf hangings and rompy frompy or water slide rides. Can’t blame Peter the great though ….. why not try and use your millions of followers for free advertising. Take advantage of our fearless leaders hospitality. Stay with us John….. we love you man…..
Hi John,
(please do reply)
Great pictures of Kye again.
I told you some months ago (may) I am sailing on TA C-Dream the fourth crossing always meeting a Lady, US citizen living in Italy many years older than me (53) again. I do want to ask for a favour. No table for two, no window seats (stupid at the end of october after 8 pm). Please, if possible, we would like to sit at a large table seating 8-10 english speaking people/US citizens, talking to fellow travellers inside Kens dining room. Both of us wanted and got it confirmed: Late dining seating. My name Ralf Trahe.
I am one of the many arriving into New York City, after our crossing booked on late flights, hoping Carnival offering any tours. I booked transfer to JFK airport and only got it insisting when doing my final payment. Only 31 days and counting
Bad news: Many of us bloggers were hoping Carnival would announce comming back to Europe in 2010. Please tell PA 007 to do the very best. I am waiting bookings do open.
Good news: Hooray, took the chance booking Carnival Elation Panama Canal cruise next year. One of my Dreams. Cutting down the cruise by one day leaving in Tampa. Better flight connections across the pond.
TA C-Dream: 5018 miles
Panama Canal C-Elation: 4918 miles
Thank you very much
Ralf
Thanks so much for the post. Now go spend time with Heidi and Kye.
Hi John, (Please reply)
So, my girlfriend, is an avid reader of your blog and I know she has already read this one today, so I am really hoping she doesn’t see this. Anyways, we are sailing in less than a week on the Glory, only my second cruise, but her 8th on Carnival. I emailed the person she booked with, but he couldn’t help us with this one, so she’s always telling me how you’re the man who gets things done it seems. My lovely girlfriend is trying to skip her 30th birthday this year by going on a cruise, we get on the ship on the 3rd, her birthday is the 5th. She keeps talking about how she can’t wait to have Platinum status. Is there anyway you can get us the VIP boarding, I know this is one of the things she is really waiting for. I just want to surprise her a bit. She takes care of all the booking stuff so I don’t have much control over it. Please let me know,
Thanks,
Sean
John, you could not stay away, could you
We are glad you decided to pop in if not for just a short time.
The Queen Elizabeth sounds like she is going to be a glorious ship.
Have a safe trip.
Keep smiling John, you truly are on of the good guys.
My best to Heidi and Kye.
Hello John,
Cruised with you back on the Liberty and Freedom in 2006 & 2007. I’m sure you don’t remember me, but anyways… I have got the craziest ‘personal’ request to ask of you. If you can personally e-mail me, I’d like to share my issue and see if you could assist.
Thank you in advance,
Matt Holden
Hi, John, (please respond)
We love reading your blogs ~ keeps us exciting about our ever approaching cruises! I’ve been emailing you about our little boy Joe’s birthday on October 5th and I’m sure you’re getting sick of hearing from me. I got your last note that the funship freddy cake request was submitted ~ I guess because we can’t find it on the gifts section of the online shop it means we won’t be able to get one. I’m going to ask anyway. Would you mind if I show the maitre d the notes you and I have sent back and forth to each other? If they have the cake will they know we are supposed to get it free? We are leaving next Saturday! Yeah!! If they have the cake wonderful, if not we’ll still cruise Carnival : ) We actually already have the next cruise planned! Thanks for all you do ~ Your blog helps us keep our sanity between cruises!
John, RESPOND if you would like.
I just want to thank you for your part in making our first cruise (and anniversary cruise and reward for my husband dealing wiht his cancer) WONDERFUL! Afterwards my husband said that was the best vacation he had ever taken. That gave me great satisfaction in knowing that I, with some help from you, succeeding in giving him something special.
Imagine his surprise when the cruise director called us directly and wished us a happy cruise. And then we had a “ship on a stick” delivered, all compliments of you. At one time my husband would have looked at that plastic ship and not understood, but he sees how my dad cherishes his ship and knows it was something special. Then to top off the evening, at dinner the matre d came over and talked to us, sending best wishes from him, you and Carnival AND brought us a bottle of wonderful champagne. My parents were with us, and had cruised Carnival numerous times. They were quite impressed too and think that I “know” people. I told them yep, the senior cruise director of Carnival. haha
We had a wonderful time on the Carnival Sensation and any fears I had were immediately put to rest. Thanks again for your part in making this a very special occasion for my husband. He’s already asking about going again. And if his health will hold out a bit longer – I’ll do everything I can to make sure he has another wonderful experience.
John, keep doing what you are doing. You’ll always have the critics and the skeptics, but if a simple phone call and plastic ship can give my husband so much joy, then you’re doing everything right!
P.S….Cruise director Paul also joked about farts. Is that a Carnival thing or a British thing? haha
I would love to cross the pond on one of the “Queens” someday.
Woohoo–the Carnival Dream webcam is working!
“his daily serving of spotted dick and custard”
Excuse me? What is “spotted dick?”
John – please reply
You mentioned that Peter Shanks took time out of his busy day while “enjoying his daily serving of spotted dick and custard.” My curiosity has gotten the best of me…what is “spotted dick?”
I may have come across this rare find in some of my travels but I can’t be sure it was the same that Mr. Shanks “enjoyed.” Will you please expound on this “spotted dick”?
Hi John,
May be Kye within some more weeks?
best wishes
ralf
diane,
Spotted Dick is a sponge pudding. You can find it in some stores in the speciality food section. We get it here in cans from HEINZ. Just ask anyone working in the story if they have Spotted Dick or where is your Spotted Dick.
BIG ED
John-Please Reply
I once again need to thank you for providing this service. Your explanation of different and unique aspects of cruising is great. Besides that you make me laugh and that is great. So, on to my question. We leave on October 26th on the Carnival Paradise (real name). I know that something will be done for Halloween while we are on board but we are a bit unsure what that is. So, could you enlighten us all as to what and when happens at the Halloween party. Also, we are taking our daughter (3) on her first cruise. So while we know that she will have a great time at Camp Carnival what will her party be like? Also, does Camp have its own party or is it part of the adult party. I guess I am just asking how it all works.
Our school district has the last week in October off every year so if this cruise is as awesome as we expect it could become an annual event.
If you have already answered what happens on the Halloween parties then please just tell me to bugger off and have fun as I read every blog. One last question: since you will be on ship for Halloween, what are you dressing up as? You must post pictures.
May your family be blessed.
John, Thanks for sharing the blog on the Queens. I have really enjoyed your pictures and info on the Carnvial Dream and look forward to sailing her next March. and am hoping your ladies will be on her then also.
But much more beautiful than the Dream is Kye. I look forward to her pictures weekly and find that my week is never too busy to see her updates.
Hope you had a great visit home. Best to Heidi and Kye. Jo
Hi John – I have a strange question that maybe one of Carnival’s technical people can answer.
Pam and I will be on the Carnival TA, which is 16 days away from our family. So we wanted to stand by the white chairs behind the swimming pool on the Lido deck and have our families see us through the WEB CAM. How often is the signal updated? I have been watching the Lido deck for the inaugural sailing and I have calculated about a 6 min. between camera changes. Can the tech heads advise how long we should stand by the chairs to get our faces on the Web Cam for our Mom’s to see us?
I know this is a strange question. We really want our Moms to be able to see us and know that we are having a good time!!! I hope someone can give us a good answer!!
I hope your last few days with Heidi and Kye were great. Pretty soon, they will be able to come with you. Safe travels.
All the best,
Deborah (Debs)
Greetings John: (Please respond)
I have just seen on Cruise Critic that CCL has released the Halloween schedule for 2009. I am on the 10/10 sailing of the Freedom and see that we are not included on this list. In previous years, CCL has done Halloween parties for most of the month of October. Why has it been changed this year? We cruise at this time of the year every year and one of the main reasons is to enjoy the Halloween party. We are extremely disappointed in this news as our costumes have already been purchased for this years event. (rather expensive). Please tell me this list that has been posted is incorrect, and we will in-fact have a Halloween party on the 10/10 Freedom sailing. Can we talk Wee Jimmy into it?
You can reply in private if you wish.
One very, very sad Platinum Family.
Tony and Karrie T.
Mesa, Arizona
Hi John,
I just got off the Splendor today after a wonderful Mexican Riviera cruise. It was great to be back on the Splendor again after the 49 night South American cruise I did in Feb/Mar. Although most of the staff had changed it was a lovely surprise to have Goose as our Cruise Director. Over the week I observed his skills in action and I ‘d have to say he is very intuitive and adaptable to the the different clientele on board. The passengers on the 49 night cruise were difficult and demanding and it was a pleasure to see a different reaction from those on board this week. Goose is full of energy and went out of his way to make everyone’s vacation enjoyable. The passengers loved him. Goose is a great team player, and leads his staff well. They were a delight to be around.
Goose is a great assett to Carnival and a very personable young man. His star is ascending.
PS Glad you sailed on the Dream. You were my CD in Europe on the Legend Transatlantic and the Liberty Med & Transatlantic. Hope to sail on the Dream one day.
Regards to Heidi & the baby,
Sandra
I have a simple question. Are the doors on the Dream made of Metal so magnets will stick to them?
John
Please reply
Please explain how you got that fantastic camera angle in the 7th picture from the bottom in this blog of the two Carnival ships with the names showing on both ships. Our family of 10 will be on the Nov 5 Fantasy cruise and I’d like to try my hand at duplicating that shot. In all of our trips to Cozumel, I’ve never taken one that neat. We love your blog thingy and I can always tell when you have an especially good one–my husband can’t quit laughing. Rather than just reading me a line or two, he passes the computer to me to read while he wipes his eyes and I pass it back to him to wipe mine. You really do have a great gift for blogging. Hopefully we will meet on a Carnival cruise one day. We are thankful no one was hurt and that both ships received minor damage. Teresa
Dear John,
Thanks for sharing his note.
I see we all err as he did too.
The English found as well settled America and our Government, Country and form of Democracy started on 05/14/1607 A.D., where my kin were on two of those threee English Ships, on his Queen Elizabeth Stewart even came to the 400th in Jamestown, Virginia but left on the actual date for a horse race.
The Italian man, sailing as Columbus did not but find the New World.
There has not been much news on the older and past Carnivals Cunard Ocean Liner which just struck Pier 88 in NYC, NY and was delayed two days and towed to MOTBY in Bayonne, NJ across the ( North River ) Hudson River in October 2009 A.D. now.
Regards,
Jonathan R. DeMallie