My wife Diane and I will always remember our 2 Atlantic crossings on the QE2. The first, in Aug. 1990 from New York to Southampton, was a spectacular trip. The night before departing we stayed in a suite at the Plaza Hotel and attended a Yankees game. At dinner in the Queen's Grill, midway across the Atlantic, I got on one knee in front of all the diners and staff and proposed. When she said yes, the entire restuarant (Captain included) broke into applause. One of the waiters captured the moment on film with my camera. Later that night, after probably a bit too much champagne, I sought out the Purser in an attempt to convince the Captain to marry us on the cruise. I was politely informed Maritime law would allow such a ceremony but it would not be legally recognized at any port. We were married that December in a land based ceremony in Boca Raton.
Five years later we returned for an anniversary cruise, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to New York to Southampton in the Queen Elizabeth Suite (along with the Queen Mary suite on the port side) one of the 2 multi-level suites at the front and top of the ship above the bridge. The suite consisted of a very large bedroom, spacious bath, steps up to a large seating area with entertainment center and picture windows. This led to a solarium that faced the bow, and through a sliding glass door an outside patio. While eating lunch between Ft. Lauderdale and New York we encountered a strong storm which produced a freak rogue wave that impacted the side of the ship. Most of the pool water was sloshed out on deck, lots of glassware was broken and furniture and other items strewn about, but there were no injuries that we know of. Later that afternoon while watching the storm from the solarium in our suite, I saw a magnificent rainbow on the horizon. I called my wife to see it and we both stepped out on the patio to get a better look. At that point the ship rolled in a wave and the sliding glass door slid closed in its frame and locked! We were trapped on the patio in a storm with strong cold wind and rain and no way to reenter the suite or alert anyone to our predicament. The closest deck was about 30 feet below us and in the storm no one was around to yell down to. After some time pondering our situation, I concluded the only solution would be to climb across the ship's superstructure and try to reach the Queen Mary suite on the other side of the ship. Wearing jeans and sneakers, it wasn't until I climbed up on the steel plating above the bridge that I realized just how treacherous and slippery the area near the smokestack really was. I also underestimated how far it was to the other side. Combined with the wind from the rain as well as a stiff breeze that accompanies 25 knots or so of forward momentum, going was very slow and frightening. My biggest fear was the ship catching another big wave and tossing me off the side - probably a couple hundred feet down to the water. After about a half hour, I finally made it across to the Queen Mary suite's patio where I dropped down exhausted. I could see the inhabitants (a nice couple from Arizona) and several porters cleaning up broken glass and other items from the afternoon's rogue wave. After pounding on the slider for some time without them being able to hear me, one of the porters glanced up and saw me out on the patio. Everyone was stunned to see someone out there. They let me in and I explained my presence. We then broke into our suite to rescue my wife from our patio. Apparently the story spread rapidly around the ship and I became known as the crazy person climbing over the bridge in the storm. The captain apologized and we were informed by Cunard that design changes were made to the outside doors as well as an emergency call button installed on the patios. The remainder of our voyage was simply delightful. We met a fascinating couple from Ohio who were celebrating their 50th anniversary. On our way from New York, we hosted a surprise party for them in our suite with champagne, a pianist from one of the bars and about 50 guests they had met during the cruise. They were brought to tears and everyone had a wonderful time.
Two very memorable trips on the QE2 that I will never forget as long as I live. So sad to see her retired.

I wish I had known about the last sailing out of PEV - I would have loved to see the ship. I worked onboard QE2 for 2 years - the most amazing and memorable years of my life. John Duffy was the Hotel Manager back then. QE2 always has been my FAVORITE Ship - and I've been on about 30 - all the new one's don't come close to the class and lines and history of her. Fond memories and very sad to see her retire. :(

I love reading these about these sea adventures when I'm on land. How courageous to climb across the superstructure.

My husband and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary in 1986 aboard the QE2, sailing from New York. We were accompanied by our 28 year old son. The trip was a real dream come true. I have saved all my mementoes from that trip for my children and grandchildren. This was the first trip of the QE2 after the Falklands War. The carpets on the ship had been destroyed by military boots and had just been replaced. Margaret Thatcher was on board and played backgammon in a tournament with one of my medical school classmated. He and I later were tied as winners of the tournament and were awarded QE2 memorial plates. I was also given a trophy for having been the person on the ship who had taken the first cruise (at age 6 in 1933, in the Mediterranean). We would have loved to repeat the cruise with our grandchildren now that we are retired. Alas, the historic vessel will be in Dubai.

Mutlu Urcun Atagun, M.D.