THE NEW “QUEEN”
I find it difficult to think of the fine old “Queen Mary” as having now been totally replaced by the emergence of a new, and even finer, ocean-going vessel bearing the same regal name.
I read the impressive specifications of the new liner just recently launched, and sent voyaging off to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and there is no doubt that she is ,statistically, far superior to the old Queen now lying in what would seem to be a regrettable, almost forced, inactive retirement at Long Beach, California used as a tourist attraction of sort of on-water motel, not sea-going motel.
I had rather expected something more in the nature of a souped-up, glamorized, overdone, personality-populated “Maiden Voyage” to start the new liner in service. That has been the usual way of showing off such accomplishments in the past and underlines the many changes in trans-Atlantic travel. Large, ornate ocean liners are not longer ruler of the routes - in the North Atlantic or else where for that matter. The new Queen Mary was designed, built, and properly put into service – not as a luxury liner in the traditional fast-crossings mode but as the luxury Cruise Ship she is intended to be.
We need not be worried about the place of the Queen Mary II for she is under the expert care of Pamela Conover a superbly qualified young lady who knows the cruise business well because of years spent among leaders in the field..She became president and CEO of Cunard Lines and its associated cruise firm. Ayear or more ago. A native of the larger London area, she worked in New York offices for years in essential shipping fiannce and management.. It might appear to many that Cunard would be taking somewhat of a chance putting a such a costly ship in the cruise trade. Any such fears.can be laid to rest by becoming aware of that fact that this capable woman is in charge of Cunard Line and that company was acquiredcquireds ago by Carnival Corporation.,
The luxury liner Queen Mary II will be in active competition with some of the most glamorous, brazen, specialized ships of that nature. Thedy are,of course, smaller, buy many of them are well-equipped and very well established as sea-going hotels, convention centers, amusement parks and gourmet foods showplaces as routine.accoutrements. Where the new Queen will fit into such a pattern as has already been established is difficult to say, but she might well merit the eliite, higher- income spenders, and more-monied cruise-trip buyers. She might well be something of a prestige in the mind of many would be travelers.
As an example, it has been been suggested that we will certainly will see the new Queen in the harbor of Pirius while the Olympic games are being held with guests making their home for the entire span of the games in one of the townhouse arrangements featured on the new Queen Mary.
In many ways I see this all new ship to be continuing the fine work of the older vessel rather than replacing her any sense of he word. She holds great promise for all of us who continue to have dreams.
A.L.M February 12, 2004 [c552wds] Note: Erased by mistake on previous day of publication. Restored here by request. a.l.m.
