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My QM2 experience

Steven_Draker

By Steven_Draker
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Steven_Draker Mentor

Steven_Draker

Posted
Posted

As per special request I'm posting this in the Lounge as my original post in the "Travelling Hoovillians" section will eventually get deleted. If you're not interested in reading please quit here. Thank you. :+

 

Steven Draker ~

 

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.1.jpg

 

[h3]QM2[/h3]

The Queen Mary 2 is not known as the world's premier ocean liner for nothing. It's about one-quarter mile long and over 13 decks high. It's like a floating five star hotel with a traditional British touch.

 

I had a great time onboard the QM2 for her first GLBT transatlantic crossing (from NYC to Southampton, UK). We were at sea approximately 6 days. With over 2000 gay guys onboard, things stayed lively one way or another just about 24 hours a day. There was simply too much for any person to do - you had to pick and choose according to your interests and mood (and the time-of-day that you awoke!). This truly was a case of different strokes for different folks. RSVP did an excellent job with all the arrangements and onboard entertainment.

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.6.jpg http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.7.jpg

(above are two shots I took as we were sailing away from the Brooklyn port)

 

 

A few things that stand out in my mind from the trip are:

 

* The fine dinning at the Britannia Restaurant, particularly during the two formal evenings when so many of us dressed up in our tuxedos. I never thought I had a suit/tie (or should that be a 'tux') fetish before ... ;-) The first formal dinner was followed by the traditional RSVP "Best Hat contest" where original style met kitsch. I particularly loved the "Crystal Chandelier", "Old Britannica" and "Flying Butterfly" hats.

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.3.jpg http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.4.jpg

(view from the top floor over Britannia restaurant (left) and our Maître d'hôtel (right))

 

* Dancing the night away (til about 5 am) in the G32 disco on deck 2 at the stern of the ship. I especially enjoyed the leather and Troop Transport (military) nights where there were so many hot guys dressed in uniforms. Grrrrrr. On the military theme night, I actually saw a few older couples walking around the deck in WW2-era uniforms, even if the G32 "winner" was the red Buckingham palace guard.

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.2.jpg

 

* Being on a cruise didn't prevent me from doing my customary two-hour daily workouts. The onboard gym was excellent, and was invariably followed by a visit to the next-door spa to "relax all my muscles" along with other things. Due to a scheduling error at the spa on the first day, the management gave me a few free day passes. Thank you, Mr. Spa Manager!

 

* Occasionally jogging a few laps on the jogging path on deck 7 going around the ship (3 laps = 1.1 miles) and taking in the scenery, both nautical and human.

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.8.jpg

 

* Standing outside on the (often very windy) observation deck on deck 11, just gazing out as far as the eye could see at the wavy blue ocean. Several nights the moon shining down on the water as the QM2 quietly cruised through the waves at 25 knots toward England.

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.9.jpg

 

* Another favorite place on the ship was the Queen's Room on deck 3, a large ballroom with beautiful chandeliers. The hat contest was held there as well the "country dancing" theme night.

 

http://www.geocities.com/stevendraker/QM2.5.jpg

 

* Margaret Cho performed one of the evenings. She was great as usual. But, for me, what was even better was the Cunard performance "Rock @ the Opera" in the Royal Court Theater on the last night. The program was a fusion of contemporary rock music and opera. The performance, lighting, and costumes were at the level of a top Broadway production. I've been on many cruises before but no one had opera singers and ballet dancers onboard.

 

* Last but not least, I loved the sound of six days' cell phone silence. :)

 

I could go on and on, but let me stop here.

 

RSVP billed this voyage as historic. For me, sure it was and it gave me some memories for life.

 

 

Steven Draker ~

 

email [email protected]

website http://www.hotsexystud.com/uk

reviews http://www.daddysreviews.com/review.php?who=steven_draker_brussels

Karl-G Mentor

Karl-G

Posted
Posted

Steven,

 

Thank you very much for your notes on your QM2 voyage and the very fine pictures. It was a pleasure to read the narrative and see the photos.

EXPAT Mentor

EXPAT

Posted
Posted

Very nice description. I would have loved that cruise based on how you described it. I appreciate your taking the time to write it up. I hear that one of the actors from Queer As Folk was on the boat as well.

Axiom2001 Grand Master

+ Axiom2001

Posted
Posted

>Steven,

>

>Thank you very much for your notes on your QM2 voyage and the

>very fine pictures. It was a pleasure to read the narrative

>and see the photos.

 

 

My cyberfriend's comments are also echoed and seconded by me! Many thanks, Steven :-) :9 :-) for reporting here: yesterday I received your email, but it stopped at the handsomely strapped gent in tux and expanded pictorially! I'm glad the entire text of your trip is here!

 

- Axiom - :-)

JasonK Rookie

JasonK

Posted
Posted

Somehow this all Looks familiar... Nice Pictures & Great reporting Steve!

 

Truly, it can be said there are more than one Queen now (Oops, traveling the Queen Mary)

 

Our cruises have overlapped-- from the West aboard the m/s Oosterdam a day later June 1/ 8th I set sail for Alaska. If you ever have the opportunity for an Alaskan cruise it is one to remember; Alaska is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, & glaciers.

 

A client of mine I had seen earlier had emailed me from QM2 cruise, was working on a Review; He had mentioned it being and all-gay cruies, & I was surpised it was an all-gay debut from your email... I Hope you had fun? It was a mixed crowd when I was aboard, but as you said different strokes for different folks.

Guest zipperzone

Guest zipperzone

Posted
Posted

If I may be so crass as to ask - I'd be interested in knowing what the fare (or range of fares) would be for such a cruise???

RockHard Enthusiast

RockHard

Posted
Posted

I've never been on a (public) cruise and never had much desire. Yet, the way you described your experience, Steven, almost made the QM2 sound like it might offer fun possibilities.

 

I enjoyed the read but where are some of those lovely photos of you?

JasonK Rookie

JasonK

Posted
Posted

Z, It just depends on the cruise line you want to travel, the room level, time of year etc.. I've seen prices on the QM2 range from $898- $2,500, and progressively more expensive depending on the level of luxury. A client of mine that was on the all-gay QM2 cruise told me the most luxurious the pent suites are 50,000; There are only three of its kind aboard, all three were booked.

 

Once you've traveled one of the cruise lines, they will send you promotionals periodically with various offerings and deals. As I mentioned, off season has the best deals, typically a few weeks before holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas when the rates will be slashed virtually in half to bring in the people. Because it cost so much to run the ships, any time the ships are not moving, the company is loosing money.

 

Its all about planning, and you can go to any one of the cruise line websites, they will have everything you need to know. The QM2 is operated by the Cunard line, http://www.cunard.com The Oosterdam the ship that I just recently was on, is operated by Holland America, http://www.HollandAmerica.com Check out the Norwegian cruise line they are free style/ casual cruises, http://www.NCL.com The NCL has several cruises that go to South American & the Carribean throughout the year. Hope this helps.

Guest zipperzone

Guest zipperzone

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the info. It was the QE2 that I was specifically interested it. Although it is a "gay" cruise, I presume that there is no out-in-the-open hanky panky going on that would shock the crew of such a conservative company.

 

>As I mentioned, off season has the best deals,

>typically a few weeks before holidays, such as Thanksgiving

>and Christmas when the rates will be slashed virtually in

>half to bring in the people.

 

Now that sounds intersting. Would love to take advantage of the cut rates - but being on the north Atlantic in the dead of winter doesn't sound like it would be much fun. Too cold and possibly too rough (the sea, not the men)

 

Does the gay cruise only go one way or can you return the same way at a later date after having "done" Europe?

Steven_Draker Mentor

Steven_Draker

Posted
  • Author
Posted

>yesterday I received your email, but it stopped at the handsomely strapped gent

>in tux and expanded pictorially! I'm glad the entire text of your trip is here!

 

Axiom, thanks for letting me know. A friend of mine from the East Coast called me yesterday to let me know that there was a problem viewing the newsletter as well.

 

Steven Draker ~

http://www.hotsexystud.com

purplekow Grand Master

+ purplekow

Posted
Posted

>>Just a question, is that man in the tux as tasty looking out

>of the tux as he is in it?

>

>I have no idea, Purplekow, since we've got

>a special 'briefing' shortly after embarkation: Do not fuck

>the crew (even if invited to) ... ;-) :+

>

>Steven Draker ~

>http://www.hotsexystud.com

 

In his case, I would have considered that a guideline rather than a rule.

 

 

I have never seen a purplekow;

I never hope to see one;

I can tell you anyhow;

I'd rather see than be one

 

Help there is a purplekow in my mirror

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