QE2 NYC May 24 sailing

[Tika]

WE have friends flying up from Florida May 23, 2002 that will be sailing to their home England on the May 24 th. departure of the QE2 from NYC. We are from NJ but will be in the city that Sunday finalizing business committments etc. My questions is ................Is it possible to go to the pier for a Bon Voyage surprise !!!!!!! WE will be free in the late afternoon before heading back to NJ. The QE2 is scheduled to disembark at 4:45 PM. I would love to send a telegram to their stateroom and have them able to see us on the pier waving special good wishes etc. I would most sincerely appreciate any input! MJ

Hey Tikka,

Yes, you can get right next to the ship, within shouting distance from the open decks. The ship docks in such a way that the bow of QE2 points due east into Manhattan, and the port side is aligned with a quite a tall wharf building capped by a car park. When I have arrived into/sailed from New York before, there have been plenty of folks who have been on what seems to be the roof top car park for whatever building it is, chatting with and waving to people on the ship. The level of the car park/roof of the building is broadly the same as the outside decks of QE2. Whether access to that building and its roof/car park is more restricted now than in the past, I'm not sure.

I will next be on board this coming Saturday, May 18 and sailing into New York to arrive May 24 (the day your friends depart). And I'm looking forward to a hard earned rest on board! Anyhow, I called Cunard and asked for some guest passes to have friends come on board at Southampton for a bon voyage party. Cunard has always been very willing in the past to grant these requests, although I have been told both by my agent and by Cunard directly that post 9/11, only bona fied passengers and crew are permitted on board. Such a shame.

Cheers,

Ed

[Tika]

Edward.................Thank you for taking the time to post! I have been trying to find out if we can get into and up on top of the parking garage.

Wishing you a wonderful and restful voyage across the pond !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tika