We just disembarked the QM2 in Brooklyn yesterday morning after sailing on the 175 anniversary cruise. Today we received an email announcing a refit in dry dock in Hamburg next summer for this ship. We aren’t surprised one bit. All during our last crossing — unlike the previous three — we were disturbed by constant maintenance noises. I have photos of ladders left in the hallway, holes left in the ceiling, etc. Our toilet didn’t flush. Our shower didn’t drain. After three days of the voyage we changed cabins from 4072 to 5162 because of a constant loud knocking sound that the staff couldn’t locate the cause of. On deck 7 in the KIng’s Court we dined to the sounds of hammering and sawing. They were replacing flooring. Parts of the outside deck 7 where you could otherwise walk and sit to enjoy the sea breeze were closed off much of the time even when in port. Lighting fixtures were being worked on constantly.
When we first sailed three summers ago the ship had been in dry dock just six months before that so everything was working perfectly. Their were no maintenance noises to disturb the passengers. I never stay in a hotel on land where they are carrying out maintenance. On the ship you have no choice.
Note: The ship’s to be in dry dock for 25 days next June from May 27 after the ship arrives in Hamburg from New York and Southampton until June 21 when it again sets sail for a western Transatlantic crossing.
