Cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2: Around the World in 91 Days

by Bernard M. Patten

HMS Queen Elizabeth 2 is the most celebrated craft afloat and one of the greatest technical achievements of the 20th century. In her construction and maintenance are involved almost every science, profession, and trade known to civilization. On her bridge stand officers, who besides being the pick of the Royal Navy, have passed rigid examinations in all studies pertaining to winds, tides, currents, navigation, and the geography of the sea.
For 91 days, author Bernard M. Patten, M.D., sailed around the world on this ultimate cruise ship. What was it like onboard this most luxurious of luxury liners? "Marvelous, simply marvelous," he assures the reader with obvious enthusiasm that spills off every page.
Determined to give the reader the complete QE2 experience, Patten and his wife, Ethel, roomed in progressively better accommodations, moving level by level from the least expensive class ("Mauritania 5") to the Penthouse Suite, which included their own butlers, Geoffrey and Paul. Along with the Pattens, readers will experience every deck, every restaurant, and every level of luxury that this incredible ocean liner has to offer.
Whether you’re a cruise buff, or planning your own stay aboard this fabulous ship, or just want to take a trip in your imagination on a cold rainy night, Cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2 will provide you with interesting information, entertaining stories, and ample pleasures.

560 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2006

Reviews

[David]

For the most part the book was fascinating. It really captured the spirit and feeling of a long cruise, plus I learned much about different places in the world. Additionally, the author was spot-on about the passengers complaining about every little thing, (and he captured other truths, like most more interested in shopping in ports rather than actual sightseeing).

That said, two things I didn't like about the book

(1) The ending-he didn't describe what is was like to have to cook, clean, etc after returning home, or not to feel the rocking of a ship anymore. That is a huge part of a cruise, the post-cruise let down, and him omitting it was just huge.

(2) More siginicantly, it was difficult for me to like the author. He just seems like he was God's greatest gift-bragging about how much money he had, how he was constantly hit on on board the ship (including one offering to pay him if had sex with her, and was up to her standards). Rather then talking about life long friends he had made, he seemed to prefer to find flaws in every other person he met. This was compounded by the fact that he bitched and moaned about American Express, who cut off his credit because he didn't pay the bill. If he has that much money and didn't pre pay (or tell Amex) that he was going on a world cruise-he certaintly isn't as smart as he makes himself out to be.

[Colette]

I'll give it 2 1/2 stars. It was in dire need of editing and the author was odious...other than that, I liked it!