They're a lot more expensive though, and you don't get the nice view of the docks as you depart!
However, I beg you not to wish me to be any older, it's bad enough already.
Respectfully Excused.
I don't want to drag this on, but some people find this REALLY serious, this business over whether a ship is a liner just because the company advertises it that way, or we as the minor ship experts we are choose to disagree with this idea. So serious infact, that I've had 3 pm's on the matter, all telling me I'm wrong and that I should believe what the company tells me!
Guys, has it not struck you all just how amazingly similar she (the QM2) looks to say, Carnival Destiny? Or one of the Royal Caribbean ships? Okay, she has the QE2's bow, but come on, she's a floating hotel who's purpose is to make sure guests enjoy (apparent) luxurious conditions, and eat fine food/drink etc. Granted, that's what became of the QE2, but she was originally designed to do exactly the same job as the Titanic. Take people from point A, to point B. An alternative to jet aeroplanes. Not quite a ferry, but definitely a boat for 'transporting' people.
QM2 was designed to take holidaymakers away to 'luxurious destinations', in the utmost 'luxurious surroundings'. Basically, a nice-looking bus-on-water, like every other cruise ship.
One more card I'd like to use, is the opinion of the guys who work on the tugs. The captain of the Donau, is a long time friend of mine now, called Larry. He was having a good scoff at how our local newspaper (Liverpool Echo) was hailing the QM2 as the 'finest of liners'. I can assure you, his description of what she is, isn't safe to post on this forum. The only thing he liked was the horn, as that's the only part of her which is a liner (his words, not mine!). So, as before, we all have different opinions on the matter (trivial as it is), and we all have a choice whether to believe the company which sold off the QE2 to be basically, gutted and refitted beyond recognition etc, and is trying desperately to make a profit, or not.