When Queen Mary 2 was in Malaga Port
“May God bless her and all who sail in her”
It is the largest, longest, tallest widest and most expensive vessel ever built, and so to no surprise when Queen Mary 2 came into docks at the port of Malaga June 2004 for the first time that she undoubtedly a right royal welcome.
Malaga is imported hardboard
Many cruise companies who visit Mediterranean have now days the new Malaga (European City of Culture ) as one must stop for its beautiful and culture town; Picasso Museum, the castle, the old Cathedral, the MIMMA (Malaga Interactive Music Museum), the Flamenco Museum, Museum and Wine Interpretation Centre, etc. And take the opportunity of side tours to Seville, Alhambra in Granada, Ronda, Cordoba Antequera, Puerto Banus and Marbella on offer, but also because of Malaga International Airport, so many passenger can ending the trip here and many new comes onboard.
Up early in the morning and take the bus in to Fuengirola, passing all the new developments, property along the coast in Elvira, Cabopino and Calahonda. Looking at the early golf players on the golf courses, surrounded by all the apartments, villas and the large and luxury villas. And then taking the train to Malaga, passing Benalmadena all new properties, with the rest of the Spanish style commuting world I began to daydream at the sheer enormity of Cunard’s most talked about cruiser liner; the height of a 23-storey building, the length of the Eiffel Tower on its side, if not more… surely the Queen Mary 2 would devour the relatively small Andalusian city in one! Fact and figures on the luxury ocean liner are enough for even the less active of imaginations to go wild.
Queen Mary 2 is Huge.
She weighs 151,000 tons measures 1,132 feet long, 135 feet wide; and is 236 feet tall. She cost 670 million Euros to build, carries 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crewmembers, generates enough electricity to power her hometown of Southampton and her whistle is audible for 10 miles. If you ogled at the size of some of the yachts in Marbella’s Puerto Banus, you isn’t seen anything yet.
Good for Malaga Economy
Coming up from the station at the Alameda in Malaga I almost half expected to see the chimney of the beast poking out above the building tops. Much to my disappointment and no thanks to my somewhat deceptive imagination this was not to be the case. Only Spielberg conjures up images of such ridiculous dimensions and that only happens in the movies.
Having arranged to meet a friend at the lighthouse in Malaga and considering the already the already 27 degree early-morning heat, I decided to jump in a taxi. As the taxi driver proceeded to tell me how wonderful it is for Malaga new investment and economy to receive 1,000 of the Queen Mary 2’s loaded passengers every once in a while, I was busy staring out the window in hope that my Godzilla-like fantasy would come true.
Safe at my destination and still no sign of the Queen Mary 2.
In a Class of her own.
Such in the size of the luxury cruise liner that she had to be docked at the very end of a very long quay – in a docking bay all of her own. Great, if You’re a passenger and have an air conditioned bus to jet you in and out of the port, or if you’ve sensibly arrived in your own vehicle to drive up to the entrance, but if like my friend and myself you arrived on foot, the walk up the very long felt more a pilgrimage than a day trip to see a ship. In the hazy morning heat, up in the distance I could see the blurred outlines of what I thought was Queen Mary 2 – if you seen close encounters of the third kind, you might have some idea of what I’m talking about. The only cruiser who can compare with her is her sister ship Queen Victoria.
The problem with an active imagination is that most of the time reality lets you down. The Queen Mary 2 wasn’t a fraction as big I had expected it to be –until, this is, we did the tour.
What a Luxury Ship in Malaga.
There are 17 decks, which are accessed by 21 lifts or, if you’re feeling more energetic, 4,339 steps. Once on board there is plenty to keep you occupied, even if you idea of occupied is relaxing in a spa somewhere or just doing nothing. Cunard have made sure that luxury travelling on the Queen Mary 2 is taken very seriously – there’s virtually nothing that their passenger can’t do, can’t have, or can’t eat. Indeed catering facilities, which cover an area of 4,070 square meters, include 8 eight galleys, 14 buffet outlets, 43 walk-in pantries, 14 bars and 10 restaurants, where all of the waiters have been trained in the fine art of the Cunard White Star Service. For those who prefer the comfort of their own suite, room service is available 24 hours a day.
Todd English restaurant on Queen Mary 2
We tried the celebrated Todd English restaurant, where a fusion of Mediterranean delights was served in a formal restaurant setting. The head chef, Todd English, is one of America’s leading chefs and is the owner of the International famous restaurant Olives in Boston USA. World famous culinary adviser Daniel Boulud also works on board ship. Amongst other venues there is the impressive Britannia Restaurant (think Titanic), which has three storeys and is reminiscent of the opulent dining salons of the past. There is even a British style pub, where much to my surprise many of the English passengers who had remained on board were tucking into a plate of fish ’n’ ships!
Its a Whole City aboard.
Once you’ve been fed and watered in complete luxury you may feel like burning a few extra calories in the state-of-the-art gym with separate weight room, or you could even try a few lengths in one of the five swimming pools. Then, why not check out the world-renowned Canyon Ranch Spa-Club? There is also a library; planetarium, seminar rooms, where Oxford University professors lecture on history, politics and fashion, amongst other subjects; a theatre seating 1,105 with students from the Royal Academy of Performer Arts; a casino; numerous prestigious boutiques, a wine cellar, the largest ballroom at sea, nightclubs and so and so forth.
Of the 1,310 cabins, 78% have ocean views and 94% of those have balconies and even the smallest room’s measure 200 square feet. Prices are not cheap, but real luxury always comes at a cost. We were quoted for the special Olympic 9 day cruise in the most expensive suite approximately 42,000 Euros per person. However, there are much more affordable rates in the different categories.
What a lovely Day one-day tour.
My one-day tour of the Queen Mary 2 was anything but relaxing, but then it is like trying to see all the sights of a small city in a few hours. For those who enjoy the highlife, luxury living and all the added extras that go with it the Queen Mary 2 is perfect.
It was about four o’clock when we left the ship; by the stage 27 degree early morning heat was now a muggy mid-day 35 degrees. We left behind the jet-setters and honeymooners, who no doubt were planning the afternoon by the pool sipping on a refreshing cocktail, or perhaps a pot of freshly brewed tea with scones and clotted cream in the cool Winter Garden. Luxury doesn’t get easier than this.
Did you know this about Queen Mary 2.
*The Queen Mary 2 is the first true transatlantic liner to have been built since Cunard’s famous Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service in May 1969.
*Queen Elizabeth II formally named the ship on January 8th 2004 with a jeroboam of Veuve Cliquot Champagne “I name this ship Queen Mary 2. May God her and all who sail in her”
*The Queen Mary 2 boasts the largest wine collection at sea.
*The Queen Mary 2 has a top speed of approximately 30 knops with 157,000 horsepower behind her.
*Penthouse suites on board the Queen Mary 2 have butler and concierge services.
*The Queen Mary 2 has 2,500 km of electric cable, 3,000 telephones and 25,000 square meters of carpet.
*The 1,132ft vessel that stretches the length of four football fields, there are only four other shipyards in the world that could build a ship of that size.
*there are approximately 5,000 works of art on board the Queen Mary 2, which are worth more than 5, 2 million Euros.
*The top of the range grand duplexes each have 2,249 square feet of space covering two levels. Facilities include a downstairs living room, an upstairs bedroom, a large balcony, two marble bathrooms and gym equipment.
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