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

by Bernard M. Patten

Book Overview

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,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591024323
• ISBN13: 9781591024323
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

TAKE AN OCEAN VOYAGE FROM YOUR RECLINER

Last week I went on a 91 day cruise from the comfort of the Lazy-Boy recliner in my den. It was the perfect journey for me since the thought of going on a cruise, any cruise, terrifies me. Needless to say, I've never been on a luxury ocean liner, but as I read, I could picture the ship, the people, the accommodations, the food, and the activities available to the passengers. I found the tidbits thrown in about different lectures on board the ship to be interesting. I enjoyed reading about the excursions the author and his wife took when the ship docked at various ports. The entire book was a learning experience for me, and I enjoyed every page and new experience. I don't agree with the negative reviews of this book. I enjoyed reading it and don't feel it was a waste of money. I'm not going to donate the book because on a rainy day when I'm bored, I'll probably go back and read it again!

Adventure on the High Seas

This is the "best and easiest" gift-book to come along in years! The combination of luxury and good story-telling in a classic venue is unbeatable. Your friends will thank you Mt friend, a retired Navy Captain, was pleased to find "everything you'd want" about sea travel in one delightful package.

Around the World With A Few Mistakes

A very enjoyable read, however, there are a number of name references that are wrong and it indicates either sloppy research or editing. There are also some questions about the relevance of some of the observations considering the gap of ten years between the trip itself and the publication of the book.

Cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2

Realisticly, I know I will never be cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2. However, the next best thing was my journey reading this book. Not only vicariously experiencing the different levels of accommodations, but also the many side trips along the way, I was delighted every chapter. The book was written by someone capable of experiencing every aspect of the cruise, the people, the food and the history of the stops along the way. I'm anxious to read it again to abosorb anything I missed the first time.

The reader is there with them enjoying the cruise

Michael H. Frederick is pretty much on the money in his excellent review of cruising around the world on the Queen Elizabeth 2. His emotional reaction to the story is interesting too and honest. The book is there and it has enraged him. My reaction is different. For me, this book was one of the most interesting reads that I have run across in a long time. The really rich are different. Patten reminds us of this on every page by faithfully recording how they walk, talk, eat, drink, sleep, love, and think in their privileged world. This is one of the most honest books imaginable as the author spares no one, not even himself, from a vivid narration of the foibles of human nature and the extreme pleasures and adventure of cruising around the world. Patten has a gigantic ego, that's true. But I have found that if you don't blow your own trumpet, it is unlikely to get blown. And to conceal his ego would have created a dishonest book. And, by the way, his travel advice and tipping info as well as the easy and sympathetic approach to other people, countries, and cultures, is excellent. The best part of the book is the sense of immediacy in the narrative. I felt I was there with them making the trip and sharing in the fun. Patten can't be all bad: Someone who throws hundreds of dollars worth of rupees at needy children of India, can't be all bad. At least lots of kids probably got a good meal that day.