Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, David Bowie, Twiggy, Neil Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, The Rosenbergs, Shirley Bassey, Elton John, President Bush. These are just some of the rockstars and royalty that Peter Warwick met during his first 16 years working on The QE2.
After starting his career as crew staff in 1995, Warwick eventually left in 2001 after rising to the rank of cruise director. He returned to the famous liner in 2018 as Heritage Tour Supervisor in a move the 52-year-old describes as “coming home”.
When we embark on a guided tour of the iconic ship, Warwick is positively bouncing around the decks. It’s obvious how much he loves the vessel, and this – combined with his vivacious personality and whimsical anecdotes, is reason enough to head to Dubai for this fascinating tour, whether you give two jots about cruise liners or not.
When he’s not pointing out where he drank with rock star Bowie, or welling up with tears as he points out where he saw his late parents glide around the dancefloor, he’s singing jovially in a way we’re not even sure he notices. It’s uplifting, and as a former X Factor contestant (“I made it to judges houses”), it’s rather easy on the ear, too.
Warwick first stepped foot on the QE2 with his parents for his 21st birthday, sparking a life-long love affair.
He spent ten years as a passenger, before writing two letters begging for a job in 1994. Pretty soon he was on a flight to Barbados to commence his duties.
“I couldn’t believe it,” says Warwick, who is pristine in his sharp navy blue suit. “At first I thought it was a prank and I hung up the phone but they called back later and arranged to fly me out. I was in disbelief.
“Part of my job back then was to dance with the single ladies for two hours every evening. It was a tough job but somebody had to do it.”
But it wasn’t all glamour in the early days.
“There were live cows and cow houses on board to provide the passengers with fresh milk – there were also cats to catch all of the rats, so it was quite austere,” Warwick laughs.
He’s also heard some corkers from passengers over the years.
“One time a passenger asked me if the crew slept on board,” laughs Warwick. “I said ‘No madam, we just stay away awake for three and a half months at a time’, and she seemed quite satisfied by that.”
As with any job, and especially with one that depends on the elements, there have been some scares along the road, and Warwick looks genuinely fearful as he recalls the memory of a “90 ft wave” that almost wiped out the ship.
“It was September 7, 1995, when the QE2 was sailing to New York that this ginormous wave just hit the ship straight on,” he recalls.
“We couldn’t avoid it and I have never been so frightened in my life. The steel hull was completely battered and the mast was all bent. The fog horn was ripped off and we found it the next day right at the back. The captain said it was like crashing into the White Cliffs of Dover. But we survived it, and our main priority was just calming the passengers.”
Those passengers are obviously very dear to Warwick, and for all of the celebrities and famous faces he’s had the pleasure of meeting, he feels most honoured by Eliza Gladys “Millvina” Dean, who, when she was two months old, was the youngest surviving passenger on The Titanic, which sank on April 15, 1912.
“We danced together and we had coffee in the Queen’s Room,” he recollects. “It was an absolute honour and I remember her fondly”.
He also speaks dearly about Beatrice Muller, who, after the death of her husband in January 2000, sold all of her possessions and lived on board until the ship’s retirement in 2008.
“She was a remarkable lady,” he smiles. “I’ve been lucky to meet so many wonderful characters on board over the years.
“I’ve shook hands with Nelson Mandela and I met the Queen when I was a passenger. I have so many memories it’s unbelievable.”
When the QE2 docked permanently in Dubai’s Port Rashid, Warwick jumped at the change to resume a position.
“I never usually go on Facebook but I went on messenger one day and had a message from a friend saying they were looking for ex-crew to help out with. It took me about two seconds to decide.”
After 17 years, he was back living and working on board, charged with bringing the ocean liner back to life. “I make no apology in saying that I had tears in my eyes,” he says.
Dhs170 (with Dhs100 redeemable on food). Daily 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm. QE2, Mina Rashid, Dubai, info@qe2.com (04 526 8888).
