QM2 World Cruise 2010

[Avariel]

First of, I hope it's okay to start such a topic.

Secondly, anyone from this forum doing the World Cruise next year? Or just a segment?

I, and my mother, managed to get a very good deal from a travel agent. So we are doing the Singapore to Hong Kong route.

[Chris]

It will be nice to see QE2 and QM2 together in Cape Town should the situation arise

[Twynkle]

Have a look - Does this come under the 'I nearly choked...' bit?
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/v-fullstory/story/1395927.html

(It'll be deleted quite soon...owing to the fact that there's no acknowledgement or indeed thanks to QE2 for all her contributions to making the WC into what it has become...Hmm)

[Twynkle]

Queen Mary2 World Cruise 2011
Hey, Everyone across the Pond - here's a date for your diary! 
This time next year...
http://allaboutcunard.blogspot.com/
http://www.cunard.com/rendezvous/

[Matt]

It will be nice to see QE2 and QM2 together in Cape Town should the situation arise

Looks like it will still be in Dubai Chris!

[Peter Mugridge]

But doesn't the QM2 world cruise go to Dubai as well?  Or am I thinking of the QV?

[Twynkle]

Peter
QM2 will be visiting QE2 in Dubai on 27th January
she's sailing through the Mediterranean at the moment,
on the first leg of her World Cruise
Rosie

[Cunardqueen]

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/v-fullstory/story/1395927.html

(It'll be deleted quite soon...owing to the fact that there's no acknowledgement or indeed thanks to QE2 for all her contributions to making the WC into what it has become...Hmm)

Rosie,
  And who just wouldnt kill to do a World Cruise......

[Twynkle]

Rosie,
  And who just wouldnt kill to do a World Cruise......

Er... Myles -
Haven't an earthly clue what you're getting at... - I would kill (well almost) to see QE2!
If that means putting the WC onto the agenda - well, so be it!
Heading off to start saving now...

Here's QM2 as she transits Suez Canal - she'll be seeing QE2 next week
Pray that she'll be allowed to park with very nearly the best view in the world!
'The Stern of QE2'
Maybe QE2_DXB might fix something up?
The only problem could be is if QE2 doesn't want the Scary Mary looking at her stern....

[Blue Bombay]

I just checked the itinerary for the WC, i am glad i am not a crewmember onboard........

Off topic i just checked the crossing of the QM2 she does on the Westbound Crossing 5 days at sea and on the Eastbound Crossing 6 days at sea.

Louis

[Scott Ebersold]

Queen Mary2 World Cruise 2011
Hey, Everyone across the Pond - here's a date for your diary! 
This time next year...
http://allaboutcunard.blogspot.com/
http://www.cunard.com/rendezvous/

Sadly it won't be nearly as exciting at the last "royal rendezvous"...

[gandbperkins]

It would be nice to see comparisons between the 2010 itinerary of the QM2 and the last world cruises of the QE2. Has anyone done such a comparison? Our book AROUND THE WORLD ON THE QE2 covers two halfway voyages, China to Southampton in 2006 and New York to Sydney in 2008. Clearly on any voyage there are choices to be made. Part of the fun is contemplating the places you missed. George Perkins www.georgeperkins.net

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I just checked the itinerary for the WC, i am glad i am not a crewmember onboard........

What's the story, Louis?

[Blue Bombay]

What's the story, Louis?

Only 3 overnights............

Louis

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Welcome back, Avariel!

At least, I see the first signs of your return...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/avariel_ai_qe2/sets/72157623300736981/

Enjoying your pictures -- waiting for the captions and your impressions of the ship!

Did you have a great time? And where is the photo of you wearing the "I love QE2" badge?   

[Jem]

What great pictures Avariel. Look forward to hearing what you thought of her, as I'm going on her in November.

[Avariel]

And where is the photo of you wearing the "I love QE2" badge?   

There was supposed to be a photo - actually many photos. But my badge fell off my bag a week before we left. And I didn't have time to order a new one.

[NorCal Queen]

Avariel,

Thank you so much for those wonderful pictures. The water seemed so calm, what a trip to take.

Looking forward to your tales...

Thanks
Jake

[Scott Ebersold]

Hi Arivel,

I am interested to hear what you thought and felt.  ... and last time I was on QM2 my "I love the QE2" badge was on as I boarded and then mysteriously disappeared!

Looking forward to your stories.

s
 

[Peter Mugridge]

That's an interesting coincidence!  Maybe the top brass have put a QE2 badge Dalek amongst the crew?!  Or you both sailed through the badge triangle perhaps?!




Edited for typo!

[Matt]

Fremantle Ports short article on the maiden arrival of QM2, and QV this and next month!

http://www.fremantleports.com.au/MediaPublications/6048.asp

[Avariel]

Hello hi all !

Guess my flickr link to my photos have been "discovered". But those are only my digital photos.  

Anyway, here's the link to my album with my film photos from the trip. Am still in the process of scanning the negatives so I'll be adding to the album as the days go by. So far, I've scanned 2 out of the 10 rolls I shot during the trip.

[Kathy M.]

Great photos!  I wish had been there - sitting in one of those empty deck chairs!!

[Avariel]

Hi all.

After an eternity, I finally finished the first of my blog posts for the trip. Find them here. I'll be updating on a weekly basis - more or less.

[Kathy M.]

Just checked it out and left you a comment - I will put it on my list to keep checking on!

[Twynkle]

Thank you, Avariel
Sounds as if you and Mighty Mary would be going to get on well together!!

[jdl]

great blog entries, much as I still pine for the QE2 a trip on the QM2 is still something to treasure

john

[Mauretania1907]

Scary Mary comes to Auckland tomorrow (thurday march 4) and I hope to be able to see her. If I cannot look at lovely QE2, I will have to make do with QMary die Grosse. I intend to cross the harbour on the Devenport ferry so as to get a glimpse of her stern (how rude is this). LOVE the name Scary Mary

[Twynkle]

Scary Mary comes to Auckland tomorrow (thurday march 4) and I hope to be able to see her. If I cannot look at lovely QE2, I will have to make do with QMary die Grosse. I intend to cross the harbour on the Devenport ferry so as to get a glimpse of her stern (how rude is this). LOVE the name Scary Mary

Ah! I wonder what'll happen if it's the Mighty Mary that turns up?!!
Hope you have a really good day....Keep us posted, Mauritania1907

http://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/3429308526/in/set-72157616586725528/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4403756817/in/set-72157616586725528/

[Mauretania1907]

As promised, I did cross the harbour on the Devenport ferry, from which you can see a good side view of Scary Mary, and also good stern views (and I still think her stern is funny-peculiar, but hey it may be part of her charms). Took several pix, you will have to wait till a. I get them developed and b. learn how to scan and post them.
Now I make a confession, if I had the readies I'd go on Mary like a shot, she might be large but the more I see of Oasis of the Seas, the less I am tempted to try her. Maybe one of the smaller 'ships of the seas', but not Oasis - she could just as well steam out to sea and anchor somewhere for a week and I bet half the people onboard would not even notice.
However, QMdieG is starting to appeal - just a little. Meanwhile, Cunard has put out a brochure for Tin Lizzie, in which they mention the FIRST Q Elizabeth, but not a whisper about you know who.

[Mauretania1907]

Meantime I found the site Shipwatcher.com which has all sorts of ships' cams, only to find QMary die Gross for some reason has switched off her cam so I can't virtually watch her depart Auckland. (many rude words, which I won't repeat, I suppose she got the pip because she had to sit amongst the containers all day AGAIN) but she is really too fat to go alongside Princes' Wharf (where her pods would drag in the muck). Yes, it's about time Auckland got cracking and built itself a decent cruise terminal.

[Blue Bombay]

Read this out

http://www.3news.co.nz/Luxury-cruise-ship-forced-to-dock-at-container-wharf/tabid/418/articleID/144742/Default.aspx

Louis

[Mauretania1907]

I have read this, it is not a good look for Auckland.

[Twynkle]

Seemingly no-one about onboard early to see the view of her arrival in the Bay of Islands -
it was great from her webcam!

Great shots of her 'pods at work yesterday!
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g37ruW89I1g" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g37ruW89I1g</a>
Thanks to action adventure video


It would be really interesting to know the average depth of the seabed here!
(Bit of a hint to 'those in the know'!)

[Peter Mugridge]

Twynkle, if this link works it should produce a chart of the area:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/charting-the-sea-floor/1/3

You can zoom in and move around in the same way as with Google Earth.

[Twynkle]

Thanks Peter!


G' Day, Sydney!
http://tsenwei.blogspot.com/2010/03/sydney-welcomes-queen-mary-2.html

[Mauretania1907]

O is the bridgecam working once more. I will go to Maritime Matters and check, need also to check latest news about DOULOS as well. I was PEEVED to see it was not working in Auckland, I had coffee and cakes ready to do a virtual farewell to Auckland. Even poxy old Pacific Sun had her cam working, she was trolling somewhere at sea that day.

[Twynkle]

Here she is in Sydney,
Moored alongside.
(In the Royal Australian Navy area, perhaps?)

Mauritainia 1907 - apart from departing when her webcam was 'off',
did you think she 'that' scary?! 

'Queen Mary 2 set to sail into Adelaide'
'...Captain Nick Bates has told reporters his job is one of the best in the world...'
The mammoth liner went into service about six years ago, taking over as Cunard's flagship from the QE2.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/10/2842020.htm?site=news

[Matt]

Queen Mary 2 sailing by the Pacific Jewel, bound for Adelaide in the Bass Strait.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMhSHIrYqOI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMhSHIrYqOI</a>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMhSHIrYqOI

[Twynkle]

Matt - That video is a great find.
Have a 'G'Day', mate!

[Matt]

Oh Rosie, i am excited for tomorrow! Im not seeing her arrive as they bought the time forward to 6:45 ish, so i cant make it for then!!

[Twynkle]

Hi Matt
How ya'doing mate?
Mighty Mary's just a wee bit too big for the Freo cams!
The cat's whiskers' port side doors were being closed...
Thanks for sending this link.
http://www.fremantleports.com.au/Shipping/Weather/Webcam9.asp
Enjoy your trip!
Rosie

[Matt]

Rosie, the webcam really puts it in proportion for me! The 116,000 GRT Diamond Princess basically just fits withing the frame of the webcam, maybe with a few things cut off, but QM2 is just missing! hahaha I am so excited to go down there in about an hour or so!

 Thanks for the images!

Matt

 There are a few photo's here, just right click and save the image, and open it in a gallery to make it larger!
http://www.fremantleports.com.au/MediaPublications/6176.asp

[Twynkle]

And Matt - here's an aerial view from ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/14/2845278.htm?section=business
On her arrival - being nudged aft, by a tug! Isn't she looking very good?!

Watched her departure - over the past hour!
Did you follow her, or sail alongside?
The fire boat's hoses were going for at least 45 minutes!
Here are just a few of the screen grabs!

[Matt]

Hello Rosie, and thanks for the Screen Shots!

 I decided against going on the 'Bon Voyage' cruise as, when i investigated into the boat it was on, there was very limited deck space, so i wouldn’t have has the greatest view, so i stayed on Victoria Quay to watch her depart. However they did have short harbour cruises go by the Queen, so i decided to go on one of them with my other half! So cheap for one dollar each, taking us alongside, about 40 metres away! It was surely the highlight!

 We also had a tour on one of the port Tugs, which was very interesting indeed, and once again, lovely price! FREE!!

 There were so many people there, apparently 30,000, but that seems a bit steep to me, but it was packed! The port provided the on-lookers with Aussie flags, so everyone was in the spirit waving those, whilst i put mine down and had the camera in my hand, the whole time!

 As the Queen left, there was in fact a long water cannon salute, and also an aircraft flying low around saying 'The Port of Fremantle Salutes the Queen Mary 2'. Also the QM2 and the MUCH smaller Athena exchanged whistles, of course the QM2 was a lot louder! Overall, it was a great event, the weather turned out good, and it was absolutely amazing to see the QM2, she is a lot bigger than photo's reveal, and it was just stunning and amazing!

Hopefully I’ll get to sail on her next year, or the one after! Only time will tell!

Matt.

[highlander0108]

As the Queen left, there was in fact a long water cannon salute, and also an aircraft flying low around saying 'The Port of Fremantle Salutes the Queen Mary 2'. Also the QM2 and the MUCH smaller Athena exchanged whistles, of course the QM2 was a lot louder! Overall, it was a great event, the weather turned out good, and it was absolutely amazing to see the QM2, she is a lot bigger than photo's reveal, and it was just stunning and amazing!

Matt,  hopefully you will post some pics of the spectacular sounding send off.  How did the QM2's voice sound?  Did you see if there was any of the fake steam added?  There have been reports that this has been disabled in the new Tyfon and the sound of the original Tyfon has much improved, perhaps with additional air pressure.  Was the Athena the same ship I posted about in this thread with the strange modified stern?  http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,1539.0.html

[Blue Bombay]

Queen Mary 2 liner attempts three-point turn in narrow harbour - picture

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/03/14/queen-mary-2-liner-attempts-three-point-turn-in-narrow-harbour-picture-115875-22111677/

Louis

[highlander0108]

Queen Mary 2 liner attempts three-point turn in narrow harbour - picture

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/03/14/queen-mary-2-liner-attempts-three-point-turn-in-narrow-harbour-picture-115875-22111677/

Louis

I hope the captain passed his driving test! 

[Twynkle]

Matt - Here's one for you!
http://ow.ly/i/KIM

[Chris]

That's Fremantle!

More details about QM2's "Freo" visit here: http://wearecunard.com/2010/03/queen-mary-2-in-australia-and-master-meets-commander/

[Matt]

Matt,  hopefully you will post some pics of the spectacular sounding send off.  How did the QM2's voice sound?  Did you see if there was any of the fake steam added?  There have been reports that this has been disabled in the new Tyfon and the sound of the original Tyfon has much improved, perhaps with additional air pressure.  Was the Athena the same ship I posted about in this thread with the strange modified stern?  http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,1539.0.html

Hello, Yes I’m trying to do some photo uploads, but i have NO IDEA how to work Flickr! So if anyone can help, it would be great! I have uploaded stuff, but its not viewable... I was quite impressed with her voice, Very loud indeed! But nothing beats the lungs of the QE2. It was great, then the QM2 sounded her horn, hundreds of seagulls scattered away from her surroundings! I didn’t look for steam, but if there was any, i think i would have noticed it, ill check the photos and video i did for you!

I do have to note, it looks like QM2 has had a little accident on the starboard stern, it just looks a little dented on the 'flat' bit near the rounded stern! I was also surprised to see QV's little accident with the pier in Malta still hasn’t been fixed correctly, just a patch up job!

 The Athena in port was, indeed that ship, with the strange modified stern to minimise the pitching. It was a nice looking ship, besides that modification! Another interesting note, I read in the newspaper yesterday, the Athena that was moored behind Queen Mary 2 was where the Captain Nick Bates started his career 40 years ago, so it must have been good to exchange horn blasts between the two vessels, with QM2 probably being the one he retires with, according to the newspaper. He also noted, as well as many passengers that the Fremantle welcome was the best of any ports they had visited on the world cruise, so he warned passengers he would excessively use the horn to match the growing crowds, which was pleasing!

Regards,
Matt

And also, thank you to you Rosie for that Photo! Hope to upload mine soon, if I can get them so everyone can view them!

[Matt]

That's Fremantle!

More details about QM2's "Freo" visit here: http://wearecunard.com/2010/03/queen-mary-2-in-australia-and-master-meets-commander/

Great Chris! I was there on both occasions, the QV and QM2 in Fremantle. I watched the Queen Victoria arrive from Victoria Quay, and then depart from North Mole. I watched the Queen Mary 2 depart from Victoria Quay, as i did with QE2 in 2008. The festivities were fantastic, especially for the Queen Mary 2, I did the little cruise by the QM2, which was a priceless opportunity, and she is just unbelievable huge! Did you do book signing onboard? I was highly suprised that there was no QM2 products for sale, and if someone did sell them, they would have made a fortune!
 I hope to join the QM2 next year, but it probably wont end up happening... We will see. Are you?


Matt

[Chris]

Hi Matt,

Was aboard QV during the in and out in Fremantle, was a good day.

QM2's departure was superb, bested only by the departure of QE2 in 2008.

I'll try and do lectures aboard QM2 during the 2012 round Australia voyages, exciting times!

All the best,

Chris.

[Twynkle]

QM2 - Maiden call to Durban, South Africa

http://lmcshipsandthesea.blogspot.com/2010/03/qm2-maiden-arrival-in-south-africa.html
An account by Trevor Jones

[Blue Bombay]

QM2 sails into Cape Town

http://qe2-the-legend.do-forum.com/cunard-f12/qm2-sails-into-cape-town-t99.htm#192

Louis

[bswan]

Hi Matt,

Im from melbourne and was aboard QE2'S final world cruise and i found under sydney that Fremantle had the best send off for us on the QE2 with the aircraft towing the banner and the tugs. Only problem was when we were departing one of the tugs directed the water cannon into the side of the ship and one poor old lady was hit and soaked, i shall never forget that. Fremantle seems to be one of only a few ports who give cunard liners a huge welcome and goodbye. Keep up the good work Freo!!

Im sure that they will do the smae for the QE i am aboard her then so it would be great to see.

[Matt]

Hi Matt,

Im from melbourne and was aboard QE2'S final world cruise and i found under sydney that Fremantle had the best send off for us on the QE2 with the aircraft towing the banner and the tugs. Only problem was when we were departing one of the tugs directed the water cannon into the side of the ship and one poor old lady was hit and soaked, i shall never forget that. Fremantle seems to be one of only a few ports who give cunard liners a huge welcome and goodbye. Keep up the good work Freo!!

Im sure that they will do the smae for the QE i am aboard her then so it would be great to see.

Thankyou for this comment, and i am sorry i didnt see it earlier!

I am glad you found our port's send off, well above normal, and it is warming to know it is in my state, from anywhere else in Australia. Perth does have a large interest in ships, and a large maritime history, and when the Cunard Liners are in port, or other significant cruise ships, it is always on the news! QE2 was such a well loved ship down here, and i am glad we gave her the send-off she deserved! The Queen Mary 2 was in Fremantle last month, and she also got a spectacular 'Maiden send-off', with an aerial banner, free Aussie flags from the port, and water cannon salute, and a follow out of small vessels. There were also other activities that kicked off after 1PM that day. Anthony has placed two of my QM2 'Fremantle' photo's on his blog, and can be viewed here, so please take the time to have a quick look! http://nowthatscruising.blogspot.com/

I dearly miss the QE2 down here, and most people who were down at the Mary miss her too... Im glad we left an imprint on the minds of those world cruisers, and hopefully QE2 aswell! I will be there for Queen Elizabeth, im sure, so ill yell out! Just as i was there for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria this year!

Regards,
Matt