Author Topic: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator  (Read 8848 times)

0 Members and 12 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline June Ingram

  • Global Moderator
  • Queens Grill Diner
  • *****
  • Posts: 9550
  • Total likes: 6486
  • Beautiful, elegant QE2 - forever Queen of the Seas
Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #135 on: Sep 25, 2024, 04:46 PM »
Lynda’s Navigator notes are bringing forth many great memories of the QE2 days.

It must have been great to have some sea days
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #136 on: Sep 28, 2024, 09:43 AM »
Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 - Navigator Notes (sector 6)

19 April 2024
En route to Tenerife

Today Queen Victoria will be starting to round the Western 'Ear' of Africa, setting a predominately northly course. Out to Starboard we will be passing Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia. An often-unknown fact about Liberia is the amount of global shipping that sail under the country's flag. Over 100 million Gross tons of the world's ocean-going fleet, over 10% are registered to Liberia, second to only Panama.

20 April 2024
En route to Tenerife

Today Queen Victoria will round the western most part of the African Continent- the Cape Verde Peninsula. The capital of Senegal, Dakar, sits on this peninsula. Originally home to the Dakar Rally, which was started in 1979, the original route started in Paris and finished in Dakar, renowned for being the most severe motorsport event in the world, with the course taking drivers over desserts, mountain passes and lake beds. Dakar Rally

The route has taken many different forms over the years, the Dakar name has stayed but the rally hasn't taken place in Africa since 2007, this has been due to the political situation in the region, this year's Dakar rally is due to take place in Saudi Arabia. 2024 Dakar Rally

21 April 2024
En route to Tenerife

Queen Victoria will continue north today, out to starboard lies Mauritania. Over 90% of Mauritania is in the Sahara Dessert, this makes for an extremely hostile environment. It is known for being one of the 'emptiest' countries in the world. The name comes from the ancient kingdom of Mauretania, incidentally the same inspiration for the name of RMS Mauretania a Cunard line ship launched in 1906. She was the fastest merchant ship in the world for over 20 years. At her peak she produced 67,000kW of power, that's nearly 4,000kW more than Queen Victoria produces. She saw service in World War 1, first as an armed merchant cruiser, then a troop ship, followed by a brief role as hospital ship and then later, a troop ship again. When she was painted in two forms of Dazzle Camouflage before being returned to Cunard colours at the end of the conflict, she was scrapped in 1935 and the name lived on from 1938 with the second Mauretania which was in service until 1966. Forum topic: RMS Mauretania
« Last Edit: Sep 28, 2024, 11:56 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online cunardqueen

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #137 on: Sep 29, 2024, 09:07 PM »
Thanks Lynda, I learned more about Africa in one of your photos than in the rest of my life so Thanks again
 Having followed your world cruise at what point did you feel you were on your way home , If you could do the same trip again what would you do differently or what did you learn that maybe you hadn't expected. 
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #138 on: Sep 30, 2024, 10:00 AM »
Thanks Lynda, I learned more about Africa in one of your photos than in the rest of my life so Thanks again
 Having followed your world cruise at what point did you feel you were on your way home , If you could do the same trip again what would you do differently or what did you learn that maybe you hadn't expected. 

Thanks Myles. 

Sailing up the West Coast of Africa felt like we were on the homeward stretch, especially as there are only two more ports before homeward bound to Southampton.

Some things I would do differently.

Currency, the World has change since Covid resulting in more contactless payments.  I took US dollars, Australian and New Zealand currency.  All purchases were made using contactless payment.  Even on transport, you purchased a ticked at the bus/tram/boat stop using contactless payment.  If purchasing goods from local stall holders, they were happy to accept US dollars and very happy to show you the conversion from their local currency.  Paying the trike or tuk tuk drivers in US dollars was easy.  People who felt they wanted to use local currency went to a bank and withdrew cash. 

I was more confident to use taxis, but you had to be careful to use official vehicles.  The tour lectures gave a lot of information prior to ports of what taxis to use and not to use. 

Onboard ship on sea days I should have gone to the gym earlier in the cruise.  It was a really nice facility onboard QV with view over the bow and the ocean. 

I would have a rethink of how much I packed for the cruise. 28 evening/cocktail dresses was maybe a bit over the top.  In addition to clothes there was medication, toiletries etc for 107 days . If you wanted a particular brand of shampoo, hair spray etc. best to pack as much as you think you would need. 

Pharmacies offered a high level of expertise and service, which was reassuring any time we sought advice.  I would certainly take cough mixture/lozengers, particularly as a Cunard cough developed around the ship near the end of each sector and then once we disembarked the offending passengers there was less coughing. 

I would like to say I should eat less and exercised more - but hey it's a cruise of a lifetime so I enjoyed a little indulgence. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #139 on: Oct 01, 2024, 09:53 AM »
Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 - Navigator Notes

22 April 2024
En route to Tenerife

Today is the last day on our passage to Tenerife, Queen Victoria has been sailing almost due north on the approaches to the Canary Islands. The islands were formed by a series of volcanic eruptions around 20 million years ago, with the oldest being Fuerteventura, it is  estimated Tenerife was the fourth island to be formed after Lanzarote and Gran Canaria later today we will join the Traffic Separation Scheme between Tenerife and Gran Canaria before altering our course to port for our arrival into Santa Cruz in the early hours.

23 April 2024
St George's Day
Tenerife

Nestled in a natural harbour on the northeast coast of the island, the port sits less than a kilometre from the main town square, Plaza de Espana. Its location makes it easy for you to branch off and experience the wonders that the island of Tenerife has to offer, but the port has an enchanting presence in itself too. It's full of brightly painted buildings and rich, historical architecture, as well as plentiful shops, restaurants, and cafes.
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline June Ingram

  • Global Moderator
  • Queens Grill Diner
  • *****
  • Posts: 9550
  • Total likes: 6486
  • Beautiful, elegant QE2 - forever Queen of the Seas
Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #140 on: Oct 01, 2024, 04:39 PM »
Great Navigator Notes, Lynda ! I agree with Myles in regard to learning more about Africa and geography in general than I learned from school books. Following your itinerary on a map really put everything in perspective and in its correct place on the globe. Many thanks !
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #141 on: Oct 06, 2024, 09:06 AM »
Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 - Navigator Notes (Sector 6)

24 April 2024
Madeira
18 degrees

Step off your cruise ship and into a little piece of Portuguese paradise in the archipelago of Madeira, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Enchanting towns and villages, breath-taking landscapes, a spectacular array of unique flora, and delicious local wines are awaiting your discovery on a cruise to the Portuguese islands of Madeira. You'll dock in the capital city of Funchal, an area bustling with bars and restaurants that radiate local charm. From here, you can explore further into the unique Madeira countryside, where imposing mountainous slopes give way to luscious rainforests and vast moorlands.

25 April 2024
Anzac Day
En route to Southampton

Having departed Madeira yesterday evening Queen Victoria continues North. 400 miles out to Starboard lies Gibraltar, which until the recent problems in the Red Sea was one of the busiest transits for global shipping. However, since the risk levels in the Suez canal have increased, more and more vessels are sailing on the traditional 'Cape Route' just like Queen Victoria has done around Africa. This adds approximately 7-10 days onto a standard China to Rotterdam route and has caused disruption to shipping worldwide.

« Last Edit: Oct 06, 2024, 09:08 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #142 on: Oct 18, 2024, 09:55 AM »
Queen Victorian World Cruise 2024 - Navigator Notes

25 April 2024
Anzac Day
En route to Southampton

Having departed Madeira yesterday evening Queen Victoria continues North. 400 miles out to Starboard lies Gibraltar, which until the recent problems in the Red Sea was one of the busiest transits for global shipping. However, since the risk levels in the Suez canal have increased, more and more vessels are sailing on the traditional 'Cape Route' just like Queen Victoria has done around Africa. This adds approximately 7-10 days onto a standard China to Rotterdam route and has caused disruption to shipping worldwide.


26 April 2024
En route to Southampton

As Queen Victoria continues North, we will pass around Cape Finisterre this morning, this cape is often referred to as the western most point of the Iberian Peninsula, however this is incorrect, that is in fact Cabo da Roca in Portugal and is 16km (10 miles) further West. Cape Finisterre was also historically thought to be the end of the 'Known World' prior to the discovery of the Americas in 1492 by Christopher Columbus.

27 April 2024
En route to Southampton

On our last sea day of this leg of the World Voyage, Queen Victoria will be rounding Brest and sailing up the English Channel. We will be passing the Channel Islands approximately 35 nautical miles off our starboard side and the South Coast of the UK at around 15 miles at the closest point. In the early hours of tomorrow morning, we will round the East of the Isle of Wight and pick up the local pilot at approximately 3.30 am for our transit into Southampton.

I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #143 on: Oct 18, 2024, 10:17 AM »
On 28 April 2024 we disembarked ship after 107 days cruising the World.

However, the World Cruise experience was not just about the ports of call but also the sea days when we were offered a range of activities.  Insights Lectures as the name suggests gave us an insight into many interesting topics.  You could participate in a variety of exercise routines or watch from the sidelines. Ballet and tap dancing lessons were fun activiites.  On deck watching for marine life or just people watching was a popular activity as was relaxing by the pool.  There were quizzes, quizzes and more quizzes - a favourite with many passengers.  Card games and board games kept other passengers entertained. Passenger choir participants rehearsed on sea days and gave a performance in the Queens’ Room at the end of each sector. 

In the evening passengers were wined and dined.  There were theatre shows plus entertainment in bars and lounges to keep passengers entertained.   World Cruise passengers had special cocktail parties onboard ship on each sector as well as a World Cruisers dinner in a hotel in Hong Kong. 

Thank-you for joining me relive the experience through the informative Notes from the Navigator.  I hope you have enjoyed reading the notes and seeing the photos from the many ports as much as I have enjoyed posting on the topic. 
« Last Edit: Oct 18, 2024, 04:24 PM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online cunardqueen

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #144 on: Oct 18, 2024, 10:26 PM »
Quote
Thank-you for joining me relive the experience through the informative Notes from the Navigator.  I hope you have enjoyed reading the notes and seeing the photos from the many ports as much as I have enjoyed posting on the topic.   

Wow, Journeys end, its bad enough disembarking after a regular cruise, but three months , how did it feel, what were the highs or the lows , what surprised you the most about the cruise . QE2 always had her fair share of mad passengers, did you encounter any such ones on the World Cruise ? Did you end up having a day to day routine for the seas days or was every day a new day at school ?
And how was the "ocean motion"  its a funny thing being on dry land and you feel the earth moving after so long at sea.
 How was the logistics for your luggage ? Did Cunard give out advice on how to deal with such a long voyage .
I know what l was like after 3 weeks , l can only begin to imagine how you felt after 107 days

Anyway Welcome Home and thanks for taking us along with you..it was rather fun !   
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Online Ben Zabulis

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #145 on: Oct 19, 2024, 08:25 AM »
A fabulous account of your world tour Lynda, thoroughly enjoyed reading all your posts as I'm sure you enjoyed posting them! The only question remaining is: have you booked for the next one yet ?

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #146 on: Oct 19, 2024, 10:52 AM »
Wow, Journeys end, its bad enough disembarking after a regular cruise, but three months , how did it feel, what were the highs or the lows , what surprised you the most about the cruise . QE2 always had her fair share of mad passengers, did you encounter any such ones on the World Cruise ? Did you end up having a day to day routine for the seas days or was every day a new day at school ?
And how was the "ocean motion"  its a funny thing being on dry land and you feel the earth moving after so long at sea.
 How was the logistics for your luggage ? Did Cunard give out advice on how to deal with such a long voyage .
I know what l was like after 3 weeks , l can only begin to imagine how you felt after 107 days

Anyway Welcome Home and thanks for taking us along with you..it was rather fun !   


Thanks Myles

Highs, lows, what surprised most about the cruise:  What surprised me most was that the 107 days away from home was not a problem.  In the age of the internet you are only a click away from information, viewing home cameras, speaking to friends and family etc.  Many highs but we both loved the transit through the Panama Canal, Wellington in New Zealand Sydney and Hong Kong.  The Captain's WC cocktail parties, when we were in warmer climates were held on the aft deck.  Sitting chatting to fellow WC passengers enjoying a cocktail or two was lovely.  The only lows I can think about were we had Norovirus onboard ship twice. I have to say that the restaurant staff were excellent and as soon as the virus was diagnosed procedures were put in place to bring the virus under control. 

There were a few eccentric passengers on the cruise, but listening to their stories only added to the WC experience. I encountered a couple of really rude American men in the Lido restaurant, who thought they could bully a small Scottish woman.  They got that one wrong as I had the last word and they went away with their tails between their legs. 

We mostly followed the same day to day routine.  Food, exercise, coffee, lectures exercise, food and relaxation ....

The Ocean motion was mainly very calming. We had some rough seas coming out of Bermuda and San Francisco, but it could have been worse. 

Regarding logistics for packing and luggage:  I had joined a very informative Facebook group where the admin posted a lot of advice regarding what to pack and what not to pack.  Information on what visas we required was useful as Cunard office staff got advice wrong.  They were telling us to obtain a visa for Sri Lanka or we would be denied boarding at Southampton, but the reality was the Purser's Officer arranged this for passengers.  The group discussions on what you could do to optimise space in your cabin was useful.  e.g. there is space under the sink in the bathroom, so I took folding storage boxes to store medication, toiletries etc. 

Luggage: we took eight cases and when packing at the end of the cruise I vowed I would never take so much, even though I wore most of what I had packed. 

Motion: When we came off the ship yeah we were rocking and rolling a bit until we got used to dry land again.

Shopping, cooking and housework was a big adjustment after coming off the ship.  We had over three months of having all this done for us by the fabulous restaurant and housekeeping crew. 


A fabulous account of your world tour Lynda, thoroughly enjoyed reading all your posts as I'm sure you enjoyed posting them! The only question remaining is: have you booked for the next one yet ?

Thanks Ben, so glad you enjoyed the posts and yes the next one is booked for the Voyage of Discovery around South America. 

« Last Edit: Oct 19, 2024, 10:59 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline June Ingram

  • Global Moderator
  • Queens Grill Diner
  • *****
  • Posts: 9550
  • Total likes: 6486
  • Beautiful, elegant QE2 - forever Queen of the Seas
Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #147 on: Oct 21, 2024, 05:02 PM »
Thank you so very much, Lynda, for your wonderful, informative, and fun to read Navigator Notes ! It was a pleasure and a learning experience being able to accompany you on your World Cruise. I very much look forward to “helping carry your suitcases” on your next cruise !
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Online Andy Holloway

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #148 on: Oct 21, 2024, 05:14 PM »
Shopping, cooking and housework was a big adjustment after coming off the ship.  We had over three months of having all this done for us by the fabulous restaurant and housekeeping crew.

Always my favourite part of a WC was standing in the Rotunda on QE2 as passengers were leaving and being able to quote those words they didnt want to hear;

"Don't forget that the towel you drop in the bathroom tonight will still be there in the morning!"

"Dinner tonight will be a choice, as always, this choice will be beans on toast or, toast under beans!"

Online cunardqueen

Re: Queen Victoria World Cruise 2024 Notes from the Navigator
« Reply #149 on: Oct 21, 2024, 07:19 PM »
Quote
  Thanks Ben, so glad you enjoyed the posts and yes the next one is booked for the Voyage of Discovery around South America.   

Im sure we all loved your posts , l sure did, and you have booked again ! l hope you will be giving us a commentary of the countdown to sailaway and perhaos of what you get upto on board, heck even if its only what you ate !

Anyway looking forward to a nice cruise (and no weight gain for us ! )  what ship and how long ?
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!