Queen Victoria - General Discussion

[Chris Frame]

I have now uploaded my "review" of QV - more of an onboard snapshot then a review, but hopefully it proves interesting reading:

http://www.chriscunard.com/queen_victoria_review.php

[QE2 Canuck]

Hi Chris.... just read your review of Queen Victoria.... a really nice write up.........i see by her bridge cam that she is in at Ocean Dock in Southampton today......If i were in the area, I'd sure go down to see her........But.....because I hate to fly, I'd have to get QM2 to take me over.  I hope to someday travel on board QV......maybe a short voyage that begins and ends in New York... which with her itinerary is not much.    Oh well, maybe in the next few years.... until then it's QM2 and I.
(July 19-Aug 8. Grand Norwegian Wonder......will be looking for your book in the bookshop (QM2 Photographic Journey to add to my collection...

Linda

[Chris Frame]

Thank you Linda for the kind words! I do hope you enjoy the QM2 book once you get it

[RmsAquitania]

Very good and interesting review Chris but Im still not getting the urge to try her out.

[Chris Frame]

When we were aboard Queen Victoria we heard all three of her horns / whistles being sounded.

According to our chat with Captain Rynd, she has one "Queen Mary" replica whistle, similar to QM2 (although never advertised aboard - the QM replica is the larger of the two on her funnel) and two of her own (one on the funnel and one below the mast).

The one 'of her own', on the funnel, had (we thought) the nicest sound.

Nothing on QE2, but nicer than the usual tin-sound that QV produces.

[Twynkle]

Did you try listening for qV's whistle anywhere on Deck 3?
Even outside, in calm waters - it was almost impossible to hear it!

About waste disposal
Here are some links to images in an attempt to show the visible areas in the treatment of waste

There were several minutes several minutes before for the next flush!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4789307705/in/set-72157623165171368/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4789307707/in/set-72157623165171368/

Crunched / flattened - ready for the shoreside collection
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4789307733/in/set-72157623165171368/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4789967108/in/set-72157623165171368/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4789307741/in/set-72157623165171368/

The chute at the end-stage of glass crunching (I think?!)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4789928808/in/set-72157623165171368/

[Chris Frame]

Hi Rosie,

We found that it depended on which whistle they used. We could hear the funnel-whistle from our Deck Four cabin during the noon tests for example.

Chris. 

[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2]

That whistle sounds a bit similer to QE2's horn.

How did Cunard get the rights to the original Queen Mary's whistle?

[Twynkle]

'News' about Thomas Quinones, queen Elizabeth and queen Victoria

http://wearecunard.com/2010/07/the-world-ship-society-visits-queen-victoria/

[Lynda Bradford]

'News' about Thomas Quinones, queen Elizabeth and queen Victoria

http://wearecunard.com/2010/07/the-world-ship-society-visits-queen-victoria/

I did not know that Thomas Quinones was on the Queen Victoria.  I always enjoyed his heritage tours on the QE2 as he had such a lot of information about the ship so it is good to know that he continuing to pass on his knowledge.  I also went to a Spanish class he held prior to calling at Barcelona and was so pleased that I could say a few words in Spanish even if it was just to order some food and drinks. However I did get a bit muddled up in a shop and my lack of understanding of the language resulted in the shop assistant gift wrapping a very cheap spanish fan in very expensive gift wrap paper.  Although it did not cost me any more money. 

I was also pleased that the group who were given a tour of the ship gave positive feedback about her.  I have sailed on Queen Victoria 3 times and I quite like the ship, which is easy to get around and very comfortable   

[Clydebuilt1971]

Queen Victoria is due on the Clyde for the first time on Wed July 28th. Hopefully the weather will improve for her visit!

 

Gav

[Chris Frame]

News from Captain Greybeard is that Queen Victoria will be visited by Camilla on her visit to Liverpool.

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/2010/07/camillas-back-on-board-cunarde.html

[cunardqueen]

The comment posted on that website is so very true !!!

[Cruise_Princess]

The comment posted on that website is so very true !!!

I agree...but then she no longer fits into Cunard plan for the 'youngest fleet in the world'/..as far as they were concerned she's past it....sad but true I'm afraid.( In THEIR eyes...not mine!)

[maggie maggot]

Once the gang is safely home off QM2 we will proably dash over to the Mersey to see Mrs Brown. I have to admit to not being a fan of the Vicky from the outside. I've never sailed on her but sailed beside her. She did make our Winter Crossing to the 3 Queens in NY last longer on the QE2.

 I found this site which might be of use if anyone is free to go to see Queen Victoria at Liverpool
http://pbrstreetgangsrandomstuff.blogspot....a-to-visit.html/

If you are thinking of coming to Liverpool park up in Birkenhead and get the underground train to James Street station to get close to the ship as Liverpool is a... nightmare for parking.

New Brighton is a good spot to see her enter the Mersey and on the same railway line.

[Twynkle]

This is a Good Shipping News day!

Not only does Liverpool act as host to Queen Victoria,

Very Much More Importantly,
Ship building resumes at Birkenhead's Cammell Laird
Cammell Laird workers will construct the flight deck
Ship building has returned to the banks of the River Mersey, as work begins on an aircraft carrier at Cammell Laird.
More than 350 people are working on the HMS Queen Elizabeth, at the Birkenhead ship yard. It secured the £44m Ministry of Defence contract in January.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-10759500


Edited 28.7.2010 to add this link:
http://www.wikiwirral.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/421846/1.html
Both pages have pics.

and
'Ship building will return to the banks of the River Mersey,
the same day as the Cunard Liner Queen Victoria arrives in Liverpool......
http://www.shiptalk.com/?p=5269

This will mean a great deal to many families on both sides of the Mersey.
 

[maggie maggot]

There was 'A new kid on the berth' yesterday at Liverpool. Although not my favorite Cunarder we had to go to keep the records untodate. I couldn't resist using the Victoria song sung by the very local ( from years ago) Pennine Folk.
In places the words do match.
Cunard Queen Victoria in Liverpool 26th July

[Jem]

That was well put together. Enjoyed it, thanks.

[Alistair]

I dragged myself out of bed early this morning and drove down to Greenock to see the QV arrive at the Ocean Terminal. I had hoped to get there in time to see her arrive but as I sped down the M8 I caught my first sight of her vast bulk already on her final approach. From a distance she looked impressive. Very bulky and a bit top heavy I thought.

I parked on the esplanade on the Gourock side just as she was sliding slowly into her berth. What were my first impressions?

Well....big, modern, glitzy and quite impressive. She must be quite something on the inside. However as I looked closely at the back I started to think of a block of flats sitting on top of a big barge. In fact, if you took the top decks off they wouldn't look out of place at Glasgow Harbour!

The balconied cabins must be a nice place to be though. One cabin about 3 floors up was even sporting a saltire and lion rampant flag. I wondered if I knew the owners of these! 

It was a pretty gloomy morning so I guess I didn't see the QV at her best. Having said that the gloom didn't stop the Waverley, which was gliding up behind the QV looking superb as ever.  She must have paddled down river to meet her this morning and accompanied her in to port. I walked round to the other side of the terminal to try to get a view from the front. She was berthed in exactly the same position that the QE2 had been in 2007 on her 40th anniversary tour so that brought back some memories. I was in time to see all the coaches arriving to transport the lucky passengers to a fun filled day in Glasgow.

I'm looking forward to hearing Rob's report of his trip on-board later 

One thing I noticed was that the esplanade only had a handful of people there to see the ship. The burger van was NOT doing a good trade. Maybe it will be busier this evening or maybe no other ship has the magic pull of the QE2? I rewarded myself with a greasy burger with onions. My advice for anyone going later...the burgers are good but don't drink the coffee!

On my way back home I was lucky enough to spot the Waverley steaming up river to Glasgow. That brought back memories of our fabulous day out last month. If I can I will go back and see the QV leave later this afternoon.

Here are a few of the pictures I took this morning.

[Rob Lightbody]

Hello from on board in Greenock in the champagne bar. Pleasantly suprised! More later...