Live from RMS Queen Mary 2

[Rob Lightbody]

CUNARD STATEMENT
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> Queen Mary 2 is currently in Japanese waters on passage between Osaka and Nagasaki, where she is due to arrive tomorrow (12 March). The ship is currently 450 miles south west of the epicentre of this morning's earthquake, and it is extremely unlikely that the ship will be affected in any way by  the earthquake or its aftershocks. The Commodore has made an announcement from the bridge to advise passengers of the situation.
>
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[Clydebuilt1971]

CUNARD STATEMENT
>
> Queen Mary 2 is currently in Japanese waters on passage between Osaka and Nagasaki, where she is due to arrive tomorrow (12 March). The ship is currently 450 miles south west of the epicentre of this morning's earthquake, and it is extremely unlikely that the ship will be affected in any way by  the earthquake or its aftershocks. The Commodore has made an announcement from the bridge to advise passengers of the situation.
>
>

Thanks Rob for the info from Cunard and more importantly from Rosie - when I heard of the disaster in Japan and knowing the proximity of Rosie and QM2 to that area my thoughts immediately turned to her.

I see Tsunami warnings for a number of countries as a result of this quake - doesnt look good.

Gav

[Janice Naylor]

When I heard of the earthquake/tsunami warnings my first thoughts were of Rosie and the QM2 also ... thanks for posting Rob and letting us know Rosie and the ship are OK.

Janice

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I heard on the BBC news just now that all Japanese ports are closed for the time being. I wonder whether QM2 will manage to land in Nagasaki...

I would be sorry if not -- it is a fascinating city. So glad that QM2 managed to get to Osaka before this dreadful disaster happened...

[Lynda Bradford]

Cunard's latest post on Facebook states:
"We are in communication with Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. All of our guests and crew are safe and well, we will update you here if any itineraries should change."

[Lynda Bradford]

Looking forward to hearing more news from Rosie when she is able to communicate.   

The latest Facebook feed from Cunard states that the QM2 has arrived at Nagasaki but the port will remain closed.  Looks like the ship will be sailing to Beijing after picking up passengers. 

[Louis De Sousa]

QM2's call to Nagasaki has been cancelled, she will continue to Beijing & arrive as scheduled. All guests & crew are safe & accounted for.

Quote from Facebook

[Twynkle]

A brief update following the catastrophic earthquake tsunami in Japan
There's been no internet link for QM2 for the past 3 days, now the satellite link is overloaded, otherwise this would have reached you sooner.

Thanks so much to Everyone for so many messages.

Just to let you know that we are now re-united with the 32 Guests that had been on an organised shore excursion,  'overnighting' to Tokyo and we are now sailing in the Yellow Sea towards China - with all the little fishing boats to watch out for.

At the time of writing the news gets worse for Japan - and there's a significant and difficult irony in having watched the beautiful port of Nagasaki, as reports come through that there are serious problems with one, possibly two of the nuclear reactors, and a new significant aftershock this evening.
We are thinking so much about the lovely people that we met - students, our tour guide, those on the ship who stayed for a few days
and many others who have been so kind to us all.

The ship's company have worked incredibly hard all day - many having had to forgo the rare opportunity of a port visit.

Rosie.

[highlander0108]

This blog, written by another couple on this eventful World Cruise with Rosie, has an excellent write up regarding the passenger transfer, including pictures.  If you look carefully, it appears Mr. Shanks is helping the passengers guests back on board.
http://jryan2011.wordpress.com/

[Twynkle]

Greetings to All- from Beiijing!

Following a very misty voyage across the China Sea, am now sitting in a brand new Amazing Cruise Terminal - made in China!
The ship's been incredibly busy over the past few days, and today's been no different.
The Bridge was highly occupied with 'Watching', as the mist over the Yellow Sea, then a Big Wind and Foghorn at full blast (great!!)  must have meant total concentration for all concerned. The muffled echo across the sea was really quite eerie.
Last night on going to say Goodnight to the SEa - I couldn't walk across the decks from doors to railing such was the strength of the Chinese Breeze!

Just back from a 12 hour shore excursion, Temple of Heaven - (fear this wasn't too heavenly, bleak and freezing cold) then onto the Forbidden City - with the best bit at the end - a wonderful small garden, and last but not least - a visit to Tianneman Square.
Spent nearly half an hour there - Thoughts still with people of Japan, Christchurch and the Nobel Prize winner imprisoned in China, his wife still under house arrest, and the many many who died as a result of the protests on 4th June 1989.

Sitting in the Cruise Terminal - free WiFi here, and note there are 101+ emails, so as we sail shortly, there's just one gangway owing to the Official's restrictions in this country, maybe it's time to say goodnight from Beijing, and will be back soon

Rosie

[RMS Lozzy]

Pleased to read that all passengers are accounted for and are safe.  Ive been reading blogs and witness reports and its just beyond belief what has been happening these past few days.

My thoughts go out to all those suffering and struggling in and around Japan during this hard time.

[Twynkle]

The chart for the World Voyage segment: Sydney to Hong Kong sold at auction on board Queen Mary 2 for US$2500.
The proceeds are to contribute to World Voyage Charities
These include funds for Earthquake survivors in Christchurch and Japan, the survivors of the floods in Australia, and Cunard's special project - an orphanage in the Philippines.

[Twynkle]

St Patrick's Day on QM2 -
The sea's turned a sort of yellowy green in tune with the mood on board as we recently turned SW'erly into the Straights of Taiwan, en route to an overnight call at Hong Kong.

There are many guests who have managed to find a sort of shamrock colour to wear - and a few may have experienced feeling a bit green as QM2 has been letting us know that there's a gentle swell in this part of the world too.
We are expecting  the beer in the Golden Lion  to have turned green, although In Shanghai yesterday, several reported that there wasn't a green silk bow-tie to be had anywhere.
Anyone arriving from Mars might think that the Irish had taken us over - in fact they might have done, although it hasn't been mentioned in the Daily Programme...yet!!

On the Bit Behind the Bridge at lunchtime the computer / radar screens were full of life - little and several larger ships 'keeping us company'.
It's been good to watch on the decks as QM2 sails past most at 25.8 kts, as if she's showing them all how 'it' should really be done - it's not difficult at all to imagine how it must have been time and time again on board QE2.
There was a good 'list' from stbd to port yesterday evening - we were tied up in the biggest container port in the world (yes - much, much bigger than Dubai!) and as the tide rose, we were needing to wait for it to peak before sailing out. It was impressive, both the docking in a very tight parking bit between two 'small' container ships', and then speeding off from no kts to several in seconds, before the water depth dropped any further. We knew the depth was particularly shallow (sorry, as can't remember exactly how much it measured - hoping some one else might let us know!)
Before we sailed and from on the quay, alongside, I dropped a red rose into the sea - this was in very loving memory of  Saga Rose. You'll remember that she was taken to the Yangtse River to be scrapped less than a year ago, not too far from where we were on QM2.

By the way - if ever you get the chance, go to Shanghai; it's the most amazing place, everyone loved it!

700 passengers disembark in Hong Kong - as well as many crew members.
The latter will be missed much by their friends, and of the new crew joining, several will need to be trained by those remaining.

Thanks to everyone for their messages. - thinking of you, and wishing you all well.
Thinking too, of the rest of the world.
It feels as if we are sealed in our own bubble at times - and it's difficult to reconcile this with the tragic experiences of all in Japan as well as Christchurch and the 'trouble spots' in the Middle East
Rosie.

[Lynda Bradford]

Good to hear from you again, Rosie.  Keep those updates coming.  It certainly has been an eventful World Cruise that you will remember for many reasons 

[Janice Naylor]

Always good to read your posts, Rosie.  Thanks for being so conscientious about letting us know what's happening on and around the QM2.  I can't imagine what it feels like being at sea for so long.

Janice