glojo

There are also some EXCELLENT pictures of the ship's laundrettes on the 'Live on Queen Elizabeth' thread

Egypt: Memphis Tours had a van with a ramp to visit Luxor when you are in Safaga. Hatchepsul, Luxor and Karnak Temples are accessible. Valley of the Kings not.

Maybe they can assist also in Alexandria. But maybe the Egypt ports will be cancelled.

Are Cunard getting to be in the minority when it comes to cruise lines that are still scheduled to visit Egypt next year?

 

Here in the UK the newsis very much censored regarding this uprising which might give folks the impression all is nowwell in that part of the world :(

It is certainly quite 'lively' out in the Western Approaches but I see that all the local ferries are still sailing, the small coastal fishing boats are out plying their trade!! MAD.... If folks like 'uppy downy' then the smaller boats are the place for the fun fair ride :)

The videos that I like to see are those from another ship showing how the flagship cuts through heavier seas. It will sometimes give the illusion her bow is dipping down into the sea but I would suggest she merely gets out of kilter with the odd wave?

I am guessing there will be less slamming on this ship when compared to any other cruise ship of a similar size travelling at the same speed :)

Unfortunately it will be dark when we both navigate down the English Channel in a few weeks time as it would have been a beautiful sight, especially if conditions are similar to those we are experiencing these last few days :)

[quote name='foxgoodrich']Italy has a perplexing legal system I think! I believe I read that Schettino's trial will last until sometime in April?? Seems like they only devote a couple or three days a month to it. Maybe somebody else here has a better handle on how trials work in Italy, but I'm having a hard time figuring out a trial that doesn't just proceed from beginning to end without a whole bunch of delays in the middle. (Looks like it would be hard for everybody to go back to where they left off after all these breaks) I know his defense attorneys have asked for additional investigations of the ship, so maybe they are the reason for all the delays.
Anyway…I, for one, would like to hear the end of his story sooner rather than later.:o
Judy[/quote]I agree it does appear to have a different type of procedure to what we are used to seeing. I would have been none the iser had I not followed this [URL="http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/24/20172412-lawyer-amanda-knox-will-not-return-to-italy-for-murder-retrial?lite"]trial[/URL]

To be fair though, I wonder how many hours per day evidence is actually presented to the jury when it comes to the more complex cases?

Don't forget these are HUGE ships that will never pitch or roll violently but obviously they cannot defy the laws of nature and if the sea is rough..... They will roll (but with moderation)

 

Anyone that can predict the sea state as far ahead as you are asking is simply someone that is plucking a condition out of the hat.

 

If you are lucky enough not to suffer from motion sickness then all I can say is that a well respected, much travelled, forum member has recently had an extremely pleasant cruise on the Queen Victoria on 6 deck and in the most furthest frrd cabin and yes they did experience some inclement weather..

Some folks have commented about the lack of 'ship' pictures but I for one congratulate you on those very informative pictures that have finally allowed me to see the equipment on offer at the laundrette.

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to post them and could I please take copies to show 'she who must be obeyed!'

A local report states that QE2 is in cold lay up. There is no smoke from her stack. Crew laundry and security vests draped over some stateroom railings appear to be the only signs of life on board.

Wasn't the professional team that were looking after her laid off last Christmas?

 

I am asking as I thought I read that this firm that was laid off were at least regularly runniong at least one main engine, but last year they were laid off (or the beginning of this year) Since then I understood that there were allegedly just 36 people employed to maintain the ship??

 

AsI keep saying I have no evidence that this trip is not going to take place... I just fail to understand how it can having been laid up for so long.

Whilst I accept folks are recommending cameras, might I suggest that in this modern age we live in.. Technology is advancing at such a pace that we are seeing significant advances in possibly just two or so years and IF we can afford to, we might want to consider a fairly modern camera.

 

I do accept it can be suggested we are wasting money going for these small inprovements and our old cameras are perfectly adequate. A decent arguement until we compare what older cameras can do, compared to the latest offerings! Night time photography, waterproof, or dustproof cameras, the sharpness of the image, size etc.

 

The camera is a great tool for recording our memories :)

CC's thumbnails are impossibly small for these old eyes. one previous pix is obviously not a pix of the ceiling of the Vatican Museum. I've added three more from the Vatican below, all shot with "handheld night." Note how the side light adds detail to the friezes that a strobe would wash out.

I think I can make out those images and I am guessing we are singing from the same hymn sheet regarding what we want from HDR. I want these pictures to show as much detail as possible (like in those last picturesyou posted)

 

I am guessing I might take 5 images and use an HDR program to get as much from the picture as possible.

 

Night scenes sound interesting and I guess Iwill have to look for a constant, steady light source??

We are on the Queen Elizabeth and will be at Singapore AFTER the QE2 is due to arrive so as the saying goes...

 

Seeing will be believing

 

I have made very brief search using Mr Google, but I failed miserably to find any information regarding this latest date. Lots of recerences to broken promises, but nothing confirming that new date.

 

I am certainly not suggesting this is another speculative guesstimate, as I have no kinowledge, just an interest in the mechanics of getting this iconic ship to Singapore.

 

Does anyone know if it will be Sembawang? Certainly a big enough dockyard

OTOH, I was happy to drag my Canon 70D around the Eastern Med. Particularly useful was HDR shooting (actually the setting for Hand Held Night, which was 4 HDR shots) inside the Vatican Museum where flash was not allowed. And in Pompeii. And using DSLRs for video is producing some stunning results.

 

The most important thing for occasional photographers is to learn the camera settings well enough to let the camera work for you. Today even the most basic cameras are advanced enough to deliver better than workmanlike photography, if you learn the principals of good photography and set the camera correctly to help you get the shot you want.

 

A little quibble on "no plastic." There is of course, plastic and there is polycarbonate. Polycarb bodies are extremely rugged and easy to water seal. Think about trying to tear up a motorcycle helmet.

 

Also, some advice on memory cards. The big disadvantage to really big memory cards is that you can store your entire trip on one card. That's great...unless your camera is stolen or lost. Then you've lost the entire trip.

 

I carried one 32GB card for each day of the trip (I was shooting a lot vid and all the photos, except HDR, were in RAW, so they were big), and kept the "exposed" cards in our cabin safe. Each day I'd remove the card and put in a fresh one as part of my battery procedures and camera checks.

 

On returning, my wife and I split the cards and carried them in our "around the neck" money and passport wallets.

 

After all, after all the bills for the trip are toted up, all you have left are the pix, so it pays to protect them.

 

Having said all that, the most common camera I saw on this trip were iPhone and iPads.

Apologies for a slight thread drift which might be gooble-de-gook to some folks but I see you mentioned HDR photography and this is something I want to 'play with' on our forth coming cruise.

 

I am NOT a fan of the 'arty' type HDR imagery but I have seen some beautiful, subtle shots of rooms,stationary vehicles etc and I amwondering if you could possibly offer me any tips or advice please?

 

josh2450 at hotmail.co.uk

 

If you are too busy then apologies for asking

 

Nice post cunardaddict

 

John

Good morning Mandranuc,

What you have spotted is absolutely par for the course.

 

Cunard were absolutely adamant that on this forthcoming World Cruise the Queen Elizabeth would be using tenders for the stop over at Hawaii and we would berth alongside at Lahaina, a small harbour with no deep water berthing capability.

 

There were adamant they knew best and would not change there minds until I sent them copies of a letter from the Honolulu Harbour Authorities which confirmed they had their 'facts' completely back to front!!

 

All I will say is good spotting and thankfully this issue is not as important as the Hawaii farce. (Or should I say hopefully it is not important as we will all see where she is berthed and adjust our course accordingly) :) my attempt at humour

That merchant ship alongside her looks at risk of being another statistic. Thank you for the link and does she look like she is moored and not operational?

 

If neither her, nor that merchant ship have power, will we see those tugs trying to move her away from the merchant ship and into a deep water area?

I guess flying always has a downside and whilst the lens is lighter, isit better or even as good as the heavier glass?

 

I am smiling to myself as this example makes me think of the old motoring statement...

 

There's no replacement for displacement!

 

Does quality glass (lens) usually come with a weight penalty?

Partially correct. The D800 has a 36.3 megapixel FX-format, the lens is extremely sharp due to fast fixed aperture of f/2.8 across a 24–70mm zoom range, this lens provides both fine resolution and natural representation. A Nano Crystal Coat helps effectively reduce ghost and flare effects under harsh lighting for greater image clarity. So combine the two and you get the result of 10X plus cropping with reduce noise having excellent results. Want to get even better resolution with closer images switch the D800 to DX, smaller file but your lens gains reach without sacrificing noise when enlarged.

Wise words and I am not sure if I emphasised I also have a D800. I just cannot convince myself to shoot in DX format :o

Sorry about the quality of this snap. It is a still that has been taken from a small video shot. Is the person in the snapshot likely to be yourself? It was taken around 7.15am GMT, if the metadata is correct.

 

 

I do hope you do not mind me playing 'silly fools' with your shot which you have very cleverly extracted?

 

On 'blowing up' your image I noticed some writing on one of those shipping containers and I am guessing they may well contain shoes for the World Cruise of a certain person who will remain nameless ;)

 

Glojo, I don't understand...who is blackmailing you from showing respect for the dead?

-S

Apologises for using that evocative word...

 

The Argentine government has decreed that no cruise ship can visit the Falklands and then visit Argentina, or I assume vice versa. 'blackmail' is a poor choice of words :o:o

 

To those that want this thread closed, I would respectfully ask why? I want to go on a Cunard Cruise to the Falklands and it has been removed from the schedule for the reasons outlined by the then CEO and I find that very sad. This cruise that takes in South America is referred to by Cunard as a 'World Cruise' which means I am not going off topic, I am talking about a port of call that has been visited on a regular occasion by ships cruising in that part of the World. Yes the weather down south can be frustrating but that is to be expected when in that part of the World be it there or any other similar location.

 

I am in full agreement with the excellent sentiments of:

I think the more contact between regular people of all countries reduces the potential for conflict in the future. I think of it as a cruise line peace corp.

 

I would welcome Argentine folks aboard the ship if we were to 'sail down south' and for those that had little or no interest in that conflict, all I will say is the Argentine pilots flew with a bravery that had to be seen to be believed, I would buy them all a drink in a heartbeat! I have nothing but the utmost respect for those very brave men so please do not think for one milli-second this is me lashing out at the people of that country, far from it.

 

I would enjoy visiting Argentina, I have absolutely no issues with that and would love the opportunity to visit that beautiful country. It can be suggested what I am saying is political, but I prefer to think of it as wanting to go on a Cunard Cruise to South America that takes in as many locations as is practical which would include the Falklands and before this embargo I have read numerous posts wrote by folks that have been on ships that visited that location and even those that could not get ashore because of the weather conditions, some of them still enjoyed this visit and the adjusted itinerary of the ship in lieu of putting folks ashore.

Uni;

 

I will say that I have a great deal of respect for the legal profession, and most who practice it, but just like my profession, there are Schettino's in any profession. My experience was with one who, while not in Schettino's league, was decidedly biased towards his client (as he probably should be)(it just hurt to have my qualifications and conclusions questioned by a non-mariner).

 

Glojo;

 

Some of the corporate officers have been sentenced, and I think Uni will confirm, that depending on the outcome of the Schettino trial, there may be more charges to come. Some of the bridge officers also have been convicted, mainly for not following their responsibilities to point out to the Captain their concerns about the ship's navigation.

Thanks once again :)

We did it on the first segment of WC2012 on QM2 somewhere near the equator.

 

Only on seadays possible and not always on a convenient date it is not really a choice for every couple. We were lucky and talked the commodore's assistant into accepting our timing. It was nice and we will remember it.

 

Someone would be in REALLY BIG trouble if they forgot it! ;);) Well done and what a nice gesture

 

John

Been looking at QE in the Med next year. Can't work out Cunard's strategy.

 

Agean Adventure 27 June. I would think a popular time for this area.

 

Both C fare and E Saver are offered. All C fares are available but E Savers are sold out in Q Grill, P Grill and Club balcony. So the popular fare seems to be E Saver.

 

Look later in the year, November 28, Italian Sojourn, only offered as C Fare. All grades available. This doesn't add up to me, the harder to sell cruise only offered at the top price.

 

My theory, for what it's worth is that this one will be sold as advertised until six weeks before sale time, then price slashed as with Getaways bringing the usual " we was robbed" from the earlier bookers.

 

It's going to be interesting to see how this works next year.

 

David.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about the owners doing what is best for the share-holders and be damned with those whose money keep the ships afloat.

 

I did not understand this new scheme when it came out, and I do not understand it now :(

I have visited the Falklands twice, on QE2 and Spirit of Adveture, both were by tender and we were lucky the conditions were good for landing. I don't think we should get into politics here. It is not unusual for big corporations to avoid situation like this, they answer to their shareholders and if they think it's in their best interests to avoid the Falklands it's what they will do.

 

Another reason is that so many times a tendering operation is not possible. It's a lot of sailing just to turn round without landing.

 

 

 

David.

I understand what you say about politics and hopefully folks will accept I have the utmost respect for the people of that country, but yes I agree with you, the owners of these cruise lines are only interested in one thing..... Profit!!

 

When I get to Hawaii I will be paying my respects to those still aboard the USS Arizona, but because of 'politics' (blackmail) I cannot pay my respects to the fallen that are stll aboard the ships in those waters.

Hi Roscoe,

I believe we have had similar discussions before and I agree with you about the problems faced with getting ashore, but visiting those islands is surely more about showing or paying our respects to those that were willing to sacrifice so much in the name of democracy?

 

Having speakers aboard the ship to talk about the various periods of the conflict, the locations, the conditions, the losses, the sacrifices. Cunard themselves should make the effort to pay their respects to those still serving on the Atlantic Conveyor

 

To lay off the islands would be enough for many, but...

 

To have a nation make policies the way Argentina has done is plain wrong, to carry on visiting that country on a Cunard, or P&O registered ship is plain wrong.

 

I am in the corner that believes in fighting the just fight, and when over, it is over. I would welcome Argentine ex military personnel to sail on any ship paying a visit to the Falklands, I would listen to their accounts, thoughts etc just as intently as I would to those talks given by British personnel. The conflict is over... It is time to sit in the bar, put our feet up and show respect to our fellow man.

 

From what I gather Cunard are ducking this issue by not having any visits to those islands because of 'the possibility of adverse weather conditions!!!'

 

Shame on them and I would love for would be passengers to boycott voyages to Argentina until such time as that nation lifts its childish embargo. whewwww

 

Apologies for the rant but I confess to having very strong feelings regarding this issue.

I appreciated everyone's feedback but in the end I bought the Nikon. I got a fantastic price on it closing that gap between the two and I already had an expensive NC nikon 77 mm filter from a previous lens I sold so that was another savings factor. So far I am happy to say I love the lens. Now if I ever buy a wide angle it will likely be 3rd party, the Nikon is just too expensive. The 24-70 will be my main lens.

 

 

Sent from my iPad

 

I confess to being really impressed with this lens although we have slightly different cameras. I have no idea if you will experience the same thing but when using that lens I was AMAZED at the amount of cropping I could do.

 

Yes we are always better off having the right lens for the right picture, but if I am using the 24-70 and see an object 100 yards away, then rather than risk not getting any type of picture, I would not hesitate in using this lens.

 

I have just taken delivery of a B+W polarizer filter and again, I am really impressed in how it performs. Many, many years ago I tried a cheap and cheerful filter and if I am being honest, I could not see a significant difference, this is now most certainly NOT the case and if you are going to use your new lens where there is a lot of sunshine and reflections, then I would seriously consider buying this type of filter (the size by the way is 77mm)

 

My 'stretched limo' (before I had that filter):(

 

 

Look how dark it is above the numberplate and this is a cropped image from this very same photograph and there is no cheating with any photographic software, it is a straight crop 24-70mm lens at 32mm of zoom:

 

IF.... If I were a professional photographer at any large gathering, then my thoughts are that in this digital age where it does not really cost anything to actually take the picture (memory car + camera has already been paid for) would it not be better to take as many pictures as possible?

 

Presenting them is an issue we are debating, but my most treasured images of my better half are when she had no idea I was taking her picture. I accept folks might disagree and there may well be an argument regarding an invasion of our privacy but with the right equipment and decent lighting there is no need for a flash gun and the point I have made is..... the subject is not aware the picture is being taken! The camera is NOT in their face, a flashgun is NOT being used.

 

I just fail to see how the exorbitant costs can be justified and if the end result was cheaper, would these folk sell more pictures?

Hi Roscoe,

Sadly politics has reared its ugly head, Argentina has publicly stated no ships that visit the Flakland Islands will be allowed to visit Argentina. Just noted my misspelling.. It certainly made me chuckle. ;)

 

I believe Mr Shanks stated Cunard wanted to avoid getting involved in any political disputes regarding South American cruises?