Colin_Cameron

We're boarding Cunard's Queen Victoria in Auckland in Feb '24. I'd assumed this would be at Prince's Wharf as that's where we docked in 2020 but I note that all Cunard's calls this year are at Queens Wharf, so next year, who knows.

My question is really about luggage drop off. If our accommodation is very close (possibly at Prince's Wharf) I'm guessing taxis won't be interested so we'll be walking. The distance isn't a problem but manhandling everything at one time might be. Has anyone dropped off some cases then gone back for the rest? It's easy at other ports but I don't know the setup at Shed 10.

TIA Colin.

1 hour ago, D&N said:

... and mentions him assuming command after an accident in Fort Lauderdale 

That story relates to QM2. He took over from Ron Warwick. We were aboard a few weeks later when they were both aboard. Bernard Warner as Captain, and Ron Warwick as Commodore.

On 1/10/2023 at 7:07 PM, D&N said:

I'm not familiar with these coasters, but I found a forum called "theqe2story".

It mentions many past Commodores that captained QE2, perhaps some of these might jog memories:

It doesn't include whether any of them were knighted.

 

Commodore William Eldon Warwick
Commodore J Burton-Hall
Commodore Christopher Rynd
Commodore Bernard Warner
Commodore William Warwick
Commodore T D Ridley
Commodore Christopher Wells? **

 

There may be more mentioned on that forum.

 

** The posts on Christopher Wells suggest he was only promoted to Commodore on his retiral, so might not have justified a coaster.

 

 

I'm fairly certain that Bernard Warner was never master of QE2.

I have several of these coasters, but none that haven't been named yet.

2 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

It's not the first time it's happened in Cadiz for example. 

It's not a first for Cunard either. It happened with QE2 in Southampton in the 90s. I'll need to do some digging for the details. Either a repair, or refit, wasn't completed in time (surprise, surprise) and rather than delay the next cruise (or crossing) the passengers boarded while the ship was still in drydock. She was re-floated and, with only one engine running for the hotel load, she was towed down Southampton Water as the Engineering dept. scrambled to get more engines up and running. Able to come under her own power only after they passed the Nab Tower.

Congratulations to @exlondoner and @North West Newbie. Lisbon is correct.

The pattern on the ground should be recognisable to someone who's been there. Unfortunately, I don't think I have.

It has a sort of Inca vibe to it, but that hasn't helped me.

I'm heading off for Christmas so I'll leave another one for you to ponder.

That chequered pattern and the buildings remind me of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Edit: My initial thought was the town but closer inspection shows it is the cruise port itself.

First one finished.

It doesn’t show up in a still picture, but the “fire” is red, orange and yellow flickering LEDs.

35 minutes ago, ronpes said:

No snow today though as I think it has all moved further south. 

Some of it has headed west. We’ve had a couple more showers today

We got our latest covid, and winter flu jabs yesterday. Had to shovel the snow to get out the driveway for the second time in a week.

Since last week, for the first time in nearly forty years, we don't have at least one Subaru sitting in the drive. Have to say though, the replacement Mitsubishi Outlander is doing OK even if it is still on summer tyres. It hasn't really been tested yet.

On 12/11/2022 at 4:30 PM, bluemarble said:

... I've also cropped a portion of the remaining image so that it's not instantly recognizable to a google image search.

Have people been doing that?😮

Ah! Close, but not close enough. I was looking a couple of miles too far south.

I’ve already had my guess for the day, but this looks familiar too. Would I be right in thinking that there’s an airport on that flat land in the left foreground?

I think that looks like the view from Molde, Norway, looking south.

41 minutes ago, ballroom-cruisers said:

It is also an unanswered question as to whether this Bright Lights Society might be a paid venue?

That was my thought when reading the email.

I made a very lucky guess as to it's purpose and then worked from there.

It's the airship mooring mast at Ny Alesund. Used for Amundsen's flight over the North Pole.

Clearly somewhere in the tropics.

On 11/22/2022 at 2:25 PM, sogne said:

not the usual departure from this port  this route was taken to avoid hurricane to the south

I don't know about anyone else, but you've stumped me.

Well, I know where Queen Victoria is, but you asked, "Where am I?"

My initial thought was that you were in front of Sydney Opera House but the angle isn't quite right. Second thought is that you were at Mrs Macquaries Point.

Obviously a few years ago as QV still has her original sloping stern.

Most of the clues are hidden. But what I can see looks suspiciously like Cadiz.

That looks familiar.

Have passed there on half a dozen cruises. Sailing from/to six different ports.

Beat me to it. 

Having been there here earlier this year I thought I recognised that little plaza in the foreground.

It’s that time of year again. The first Christmas cakes are in the oven.

44 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Someone is going to have translate this for me! 

 

It's a game of rounders with added money.

9 hours ago, sfred said:

Australian, Scottish, Geordie, Cornish, and English are all English (🙂).

 

I was thinking about this. I wondered if Stornoway might qualify as Gaelic. I suspect Portree might fall on the English side of the line. 😁