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Queen Mary 2 last minute port cancellations

Algie21

By Algie21,
in Cunard Line

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Algie21

Algie21

Posted
Posted

Hi,

Just received this email 15 minutes ago.

 
 

We hope that you are looking forward to your voyage on board Queen Mary 2.

During the preparations for our calls to Zeebrugge and Le Havre, the very latest weather forecast for our planned call to Zeebrugge on Friday is looking unfavourable with strong winds and inclement sea conditions. In addition, we received a notification on Monday making us aware of a French port strike taking place on 1st June, meaning that our call to Le Havre would now also be unachievable.   

We have explored all options and appreciate that this will be disappointing news, but we are sorry to advise that we have made the difficult decision to cancel both ports of call prior to departure. 

We are however very pleased to advise that we have been able to secure a full day call to Cherbourg, France on Friday 31st and the Isle of Portland, Dorset for a full day call on Saturday 1st June.  

Cherbourg has long been a gateway between Britain and France and offers many attractions to visit and explore, including the Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey Mont St Michel, perched on a rocky islet near the port. 

Due to the planned strikes, we will unfortunately be unable to operate shore excursions or shuttle buses whilst in Cherbourg. The port is however accessible, with the town a short walking distance. 

The unique tied island of Portland marks the southernmost point on the Jurassic Coast.  Just four miles long and a mile and a half wide, Portland is steeped in maritime history and heritage with something for everyone to explore.  By example, overlooking Portland Harbour stands one of King Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts where you can enjoy stunning views from the gun platforms and get up close to the powerful cannons.

All pre booked excursions for Zeebrugge and Le Havre will be cancelled and refunded to you, with a shore experience programme for Portland available to book once on board. 

Should you wish to discuss your booking, please call our Customer Contact Centre who would be happy to help.

Please know our entire crew will be working hard to ensure you have a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to welcoming you onboard.

Kind Regards,

Cunard

 

I am not impressed with Cunard.

They have already cancelled and closed Verandah restaurant on this cruise,

 

I understand the weather situation, but the French port strikes are on the 2nd June, so not really telling the truth.

 

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Essiesmom "Live from...." Rare

Essiesmom

Posted
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5 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Annoying, but the two alternatives sound preferable. The arrivals hall at Cherbourg is worth the trip alone. I do hope it turns out well for you.

Totally agree.  When I entered that hall and saw the large counter, I realized that was where luggage rested for the great liners of the golden age.  (Yeah, I love history…).  EM

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S1971

S1971

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Unfortunate but weather is something out of their control.

 

Curious as to why they can't dock on the 1st though, given they are not striking until the 2nd.

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exlondoner

exlondoner

Posted
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4 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Totally agree.  When I entered that hall and saw the large counter, I realized that was where luggage rested for the great liners of the golden age.  (Yeah, I love history…).  EM

Do you know the story of the Katzenstein family, one of Cunard’s better moments? They must have had to dash through there.

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Winifred 22

Winifred 22

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Posted

Not loving Portland.  Would have preferred Falmouth. I was looking forward to Zeebrugge and as  I missed it at Christmas because of the weather. No Shuttle bus either at Cherbourg to the hyper market which I have done before. Looks like 2 days  onboard enjoying the lovely QM. 

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exlondoner

exlondoner

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33 minutes ago, Winifred 22 said:

Not loving Portland.  Would have preferred Falmouth. I was looking forward to Zeebrugge and as  I missed it at Christmas because of the weather. No Shuttle bus either at Cherbourg to the hyper market which I have done before. Looks like 2 days  onboard enjoying the lovely QM. 

Dorset is quite nice really. Honest. 😀

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Winifred 22

Winifred 22

Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Dorset is quite nice really. Honest. 😀

I agree  but I live on the edge of the New Forest near Ringwood.  Go to Castlepoint most Saturdays ! One  daughter is laughing as she said perhaps I can do  an excursion to Salisbury and meet her for lunch 😂🚢

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Winifred 22

Winifred 22

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Windsurfboy said:

Dorset is lovely.  Best explored by car, especially if you don't like coach trips.

 

But not much on portland itself.

Yes I totally agree but not really so interesting when you only live a few miles away 😂😂🚢

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exlondoner

exlondoner

Posted
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1 minute ago, Winifred 22 said:

I agree  but I live on the edge of the New Forest near Ringwood.  Go to Castlepoint most Saturdays ! One  daughter is laughing as she said perhaps I can do  an excursion to Salisbury and meet her for lunch 😂🚢

Have you been to Dorset County Museum since it was refurbished?

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exlondoner

exlondoner

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Just now, exlondoner said:

Have you been to Dorset County Museum since it was refurbished?

Or they may do a trip to Abbotsbury, which I would be happy to do, despite living so near. Just about hatching time. Aaaaah.

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Winifred 22

Winifred 22

Posted
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Just now, exlondoner said:

Have you been to Dorset County Museum since it was refurbished?

No I haven’t been for many years  that would be interesting . I was diverted through Dorchester the other day due to 303 being closed and I had forgotten what a lovely town it was. Definitely need to schedule a trip. 

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Pushpit "Live from...." Rare

Pushpit

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I would certainly say Cherbourg is an improvement over Le Havre and as the letter says you would be virtually in the town centre and with some fantastic seafood restaurants within a few minutes of the ship.

Weymouth instead of Zeebrugge? Well that's an interesting one, and of course Zeebrugge has relatively little near the port whereas Portland has quite a few things nearby. (including Bibby Stockholm....). The D-Day Centre would be very much in the news at the moment. Weymouth is 3 miles away, Castletown is by the quay.

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Winifred 22

Winifred 22

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Just now, Pushpit said:

I would certainly say Cherbourg is an improvement over Le Havre and as the letter says you would be virtually in the town centre and with some fantastic seafood restaurants within a few minutes of the ship.

Weymouth instead of Zeebrugge? Well that's an interesting one, and of course Zeebrugge has relatively little near the port whereas Portland has quite a few things nearby. (including Bibby Stockholm....). The D-Day Centre would be very much in the news at the moment. Weymouth is 3 miles away, Castletown is by the quay.

I had plans for Blankenberg and Le Havre which is why I booked but it’s no big deal and I will have a lovely couple of days regardless.  The baggage hall at Cherbourg as exlonder has said us worth a visit in its own right. Always expect to see Poiret there. I hope others find enjoyable options. 

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WantedOnVoyage Great Review Rare

WantedOnVoyage

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"Baggage Hall"??? You mean the magnificent Gare Maritime Transatlantique dating from the late 1920s and with Napoli's and Trieste's Stazione Marittimas, the last of the great liner piers. Unlike Southampton's splendid Ocean Terminal, shamefully destroyed in 1983, it has been wonderfully preserved.  But yes, worth the call at Cherbourg alone and QM2 will be back in the great Continental port of call for the former QUEENs.  We called there aboard Fred. Olsen BLACK PRINCE and found Cherbourg to be utterly charming and yes, I think better for a day's gentle self exploring than Le Havre.  

 

 

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exlondoner

exlondoner

Posted
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12 minutes ago, WantedOnVoyage said:

"Baggage Hall"??? You mean the magnificent Gare Maritime Transatlantique dating from the late 1920s and with Napoli's and Trieste's Stazione Marittimas, the last of the great liner piers. Unlike Southampton's splendid Ocean Terminal, shamefully destroyed in 1983, it has been wonderfully preserved.  But yes, worth the call at Cherbourg alone and QM2 will be back in the great Continental port of call for the former QUEENs.  We called there aboard Fred. Olsen BLACK PRINCE and found Cherbourg to be utterly charming and yes, I think better for a day's gentle self exploring than Le Havre.  

 

 

So wasn’t it a baggage hall? The station itself, which had room for eight trains is now a Museum, and no longer connected to the arrivals building internally. I believe there is a Terminal at Genoa still, and, of course, much of the Cunard facilities in the basement of their building in Liverpool is still there.

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Victoria2 Great Review Rare

Victoria2

Posted
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1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

Have you been to Dorset County Museum since it was refurbished?

Used to be our go to,  then a crab lunch at The Lobster Pot finished off by a climb up to Pulpit Rock. Scuffed many shoes on that! 😀

I love Portland.

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RadGirl8

RadGirl8

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Posted

I think it's good they have come up with some last minute alternatives - going to be a fab mini-cruise either way.  Personally think both alternatives sound good but equally happy to have more time on the ship.  Can't wait!

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