Live from Queen Mary 2 on June 13 2009 btb

[capnpugwash]

After the Gala Dinner with Lobster and Beef Wellington, we had the Parade of Chefs and then most people went to see James Taylor perform, I understand that the show was excellent and he performed for almost an hour playing all his old favourites. I decided to give it a miss and went to the CC and worked with Ramona on a couple of new martinis and we came up with one based on Absolute Citron and Limoncello, naturally there are a couple of other ingredients. Shaken hard to give ice chips it is a very pleasant libation. So my time was well spent,I think.


The final sea day has arrived with slightly better looking weather but a virtuall flat sea. We have 500 miles to go and are forecast to moor at around 6am.


Packing today, which doesn't take too long when you have done it a few times, just have to remember to leave something out to wear in the morning and something spare in case there is a soup spillage moment tonight.


The trip has been excellent and we have had a lot of fun, the standard 6 day crossing is good but isn't long enough on board as far as I am concerned, now sitting here contemplating the trip being over tomorrow I feel that the 12 days back to back isn't long enough either for me.

[Host Sharon]

I agree Jim. After my 26 night cruise last year, I would love to do more like that. Still, I'm packing too.......to board tomorrow!! :)

[EssexGary]

[quote name='capnpugwash']After the Gala Dinner with Lobster and Beef Wellington, we had the Parade of Chefs and then most people went to see James Taylor perform, I understand that the show was excellent and he performed for almost an hour playing all his old favourites. I decided to give it a miss and went to the CC and worked with Ramona on a couple of new martinis and we came up with one based on Absolute Citron and Limoncello, naturally there are a couple of other ingredients. Shaken hard to give ice chips it is a very pleasant libation. So my time was well spent,I think.


The final sea day has arrived with slightly better looking weather but a virtuall flat sea. We have 500 miles to go and are forecast to moor at around 6am.


Packing today, which doesn't take too long when you have done it a few times, just have to remember to leave something out to wear in the morning and something spare in case there is a soup spillage moment tonight.


The trip has been excellent and we have had a lot of fun, the standard 6 day crossing is good but isn't long enough on board as far as I am concerned, now sitting here contemplating the trip being over tomorrow I feel that the 12 days back to back isn't long enough either for me.[/quote]


Hi Capn, thanks for all your updates, I can't believe how fast it has gone for you.

I was delighted to read Ramona's name on your latest. If you see her tonight, tell her Gary and Paul say hi. She'll remember us if you remind her that we're the ones who always insist on a different apple martini decoration every night in the Chart Room. Her most spectacular was the Mickey Mouse - two great big circular slices of apple on each side of the glass. She got a round of applause for that one...

Also, if you wouldn't mind asking how Sarah is getting on with her new born... thanks and enjoy your last night. Our neigbours have been on board with you for both sailings (they have a 1 year old baby girl - you may have seen them) so I can't wait to hear all about it when they get back.

Gary

[heywood]

Thanks Capn,
I have really enjoyed your reports- they really put across a lovely relaxed feeling - great.
I can't believe that 12 days are nearly past!
safe journey
heywood

[capnpugwash]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]We docked in Southampton having had an incident free evening without any extraneous spillages. We had an early breakfast and with a little bit of skulduggery we were able to get off the ship by 8.45am. We were driving through Southampton by 9.05am and were home by 11am.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Suitcases unpacked and put away for the next trip.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]It’s only 5 weeks away, fantastic[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]It’s on Artemis, a great little P & O ship, and one of my favourites, fantastic[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Thanks to you all for your encouragement and enthusiasm.[/FONT][/SIZE]

[Girl Guide]

[quote name='capnpugwash']Thanks to all for best wishes etc. Really appreciate them all. A little more for you....

The cocktail party went without incident except for the annoying fact that Ray Rouse and Capt Nick Bates use exactly the same speech at each event, same anecdotes and same jokes. I find it quite annoying and pathetic that they cannot say one original item in a 3 minute address, I am sure he is better at driving the ship.


We enjoyed dinner and there was a good show on. In the CC the Martinis were excellent. The sea felt fairly rough and the ship, unusually was rolling and pitching a faair amount. This was evidenced by the stools sliding around on the polished floor. With this and the hour being lost I headed to bed at around 1am. The ship was rocking about all night long.


Happy Fathers Day to you all. Dark grey skies, slight rain and a Force 8 wind means that we finally realise that we are on a ship at sea. Fantastic, I must find a window to loot out of where I can see the sea and the ship interact while I read. It is the first day of summer today apparently and also the longest day of the year.[/quote]

Could not agree more with your comments about Ray Rouse and Captain Bates. Isnt Ray supposed to be the most experienced Cruise Director in the industry?!! As for Captain Bates I groan evey day when he makes the lunchtime announcement featuring the same old boring Irish anecdotes from his boring book! I appreciate they may be appealing at first but this man has been churning out the same drivel since he was promoted to Captain in 2001! Try something new gents, PLEASE!!

[cruiseqe2]

OK, this isn't live, but some observations about my trip.

We embarked at the new cruise terminal. It was quite different from the QE2 terminal. Having got out of my taxi - in the open air, and after taking my own luggage to one of the x-ray security belts (due to an apparent shortage of porters) I entered the new terminal building. After using the escalator to the upper floor, I was immediately recognised by the ground staff and taken immediately to an empty priority check-in desk. After the usual formalities, I was taken directly to the end of the short queue for security. I was quickly processed, and was very surprised to be stepping onto the ship at 1210 hours.

Please Cunard can you explain why oh why you take over half of the B and C lifts for taking up the passengers' bags leaving only 3 lifts in each bank for the passengers themselves. I was lucky as I was near the front of the queue, but before I was able to get into a lift, I looked back towards the entrance to see the queue for the lifts snaking back towards the gangway. Don't forget that this will be most passengers initial view of the QM2, and it must be disappointing to have to queue for a long time for your fist lift journey! Does the ship not have internal lifts that it can use leaving all the passenger lifts to the passengers?

I was fortunate to speak to the Captain at the Senior Officer's part (on the return trip), and I asked him to settle an 'argument' I was having with another passenger. I was convinced that ships have to travel faster eastbound than on westbound crossings. The other passenger was not convinced. The captain confirmed that I was correct. To cut a long story short, all things being equal, the ship has to cover the same distance in 10 less hours when travelling eastbound. Unfortunately, on our return crossing, we had to take an extremely southerly route back due to ice. Last week, the Canadian Ice Patrols had found that the ice had ventured unusually far south. All shipping was therefore required to take a southerly route for longer across the Atlantic before switching to the Great Circle Route (towards Cornwall). Unfortunately for the QM2 this meant that it had to achieve a speed of 29.4 knots at times. This is fast approaching to top speed of the QM2 and subsequently uses up vast amounts of extra fuel. In order to keep costs down, and presumably to extend the life of the 'engines', it was decided to add an extra day to the eastbound crossings - thus allowing the ship to travel at a more cost-efficient speed.

I had heard rumours during the crossing that there was a chance that we would not be able to use the new terminal when arriving back in Southampton. I was surprised by this. In the event, the rumour was true. Because of a low tide, we were unable to get into the new dock, and had to use the familiar QE2 terminal. I find it extraordinary that Carnival who built the new terminal didn't 'measure' the size of the largest ship that would regularly use it, and make sure that it would be able to get in under all conditions. Surely it is just a matter of dredging the new dock?

I was surprised that the gangway (at the QE2 terminal) was located in the middle of the photo shop outside the Britannia Restaurant. Having looked around this shop whilst in the middle of the crossings, I would not have believed that the back wall doubled up as a major shell opening to the ship. What about the new passengers getting on after I left, was their first view of the luxury liner the toilets located on the opposite side of the corridor leading past the photo shop? Lovely!!!

This was my first time at Red Hook, and was pleased that I had decided to take one of the arranged 'tours' for in-transit guests. I elected for the 'do-it-yourself' tour. Our coach (number 3) left the ship at 0720 hours and we were dropped off just outside Macy's on 7th Avenue at around 0830 hours. We were to be collected between 1415 and 1430 hours. In the event the coaches started arriving at around 1400 hours. I was back on the ship by 1500 hours. The cost of my trip was $30 which I thought was exceptionally good value. Although the terminal building seemed to work, I was not too enamoured by the local area. I can certainly understand that other people had mentioned that taxis from Manhattan have great difficulty finding the new terminal.

During the two crossings, I saw the two big production numbers offered. The first one, Appasionata, I had seen many times on the QE2. The other one, Crazy in Love, was brand new, and I totally enjoyed it. Judging by the applause it received, I was not alone. The Singers, performed their own show one evening (on the outbound), very similar to the one performed on the Maiden Voyage of the Queen Victoria. The major difference was that on the QV, it was an 'extra' afternoon concert in the Queens Room, whilst on the QM2, it was one of the regular evening shows. The songs were different though.

All in all, I had enjoyable trip, and my only disappointment was not getting around to booking my next cruise whilst on board. Okay, I might have missed out on the extra incentives that Cunard were offering, but I am hoping that if I booked a cruise nearer the time, I might be able to 'get a good deal'. Failing that I can always look forward to the Maiden Voyage of the Queen Elizabeth.

Mark, in a warm and sunny London.

[guernseyguy]

[quote name='cruiseqe2']the ship has to cover the same distance in 10 less hours when travelling eastbound.[/QUOTE]

Since both crossings depart at 17.00 (local) and arrive at 07.00 (local), and the UK is 5 hours ahead of the US (or twenty years behind, discuss, comma) the difference is 5 + 5 = 10.....though I'm sceptical about this 'adding an extra day story....its the accountants....if we stop spending on the last day, they'll speed the ship up & chuck us off to get a new lot on (that's where 3 & 4 night cruises came from - the standard used to be 7 nights - but (Carnival) accountants noticed bar spending tailed off after day 3/4 - so simple solution, return to port after 3/4 nights, chuck 'em off & get a new lot of spenders on.....)

[Cruachan]

[quote name='capnpugwash'][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]We docked in Southampton having had an incident free evening without any extraneous spillages. We had an early breakfast and with a little bit of skulduggery we were able to get off the ship by 8.45am. We were driving through Southampton by 9.05am and were home by 11am.[/FONT][/SIZE][/quote]

A rather belated welcome home Capn' and many thanks for your extremely informative live bulletins. I've been following them with great interests as we are planning to do a couple of TAs on QM2 next year.

Thanks again and I hope you have a great time on Artemis.

J

[heywood]

And thank you Mark for your observations.

Your comment about the lifts on arrival is a good point - although it is nice to have your luggage quite early.. difficult really.
I recall when we arrived at QM2 we were just pointed in the right direction on our welcome, whereas on our Celebrity cruise we were escorted to our room which made quite a difference to our first impression. However, we soon got over that!
Our holiday is getting closer - just a few weeks now. I am wondering how the loss of the hour each day will affect us on our return journey but as everyone says, it's a rather wonderful way to get over the time difference :D
Thnaks to everyone who finds the time to share their thoughts with us.

[capnpugwash]

[quote name='heywood']And thank you Mark for your observations.

I am wondering how the loss of the hour each day will affect us on our return journey but as everyone says, it's a rather wonderful way to get over the time difference :D
Thnaks to everyone who finds the time to share their thoughts with us.[/quote]

Losing an hour a day is tough after 3, bad after 4 and a nightmare after 5. But the last night is wonderful with no adjustment to be made. I would prefer that they adjust the clocks at noon so the day was a little shorter. But they don't. ;)

[heywood]

Oh dear :( People do seem to survive it though ;)
That is why we booked the early sitting for dinner on that crossing, which I am still unsure about but whatever.. I am sure we will cope!

[Puska]

You were on the same round trip that we were on! Gosh! Your reports have really brought things back to me! One of our best trips ever and we have travelled around the world staying at some really nice places!
:D

[Tate123]

[quote name='capnpugwash'][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]We docked in Southampton having had an incident free evening without any extraneous spillages. We had an early breakfast and with a little bit of skulduggery we were able to get off the ship by 8.45am. We were driving through Southampton by 9.05am and were home by 11am.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Suitcases unpacked and put away for the next trip.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]It’s only 5 weeks away, fantastic[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]It’s on Artemis, a great little P & O ship, and one of my favourites, fantastic[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Thanks to you all for your encouragement and enthusiasm.[/FONT][/SIZE][/QUOTE]

Cap'n ...
A special thank you for your informative and entertaining posts. I was on the same crossing (NY to Southampton) as you. It was my first time on any ship and the nicest trip I have ever taken. I really can't say enough about the service, the food, and the people. I did not find one thing I would have changed.
We had originally planned on getting off the boat in Southampton, spending a few days in London and flying back to NY. After I became sad (read: despondent) at the idea of leaving, my boyfriend said something like "to bad we cant do a roundtrip back to NY" I immediately shouted "Capnpugwash just did a roundtrip...with 500 others" and the rest is history. We were lucky enough to get a cancellation in another Q6 room right across the hall, the stewards moved us seamlessly into the room and we enjoyed another wonderful 6 days. So thank you for making my vacation extra special!

Tate

PS By any chance were you at the bar at the CC talking to a man in a kilt? If someone said "Goodnight Big Daddy"...that was me.

[capnpugwash]

Tate, I am humbled that you chose to emulate my back to back crossing and only hope that your decision wasn't based solely on my conversation with the Scotsman who was a tablemate. In my defence I report that his wife was also present. The QM2 really is the finest way to cross the Atlantic and I am pleased that you both also enjoyed it. It is of course standard that people follow what I do although usually they are more or the piratical sort, you should be careful whom you share this information with. lol
I do recollect the brief snippet of conversation that you cite and maybe next time you might introduce yourself.

[Tate123]

[quote name='capnpugwash']Tate, I am humbled that you chose to emulate my back to back crossing and only hope that your decision wasn't based solely on my conversation with the Scotsman who was a tablemate. In my defence I report that his wife was also present. The QM2 really is the finest way to cross the Atlantic and I am pleased that you both also enjoyed it. It is of course standard that people follow what I do although usually they are more or the piratical sort, you should be careful whom you share this information with. lol
I do recollect the brief snippet of conversation that you cite and maybe next time you might introduce yourself.[/QUOTE]

Cap'n ...
I look forward to introducing myself. As luck would have it, I too will be on The Artemis (a great little P&O ship) in 4 weeks.
Tate

(are you thinking Glenn Close?....j/k)

[capnpugwash]

[quote name='Tate123']Cap'n ...
I look forward to introducing myself. As luck would have it, I too will be on The Artemis (a great little P&O ship) in 4 weeks.
Tate

(are you thinking Glenn Close?....j/k)[/quote]

How does an American, a: know of P & O and b: know of the Artemis?
Did you celebrate Independence Day or as I like to call it Thanksgiving.

[Cruise Liner Fan]

[quote name='capnpugwash']Tate, I am humbled that you chose to emulate my back to back crossing and only hope that your decision wasn't based solely on my conversation with the Scotsman who was a tablemate. In my defence I report that his wife was also present. The QM2 really is the finest way to cross the Atlantic and I am pleased that you both also enjoyed it. It is of course standard that people follow what I do although usually they are more or the piratical sort, you should be careful whom you share this information with. lol
I do recollect the brief snippet of conversation that you cite and maybe next time you might introduce yourself.[/quote] Jim, It was a pleasure to meet you and your son on the June 19th QM2 transatlantic crossing.The QM2 is still the best way to cross the North Atlantic and let's face it airline travel stinks to high heaven.Are you planning anymore transatlantic crossings next year? Last Wednesday when I had to disembark off the QM2 in New York,I did have that disappointing feeling that the transatlantic trip was over and it is now time to get off the ship.But I do plan to do another back2back crossing aboard the QM2 next April 15th and April 22nd.The April 15th crossing is a 7 night Eastbound crossing and the April 22nd crossing is a 7 night Westbound crossing which is 2 extra nights aboard the QM2 than the back2back crossing I just did. :) Regards,Jerry