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Author

Topic: Live from QE2

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 09-20-2002 05:29 PM

Greeting from QE2

Just a short note to let you know we did make it on board, 24 hours after learnging that we were going. Packed in record time and caught the train to NYC and were on board with a couple of hours to spare.

Coolest part of arriving in NYC was rounding the corner at the end of 55th street and seeing QE2's huge funnel looming above the pier.

Aurora was next to us - I think I saw your folks Pam - and as we pulled out and proceeded down the river it was strange not seeing the twin towers to the left.

So far food and service has been good to very good. Ship looks worn in places but she is still something special - expensive but special.

We are in one of the few quad cabins that is not a closet with bunks. We are Caronia grade - 4005 - and there is actually room for us and the kids (8.5. and 7.0 years)

Got to go meet the captain tonight, more later.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 09-20-2002 06:25 PM

Glad you're having a good time. As for NYC - do you know about the old Cunard pier? You can still see traces of it.

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-20-2002 11:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Greeting from QE2........................
We are in one of the few quad cabins that is not a closet with bunks. We are Caronia grade - 4005 - and there is actually room for us and the kids (8.5. and 7.0 years)
Got to go meet the captain tonight, more later.
Joe at TravelPage.com

Had a peak into that cabin - a far cry from 4139 where we hung our hats!

Here's to smooth sailing!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-20-2002 11:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Greeting from QE2........................
We are in one of the few quad cabins that is not a closet with bunks. We are Caronia grade - 4005 - and there is actually room for us and the kids (8.5. and 7.0 years)
Got to go meet the captain tonight, more later.
Joe at TravelPage.com

Had a peak into that cabin - a far cry from 4139 where we hung our hats!

Here's to smooth sailing!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 09-20-2002 11:45 PM

I don't want to sound bothersome here, but if it's possible without inconvenience, I'd appreciate detailed photos of this cabin.

The only reason I make such a request is that this is a cabin I'd likely stay in if were on QE2, and you happen to be in it.

Again, only if isn't any trouble.

Have a great time .

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 09-21-2002 08:10 AM

Kuddos to Corinne for packing for all 4 of you in record time, unless of course, you do your own.

Have a wonderful trip - we'll be anxious to hear all about it when you return.

Diane

[ 09-21-2002: Message edited by: sympatico ]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

sam
First Class Passenger
Member # 1704

posted 09-21-2002 09:29 AM

Hi Joe,

Who is the captain nowadays?

Have a great time!
Sam

Posts: 25 | From: texas | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 09-21-2002 10:54 AM

Boy! It sure is good to hear that we are not the only ones who travel at the last minute. Although we have not gone on that short of notice, must keep your cruise wardrobe cleaned and pressed on the ready. Joe tell your wife that Kathy could not have gotten her shoes together in that short of time she is in awe.
Have a great trip and await your next post
Kevin and Kathy

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

colt
First Class Passenger
Member # 1215

posted 09-21-2002 07:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Greeting from QE2
Just a short note to let you know we did make it on board, 24 hours after learnging that we were going. Packed in record time and caught the train to NYC and were on board with a couple of hours to spare.
Joe at TravelPage.com

Is the ship sailing full? Any talk from the crew about concerns for the future of the QE2 as the QM2 looms on the horizon? How are the seas? Is this a themed cruise? How is the food and service compared to other cruiseships you have sailed on? Have you heard any grumblings/kudos from other passengers about food or service? How are the kids enjoying the crossing? Hope you have a great crossing, and please let us know all about it when you return. Thanx!

Posts: 293 | From: Lisbon, Maryland, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 09-22-2002 09:54 PM

Left Bermuda a couple of hours ago. Due to high winds we used a tug fore and aft during departure. Line connecting to forward tug snapped and we heard an officer on the brige say "what was that"? Never a good thing to hear someone on the bridge say "what was that". Anyway, no one was hurt and we used the bow thruster to help get away clean.

About 1700 people on this trip, about 800 of which are doing Southampton - NYC - Bermuda - NYC - Southampton. Lots of folks who have been onboar for 20 or 30 times. They all seem to book the same cabin for each trip. About 750 are from the UK.

Most of the veterans say that the quality has declined since the Carnival purchase. Personally, I don't think things have changed much since our last trip in 1996 - more on that when I get back. I can see why they are moving her to the U.K. for cruising after next year.

Lots of pictures to share and full report.

This is a theme cruise "Jazz Festival at Sea" and the entertainment is very good although not as varied as usual due to the theme.

Anyway, I will post a full report when I get back.

Seas a bit choppy but no big deal. No discussion of the ship's future other than the stateside veterans saying they don't know what to do when she heads to the UK.

In general food and service are comparable to HAL - we are in Caronia - but I do find some things lacking.

More when I get back .

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 09-22-2002 10:11 PM

Thanks for the update. I'm trying to decide whether to do Bermuda next year or another crossing. I'm leaning towards the crossing, although the pricing is better for Bermuda.
I'm surprised that there are so many Brits onboard. Is this normal for the Bermuda run?

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-22-2002 10:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Left Bermuda a couple of hours ago. Due to high winds we used a tug fore and aft during departure. Line connecting to forward tug snapped and we heard an officer on the brige say "what was that"? Never a good thing to hear someone on the bridge say "what was that". Anyway, no one was hurt and we used the bow thruster to help get away clean.
In general food and service are comparable to HAL - we are in Caronia - but I do find some things lacking.
More when I get back .
Joe at TravelPage.com

You were perhaps fortunate to get out of Bermuda - tricky spot when the winds blow! - where were you anchored?

Will really look forward to your pics. and report when you return.

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-22-2002 10:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nathan:
Thanks for the update. I'm trying to decide whether to do Bermuda next year or another crossing. I'm leaning towards the crossing, although the pricing is better for Bermuda.
I'm surprised that there are so many Brits onboard. Is this normal for the Bermuda run?

Nathan: - Not quite sure what you mean by "I'm trying to decide whether to do Bermuda next year or another crossing" - if you mean a week in Bermuda as compared to a 'crossing', cost-wise, don't think there's too much difference. Much as I love Bermuda, I think I'd opt for the crossing - Bermuda is expensive! - as a Canadian I'm paying in US $ - my bank balance would be the determining factor!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 09-23-2002 12:18 AM

Green - I think he means, will he take a QE2 trip to Bermuda, or a crossing.

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 09-23-2002 05:57 AM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Line connecting to forward tug snapped and we heard an officer on the brige say "what was that"? Never a good thing to hear someone on the bridge say "what was that".

I was in Alaska a few years back, having my picture taken on the dock side, standing by the bow of 'Mercury'. I was standing reasonably near to one of the giant ropes mooring the ship.

Suddenly a guy in an overall shouted at me and said NEVER stand near the ropes!

He explained that these ropes take the strain of thousands of tons of ship. A few weeks earlier one rope mooring a ship had snapped and cut a child in half!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

colt
First Class Passenger
Member # 1215

posted 09-23-2002 08:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Left Bermuda a couple of hours ago....
Lots of pictures to share and full report....
Joe at TravelPage.com

Thanks for keeping us posted, Joe. Have done two trips to Bermuda on the QE2 and loved both. Only problem was that we didn't have enough days on Bermuda. Don't understand why Cunard doesn't schedule at least a three day visit? Enjoy!

[ 09-23-2002: Message edited by: colt ]

Posts: 293 | From: Lisbon, Maryland, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 09-23-2002 11:29 AM

Green: Aren't the mooring ropes also called springs, or is that something different?

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 09-23-2002 03:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sread:
Aren't the mooring ropes also called springs, or is that something different?

Mr.Read, you are thinking of bed again!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 09-23-2002 04:07 PM

You have "Head lines" leading from the sharp end for'd, and "Stern lines" leading from the blunt end aft.
You'll see a line, often a wire, leading from the bow aft and another from the stern for'd...these are called'Spring lines'

Not sure what the fellow was doing shouting at Malcolm, except to get his jollies. The mooring lines on today's ships are all on tension winches which means that they pay out before the strain gets big enough to break them.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 09-23-2002 04:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gohaze:
Not sure what the fellow was doing shouting at Malcolm, except to get his jollies. The mooring lines on today's ships are all on tension winches which means that they pay out before the strain gets big enough to break them.

LOL... I agree, it was likely just a joke, a fabricated story. Certainly if people were being cut in half right and left there'd be a big fuss in the media, that's for sure ...

Personally I'm very interested to hear those who say that the ship has declined since the Carnival purchase. Most people I know of that have been before and after say that the ship is in much better shape since the 1999 "Carnivalization" refit. Previously reports were that she needed a good deal of TLC.

Perhaps the service and whatnot isn't as good in the grills (I know one person complained of the lack of certain caviar) but what I hear from most people is certainly more encouraging than the rather disappointing pre-Carnival reports, many of which painted her somewhat unfavorably...

Certainly the company is being better run now, from a business point of view, and now has the resources they need... So my take is that the people who bash Carnival are mostly just cranky old curmudgeons .

That said, I shall never know for sure, since my chance to make a personal comparison is gone!

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-23-2002 04:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sread:
Green: Aren't the mooring ropes also called springs, or is that something different?

think you mean Malcolm

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Onno
First Class Passenger
Member # 3071

posted 09-23-2002 06:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Suddenly a guy in an overall shouted at me and said NEVER stand near the ropes!
He explained that these ropes take the strain of thousands of tons of ship. A few weeks earlier one rope mooring a ship had snapped and cut a child in half!

Must be that typical seaman’s humor to scare you, apparently many kids die! One day I was watching the Victoria dock and suddenly one of the crewman began shouting at me to get out of the way because he once saw a kid die by getting one of the mooring cabals on his head. Maybe one unlucky kid or a crewmember with terrible aiming.

Best, Onno

Posts: 3583 | From: the Netherlands (Berenbotje ging uit varen...) | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 09-23-2002 06:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Onno:
Must be that typical seaman’s humor to scare you...

Well it worked!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Colin
First Class Passenger
Member # 1676

posted 09-24-2002 01:10 PM

Was there not a case a couple of years ago where one of the mooring lines on - I think - Crown Majesty snapped and whipped back, shattering the thick glass on a dining room window and seriously injuring a man inside?

Posts: 283 | From: Inverness, Scotland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 09-24-2002 01:44 PM

Breaking mooring lines used to be a quite common occurrance, I've spliced many of them. It was especially so in river berths with a current where the lines would already be tight and then a deep loaded ship would pass close and try and suck you off the berth.
Usually it was the springlines which would go as they were mainly to stop the ship from surging.
As I said tension winches and new types of stronger lines have helped.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

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