TheOldBear

Have you checked over at the Cruise / Travel Insurance forum? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/

 

3 hours ago, SMNYCruise said:

Wow...you are all so helpful and have given me a lot to think about. I recently went to Best Buy just to hold and handle a few different kinds of cameras. I know I am all over the place, but after thinking about how I travel and my ability to navigate electronics, I have decided that a bridge camera makes sense for me. The good news is that my DH said "get whatever you want".  So...thoughts on which bridge camera I should get?

 

As was stated in a couple of other replies - the Sony RX10 series is the 'top of the line' for bridge cameras - the current model IV is quite pricy.

 

I would look at the larger sensor Panasonic bridge cameras the FZ1000 and FZ2500 [the 2500 adds some video specific features]. I would say they offer 90% of the top RX10 capability for less than half the price.

 

[Once of these days I'll replace my ancient FZ-50 with a FZ1000, but that will be after getting some more lenses for my Olympus M10.2]

38 minutes ago, SMNYCruise said:

Thanks everyone for your continued help!

Now leaning toward a DSLR because I am worried, if I catch the photography bug, I will want a more flexible camera. 

Costco has a very well priced bundle: Nikon D3500 with 2 lens, case, extra battery and 32GB memory card for $599.

My concern is that it doesn't have Wifi, only Bluetooth tooth app called snap bridge. 

Thoughts?

 

I still would recommend a fixed lens 'bridge' camera - duplicating the lens range on an interchangeable lens camera would cost thousands. If the goal is safari photos, your subjects will be much further away than people or architectural centric shots. You also have the advantage of not needing to change lenses in rain or dust.

 

Looking at the lenses included in the bundle, the 70-300 is not image stabilized (Nikon tags this with VR in the lens name) - and the longer lenses is where stabilization is more important. The 300mm on the zoom may be long enough - if possible find folks (on the port of call board or here) who have done similar safaris (same season and nearby) and see what they used to take satisfactory photos).

 

My standard recommendation is to bring multiple memory cards and batteries - as well as polarizing filters. The on camera wifi (I have this on my Olympus) is much slower than direct transfer from a memory card. 

Got a mailing from Panasonic today - bring direct from them [shop.panasonic.com] they show the FZ-1000 bridge camera for $599

5 hours ago, GomezAddams said:

Head over to dpreview.com. They have a nice section for helping you pick a camera.

 

Just beware of some of the 'helpful' folks there seem to think everyone needs their favorite brand's top of the line camera - and nothing lesser can ever be useful to anyone. [If you see arguments about 'equivalence' back carefully away from that thread.]

 

You may want to investigate some of the long zoom 'bridge' cameras like the Panasonic FZ 1000 or 2500, or Sony RX10.  See if you can locate a local camera store and see how it fits your hands and eyes. 

 

Another one to consider is Nikon's P1000 small sensor camera with a totally ludicrous zoom range [review over on dpreview discusses both the strengths and weaknesses]. At extreme zoom, it shows every bit of distortion in the air column between you and the subject - but you can be quite a ways away from the subject.

17 minutes ago, Lanky Lad said:

Although I have been on QM2 a few time, I will be doing my first b2b  TA on her  in November.

 

A few questions for the experts.

 

Where is the best place to just sit and watch the sea? 

 

Is the Queens Room open during the day or only when there is something on?

 

Are there any secrets I might have missed, that is not well advertised?  (Lunch in the Gold Lion on embarkation day, I already know about.)

 

[need to see how to do interspersed replies on this forum]

 

If the relative wind permits, just sitting on the promenade deck is nice - the deck 8 'terrace' is often sheltered, but has the disadvantage of being one of the designated smoking areas. 

 

The queens room seems to be open all the time - you can be a spectator for the dance lessons and other activities schedule there - I don't  know if the chase folks out when setting up for Tea

 

 

Please bring back the full breadcrumb trail. Most of the time when the context is several levels deep, the only one click option is to go one level up. Often this is not useful.

While I have the 6x00 series the Sony 7ii is full frame and not too much bigger.

 

Vic

 

It appears that when small size is not the principal design constraint, camera body size tends to converge toward a comfortable size for handholding.

 

Consider the Panasonic G9, Fujifilm XT-3, Sony A7 and Leica SL bodies. All are roughly the same size, despite the substantial differences in lens mount and sensor size [Micro 4/3 mount & sensor; X mount / APS-C; FE & L mounts / 'full frame').

 

Smaller sensors can make a smaller camera body practical (Olympus M10.2; Olympus Pen-F; Sony A6xx) but some folks will complain they are too small for their hands, or too small with 'pro' lenses.

What are the pros / cons of a mirrorless camera? I see Nikon is unveiling two new ones, the Z series full-frame camera, the Z 7 & 6

Allan

 

This has been a long running 'discussion' over on DPreview [sort of like Cruise Critic for cameras, but with extreme 'gearhead' geekiness and pixel peepers]

 

My opinion is that the camera hardware will not be the limiting factor - all the systems are capable of excellent results, assuming equivalent photographer skill.

 

There are three families of interchangeable lens digital cameras

• SLR - with a mirror allowing the lens to feed the image sensor/film or the viewfinder
  
• Rangefinder - The Leica 'M' is the only survivor of this family
  
• Mirrorless - I like a name that did not catch on 'EVIL' Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens'
  

The SLR family has decades of refinement for its optical and mechanical systems - and provided the advantage of re-use of lenses designed for film cameras [the same goes for Leica rangefinders, only at much higher price points]

SLR cameras provide an optical path to the viewfinder, even when the camera is off, so you have the potential of saving battery charge.

 

Ten years ago, there was a large variety of available SLR lenses, and only the first few for mirrorless. Today the mirrorless systems have a full range of native lenses, plus easy adaptability for other vendor's lenses [the 'L' mount alliance will include an official Canon EF to L mount adapter, just as Canon will have a EF to R adapter]. There is no size advantage for mirrorless long lenses - a 300mm F4 lens will be the same size for any lens mount [or sensor size].

 

SLR cameras have some disadvantages, also resulting from decades of refinements ;) The flipping mirror requires space between the sensor/film plane and rear lens element, so wide angle lenses [anything shorter than the 'normal lens' are optically a 'wide adapter + a normal lens' [retrofocal is the buzzword].

The falling mirror can be noisy [as heard in many places like press conferences or weddings]. The distance from the lens to the focus sensor may not be quite the same as the distance to image sensor, sometimes requiring fine tuning.

 

Mirrorless has the advantage of full time live view, with the electronic viewfinder displaying the rendered image [with selected adjustments applied], histograms showing the current exposure range, blown highlight 'zebra' indicators, focus peaking for manual focus aids, electronic level indicators....

Folks with SLR optical viewfinders typically pull their camera away and peek at the screen on the back to gauge results - possibly missing the next shot.

 

The coupled mirrorless disadvantage is the camera must be on to power the viewfinder.

 

I tend to use a silent electronic shutter most of the time - and yes the camera is silent. When using electronic flash the mechanical shutter is needed, but that is quiet as there is no flipping mirror.

 

Some SLR makers [Pentax] have adopted a mirrorless innovation of providing image stabilization by moving the sensor in multiple axises. SLR makers relied on in lens optical stabilization as the technology was developed and refined for film cameras [some recent mirrorless, like Canon and Fuji have elected to continue relying on OIS]

What is the rationale for searching the entire ship ?

What could they possibly find?

The pax did not ENTER the ship without going through security, he merely exited without going through security.

 

If he was still onboard, the search would have ended when he was found. The next sailing cannot be boarded until the ship can demonstrate zero passengers on board.

DW and I are Diamond and we have also been given 14:30 for our forthcoming BTB TA next month. I must say that I've always understood the privilege to be priority embarkation which was supported by the hitherto noon check-in time we have previously been allocated.

 

However, if one reads the benefit blurb verbatim, it actually says priority check-in and I wonder whether Cunard really mean that Platinum and Diamond Cunarders are given priority over others checking-in at the same allotted time as opposed to priority over the entire ship. That said, I suspect the "priority" relevance/benefit gradually reduces as the boarding process proceeds and there are little or no queues.

Interestingly, Cunard uses difference language for the end of the voyage where Diamond members enjoy priority disembarkation.

 

I did see [in Brooklyn last year] Grills & "higher than gold status" world club folks diverted from the long snaking line to a shorter line on the left side of the waiting area. No one was waiting in the 'priority boarding' lounge when we walked past the entrance on our way to board the ship - if anyone was waiting there, they got to board before the mass of gold, silver & red card folks.

Agree about 10 is latest, but our Europe cruise on a sister ship they offered a package that allowed you to stay on extra at a cost , do not remember how much .

There are probably a bunch of differences - but the significant one is the US requirement to 'zero out' the passenger count before they can start boarding passengers [and their luggage].

Even passengers in transit [say sailing from Southampton to New York to Quebec as a single booked voyage] will need to get off the ship and wait in NY until the ship is cleared for boarding.

We have never sailed with Cunard and are thinking of doing a Road Scholar trip on the Queen Mary to Catalina Island. From what I understand , this ship mostly stays docked in Long Beach as a hotel. Would this be a good introduction for us to Cunard do you think?

 

The original Queen Mary in Long Beach is not going anywhere. When you visit and tour the engineering spaces you can see one of the propellers through a cut in the hull - and some parts of the engines now have cut aways displaying their innards.

 

The docents are familiar with the ship's history from commissioning to its arrival in Long Beach.

 

I have not stayed on board, but I understand that the available hotel rooms are mostly former First Class staterooms - and no two are alike.

As a first time cruiser and natural researcher... i must say it's actually very hard to search for answers! I'm so sorry for asking what has to be typical newbie questions but I'm lost and fly tomorrow. Excited and nervous! Please remember when you were a newbie :) Thank you so much in advance for your help with a few questions!

 

Carry On Luggage - when you get to the pier to get on the ship do you carry your carry on luggage with you or does it go into a pile to eventually be taken to your room for you? I want to keep it with me with medicines and husbands cpap and emergency clothing etc... is that how it's done?

Your 'carry on' should include all valuables, medicine, electronics, plus whatever is needed through the first night's dinner [e.g. swim attire if you plan on using a pool or hot tub on embarkation day].

 

Conversely, you will be using your cary on bag again to bring off anything that was not checked luggage for disembarkation.

 

Some folks bring only a carry on - We tend to be at the other extreme, as our preferred cruise port is within easy driving range.

 

If we give up our passports when we board what happens if we miss the ship getting back late from an excursion... how would we get a flight to the next port without a passport? does anyone else stress about this?

Very few ships / itineraries have the ship keeping your passport. Normally, the passport is kept in the stateroom safe. (There are often long and content free threads discussing this)

 

The 'port agent' will hold the passports for folks missing the ship - but ship's security will usually only check the safe, not any other 'hiding place' for passports.

 

We sail Thursday and haven't booked any tours through the cruiseline. do *MOST* people book those or just get off the ship and find a cab to take to Marseille, Florence Pisa, Rome, Sorento, Sicily, Malta, Santorini, Rhodes?

There can be a mixture of either. Two resources here on CC are the 'ports of call' forums, describing the ports and tours - the other is the 'roll call' for your ship and sailing. One of the purposes of the 'roll call' is discuss tour options, and even propose sharing a tour.

Still really nervous about getting fro airport to hotel in Barcelona... just grab a taxi right?

 

If we get on the ship at 11am is the dining room open for lunch?

Depends on the ship, and for some lines your cabin grade. The buffet should be available if the dining room is not.

What does a butler do for you?

 

Do you use local atm for cash or bring plenty of usd with you?

 

We usually vacation on beaches at AI resorts. And bring along yeti or bubba cups. does anyone do that on a cruise?

 

i could go on but i feel i've already worn out my newbie question limit today.

 

thank you so much. I promise to give back someday when i'm a seasoned cruiser!!!

Thanks John for the info on Joshua Levine, sounds very interesting. I am currently reading John Peters book, "Tornado Down" which is fascinating so really looking forward to seeing him.

Thanks Dory - I am ready to be bowled over!!! .....less than 3 weeks to go now and I am seriously excited, more so than any other holiday I've ever done in my (nearly) 50 years....

 

I do have a few questions still......

 

Whilst I understand we will be allocated a table in the Brittania restaurant for dinner, will we use that same table for breakfast? I'm guessing tea and coffee are included with breakfast?

Same table for dinner, open seating for breakfast and lunch

 

What are the opening times for the gym?

 

Is the promenade deck open 24 hours and in most weather conditions?

Some entrances may be closed in adverse weather conditions. For example, last year we had force 11 winds. The deck 7 doors to the promenade were closes (as was the ‘lookout’ and the ‘observation deck’). The deck 6 and.8 doors to the aft terrace and pool deck were open, and hardy folks were walking the promenade (enjoying the invigorating 90 mph breeze)

Can you take books from the library, to your room for example?

 

I think there are some references that stay in the library- tour guides for the next port can go quickly.

 

I will probably have some further questions but I do try my best to look through all the fantastic information available on here first.

I use my Tenba camera bag (vintage 1972) the bottom holds a FZ50 ‘ bridge’ camera, OMD M10 body, three lenses, chargers and spare batteries. The top of the bag was designed to hold a ‘brick’ of 35mm film, so there is lots of space for my iPad plus incidentals.

 

We do not tend to take cruises featuring beach excursions.

If possible go Southampton to NYC. Instead of losing an hour a day you will gain an hour a day. Simply bliss!

 

We chose QM2 so we could experience the formal night life every night and we were not disappointed. Daytime wear was pretty generic. But evenings were gloriously formal! If that’s not your cup of tea, just stay at the buffet (which we tried one night out of the 14 and found to be sufficient)

 

Not to be missed on QM2:

 

The dancers in Queens Griil

The kennels while the dogs are out.

Promenade on the deck

Find the secret forward elevator to the library

Omg the Library!

Check out the bridge thru the viewing window.

Oh and never use white star luggage

 

That's the Queens Room not the Queens Grill for dancers and dancing.

 

The Queens room is also one of the places for afternoon tea.

Ten years ago, on a New England/Canada cruise, we encountered an elderly British lady [on board for a Southampton round trip] who thought that the Queens Room was restricted to Queens Grill passengers - and missed out on a week of afternoon teas and evening dancing.

I’m trying to find info regarding purchasing ship excursions and drink/dining packages.

When are we charged for these things? Are we billed separately or is it added to the total cruise amount?

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Things may vary by cruise line, but this is my [limited] experience.

 

If you are purchasing on board [after check in] then these will be added to your on board account & charged to the payment method [credit card] they have on file. [allowing for on board credit]

 

If you are purchasing before check in, they are pre paid separately. If a prepaid ship's shore excursion is canceled [e.g. ship needs to skip a port due to weather conditions] then the shore excursion refund is applied to the on board account.

Does anyone have any experience or any advice with visiting the Vimy Ridge Memorial from Le Havre. Our transatlantic stops there early May 2019. The ship excursions with regard to battlefield tours concentrate on American sites. But we would prefer to see Canadian sites.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Editing my original response...

According to Google Maps, its about a three hour drive, each way, from LeHavre to the memorial. With the overhead of arranging for a rental car [search this forum for rental car discussions] - it is likely that your time near the memorial will be quite limited.

 

------

 

 

 

Its possible that your ship may lay in a Juno / Sword focused tour if there is sufficient interest [e.g. keep bugging the cruise line's tour contact]

 

There are several third party tours available - do a search in this forum for 'Overlord' and you will get many results. [Different prices for private car/custom tour, van / small group tour & seat on a bus tour options. The 'seat on a bus' was priced similarly to the Ship's tour]

 

We took the ship's tour last year [American sector] and are planning on the Juno / Sword sector for next year [and likely with the ship's tour]. I would not be surprised if Cunard drew from the same pool of guides & busses the third party tours use.

 

One of the uses for the roll call forum is to see if there is any interest in tour sharing or forming a small tour group - have you joined or started the 'roll call' thread for your cruise?

Thanks. Will post on Cunard thread.

There MAY be a bathroom? Really? It sounds like a primitive terminal facility!

I don’t think there was too much concern for passengers pre security screening. My wife says there must be a rest room, but we did not need it last year.

Inside there are multiple rest rooms & vending machines. It’s a large space - I recall that a caterer rented the terminal for a New Year’s Eve party for a few years.

I've heard conflicting stories about embarking in Brooklyn. One Cunard agent said there are only a couple rows of seats and advised me not to arrive too early; another agent was more encouraging. What's the truth? I'm familiar with Southampton (excellent terminal) but have never sailed out of Brooklyn. It sounds as though it's not too inviting a terminal.

This sort of question is asked and answered fairly frequently on the main Cunard forum and on the East Coast Departures forum here on Cruise Critic. The 'roll call' forms are for specific sailings [like the M929 & M930 series for next September and October round trip crossings]

 

Brooklyn terminal info is found at their official site https://www.nycruise.com/brooklyn-terminal/

 

The waiting area before security is fairly small, with minimal facilities [i think there [i]may[/i] be a rest room]. Once past security there is a larger seating / waiting area for completing paperwork and checking in. After check in, there _may_ be another wait before being called to embark.

 

 

I'm in the Britannia dining room (November crossing) so won't be in the first group to board.

 

Also can I carry my bags on as I have done in Southampton? I've also disembarked early at Southampton (on a cruise originating in Southampton) carrying my own bags. I assume nothing's changed.

You can elect to bring all you bags through the checkin and embarkation process - but all the bags must fit through an airport style scanner. (We tend to bring and drop large bags with the porters, and just carry the essentials - wine, electronics - and our travel attire is suitable for the first night in Britannia even if the bags are delayed)

 

 

Final question, I'd like to buy my train ticket (non refundable) from Southampton in advance. I know that weather can affect on time arrival but does the ship generally arrive on time? Buying last minute tickets is a LOT more expensive. I am not going to London and dislike buses anyway,

That's more a question for the main Cunard board - folks who frequently / recently made an Eastbound crossing will be in a better position to answer.

Perhaps one thing delaying the posting is waiting for the National Park Service to award Glacier Bay cruise days - QE has not been granted any for 2019, perhaps there will be some for 2020?

On Cunard the main dining room is open on port days.

I want to get a camera before cruising this year, but I have no idea what I am looking for. I have only taken pics with my phone so camera shopping for me will be a new experience. What is a good camera that is easy to learn to use? What should I be looking for? I want to capture all I can during this cruise experience so I am prepared to watch YouTube and whatever else I can do to practice and prepare. TIA.....

 

You may want to take a look at the 'Buying Guide' pages over on DP Review https://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides

 

I would look for a fixed lens camera, not one with interchangeable lenses. There are three basic categories:

• Travel Zoom - these are small 'bar of soap' form factor cameras that pack an extreme zoom lens. The lens is fairly 'slow' so the camera is mostly useful for bright daylight. My wife's old Fuji F505 is typical of this category
  
• 'Tough' - these cameras may be splash resistant, or may be immersed to skin diving depths. Good cameras to take on a beach day or kayak excursion.
  
• 'Bridge' - these cameras typically look like a small SLR camera. They have larger, faster lenses and sensors than the 'travel' or 'tough' cameras. For the larger cameras in the category [Panasonic FZ1000, Sony RX10] they come quite close to an interchangeable lens camera with many $$ expensive lenses.
  

That makes sense. Leica's premium P&S line have been rebranded Panasonic models for years. It doesn't bode well for lens affordability unless they rebrand lenses back the other way or introdece less costly alternatives. Then again, maybe they are targeting the high-end video brands like Red.

 

Interesting times ahead.

 

 

Dave

They may copy their existing micro 4/3 model, with two tiers of lenses - with the Leica branded lenses forming the upper tier [competing with the Olympus 'Pro' series]