"Live from" Queen Elizabeth to the Mediterannean! My First Cunard Experience

[sarar]

Loving the picture Sarah and can't wait until I will be on there too on 6th Jan 2014. Hope the noro has cleared up by then?

 

Sara

[capnpugwash]

Does QE have egg cups available? A picture or two would be greatly appreciated :)

[Host Kat]

... (A smiley face would be here if my computer would co-operate!)

 

I see by one of my Mod screens you have your Message Editor Interface still set as Basic Editor - A simple text box on one of the options for your Cruise Critic account. That setting was the default setting for new members when you registered for membership. At this time, the default for new members is Enhanced Interface - full WYSIWYG Editing.

 

Due to your present setting, you cannot see or use the various options in the gray frame around the Message text box. Cruise Critic has many options/features there for different fonts, color & size of print, smilies, link or image insertion, Spell Check, etc. that our members can use on their signatures and posts. You need to change your Message Editor Interface to Enhanced Interface - full WYSIWYG Editing.

 

So, how do you change your options you ask It is easy to do and here are the steps:

• Click User CP
  
• In Your Control Panel, under Settings & Options, click Edit Options
  
• Scroll down to the Miscellaneous Options section
  
• In the Message Editor Interface box, use the drop-down menu to change from Basic Editor - A simple text box to Enhanced Interface - full WYSIWYG Editing
  
• Click Save Changes button
  

The next time you use the New Thread, Post Reply or Quote buttons you should see all sorts of goodies you can use on a post in the gray frame around the Message text box. You can use your mouse to roll your cursor over the icons and symbols and most will show you a tooltip with their description or action.

 

Also, the next time you compose a post, scroll down past the Submit Reply & Preview Post buttons to the Additional Options section. Make sure the check mark is not showing next to Disable smilies in text.

 

Please note, if you use the Quick Reply box, you will not have as many goodies to use as the other three buttons mentioned above. Also, you can only use up to 6 images each in any of your posts or in your signature. Each picture, countdown clock or smilie is an image.

 

Also, while you are there in Edit Options, be sure to check if there are any other Cruise Critic options there you might want to change on your account.

 

Please feel free to use the TEST FORUM at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=225 to your heart's content to try out the various goodies if you change your setting. That forum is the ONLY place where test posts may appear.

 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful!

 

Kat

[2irisheyes]

Capnpug - ooh you are awful. What's the saying, careful what you wish for:)

[Artemis]

Sarah, it has been great fun to read your review and relive some of my own experiences through your eyes. Thank you for all the photos and commentary. I look forward to your future installments!

[david,Mississauga]

...

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful!

 

Kat

 

Thank you so much, Kat, for the advice. For several years I was tempted to ask for help as to why I couldn't use "smilies" and why, when logged on, I couldn't see photos without clicking on each one, yet when not logged on I could see them easily. Yes, it was easier than I thought to follow your advice. I was going to pour a G&T first, but perhaps it's just as well I did not.

:p

[Krazy Kruizers]

Happy New Year Sarah!!

[zzed_41]

Just finished reading your Volendam report and the progress on this one. All I can say is, wow! As a fellow teen, I can relate to a lot of your points, and I've seen a lot of techniques in your photography and prose that I can apply to my role as the photojournalist and associate editor of our school newspaper. Also, the way you construct the report, it definitely feels as if I'm there cruising with you! Keep it up and I hope you get to go to more cruises so we can have more "live from" reports from you!

 

By the way, we've got the same camera, the EOS 60D. :D

 

Ced

Edited January 1, 2014 by zzed_41

[QM2 fan]

My teen daughter wanted a camera for Xmas, so we got her an EOS 650 Rebel.

[zzed_41]

My teen daughter wanted a camera for Xmas, so we got her an EOS 650 Rebel.

 

First dSLR for her? If so, nice choice. I find Canon's menu and interface more intuitive and easy to use compared with Nikon. And if I remember correctly, the 650D has the DIGIC 5 sensor, which allows for higher continuous shooting rate. What's her lens? :)

[glojo]

First dSLR for her? If so, nice choice. I find Canon's menu and interface more intuitive and easy to use compared with Nikon. And if I remember correctly, the 650D has the DIGIC 5 sensor, which allows for higher continuous shooting rate. What's her lens? :)

I have also enjoyed looking at some of the amazing pictures but I feel the Canon vs Nikon debate compares to the BMW vs Mercedes comparisons. I would be afraid to criticise one brand compared to the other for fear of any repercussions :)

 

My thoughts are that unless we want to use the specialist lens these DSLR's offer, the smaller digital cameras are an ideal choice for cruising.

[capnpugwash]

I have also enjoyed looking at some of the amazing pictures but I feel the Canon vs Nikon debate compares to the BMW vs Mercedes comparisons. I would be afraid to criticise one brand compared to the other for fear of any repercussions :)

 

My thoughts are that unless we want to use the specialist lens these DSLR's offer, the smaller digital cameras are an ideal choice for cruising.

 

And you base this advice on your many previous cruises?

[glojo]

And you base this advice on your many previous cruises?

No, on my many years of photography and ownership of Mercedes-Benz

[capnpugwash]

No, on my many years of photography and ownership of Mercedes-Benz

 

Crikey, I always thought that Daimler owned the company.

[glojo]

Crikey, I always thought that Daimler owned the company.

I don't own Daimler I own a Mercedes Benz motor car and I don't really care who the main share holder is. Being pendantic is perhaps not for me... but please carry on and explain why a modern digital camera is not an ideal choice for cruising?

[capnpugwash]

I don't own Daimler I own a Mercedes Benz motor car and I don't really care who the main share holder is. Being pendantic is perhaps not for me... but please carry on and explain why a modern digital camera is not an ideal choice for cruising?

 

I thought that you said you owned Mercedes Benz rather than a motor car. :)

I'm fairly sure that with the practice that you've had, you can own up to being pedantic which I'm sure is what you meant. I wouldn't be so presumptuous as offer an opinion regarding the selection of a camera for any particular subject. You however feel qualified to do so

Edited January 3, 2014 by capnpugwash

[glojo]

I thought that you said you owned Mercedes Benz rather than a motor car. :)

I'm fairly sure that with the practice that you've had, you can own up to being pedantic which I'm sure is what you meant. I wouldn't be so presumptuous as offer an opinion regarding the selection of a camera for any particular subject. You however feel qualified to do so

Ideal choice might indeed be a bit strong but can you offer a better suggestion?

 

I see you enjoy being free with the criticism which is your choice and thank you for pointing out the errors...

 

We all have opinions, we all have the right to politely express them and I guess this site is called Cruise Critic so we have those that prefer to criticise :)

 

Is cruising a 'subject'

 

The smaller digital type camera is now capable of taking excellent images be they macro, landscape, portrait or telephoto and yet can be carried in a ladies small handbag. My DSLR and accompanying lens will be carried aboard ship in a case (the 500mm lens in its own box).

[capnpugwash]

[Partial QUOTE=glojo;41142410]

 

The smaller digital type camera is now capable of taking excellent images be they macro, landscape, portrait or telephoto and yet can be carried in a ladies small handbag. My DSLR and accompanying lens will be carried aboard ship in a case (the 500mm lens in its own box).

 

I tend to carry mine in my trouser pocket, but thanks for the advice.:)

[glojo]

[Partial QUOTE=glojo;41142410]

 

The smaller digital type camera is now capable of taking excellent images be they macro, landscape, portrait or telephoto and yet can be carried in a ladies small handbag. My DSLR and accompanying lens will be carried aboard ship in a case (the 500mm lens in its own box).

 

I tend to carry mine in my trouser pocket, but thanks for the advice.:)

;)So you are the man with that bulge in their trouser pocket! :eek::o;)

[zzed_41]

I have also enjoyed looking at some of the amazing pictures but I feel the Canon vs Nikon debate compares to the BMW vs Mercedes comparisons. I would be afraid to criticise one brand compared to the other for fear of any repercussions :)

 

My thoughts are that unless we want to use the specialist lens these DSLR's offer, the smaller digital cameras are an ideal choice for cruising.

 

Indeed the Canon vs Nikon debate is up to the person. That's why I said "I find Canon's menu and interface more intuitive and easy to use compared with Nikon." Then again, some of my fellow school photojournalists swear by Nikon. In fact, of us 4, 2 have Nikons and 2 have Canons. I guess it's up to the user. I'd really like to hear Sarah's side on this one, whether she has used Nikon and if so, which she prefers.

 

Regarding pocket digital cameras, I do agree that they are the ideal choice for cruising. These cameras nowadays can, in ideal lighting and environmental conditions, match the quality of dSLR's. Plus, they are way less bulky. I also find that the auto mode in pocket cams seem to adapt to conditions more easily than the auto modes of an dSLR. However, there are still times where a dSLR will provide better quality images, especially when used by someone with knowledge about the various settings. Again, this one depends on the user, whether they prefer the convenience of a pocket cam or the broader types of photos (i.e. panning shots, background blur, etc) dSLR's can offer. Plus, dSLR's shutter is quicker, which is crucial of you plan on shooting sports or any fast moving subjects.

 

Ced

Edited January 3, 2014 by zzed_41
Spelling

[QM2 fan]

We went with Canon on the basis that I was eally happy with my little Canon Ixus 800 IS point-n-shoot, and a poor experience with a Nikon SLR. She has an EFS 18-55 IS 2 lens ???

[Host Kat]

Thank you so much, Kat, for the advice. For several years I was tempted to ask for help as to why I couldn't use "smilies" and why, when logged on, I couldn't see photos without clicking on each one, yet when not logged on I could see them easily. Yes, it was easier than I thought to follow your advice. I was going to pour a G&T first, but perhaps it's just as well I did not.

:p

 

You are most welcome!

 

So sorry to be so long in getting back to you, but the flu bug had me down & out for a while.

 

Anytime you need help, first go to FAQ at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_getting_started. Please note, in the newer FAQ sections added with the last system update, you may find references to certain options or features not in use at this time.

 

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I sincerely hope this additional information will be helpful too and glad to be of service,

 

Kat

[40yearcruiser]

Thanks, Sarah, for all the beautiful photos around the ship. We will be on her for this summer for our first cruise on Cunard. I have a question about formal nights. Do most of the men wear tuxedos or a dark suit? Are the women in long gowns or cocktail dresses? This cruise is the last 2 weeks of a 6-week European trip so we need to pack carefully. Any tips?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Waiting for more.

[matondo]

Me too!!

 

Sarah I know you have been traveling and now you are probably back in school but as one of your loyal followers I would like to say we miss you!