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Gold Coast Cruiser's Queen Mary 2 Blog

Sandielle

By Sandielle,
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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Sandielle

Sandielle

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GC has asked me to post her blog from the Queen Mary due slow internet problems........Enjoy! :)

 

Friday 21 February

Hello from on board Queen Mary 2.

Well I have to admit I did get goose bumps as we drove up to the terminal and we first saw this huge ship docked in front of us. We were surprised to see a nice little terminal building at the “Grainery”. Last time we visited there were only tents. Boarding was very smooth indeed. A nice touch was that the luggage porters came to the vehicle and took our luggage directly off us, nice to not to have to drag them around any distance. Customs Officers did our clearance ashore and our ship check-in was carried out on board in the Queens Ballroom and once again went very smoothly.

This is one HUGE ship. Any entrepreneurs out there might like to create a GPS App just for huge ships. It was quite amusing last night we kept meeting lost people everywhere. Even those who boarded two days ago in Sydney are still have trouble finding their way around.

When we step out of our cabin which is portside aft and look up the corridor we can’t even see the other end. This is one very very long ship.

We were a little delayed in our departure; apparently people were missing, however about 30 minutes after our expected departure time we were on the move. Don’t know what happened to those who were missing. This ship is so smooth, several times we have looked out of the balcony to see if we are actually moving. There is no feeling of movement at all. These cabins are extremely quiet. Looking at the ship, we are two cabins below the “C” of the Cunard sign aft.

Our Dining table of 8 is in an excellent location right by a large window. A nice group of people. Six of us boarded in Brisbane, one had boarded in Melbourne and the other is from the UK but boarded the ship in Cape Town. He, (Ken) was the pied piper as he knows his way around so we all followed him for the most direct route from the dining room to the Royal Court Theatre to the evenings show. An excellent show with a young guy playing the Cello. Not just classical but Beatles, Jazz, and other various pieces you wouldn’t think would be played on a Cello. He also plays for the Royal Family from time to time. He was quite a comedian as well. A great first day on board the magnificent Queen Mary 2.

Jill

Edited by Sandielle
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goodycruising

goodycruising

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Looking forward to hearing about the trip. Thanks for doing this for us on GC's behalf.

 

The Brisbane terminal has got a nice setup as far as the air-conditioned building and entry, but the big problem is the distance for a day visit when it is a port stop on a cruise.

 

I can only imagine the size! We get lost often enough on ships half the size :)

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Sandielle

Sandielle

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Yay the internet is finally working again! I have 3 days to post on here so I will post them as separately. You’ll probably doze if I post them all at once….lol.

 

Saturday 22 February

At Sea

It is extremely hot outside. I noted that the outside air temperature at 7.30am this morning was 26C as was the sea temperature. Not going for a dip in the sea today though.

After a leisurely breakfast with all the trimmings in the Britannia Restaurant we went for a wander around the shops. Being such a big ship there are a good selection of shops on board and I didn’t think the prices were excessive either. Everything on board is in US Dollars. I was chatting with a lady whilst we were having our morning coffee and she had just returned from London and was saying that the Harrods and Fortnum and Mason products available on board are much cheaper than they are from the actual shops in London. There must be genuine Duty Free prices on board we think.

After coffee it was off to explore the rest of the ship. There is so much to see on this vast expanse of metal on the ocean. We began by making our way up to Deck 13 and worked our way back down as far as Deck 2. All up it took us 2 hours! Then we got back to our cabin and realised we had missed a couple of places so we’ll do them tomorrow. There are nooks and crannies everywhere with many places to relax, have a coffee or a drink or just enjoy the view. There is also a viewing window which looks into the Bridge so we checked that out just to ensure that those we could see in white uniforms new how to drive this girl…lol. The Observation deck allows you to look right down the side of the ship, once again putting into perspective how long this ship is. We even checked out the dog kennels on Deck 12. The dogs were inside as it was too hot for them outside. They are extremely spoilt in air conditioned comfort and exercised daily. Their owners can pop in to see them whenever they want. Designated crew babysit them daily. Everything on board is in large proportions, plenty of deck space, pools, and deck chairs for everyone and many eating areas throughout the ship.

Word from the Captain in his midday report is that the winds are not looking favourable for tomorrow meaning there is a possibility we may not be able to tender ashore at the Whitsundays. Many are looking forward to snorkelling the reefs so here’s hoping the winds cease by tomorrow morning.

We really enjoyed our Royal afternoon tea in the Queens Ballroom, always delicious with club sandwiches, little cakes and of course warm scones. I did notice there was only strawberry jam and whipped butter for the scones this time. I’m sure we had cream with our scones on the Queen Elizabeth last year….not complaining. Someone who cruisers on Cunard more than us can correct me if I’m wrong?

We made up a team of six for our first Trivia quiz this afternoon and we won….yay. Here’s hope this luck continues…

It’s Formal night tonight. I must say they are very strict regarding the dress code on board QM2. Their word in the Daily Programme is that they wish to maintain the ambience and tradition of cruising which I think is fair enough. After 6.00pm no shorts permitted anywhere except the Kings Court Buffet.

The entertainment tonight in the Royal Court Theatre by the QM2 dancers and singers was absolutely superb, one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Tomorrow the Whitsunday Islands.

Jill

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Sandielle

Sandielle

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2 of 3

Sunday 23 February

At the Whitsunday Islands

What started off to look like a beautiful day ahead of us has now turned into torrential rain. It’s still very hot though. Many people were off on tours for the day so I hope the rain moves on rapidly. We’ve been here several times by ship so because of the rain we have decided to stay on board. A day on board when everyone else is ashore feels quite different as it is so quiet everywhere. We are sitting up in the Commodore Club looking across the bow of the ship and the cloud is so heavy it is wafting around us.

Must say the crew on board are excellent, always cheerful and helpful. They say their favourite word is “certainly”. Also the passengers on board are very friendly toward each other. The hum of chatter can be heard everywhere around the ship.

So far we have eaten in the Britannia Dining room for Breakfast and Dinner and only once in the Kings Court Buffet which was lunch on the day we boarded the ship. I think we are going to be busy trying to experience every bar and eatery on here, there are so many. Today we might just wander down to the Golden Lion Pub for a nice pub lunch.

Drink prices aren’t too bad, in fact a little cheaper than some ships we’ve sailed on. A Stella Artois beer is US$5.75 for a pint glass. We have enjoyed a bottle of French Sauvignon Blanc for dinner which was US$35.00 which isn’t the cheapest on the menu but it’s one we wanted to try. From memory I think the cheapest available bottle of wine is about US$21.00.

At 151,400 tons and 345 metres long you do notice the feeling of being on a huge ship. I’m going to put my pedometer on tomorrow and step out the distance of our corridor. I think I mentioned it is so long you actually can’t see to one end to the other.

You probably think I’ve been losing at the Casino because I haven’t mentioned it….lol. No, actually I have only been there once and that was on the first night and my ship card wouldn’t work so I had to get a new one issued. I did that yesterday only to find that the Casino was closed because we’ve been cruising within the offshore limits. Maybe that’s a good thing that I have not had a chance to lose any money….but me being always positive would prefer to say I’m waiting to pounce and win.

Roy was chatting to our Room Steward this morning. He was saying that en-route from Southampton the ship docked in New York and whilst there it snowed heavily and there was 6 inches (150mm) of snow on our balcony….brrrr. The crew are very happy to now be cruising in these hot temperatures.

Just watching one of the Tenders make its way from the ship to shore and it looks more like a bull at a Rodeo bucking forward and backward with sea spray splashing across the bow. Quite glad I’m sitting up here in comfort.

Jill

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Sandielle

Sandielle

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Monday 24 February

At Sea en-route to Darwin

Well they still haven’t managed to fix the problem with the internet on board. I do hope they get it sorted soon. In the meantime I’ll happily keep typing my little blog.

This ship has so many interesting memorabilia on her walls and it’s worth taking time to wander the many corridors and stairways to read them. There are many photographs of the rich and famous that cruised on the first Queen Mary which is now a hotel at Long Beach California. Sir Samuel, Cunard the founder of Cunard in the early 1800’s, ensured on one of his first ships to cross the ocean that they carried a cow on board so as the children travelling on board were able to maintain their daily requirement of fresh milk!

For those who are ‘Apple people’, there are many lessons on how to get the best out of your iPad etc. They also sell Apple products on board.

We are yet to visit the Planetarium but have peeped inside to see that the seats recline back so you can look at the dome in the centre of the ceiling to learn about the planets and stars.

The movie theatre is huge and everyday there is a different film showing.

After breakfast this morning off we went on yet another wander around the decks. This time finding ourselves forward on Deck 7 to see the 8 spare propeller blades for the ship. They are huge, bolted to the deck and look more like pieces of art. Not sure what the metal is but it looks like brushed stainless steel. I wonder if they ever get used.

As we sail toward the eastern tip of Australia we are less than 2kms from the mainland. It really is quite a wonderful sight and very mountainous. There are white caps on the ocean but the seas are reported as ‘slight’ and there is still no movement of the ship. Captain Oprey has just sounded the horn at midday…..such a deep sounding horn.

We found yet another little eating place at lunch time called The Chefs Galley where they offer freshly made burgers, fries, hotdogs and subway type rolls. People at our table were telling us they found a place this morning where you can have freshly made Smoothies of your choice. Apparently they’re delicious so we’re going to check that out tomorrow…if we can find it. I must say we are finding our way around the ship a lot easier now, just take the odd wrong turn now and then when returning to the cabin.

Tonight is our second formal night and it’s the Captains Cocktail party. He has his wife on board with him which is nice. There are some lovely sights to be seen as everyone looks very ‘swish’.

That brings you up to date until tomorrow. :)

 

Jill

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Pushka

Pushka

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Thankyou for the updates.

 

I can confirm there is supposed to be CREAM for afternoon tea scones. :(

Are you sure it wasn't clotted cream as that looks a bit yellow?

 

Fantastic to see that the dress standards are being upheld. There were some nasty comments from people onboard, on the Cunard board about the crew polishing up their thongs as they approached Australia and we are not talking undies. I pointed out the nastiness of such comments and was told to take a chill pill or similar.

 

Sounds fabulous.

 

I am almost down to single numbers - a shame that Jill departs the ship the port before I get onboard.

Edited by Pushka
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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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Creamed butter and clotted cream do look similar but would taste different.

 

It's strange how one person's idea of a funny comment can easily be taken as nastiness by someone else, especially if written not spoken, as it is so much harder to indicate tone in writing. That's often why flame wars start on fora. :rolleyes:

 

I'm so envious of both you and Jill, Pushka. I will sail on Cunard one day, it's always been a dream of mine. Meanwhile I shall just have to be content with reading reviews and blogs.

 

Pushka, I hope you have a marvellous trip and, Jill, I hope the rest of your trip is as good as what you have already described.

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Pushka

Pushka

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snip

 

It's strange how one person's idea of a funny comment can easily be taken as nastiness by someone else, especially if written not spoken, as it is so much harder to indicate tone in writing. That's often why flame wars start on fora. :rolleyes: snip

 

 

yes, agreed, however this was what was posted:

"received an e-mail from a World Cruise passenger today informing me that the weather in Sydney was wet and depressing. She also commented that, with the new intake of passengers,(my insertion, from Sydney) the butlers were all very busy polishing flip-flops and pressing colourful T-shirts ready for the next formal night!

Puts the whole thing in perspective really."

 

This was in conversation about whether white tuxedo's were de rigeur. Hence the "perspective" comment.

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bazzaw

bazzaw

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yes, agreed, however this was what was posted:

"received an e-mail from a World Cruise passenger today informing me that the weather in Sydney was wet and depressing. She also commented that, with the new intake of passengers,(my insertion, from Sydney) the butlers were all very busy polishing flip-flops and pressing colourful T-shirts ready for the next formal night!

Puts the whole thing in perspective really."

 

This was in conversation about whether white tuxedo's were de rigeur. Hence the "perspective" comment.

 

You have to also remember that the Cunard CC Forum is where Mrs Bucket and many of her friends live.

 

Barry

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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yes, agreed, however this was what was posted:

"received an e-mail from a World Cruise passenger today informing me that the weather in Sydney was wet and depressing. She also commented that, with the new intake of passengers,(my insertion, from Sydney) the butlers were all very busy polishing flip-flops and pressing colourful T-shirts ready for the next formal night!

Puts the whole thing in perspective really."

 

This was in conversation about whether white tuxedo's were de rigeur. Hence the "perspective" comment.

 

Definitely snarky in that context. Otherwise it would be very funny.

 

Of course one has to have the right brands of flip-flops and tshirts, Target just won't do at all. Havianas, with gold or silver on the straps, at a minimum. And only designer label tshirts. LOL ;)

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Pushka

Pushka

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I'm thinking it's perfectly funny to poke at ones own culture but unwise to do so to others.

My Havianas are quite bling. Well, they would be if I had any. :p. Plain old rubber ones for me.

 

Just looking at the web cam and the sea looks flat but clearly there's some wind around from the blog. y8y6a3yb.jpg

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bazzaw

bazzaw

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I do like Cunard as a cruiseline- it does have a certain "style" about it which I enjoy. But I also enjoyed the "style" onboard Pacific Dawn to PNG. They are fundamentally both doing the same thing -- but in different ways. I happen to like both ways - I can sit around the campfire in my Stubbies and thongs, but I can equally enjoy dining dressed in a Tuxedo . I can never see why people limit themselves in either way by saying things like - "That just isn't me."

 

Barry

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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I'm thinking it's perfectly funny to poke at ones own culture but unwise to do so to others.

My Havianas are quite bling. Well, they would be if I had any. :p. Plain old rubber ones for me.

 

y8y6a3yb.jpg

 

Personally I can't stand them . They chew holes in my feet. I only ever use them if I'm going for a pedicure and those ones, black rubber, are ancient with cat teeth marks in them (they were like catnip to my previous cat). I found some really great Crocs in Singapore a couple of years ago. Much smaller than original Crocs. In fact they are lighter than my thongs and so much more comfortable. In fact one of my Singaporean friends used to wear hers to work, they looked that good (many Singaporeans tend to be very fashion-conscious).

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OzKiwiJJ Great Review Rare

OzKiwiJJ

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I do like Cunard as a cruiseline- it does have a certain "style" about it which I enjoy. But I also enjoyed the "style" onboard Pacific Dawn to PNG. They are fundamentally both doing the same thing -- but in different ways. I happen to like both ways - I can sit around the campfire in my Stubbies and thongs, but I can equally enjoy dining dressed in a Tuxedo . I can never see why people limit themselves in either way by saying things like - "That just isn't me."

 

Barry

 

I agree, Barry. I just can't understand people who lock themselves into one style of behaviour, dress, or mannerisms. They restrict their lives so much and never realise what they are missing. Ok, I'll admit I have a taste for the finer things of life but, like you, am equally happy chilling out round a BBQ in comfy clothes. In fact comfort is more important to me than following the latest fashions and being "in style", although I do like to have the opportunity to dress up to the nines on occasion. Perhaps growing older does make you wiser after all. ;) :D

Edited by OzKiwiJJ
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