Live from the 2015 QE World Voyage

[MicCanberra]

Thanks again Barbara, it has been wonderful.:D

[alibabacruisers]

I used my last remaining OBC to buy some more internet, so here is

my last entry while on board. Thanks for all of your support and well

wishes.

 

Wednesday, 25 Mar

 

Well today is our last full day on our 74 day cruise. Can you believe it? I

can't. I went to breakfast and saw the crew whom we have really enjoyed.

They have been the best, friendly and very professional. Thanks guys! After

our breakfast I had to get back and start my busy day. DH wanted to get an

early start because he had a pretty full day of sporting events that would be

his last and he wanted to get pictures with his friends. As soon as he left

I HAD to get the last of the clothes into the last of the suitcases. That

took about an hour. I had to check and double check all drawers, closets,

nooks and crannies. Even pulled out the sofa and checked under the bed, both

sides. Whew!! I don't seem to remember the suitcases bulging quite so much!

;)

 

With most of that done I set out to use up the balance that was on the casino

account. It wasn't much, but I got to play for about an hour and the great

part was that nobody around. Then there was another sale outside the shops

on Deck 3 again, so I had to check them out. There was the same things as

yesterday plus a few new things but I did not find anything I wanted.

 

I had turned in the last library book yesterday because they had a note in

the DP that said we had to turn them in. I still had about 150 pages to go

to finish and I really wanted to know the ending so I figured I would go in

and see if the book was there. It was so I sat in a chair next to the window

and finished it! Hurray!

 

I went to find my DH to watch a bit of the sporting events. I took lots of

pictures so DH would be able to relive his fun times. I have only come to

watch them play a variety of games a couple of times and it seems that those

are the times he wins! ;) We all laughed, exchanged email addresses and said

our goodbyes.

 

The photo gallery was a pretty busy place today but I had the idea that maybe

I could use some of our OBC purchasing a photo, DVD, album or something

there. We had about 30 pictures taken early in the cruise so I sat at the

new big computer screens and tried to find them all, save them and then weed

some out. That process took awhile too. When I inquired about pricing I

found it to be too expensive. We took our own pictures and that would have

to be good enough. The last time we were on QE (it was for an 18 day Med

cruise) we purchased all the pictures on a DVD and the price seemed

reasonable, especially since we had them taken at EVERY chance we had. But

this is a different company running the photo gallery now and things are a

lot different. Even the Voyage DVD's were expensive, I thought especially

when you can buy a regular movie DVD for much less. They had each segment,

but not ours, and they were about $40 or $50 each for the shorter segments,

and the Full WC was around $150. That is just my thought; others may think

otherwise.

 

We ordered a few drinks to relax on our last day and also to reduce the OBC.

You lose it if you don't use it.

 

We ate lunch a bit late today and people seemed to be somewhere else because

usually it gets so crowded at the time we were there. They must be preparing

for our late arrival into HK which is at 6pm tonight. That was okay since we

did not have to fight the hordes.

 

I wanted to go see the Passenger Talent Show today as one of our CC friends,

Stan, was performing his act. Well done to him as he did great! There were

several other acts and they were quite good too. There was a very good turn

out as the Queen's Room was pretty full.

 

Well we decided to use up the last of the OBC I would get the smallest

internet package available, so here I am writing up the blog for today.

 

We are starting our sail into HK and I will go see how things look. Last

year we were on QM2 and had to anchor at Junk Bay, but this year we will be

docking at the Ocean Terminal and the view sailing in is so much different.

So many tall buildings! We took turns taking pictures on the starboard side

then the port side. There were a few buildings with lights on but as it got

darker more and more lit up. While we were there our friend John was there

taking pictures also and because he had been there before told us what

certain buildings were. It was getting just a bit chilly, so we said goodbye

and went to get a jacket an prepare to get off the ship briefly when we

docked.

 

Around 6:30, we got a pizza from the Lido so we would not be hungry as we

walked around. Then we went to the Deck 2 gangway and in less than 1 minute

we were inside the Shopping center. The floors were so shiny, white and

clean! We saw several cleaners with dust mops constantly cleaning the

floors. All the top end stores were here and I am sure it is a haven for

those who love to shop. We just made our way out of the mall and saw some CC

friends who are also disembarking tomorrow but staying in HK for a bit. They

pointed us in the direction of the viewing platform for the light show so

then we said our final goodbyes to them and parted ways.

Edited March 25, 2015 by alibabacruisers

[Summergee]

Thank you so much for sharing your voyage and for finding the time in your busy days to update us. Hope you have a good journey home.

[Host Hattie]

Thank you so much for letting us travel with you Barbara - it's been wonderful, have a safe journey home.

[saltydog77]

Hi John & Andrea, I am still following you around the globe.

We arrive home two weeks ago now and it seems an age away but keeping up with you all. Enjoying Barbara's reports and your blogs of course. Plus the rest of the blogs.

I hope you have a good day in San Fran.

For the people asking about taking booze on board there was no problem last year, or previous years on a world cruise and we bought things we needed around the world in different stores.

There is a big Safeway within walking distance from where the ship docks. You can get all supplies there. :)

 

Hope you are enjoying my book John. Have you finished it yet? :)

Did I tell you the Captain requested a copy? I gave him a copy and signed it and he sent me a lovely letter in return, and invited me to join him for dinner on our next cruise. :)

I also donated my book into the library on deck three.

John, forgot to tell you. Mel, in the photo shop was one of the girls I write about in the book who was left behind on the Panama Canal when we were on Arcadia. Do you remember that incident.? Go say Hi to her.

Have a good day, Maggie.

 

we join the boat in SIngapore very excited just wondering if the gentleman that spoke of his diving experience is still on board and will he do.another talk my husband is a retired diver so would be very interested.Enjoying the good information thank you for the time you are taking regards Frank and Jenny

[MicCanberra]

Safe travels Barbara.:D

[Scrapnana]

Take care, Barbara! Hope you are able to join the sail-away of Westerdam this weekend. She really performed for us this past Saturday!:)

[brigittetom]

Safe journey home, Barbara. Thank you again for all the time and effort you put in to keep us with you. :)

[cruiseluvva]

Thanksfor all the interesting posts, I have really enjoyed "travelling" with you.

[alibabacruisers]

Hello all, just a brief message to say I am finally home! I will update in the next day or so after I unpack.....well, that will be a BIG chore!;)

 

All of your "safe journey/travels" did the job and I thank you!!

[MicCanberra]

Hello all, just a brief message to say I am finally home! I will update in the next day or so after I unpack.....well, that will be a BIG chore!;)

 

All of your "safe journey/travels" did the job and I thank you!!

 

Welcome back.:D

[Oahucruiser]

Miss you!!!!!!

[brigittetom]

It is so strange waking up in your own bed the first morning home. A moment of confusion......then the relief that the journey home is over. :)

[Salacia]

Hello all, just a brief message to say I am finally home! I will update in the next day or so after I unpack.....well, that will be a BIG chore!;)

 

All of your "safe journey/travels" did the job and I thank you!!

 

Oh so glad to read that you and your husband are home safe. Thanks again, and best wishes to you both.

[koonard]

Alibaba and Janix, thanks for your almost daily reporting. I will be boarding in 2 days in Hong Kong and going on the 8 day segment to Singapore.

 

I understand that a large contingent of ballroom dancers from US should have boarded in then Yokohama, but now Kobe. Have you noticed them dancing the night away in the Queen's Room, and or at other times, practicing in the QR, etc?

 

Have you noticed the gentlemen dance hosts squiring single ladies onto the dance floor, and do you have any comment on their dance skills?

 

 

Well ... I'm sorry to tell you the Hosts are unfit for purpose ... they complain of being tired and there feet hurt ... DOH ... they are very old and don't want to exert themselves ... Oh yes ... i heard of one Host who actually told a lady passenger that she danced like a duck ! Definitely not a gentleman.

 

The awful band in the Queens Rooms with Paul Ritchie singing is so unbearable .. I can't describe the boring sound ,, if you are a dancer it is like chalk screeching on a blackboard. The trumpet player should be sent off into the horizon to learn how to play the instrument.

 

We just dance now to recorded music.

 

M

[Janix]

Hello all, just a brief message to say I am finally home! I will update in the next day or so after I unpack.....well, that will be a BIG chore!;)

 

All of your "safe journey/travels" did the job and I thank you!!

 

Hi Barbara,

 

Good to hear you are both home safe and sound.

 

Tell Ali I'm ready for that beer now :D (its getting warmer by the day again !).

 

Take care, and hope our paths cross again in the future !

 

John

Edited March 27, 2015 by Janix

[Janix]

Wednesday 23rd March – Hong Kong

 

The weather seemed to be somewhat unkind again as we headed into Hong Kong and our mooring at the Cruise terminal at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, with Star Cruises ship Pisces (one of the overnight gambling ships) filling the other slot on the pier. Although not raining it was very grey and misty but we were alongside at 1800 hours for our overnight visit, although not the thick fog we had on our last visit in 2011.

 

There were very long queues to disembark aiming enjoy the night life of Kowloon and Hong Kong island, and it was nearer 1930 before we left the ship. After a walk around the TST area we found a restaurant and tried some dim sum followed by a couple of pork dishes in the harbour city complex, which is now quite a size. Opposite this area is Hong Kong’s newest tallest building with SKY 100 emblazoned in the moving light show on the visible faces. This was under construction on our last visit, and the majority of the area west of the Canton Road is still under massive re-development with the construction of a new railway station.

 

For the following day we had pre-booked the Cunard trip to Magical Macau, which found us meeting in the Queens Room for a 0845 departure. Closer to 9am we boarded a bus which took us to the Turbojet terminal on the island and we arrived at 0930 and after completing immigration formalities we ready to board the 1030 fast jet to Macau. After around 1 hour on the fast ferry travelling at 40 knots, the bridges and casinos came into view and we arrived into a grey and misty Macao, queued for immigration and were on our coach by 12 noon.

 

Our first stop was the Macau Museum which charts the history of Macau followed by the façade of St Pauls Cathedral, which was built early in the 17th Century by an Italian Jesuit. Only the façade remains as the interior was ravaged by fire during a typhoon in 1835.

 

Next we were taken to the Macau tower, passing several casinos on the way, in particular the Sands Casino on the waterside. Here we were taken up the tower to a 360 degree revolving restaurant where an excellent buffet lunch was served. Just as we were about to leave there was a little commotion outside on a platform used for bungee and guided jumps from the tower. It was very strange enjoying lunch whilst someone throws themselves off from just above at the very window next to you ! However they were gone in a flash, and lunch was not ruined 

 

Our final visit was to the A-Ma Temple, Macau’s oldest temple built in the 15th century by Chinese fishermen in the old centre of Macau, before returning to the jetfoil terminal and boarding the Kowloon jetfoil. It was a lot bumpier ride on the return journey and we were warned before departure about the choppy seas and rain expected on our trip to ferry terminal. Once again we passed through immigration and waited for our coach to arrive. We were somewhat late arriving back at the ship owing to longer voyage and the very heavy Hong Kong traffic, we were supposed to report to immigration on board ship before 1830 on our return, but our passports were collected by tour staff on our return at 1900, so that little chore was not needed. We left Hong Kong at 2000 hours and set a course to Nha Trang in Vietnam for our 0900 arrival tomorrow.

 

That old chestnut again ? There has been considerable comment from several disappointed passengers about the lack of enforcement of dress codes on the ship. Many people, particularly those travelling for the first time because of the implied codes are unhappy that people are ignoring the information in the daily programme and not conforming to the day’s dress code. This was not the case on board QE last year, passengers were told to either conform or leave the venue for the lido or garden lounge where there dress was considered more appropriate.

 

Although in a minority there have been several cases of blatant disregard on this cruise, involving all venues, and there appears to be a laissez faire attitude amongst staff who apparently have been told not to upset passengers by insisting they dress appropriately. If this is the case then Cunard need to decide whether they have a dress code or not. If it is not enforced then the lowest common denominator prevails? Perhaps they need to redo their glossy ads again or decide once and for all on which side of the fence they reside before disappointing even more passengers ?

 

John

[maggiemou]

Wednesday 23rd March – Hong Kong

 

The weather seemed to be somewhat unkind again as we headed into Hong Kong and our mooring at the Cruise terminal at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, with Star Cruises ship Pisces (one of the overnight gambling ships) filling the other slot on the pier. Although not raining it was very grey and misty but we were alongside at 1800 hours for our overnight visit, although not the thick fog we had on our last visit in 2011.

 

There were very long queues to disembark aiming enjoy the night life of Kowloon and Hong Kong island, and it was nearer 1930 before we left the ship. After a walk around the TST area we found a restaurant and tried some dim sum followed by a couple of pork dishes in the harbour city complex, which is now quite a size. Opposite this area is Hong Kong’s newest tallest building with SKY 100 emblazoned in the moving light show on the visible faces. This was under construction on our last visit, and the majority of the area west of the Canton Road is still under massive re-development with the construction of a new railway station.

 

For the following day we had pre-booked the Cunard trip to Magical Macau, which found us meeting in the Queens Room for a 0845 departure. Closer to 9am we boarded a bus which took us to the Turbojet terminal on the island and we arrived at 0930 and after completing immigration formalities we ready to board the 1030 fast jet to Macau. After around 1 hour on the fast ferry travelling at 40 knots, the bridges and casinos came into view and we arrived into a grey and misty Macao, queued for immigration and were on our coach by 12 noon.

 

Our first stop was the Macau Museum which charts the history of Macau followed by the façade of St Pauls Cathedral, which was built early in the 17th Century by an Italian Jesuit. Only the façade remains as the interior was ravaged by fire during a typhoon in 1835.

 

Next we were taken to the Macau tower, passing several casinos on the way, in particular the Sands Casino on the waterside. Here we were taken up the tower to a 360 degree revolving restaurant where an excellent buffet lunch was served. Just as we were about to leave there was a little commotion outside on a platform used for bungee and guided jumps from the tower. It was very strange enjoying lunch whilst someone throws themselves off from just above at the very window next to you ! However they were gone in a flash, and lunch was not ruined 

 

Our final visit was to the A-Ma Temple, Macau’s oldest temple built in the 15th century by Chinese fishermen in the old centre of Macau, before returning to the jetfoil terminal and boarding the Kowloon jetfoil. It was a lot bumpier ride on the return journey and we were warned before departure about the choppy seas and rain expected on our trip to ferry terminal. Once again we passed through immigration and waited for our coach to arrive. We were somewhat late arriving back at the ship owing to longer voyage and the very heavy Hong Kong traffic, we were supposed to report to immigration on board ship before 1830 on our return, but our passports were collected by tour staff on our return at 1900, so that little chore was not needed. We left Hong Kong at 2000 hours and set a course to Nha Trang in Vietnam for our 0900 arrival tomorrow.

 

That old chestnut again ? There has been considerable comment from several disappointed passengers about the lack of enforcement of dress codes on the ship. Many people, particularly those travelling for the first time because of the implied codes are unhappy that people are ignoring the information in the daily programme and not conforming to the day’s dress code. This was not the case on board QE last year, passengers were told to either conform or leave the venue for the lido or garden lounge where there dress was considered more appropriate.

 

Although in a minority there have been several cases of blatant disregard on this cruise, involving all venues, and there appears to be a laissez faire attitude amongst staff who apparently have been told not to upset passengers by insisting they dress appropriately. If this is the case then Cunard need to decide whether they have a dress code or not. If it is not enforced then the lowest common denominator prevails? Perhaps they need to redo their glossy ads again or decide once and for all on which side of the fence they reside before disappointing even more passengers ?

 

John

 

Hi John, Thanks for your update. I am glad you went to Macau we loved it there last year. We did the trip on our own and it was fabulous we saw a lot as we did not have lunch. Fascinating place.

I was sad to read Petra is now off the list. Is this true?

Have a good time in Vietnam, This is one of my all time favourite countries.

I bet you are missing Chris & Dave. They have been in touch on FB from the wonderful hotel in HK.

Shame over the dress code.

Enjoy your next ports and love to Andrea. MMx

 

I will post a photo of Macau if you don't mind up for you as I know many people never get to see it.

Looks like Lisbon.

The TurbotJet that you crossed over on.

The Grand Lisboa Casino.

[maggiemou]

Hi Barbara, Pleased you are now safely home. Time now to get back to a normal routine. I find it takes me weeks, then I spend months sorting out the hundreds of photos and videos we have taken. Thanks again for you hard work in posting daily. Maggie.x

[theTom&Carol]

Well ... I'm sorry to tell you the Hosts are unfit for purpose ... they complain of being tired and there feet hurt ... DOH ... they are very old and don't want to exert themselves ... Oh yes ... i heard of one Host who actually told a lady passenger that she danced like a duck ! Definitely not a gentleman.

 

M

 

Sometimes I feel for the the gentlemen dance hosts..... night after night, dance after dance, sore feet or no sore feet, tired or not, these old guys must put forth, dance crisply, and communicate politely and intelligently for weeks on end.

They must get paid allot. Not! Unsure if they can even enjoy meals in the MDR. Besides the Queens Ballroom, they must attend other functions. Suspect they often catch the 'Cunard Cough' and transmit it freely, and probably don't feel too well at times. They may not be spry old boys, but continually do their best, which is probably pretty good. One can argue that they are 100% dance slaves. At least they get free laundry so they hopefully don't have B.O.; report otherwise.

Suspect, too, that a few of the single ladies are expecting a Cunard Fred Astaire good looker gentlemen dancer to sweep them off their feet maybe in more ways than one.

Oh, well. Guess one could jettison the tired two-left-footed gentlemen dance host and simply resort to asking a fellow passenger to dance. Now that would be exciting, yes? Or, maybe ask the Captain for a QR quickstep.

Keep on dancing, and have fun!

[carolian]

What have you heard regarding the call at Aquaba please? Also, where did you hear it?

 

Thank you in advance if you can put our minds at rest as this port is the main, probably only, reason we booked this segment.

 

carolian

[andhow]

What have you heard regarding the call at Aquaba please? Also, where did you hear it?

 

Thank you in advance if you can put our minds at rest as this port is the main, probably only, reason we booked this segment.

 

carolian

 

Hi Carolian

 

What do you need to know about Aquaba? What is it that you think others may have heard?

 

andhow

[carolian]

Hi Carolian

 

What do you need to know about Aquaba? What is it that you think others may have heard?

 

andhow

Sorry andhow I was referring to a comment by maggiemou in post #795 where she says it is sad about Petra being off the list!

I have looked on our VP and Petra is still being shown on the Shore Excursions page.

If anyone know anything I will be truly grateful.

Carole

[Scrapnana]

 

That old chestnut again ? There has been considerable comment from several disappointed passengers about the lack of enforcement of dress codes on the ship. Many people, particularly those travelling for the first time because of the implied codes are unhappy that people are ignoring the information in the daily programme and not conforming to the day’s dress code. This was not the case on board QE last year, passengers were told to either conform or leave the venue for the lido or garden lounge where there dress was considered more appropriate.

 

Although in a minority there have been several cases of blatant disregard on this cruise, involving all venues, and there appears to be a laissez faire attitude amongst staff who apparently have been told not to upset passengers by insisting they dress appropriately. If this is the case then Cunard need to decide whether they have a dress code or not. If it is not enforced then the lowest common denominator prevails? Perhaps they need to redo their glossy ads again or decide once and for all on which side of the fence they reside before disappointing even more passengers ?

 

John

 

I'm sorry to hear about this. One of my favorite things about Cunard is the dress code. How difficult is it to change out of blue jeans or shorts in the evening???:confused:

[andhow]

Sorry andhow I was referring to a comment by maggiemou in post #795 where she says it is sad about Petra being off the list!

I have looked on our VP and Petra is still being shown on the Shore Excursions page.

If anyone know anything I will be truly grateful.

Carole

 

Hi Carolian

 

Aqaba is still showing as a port of call on my VP too and I have a tour booked for the day.

 

I wonder where maggiemou got this from?

 

I suppose we'll have to wait and see.....

 

andhow