West Coast Break Feb 22

[Sirwinston]

Also The Long Beach site originally had the same dates / times as Cunard but changed them. I know cause I printed them out to post at work so my co workers could see QM2.

[stowaway2k]

The good news is the cruise is happening. The bad news is we don't get a full day at sea.

 

Cunard has confirmed the date change via a press release:

 

DATE CHANGE - A Royal Rendezvous: Queen Mary 2 to Meet Namesake Queen Mary

on Thursday, February 23

 

Queen Mary 2 to sail by Queen Mary for historic greeting

 

VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 6

Since Queen Mary 2's dazzling debut in 2004, Cunard enthusiasts have

wondered if the grand ocean liner would ever meet her legendary

predecessor, the Queen Mary. As part of Queen Mary 2's highly anticipated

maiden call to Los Angeles, the ship is set to wow West Coasters with an

historic meeting on Thursday, February 23 when the two ships will unite in

Long Beach harbor for a "royal rendezvous" beginning at 12:00 pm.

 

The old info remains on their website.

 

So, with this confirmation and Sir Winston's update, (thank you Tom) it means that we will depart Los Angeles on the 22nd as planned, cruise out to sea, circle around off the coast, RETURN to port (Long Beach Harbor, just down the road a few miles from where we depart) to blow the whistle for a while.

 

What this means, is the elimination of the one full day at sea. I find this to be extremely disappointing.

 

Obviously the call at Ensenada is delayed by a day. That means nothing to me, but not having even ONE full day at sea is a huge disappointment.

For the sake of a photo opp, I feel let down. Instead, we get to circle around in coastal waters.

 

Ironically, many of those on the Rio cruise were upset at too many sea days.

 

But, at least we are still going.

[emilygrace]

But wouldn't you consider this "circling around in coastal waters" a sea day? The way I look at it, they have just switched the sea day and the port day. I guess we should be glad that this is the extent of the changes......at least so far!

 

Carol

[stowaway2k]

But wouldn't you consider this "circling around in coastal waters" a sea day? The way I look at it, they have just switched the sea day and the port day. I guess we should be glad that this is the extent of the changes......at least so far!

 

Carol

 

Well, no. A "sea day" to me is just that, a full day at sea without a port. With this new schedule, there is none.

 

You're right, in that I'm glad that this is the extent of the changes, and it's nice to know that the pods are not the issue here. Publicity is.

 

Excited to be going, and already over my initial disappointment.

[Ldybrnwyn]

Hello West Coast Beakers:

Sorry if I started a panic. :confused:

O.K. This is my take on it. I was at a Steam Ship Historical Society function on Board the RMS QUEEN MARY on Saturday. Lovetta Kramer who works for the QUEEN MARY and is helping to arrange the media event for the ships meeting told us that the meeting had been moved to a midday time because of concern over morning fog, From the 7. A.M. to noon the following day... :D

 

Also there still may be reason to stay on QM1 on the 21st ( well besides the maple burr and art deco ) Ted Scull will be doing a lecture about all four Cunard Queens @ 8:00 in the Coronia room. Several West Coast Breakers are still planning to spend the night.

 

Tom,

 

I heard the same thing from the same source. I changed my reservations on the QM1 for the night of the 22nd and 23rd instead of the 21st and 22nd. I hope that wasn't a mistake :confused:

 

Tracy

[Happy ks]

Thank you for the clarification! The press release is confusing.

 

I'm not disappointed in the loss of a day at sea, we would only go in circles off the coast anyway, I'll be happy no matter where we are.

 

I'm definitely not disappointed in not going to Ensenada till later, I'd be happy if we didn't go anywhere near there. Although, we may get off to search for that Four Seasons Hotel ;) !

[travel-to-go]

But wouldn't you consider this "circling around in coastal waters" a sea day? The way I look at it, they have just switched the sea day and the port day. I guess we should be glad that this is the extent of the changes......at least so far!

 

Carol

 

Having once spent a night circling around in coastal waters between Cozumel and Cancun, no it is not the same! (Cunard Crown Jewel, I think it was 1995) I do not get any form of motion sickness. But neither of us could eat that night. We both felt queasy. Why? We were circling around in our own unburnt deisel fumes. It was Filet and Lobster night! I had it taken to my room later (the filet) and it was divine cold. Many MANY of the guest thought they were seasick, when it was just those fumes getting to everyone. Never have I had to go lie down in my room like that on ANY ship, in ANY kind of conditions, and I have been in some definite roller coaster rides (and loved every minute of it!)

 

Karie,

Who doesn't like suck exhaust fumes, as a rule

[Sirwinston]

Hey Tracy:

You and Diana are going on the Hawaii trip but not the 3 day mexico correct? If you want to see the salute from the QM1 then your new res. is correct. However The 21st is a tuesday you should be able to switch it back if need be. ( If you are going on the 3 day and just wanted to wake up in Long Beach as some are doing)

All for now, Tom in the L.B.C.

[gardenbunny]

Personally, as I have said all along, I don't care if she does just sail out and back, I'm just happy to be on the ship! Let's face it, what can you do in 3 days - Cunard offers a lot of these little cruises - I almost did July 4th last year where you got on in NYC, cruised out to sea a little, came back and watched the fireworks on board and got off. Knowing nothing of Ensenada, I wouldn't rank it as a top port destination - so in my mind, it was just where it was going and I wanted to on board again. To be able to be a part of the historic meeting of the 2 Queens is fabulous and I am excited - to me, that makes up for a day at sea anytime. Perhaps Cundard will give us some token souvenir for this auspicious occasion. Or perhaps we'll get one of those "compensation" deals - I'd take a shipboard credit. I did see something interesting to do in Ensenada which is to take a tour of the Fox Movie Studio at Rosarita (about an hour away) - this is where the big tank is and they filmed Titanic and Master and Commander, among some other lesser films. I hope Cunard offers that tour on board.

[Happy ks]

I haven't been to the Fox Studio, but have read fairly underwhelming reviews of it. But, the drive up and back is very pretty in places.

 

Ensenada is just a step up from a border town, not what I would call an exotic location. From what we could see this past November, the town has been somewhat cleaned up from my last visit 20 years ago.

 

We've been there 4 times in the past 5 years on short cruises and only last time got off the ship. Unless we want to do a tour, we'll not do that again.

[Sirwinston]

The Fox Studio is kind of cool... Especailly if you liked TITANIC there is a lot from the Movie There, Also there is a big special effects section.

Which has the 45 foot model of the TITANIC which I helped to create, just me and about 50 guys and gals working 12 hour days for 14 weeks in 1996.

Almost all of the shots with the whole ship moving underway were made with this model.

[emilygrace]

Does anyone know if this Fox studio tour is offered at the dock in Ensenada? If Cunard offers it, I'm sure it will be in line with all their other pricing. And how far of a drive from the pier is it? I wasn't planning to get off, but this tour sounds interesting since I did like the movie, more for the sets than the story or acting. Thank you for that, Sirwinston!

[Ldybrnwyn]

Hey Tracy:

You and Diana are going on the Hawaii trip but not the 3 day mexico correct? If you want to see the salute from the QM1 then your new res. is correct. However The 21st is a tuesday you should be able to switch it back if need be. ( If you are going on the 3 day and just wanted to wake up in Long Beach as some are doing)

All for now, Tom in the L.B.C.

 

Hey Tom :)

 

We're not on the 3 day (Diana and I) but Chris is. We planned on watching him (and the rest of you for that matter) from the deck of QM1 as you all sail by to pay a visit! We'll be joining the ship on the 25th.

 

Tracy

[cruzegirl]

Ok, this date change from Cunard, pardon my language, Royally Sucks... I had plans for the 22nd to be there for the rendezvous with the Queen Mary 1 as I was off work that day.... Now it's the 23rd!! Very frustrating... Now I'll have to rely on the news channels and other CC member photos... I so wanted to be a part of that....

Hey Tom,

so you worked on the Titanic movie? Very cool... I loved the film making of that movie.... I'm going on a 4 day mini cruise on Carnival and chose that as one of my excursions... Can't wait...

[gardenbunny]

If Carnival offers that Fox tour, then my guess will be that Cunard will, also. One can hope - I went on-line to the site, and it does look a little "underwhelming" - by no means a Universal - but heard that the ride was nice and to see the Titanic stuff might be cool. Did you get paid to help create it or voluntary?

[colleency]

Not only is it on the 23rd, it's at noon. I can't leave in the middle of the day to go. I was planning to go to work early or late to catch them coming or going. Now I'm going to have to miss the whole thing. :(

[cruzegirl]

Colleency,

We are in the same boat.....lol....ew, terrible play on words...I know several people who were flying in, doing hotels and such.... Wonder what they are going to do now?? Cunard is just messing up all the way around... Hopefully there will be good press or news coverage on this..

[Sirwinston]

Dear Emily

The studio is an hour away.... I did a tour when I was on an RCI 4 day cruise in 2004. Most likely too far for a taxi. But they may offer tours from the pier. If my friends want to go I may go. It is no Universal, but probally what Universal was in the 1950's

 

Hello Tracy:

Get some good pictures.... On the 23rd.

Ray and Carlos will be coming onboard the 25th also......

22 - 24th all about running up a bar tab and counting rivets

 

All for now, Tom

[stowaway2k]

I recieved an email from my TA confirming the new itinerary:

 

Wed. 22 Feb. depart L.A. 6pm

Thu. 23 Feb. Long Beach noon-1:30pm

Fri. 24 Feb. Ensendada 8am - 6pm

Sat. 25 Feb. arrive L.A. 6am

 

Out of curiosity, I checked Cunard's website, they still have the original itinerary. Hopefully by now everyone knows about this anyway.

 

 

[colleency]

That schedule's pretty funny!!! I understand that it's really sailing out to sea and coming back, but you could swim from San Pedro to Long Beach in less time than than the Depart L.A. - Arrive Long Beach leg. :D

[Happy ks]

Somewhere I read it is due to the heavy morning fog. Although, how they can predict it will still be there in 2 weeks I have no idea.

 

I'm wondering if the change has been made by Cunard or the City of Long Beach? Anyone know, for sure and not speculation?

[michel45]

Am interested in more info. about the Fox Studio tour. Have been to Ensenada several times and don't remember any mention at the port or in town. Just "the blow hole". Any suggestions about where one can learn more?

I'm with those who are not so disappointed about the changes. The ship is the destination:) . But a momento of the ship's inaugural visit to the West Coast would be nice...

[colleency]

Here's the website: http://www.foxploration.com/ingles/info/traveling.html,

but it doesn't say anything about picking people up at the pier.

 

Holland America seems to have a tour to take their passengers there. http://www.hollandamerica.com/servlet/ShorexDetailBuildServlet?idShorex=4524&nbrDest=065000&codePort=EN4

[emilygrace]

Just did a trial run with my packing today. I was trying to bring just a rolling carry-on, but it looks like I may have to bump up to the big suitcase. I don't know what happened.....I think my carry-on shrunk during its months in the closet! I got everything in there, but it was CRAMMED, and you know we don't want to do that with the formal clothes. I thought for sure for a 3 nighter I could get it all in there. It's those **mned shoes!!! And I'm only bringing one dress pair and athletic shoes for the morning walk.

[eddyl]

I'm booked on the three day cruise out of LA and was really happy to see the info that although the itinerary has changed, the cruise is still on schedule. The info I had seen elsewhere(including Cunard.com) only mentioned the change in time for the royal meeting, but nothing about whether the 3-day cruise was still sailing as scheduled. I called my travel agent yesterday and am waiting to hear back.

 

I was in Ensenada last April on the Mercury. We didn't do any tours. We just visited the Riviera del Pacifico Civic & Cultural Center and then strolled down the main street. Assuming QM2 uses the same docking area as the Mercury, it's a very short walk there. We could see the building from the ship. The Riviera del Pacifico was originally a hotel/casino which was visited by hollywood types during prohibition. You can explore the beautiful interior of the building and the gardens. There is an open air theater where they periodically put on short shows featuring Mexican music and dancing. The tour buses stop there and the shows seemed to be timed to bus arrivals. No one seems to care whether you were actually on the bus when you enter the theater. They weren't collecting money or tickets. There are also some vendors on the grounds.

 

See www.enjoyensenada.com for info on things to do in Ensenada and a map.