On our way to the Arctic on QE!

[LadyL1]

Once again we are on the QE this time on an Arctic adventure to hopefully see the Northern Lights.

An absolutely beautiful day in Southampton, wall to wall sunshine. As usual the COVID testing station was well organised, but today busy as Ventura is sailing to the Canary Islands.

After a very pleasant lunch, I had a swim: I am not sure I can keep this daily activity up as we go into colder climes.

We are still in Southampton, as Captain Howarth advised we are waiting for an ambulance to take a very sick person to hospital.

I do not know the number of pax onboard, but it is certainly more than the 900 on the Med cruise in January.

So we await the start of the next adventure.

[bluemarble]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering what the reason was for your delayed departure. Here's hoping all turns out well for the ill passenger. And here's wishing you a great voyage once you get underway. Looking forward to further reports.

[Host Hattie]

Have a wonderful time

[turnip eater]

Saw Doctor wheeling off a gentleman with a large bandage around his head.(the gentleman not the Doctor) Perhaps fallen and banged his head.

[LadyL1]

We enjoyed our meal last night but the restaurant seemed very cool. On getting back to our room we needed to turn the heating to nearly full, which is highly unusual for us. Perhaps they are trying to acclimatise us to Arctic conditions.

At breakfast it was even colder! We were told the engineers were aware! It could be a challenge in full evening dress tonight if not sorted.

Last evening we sat on deck 2 in the atrium whilst listening to a brilliant solo jazz saxophonist. I have to say the attire (of just a few) even for a first night, was eyebrow raising. A few looked as if they were ready to take the dog for a walk in the fields.

This morning the easterly breeze was very strong and unable to open the balcony door on starboard side. Although we had sun it was chilly. Far too cold for a swim today.

We logged on to the “new style” internet and had a few dollars more to pay each for 24/7 access. If you want to use another device, one has to log out, and then login as appropriate with same code. A little more expensive now, for us as Diamond WC,  but so much more convenient as it is continuous.

John Maclean FRAS the Northern Lights specialist gave a great talk on a very difficult scientific subject that was much appreciated. We all now also know how to set our cameras ready for a spectacular weather permitting.

I was speaking to someone today who was in a dock side cabin. Yesterday, it appears, there were positive Covid testings as bags were being offloaded on several occasions in the afternoon. Not surprising news, as there were certainly rooms near us where the keycards were  not being removed from the post rack for entry. One now boards with stamped paper documents only, which are scanned on entry to the ship.

This afternoon we managed 3 times round the virtually empty prom deck. Not many braved the elements for exercise, but a few hardy smokers were lounging on the steamers!

Tonight is “Black & White” evening and still without cocktail parties. However, it is good to see people around the ship enjoying themselves. So for now we can watch the rugby, whilst having a drink and preening ourselves for the first formal night.

[Host Hattie]

Enjoy the rugby and Black and White night

[exlondoner]

Not, I imagine, if you are Welsh.

[Host Hattie]

But if you're English living in Wales it's a great day 🤣

[exlondoner]

5 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

But if you're English living in Wales it's a great day 🤣

 

Even more, I imagine, if you are an Italian resident. I'm sure there are some.

[Mickb]

We did a winter cruise to Copenhagen and Hamburg on QV a few years ago. It took 2 days before the ship warmed up. The restaurant was warm but the other public rooms were v chilly! Hope they sort it!

[LadyL1]

 

Another beautiful day with cloudless skies which is perfect for smooth sailing.
Last night was interesting in the restaurant. The cold is still a huge problem, and the staff had the red tartan blankets available for ladies in flimsy evening wear: certainly made for a different photo!🤣 No theatre for us as it was a comedian, which we prefer to avoid (John Evans from Liverpool).
Breakfast, we had delivered to stay in the warm, which was perfectly laid out for us. They certainly know how to bake a good muffin.
Our room on deck 7 has very poor internet connectivity. An officer came to assess this, but we were told to leave the door open to improve the situation. It was said that it does not help matters in that the fire door just a few yards along, is closed which leads to an isolation area. It seems unless one purchases the premium internet package, the chance of FaceTime calls now, is almost zero.
Our second sea day and most disappointed that there was only one lecture on “Vikings, Saxons and Celts in Roman Britain” , which is quite specialist, and probably only 

 interesting for those with a love of history: we passed on this. As yet have not heard of a “big name” as a guest speaker to draw in the crowds. Instead I had a 40 minute swim, albeit the air temperature being only 6 degrees, but certainly not as chilling in the wind as yesterday.

By lunchtime we could the see the snow covered mountains in the distance, along the Norwegian coastline. Alesund tomorrow, and a town which is always a delight to visit and good for some walks. This afternoon out around the decks was extremely pleasant, with hardly a soul around; the sunny side and aft felt quite warm in the sun. We went straight to the Queens Room for just a cup of tea, as we heard the saxophonist again when re entering the ship, as he was just too good to miss if you like jazz.

Looking forward to dinner this evening, where the service has been truly excellent, as you would expect.

[Host Hattie]

Sorry to hear that the temperature problems haven't been resolved. Is it just the restaurant or the whole ship ?

[LadyL1]

4 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

Sorry to hear that the temperature problems haven't been resolved. Is it just the restaurant or the whole ship ?

This is about QG and understand from someone that it was also cool in PG, but not seemingly not as severe. We have never encountered this problem before: at lunchtime today people were arriving with scarves, fleeces and jackets.
The rest of ship seems to be fine.

[Host Hattie]

Oh dear, I hope they can resolve it soon.

[exlondoner]

Obviously it is a ploy by the management to ensure everyone wears jackets for dinner. 😀 It's just got a little out of hand.

[rakkor]

12 hours ago, LadyL1 said:

This is about QG and understand from someone that it was also cool in PG, but not seemingly not as severe. We have never encountered this problem before: at lunchtime today people were arriving with scarves, fleeces and jackets.
The rest of ship seems to be fine.

 

PG temperature has been fine for me, I'm a  Northerner though, but I just asked Jane and she said it's fine. We have been cold in other parts of the ship though - The Commodore Club was chilly the last couple of days and the Garden room is positively Baltic, but that's when someone opens the door from the pool area.

 

https://blog.rakkor.uk for my Norway adventure

 

 

[LadyL1]





The most beautiful March day one can possibly imagine here in Alesund. We are blessed that our balcony is south facing; even sun cream needed! The unexpected warmth is not typical, and in fact, of all the times we have been here, the weather has never been so kind.

A fabulous  meal last night, I had crab claws and my husband chateaubriand. Also the restaurant was not so cold. I am pleased to hear that Rakkor is not having the same issues in his restaurant across deck 11  landing.

I was going to go for a swim this morning but the midships pool was netted and the water was not looking the most inviting of colours! The aft pool is more exposed to the cool breezes so might have to take the plunge there later on.

Now for the internet! It seems Cunard are having severe problems with the new system. In the beginning I was prepared to pay for continuous usage as thought that was a step forward. However, I can rarely log on, and if I can it often instantly logs me out. Other cruise lines offer free internet(albeit in the initial price one pays), or at least gives premium paying guests the benefit of this service. In this day and age it is not a luxury but a necessity. Many people have internet based security, heating systems and banking all which is an everyday need, yet I am having difficulty just sending an email! The pursers desk is inundated with those who have issues. This is a shame as people always remember the bad things of a holiday and infrequently offer praise to something special.

It is good to see at last a few passengers from USA, Japan and some other countries back on the QE. Cunard has always been famous for its international clientele which makes for some interesting meetings.

Whilst writing I have to say that all the staff waiting on us are charming and efficient. How nice in this day and age, that those around us are so courteous and polite.

We are waiting to leave this lovely port, heading north, and tomorrow is a sea day. Perhaps another layer will be needed from the wardrobe!

[aday10]

Thank you LadyL1, it’s great to hear about hour trip, and rakkor I have been reading your blog, I’m so excited to get back in QE next week! 
 

LadyL1, have you by any chance taken pictures of the menu for Queens Grill? Would be great to know what to expect! 

[LadyL1]

Last night we had our first alert for the “lights” so hastily donned the layers of warm clothing and made our way to deck 12. The show was not at its best or as you see the photos of professionals, but they lasted a couple of hours, and we have the snaps for proof of what we came on this voyage to see. For the next few nights the forecast is predicting cloud cover but it would be wonderful to have a more intense sighting.
Today is grey as we make northwards at 18 knots with a long soporific swell. It is still unseasonably warm at 6 degrees for this region, and was very pleasant walking around the deck this afternoon. Sadly I did not see any wildlife but a couple near us in the restaurant sighted 3 whales this morning.
At lunchtime I sneaked a few photos from the menu as has been asked for by aday10. I hope you can read them as the light from above was reflecting on the plastic covering. This is what is on offer for lunch and the Red & Gold evening tonight.
Please feel free to ask any questions and I will endeavour to find out for you.
 

[exlondoner]

Does the fact you photographed these in the restaurant mean they are no longer delivered to cabins in advance?

[LadyL1]

40 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Does the fact you photographed these in the restaurant mean they are no longer delivered to cabins in advance?

The lunchtime menu is left in a folder in the room. One can view the evening menu at lunch in the restaurant.

As far as we can remember, we think we had book menus to view in January of this year.

[Fifer]

7 minutes ago, LadyL1 said:

The lunchtime menu is left in a folder in the room. One can view the evening menu at lunch in the restaurant.

As far as we can remember, we think we had book menus to view in January of this year.

On our QM2 Caribbean trip in Jan/Feb, the lunch and dinner menus were placed in our QG staterooms every morning whilst we were at breakfast.  No folder at that stage.

[exlondoner]

21 minutes ago, LadyL1 said:

The lunchtime menu is left in a folder in the room. One can view the evening menu at lunch in the restaurant.

As far as we can remember, we think we had book menus to view in January of this year.

 

Thanks. That's a shame. I like to have them to keep.

[rakkor]

If they are anything like the PG menus that are delivered and they look almost the same, the lunch menu is on one side and the dinner menu is on the reverse.

[LadyL1]

Firstly, thank you Rakkor for enlightening me on the menu! Yes, I turned the sheet over in the menu folder, and the evening offerings are certainly on the other side.

 

Today is a day that is GREY….very, very grey. We awoke to snow on the balcony only to be followed by hours of heavy icy rain. How much nicer it would look if it was snowing or a clear blue sky. 

We have the short straw today as we are on the dockside with wonderful views below of the buses , gas tanks, cranes and general working paraphernalia! Looking up into the hills we can see the ski-jump slopes/contraptions that are located just above the hospital!

As we have been to Tromso  before, we decided not to leave the ship this morning, especially after seeing many come back like drowned rats and very cold. Some certainly did not have the proper clothing or footwear for these conditions.

It seems we might have a lot of snow later this afternoon,  but there is a good possibility of the cloud cover diminishing tonight, and if that is the case, will certainly be out on deck hoping for a spectacular.
The food and service continues to be excellent, and the restaurant has lost its very chilly feel, but a few more degrees heat, for me, would be welcome. Sally Sagoe is back on the ship as entertainment director,  but have to say in this department we have been a little disappointed to date. However, we are all different, and sure many will be enjoying it all!