QM2 to miss Flaam

[Host Hattie]

That's good to hear, I hope you're back onboard soon

[sogne]

QM2 departure from Hamburg 023 local ultra large container ship inbound should arrive in time 24th

[bluemarble]

16 minutes ago, sogne said:

QM2 departure from Hamburg 023 local ultra large container ship inbound should arrive in time 24th

 

Looks like that container ship might be Costco Shipping Virgo. Length 400 meters, beam 59 meters, ETA Hamburg 00:00 local. Will be entering the Elbe in about an hour.

[bluemarble]

Just watched Cosco Shipping Virgo enter the Elbe on a couple of the Cuxhaven webcams. That's a monster container ship, no doubt about it!

 

Edit to add: Sorry about the typo "Costco" in my previous post, it is of course "Cosco".

Edited June 22, 2022 by bluemarble

[sogne]

1 hour ago, bluemarble said:

Just watched Cosco Shipping Virgo enter the Elbe on a couple of the Cuxhaven webcams. That's a monster container ship, no doubt about it!

 

Edit to add: Sorry about the typo "Costco" in my previous post, it is of course "Cosco".

Yep that's the one we have Cosco Uranus opposite 

[bluemarble]

It was interesting to follow on marinetraffic how Cosco Virgo managed to get past Cosco Uranus that departed about an hour and a half ago. Cosco Uranus came to a stop toward the south bank of the river near the Airbus facility. She had three tugs assisting to hold her in place while Cosco Virgo passed on the starboard side with two tugs assisting. Looks like it could be another hour or so until Cosco Virgo is out of the way for QM2 to depart.

Edited June 22, 2022 by bluemarble

[tv24]

The current segment on the QM2 has been off to a very bad start.  Embarkation yesterday in Hamburg was absolutely horrible.  First there were no porters, so we all had to walk with all our luggage to the end of a long line that slowly made its way to a door in the terminal where they accepted the bags.  There had been a break down in the internet-based check-in so hundreds (over a thousand?) of passengers were packed in the terminal waiting in huge lines to be eventually checked in.  It was chaotic as there were few staff around to direct the lines.  So many unmasked people jammed into the terminal creating a super-spreader event.  It took us 2 hours to get on board, and we were "priority."  For non-priority passengers, the wait was probably over 3 hours.  The captain apologized, but there was no compensation offered.  Then the QM2 missed its river departure slot "due to technical difficulties," so we did not sail until way after midnight.  Therefore no sail away party, no views of the Hamburgers waving goodbye, no views of the city and riverfront.  We are in the Channel now, and struggling with an "upgraded premium" internet operation that barely functions.  Not White Star service.

[D&N]

1 hour ago, tv24 said:

........... and struggling with an "upgraded premium" internet operation that barely functions.

The internet service is not great but there is a routine to follow that helps:-

Firstly make sure you are in range of a wi-fi repeater (as pictured).

Then check you are logged into MyVoyage. If it looks like you are, don't trust it, refresh the screen and you'll probably find you need to log in again (login settings can be saved, not really security risk as they are only set for your voyage).

In MyVoyage select Internet Purchases

That should open a screen showing the purchased package with button 'use' press that.

It then shows another button 'connect' again press that.

You should now be connected to wi-fi and you just have to hope that the ships wi-fi has a good connection to a satellite!

It sounds very complex but once in habit of following the process it takes between 10 and 15 seconds to do. I'm not suggesting it's ideal but I managed quite well with it.

 

Sometimes you can get away with going to the last 'Internet' page and pressing 'connect' again.

[QM1]

To follow on my Covid experience, when leaving QM2 yesterday I received a letter stating that I will receive a future cruise credit soon. Thumps up to Cunard!

 

As for the chaos mentioned above I must say I thoroughly dislike the Steinwerder terminal where I have been for the first time now. Far from the city next to the container harbor, austere, worthy of the cheap bunch of cruise ships only, certainly not Cunard. Plus, there are no photo opportunities to take pictures of the ship (from the city you can just see the funnel). A far cry from the location near the spectacular "Elphi" from where the QM2 departed until recently.

 

We waited in a taxi line ca. 150 m long. and it took us one full hour (!) before it was our turn. The taxis came slowly one by one, a disastrous service of the Hamburg Taxi Innung. Very bad from the City of Hamburg! Cunard should consider to apply for one of the other locations available in that otherwise beautiful city. 

Edited June 23, 2022 by QM1

[QM1]

To add, Cunard also reimbursed the service charge.

[exlondoner]

I must say, having been to Hamburg several times as a transit passenger, I certainly miss the days when she used to dock at Hafencity, but that is not going to happen again. On every occasion, I have seen queues of embarking passengers waiting to offload their luggage, even before Covid. Somehow you'd think Hamburg would be a super efficient port, but it never seems to be, even without the complications of Covid. And it's not Cunard's fault.

[exlondoner]

2 minutes ago, QM1 said:

To add, Cunard also reimbursed the service charge.

 

Decent of them in a way in view of all the room service you were compelled to have.

[Avery's Gram]

Ah, yes…..lots of room service, but for 10 days no one entered my room so I cleaned my own toilet and basin, made my own bed, washed my own mugs, emptied my own trash, etc.  All of which I do at home, no problem….but not the service I am used to on a cruise!

 

Off the ship on June 5 with the same letter promising future cruise credit soon but nothing yet.  Too bad…..I’m still getting lots of “Sign up now!” Notification emails advertising lovely trips!

 

Barbara M. In NH

[QM1]

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

 

Decent of them in a way in view of all the room service you were compelled to have.

Well, yes, I was surprised. On the other hand, the only service I really got was the food from the Britannia (no one ever entered my room to clean or so, but I must say I didn't expect that either). I wanted to pay the Britannia staff extra tip, but it was too late during the deboarding hustle as I only had bigger banknotes with me and I wasn't allowed to leave my cabin until picked up.

Edited June 23, 2022 by QM1

[QM1]

36 minutes ago, Avery's Gram said:

Ah, yes…..lots of room service, but for 10 days no one entered my room so I cleaned my own toilet and basin, made my own bed, washed my own mugs, emptied my own trash, etc.  All of which I do at home, no problem….but not the service I am used to on a cruise!

 

Off the ship on June 5 with the same letter promising future cruise credit soon but nothing yet.  Too bad…..I’m still getting lots of “Sign up now!” Notification emails advertising lovely trips!

 

Barbara M. In NH

Hi Barbara,

 

in my letter it said the credit amount would be communicated in two weeks the earliest. If you left on June 5, its just two weeks now, so give them a bit more time. Its not a pressing issue I guess.

[sogne]

4 hours ago, tv24 said:

The current segment on the QM2 has been off to a very bad start.  Embarkation yesterday in Hamburg was absolutely horrible.  First there were no porters, so we all had to walk with all our luggage to the end of a long line that slowly made its way to a door in the terminal where they accepted the bags.  There had been a break down in the internet-based check-in so hundreds (over a thousand?) of passengers were packed in the terminal waiting in huge lines to be eventually checked in.  It was chaotic as there were few staff around to direct the lines.  So many unmasked people jammed into the terminal creating a super-spreader event.  It took us 2 hours to get on board, and we were "priority."  For non-priority passengers, the wait was probably over 3 hours.  The captain apologized, but there was no compensation offered.  Then the QM2 missed its river departure slot "due to technical difficulties," so we did not sail until way after midnight.  Therefore no sail away party, no views of the Hamburgers waving goodbye, no views of the city and riverfront.  We are in the Channel now, and struggling with an "upgraded premium" internet operation that barely functions.  Not White Star service.

at 1745 approx there was  call for 12 or so passengers to phone pursers not I think covid  as they were not asked to return to room . This was repeated 20 min later with a reduced list. These may have been late returning as the emergency drill had been held. I would expect the service at the port to be the duty of Hamburg PA not essentially cunard. I heard admind issues as reason for late departure not tech. We were late leaving Hamburg outwards due to container ship traffic.   

[Avery's Gram]

Oh, right….I’m not holding my breath though!  I got very annoyed with Cunard and the way things were not communicated very well during my isolation time.  I was never contacted by Medical Center and it took my husband standing in front of the pursers’ office to get me released from quarantine after my ten days was up….

 

I felt like they were very efficient in getting me into isolation, and then sort of checked me off their list and forgot about me.  (I was told someone would come to release me between 10 am and 1pm …..I called at 1pm, at 2, my husband asked the purser, at 4 he called again and at 4:15 someone finally came.)

 

And when I did call the Medical center that day, I got the message that their voice mail box was full and couldn’t even leave a message.  

[QM1]

19 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

Looks like that container ship might be Costco Shipping Virgo. Length 400 meters, beam 59 meters, ETA Hamburg 00:00 local. Will be entering the Elbe in about an hour.

Yes, C.S. Virgo (2018/195.000 grt) was waiting to enter Hamburg. I had my good lenses with me and among others photographed waiting in the huge traffic jam north of the river Elbe:

Thalassa Avra (2014/149.000 grt)

Outbound was:

Ever Grade (2018/219.000 grt)

[QM1]

7 minutes ago, Avery's Gram said:

Oh, right….I’m not holding my breath though!  I got very annoyed with Cunard and the way things were not communicated very well during my isolation time.  I was never contacted by Medical Center and it took my husband standing in front of the pursers’ office to get me released from quarantine after my ten days was up….

 

I felt like they were very efficient in getting me into isolation, and then sort of checked me off their list and forgot about me.  (I was told someone would come to release me between 10 am and 1pm …..I called at 1pm, at 2, my husband asked the purser, at 4 he called again and at 4:15 someone finally came.)

 

And when I did call the Medical center that day, I got the message that their voice mail box was full and couldn’t even leave a message.  

My checkout time was 8.40. And the letter expressively said: you'll be picked up from your cabin. 45 minutes later I called the purser asking them wether I was forgotten , or if anything important had occurred. My partner (who was partially isolated as being close contact) in the cabin next to me experienced the same. When 10 minutes later no one had called back I called the staff outside my door, whose supervisor after a call to whomever said I was free to leave on my own. The guy next door who also had caught covid (from a table companion on the TA before) didn't wait for anyone, I met him outside the ship waiting in the huge taxi queue.

[Avery's Gram]

My husband asked why I didn’t just walk out on my own.  But I took the isolation seriously, and felt that too just leave would be the wrong way to end the ten days, by ignoring the rules.

 

I don’t have any problem with being quarantined as I certainly did not want to pass a disease on to anyone.  For me, it was nothing but I know people are still getting sick and some are dying.  A good friend is dealing with the bad effects of long Covid.  So being in quarantine, as annoying as it was,  felt like a way a safeguarding others.  Being forgotten at the end of it, though…..seemed to trivialize what was actually a sacrifice for me.  

 

Sorry if this sounds petty or like I was feeling sorry for myself.  As I told friends, it was a 21 night cruise.  The first 6 days were good, the last 5 were good, but the 10 in the middle were pretty lonely.

 

Barbara M. In NH

[QM1]

13 minutes ago, Avery's Gram said:

My husband asked why I didn’t just walk out on my own.  But I took the isolation seriously, and felt that too just leave would be the wrong way to end the ten days, by ignoring the rules.

 

I don’t have any problem with being quarantined as I certainly did not want to pass a disease on to anyone.  For me, it was nothing but I know people are still getting sick and some are dying.  A good friend is dealing with the bad effects of long Covid.  So being in quarantine, as annoying as it was,  felt like a way a safeguarding others.  Being forgotten at the end of it, though…..seemed to trivialize what was actually a sacrifice for me.  

 

Sorry if this sounds petty or like I was feeling sorry for myself.  As I told friends, it was a 21 night cruise.  The first 6 days were good, the last 5 were good, but the 10 in the middle were pretty lonely.

 

Barbara M. In NH

I also took it serious, for the same reasons as you. I also found it strange that in the end I was apparently forgotten. Maybe it was because I had been written off the list of the sick, why others prepared the note that I was to be picked up personally. There were some miscommunications, but all minor. For instance the last test result was not communicated, only that I was free to go.

 

The train back, well, that was another issue. Trains, and Deutsche Bahn in particular, certainly do not have a friend in me, for many reasons, again confirmed yesterday.

[Avery's Gram]

Exactly!  I think they had worked out very well how to handle getting someone who tested positive into quarantine, but hadn’t quite worked through the process of dealing with the end of quarantine.  

 

Who decides when you are OK?  Med Center, presumably. But who decides when to release you?  Who actually carries that out?  How is it communicated to Housekeeping to help you with your luggage back to your original room?  Who communicates this information to you? And who do you contact if the whole process breaks down? 

 

The front desk told my husband I should have called the emergency number to get someone’s attention when no one contacted me.  I was horrified!  I would NEVER do that:  that number is for real emergencies, not this level of inconvenience.  (I worked in a hospital before retiring, and know what a true medical emergency could be!)

 

I just hope they think it through a bit more, and realize that the quarantine procedures and protocols are not finished until the process is completed. Otherwise more people are going to be frustrated, as you and I were.

 

Barbara M. In NH

[sogne]

This is based on Southampton round trip. Embarkcation was quick at Mayflower with the usual priority order, QG, PG and Diamond

 

Firstly an excellent cruise as far as I am concerned. Generally excellent weather, especially Olden, in all ports bar Alesund when it rained pm although our fjord excursion AM was dry and partially sunny. Rain began just as I rejoined the ship after a quick walk into Alesund. The fireboat despite the rain gave its usual farewell. Will it do it in November when we are back for the Northern Lights?  Losing Flam was a shame but given the weather there on the day (rain and low cloud) the excellent weather in Stavanger plus for me anyway the parade of historic boats was some compensation. There was also an emergency services day in the harbour, which included helicopter demo of fire fighting, dropping baskests of water in the water I hope and not over the crowds attending.

 

Stavanger Cathedral is closed until Dec 2023 with some major work.

 

When leaving Alesund there was perhaps an indication of why Flam was missed. The ship briefly shot out a large plume of very black smoke. 

 

Bergen was hot and sunny, our 4th visit and it has never rained! Will we break or duck in November? 

 

I found the tour office and pursers desk contrary to some comments very polite and helpful. There was frequently a long line at the pursers  mainly perhaps due to the wi fi issues. Personally we had no problems with it apart from the frequent loss of connection. We only use it for web browsing and email and use only our laptop. We took turns to log in on sea days so in the end neither of us used our full diamond allowance. As we had 24 hours waiting for site to load or emails top arrive did not matter as we were not time limited under the old 8 hour allowance. In port we used  mobile data allowance.

 

Our cabin steward was Jenette who we first met on our earlier Caribbean cruise earlier this year. She was excellent.  Oh and shock horror there patches of rust on our balcony!

 

The ship was much fuller on the Hamburg segment. It did seem that booking in at Hamburg was somewhat poor, very long lines. We left late on the second Hamburg call partly because of heavy container traffic and possibly some passengers being late to reboard.

 

Food was fine in the Britannia 2nd sitting waiters being uniformally efficient. All staff we came in contact with were fine.

 

Cannot comment on entertainment since we did'nt go.Watched some lectures on TV.

 

Covid was present as GM1 has already posted but at no time were precautions increased and facilities closed. We heard 10-12 requests for return to room. 

 

Border Force were present at Southampton and inspected all passports on board by the casino but it did not delay us getting off which took about 20 minutes form cabin to car.

[Host Hattie]

Thank you for your report, it's good to hear it was an excellent cruise for you and that Southampton boarding was smooth.

[bluemarble]

I'm reviving this thread to mention QM2 is no longer listed on the Flam port schedule for 9 September 2022. Flam is still listed on the itinerary on the Cunard website for the "The Norwegian Fjords, 7 Nights" cruise (M227) departing 4 September 2022. But since QM2's call has been removed from the Flam port schedule found at "www.flamport.no/ship-arrivals2021", I suspect that September call at Flam has been canceled now as well.