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Brooklyn to Bayonne on QM2 and Serenity

rafinmd

By rafinmd,
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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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22 hours ago, Roland4 said:

As I recall from our Quest cruise last year, you didn't miss much!!

Actually, I visited Sept Iles on the Symphony in 2012 (Between our transatlantic and the Superstorm Sandy mess).  The only thing I was planning to do was it looked like there was a place where I could get a new cane.

 

Roy

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USCAdventurer

USCAdventurer

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thanks again for your posts.  i'm sure the food tasted good and thanks for the pictures.  when you dock in quebec city, the serenity will already be there, is that right?  when you board the serenity will you spend the night in port in quebec or will you head out the st lawrence river?

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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2 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

thanks again for your posts.  i'm sure the food tasted good and thanks for the pictures.  when you dock in quebec city, the serenity will already be there, is that right?  when you board the serenity will you spend the night in port in quebec or will you head out the st lawrence river?

We spend the night in Quebec.

 

Roy

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BWIVince

BWIVince

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Somewhere in Time was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. The Grand Hotel has been on my bucket list my whole life, but I still haven't made it there yet.  (One day!)  I wish I had been there for that chat, Roy!

 

Vince

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May B Great Review Rare

May B

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3 hours ago, BWIVince said:

Somewhere in Time was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. The Grand Hotel has been on my bucket list my whole life, but I still haven't made it there yet.  (One day!)  I wish I had been there for that chat, Roy!

 

Vince


I’m sad that you haven’t been there yet! Mackinac is a wonderful place to visit. I predict you will get there in the next 15 years. While I have never stepped inside the hotel (nor have I seen the movie!), I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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22 minutes ago, BEAV said:


Congrats on the new cane, Roy. 👍
 

I hope you celebrated with some Timbits! 😉

IMG_2469.jpeg

Bit of a sad story.  Just one Timbit (glazed) and I had to gobble it right up because it was attracting a swarm of bees.When the bit was gone, the bees left for greener pastures.

 

Roy

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Roland4 "Live from...." Rare

Roland4

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48 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Bit of a sad story.  Just one Timbit (glazed) and I had to gobble it right up because it was attracting a swarm of bees.When the bit was gone, the bees left for greener pastures.

 

Roy

Probably Yellow Jacket Wasps. They are bad at this time of year up here anyway, but they are worse this year because it has been so unseasonably hot the last two weeks! The "good news" is it is supposed to get a lot cooler over the weekend, so that should be the end of them.

 

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Day QM2-5, Wednesday October 4, Saguenay, Quebec


Crystal Serenity arrives in Quebec (Pier 30) this evening.


I was up a little before 5.  With the door ajar to allow the signal in the internet was fairly decent and I got my daily post done about 6:15, then went up to the Grills Deck to check things out.  We were probably 10 miles from the port and the sun would not rise until 6:45.  I went back out then and the sky was quite bright although the sun was hiding behind the hills.

dawn1004.jpg


We docked about 7:30 and had our first gangway out about 8.  Breakfast this morning was french toast and English Bacon.  

frtoastpg.jpg
There was a strong, chilly breeze throughout the morning.  I left the ship about 10.  I thought I knew the most likely place to find a cane and the tourist information desk I looked briefly and it should work but is back in the carrying case.


Tim Hortons was right next to the Pharmacy, and it was a good time for lunch.  It was crowded inside but the outdoor tables were well sheltered from the wind.  Kind of ironically, a couple asked to share the table with me and we checked back and forth and they were on QM2, and they actually live within about 10 miles from me.  Small world.

lunch04.jpg
There was still a chilly wind on the way back but it was mostly behind me, and the grade was down rather than up.


On the approach to the port I stopped for a photo of the ship and also got a look at the position of my cabin.

10080spot.jpg

 

qm2saguenay.jpg
One thing I have found very poor on this voyage is the ship exit and entry.  Both getting back on in Halifax and both directions in Saguenay have been very SLOW and they should not have been peak times.  Cunard, you can surely do better.


We share the port today with Explora1, tendering in the harbor.


I did as much of my packing as I could after returning to the ship as well as stepping out for the Kings Court version of Afternoon Tea, buffet food and a waiter coming around with the tea.

kingstea.jpg

 

Sailaway was at 6 with the chilly wind back.  I met 3 of my tablemates on the Grills Deck and caught a nice sunset before we dropped our lines.

dusk1004.jpg
I watched with them as we started backing to our turnaround spot but the chill became a bit much for me and I bid them farewell about 6:15.


I was the only early bird at table 118.  My final dinner was Chilled Mango Banana Soup, Ribeye, and Strawberry Ice Cream.

dishes04.jpg
The evening was spent in a combination of organizing photos, a little bit of writing, and a lot of packing.  I settled in bed just after 10,


Today’s parting shot will be about the word Grill.  It conveys so many different meanings, from Cunard’s premier restaurants to Crystal’s Trident Grill (equivalent to QM2's Boardwalk Café or HAL’s Dive-in) to the neighborhood Bar and Grill, kind of like I suppose a British Pub.  It also is used as a verb, as to be grilled at a police station.  I guess the common thread is heat whether physical or in some cases emotional.  One word, so many and such different meanings.

 

And the Daily Programme for those staying on the ship overnight.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/programme1005.pdf

 

As I wrap up this post we are near the southern tip of Orleans Island,


Roy

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Day QM2-6, Thursday, October 5, 2023, Arrive Quebec, Queen Mary 2

 

Queen Mary 2 is at Pier 22 and Crystal Serenity is at Pier 30.


I was up early and spent the first hours writing and packing.  I checked my GPS early and decided it would be close to 9 when we got to Quebec.  I headed into Princess Grill for a quick breakfast (mainly an omelet) and said farewell to my waiters.


I watched from the promenade deck as we approached the port, getting views of the waiting Crystal Serenity as we went past her berth.


Captain Hashmi came on the PA just after 9 and indicated the gangway would use Stairway B&C from Deck 3.  I did a little reconnaissance and noted that it would actually be much closer to the B elevators.  


I left my room about 10.  Dragging heavy bags across a carpet is a challenge so I had a plan for the easiest way of getting it done.  I started with one bag at a time for the C elevators, leaving the big bag in sight at the elevator landing while I went back for the rollaboard.  I left the big bag halfway in the car while I grabbed the rollaboard and did the same leaving the car as I got off on deck 7.  It was much easier to pull the bags across the hard floor of Kings Court than it would have been on the carpets of Deck 3, and I arrived relatively easily at the B elevators.


There were people already on the B elevator car who took care of the door while I entered and exited.  From the B landing to the actual gangway was just a short distance but I sat and rested for a while anyway.


Despite my rant about the gangway operations at Halifax and Saguenay this one was a breeze.  There was virtually no line and once physically off the ship Security rolled the big bag down the ramp to the terminal where the walk was level.


There remained a fairly long walk to  the terminal, about the distance from Stairway B to Stairway D and I could have managed but a helpful passenger took care of the big bag for that stretch.  Once in the terminal another short rest, followed by the elevator to the street.

 

A half mile away I could see my destination but it was across a channel and no easy pedestrian  walkway.

cswaits.jpg
It turns out that I was very fortunate with QM2 as she is at the favored spot for her entire 3 day stay.  Other ships seem to have Pier 30 for just a day at a time, and we had to leave for a distant pier at 7PM.  I caught just a glimpse of the lit up Queen Mary 2 as we made our way to Pier 102,


The taxi ride was not long but quite a roundabout route.  A representative met me, asked some questions and then said “follow me”.  Only problem was in all the confusion I had not paid for the taxi but the driver got our attention and the issue was finally cleared up.  


On through security and then up to the first stage of checkin  with some preliminary questions.    By 11 I was at a waiting area sipping a cup of Crystal coffee but boarding would not begin until noon.  Once onboard, registration was in the area formerly used by the Casino and I was told my room was ready.


7056 is on the Promenade deck midway between the forward and midship stairs.  There were a lot more drawers and other storage than I was expecting.

7056out.jpg

 

7056in.jpg
Then on to lunch.  Despite it being a turnaround day I think all the usual venues were open, Waterside, Marketplace, Trident Grill, and Tastes.


I went first to Marketplace for a bowl of greens, then to Trident for my usual Grilled Ham and Cheese, much the favorite I remembered.

lunch05.jpg
Most of the rest of the afternoon involved getting online (more challenging that I expected) and getting unpacked.


I caught a glimpse of the setting sun about 6:15.

dusk1005.jpg

And was down at Waterside at the shared table at 6:30 with a lady on her first Crystal Cruise, a Crystal Veteran, and 2 Ambassador Hosts. 

 

My choices for my first Waterside dinner were Veal Consume, Grilled Pork Medallions, Steak Fries, and Rhubarb Tart a la mode.

dishes05.jpg
I pretty well crashed for the evening.


Parting shot: I do see some differences in the culture but this is very much the Crystal I have loved over the years,

 

I have added the first 2 Reflections and the first 2 dinner menus:

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/reflections1005.pdf

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/reflections1006.pdf

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dinner1005.pdf

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/dinner1006.pdf

 

Roy

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USCAdventurer

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Hello Roy, thank you for the update and what it felt like getting back on serenity after such a long absence, your room looks terrific. The food looks fabulous and you sound very happy. Can you walk into town from where the serenity is docked or do you need to take a taxi or is there any transportation from the ship to the main part of Quebec, actually I am booked for the same cruise from Quebec to New York City next October so I got a year to wait but I’m looking forward to it very much. I would love to get out to an authentic French restaurant in Quebec and have some authentic. , actually I am booked for the same cruise from Quebec to New York City next October so I got a year to wait but I’m looking forward to it very much. I would love to get out to an authentic French restaurant in Quebec and have some authentic French onion soup I hope I can do that when I’m there , my cruise will be overnighting in Quebec. Just like your cruise is doing now. Cheers have a wonderful day. 

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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14 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

Hello Roy, thank you for the update and what it felt like getting back on serenity after such a long absence, your room looks terrific. The food looks fabulous and you sound very happy. Can you walk into town from where the serenity is docked or do you need to take a taxi or is there any transportation from the ship to the main part of Quebec, actually I am booked for the same cruise from Quebec to New York City next October so I got a year to wait but I’m looking forward to it very much. I would love to get out to an authentic French restaurant in Quebec and have some authentic. , actually I am booked for the same cruise from Quebec to New York City next October so I got a year to wait but I’m looking forward to it very much. I would love to get out to an authentic French restaurant in Quebec and have some authentic French onion soup I hope I can do that when I’m there , my cruise will be overnighting in Quebec. Just like your cruise is doing now. Cheers have a wonderful day. 

It depends on where you are docked, and hopefully next year Crystal will be set in time to get a better choice in Dock space.  Pier 22 where QM2 was is very close to town and would be no issue.  Pier 30 where we boarded is relatively close but there's a waterway in between and the walking distance to town is likely well over a mile.  We moved in the evening to Pier 102 which is probably over 1 1/2 miles but there is a shuttle.

 

Roy

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