Not-quite-Live < limited > cruise journal: QE (Q427) Alaska cruise: 10 night, 30 Aug – 9 Sep 2024 plus Vancouver pre & post

[mking8288]

First timer and anyone rushing to catch a flight out disembarking, this might be helpful as a general guide - as always, YMMV. 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

8 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Those puddings are cute, you went out of your way to see them in Halifax ... We are going (should) to be stopping at Halifax later this month, refresh my memories about your favorite lookout spots for them.

 

Assuming you meant puffins and not the delicious dessert...I knew it was too early in the season to see puffins in April so I jokingly went to look for their third cousins twice removed (ducks) at the Halifax Public Gardens.

 

 

Then I came across a music shop that posted a sign that said No Puffin Please which I thought was discriminatory against puffins.

 

 

I saw some puffins in the distance while exploring the Arctics back in 2018 but was able to spend quality time with them up close and personal last year at the Seward SeaLife Center.

 

 

 

[schmoopie17]

9 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

It is apparent that Cunard is a much classier and more caring outfit than NCL. I would assume that such an organization would have collections onboard to buy toupees for the bald eagles?

[Sugar Magnolia]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Almost forgotten to check it out, Cunard's Late Night Snacks option ... typical hours: 10 PM to midnight, perfect for those hungry after the late show at the Royal Theater or dancing in the Queens Room ...

@Sugar Magnolia  what do you think ? 

 

I think you should smuggle some cookies off the QE for me.

 

 

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Assuming you meant puffins and not the delicious dessert...

Yes, that's it ... darn autocorrect 

 

 

@dexddd  Mine is on station, safe & sound. You bribed the steward and he got someone else by mistake 😁😁😁

Edited September 7 by mking8288

[mking8288]

 

 

 

 

 

Brace for rougher sea state later as we approach Vancouver Island 🫢

[mking8288]

A relaxing day at sea  😄 

 

 

 

Yummy 😋 😋 Yummy

 

 

 

@dexddd - baked beans are 👍 very good today as well the smoked fish/salmon. $5 plus 20% fees not going to Harry & Co but directly to the crew members that knock & deliver these, with a thank you. 

 

From our points of view, what we've seen certainly place NCL, Haven excluded, at a disadvantage.  Will those that are doing MSC stick with their TV (similar & about the same as Grills on Cunard) ?   Sorry, I don't think I am among those that can do a fair comparison.

[mking8288]

Plans for tomorrow in Victoria, BC - temp in the mid/upper 60's or close to 20 deg. C.   Shuttle to waterfront in town by the Parliament, then see one of the oldest Chinatown in North America with it's classic Archway. 

 

 

[mking8288]

Let the sunshine in ... 

 

 

[mking8288]

Our neighbor apparently believed in "we'll leave the lights on ... " all week long, never switched off (hey that's a tagline from the Motel 6 commercial)

 

 

For a 15 years old vessel, signs of normal wear & tear can be seen if you look closely, none safety related & just cosmetic ... and you also see efforts to repaint rusted spots. 

 

 

 

The shower flooring (pan), think I mentioned it earlier, isn't solid and popped a bit upon being stepped upon ... like the Norwegian Epic. 

 

 

 

[www3traveler]

Henry,

Very glad you had this wonderful adventure.

 

I pray that you all have a very safe journey home.

 

Today where I live (325 miles South and East of Seattle), we have a lot of smoke in the air from burning wildfires.  The Seattle Space Needle webcam, is also showing lots of smoke.

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, www3traveler said:

... (325 miles South and East of Seattle), we have a lot of smoke in the air from burning wildfires.  The Seattle Space Needle webcam, is also showing lots of smoke.

Thanks, Mandy ... Vancouver area also affected by smoke from the wildfire from what we read. Will disembark mid-morning on Monday, hopefully the morning traffic will ease for our taxi ride, drop off luggage at our B&B, then lunch & have dinner with a local relative ... and check-in online for our United flights out east via DENver on Tuesday. 

[mking8288]

More guests doing their exercise here in the QR than the gym. 

 

Like NCL, $10 (and up) specials - of course, someone woke up & went to "investigate" 

 

 

[www3traveler]

When is your next adventure?

[techteach]

@mking8288 You have made this SO much fun, and now I hope someone else will start a new adventure. I look forward to hearing about your day in Victoria. Have safe travels home, welcome to Cunard, and check out the TA’s on QM2 for your next adventure!

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, www3traveler said:

When is your next adventure?

Mandy, coming right up - fly back and at home on 9/11,  get 2 weeks break before the 9 nights New England & Canada - our 2 best friends and the other bro-in-law and sis-n-law with mobility issues will be on the sailing.  

 

Will be another interesting comparison against NCL ... and even Cunard. One of the sister ship, Qvation just passed us heading north while the Quantum is behind us, heading into Victoria also - 3 ships visiting tomorrow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[www3traveler]

I hope things go well for you.

[Sugar Magnolia]

15 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Mandy, coming right up - fly back and at home on 9/11,  get 2 weeks break before the 9 nights New England & Canada - our 2 best friends and the other bro-in-law and sis-n-law with mobility issues will be on the sailing.  

 

Should be a much simpler pack for the Liberty.

 

[mking8288]

13 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Should be a much simpler pack for the Liberty.

Yes 🤗   Code = "should" is the keyword ... we took the bait b/c of our friend's casino offer for 2nd room, with our luck vs hurricane season, end up in Coco Cay and Nassau ... but, whatever - saves on grocery & household expenses.

 

And we can do a carry-on plus a daypack.  It's a 90 minutes weekday drive to Cape Liberty & parking there, no complaint there.

[mking8288]

MDR Lunch Menu 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Virtual dining queue and how to -

 

Deck 2, starboard side 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Stateroom details worthy to be noted as FAQ for others - 

 

 

 

Rather spacious interior over NCL's mini refrigerator.

 

Light switch for the porch ... oops 😬 the balcony and noticed the wire under the floor mat by the door

 

This is the 6 ft. USB 3.0 extension cord, another 6 ft. will reach the loveseat sofa. 

 

Behind the nightstands, next to the bed - possible use for CPAP users with the correct power adapter - I highly suggest & recommend talking to the Access Desk about one's health needs to safely plug in an approved device, electrical & fire safety first ... never use uncertified or approved power strips not intended for marine vessels.

 

 

[mking8288]

QE's Starlink has been good, very good to excellent, beyond expectations esp. against NCL.  This is peak time now, dinner services and I think it's marginally slower 😁😁😁 hahaha 

 

 

 

NCL Prima's Starlink on this April-May T.A. crossing, NY to Southampton, UK  (below)😳🙄😤

 

 

Edited September 8 by mking8288

[mking8288]

 

 

 

Free Port shuttle bus services by Cunard - 

NCL probably none or $15, for your convenience, of course 🫢

[mking8288]

Beautiful evening at sea with sunset coming up 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's showtime, party time, dinner time, and gala evening. 

 

 

@Sugar Magnolia looks like your posse are coming

 

@cruiseny4life I can see one or both of you with the kilt.

Edited September 8 by mking8288