Southampton Super Sunday!

[guernseyguy]

For the first time in a long time (some reckon as far back as the Seamen's strike in 1966) there are 5 liners alongside in Southampton.

 

You can see the relative positions of the ships (delayed by about an hour) here:

 

http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.aspx?Map=Port%20of%20Southampton

 

Of the Webcams, the best is the view from P&O's Oceana of QE2's stern:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/webcams/cruise_oceana.shtml

 

From the Port Webcam only the QM2 is visible as it looks at the Ocean Dock, and the Cruise Ship Terminal is to the west.....

 

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/webcams.htm

 

Its all pretty hazy....perhaps vis will improve through the day.....

 

QE2 here:

 

http://webcam.princess.com/webcam/QE_bridge.jpg

 

QM2 here - but as she's nearest sea can't see a lot:

 

http://www.cunard.com/bridgecam/qm2_cam1.asp

 

Peter

[guernseyguy]

Passing Saga Rose & Ruby, then QM2.....

[Pincus]

Quite a sight!

 

Thank you.

 

Pincus

[Colin_Cameron]

Regards, Colin.

[wotec]

What a morning for us on the East Coast of the US as we watched the various live webcams for QE2's sailaway. We were on the first half of QE2's World Cruise and felt teary as she sailed out of Southampton. What a soul this beautiful ocean liner has! Thanks to all who posted these great links. Any link for Bremerhaven where we might watch QE2 sail in? Will continue watching QE2's bow cam - do we know what day and time she will sail into Bremer? Thanks

[guernseyguy]

Well captured Colin - I was in the middle of lunch, so only got one of the QE2.

 

The other sailing times (tho the QE2 was one hour later):

 

12.00pm: Queen Elizabeth 2

5.00pm: Oceana

5.00pm: Saga Rose

6.00pm: Queen Mary 2

6.30pm: Saga Ruby

 

Should be good views from Oceana and QM2....

 

Peter

[deedeegolf]

Passing Saga Rose & Ruby, then QM2.....

 

I'm new at this so I hope it works. I am going to Southampton this summer and it will be my first time in Europe. I was wondering if you could help me out with transportation. We are staying in London for three days ahead of our cruise. How do we get to the port? I can't book through the cruise line because I am going to be teaching arts and crafts and they don't allow that. Any suggestions?:)

[guernseyguy]

I'm new at this so I hope it works. I am going to Southampton this summer and it will be my first time in Europe. I was wondering if you could help me out with transportation. We are staying in London for three days ahead of our cruise. How do we get to the port? I can't book through the cruise line because I am going to be teaching arts and crafts and they don't allow that. Any suggestions?:)

 

Two options - fastest is train (around 1 hour 20 min) ~£25 one way:

 

http://www.thetrainline.com

 

Cheapest is coach (around 2 3/4 hours) with fares ~£14

 

http://www.nationalexpress.com/home/hp.cfm

 

Or even cheaper is 'no frills coach' - from £1:

 

http://www.megabus.com/uk/

 

I've used the latter on another route & found it perfectly fine.....

 

Then which ever you use its 'taxi to the port' ~£7-8 IIRC

 

Peter

[guernseyguy]

Any link for Bremerhaven where we might watch QE2 sail in? Will continue watching QE2's bow cam - do we know what day and time she will sail into Bremer? Thanks

 

I think this is the webcam that covers the Bremerhavn docks, IIRC it was where the NORWAY was laid up - but in the distance:

 

http://www.wsa-bremerhaven.de/webcam/start_nw_zoom_reload60.html

 

You can see the bridge & superstructure of a cruise ship through the haze.

 

Peter

[patwell]

Thanks Colin...nice shots. I was a slug today and overslept!! (US time) When I checked that AIS site you posted Peter QE2 was gone and her bridgecam showed her underway. I'm hopeful I can catch Saga Rose leaving from QM2. Wish I could send some of my South Carolina sunshine over there for the photo takers today. Cheers, Penny

[wotec]

Where is Norway now? I saw her leave Govt Cut in Miami after the explosion. Thanks for the link to Bremer. Will continue to watch

[Paul NH]

Hello all,

 

We were on board QM2 for only 15 minutes or so before an announcement was made that the QE2 would be passing along our starboard side. A mad rush was made by many up the staircases. When we came out on deck, the QE2 was already off the starboard stern, with a fireboat spray ahead of her. The sight was absolutely fantastic! QE2 passed about 50 to 100 yard from the rail and looked great. Both ships began to blow their horns and I literally had chills down my spine as many of the crew lining the QE2 were waving to us on deck of the QM2. This went on for several minutes as she passed by us. It was one of those magical moments that any ocean liner buff dreams or reads about.

 

I must say, the QE2 looked great as she passed by us. However, a woman, who was leaning against the rail just next to us, said she had just disembarked this morning from her and, although she said she had a great time, she also said the QE2 certainly needs the upcoming refurbishment.

 

Paul

[guernseyguy]

Where is Norway now? I saw her leave Govt Cut in Miami after the explosion. Thanks for the link to Bremer. Will continue to watch

 

Norway has reportedly been sold by Star cruises to an un-named buyer - widely assumed to be a scrapper - and was llast heard of off Port Klang Malaysia.

 

Peter

[wotec]

Re: condition of QE2: We were on QE2 NY - Hong Kong this World Cruise and thought she looked great - except for the problem with the glass in The Lido - QE2 has gone through several refits in recent years and the problem with that cloudy glass continues. We visited friends in a number of staterooms, in a variety of categories, all have been recarpeted and many had new window treatments. All in all QE2 looks good. In the common areas there is much new carpet and upholstery. All replacements of same fabrics. Funny too us that the same fabric combinations were used because it's a decorator's nightmare. Whoever came up with these color schemes to begin with,,,may they rest in peace,,,but the rest of us have to live with these odd combinations of green and maroon, maroon and grey etc. But, that is the uniqueness of QE2 and we love her in spite of herself! The funnel bar is much more useful and enjoyable. Yes, there is some peeling paint but nothing dreadful. And, she's on her way to refit.

[wotec]

Re: Tender Moments on QE2 - Thank you Paul for sharing your sailaway experience with us at home wishing we were on one of The Queens. My best moment on QE2 was the end of the 2004 World Cruise, Southampton to NY. A rough Bay of Biscay up to S'hampton and a rougher crossing, two lengthy Force 9 storms across the Atlantic. Cunard lovers will recall we sailed into NY that crisp April morning, Cruise Hostess Elaine McKay on the Bridge with the much loved Capt. Ian McNaught at the helm. Elaine narrated as we cruised up the river. Capt McNaught added, with his typical good humour, we would all recognize Queen Mary 2 as she would be the ship with the "short stubby funnel"! Elaine's voice cracked with emotion as she recalled ocean liner history. Soon we pulled into the berth next to Queen Mary 2 who had passed through the same storms a few days ahead of her regal (AND FASTER) older sister. The whistles sounded and were exchanged between these two great ocean liners. We were standing on Boat Deck, just below the Port Bridge Wing and watched as Capt McNaught and Commodore Warrick exchanged personal salutes. It was a morning I will never forget. We love sailing with Capt. Nick Bates and hold him in high regard. We were shocked when Princess sent Capt. McNaught over to Princess after the end of 2005 World Cruise's. He is returning to QE2 the end of 2006 to QE2 (for an unknown time) and we hope it will be the beginning of many good things for him. Will be interesting to see who will have the honor of being first capt of Queen Victoria - a Cunard man or a Princess man. While we hope it will be a Cunard captain, as it should be, we wouldn't be surprised if Princess gives the honor to "one of their own". Any comments or news on that subject?

[guernseyguy]

Some more blurry pics from the bridge cams:

[patwell]

Thanks for the Saga Sisters Peter. I managed to capture the first ones but was too late to get the one from Oceana with both Sisters at the pier. Super! I was so focused on QM2's webcam that the minute I saw Oceana pass by I realized I'd goofed! Cheers, Penny

[LunchCompanion]

I cant wait to get to Southampton, now that I have seen all these pix.

Thanks.

[patwell]

Peter...on that Bremerhaven site you posted...I wonder if that cruise ship superstructure you see in the background might be Star Princess undergoing her fire repairs? I'll have to look tomorrow and see if it's clearer. Steve was very interested to see it as Bremerhaven is where half of his family came from. Cheers, Penny

[guernseyguy]

Peter...on that Bremerhaven site you posted...I wonder if that cruise ship superstructure you see in the background might be Star Princess undergoing her fire repairs?

 

That was my suspiion - she's in Bremerhaven for repairs.

 

Peter

[guernseyguy]

I guess QE2 will reach Bremerhaven tomorrow - we'll be able to see her here:

 

http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.aspx?Map=Bremerhaven

 

In the meantime she's off the Belgian coast around Zeebrugge:

 

http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.aspx?map=Dutch%20Coast%20South

 

Meanwhile, the other ships are all heading West down the Channel:

 

http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.aspx?map=UK%20South%20Coast

 

Peter

[guernseyguy]

The QE2 is now (0700 GMT) in the German Bight, approaching Bremerhaven:

 

http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.aspx?Map=German%20Bight

 

Peter

[guernseyguy]

...in Bremerhaven:

[travel-to-go]

WHOa-a-a-, Nellie!

Karie,

Who does NOT want to go to work this morning!

[cunardqueen]

Anybody have info on what is being done to this gracefull lady during this refit?

cheers

Myles