I edited my video down to about 7 minutes capturing the events of the trip and the changing weather conditions. Apologies for the shaky video in the first section. The camera seems to have a problem when zoomed in and it is windy outside. You can view it here:
http://youtu.be/lGa5bR79LJc
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Saturday
Disembarkation at Brooklyn was a bit of a nightmare. I was in the second to last group scheduled to leave at 1010. We waited in the Queens room and by 1045 we were still there. We were told immigration was slow. I was off the ship and through immigration just before noon. And then the traffic chaos that is the Brooklyn cruise terminal kicked in. So many cars and no where for them to go, the car I had ordered had long left so I checked out the taxi line. It was looping back and forth at least four times and without any taxis able to get in, it would be a multi hour wait. I called the car company back and they were able to send another car which I cut off before he got too close to the terminal and needed an extra 30 mins to get out. Another reason to consider smaller ships in smaller ports. I hadn't experienced this in the last two crossings. I feel bad for the people staying on the ship for the trip back and planned a day in NYC. If they got 3 hours in the city they would be lucky.
Friday evening I went to a concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The music was a bit to modern/abstract for me but the musicianship was great. Best part is the stunning view from the Appel room overlooking Columbus Circle. What a spot!
Saturday
Went for a jog in Central Park, something I've always wanted to do. It was a beautiful day, and I certainly wasn't the only one out. In fact there are running lanes in the roads it is so popular.
Now at LGA waiting for flight home. So that's it for this year. I may post pictures and videos later.
Friday evening I went to a concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The music was a bit to modern/abstract for me but the musicianship was great. Best part is the stunning view from the Appel room overlooking Columbus Circle. What a spot!
Saturday
Went for a jog in Central Park, something I've always wanted to do. It was a beautiful day, and I certainly wasn't the only one out. In fact there are running lanes in the roads it is so popular.
Now at LGA waiting for flight home. So that's it for this year. I may post pictures and videos later.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Last day
Well I didn't expect to get a sunburn but that's what happened yesterday. It was warm and I spent too much time in the sun. I look a little foolish today. It was just too nice to go inside (or put on sun screen for that matter!)
The sun decks were full and everyone was enjoying it. If it had been like that the entire crossing it would have been great. I watched a school (pod?) of dolphins swim by the ship. There must have been 10 or so, jumping together. I kept watch for a while longer but no more appeared. There were reports of whales too but I didn't see any.
Friday
Set the alarm for 415 am to get on deck and watch the arrival in to ny. There were light showers but nothing serious. It was foggy though, so the vzn bridge wasn't visible until we were close to it. I've seen videos of qm2 going under the bridge but it really does look like a close call when seeing it in person.
We swung round and got a nice view of the Statue of Liberty and then maneuvered into place in Brooklyn. I went back to bed for an hour and then got up, had breakfast and packed the rest of my things.
The sun decks were full and everyone was enjoying it. If it had been like that the entire crossing it would have been great. I watched a school (pod?) of dolphins swim by the ship. There must have been 10 or so, jumping together. I kept watch for a while longer but no more appeared. There were reports of whales too but I didn't see any.
Friday
Set the alarm for 415 am to get on deck and watch the arrival in to ny. There were light showers but nothing serious. It was foggy though, so the vzn bridge wasn't visible until we were close to it. I've seen videos of qm2 going under the bridge but it really does look like a close call when seeing it in person.
We swung round and got a nice view of the Statue of Liberty and then maneuvered into place in Brooklyn. I went back to bed for an hour and then got up, had breakfast and packed the rest of my things.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Thursday
When I was looking at which cruise I would take this year, the two negatives that I could think of for this one were :
1. Too short. Last two years I had taken 10 night itineraries and found it to be a good duration. A week can be short and it has indeed flown by. I could use a couple more days but this length is fine, especially with a night in NYC.
2. Too cold. The last two years I have experienced wonderfully warm days at sea and it is very nice. I had breakfast outside and could lie out in the sun during the day. This year has been very cold, much colder than my first crossing on qm2 . Weather is always a "luck of the draw" thing but I think this is fairly typical for this route, in this time of year. The sun came out yesterday and that made it nice enough to sit out...in my warm coat. I have no regrets but I have a feeling that if I do another crossing next year, it will be a warmer route.
Yesterday was the keynote lecture by Stephen Payne, the designer of this ship. He was really good, telling the story of how he wanted to design ships since he was a young boy and almost did not get into the field because passenger ships were in decline. He not only designed this ship , but also the seaboard Quest series. He is immensely proud of this ship, as he should be.
The sun came out and the wind died down a little Wednesday afternoon and everyone was dying to get out. The promenade was packed and people were even out playing shuffleboard, despite the cold temperatures. I walked many laps and went to the top sun decks taking photos. We also saw a few cargo ships, a sign we are getting into busier waters.
Thursday
Another sign is the baggage tags that were delivered to my room. Don't want to think about packing.
Seas are calm this morning and the wind is down too. It is pleasant enough that the crew has out the cushions out for the deck chairs. It's not really warm but it feels much better than other days. The promenade deck is too busy to jog, perhaps later afternoon.
By noon the skies had cleared and the temperature rocketed to 20. I lied out by the pool for a couple of hours enjoying it. What a gorgeous day. I will be outside for the rest of the day I'm sure.
1. Too short. Last two years I had taken 10 night itineraries and found it to be a good duration. A week can be short and it has indeed flown by. I could use a couple more days but this length is fine, especially with a night in NYC.
2. Too cold. The last two years I have experienced wonderfully warm days at sea and it is very nice. I had breakfast outside and could lie out in the sun during the day. This year has been very cold, much colder than my first crossing on qm2 . Weather is always a "luck of the draw" thing but I think this is fairly typical for this route, in this time of year. The sun came out yesterday and that made it nice enough to sit out...in my warm coat. I have no regrets but I have a feeling that if I do another crossing next year, it will be a warmer route.
Yesterday was the keynote lecture by Stephen Payne, the designer of this ship. He was really good, telling the story of how he wanted to design ships since he was a young boy and almost did not get into the field because passenger ships were in decline. He not only designed this ship , but also the seaboard Quest series. He is immensely proud of this ship, as he should be.
The sun came out and the wind died down a little Wednesday afternoon and everyone was dying to get out. The promenade was packed and people were even out playing shuffleboard, despite the cold temperatures. I walked many laps and went to the top sun decks taking photos. We also saw a few cargo ships, a sign we are getting into busier waters.
Thursday
Another sign is the baggage tags that were delivered to my room. Don't want to think about packing.
Seas are calm this morning and the wind is down too. It is pleasant enough that the crew has out the cushions out for the deck chairs. It's not really warm but it feels much better than other days. The promenade deck is too busy to jog, perhaps later afternoon.
By noon the skies had cleared and the temperature rocketed to 20. I lied out by the pool for a couple of hours enjoying it. What a gorgeous day. I will be outside for the rest of the day I'm sure.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Wednesday
It got colder as the day went on with lots of mist and spray. I went for a jog after lunch and the promenade was not too busy. Nice weather for jogging though. I went for 30 mins and then went to the gym to cool down and stretch. A quick rinse and then I did use the outdoor hottub as it was actually hot...well, warm anyway. I had it to myself and was able to enjoy the expansive ocean views.
I watched part of a movie I downloaded on my iPad and then got ready for dinner, another informal night. I went to the chart room fora drink and talked to a fun couple from Leicester. I've found that I've met one or two people every time I sit down at a bar. It's been fun. Before long it as time for dinner. They were dining in the Princess grill after they got upgraded. They thought food was as good in brittania, the main dining room where I am. As I said earlier, I have found the food to be better than my other crossing. No complaints.
I went to the show and then listened to the jazz trio again. They are really good. I went for a short walk on deck after midnight, it was very peaceful and not too windy.
Wednesday
The weather on the other hand, was much better on my 2011 crossing. Clearly, that crossing was exceptional. Today the temperature has dropped further to 7. Yikes! Wind is up and the seas are moderate . I am writing this from the indoor pool area on deck 12. When the sun does come out we get the greenhouse effect and it is actually warm. As I look around, there must be a dozen people sleeping. Nice and warm with some gentle rocking , sleep seems to come easy.
Unfortunately the days are numbered now as we get closer to New York . Here are a few more photos from yesterday.
I watched part of a movie I downloaded on my iPad and then got ready for dinner, another informal night. I went to the chart room fora drink and talked to a fun couple from Leicester. I've found that I've met one or two people every time I sit down at a bar. It's been fun. Before long it as time for dinner. They were dining in the Princess grill after they got upgraded. They thought food was as good in brittania, the main dining room where I am. As I said earlier, I have found the food to be better than my other crossing. No complaints.
I went to the show and then listened to the jazz trio again. They are really good. I went for a short walk on deck after midnight, it was very peaceful and not too windy.
Wednesday
The weather on the other hand, was much better on my 2011 crossing. Clearly, that crossing was exceptional. Today the temperature has dropped further to 7. Yikes! Wind is up and the seas are moderate . I am writing this from the indoor pool area on deck 12. When the sun does come out we get the greenhouse effect and it is actually warm. As I look around, there must be a dozen people sleeping. Nice and warm with some gentle rocking , sleep seems to come easy.
Unfortunately the days are numbered now as we get closer to New York . Here are a few more photos from yesterday.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Tuesday update
The wind picked up during the day to the point where the promenade deck was closed in the evening.m. I walked three laps around 530 and it was very difficult to walk. On one side there was so much spray that it felt like rain but it wasn't. By the third lap there were very few people out and I went up to the terrace pool on deck 7. There, it is quite sheltered, and the pool and hot tubs were open...though I don't think anyone has been in the this trip, it is too cold. But the sun through a small opening in the clouds and it looked tempting so I went back to my cabin and changed into my swim suit. Back to the pool, I had a find palace to put my shirt so that it wouldn't blow away, I ventured to the hot tub, only to find out, as I walked in, that it was no hotter than the pool. I tried the second one and it was the same. If it had been hot, it would have been amazing but instead I got out and quickly wrapped myself in a towel. I did some applause for my effort from a lady smoking outside in a sheltered spot.
It was a lazy day otherwise as I spent a couple hours reading and relaxing.
There was a magician performing before dinner but I wasn't too impressed. Fairly boring actually. Dinner was good again, and as we were finishing , one of the entertainers onboard, a tenor singer, stood up and sang along with a violinist. People got up from their seats and went over to hear him fill this huge room with his voice. He sang a bit of "oh Danny boy " and the room erupted in cheers and applause when he finished . He has quite a voice, it was a memorable moment.
Tuesday
We had a regular 24 hour day so I slept in to 930, had a quick breakfast and went to a talk by Stephen Payne again, this time about Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Clearly the ship is full of ship geeks as his lectures and full, even in the large theatre. People were sitting in the aisles. He is very good and tomorrow he gives his main talk about designing this ship. I will need to get there early.
Wind is down this morning and seas are calmer, no whitecaps that I can see. It is cloudy though, some sun would be nice.
It was a lazy day otherwise as I spent a couple hours reading and relaxing.
There was a magician performing before dinner but I wasn't too impressed. Fairly boring actually. Dinner was good again, and as we were finishing , one of the entertainers onboard, a tenor singer, stood up and sang along with a violinist. People got up from their seats and went over to hear him fill this huge room with his voice. He sang a bit of "oh Danny boy " and the room erupted in cheers and applause when he finished . He has quite a voice, it was a memorable moment.
Tuesday
We had a regular 24 hour day so I slept in to 930, had a quick breakfast and went to a talk by Stephen Payne again, this time about Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Clearly the ship is full of ship geeks as his lectures and full, even in the large theatre. People were sitting in the aisles. He is very good and tomorrow he gives his main talk about designing this ship. I will need to get there early.
Wind is down this morning and seas are calmer, no whitecaps that I can see. It is cloudy though, some sun would be nice.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Monday update
The seas got smoother as the day went on Sunday to the point that I went for a jog on deck around 5 pm. The wind, however, was still very strong, especially on one side of the ship. It was so strong that my earbuds would not stay in my ears and I had to really lean forward to make any progress. Still it was nice to get some real exercise.
Even some staff members told me they found it to be some of the roughest seas they have felt. The better weather improved the mood on the ship, it was obvious to tell in the bars and restaurant. Speaking of people, I find it to be a much younger crowd than my last time on board. There are a few families with children, and many more in their 30s and 40s. There is lots of activity in the bars for pre and post dinner drinks.
From talking to people a couple of days ago, I found that the colour of your key card equates to your level in the Cunard loyalty program. I had a red striped card which means I am on for the first time. Gasp! The indignity! I went to the purser's desk and had it rectified. I now carry a silver card!
I went to two lectures yesterday, the first by a woman who has been a social hostess on Cunard for 35+ years. She started on the original queen Mary all the way to Queen Mary 2, and many ships in between. She had many interesting stories to tell, and was quite entertaining. The second lecture was given by Stephan Payne, the architect of this ship. He spoke about the Lusitania and Mauritania , two great Cunard liners. Very interesting talk. The Lusitania used to consume 900 tones of coal per day. Compare that to Qm2, at five times the size, consumes about 300 tons of fuel per day. And because it was coal, it would take 6 days to clean it and load it with more coal for a return ride, amazing!
It was the second formal night last night. It was another great meal and we had commemorative menus we could keep. Came back to my room to find a hard cover book about the ship as a gift, a very nice touch.
This morning I woke to calmest seas yet. The wind has died down but still brisk and cold on deck. I hope many of the closed off sections of the ship will be open today.
Even some staff members told me they found it to be some of the roughest seas they have felt. The better weather improved the mood on the ship, it was obvious to tell in the bars and restaurant. Speaking of people, I find it to be a much younger crowd than my last time on board. There are a few families with children, and many more in their 30s and 40s. There is lots of activity in the bars for pre and post dinner drinks.
From talking to people a couple of days ago, I found that the colour of your key card equates to your level in the Cunard loyalty program. I had a red striped card which means I am on for the first time. Gasp! The indignity! I went to the purser's desk and had it rectified. I now carry a silver card!
I went to two lectures yesterday, the first by a woman who has been a social hostess on Cunard for 35+ years. She started on the original queen Mary all the way to Queen Mary 2, and many ships in between. She had many interesting stories to tell, and was quite entertaining. The second lecture was given by Stephan Payne, the architect of this ship. He spoke about the Lusitania and Mauritania , two great Cunard liners. Very interesting talk. The Lusitania used to consume 900 tones of coal per day. Compare that to Qm2, at five times the size, consumes about 300 tons of fuel per day. And because it was coal, it would take 6 days to clean it and load it with more coal for a return ride, amazing!
It was the second formal night last night. It was another great meal and we had commemorative menus we could keep. Came back to my room to find a hard cover book about the ship as a gift, a very nice touch.
This morning I woke to calmest seas yet. The wind has died down but still brisk and cold on deck. I hope many of the closed off sections of the ship will be open today.
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