Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Day 4 crossing
Today we are on our final leg of our QM2 transatlantic crossing and currently 900 miles from Southampton, with two nights to go before we dock at 06:30 on Thursday morning. Our speed is around 21 knots therefore our average daily distance traveled is around 500 miles, however, as we reach the coast we will slow to pick up the pilot and reduce our speed to enter the English Channel. Last night at 7pm, we were invited along with our US table companions, Ben and Molly, to be witnesses at the renewing of vows for the other English table guests, Jennifer and David. The couple have been married for 30 years and thought this would be a nice way to mark their anniversary crossing the Atlantic. It was a lovely service performed by the Captain and once the vows were exchanged, we made our way the to Commodore bar for Champagne, cake cutting and more pictures. After this we all made our way to dinner within the Britannia club restaurant for another delightful meal. This morning we woke to rain, cloudy skies and the gentle swaying of the boat as we push our way through the seas. Our TV says that conditions are rough with seven foot waves, but have to say that on board we feel no pain. Over the last 5 days we have lost an hour every night to bring us onto GMT time, so tonight will be our last time change before we arrive, definitely beats jet lag flying back. Today we will pass the time by having a leisurely breakfast and if possible walk a mile round the promenade deck. Over the last few days we have gone to the pictures to watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters Avatar and Sherlock Holmes ,so today we will more than likely go and see “Its Complicated” at 1pm starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin and Rita Wilson. Tonight at 10:30pm, we have a another show in the Royal Court Theatre performed by the The Royal Cunard Singers & Dancers who will present their show called Nations United. If we feel like it, we may go for a dance in the Queens Ballroom before retiring to bed leaving one last full day before we set foot on dry land for our long drive back home. It was a great trip with lots of fun, As this will be our last Blog on this trip, we would like to thank all our table companions on the Grand Princess and the QM2 for making this trip so enjoyable, we look forward to meeting you all again sometime, somewhere on a ship sailing the high seas. Bon Voyage and thank you, Douglas & Carol.
Friday, 16 April 2010
On our way home
16th April, QM2 is now on her way across the Atlantic, destination Southampton where we arrive on the 22nd. Prior to our departure, the captain announced that passengers should make sure nothing could fall off tables etc in their staterooms just in case we meet heavy seas. Last night was and elegant casual night, the next five are formal and one elegant casual prior to us reaching Southampton. We met our new table guests who joined in New York, two from the US and two from England. We had a pleasant evening with them and believe the next 6 days will be quite enjoyable. We retired to bed around 11pm last night as we were tired from our day out in the Big Apple. We left the ship at 07:10am returning at 4pm. Needless to say we slept like babies. The first thing we noticed on opening our eyes, was how calm it was, with a bit of luck maybe it will stay that way, but maybe we are hoping for too much. Currently our position is 40 degrees 41.07 N and 066 degrees 24.78 W. This places us just of the coast of Nova Scotia at a speed of 22.9 knots.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Hi From New York
Just received an email from Jenna. We are sitting in a Deli/Cafe on 42nd Street. Just checked out
our house and Fun World. Very busy at work, surprising, as it looks such a good day back home.
Having a ball, about to go on a sight-seeing bus, then a quick trip to Macy's then Lunch. Return to
ship at 4pm then sail for six days back to Southampton
our house and Fun World. Very busy at work, surprising, as it looks such a good day back home.
Having a ball, about to go on a sight-seeing bus, then a quick trip to Macy's then Lunch. Return to
ship at 4pm then sail for six days back to Southampton
Monday, 12 April 2010
All aboard the QM2
Today we boarded the QM2, what a ship, no sorry, we are told she is not a cruise ship but a transatlantic liner. She is massive and also stunning, no idea how we will find our way round, as it is so confusing. I think we were told that she has two theatres and 10 dining areas to choose so i guess we will not go hungry. Our stateroom is well appointed as you will see from our pictures, next stop New York.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Monsters Assistant
Before we left Carol was called back onto the stage to demonstrate how they make animals move, they have an operator wearing sensors on their body and the thing copies their movements. As Carol moved her arms and head it also moved hers. after it was finished she went over to the side of the stage to speak with the presenters when the thing came bursting accross the stage to a bigger squeal than the knife trick. All in all a great day but she will always make me take her to the back of the audience in future, all my fault!
Carols Worst Nightmare
Yesterday was Carol's worst nightmare, not one for the limelight, we sat in a theatre with hundreds of other people and unlucky for her they picked her to demonstrate how they cut someones arm off on the movies. She was mortified but what a great scream, she brought the house down.
Miami
We arrived at our hotel (Doubletree South Beach) directly from the ship on Friday morning along with another 20 + passengers. Getting through customs was a bit of a mess just because the ship dumped 3000 passengers all at once at the port. Customs coped, however, trying to identify your cases and get out of the terminal was a joke. We were told to make our way outside and meet our private coach/minibus to pick us up at 9 am. By the time we had cleared the terminal it was 09:45 and the coach was leaving as I searched for it. Luckily one of our fellow passengers spotted me and asked the driver to stop and she would run back and get us. We were lucky unlike two others who missed the connection and would have to book a taxi for the 45 minute run into Miami. We are here for 3 days so we decided to go to Orlando and visit Universal Studios which required us to rent a car and drive 250 miles there and back. The roads were fine and we made sure we had SatNav which made the journey much easier. Avis gave us a brand new VW Jetta with only 3000 miles on the clock, nice car to drive. Once on the freeway we could get the car up to 73 (limit is 70) and turn cruise contol on and we were on our way. On our return to Miami we left Orlando at 7pm, this meant we would be driving back in the dark for about 3 hours as sundown was around 7:30 pm. We had travelled about 175 miles when I noticed a police car chasing me from one of the exits that we passed, yes I was being pulled by a State Trooper. Carol and I sat in the car for ages as the back of our car was lit up with search lights. I did not want to get out in case he thought I had a gun, and I guess he did not want to approach our car. Eventually he did, lighting up Carol's side window with his torch. In my best Scottish accent i asked what is the problem officer to hear him say that i had no lights on the back of the car. The running lights do not illuminate the rear, only the front headlights, so we had no way of knowing. In our car back home, the rear and front always work but not in the Jetta. Luckily for us he was a good guy helped us to turn the lights on and went on our way safely arriving at our hotel around 11pm. This morning we returned the car to Avis and are now about to go for a walk along Miami Beach to try and shed some pounds. There is some bodies out side posing along the boardwalk, Carol and I are going to get our in-line skates and join the fitness trail for about 10 miles by then we should be able to get into our clothes for the QM2.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Grand Turk
Last Port of Call
Grand Turk & Caicos
Population 3,700
size 7 miles x 1.5 miles wide
Language English
The island was captured briefly by the French & Spanish in 1706 then captured by the British, This provoked an attack in 1753 and France reclaimed the Islands from 1753 to 1783 in 1799 the Islands became part of the Bahamas and self governed until the islands were annexed to Jamaica until 1962. Finally in 1973 they were linked to the Bahamas and became a Crown Colony of Great Britain.
The beaches as you can see from the pictures are absolutely stunning, it is a mecca for cruise ships offloading 5000 – 6000 passengers onto their beaches daily. Lots of specialist shops selling the usual things, booze, diamonds, watches, towels teeshirts etc.,at much higher prices than elsewhere.
Next stop Fort Lauderdale
Grand Turk & Caicos
Population 3,700
size 7 miles x 1.5 miles wide
Language English
The island was captured briefly by the French & Spanish in 1706 then captured by the British, This provoked an attack in 1753 and France reclaimed the Islands from 1753 to 1783 in 1799 the Islands became part of the Bahamas and self governed until the islands were annexed to Jamaica until 1962. Finally in 1973 they were linked to the Bahamas and became a Crown Colony of Great Britain.
The beaches as you can see from the pictures are absolutely stunning, it is a mecca for cruise ships offloading 5000 – 6000 passengers onto their beaches daily. Lots of specialist shops selling the usual things, booze, diamonds, watches, towels teeshirts etc.,at much higher prices than elsewhere.
Next stop Fort Lauderdale
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
US Virgin Island
St Thomas
On Monday we arrived in St Thomas which is part of the US Virgin Islands. We visted the island in 2004 on a British ship and once again saw significant changes. Tortola (the British Island) is very close with a ferry running between both islands on a daily basis.
In our opinion the US side is the most spectacular, more like Monte Carlo with the biggest mega yachts around, berthed side by side.
Waiting on the pier were an abundance of open top taxis, waiting to whisk passengers into town or beaches. We decided to walk along the water front boardwalk, with speciality shops selling diamonds, expensive clothing and handbags. Every now and then there would be cafe/bars where you could just sit and watch the world go by. All along the boardwalk music played and on both sides of the path lawns were manicured to perfection.
After 25 minutes we reached the shops and decided to go to the beach and then come back to town later. The taxi took us to Magens beach and what a beach it was, beautiful white sands with palm trees gently slopping towards the sea. The water was warm and inviting so needless to say we spent a very nice few hours soaking up the sun with the gentle breeze, only to find out that we were sun burned when we returned, how stupid were we.
History & Culture. The Virgin Islands lured more foreign nations than any other territory. The island dates back to 1500 BC and evidence of people living here 1,000 years earlier.
During the first World War, America bought the Virgin Islands for 25 million dollars in gold. The Capital is Charlotte Amalie and the size of the island is 32 square miles. Population is around 56,000 and the language is English.
On Monday we arrived in St Thomas which is part of the US Virgin Islands. We visted the island in 2004 on a British ship and once again saw significant changes. Tortola (the British Island) is very close with a ferry running between both islands on a daily basis.
In our opinion the US side is the most spectacular, more like Monte Carlo with the biggest mega yachts around, berthed side by side.
Waiting on the pier were an abundance of open top taxis, waiting to whisk passengers into town or beaches. We decided to walk along the water front boardwalk, with speciality shops selling diamonds, expensive clothing and handbags. Every now and then there would be cafe/bars where you could just sit and watch the world go by. All along the boardwalk music played and on both sides of the path lawns were manicured to perfection.
After 25 minutes we reached the shops and decided to go to the beach and then come back to town later. The taxi took us to Magens beach and what a beach it was, beautiful white sands with palm trees gently slopping towards the sea. The water was warm and inviting so needless to say we spent a very nice few hours soaking up the sun with the gentle breeze, only to find out that we were sun burned when we returned, how stupid were we.
History & Culture. The Virgin Islands lured more foreign nations than any other territory. The island dates back to 1500 BC and evidence of people living here 1,000 years earlier.
During the first World War, America bought the Virgin Islands for 25 million dollars in gold. The Capital is Charlotte Amalie and the size of the island is 32 square miles. Population is around 56,000 and the language is English.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
St. Kitts
Island of St Kitts
Today we are in St. Kitts a beautiful island, and with its exotic landscape, is more common to Polynesia than the Caribbean. Along with it's neighbouring island, Nevis, the Spanish, French, and British fought over both islands from the 17 century with the English the eventual custodians.
The island only measures 65 square miles and has a population of 40,700 with the main language English.
Today the buildings are a mixture of typical French and English, mixed with modern day Caribbean houses with the brightly coloured tin roofs. Temperature is 30 degrees with a constant Easterly breeze across the decks. This breeze is evident in all the islands enabling people to have open windows and doors allowing the Caribbean breeze to blow through their houses keeping everyone cool.
The last time we were here was after a major hurricane which we believe was around 2000. At that time the island was starting to put itself back together after the devastation. What a difference today, As soon as we stepped off the pier we were standing in a multicoloured street with a myriad of shops selling all sorts of products.
Today we are in St. Kitts a beautiful island, and with its exotic landscape, is more common to Polynesia than the Caribbean. Along with it's neighbouring island, Nevis, the Spanish, French, and British fought over both islands from the 17 century with the English the eventual custodians.
The island only measures 65 square miles and has a population of 40,700 with the main language English.
Today the buildings are a mixture of typical French and English, mixed with modern day Caribbean houses with the brightly coloured tin roofs. Temperature is 30 degrees with a constant Easterly breeze across the decks. This breeze is evident in all the islands enabling people to have open windows and doors allowing the Caribbean breeze to blow through their houses keeping everyone cool.
The last time we were here was after a major hurricane which we believe was around 2000. At that time the island was starting to put itself back together after the devastation. What a difference today, As soon as we stepped off the pier we were standing in a multicoloured street with a myriad of shops selling all sorts of products.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
St Vinccent & The Grenadines Islands
Woke this morning to find the ship lying in a horseshoe bay with St Vincent and the mountains directly behind us. France and Britian fought over the Island during the 18th century where Britain gained control.
The island is very small with the Island of Mustique close by, where Richard Branson has a house and the late Princess Margaret used to visit regularly. This was the Island that Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed. The enclosed picture is taken at the location which was all left in place as a tourist attraction by Disney.
We spent about three hours with another 8 people in a minibus being driven up single track mountain roads with drops in excess of a 1000ft and no barriers. Now and again you could see the burnt out wreckage of cars and mini buses at the bottom of a ravine, very comforting.
The temperature was about 91 degrees and the humidity was so high that we were soaking wet by the time we arrived back. Tourism is only starting in this part of the world and they badly need dollars as the living conditions are very poor indeed.
Next port of call is St Kitts.
Friday, 2 April 2010
The lad from Forfar
We have had some wonderful entertainment but the best so far was a young piano player called Kyle Esplin. He was introduced as someone very special, aged only 28, but has played at Jerry Lewis 's birthday party held at his home in Memphis, not just once, but three times.
He came bounding onto the stage all energy and played jazz numbers from the 30 s right through to todays hits. The speed of his fingers was unbelievable as everyone just sat in awe of this young mans talent.
During his show he told us a little about himself, born in Scotland, which came as a complete surprise. Spends 11 months overseas touring and when he returns to Scotland heads home to FORFAR yes FORFAR, where does a lad from such a small town learn this kind of music, beggers belief. He plays by ear and says that no show is the same, hows that for honesty.
He came bounding onto the stage all energy and played jazz numbers from the 30 s right through to todays hits. The speed of his fingers was unbelievable as everyone just sat in awe of this young mans talent.
During his show he told us a little about himself, born in Scotland, which came as a complete surprise. Spends 11 months overseas touring and when he returns to Scotland heads home to FORFAR yes FORFAR, where does a lad from such a small town learn this kind of music, beggers belief. He plays by ear and says that no show is the same, hows that for honesty.
Barbados
08:00hrs we arrived in Barbados one of our favorite locations to call into, On opening our curtains and stepping out onto our Balcony was another cruise ship “Braemar” Today we plan to do no sightseeing and just pick up a taxi and drive to a beach for a few hours. The ship departs at 5pm so we have to be on board by 4:30pm Temperature to day is 27c 80f whilst yesterday was 31 just too hot.
We left the ship around 11am and caught a taxi who drove us to Paynes Bay, close to Sandy Lane where we spent 3 hours swimming, sunbathing and drinking cold beer. Yes i know it is a hard life for the tourism industry so somebody has to keep them employed. At 2pm our taxi collected us and brought us back to the ship.
We left the ship around 11am and caught a taxi who drove us to Paynes Bay, close to Sandy Lane where we spent 3 hours swimming, sunbathing and drinking cold beer. Yes i know it is a hard life for the tourism industry so somebody has to keep them employed. At 2pm our taxi collected us and brought us back to the ship.
Trinidad April 1st 2010
Yesterday we arrived in Trinidad and our dock was located in the Capital, the Port of Spain. Trinidad is 37 miles wide by 50 miles long where as Tobago is only 27miles long by 7.5 miles wide. We are told that 600,000 people live around the greater port area and over 1.3 million through out the island.
We hated this port call as the city was very run down and dirty with lots of people just sitting about street corners and benches, very intimidating. The quality of the shops was very poor so after half hour we went back on board to our little sanctuary.
We were never in any danger as the local tourist officials were out in mass force, every few hundred meters you could see them sitting with the bright red shirts, guiding us to the next group all the way until we reached the town. This morning we met a couple on a organised bus trip, they told us that as they were being driven through the town some kids banged on the bus. The driver stopped and ran down the road caught one and punched him out. Seemingly the German guide on board to escort the passengers face was a picture.<
Goodbye Trinidad and hello Barbados.
We hated this port call as the city was very run down and dirty with lots of people just sitting about street corners and benches, very intimidating. The quality of the shops was very poor so after half hour we went back on board to our little sanctuary.
We were never in any danger as the local tourist officials were out in mass force, every few hundred meters you could see them sitting with the bright red shirts, guiding us to the next group all the way until we reached the town. This morning we met a couple on a organised bus trip, they told us that as they were being driven through the town some kids banged on the bus. The driver stopped and ran down the road caught one and punched him out. Seemingly the German guide on board to escort the passengers face was a picture.<
Goodbye Trinidad and hello Barbados.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Arrived in Curacao
The Island of Curacao, is the largest of the Dutch Antilles measuring 38 miles by 7.5 miles and has a population of 170,000. The main language is Dutch and the capital is Willemstad.
The islands are only 40 miles from Venezuela and the Anthropologists speculate that the fierce cannibalistic Carib Indians had forced the Caiquetios to paddle for their lives and landed in Curacao. The first Europeans discovered the Islands in 1499 on a voyage from Spain. In 1634 the Dutch West India Company claimed Curacao without striking a single blow and the Island prospered under Dutch rule until 1915. Today it hosts one of the worlds largest oil refineries run by Royal Dutch/Shell.
The islands are only 40 miles from Venezuela and the Anthropologists speculate that the fierce cannibalistic Carib Indians had forced the Caiquetios to paddle for their lives and landed in Curacao. The first Europeans discovered the Islands in 1499 on a voyage from Spain. In 1634 the Dutch West India Company claimed Curacao without striking a single blow and the Island prospered under Dutch rule until 1915. Today it hosts one of the worlds largest oil refineries run by Royal Dutch/Shell.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Aruba facts
Aruba is part of the Dutch Antillies, where different languages are spoken, English, Spanish Dutch and their own local dialect Papiamento, combination of Dutch, Emglish, African, Portugese, Spanish and Indian words.
The size of the Island is 74 Square miles.
The size of the Island is 74 Square miles.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Arrived in Miami
Well we arrived safe and well in Miami around 7:30 pm which was around 3:30am in the UK. Passport control took about 45 minutes and then we went to collect our cases. Fantastic all delivered and sitting waiting for us to pick them up. We were collected by a driver and taken to the hotel which looked fantastic from the outside and even better from the inside. Our room is on the 26th floor and the enclosed picture is taken from our balcony.
We are being collected at 1pm for a 40 minute ride to Fort Lauderdale where join the Grand Princess.
We are being collected at 1pm for a 40 minute ride to Fort Lauderdale where join the Grand Princess.
London Heathrow
Just our luck, we were ushered into a line at security control which just stops, somehow they got a case stuck inside the scanner. 8 people tried to solve the problem without success but after 10 minutes some bright spark had a brain wave, crawl into the machine and pull the offending article out. Clearly this lad is destined for higher management.
Terminal 5 looks pretty calm with no major delays showing anywhere on their departure boards so that is a good sign.
If all goes well the last hurdle will be arriving in the USA and waiting with baited breath to see if our cases have made the same flight. If not, this would really screw up our plans as we have less than 24 hours to board the ship and would mean that for a fortnight we would be dining in bathing costumes.
But lets be positive, it will be all right on the night, next stop Miami.
Terminal 5 looks pretty calm with no major delays showing anywhere on their departure boards so that is a good sign.
If all goes well the last hurdle will be arriving in the USA and waiting with baited breath to see if our cases have made the same flight. If not, this would really screw up our plans as we have less than 24 hours to board the ship and would mean that for a fortnight we would be dining in bathing costumes.
But lets be positive, it will be all right on the night, next stop Miami.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
On our way to London
The time is now 22:30 and we have just arrived at the Hilton hotel in Warwick after a six and half hour drive. When we left the weather was dry and fine, but within two hours this had changed to rain making the drive very sore on the eyes.
Traffic was not too bad although there was many road works which i am sure will make the return journey difficult. Tomorrow morning after breakfast we have only 110 miles until we reach Southampton, so this should only take a couple of hours. If all goes well, once we drop the car off, our taxi driver should be waiting to take us to Heathrow where we will stay overnight for our departure the following day for Miami.
Traffic was not too bad although there was many road works which i am sure will make the return journey difficult. Tomorrow morning after breakfast we have only 110 miles until we reach Southampton, so this should only take a couple of hours. If all goes well, once we drop the car off, our taxi driver should be waiting to take us to Heathrow where we will stay overnight for our departure the following day for Miami.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Nearly time to leave the UK
Saturday the 19th BA are now on strike and hopefully we will mange to fly out to Miami on Thursday, only time will tell.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Queen Mary 2 Ports of Call
12th of April Fort Lauderdale
13th of April at Sea
14th of April at Sea
15th of April New York
16th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
17th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
18th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
19th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
20th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
21st of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
22nd of April arrive at Southampton England
13th of April at Sea
14th of April at Sea
15th of April New York
16th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
17th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
18th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
19th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
20th of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
21st of April at Sea crossing Atlantic
22nd of April arrive at Southampton England
Grand Princess Ports of Call
26th March Fort Lauderdale
27th March At Sea
28th March at Sea
29th March Aruba
30th March Curacao
31st March at Sea
1st April Port of Spain
2nd April Barbados
3rd April St Vincent
4th April St Kitts
5th April St Thomas
6th April Santo Domingo
7th April Grand Turk
8th April at Sea
9th April Fort Lauderdale
9th April transfer to hotle in Miami
10th April at Hotel
11th April at Hotel
12 April Transfer to Queen Mary 2nd
27th March At Sea
28th March at Sea
29th March Aruba
30th March Curacao
31st March at Sea
1st April Port of Spain
2nd April Barbados
3rd April St Vincent
4th April St Kitts
5th April St Thomas
6th April Santo Domingo
7th April Grand Turk
8th April at Sea
9th April Fort Lauderdale
9th April transfer to hotle in Miami
10th April at Hotel
11th April at Hotel
12 April Transfer to Queen Mary 2nd
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Tickets Arrived
Time is marching on and it will not be long until we depart the UK for our two ship cruise. Flying from Heathrow direct to Miami, we start a voyage of discovery with two ships which will allow us to compare the difference between P&O and Princess and Cunard.
We join the Grand Princess in Fort Lauderdale for a two week cruise around the Caribbean , returning to Miami for three days and then join the Queen Mary 2 for her return leg of their World Cruise.
We join the Grand Princess in Fort Lauderdale for a two week cruise around the Caribbean , returning to Miami for three days and then join the Queen Mary 2 for her return leg of their World Cruise.
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