Friday, 14 January 2011
New York, New York, so cold we turned to ice!
Well, here we were in New York and it was time to go!
Up at 03:30 (well, some of us were) to see the approach to the berth up the Hudson river and what a trip! Everything lit up and as dawn broke the light shone on all the deco towers and between the skyscrapers. Marvellous, even though it was -3
Ashore by 07:15 but not a taxi in sight, so (to compensate for lack of deck access) decided to walk to the Apple Store on 5th Avenue for the exercise! Lovely day, not a cloud in the sky and 30 minutes later we found that the MacBook loved being back in its country of origin and had healed itself inside the Apple store! RESULT - and the girl recommended the best coffee in New York plus a NY cheesecake (cost 5x the coffee)
Thorough exploration of all the shop windows on 5th Avenue and then up The Rock. WOW! now that's some lift to the 69th floor, lit all the way up. The view was just amazing and the snow and light were simply perfect.
At ground level again we wandered through Saks for the fun of it and then across to Grand Central - you can't go to NYC without a look at that! Then across to Times Square via an excellent diner to pick up the bus to QM2. Good old Cunard chaos, but there you go! The stories we have heard already .....
Passed by Ground Zero and across to Brooklyn to the ship. Trouble-free check-in where we met up with Richard & Felicity. Our cabin is larger than that on QV and all our luggage has fitted into the cupboards ('Maybe I have brought a bit too much stuff' unquote)
Nice and sunny today, chugging along at 25 knots with one Rolls Royce turbine down. Cunard have taken the duff one off and will refit a new one in Miami. This will sound familiar to Qantas readers who had a similar problem on an A380. This is the reason for the delay into Miami & Cape Town, as they will need a few days to connect it up.
This ship is more like a 1960s liner and less of a cruise ship, so lots more space but looking a bit dated.
The pianist didn't turn up in the bar last night and our comment of things being a bit chilly up there was met with 'it'll be much warmer in Barbados' - not exactly the right answer to win a STYLE Award!
Ship update once we have found everything (could be some time, then)
Up at 03:30 (well, some of us were) to see the approach to the berth up the Hudson river and what a trip! Everything lit up and as dawn broke the light shone on all the deco towers and between the skyscrapers. Marvellous, even though it was -3
Ashore by 07:15 but not a taxi in sight, so (to compensate for lack of deck access) decided to walk to the Apple Store on 5th Avenue for the exercise! Lovely day, not a cloud in the sky and 30 minutes later we found that the MacBook loved being back in its country of origin and had healed itself inside the Apple store! RESULT - and the girl recommended the best coffee in New York plus a NY cheesecake (cost 5x the coffee)
Thorough exploration of all the shop windows on 5th Avenue and then up The Rock. WOW! now that's some lift to the 69th floor, lit all the way up. The view was just amazing and the snow and light were simply perfect.
At ground level again we wandered through Saks for the fun of it and then across to Grand Central - you can't go to NYC without a look at that! Then across to Times Square via an excellent diner to pick up the bus to QM2. Good old Cunard chaos, but there you go! The stories we have heard already .....
Passed by Ground Zero and across to Brooklyn to the ship. Trouble-free check-in where we met up with Richard & Felicity. Our cabin is larger than that on QV and all our luggage has fitted into the cupboards ('Maybe I have brought a bit too much stuff' unquote)
Nice and sunny today, chugging along at 25 knots with one Rolls Royce turbine down. Cunard have taken the duff one off and will refit a new one in Miami. This will sound familiar to Qantas readers who had a similar problem on an A380. This is the reason for the delay into Miami & Cape Town, as they will need a few days to connect it up.
This ship is more like a 1960s liner and less of a cruise ship, so lots more space but looking a bit dated.
The pianist didn't turn up in the bar last night and our comment of things being a bit chilly up there was met with 'it'll be much warmer in Barbados' - not exactly the right answer to win a STYLE Award!
Ship update once we have found everything (could be some time, then)
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Force 10 from Nova Scotia
You would be amazed how much a 90,000 ton ship is tossed in the ocean! Even after 7 days at sea we needed a breather - but no access to open decks!!
Great time in the Indian buffet as a change from the restaurant
Captain took a more Westerly course yesterday and that was much better, but we have a schedule for arriving in NYC so it's foot-down time today! It's been between F9 and F11 on the nose for the last few days. Noon announcement gave the windspeed as 50-60 knots (glad we are not in a small boat)
Here are a few shots of the trip and next stop Rockefeller Tower (Top of the Rock) and the Apple Store to fix my Iphoto, which has thrown a wobbler.
Had a photo from Richard & Felicity who are already in the States and are enjoying the snow, which is unusual in Perth.
Hope the pictures are here somewhere!
Great time in the Indian buffet as a change from the restaurant
Captain took a more Westerly course yesterday and that was much better, but we have a schedule for arriving in NYC so it's foot-down time today! It's been between F9 and F11 on the nose for the last few days. Noon announcement gave the windspeed as 50-60 knots (glad we are not in a small boat)
Here are a few shots of the trip and next stop Rockefeller Tower (Top of the Rock) and the Apple Store to fix my Iphoto, which has thrown a wobbler.
Had a photo from Richard & Felicity who are already in the States and are enjoying the snow, which is unusual in Perth.
Hope the pictures are here somewhere!
Force 10 from Nova Scotia
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| Short walk on deck - a bit chilly! |
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| Our friendly Coriander waiter |
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| Lovely curries! |
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| Position 12th January |
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| Track so far |
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| P on the Grand Staircase |
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| Even Harrods are on this ship |
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| Retail! |
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| In company with QE & rainbow |
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| Felicity in Central Park already! |
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| More retail! |
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Conspiracy theory
Interesting day at sea today - talks on the conspiracy theory behind the assassination of JFK and a behind-the-scenes look at the ship's operations. Bridge has a holiday!
Fun time at the Show last night and a fascinating chat with an ex-Celebrity Cruises Steward.
Met a couple who are good friends of Buff & Dick and who had been motor racing with John Waterhouse at the time of his accident. What are the chances of that?
Bit of time to explore the ship at Deck 10, lovely Winter Garden (aptly named) and fine view of QE cutting the water in our heavy swell at Gale Force - all part of the fun
Next highlight will be landfall off the coast of Newfoundland as we sail South West to NYC
Fun time at the Show last night and a fascinating chat with an ex-Celebrity Cruises Steward.
Met a couple who are good friends of Buff & Dick and who had been motor racing with John Waterhouse at the time of his accident. What are the chances of that?
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| Winter Garden |
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| Atlantic Chart, we are NE of Newfoundland |
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| That's the spot! |
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| Pool's closed |
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| Lady of leisure |
Bit of time to explore the ship at Deck 10, lovely Winter Garden (aptly named) and fine view of QE cutting the water in our heavy swell at Gale Force - all part of the fun
Next highlight will be landfall off the coast of Newfoundland as we sail South West to NYC
Saturday, 8 January 2011
This is a big pond!
Well, here we are about halfway across, enjoying the facilities of the ship - interesting to note that QV is rated lower than Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Gem in the Berlitz guide! Making 18 knots in moderate swell, such that the pool is netted off - at least it's fresh water.
Ascot Ball last night, good fun but our outfits were not a prize-winner, but the exhibition dancers are amazing!
Bridge is central to the days, but it looks like the extreme competitiveness of some passengers might force us to the Spa instead. Some very interesting talks on NY skyscrapers and Titanic survivors.
Captain's cocktails all part of the evening and a free glass of fizz is always welcome. The rum cocktails are a pleasant way to pass the evenings in the Commodore lounge, or with the string quartet.
Look familiar?
Captain's cocktails
We can brush up!
Ascot Ball
String quartet
Planning our day in New York. Looks like there will be time to go up the Top of the Rock.
More navigational stuff next post!
Ascot Ball last night, good fun but our outfits were not a prize-winner, but the exhibition dancers are amazing!
Bridge is central to the days, but it looks like the extreme competitiveness of some passengers might force us to the Spa instead. Some very interesting talks on NY skyscrapers and Titanic survivors.
Captain's cocktails all part of the evening and a free glass of fizz is always welcome. The rum cocktails are a pleasant way to pass the evenings in the Commodore lounge, or with the string quartet.
Planning our day in New York. Looks like there will be time to go up the Top of the Rock.
More navigational stuff next post!
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Winter North Atlantic
Here we are some miles from Southampton - 2900 to go. Superb fireworks in the rain as Arcadia, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria leave S'ton (we were 21/2 hours late)
Watched the show and decided not to buy embarkation photo at $24.95!!!
Fine stateroom on Deck 8, currently with a view across to the Queen Elizabeth, sailing a parallel course about a mile off our Port side, sailing at just over 18 knots
Wind speed 24 knots (Force 6), so we have a few white horses an a bit of movement! Only slightly Stugeron-ish!
Pauline has found the Bridge Club and has shown me the ropes in the Beginners Class. Some very serious players on this ship
Formal night tonight, so hope the DJ fits
Fine stateroom on Deck 8, currently with a view across to the Queen Elizabeth, sailing a parallel course about a mile off our Port side, sailing at just over 18 knots
Wind speed 24 knots (Force 6), so we have a few white horses an a bit of movement! Only slightly Stugeron-ish!
Pauline has found the Bridge Club and has shown me the ropes in the Beginners Class. Some very serious players on this ship
Formal night tonight, so hope the DJ fits
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