Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards Home - Recent Updates - Search - Copyright Information - Contact Simplon
This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation
 
 
QE2 Cruise 2005
 
Glaciers & Geysers E518
Page 1: Scotland
 
 
This is one of a series of pages showing images from a Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise to Iceland and Norway taken in July/August 2005, with the emphasis on the shipping and other transport encountered. The Cruise Itinerary is shown below. There is also a page devoted just to the QE2 on this cruise and a list of other QE2 pages.
 
 
Introduction
Here are some brief thoughts following my 2005 cruise on Queen Elizabeth 2, in no particular order.
 
It is a wonderful experience to be racing across the North Atlantic at over 28 knots on a true ocean liner, her fine hull leaving a noticeably narrow wake compared to broader modern cruise ships. There is a fair amount of vibration aft from the screws, but little elsewhere, and few indications that she is now diesel rather than steam powered. QE2 does seem to be surprising lively in even moderate seas, casting doubt in my mind about the general wisdom that deep-draught ocean liner performs better than a modern cruise ship. Maybe it is down to improved stabilizer technology, but I feel that modern 70000 tons ships are far more stable than QE2. This was my impression on my previous (albeit short) cruise on her in September 1994. QE2 also ran with a noticeable list for much of the time, though the direction (port or starboard) was not consistent. This was not due to wind, since it happened in sheltered fjords on occasion. QE2 also creaks and groans like a Hollywood sailing ship in any sea, which I actually find quite soothing!
 
The crew of QE2 are outstanding - helpful, courteous and cheerful. In particular our head waiter Lowell in the Mauretania Restaurant and cabin steward Jeanne were superb in every respect.
 
QE2 passengers are incredibly loyal to their favourite ship. Most seemed to have made their first cruise on her, and have never tried another ship since! They chose QE2 in the first instance because of her reputation, and have seen no reason to change subsequently. I think some might be pleasantly surprised by some other ships.
 
QE2 is looking her age in some areas - handrails and decks look tatty in some parts. Our modest Five Deck cabin was quite worn and carpets on lower decks need replacing. Whilst there are rumours that her long term future may be in doubt following the introduction of the new Queen Victoria in 2007. Cunard have denied this, saying that she will be made compliant for SOLAS 2010. I think that her interiors and exterior decks will need considerable smartening if she has a longer future. I think that new passengers from Queen Mary 2 would be quite disappointed if they moved to QE2.
 
QE2 is a very quiet ship, in so much as there are very few needless announcements made ship-wide over the PA system - none of the harranguing to rush to the bingo, karaoke or hideous art auction (yes they still have these on QE2 alas). It made a very pleasant change from many ships. It was quite embarrassing to watch (and hear) the departure of Arcadia (3) from Bergen to the blaring sounds across the decks of Sailing (Rod Stewart), Amarillo (Tony Christie), Summer Holiday (Sir Cliff) and Land of Hope and Glory. Very Carnival.
 
The layout of QE2, with wide enclosed promenades down both sides of the ship on two decks, means that in theory there are plenty of places to sit and watch the sea (particularly since most cabins have Atlantic-proof portholes, not windows). In practice, the non-smoking side is always packed and it is very difficult to find seats. The ship feels crowded in general, and the open deck areas are quite small. It is usually necessary to place seating next to the rail on the Boat Deck, and this tends to be much windier than on ships with boats hung from the decks above, and consequently wider free space. Sheltered outside seating at the stern is also at at premium most of the time. I managed a game of shuffle board with my son in the rain early in the cruise, and didn't manage it again until docked in Southampton, because there are only two playing areas and they were always crowded.
 
On separate pages you can compare the current interiors with the original interiors. I think the originals were more stylish and modern in all cases. The current designs are typical of too many bland modern cruise ships, being similar to the dull pastel blues and greens of many Princess ships. I am not suggesting that she should have been refitted in an acid-crazed Carnival style, but the original 1960s styles would have made a better starting point. A dull interior does not necessarily affect the on-board experience much, but such a special ship deserved better at her last refit.
 
 
Itinerary:-
Sat 30 July 2005: Southampton, Depart 5:00 pm
Sun 31 July 2005: Cruising North Sea
Mon 1 August 2005: Invergordon, Scotland, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue 2 August 2005: Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Wed 3 August 2005: Reykjavik, Iceland, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu 4 August 2005: Akureyri, Iceland, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri 5 August 2005: Cruising the Norwegian Sea
Sat 6 August 2005: Flåm, Norway, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun 7 August 2005: Cruising the Storfjord
Mon 8 August 2005: Hellesylt/Geiranger, Norway, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Tue 9 August 2005: Ålesund, Norway, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed 10 August 2005: Trondheim, Norway, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu 11 August 2005: Bergen, Norway, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Fri 12 August 2005: Cruising the North Sea
Sat 13 August 2005: Southampton, Arrive 7:00 am
 
Other QE2 Pages:-
QE2 - Page 1 - Postcards
QE2 - Page 2 - Interior Postcards
QE2 - Page 4 - Photographs
QE2 - Page 5 - 2005 Photographs
QE2 - Page 6 - Interior Photographs
QE2 - Page 7 - 2007 Photographs
QE2 Cruise 2005 - Page 1 - Cruise to Iceland & Norway - this page
QE2 Cruise 2005 - Page 2 - Cruise to Iceland & Norway
QE2 Cruise 2005 - Page 3 - Cruise to Iceland & Norway
QE2 Cruise 2006 - Short break to Zeebrugge
 
Associated Pages:-
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
Search This Website:-

powered by FreeFind  
 
 
 
 
Glaciers & Geysers Cruise E518
Page 1: Scotland
 
 
Saturday 30th July 2005: Southampton
 
QE2 departed the QE2 Terminal, Southampton, at 5pm, following a more efficient boarding process than I have usually experienced at the Mayflower Terminal. She was followed out by Legend of the Seas. A sunny day turned to rain started soon after leaving the berth. Cowes Weeks had started the day before, and many extra yachts were berthed, along with the Trinity House vessel Patricia. QE2 was carrying 1735 passengers (although 2 missed the boat and joined at Invergordon). The passengers were from 26 different countries, with 1250 from the UK, 235 from the USA and 114 from Germany.
 
 
QE2 at the QE2 Terminal, Southampton, before departure.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
Hythe ferry Great Expectations passes QE2 at the QE2 Terminal, Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
More images of Great Expectations
 
 
Cowes ferry Red Jet 3 passes QE2 at the QE2 Terminal, Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
Blue Funnel Jenny R passes QE2 at Southampton.
Jenny R runs occasional ferry trips to Marchwood Military Port and also harbour trips.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
More images of Jenny R
 
 
 
Legend of the Seas at Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
Legend of the Seas at Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
Tug Hamtun assisted QE2 leaving Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
Tug Lyndhurst assisted QE2 leaving Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
On board QE2 leaving Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 leaving Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 leaving Southampton.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 leaving Southampton.
Legend of the Seas following.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 leaving Southampton.
Legend of the Seas following.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 leaving Southampton.
Legend of the Seas following.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
 
 
 
Trinity House yacht Patricia off Cowes (Cowes week).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2005
Additional image of Patricia at Cowes
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 31st July 2005: Cruising North Sea
 
Sunday was spent cruising up the East Coast of the UK at around 20 knots. My first breakfast was kippers - something of a disappointment since they were artificially coloured "boil in a bag" fillets - will not make this mistake again.
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
Alastair on board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
On board QE2 in the North Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
Lido cafe - Quarter Deck.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
Lobby with ship's bell.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
Midships Lobby - Deck Two.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
Midships Lobby - Deck Two.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2005
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday 1st August 2005: Invergordon, Scotland
 
The first port of call was Invergordon, a deep water berth in the Cromarty Firth, mainly used to maintain oil rigs. We took a Bluebird X25 bus to Inverness - just £7.40 return compared to $42 for a simple coach ride organised by Cunard. The departure through the narrow firth entrance was spectacular, with hundreds of people on either shore watching. After reaching the open sea, QE2 headed north along the Scottish Coast, passing through the Pentland Firth just before darkness.
 
 
Arriving at Invergordon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Arriving at Invergordon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Tugs Kinross and Kinnaird assisted QE2 - this is Kinross.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Arriving at Invergordon- Admiralty Pier where QE2 berthed.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Arriving at Invergordon - the lifeboat berth, town and church.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
QE2 at Invergordon (8:40am).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
View of Inverness from the castle.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
QE2 at Invergordon (15:40 hrs).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
QE2 at Invergordon (15:40 hrs).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
QE2 Pipers on the pier at Invergordon at 17:30hrs departure.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Tugs Kinross and Kinnaird assisted QE2 - this is Kinnaird.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Ship Fortuna (Nassau) at pier near Invergordon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Entrance to Cromarty Firth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Invergordon lifeboat 14-08 Douglas Aikman Smith.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
More images of the Invergordon lifeboat 14-08
 
 
 
Ship Young Lady (Douglas) at pier near entrance to Cromarty Firth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Rig near entrance to Cromarty Firth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Ship Young Lady (Douglas) at pier near entrance to Cromarty Firth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Ferry Cromarty Rose which operates across the entrance to Cromarty Firth between Cromarty and Nigg.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
More images of Cromarty Rose
 
 
 
The Nigg terminal of the Cromarty Ferry.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
The Nigg terminal of the Cromarty Ferry.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
The Cromarty terminal of the Cromarty-Nigg Ferry.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Entrance to Cromarty Firth, with pilot boat..
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Entrance to Cromarty Firth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
The town of Cromarty.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
The town of Cromarty.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Britannia ship's figurehead in Boat Deck stairwell.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Britannia ship's figurehead in Boat Deck stairwell.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Ship model of Russia in Boat Deck stairwell.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Ship model of Russia in Boat Deck stairwell.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
Crystal Bar - Upper Deck.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2005
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday 2nd August 2005: Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
 
Overnight we were disturbed in the early hours by a load banging from inside the cabin. The ship was quite lively, and we traced the noise to the safe door banging in the wardrobe. A drowsy search for the credit card needed to lock the safe allowed us to return to sleep. Tuesday 2nd started bright and sunny as we headed across the North Atlantic to Iceland. QE2 was still moving around a lot in the slight seas, leading me to question the wisdom which says that a deep draft ocean liner is better than a modern "floating brick" cruise ship. QE2 proceeded on a north westerly course (300 degrees) throughout the day, initially at 23 knots, reducing to 19 knots later. The day started sunny, but with heavy showers in the afternoon.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Purser's office - Deck Two.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Library & bookshop - Quarter Deck.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Library & bookshop - Quarter Deck.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
Library & bookshop - Quarter Deck.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2005
 
 
 
 
 
 
QE2 Cruise 2005 - Page 1 - QE2 Cruise 2005 - Page 2 - QE2 Cruise 2005 - Page 3
Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards
Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
 
 
 

         
 
New and Old Shipping Postcards for Sale - www.hjcards.co.ukCarmania Press - Quality Passenger Shipping Books -  www.carmaniapress.co.ukFerry Publications - www.ferrypubs.co.uk - Leading European Publisher of Ferry BooksShip Information, Databases, Publications, Magazines - www.shippax.seOld and New Postcards for Sale - www.raeth.chOverview Press - www.overviewpress.co.uk - Specialist Passenger Shipping BooksOcean Liner Society - www.ocean-liner-society.comSuperb Shipping Photography - www.maritimephotographic.co.ukRiver Thames Website - www.riverthames.co.nrHistoric and new photos from long established French photographers - www.mariusbar-photo.comNautiques - Your gateway to the rich past of ocean liner nautical antiques - www.nautiques.netMonthly Shipping Magazine - www.shipsmonthly.comwww.simplonpc.co.uk
 
©1999-2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved
 
Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 14/12/2007: