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,