2 Old Dames on the best Dame in the World - Queen Mary 2

[smit0847]

Sorry about the weather today - it's all over the place but that's Melbourne!

 

[Pushka]

Pushka - I saw you go by Cape Bridgewater near Portland in 2012! I was lucky enough to be at Bridgewater Bay Beach on the Sunday that the QM2 rounded Cape Bridgewater and headed towards Portland! It was an amazing sight to see both the Endeavour and the QM2 framed by Cape Bridgewater and Cape Nelson! Luckily I had my binoculars with me and was able to see the QM2 close up - it is an amazing looking ship! Best wishes for your exciting journey!

Angie, That part of the trip was a real highlight. It was a sunny day and we travelled so close to shore. I was looking forward to seeing that area again but obviously that was a once off close sailing just to pass The Endeavour (Hello Concordia ). This time we couldn't even see the land on the horizon.

The weathers ok Smit. It's better like this than really hot.

 

[Pushka]

Good heavens. Sunshine in Melbourne.

 

[TomVexille]

Good heavens. Sunshine in Melbourne.

Just give it 5 minutes...

 

[serfty]

Just give it 5 minutes...

Sort of a hazy sunshine - it's 'trough' weather connected to a 'shallow' high centered in North Eastern NSW.

 

[Pushka]

Sort of a hazy sunshine - it's 'trough' weather connected to a 'shallow' high centered in North Eastern NSW.

I'd call it Melbourne summer.

Any sign of ReLoad posting? There's a large group in Britannia. Might go check by the pools.

No sign. Must be them.

When at sea I find it hard to work out port from starboard as you can't really feel or tell which way you're heading when calm.

I was using logic and 100% of the time when to the wrong side. So now I ignore my logic and I'm right 50% of the time. Go figure.

 

[zig]

I have sailed Seabourn several times and am always invited to join a hosted table each evening as a solo traveller. Tables are hosted by different crew members each night, and other dinner companions are also different most nights, it is a nice way to meet a variety of people. Just wondering if Cunard have the same policy, and that is why you have been 'lucky' with getting a hosted table?

 

[Pushka]

Bye Melbourne. You put on a lovely day.

Currently in a horn battle with Celebrity Solstice.

zig, you may be right. The rest of the table are either single or mum and daughter. Lotsa mums and daughters on the Australian circumnavigation.

But there are also lots of solo passengers. Guess they KWIA.

 

[ReLoad]

Firstly im really jealous Pushka!

We had a great day on board and really enjoyed our time (albeit brief) on her, she really is quite the ship!

I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to say g'day things were quite busy on board. If the lunch was anything to go by you are in for a gastronomical treat!

Im going to do a little post over in the P1 experiences thread about it as there was a lot of P1'ness there today. Ill link back here when its done, again good luck ont he rest of your trip, both mrs ReLoad and I are watching this thread keenly!

 

[love_the_life]

Awwww, she's having all the fun before I (Old Dame the Elder) manage to even board! I have one more day of work left, then a day off. then a flight (QF) to Brisbane and on the ship on Sunday. Can't wait. Interesting that the Solstice was in Melbourne as well. I like that ship very much, having sailed on her twice. She is much more a cruise ship whereas QM2 is an ocean liner, quite a different feel and both excellent in their own way. The size of QM2 is something to get used to and many passengers do get lost. I remember last time an older gentleman on our deck would come out of the lift and look left and right, then invariably set off in the wrong direction. Spent a lot of time taking him to his cabin. His wife was just a lost as well!
Glad you liked the ship ReLoad - she is pretty impressive! Did you find Homer Simpson in the carving? A bit of a challenge to spot him.

 

[ReLoad]

Did you find Homer Simpson in the carving? A bit of a challenge to spot him.

We did actually, (My wife spotted him before I did!) was a neat little touch.

Enjoy your cruise you lucky ducky!

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for the update Pushka and love_the_life. Soon you'll be together onboard and regaling us with your exploits.

If only I liked to sail - it's been a long time since my one and only time on the Chandris line (Xmas 1974) to SWP - I have a photo somewhere but too embarrassed to post it (I was in fancy dress and won the prize). I was also an embarrassment to my parents when we were berthing at one island, where I made a rather loud rude comment about the people on the wharf - my parents disowned me

Will see how this weekend pans out -Mrs QF WP knows that I may want to visit the QM2, but I only fear that I may have the children, who'd love to see the QM2. But I fear so will half of BNE who know she's arriving.

 

[Pushka]

(as I'm on Maritime signal - ie $$ I'm writing this offline and will post when I get an Optus signal again later)

This planning of a days activities onboard is really tough.

Most extra activities you need to line up for as they are hugely popular. Like the Planetarium which isn't on all that often. And was expected to line up at 9am to get tickets. . It's tough but must be done. Well, that mission accomplished it was breakfast time. Yes, I'd slept in. At last. The stresses of the last 3 months of work were fading.

Breakfast and associated people watching (and listening) is fun.

Last night it was a woman being photographed in a track suit and t shirt and thongs (that topic a cause of much hilarity at the formal night the other night) at 8.15pm in the beautiful main atrium. I can't imagine what the photographer was thinking as she took multiple photos. Probably typical Aussie not knowing how to dress. Such clothing isn't allowed after 6pm in public areas and usually a crew member politely intervenes. It's also stated in the booking terms. Ok it wasn't a formal night but people usually don't do this. Just looked bad.

For breakfast I decided to eat at the Britannia at open seating today and as I don't mind sharing I was at a large table. (previously I'd ordered room service which is included).

My table consisted of people who were disembarking in Sydney (Friday). As I sat down I was near a window and being on deck 2 it's quite near the water line. And saw a pod of dolphins jumping right next to me. Beautiful.

This rather loud Aussie at my table said in a loud voice - "look at those seals". I mentioned I had seen dolphins too and he said no, they were definitely seals. Very adamant I was wrong. Then told everyone around they were seals because of the way they were doing something - I have no idea what he said as by now I'd pretty much dismissed it all. Then an older lady who was seated at another window came over and asked him if he'd seen the dolphins! (They knew each other) Love that Karma. I said nutting. Smiled internally. . It all went a bit quiet at the table.

Anyways he resumed his composure a few minutes later and as he thought I was a newbie started telling me everything he knew. Which was lovely but his voice was very loud. I just try to be a bit subdued in public settings because it would be bedlam otherwise. And I really feel embarrassed when people at other tables look around to see who is making all the noise.

But eventually I couldn't help meself. Told him about the hosted table and dining with two Officers a couple of nights ago. The jaw dropped. Didn't say much after that. . I know, I'm naughty.

I've digressed. Back to today's itinerary.

11.15 line dancing. What a hoot. Wouldn't be caught doing this at home, I mean really, Line Dancing? but until loves_the_life embarks, I'm anonymous. Thankfully the music isn't traditional line dancing. And it's quite fun doing it on a rolling ship
(apologies to any Line Dancers here)

12.15 beginners ballroom. It's salsa and I love Latin American music so should be fun. And it's exercise. Just hope zimmers aren't allowed on the ballroom.

Then I need to grab something to eat before the 2pm planetarium show then dash to change into gym clothes for a 3pm Bums, legs and tums workout. Yes, they use the word Bum on the QM2. It's a hard workout I've heard. That's excellent. As ReLoad has already mentioned the dinners here are quite the experience.

(Watch out love_the_life, don't think you're going to get away from exercise. Bring sneakers and trackies please. No excuse. The stretch classes are gentle and really good. But don't worry, if you forget you can buy them onboard. )

Then a quick change for a 5pm showing of Skyfall - James Bond. (I offended a James Bond fan at my table last night by saying I didn't like Daniel Craig.). Then a break for an hour or so before late dinner. Then a 10pm show. No alcohol tonight as I'm climbing the Bridge in the morning and must have zero alcohol. Lucky it's not a formal night. Just don't want to risk my slow metabolism.

So, all up this is proving to be one exhausting schedule.

I think the population has aged from Melbourne embarkation. . And I know lots of youngies are disembarking in Sydney.

 

[Pushka]

Don't worry love_the_life, I'm just getting warmed up.

 

[love_the_life]

Oh dear, I am more a lounge lizard than gym junkie so my efforts at exercise will not be up to the high standard set by Pushka! I do have the sneakers and trackie outfit though so will manage a bit. Looks like it's going to be an event packed cruise. Not many sleeps now till I join the fun.
Pushka seems to be having a ball!

 

[Pushka]

As will you love_the_life.

Just arriving into Sydney. Not a great shot as it's still dark but it's a tad noisy with 1600 people departing today to make room for love_the_life. Oops, that doesn't sound nice.



And once QM2 backs her rather large stern into position we are berthed at 5.44am. Shown here
"reversing".
QM2 is at about a 45 degree angle to the wharf and is gradually moving the bow of the ship into a parallel position.

It seems like a beautiful day as I can see stars and it's already warm. It will be the last of cooler weather for several days now until we get closer to Shanghai where it's struggling to reach double figures.

 

[Pushka]

The immigration stuff on cruises is interesting.

As far as Australian immigration is concerned I'm already overseas.

Many people just do Australian coastals. Duty Free shops are open but they will not receive duty free whereas we can.

In Kota Kinabalu, (Malaysia) our passports are inspected on arrival en masse as they were taken when we embarked. I'm not sure if we get them back to go ashore.

Whilst in Kota Kinabalu, Chinese Immigration Officers are embarking so that on the few sea days between there and Shanghai, all passports are checked for Visas. Then they are handed back prior to disembarking and a face to passport photo ID is made as we disembark.

Whilst in Shanghai, immigration officers from Hong Kong will board so they can issue visas for disembarkation in Hong Kong. Now those guys have a great job.

 

[Pushka]

Great news for Shopping loves_the_life. There are completely new stocks arriving today as several items have already been sold out. Even the clothing stores are being completely restocked.

The logistics of World Cruises is amazing.

Good heavens those dudes working at the OPT are noisy. Not yet 6am and there's metal hammers going gangbusters. Guess it's not a good look if QM2 floats away during the day.

We have to arrive so early here because the QM2 has to get her, um, large stern out of the way before 6am so the ferries can operate.

QM2 really needs to go to a Bums gym class. Which was absolute torture btw (and I go to lots of gym classes at home) as the Instructor is this young, Abs sculpted Ukranian? Dude who gets his kicks from torture designed as a gym class. I'm going again as I need this torture but you are completely excused LTL but ONLY from this class.

 

[Pushka]

QFWP, if the setup at Brisbane Dock is anything like Melbourne Webb Port I won't be able to walk to the outside area but have to take a shuttle bus direct from the ship that will only drop me off into the city.

Love_the_life will be getting a taxi to the Port so she may have more chance but at that point will have her luggage and it's a messy place.

I have a companion in my room now. He has lovely brown eyes. He's very low maintenance and doesn't take up too much space.

 

[Pushka]

Room with a view: