Queen Mary 2 videos

 I was recently on a cruise during which Queen Mary 2 was with us in three of the ports as well as when we embarked from New York. It was interesting to watch the reaction of the passengers on the ship that I was on each time they saw QM2. People would stop and make some comment like: “Is that the Queen Mary?” And then they would pause for awhile just to watch. It was a recognition that this was something special that you could tell your friends and family about - - “I saw the Queen Mary 2.”

Cunard's QM2 is an imposing sight. At 150,000 gross tons, she is much larger than the majority of today's cruise ships. Also her sleek streamlined silhouette has a traditional grace and beauty.

But the thing that stops people in their tracks is the fact that Queen Mary 2 is heir to a tradition that goes back some 170 years. She is the only true ocean liner providing regularly scheduled transatlantic service. As such, she follows in a tradition of such legendary ships as the original Queen Mary, the Normandie, the France, the United States and most recently, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

These ships became legendary not just because of their technology but as the epitome of luxury. They captured the public's imagination with images of movie stars, royalty and the rich and famous mingling in beautiful surroundings.

Queen Mary 2 brings that image into the modern era. Leaving QE2 aside, the luxury on the historic ships was pretty much limited to first class. On Queen Mary 2, everyone can participate. (One of the myths that has arisen about QM2 is that she is a two-class ship. She is not. There are separate dining rooms for passengers traveling in the suites but other than that every passenger pretty much can go anywhere any other passenger can go. There is actually more separation of passengers on some of today's cruise ships than there is on QM2).

This ship is also technologically unique. In order to be able to handle any weather that might confront her during an Atlantic crossing, the ship was built to be strong and powerful. Although she is rarely called upon to do so, she can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. In addition, I have been on her in tremendous storms during which the dining rooms were nonetheless full of passengers. That is a testament to her stability.

Another thing that makes QM2 interesting is that she does varied itineraries. Her mainstay, of course, is the transatlantic crossing between New York and Southampton but she also turns up in the Norwegian fjords, in the Caribbean, circling the British Isles, in Germany, Australia, and on the Canada & New England run. When she does appear, the reaction is always the same: people stop and stare. Indeed, there have been instances in Hamburg and in Australia where they came in the thousands just to have a look.

I've put together several new videos on Queen Mary 2. The first is an introductory piece with video of the ship sailing and a slideshow of the ship's public areas – theaters, restaurants, bars and lounges etc. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-video-review.html

The other two videos will primarily be of interest to QM2 fans. One shows the ship sailing into Halifax, Nova Scotia and maneuvering into her berth. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-arrives-video.html

The third video is the flip side of the second one. Filmed some eight hours after the arrival shown above, this video shows QM2 leaving her berth and going out to sea. In it, you can hear Queen Mary 2's fabulous deep fog horns. The video is at http://www.beyondships2.com/queen-mary-2-departs-video.html

Cruise Destination Photo Guides To Boston and Halifax

As Fall starts to approach, people start thinking about cruising to New England and Canada. These “Fall Foliage” cruises are famous for combining crisp air with spectacular colorful displays. However, the region is a nice place to visit just for its history and lifestyle. Of course, the best way to get there is by cruise ship.




Quite a few ships do New England/Canada cruises in the Fall. In addition to the ships that ply these waters during the spring and summer, quite a few ships come to the region to do a season of cruising. Many of these ships come over from Europe as the European cruising season winds down. Eventually, they go to the Caribbean for the winter but the Fall is the peak hurricane season down there so its better to spend some time in Northeastern America before heading south. Moreover, these are popular cruises.



The unofficial capital of New England is its largest city, Boston, Massachusetts. It is both a port of call on New England/Canada cruises and an embarkation port. Several ships use it as their base for such cruises while others cruise from Boston to Bermuda and points south.



Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and so has an extensive history. Indeed, if one is interested in the birth of the United States, Boston has preserved many of the sites that played an important part in the early days of the American War for Independence.



With a long cultural and intellectual tradition, it is not surprising that Boston has a bevy of museums covering a spectrum of topics from fine art to politics to science. There are also some 50 colleges and universities in the area, which gives the town a youthful feel.



While Boston is a large city, it is a friendly town. Moreover, many of the things of interest to visitors are centrally located. In fact, quite a few of the historic sites are along the two and a half mile long Freedom Trail.



Beyondships new cruise destination photo guide to Boston is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Boston.html



A second popular stop on Canada/New England cruises is Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia. Even more so than Boston, the majority of the places of interest are concentrated not far from the cruise port. Furthermore, the short walk along the Harbor Boardwalk to downtown Halifax is a pleasant stroll takes you past sailing ships, shops, museums, and restaurants.



Beyondships has had a section about Halifax since last year. However, I have added an additional page to that section to incorporate photos that I took last month on yet another cruise to Halifax. The cruise destination photo guide to Halifax is at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Halifax

Holland America's Maasdam in Canada and New England

In the fall, the cruise ships gather in New York and in Boston for cruises to Canada and New England. The autumn leaves are starting to change and people want to see the colors. Also, it is hurricane season in the Caribbean and the weather in Europe is starting to decline so the ships gravitate toward the northeastern United States.

One ship that one frequently sees on such cruises is Holland America’s Maasdam. One of the S-class HAL ships, Maasdam is large enough to provide the amenities of a modern cruise ship but also small enough to get to ports such as Montreal. Thus, Maasdam is well-suited to the Canada/New England run.

I have had the opportunity to photograph Maasdam several times when she was in Canada and in New England. She has pleasing lines and is photogenic.

Accordingly, I have added a photo essay to the Beyondships’ profile of Maasdam showing her in Halifax, one of the more popular ports of call on this route, and in Boston, which is the embarkation port for many of her cruises. This essay is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/HAL-Maasdam-photo-1.html

Cruising to Halifax and other cruise news items

With Spring coming and summer not far behind, people are beginning to think about summer cruises. One popular option is a cruise to Eastern Canada and New England. A highlight of most such cruises is a call in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Accordingly, this week we are presenting an illustrated look at Halifax from a cruiser passenger perspective.

Why do people cruise to Halifax? For many, it is a convenient way to escape the summer heat that often grips the United States. In the fall, there is the promise of seeing the color of the changing autumn leaves.

Halifax offers both historic and scenic attractions. The area played an important role in the North American colonial period and in the American War for Independence and the years following. It also has significant ties to the Titanic disaster as the recovery efforts were launched from Halifax. All of these are documented in museums and restorations.

As far as scenery, Halifax itself is a small, clean city that surrounds a pretty harbor. There are both modern and historic buildings. Going outside of town, which many cruise passengers do, one is quickly in an area of forests, lakes and rocky coastlines. In places such as Peggy’s Cove, it looks like an idealized maritime landscape painting.

Halifax is famous for its seafood, in particular, lobster. Not surprisingly, there are quite a few restaurants specializing in lobster.

Beyondships’ illustrated look at Halifax is at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Halifax

Turning to some items in the news - -

Last week, Celebrity Eclipse left the shipyard in Pappenburg, Germany where she has been under construction and proceeded down the Ems River to Emshaven in the Netherlands. What is particularly noteworthy about this journey is that at its tightest point, there was only two feet of clearance between the ship and the sides of the river and a few inches of water between her bottom and the riverbed. Thousands of spectators turned out to watch the ship’s progress. After completing her fitting out in Emshaven, Eclipse will proceed to Southampton, England for her inaugural ceremonies in late April. She will be based there for her first season offering cruises to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, France and Ireland.

Cunard has announced its 2011-12 offerings. Queen Mary 2 will continue to offer transatlantic crossings and cruises from New York to Canada and the Caribbean and from Southampton to the Atlantic isles and Northern Europe. Queen Victoria will offer cruises from Southampton and from Venice Italy before coming to the US for a series of cruises in the late fall/winter. The new Queen Elizabeth will cruise primarily from Southampton. Included in her schedule will be cruises to the Holyland.

Meanwhile, Princess cruises has announced its 2011 European schedule with seven vessels (Ruby, Crown, Grand, Star, Ocean, Pacific and Emerald Princesses) offering 42 itinerary choices, including seven new routes, with calls at more than 135 ports.

Norwegian Cruise Line has commenced a contest to find the “Epic Star.” Winners will perform on the line’s new ship Norwegian Epic during her inaugural ceremonies in July in New York.. It has also announced that in the winter 2011/2012, Norwegian Star will be based in Tampa, Florida, which is a new seasonal homeport for her.

Carnival Glory has returned to service following an extensive refit. The renovation added several new facilities and features, including a Serenity adults-only retreat, a 270-square-foot Seaside Theatre poolside LED screen, and a Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14- year olds. Eighteen new balconies were also incorporated onto existing ocean view staterooms and a new Mongolian wok venue was added to the casual poolside restaurant. Bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access was added, as well.