From the national news: Several thousands of spectators were there to see the ship's depart. Traffic was stuck around the quay (near the Erasmusbrug). 18 buses with passengers -back from excursion- were back ontime, under police escort. The goodbye was the best one I've ever seen. For the Dutch members: did you notice the Feyenoord flag on one of her stern decks?

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[ 07-21-2004: Message edited by: RobHolland ]

The QM2 is a marvellous ship, certainly from the outsied, and very very big...you could see her funnel miles from the quay in the suburbs coming from the motorway.

I don't come often in Rotterdam, but I had the impression, the city was in quite a festive mood, with lots of people of al kind walking all over the place to the waterside to see the ship.

The ship left half an hour late, but made a wonderful goodbye on her horns, as thousands waved goodbye as she sailed to the sunset.

Several dutch flags were hanging from the balconies, and among them the "Feyenoord" flag.

I met Jochen and we talked a lot, and he introduced me to Chris Cunard, so we had quite a meeting.

There was some rain, but as the time of departure neared the sun broke through.

I must say I am glad I went to see the QM2 in Rotterdam.

Here are some pictures :

QM2 in rotterdam

[ 07-22-2004: Message edited by: Johan ]

Jochen

Just back from an exhausting but wonderful day, the day started out a bit misty and the weather was not lively. I met Jochen early in the morning and briefly met Chris to say hello when he got off the ship. Spend the rest of the morning making pictures with Jochen at the Wilhelminakade and in the early evening I boarded the party boot Smaragd II to watch QM2 depart and follow her for some time and watched her sail into the setting sun. The weather turned out bright and sunny and I met Ben (Maasdam) who was also onboard. Had a very great time. The ship is impressive and her design is best appreciated from a distance when you can see the ship in totality. Close by she is mainly large massive surfaces because of her overly scaled proportions. What amazed me most was not her length but her height. Security was not over the top (as I was afraid it would be) you could nicely stand in front and aft of the ship (BTW that stern stays strange looking)

My conventional pictures have to wait but I will upload some of my digital pictures as soon as I can.

Best, Onno

[ 07-21-2004: Message edited by: Onno ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Cunardcoll:
...I met Onno , Chris Cunard and Johan today, photos will be online soon.

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Which one of you climbed up on the bulbous bow?

Enjoy, Onno

Here are the links:

QM2 docked in Rotterdam.

QM2 evening departure.

Did you also notice the radar boat (de majesteit I believe) and the high sound It’s steam whistle made, it even made more “real” steam than the QM2 whistle did.

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Originally posted by RobHolland:
I just read that the event was seen by around 200000 spectators.

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Hi Rob,

I would believe that without a doubt! As we sailed along with QM2 everywhere there was a dockside crowds of people were looking, the top of the Euromast looked like it was invaded by ants. Jochen and I wondered how many pictures would have been taken yesterday, but it must be millions. it was hard to take an original picture, if you had a good angle there were many people behind you waiting to make a picture from the same angle.

Nevertheless the experience of the whole day is certainly memorable.

I liked your pictures, Rob and Onno, but as you said...it was rather difficult to take original pictures. Lots of film and pixels...but worth.

I did see and hear De Majesteit responding with her horn to that of QM2 - lots of white cloud and a slightly higher and more raspier voice ...

I wonder how it must have been on the QM2 herself to be escorted out that way, with all those massive crowds to wave you out, not only in Rotterdam but the day before in Hamburg too (300 000 viewers...)...

Quite the triumphal entree for QM2 in Europe ... I wonder how Cunard/Carnival will respond to these massive shows of goodwill and intrest. It is clear not only Americans/Britishers are interested in QM2, Cunard and cruises.

Here you see two pipes coming out- What is their purpose?

And here you see some metal, longshaped 'rings' standing out, at the right of the last lifeboat.

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Originally posted by RobHolland:
Here you see two pipes coming out- What is their purpose?

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We had a discussion before what the use is for those pipes (can’t find it that quickly), It could be that they have something to do with gas turbines, If you look at stern pictures of let’s say Brilliance of the Seas you can see similar pipes coming from her stern. Pam made some good close-ups of the pipes, they leave a trail of black soot upwards. It was already noticeable on the first day she arrived at Southampton. (maybe that is why they covered the railing with a sort of canvas)

Rob - here is a picture that Pam made, it shows the objects are hanging over the inflatable lifeboats. I can only speculate about the use but they surely have to do something with the safety equipment.

This week's Elsevier also has an article about her & the shipboard life.

[ 07-22-2004: Message edited by: RobHolland ]