Cruise Talk: Queen Mary II to Norway?

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Topic: Queen Mary II to Norway?

Galaxy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5160

posted 02-13-2006 08:56 AM

Hello friends!

Today in my local newspaper the port mananger in Olden say that 13 may is QMII visit Olden....but when i see at Aalesund's cruise list is she booking there at the same date and day.....What is true?
Hope someone can help.....

have a nice day!

Best Regards....Galaxy

Posts: 591 | From: Norway | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 02-13-2006 10:05 AM

According to the Cunard site, she's in Barcelona that day as part of the Mediterranean Explorer I cruise.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 02-13-2006 06:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Patsy:
According to the Cunard site, she's in Barcelona that day as part of the Mediterranean Explorer I cruise.

The May 5 12-day "Mediterranean Explorer" cruise has been removed from QM2's schedule posted on the US web site (but not from the UK site yet). It's possible that QM2 will go into drydock on May 5 to have her damaged pod repaired/replaced and that a cruise to Norway will take up the remainder of the 12 days originally scheduled for the Med cruise.

Brian

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Galaxy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5160

posted 02-13-2006 07:03 PM

Well...you say something there.....i cant think that the port mananger will lie about something like that...He say that last friday Cunard cruises confirm that QM2 coming to Olden 13 may...So it cant just been take out of the air

Posts: 591 | From: Norway | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 02-13-2006 07:23 PM

Someone worried at the disappearance from the website checked with Cunard 2 days ago [11th] who confirmed the cruise was still on schedule to the Med. However from other boards TAs have apparently now received confirmation from Cunard that the 5 May cruise is indeed cancelled... and the transats on 29 April and after the Med cruise... yet verbally Cunard are saying 29 April is still on. They don't seem to know if they are coming or going!

So I guess you are the lucky one Galaxy..

Pam

[ 02-13-2006: Message edited by: PamM ]

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 02-13-2006 07:25 PM

This would be wonderful, if it's true. I tell everyone that I want to sail QM2 to Norway, but the chances of it ever working with my schedule are almost zero. However this year I can travel from May 9 to May 23. If the QM2 is really going into drydock, any guesses on how long she will be in? Her next cruise is May 17 so there's not much time. If she is in Olden on May 13 she will need to head back to Southampton on May 15? This would be a dream truly come true for me. Please let me know if anyone hears anything. If this is true I wonder if any space will open up.

Thanks

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 02-13-2006 07:52 PM

Seatrial get in there.. it's a "six-day Northern Europe itinerary departing on May 11".. departing from where? maybe S'ton maybe Hamburg, Germany? Still it seems to suit your dates.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 02-13-2006 08:07 PM

Pam,

Any word on the itinerary? Thanks for the help.

Jeremy

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 02-13-2006 11:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Someone worried at the disappearance from the website checked with Cunard 2 days ago [11th] who confirmed the cruise was still on schedule to the Med. However from other boards TAs have apparently now received confirmation from Cunard that the 5 May cruise is indeed cancelled... and the transats on 29 April and after the Med cruise... yet verbally Cunard are saying 29 April is still on. They don't seem to know if they are coming or going!
So I guess you are the lucky one Galaxy...
[ 02-13-2006: Message edited by: PamM ]

Pam

The Apr 29 transat is from New York to Southampton, so if it is cancelled it would mean that the drydocking would be stateside. I doubt that is true since it everything else seems to points to european drydocking.

TA's who are saying the Apr 29 transat and/or May 17 transat have been cancelled are probably those who booked "trans-cruise" passengers who were combining either the Apr 29 transat or the May 17 transat, or both, with the May 5 Med cruise. With Med cruise cancelled, the passengers would be given the option to cancel the transat(s).

I suspect the following is what will happen with QM2 between April 15 and May 23:

April 15-21: Eastbound transat (as scheduled)

April 23-29: Westbound transat with some of the passengers having transferred from QE2 that morning for the last leg of their QE2 World Cruise (as originally scheduled for both ships).

April 29-May 5: Eastbound transat (as scheduled)

May 5-11: out of service for pod replacement/repairs.

May 11-17: Norwegian cruise. (New)

May 17-23: Westbound transat (as scheduled).

We'll just have to wait and see what Cunard actually has planned, but this speculative schedule seems to be where they are heading.

Brian

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Galaxy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5160

posted 02-14-2006 02:44 PM

Queen Mary 2's visit to Olden is cancelled...bacause she will be 24 hours later out of drydock....she will visit,aalesund,Flam and Bergen..

Posts: 591 | From: Norway | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 02-14-2006 06:46 PM

The following itinerary for QM2's Norway cruise has now been posted on Cunard's UK web site.

May 2006

11 Thu Southampton, England Depart 5:00 pm
12 Fri Cruising North Sea
13 Sat Aalesund, Norway 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
14 Sun Flaam, Norway 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
15 Mon Bergen, Norway 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
16 Tue Cruising North Sea
17 Wed Southampton, England Arrive 6:00 am

Brian

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 02-14-2006 10:46 PM

I have never been to Norway and I know that this itinerary will not do the country justice, however, I have wanted to sail QM2 in a bit colder climate and I've always wanted to go to Norway. Does anyone know or at least think that excursions into Greinger Fjord will be offered from Aalesund, my geography is not so good, but I think it's relatively close by? I wish that the ship were going into the fjord. Is this just going to be a big disappointment for someone that really wants to cruise the fjords? I'm conflicted, I want to see the fjords, I want to see QM2, this trip works for my time off, but it just seems to be a bit lacking with only 3 days in Norway. Any advice?

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 02-15-2006 04:42 AM

I expect there will an excursion to Geiranger from Aalesund, or there are ferries, but I guess it must be a few hours each way... Seatrail sailing Sognefjord to Flaam is as good as if not better than visiting Geiranger, then there is the train. Flaam comes above Geiranger in the the 'which do you prefer polls'.

One cannot do everything in 3 days, and it's not possible in the timescale to spend more time in Norway. Those 3 ports are the best 3 for anyone not having visited before... imo anyhow

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-15-2006 05:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by seatrial:
... I want to see QM2, this trip works for my time off, but it just seems to be a bit lacking with only 3 days in Norway. Any advice?

Three days in Norway is much better than no days. The combination of this wonderful ship and wonderful scenery will make a great cruise. In you have the time and money, don’t hesitate.

She will surely dwarf the ports, though.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 02-15-2006 02:26 PM

I wonder why this itinerary is not listed on Cunard's U.S. website? Do you suppose this cruise will only be marketed in Europe? If so, how does an American go about booking such a trip?

Thanks for your help,

Seatrial

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 02-15-2006 04:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by seatrial:
I wonder why this itinerary is not listed on Cunard's U.S. website? Do you suppose this cruise will only be marketed in Europe? If so, how does an American go about booking such a trip?
Thanks for your help,
Seatrial

Assuming you live in the States, I'd call a local travel agency or Cunard direct - 1-800-728-6273

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 02-15-2006 05:17 PM

This should not be a problem - nearly no cruise line is specifically targeting the Austrian market and I still travelled with some ships.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 02-15-2006 05:43 PM

Perhaps they are waiting to see how many of those ousted from the Med cruise, take up a place on the shorter Norway trip before opening sales to the rest of the general public? They may wait to hear from all TAs re what those pax wish to do.. they should get first option. What's left can then be sold elsewhere.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-15-2006 06:23 PM

The QM2 Norwegian cruise is both on the Cunard UK and USA site now.

UK fares from £499 - WHAT A BARGAIN!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 02-15-2006 06:25 PM

Don`t forget that you will only get 75 % of her total power - this makes it a completely different expierience.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-15-2006 06:32 PM

Maybe that's why the fare is so reasonable, Cunard are giving 25% (one pod) off.

[ 02-15-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 02-15-2006 06:42 PM

Maybe it is better from a marketing point of view to print all fares without the usual 25% 'pod surcharge'.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 02-15-2006 10:13 PM

Thanks for all or your help. I think I just might give the crippled QM2 a try. One question; is it possible to fly out of Gatwick the same day the ship docks in Southampton? If so how early is too early for a flight out of Gatwick on the same day as the cruise ends?

Thanks again!

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 02-15-2006 11:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
The QM2 Norwegian cruise is both on the Cunard UK and USA site now.
UK fares from £499 - WHAT A BARGAIN!

The changes necessitated by the November drydocking have also been made to the schedules posted on both US and UK web sites.

Brian

[ 02-15-2006: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

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