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Author

Topic: Freedom In Southampton

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 04-29-2006 07:24 AM

Well, someone had to do it. LOL! Anyone else down there? I know Mike said he would be on the Blue Funnel boat and Andrew had a prime spot on Arcadia. Wasn't it cold? It was quite mild until Freezer of the Seas passed the marina! Pity the P&O cams were offline. I had a feeling Arcadia's would be 'out of satellite range' despite the fact none of the others usually are. But for Artemis to go off after putting the flags out and greeting the enemy was a surprise. We were down there at 6am and caught Arcadia up the other end and Artemis in front of us. Started to build up between 7-8 but a lot of people really left it to the last minute or came after she'd passed then moaned about it, blaming Keith Hamilton of the Echo, saying he knows nothing! Well pots and kettles there I think. Bet he was wherever in plenty of time and not 8.30.

Anyone going down tonight for the fireworks and sailing?

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

gaz hants
First Class Passenger
Member # 5749

posted 04-29-2006 08:26 AM

hi patsy,
i came back from holiday in scotland especially for this. glad i did, although the overnight journey from newcastle has done my bleary eyes no good at all. i made it for the misty and murky arrival of art & arc.
i was on town quay. very crowded. not pleasant. freedom looks just like larger voyager. not very impressive i thought. sun came out just as she berthed alongside.
as i've said before part of the joy of these occasions is to listen to ones fellows spouting forth.
if i had a penny for everytime i heard the block of flats arguments. i did get a free coffee and biscuits from two lovely ladies who obviously took pity at my shivering emaciated form though!!
not sure about the yellow lifeboats.
dont think i'll be around for the fireworks.
see you anon,
regards,
gary.

Posts: 273 | From: hythe southampton uk | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged

Atlcruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4586

posted 04-29-2006 11:22 AM

Some nice photos taken of the Freedom in Southampten.

http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=223281

Also

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4957076.stm

[ 04-29-2006: Message edited by: Atlcruiser ]

Posts: 916 | From: Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 04-29-2006 11:55 AM

Great pics. She is a very impressive ship that is quite attractive (for a newbuild). Is it ever sunny in Southampton??

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Carlos Fernandez
First Class Passenger
Member # 6432

posted 04-29-2006 12:46 PM

I can see the painting done at Blohm Voss, the big white spot is now painted turquoise.

Posts: 1325 | From: Miami, Florida (Cruise Capital of the World) | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 04-29-2006 01:23 PM

Hi Gaz!

That was some sight this morning. Were you there for the sailing of Artemis and Arcadia? Arcadia let rip as she passed but Freezer stayed absolutely silent. Must be miffed about the webcams this morning being off. LOL! It should definitely change the name to Freezer. It was like being in one down there this evening! I'm knackered but will go for the fireworks and sailing tonight and try and get some to come out. Will have it on video anyway so can always get captures if push comes to shove.

Great pics. I got my first lot back this afternoon so have the end of Andrew's cruise. LOL!

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

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 04-29-2006 01:24 PM

Well Patsy got to it first. I tried to stay up late to see her come in(I was up till 3am) I was tracking her on AIS. Here is the webcam.
-Greg

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 04-29-2006 01:30 PM

That's a great capture, Greg. My friend in LA was up doing it and was really annoyed when P&O's cams went off. Though Arcadia's was off as she came up the water anyway. Artemis wasn't so I was really surprised about that. I was trying to track her on the VTS radar but no sooner had it reached 'Freedom of' then the next update there was another name covering it and I had to go out!

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

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 04-29-2006 06:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Great pics. She is a very impressive ship that is quite attractive (for a newbuild).

I must be the only person STILL not impressed with this 'newbuild'? Looks like a Voyager-class with a few changes.

I dont get what all the hoopla is about.

Sorry...

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-29-2006 06:19 PM

She is the newest ship of Roya Carribean nothing more but certainly nothing less. No doubt that this is 'just' an enlarged Voyager class - but the extra length give her the right proportions - suddenly the bulky curves of the Voyager Class are handsome. A very consistent, not too bad proportioned appearance. I would say the hype in this forum is justified as she looks much better than most recently built ships - especially ships of this size.
The public is of course only after the fact that she is now the largest passenger ship - could not care less about that.

[ 04-29-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 04-30-2006 12:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by dmwnc1:
I must be the only person STILL not impressed with this 'newbuild'? Looks like a Voyager-class with a few changes.
I dont get what all the hoopla is about.
Sorry...

You're right that FREEDOM is an enlarged Voyager class with some new innovations. I think the extra hype can be attributed to two factors.

1. RCI's PR Department - they have done an amazing job generating interest and anticipation of this ship. They really need to be commended.

2. Ship's size. Sure FREEDOM is basically an enlarged Voyager Class ship, but to the vast majority she is simply known as the largest passenger ship in the world. Being the "largest" of anything affords certain privileges, such as heightened press value and prestige, and FREEDOM is no exception.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 04-30-2006 04:27 PM

Uploaded more pics now. There's Arcadia and Artemis arriving in this and here You can tell which was the digital and which was the 35mm camera. I put the flash on with the 35mm because of all the blurry Pacific Sky ones in similar light without so didn't want the same. There's also Freedom and Artemis

[ 04-30-2006: Message edited by: Patsy ]

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

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-30-2006 04:41 PM

It is of course perpective which is enhancing the effect - nevertheless..

Remember: the Royal Princess was an unusually large ship for her time.....

[ 04-30-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 04-30-2006 05:24 PM

True. Makes good shots though.

And I'm sure the final one blast on the whistle in response when Freezer had completely covered her was Artemis saying, "Help!". LOL!

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

Carlos Fernandez
First Class Passenger
Member # 6432

posted 04-30-2006 05:35 PM

Nice, one is twice as big as the other.

Posts: 1325 | From: Miami, Florida (Cruise Capital of the World) | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-30-2006 05:36 PM

The frigthening part is that she is actually more than three time as large as the Artemis.....

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

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-30-2006 05:37 PM

Freedom & Artemis are great!! Thanks for those Patsy.. she doesn't actually look any smaller than Arcadia against FOTS.. perhaps becasue the other way around, or perhaps becasue anything is small against FOTS? but still so tiny!

Pam

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

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 05-01-2006 12:35 AM

As tall as FotS is, her funnel does not look as stubby as QM2's. She is a good looking ship.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

elad
First Class Passenger
Member # 5150

posted 05-01-2006 08:28 AM

great photo - i'm sure that the reason for Artemis looks so tiny comparinf to FOTS is the ilusion in the photo - FOTS is being photographed her in a closer postion that the artemis.
of course , if the y dock right next to each other we will see how different they are in size
but in the photo it looks far more radical than it really is.

Elad

Posts: 747 | From: israel | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Carlos Fernandez
First Class Passenger
Member # 6432

posted 05-01-2006 11:48 AM

I have been crazy looking for the itinerary from Southampton to Miami, I've been following the ship since it was "Ultra Voyager". Can anyone please post were she will be next and after and after that

Posts: 1325 | From: Miami, Florida (Cruise Capital of the World) | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 05-01-2006 12:00 PM

Carlos, she'll be heading to New York on Wednesday morning, arriving on the 12th May and it will also be covered on NBC's Today programme.

lasuvidaboy, funny you should say that. We did the short harbour tour this afternoon and the bloke doing the commentary said QM2 looks like an iron's been smashed down on it. He also isn't impressed that QM2 looks like a building.

I thought it was nice of the crew on Artemis to get the flags out around 7am. Arcadia from what we could see made no effort whatsoever.

Freedom really is huge. I've got a sore neck from looking up at her this afternoon trying to get some good shots. Will definitely add some more pics on Thursday. Probably go over to Mayflower Park instead on Wednesday. It's amazing how many people were there today just to see FOTS then left. It's definitely that which is making it so cold here. Bet it will be warmer tomorrow when she's away. LOL!

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

OceanVoyager
First Class Passenger
Member # 5585

posted 05-01-2006 12:10 PM

Hi everone, here is a view of FOTS in the sunshine taken this afternoon.

Andrew

Posts: 627 | From: Hythe, Southampton, UK | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 05-01-2006 01:12 PM

Great shot, Andrew. Looks lovely. My neck is agony after doing that harbour tour and looking up at her. Will enjoy the rest tomorrow before she leaves Wednesday. I won't let that or my sore throat spoil tonight's sailing though. She was being filled up with fuel earlier and is still down to sail so better this time otherwise they may have to double park Legend tomorrow! Now that would be interesting. LOL!

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

Matts
First Class Passenger
Member # 4120

posted 05-01-2006 02:02 PM

This is one of her arriving and making her way up Soton Water on Saturday morning.

Posts: 829 | From: London, United Kingdom | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 05-01-2006 02:21 PM

Thanks Matts & OceanVoyager.. what a difference a bit of sun makes

proof it does appear on the odd occasion in Southampton.

Pam

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

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