Queen Mary 2 prepares for its first Atlantic crossing with storm looming (pics)

yahoo ^ | 1/12/04

[finnman69]

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AFP) - The world's newest and biggest cruise liner, Queen Mary 2, was set to depart Monday on its first transatlantic voyage, braving a nasty North Atlantic winter storm en route to sunny Florida.

AFP Photo

The black-hulled 345-meter (1,139-foot) flagship of Cunard, the upmarket British unit of US cruise line group Carnival, was scheduled to sail at 5 pm (1700 GMT) for a 14-day journey to Fort Lauderdale.

It had yet to slip its moorings by 6:15 pm (1815 GMT), however, as it continued to load baggage at Southampton harbour.

"It's just an unusual amount of luggage that's being loaded," Cunard spokeswoman Penny Guy told AFP from the ship. "The last iron box is going on right now."

Once out of the relatively calm waters of the Solent, which separates the Isle of Wight from England's south coast, the Queen Mary 2 was expected to be tested by the storm moving up the English Channel.

Torrential rain and winds of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour were forecast and the sea was expected to be extremely choppy for the 1,400 passengers and crew.

The voyage, via the Canary Islands and the Bahamas, was to be the first serious test of Queen Mary 2's seaworthiness since it was constructed and launched last year at Saint Nazaire, on the French Atlantic coast.

A Cunard spokesman said the ship -- formally named by Queen Elizabeth II (news - web sites) at a ceremony in Southampton, its home port, last Thursday -- would set sail regardless.

"She is built to go through the worst Atlantic storms," he said.

"If she was a normal cruise ship there may be an impact, but the QM2 is constructed for this. The only possible change there could be will be to the firework display to send her off."

The early days of the Queen Mary 2 were marked by tragedy -- 15 people were killed and 28 injured in an gangway accident at Saint Nazaire in November.

If the huge, towering ship rides out the storm, passengers will begin to enjoy the unrivalled luxury it offers, including 14 bars and restaurants, four swimming pools, a cinema and a theater with over 1,000 seats.

Ticket prices reflect the comfort available and the passenger list is made up of well-off, mainly North American, travellers.

The most expensive Grand Duplex cabins, equivalent to suites in a five-star hotel, cost 22,429 pounds (32,394 euros, 41,525 dollars) per person.

For this price, Cunard provides a private butler to serve the suite's guests, binoculars to observe the horizon and, for a finishing touch, a portraits of Queen Elizabeth linking arms with husband Prince Philip.

For those unable to afford Grand Duplex, the Royal Suite with private balcony or the Balmoral Suite with state-of-the-art entertainment system and gym machine, there is still top class service on offer.

Some cabins are admittedly smaller and some are not fitted with a porthole. But even their occupants can enjoy a game of golf, smoke a cigar in the Churchill bar or relax in one of the many jacuzzis.

[RightField]

I have a friend who has travel agency that caters to the "rich and famous." A few years ago she won some travel award, and was treated to a transatlantic trip on the QE2, followed by a trip on the Orient Express, followed by a flight back to NYC on the Concorde. Not a bad way to spend 3 weeks. All first class, of course.

She is one of the invited guests on the return trip from the US back to England this summer.

........ sigh .......

[finnman69]

http://www.cunard.com/QM2/default.asp?Active=about&sub=shipfacts

Length: 1,132 feet
Beam: 135 feet
Beam at Bridge Wings: 147.5 feet
Draft: 32 feet 10 inches
Height (Keel to Funnel): 236.2 feet
Gross Tonnage: Approximately 150,000 gross tons
Passengers: 2,620
Crew: 1,253
Top Speed: Approximately 30 knots (34.5 mph)
Power: 157,000 horsepower, environmentally friendly, gas turbine/diesel electric plant
Propulsion: Four pods of 21.5 MW each; 2 fixed and 2 azimuthing
Strength: Extra thick steel hull for strength and stability for Atlantic crossings
Stabilizers: Two sets
Cost: Estimated $800 million dollars

Some comparisons:


QM2 is five times longer than Cunard's first ship, Britannia (230 ft.)

QM2 is 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary

QM2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall (550 ft.)

QM2 is 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (984 ft.)

QM2 is more than 3 ½ times as long as Westminster Tower (Big Ben) is high (310 ft.)

QM2 is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall (1248 ft.)

QM2 is more than three times as long as St. Paul's Cathedral is tall (366 ft.)

QM2 is as long as 41 double-decker London buses (31 ½ ft. each)

QM2's whistle will be audible for 10 miles

[JulieRNR21]

When I lived in So. CA I loved to go to the Queen Mary for lunch. It was also a favorite place for photographers to film commercials. Also liked to see the fireworks at 9PM each evening.

[LibWhacker]

You lucky dog, you! :-)

[erasmus605]

I hope no one quipped "She's unsinkable."

first thing that came to my mind, too.

[TC Rider]

My wife and I cruised for two weeks in the '80s on the Cunard Countess. The QM2 could probably use it for a launch.

(BTW, we had a wonderful time, we were the token yanks on a ship full of brits. We got exemplary service to the chagrin of the Brits. We asked why we got the great service and the brits didn't. We were told it was because the Americans know how to tip)

[LibWhacker]

What are those suckers, about 20 feet across?

[John H K]

http://www.science-frontiers.com/sf109/sf109p11.htm


ROGUE WAVE SMASHES THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II

September 11, 1995. North Atlantic. Aboard the Queen Elizabeth II enroute from Cherbourg to New York.

During this crossing of the Atlantic, the Queen Elizabeth II had to change course to avoid Hurricane Luis. Despite this precaution, the vessel encountered seas of 18 meters with occasional higher crests. At 0400 the Grand Lounge windows, 22 meters above the water, stove in. But this was only a precursor.

"At 0410 the rogue wave was sighted right ahead, looming out of the darkness from 220°, it looked as though the ship was heading straight for the white cliffs of Dover. The wave seemed to take ages to arrive but it was probably less than a minute before it broke with tremendous force over the bow. An incredible shudder went through the ship, followed a few minutes later by two smaller shudders. There seemed to be two waves in succession as the ship fell into the 'hole' behind the first one. The second wave of 28-29 m (period 13 seconds), whilst breaking, crashed over the foredeck, carrying away the forward whistle mast.

"Captain Warwick admits that sometimes it can be difficult to gauge the height of a wave, but in this case the crest was more or less level with the line of sight for those on the bridge, about 29 m above the surface; additionally, the officers on the bridge confirmed that it was definitely not a swell wave. The presence of extreme waves was also recorded by Canadian weather buoys moored in the area, and the maximum measured height from buoy 44141 was 30 m (98 feet.)"

The Queen Elizabeth II survived the onslaught with minor damage; no passengers or crew members were injured.

[LibWhacker]

What I really meant to say was, bon voyage! I hope you have a wonderful time. :-)

[oceanview]

when they start pumping Celine Dion's "My Heart will go on" over the on board announcement system, it's trouble.

[Capt. Tom]

Beam: 135 feet

No Panama canal transits for her. -Tom

[WestCoastGal]

http://www.cunard.com/QM2/home2.asp




Here's a link for a clickable tour of the QM2

[Taylor42]

I hope no terrorists have signed on as crew members...

[finnman69]

QM2's most lavish Grill accommodations are unrivaled at sea. Here your concierge and a personal butler anticipate your needs and comply with the utmost speed and efficiency. Lavish amenities include marble baths with whirlpool tubs, walk-in closets, en-suite bars stocked with selected spirits or wine and soft drinks, fresh flowers and pre-dinner canapés.

The enormous Grand Duplexes include sweeping living quarters and an expansive balcony downstairs, a luxurious master bedroom upstairs, two marble baths with seprate whirlpool tub and shower, a guest bathroom with shower, and private exercise equipment. The three Duplex Apartments feature the same amenities with smaller balconies. Choose the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth Suites located all the way forward and enjoy commanding ocean views, two full baths and even your own private elevator access. And if you're in need of even more room, combine these two suites with the adjacent Royal Suites to create magnificent living quarters totaling nearly 3,800 square feet.

[finnman69]

I was on the Sagafjord cruising in Alaska. Cunard's level of service and quality of food is unbelievable. It's not hamburgers and fries at the midnight buffet. It's crab legs, salmon, gourmet pastries. By the end of a 2 week cruise I did not want to see food ever again.

[Moose4]

150,000 tons at 30 knots. Just DAMN.

}:-)4

[finnman69]

they made a decision early on to not make her able to transit the Panama Canal.

[two23]

"Beautiful ship. Wish I could be on her."

I would be thrilled just to watch her come into port. She's hugh!!!

[finnman69]

150,000 tons at 30 knots. Just DAMN.

And no nukes, super powerful gas turbines...I have seen a pic of the ship's bridge speedometer clocking it at 33 knots during sea trials.

[TC Rider]

Sounds like fun. My recollection is that the Sagafjord is somewhat smaller than the Countess and the Pricess.

We had about 700 passengers on the Countess with us. Ate like Kings. (drank like fish)