Cunard's Queen Elizabeth Tests A Revolutionary Floating Pier in Skjolden

When we visited the beautiful town of Skjolden deep inside the Norway Fjords last month, there were a few interesting things showing this tiny town of just 250 inhabitants is looking to get more cruise ships visiting.

Not only is Skjolden a staggering 130 miles inland, it also only build a permanent dock area for cruise ships in 2010. 

When we visited they were putting the finishing touches to a new and very interesting innovation called the Seawalk. 

The Seawalk is a floating and motorised pier that could be extended and moved around to allow ships to dock.

This pier and walkway is called the "Seawalk" and was tested by Cunard and Queen Elizabeth ship since to great success. SeaWalk was designed by a Norwegian company.

This clever walkway means that the ship can dock very close to the main part of the village. The SeaWalk is manoeuvred into position and passengers can then walk into town. The pier can be withdrawn back to the shore if desired. 

It is seen as a major innovation for ports with limited space to build a full pier, or the resources and costs of full built piers.

Seatrade Insider (link below) reports that: "The technology was invented by Asbjørn Nes, a partner in SeaWalk along with Ole Heggheim and Arthur Kordt, md of European Cruise Service and a shareholder in Cruise Norway. The naval architect is Kai Levander, whose work includes Oasis of the Seas, and engineering design was provided by Turku-based Elomatic. The fabricator is LMI, a firm located near Skjolden."


Read more:

• Fodors: Cunard Tests SeaWalk in Norway
• Seatrade: Cunard Seawalk test in Sjkolden

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Cunard Queen Elizabeth Norway Fjords Cruise: 7 nights Cruise in just 10 Minutes of Highlights

Cunard Queen Elizabeth Norway Fjords Cruise. 


A video I made of the 7 nights Cruise in just 9 Minutes of highlights. From Southampton through the North Sea to Bergen, Geiranger, Skjolden, Stavanger and back to Southampton.

 

Andy Fitzsimmons: A passenger's view of Cunard's 3 Queens Diamond Jubilee Event

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

I have posted a number of articles about Cunard's Diamond Jubilee event in Southampton. I add to this series with a perspective by Andy Fitzsimmons who was on the Queen Victoria coming back from a cruise into Southampton on the day of the event.


In his Flickr Account he has shared a perspective and many amazing photos. Some of them are below, but also visit Andy Fitzsimmons 3 Queens Jubilee Celebration Photo Set for many more, and his full review and comment.


Some key points he talks about are:

• Not the first time that 3 Queens had been together in their home port, the first occasion being on 22 April 2008 when Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria met up with Queen Elizabeth 2 for the final time, this was the first time the current Cunard fleet had arrived together. 
• Queen Mary 2 arrived from New York, Queen Victoria from Bergen and Queen Elizabeth from Barcelona 
• He was up on deck from 3.30am! Even by 4am crowds were lining Town Quay and Mayflower Park, while helicopters hovered overhead filming the event. 
• On Queen Mary 2 a group was dressed in period costume waiving union flags, and atop the mast, the Royal Mail pennant could be spotted flying proudly alongside the red ensign and Cunard house flag, together with what appeared to be the ship’s callsign (ZCEF6), spelt out in signal flags while further aft, a giant banner in the style of a union flag and bearing the legend ‘Congratulations Ma’am’, could be seen covering the name board. 
• The celebrations were hampered by the weather: Red Arrows display was cancelled, and fireworks for the departure were very obscured by low cloud
• The 3 ships departed again later that evening. Queen Mary 2 for Rotterdam, Queen Victoria for La Corũna and Queen Elizabeth to Hamburg.  
• Despite all the fuss: He spoke to a guest at breakfast who asked wheat all the fuss had been about earlier. They seem to have missed all the announcements and materials put in the cabins... 

Thanks to Andy for posting the amazing photos and his review, which you should read in full on his Flickr Page


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Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Photo by: Andy Fitzsimmons

Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Southampton 5 June 2012

Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Southampton 5 June 2012


Cunard have made and posted a 6 minute video of the day to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. It shows great shots of the ships arriving, aerial shots and interview.


 


Other blog postings I have done on the Diamond Jubilee:
http://allaboutcunard.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/cunard-3-ships-in-southampton-for.html




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Cunard's Three Queens Arrival Into Southampton: Video of the Jubilee Celebration

On 5 June 2012 Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth met in Southampton for the first time ever to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This is a video made by Cunard of the arrival of the ships 


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Cunard 3 Ships in Southampton for Queen's Diamond Jubilee

On June 5 2012 all 3 of the Cunard ships in service (Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria) were together in Southampton to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Here are some of the amazing photos that people who were there published on Flickr.








See some sets of photos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gocruisewithjane/sets/72157630055773410/with/7342217446/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjcc/sets/72157630013601606/with/7155493507/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sobester/sets/72157629993484217/with/7340542722/

Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebration: 5 June 2012 Southampton

This coming weekend is the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Weekend for Queen Elizabeth II. The 4 days of celebrations have many major events across the UK. There is an extra public holiday day added to the weekend.


Cunard are making a major effort due to their history and Cunard's link to the Monarchy and the Queen in particular. She has named many Cunard ships during her reign. The chart above shows the plans for the day which includes:

5.30 a.m. – 6.15 a.m: 3 ships arrive

All day event (festival & stalls) in Mayflower Park

6.20 p.m. - 6.45 p.m: Red Arrows flight display

10.20 p.m. - 10.35 p.m: City Terminal Fireworks display

11 p.m: All 3 ships sail down Southampton Water

Here are some reports about the plans they have across the weekend.

• Cruise Critic writes: "It'll be an early start on Tuesday, June 5 for anybody wanting to witness the simultaneous arrival of three Cunard Queens in Southampton. But there will be opportunities throughout the day to celebrate the Jubilee with Cunard and the City of Southampton". Read more
• Manchester Evening News writes: "celebrations take place onboard all day as well, including talks from guest speakers with royal connections and a display of royal art, including pieces by HRH The Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Lord Snowdon, on all three ship". Read more.
• Seaview Cruises writes: " Cunard's Three Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday June 5 - expected to be the biggest jubilee event outside London as Cunard's three ship fleet sail in convoy into Southampton for the first time - will be enhanced by the launch of ‘Cunard FM’ radio for this one special day only.
• The radio station will broadcast on 87.7FM from 0800 hours right through to midnight. As well as music during the day, in the afternoon, the station will feature celebrity interviews and two special highlights, introduced by ‘Cunard FM’s’ own presenter, Keith Maynard, Queen Mary 2’s entertainment director. Read More

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Cunard News: Princess Royal Anne on board Queen Elizabeth and Jubilee Spectacular

Princess in Southampton to attend launch of maritime education scheme

Southamptons' Daily Echo reported about Princess Anne going on board the Queen Elizabeth this week. 


They reported: "The Princess Royal, as patron of Sea Vision UK, is due to embark on the Cunard ship, Queen Elizabeth, to attend the launch of a new maritime education scheme.Sea Vision, established in 2003, is a campaigning body aimed at raising awareness and understanding of the sea, and maritime activities, together with promoting the industry to young people aged between 13 and 22".

Cunard’s Jubilee spectacular in Southampton: What’s the big deal?

The popular Cruise Critic blog reported about the forthcoming Cunard Queen's Jubilee Spectacular in Southampton on long weekend at the start of June 2012. They report:

"June 5, when all three gather in their home port of Southampton, will be not only the first time the three current Queens have assembled in Europe, but it’s the culmination of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebratory weekend, which, as we all know, means four days of street parties up and down the country, a spectacular pageant of boats on the Thames and an extra bank holiday. Cunard reckons that its Southampton party on the Tuesday will be the biggest single celebration outside London over the weekend"


Click the headlines to read more!

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Cunard on the web week 10 May: A new review and a video slideshow

Here are some of the new postings about Cunard from the web this week:  Mini Cruise on Queen Elizabeth - Cunard Review by CABINET CruiseCritic.co.uk member review for Queen Elizabeth based on a mini-cruise. They did not like it that much... Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Ocean Liner - YouTubeSlide show: Not just another cruise ship, but a proper 'Ocean Liner' designed for the rigours of the north Atlantic during transatlantic crossings. Images of the ship taken by a fan in 2004

Cunard celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with a 3 ship tribute in June 2012

With their strong historical links to the British Royal Family, Cunard are going to celebrate this year's Queen's Jubilee with a big event on the June 5 Bank Holiday in the UK.

The plan is for all of the 3 serving Cunard ships (Queen Mary2; Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth) to all be in their old home port of Southampton on the same day.

All 3 ships will sail in that morning in a single line and no doubt many boats will join them for the sail up the Solent.

Later that day all 3 will set of on various cruises, including a round UK trip visit.

Should be quite an event and sight.

Big Cunard offer if book in March: Upgrade to next level at no extra cost

Cunard have announced a big sale offer where if you book before 31 March you pay for one level of cabin - but get the higher level. This offer is for 44 different cruises and well worth checking out.


Here are some key points about the deal from the Cunard Press release:

The month-long promotion offers big deals across all 3 ships: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria

Destinations include:

Short Break
Join Queen Victoria on 5 May or Queen Mary 2 on 16 November 2012 for a four-night long weekend that’s the perfect introduction to Cunard’s legendary lifestyle. Sail from Southampton and call at Zeebrugge for Bruges and Le Havre for Paris before returning home. Outside fares – at inside prices – start from just £399 per person for Queen Victoria and £499 on Queen Mary 2.

The Mediterranean
Queen Victoria’s 3 October 16-night voyage from and back to Southampton features Mediterranean highlights including Cadiz, Malaga, Split, Corfu, Venice and Dubrovnik. Outside fares - at inside prices – from £1,499 per person and Princess Grill fares – at deluxe balcony prices - from £2,399 per person.

Norwegian Fjords
Queen Elizabeth sails from Southampton on 6 July and 7 August 2012 for a seven-night voyage along Norway’s scenic coastline, calling at Stavanger, Skjolden, Geiranger and Bergen.  A balcony stateroom is the perfect complement to this stunning landscape: balcony fares at outside stateroom prices start at £1,069 per person.

The Baltic 
Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on 10 August for an 11-night voyage to the Baltic cities including Hamburg, Oslo, Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Stavanger. Outside stateroom fares for the cost of an inside room from £1,549 per person.

Canaries
Join Queen Victoria in Southampton on 11 November and sail for 11 nights to Funchal, Tenerife, Las Palmas, Lisbon, Vigo and back to the UK. Fares for an outside stateroom - at inside prices – start from £949 per person.

Around Britain
In 2012 Queen Elizabeth will sail to and from Southampton to make a maiden call in the Orkney Islands and visit Greenock, Liverpool and Cobh – ports with strong historic and emotional ties with Cunard.  11 nights 27 July- 7 August 2012:  an outside stateroom for the cost of an inside room start at £1,399 per person 

Reservations on 0843 374 0000 or www.cunard.co.uk/ultimate upgrade

Cunard Queen Elizabeth Ship: my review, video and photos

Queen Elizabeth docked in Zeebrugge

We went on a short 5-night cruise out of Southampton round Europe on the newest of the Cunard Fleet, the Queen Elizabeth. The trip went to Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre, and was one of a series of identical trips that they did to let people try out and see the new ship.

I had mixed views about the ship before going on her, as we had been on the Queen Victoria and this ship is pretty much the same ship and layout - and we had thought the Queen Victoria was okay - but had not blown us away.

Read the full review I did: click here



See all my photos of the ship: click here

Watch the video of our room a Q3 Penthouse Suite 5103



Watch the video we made touring around the interior of the ship and all the main rooms:




Watch the video we made of the exteriors of the ship and the decks:

Grand Lobby on Queen Elizabeth

Queens Room on Queen Elizabeth

Brittannia Restaurant on Queen Elizabeth

Garden Lounge on Queen Elizabeth

Queens Grill Restaurant on Queen Elizabeth

Royal Arcade on Queen Elizabeth

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Her Majesty The Queen Tours & Names Cunard Line's New Ship, Queen Elizabeth

Tweet Do you have any thoughts? Leave a comment on the blog. Where you will also find details of how to subscribe for email updates, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe for the free podcast.

Cunard Queen Elizabeth Queens Grill Q3 Penthouse Suite 5103

Cunard Queen Elizabeth Ship: tour of the decks and exterior

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 in Sydney

Amazing footage of the 2 ships in Sydney.....

Cruise News reports: Queen Elizabeth Maiden Voyage Full of Surprises

Picture by Hythe Eye on Flickr

Article on Cunard Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage on Cruise News:

Queen Elizabeth completed her 13-night Maiden Voyage in Southampton, England on Tuesday. As well as enjoying the thrill of being the first to sail on Cunard Line's new Queen, guests were also treated to several surprises during the voyage.



British singing icon Lulu stormed the Royal Court Theatre with a rousing performance of hits and a tribute to the 1980s and was joined by surprise guest Kiki Dee.


Headlining the Cunard Insights line-up was broadcasting legend Sir David Frost, who spoke to a packed theatre on "Interviews I Shall Never Forget." Frost, who led the TV satire boom in the 1960s, has interviewed the seven most recent US Presidents, as well as Vladmir Putin and Nelson Mandela (the latter on QE2 in March 1998), and was the subject of the hit 2008 motion picture "Frost/Nixon."


In addition, the first marriage proposal took place on board, with guest James McCracken proposing to girlfriend Lisa Lehman - the answer was "yes!"


Most importantly, Queen Elizabeth received a warm welcome from the hundreds of Cunard guests on board who have been full of praise for both the ship and her crew. In fact, 98% of those on board reported that they would recommend Queen Elizabeth to a friend, which bodes extremely well for her Maiden Season.


One of the many highlights of the voyage was the ship's new restaurant, The Verandah, which was full every night with guests enjoying fine French cuisine in a setting reminiscent of the original Queen Elizabeth.


Queen Elizabeth received warm welcomes and bon voyages from all the ports visited during her Maiden Voyage: Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Tenerife, La Palma and Funchal.


"Queen Elizabeth is a spectacular addition to our majestic fleet," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "Expectations were bound to be high for her Maiden Voyage, which sold out in 29 minutes 14 seconds, and I am elated to hear the high praise from our guests. This is a true testament to the ship's officers and crew who have done a magnificent job. We can't wait to welcome future guests on board," he added.

photos of the new Queen Elizabeth on the Cunard Facebook page

Many photos of the new Queen Elizabeth on the Cunard Facebook page: click here


A selection below:

VIDEO OF CUNARD QUEEN ELIZABETH CREW PREPARING THE SHIP

Cunard Line's new ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, debuts to the world on 11 October, 2010, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II serving as Godmother during a Royal Naming Ceremony. During her final weeks at the shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, Queen Elizabeth was populated by the more than 1000 crew members who will call the new ship "home" during her Maiden season. 


The launch team proudly carried the theme of "We Are Cunard," as they handled the thousands of details to prepare Queen Elizabeth for her first guests. This video takes viewers behind-the-scenes to see the final stages of outfitting a luxury ocean liner and the energetic atmosphere onboard Cunard's new Queen.

Southampton will welcome Queen Elizabeth for the first time on Friday 8th October

Southampton will welcome Queen Elizabeth for the first time on Friday 8th October where she will berth alongside Ocean Terminal at 09.00 am.


Join us in welcoming our newest Cunarder. We expect that she will sail past these popular viewing points at the times below.


07:00 Ryde / Portsmouth
07:10 Lee on Solent
07:25 Cowes
07:40 Calshot
07:50 Hamble
08:00 Royal Victoria Country Park
08:10 Hythe
08:20 Mayflower Park
08:30 Redbridge
09:00 Ocean Terminal


For more details and to view these point on a map click here


Alternatively you can follow Queen Elizabeth's arrival on the Bridge Web Cam