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Thank you about your report about Steinwerder terminal. I think the big problem for the terminal is that it it was inaugurated not long before QM2 docked and that the infrastructure is not ready at the moment. To dock QM2 there was, because there is too much mud at the Hafencity terminal and the draft QM2 is too high. Due to environmental issues it is only allowed to remove the mud from November to March.

If the new terminal had not been ready the visit of QM2 had to be cancelled or diverted to Cuxhaven or Bremerhaven.

In my opinion QM2 will dock at Steinwerder this year and at Hafencity terminal next year.

There is a way beneath river Elbe not far away from Steinwerder, but as seen yesterday, there are no signs directing to the tunnel. Because of that this is only something for people who know the place.

Just read that there will be a shuttle boat from the new terminal to the fish market across River Elbe from 11 am to 6 pm. I don't know if there are any restaurants in- or outside the terminal, because this is a new developed area. I will go to there on Sept. 13th to have a look. After that I will post my impression.

It is planned to build a new terminal in the Hafencity in the next years. The plans are to build a huge terminal with a hotel and many parking space. I don' t know when the new terminal will be ready.

I really hope that QM2 will be back to the Hafencity-terminal in 2016 as there is a better view to the ship. The article in the newspaper stated that the mud can only removed from November to March. I really hope that this will be done.

I can't post a link to the article, because the article is beyond a paywall.

I hope to wave at you leaving Hamburg from the right terminal.

I don't really know. From the drought there's no problem for the P&O ships. Even Britannia has not such a deep drought as QM2.

But the Steinwerder terminal is new opened and maybe Hamburg tries to berth more ships there. The terminal is mainly build for Aida and especially for the Aidaprima, which will set sail from Hamburg weekly. But Cunard and P&O also belong to Carnival ...

Hi Peppern,

there will be other ships at the Hafencity-terminal. For the next arrival on Sept. 13 QM2 has exchanged the pier with MSC Splendida.

Maybe you can cross River Elbe through the old tunnel beneath the river, which is not too far away. The tunnel is open for pedestrians in both directions and for cars in one direction before noon and to be he other direction after noon. But I think it might be difficult to find the entrance of the tunnel.

I will be in Hamburg when QM2 arrives the next time and will have a look.

Beware: QM2 will dock at a new terminal the next 3 visits this year. More information can be found at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2252165

// Sorry, forgot to mention Hamburg in the subject //

Newspapers announced today that QM2 will be moored at the new Steinwerder terminal instead of the Hafen-City terminal in Hamburg for the next 3 visits this year.

The reason is that there's too much mud at the old pier and QM2 has a too deep draught. The mud can only been brought away in the time from November to March due to environmental issues.

The article in the newspaper stated that passengers will be informed (I hope this is true).

I attached a picture with the old and new location.

More information about the new terminal is available at http://www.cruisegate-hamburg.de/en/content/page-cruise-center-steinwerder

From the new location you have to use a shuttle or a taxi to the city as you have to cross the river Elbe.

If I get new information I will post it here.

Today Cunard announced the new deck plans after the refit. The plans can be downloaded from

http://www.cunard.co.uk/Documents/2015-2016%20deck%20plans/QM2-Deck-Plan-June2016.pdf

Looks like that the panorama-elevators will be in service after the refit.

M520 is a special cruise for the German market and is announced as "Stars At Sea"-cruise. The Rocker Peter Maffay who is well known in Germany performes many concerts and talks during the time at sea. Also the dresscode is lowered to "jeans on".

Here is the link to a German advertisement on YouTube. Unfortunately in German, but you a able to get an impression.

Friends of me, who are doing the 175th year crossing told me today that they just booked stateroom 13039 for the crossing M610 from July 6th to July 15th. They told me, that they got confirmed the room and also paid the deposit.

I told them to go to the future cruise office tomorrow to ask for new information.

Hello,

just found an article which stated that Queen Mary 2 Rescues Small Boat During Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing.

http://www.cruisehive.com/queen-mary-2-rescues-small-boat-during-anniversary-transatlantic-crossing/7311

Maybe somebody aboard can tell us more.

I am unable to view it. It will not open. Has that got something to do with the full stop in the middle?

I don't think so. If the video will not open try

Hope this helps.

Just found an article which stated that Cunard will do a live stream showing the 3 Queens event in Liverpool. I hope the stream will not be overcrowded. The article is located at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cunard-to-live-stream-175th-anniversary-events-in-liverpool-on-25-may-300087580.html

Thank you for your fast reply. I hope to watch the ceremony on the webcam, but I think it will be overcrowded. Tried watching BBC today which works for me using a proxy-server.

I wish all people aboard, ashore and worldwide a wonderful ceremony.

Does anybody know if there will a live broadcast of the ceremony be done by BBC or another network?

Just read the article again and came to the conclusion that the installation has recently been done.

Just found the news that "Queen Mary 2 fitted with a Wärtsilä advanced wastewater treatment system" at http://en.portnews.ru/news/194563

I don't know if the work can be done while QM2 is in service or during the next drydock.

Thank you Jim for fast response.

While looking at the tracking data of QM2 on Marinetraffic I discovered, QM2 seems to have missed Abu Dhabi today. Does anybody have more information?

"Stars at sea" released a promotion video for the tour. It can be watched at

QM2 was on anchor since yesterday evening. I looked to the channel a few times today but there was only northbound traffic. But since a few minutes ago QM2 is moving towards the channel. Don't know if there's a delay now.

Here are some photos of QV leaving the drydock from the webcam cunardaddict mentioned above:

I think QV goes directly to Southampton instead of mooring at the Altona cruise terminal. QV passes the terminal now with 7.1 knots.

Looks like QUEEN ELIZABETH takes a very southerly way to New York to avoid the worst of the storms.

Queen Victoria arrived in Hamburg today as scheduled and is now in drydock ELBE17 at Blohm & Voss shipyard.