Photo Andy

Thank you IBD37 as I was thinking of starting this cruise thread but you beat me too it.   

Cruising  must change, the terrible public relations of passengers dying whilst self quarantining on board and ports refusing entry to cruise ships makes travellers / tourists think maybe cruising is a bad idea, fly somewhere or a road trip in your own country.  

Few observations from cruising on Cunard,  some people  just do not wash hands post toilet, pulled a guy up about this and even then did not wash his hands for 20secs though he was complaining of diarrhoea you get the idea!

Buffets are not the problem people are, when you see a female not able to shake rice from a serving spoon so clears it with her right index finger (QM2 TA back to back July 2018), I asked the server to remove the rice platter and spoon explaining why, or the little old lady on Canaries cruise (QV Nov 2019) who was testing the bread rolls with her hands, I asked the server to remove all rolls as not sure how many she had tested before I saw her. QM2 TA and Canada (Oct 2019) saw an old man  place his hand in the crouton jar for a handful of croutons for his soup, asked server to remove and wash the jar,  she agreed. What you do in your home is your business but on a cruise ship along with +1k passengers any lack of hygiene practices are not acceptable.

I do not use the alcohol sanitiser as it irritates my skin I prefer to go to a toilet, thoroughly wash my hands with soap for 20secs all hand surfaces and dry with a paper towel, then use that paper towel to open the door unless it is wedged open (hopefully) and proceed into the Lido / Kings Court buffet.

Some people will now not cruise seeing the deaths and bad publicity preferring flying somewhere or a staycation,  for cruising to attract new cruisers and returners it must be seen to act and raise hygiene standards among passengers and those passengers that can not live by the new hygiene rules then maybe do not cruise. People over 70 yrs may not obtain travel insurance so that would remove then from the cruise market so the enhanced hygiene may attract younger passengers new to cruising or if not cruising may just wither away and that would be a great loss to those of us who love cruising and exploring this World we are on.

Best wishes to all in these difficult times. 

I am retired, having worked in UK health care and now a keen photographer living in a small village in North East UK.   

We had 9 holidays booked this year,  4 cruises, 2x Wales (visiting friends), Salisbury (photographing Stonehenge), Whitby (black and white photography),  and the Lake District. All cancelled.

The cruises - TA and Iceland, Canaries over Easter, Alaska / Japan, and Northern lights - all cancelled when we realised Covid 19 was going to eventually cause problems. Really sad as we thought this was to be our best year for cruises and holidays. We received an  email from Cunard giving us an option to rebook but have not to date because the telephone lines were busy and customer care are so busy repatriating and cancelling etc. We will rebook next year probably an Iceland cruise as we have been to Iceland, it is wonderful for the rugged scenery and waterfalls. 

Now  we are keeping fit - our gym was closed due to Covid 19,  bought some weights to use in a back bedroom and commissioned my mountain bike again, having a daily power walk or out on my bike to keep fit (as per the Prime Ministers (PM) advice). The roads and foot paths are quiet but people are cutting lawns and do it yourself in gardens and garages (you can hear the power tools). The weather since the PM ordered a lockdown has been really sunny so great for walking in the garden for fresh air without human contact apart from the family. Want to be fit for when cruising resumes and we travel on excursions.

Our favourite cruise was last autumn - Soton, Le Havre, NY, Boston, Quebec, Saguenay, Sept Iles, Halifax, NY and Soton, 29 days on QM2. Wonderful ship, great scenery and the experience.  I did write a review at the time on CC but fondly reflect on this holiday. We had  our wedding anniversary lunch in Hard Rock in Boston - delightful city. 2nd favourite cruise was the Atlantic coast last autumn especially visiting La Coruna (walkable), and Seville (walkable and architecture) and really sad when I see what Covid 19 is doing to Spain.  

Best wishes to all in these difficult times. 

Derek. 

jnicktem

I have used a number of these and will describe each.

I think what you are talking about is a Joby Gorilla Pod 5K,  it has a ball head with Arca Swiss quick plate. Very well designed, and a lovely piece of kit but never found it stable enough to take 1 picture. Do not use anymore.

Platy pod Pro Max flat tripod plate, useful, has 4 pointed steel screws to level and provide stability at your location. It comes with a silicone flat pad and this was more useful on top of a gran piano taking a picture (Cunard QM2 picture of Champagne bar). You need to add a ball head from any manufacturer (I have a Gitzo tripod so use a GH1382QD). The steel  pointed screws are fiddly and lost one at a location but was able to purchase another set. Tried to use on the wall surrounding Central Park, New York and it could not maintain its position on the top rock at 45 degrees. It goes on holiday in my suitcase - small and flat, easy to carry.

Now have a Slik Pro 500DXS small table top tripod bought at B and H in New York. Use the Gitzo head as mentioned above and seems to work well.

Suggest you try them all and maybe someone will suggest other tripods. Need to add a Kirk universal or specific camera plate to use.

If weight is a problem e.g. flying with weight restrictions then maybe a lightweight tripod - carbon fibre, say 3 or 4 sections so could be low and full height for landscapes. I do not think there is a perfect solution,  happy hunting.  

Derek.        

Jeffrey1950

We did this cruise last Sept  /Oct 2019 from Soton to Soton, 29 days. I will miss the TA crossings as that was not your question. 

New York Friday 4 Oct lovely sunshine, walked to central Park and no autumn colours. Wore shorts. 

Newport, Rhode Island Sat 5 Oct warm sunshine and walked about in shorts.

Boston Sun 6 Oct, warm sunshine, walked to  Acorn street and back to Faneuil square for late lunch in Hard Rock (wedding anniversary), wore shorts.

Mon 7 Oct at sea, seem to remember it was ok but windy.

Quebec Friday 10 Oct, walked around, sunny, leaves were changing colour, all cars had winter tyres on, garages had screen wash rated at -45C, wore shorts. We walked around at night and it was cool, used a fleece, Gore-Tex jacket and long trousers. Some people were wearing padded jackets. Quebec was prepared for a severe winter. 

Quebec 11 Oct, caught the local bus to Montmorency Falls, was sunny but cool and at the falls it warmed up. Wore shorts. 

Quebec 12 Oct am only, turned cold complete change  of clothing, padded winter trousers, 2 fleeces and Gore-Tex jacket, hat and gloves. 

I appreciate you may disembark in Quebec but we sailed to Saguenay Sunday 13 October, lovely sunshine,  went inland to Ouitchouan waterfall at Val Jalbert, walked around and did some waterfall photography all lovely. Walking back to the bus was warm and dry.

Sailed further north to Sept Iles and I was hoping to catch the autumn colours but they had finished,  and this was a special photo excursion to a forest. Fog descended as we left, cool, wore fleece and padded trousers. 

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wednesday 17 October  visited Lunenburg and lovely warm sunshine, wore shorts and T shirt.  

We sailed back to New York and it was rough with QM2 being moved around but you could walk but not on deck. 

New York Friday 18 Oct, warm sunshine, but I was the only one wearing shorts and walked to Central Park but colours had not changed, but lovely walking about in the warm sunshine.

It was a lovely holiday, weather was excellent, but we went prepared for all weathers especially cold and wet. Photographically not bad but did not capture the fall colours.  

Derek. 

We had a helicopter medical evacuation about 12 hours after leaving Le Havre (France)  heading into the Channel with a diversion to Falmouth (UK) to rendezvous with a helicopter. This was Space week on QM2, Saturday 28 Sept at 6-45am, with an announcement into the cabins asking us not to go on deck or balconies.  

We heard the patient was safely delivered to hospital but no further details. 

Never had anything stolen from a bag to date.  Thankfully. 

Had the TSA on flights open bags, I think this is due to number of cables for charging - phone, shaver, toothbrush, photographic flash cabling etc, just a shame could not have one charging cord for everything.  They placed a notice in the bag re the search. 

From what Ricki has stated re suitcases - many years ago on a flight from UK to Central Asia my grey Samsonite suitcase pre TSA locks and 9/11, the bag disappeared from the airport carousel with another grey Samsonite case remaining on the carousel but not mine. Guessing that a case of mistaken suitcase took the remaining case and walked through the airport looking for a similar case. Saw someone outside the airport with another grey Samsonite case and noticed it was mine and we exchanged cases. My case had a small luggage label they had not noticed. 

Now our suitcases have multiple stickers on both sides,  garish but hopefully no one will mistake our cases. 

Derek. 

Internet- slow in comparison to our home router. Easier and faster to use your smart phone 4G network whilst in ports.
Eat in Lido - food excellent, had a French evening menu a few days ago - stunning, French onion soup, snails, French entrees and Grand Marnier and orange juice crepes. Wow, wow, wow. 

Age - we are presently on a Canary Islands  cruise and a much older age group, but active, reading, attending lectures, IT and internet savvy. Many were walking in Lisbon today. In Lanzarote we trekked on the moonscape and all looked fit and everybody kept up with the group. Age is just a number!! The previous cruise to this was the Atlantic coast - were younger, 10 day quick warm sun cruise in early winter. 
Derek. 

Turtles06

I tried on Queen Mary sailing into NY in October this year- utter failure. Just thinking about it I should have spot metered and focus locked on the S of L, as it is highlighted with lights, reduce exposure using exposure compensation (I shoot manual with auto iso, review highlights on histogram and dial in exposure compensation as needed by trial and looking at histogram). Shoot fast and review, maybe long winded but usually works for me but maybe just tired after a long cruise and very early am - my excuses. interesting to see what people say. Need lens longer than 200mm or crop in post production. Will need to practise on another statue to perfect my technique. 
Derek. 

No disappointment Host Hattie as Madeira is gorgeous. We were able to visit Monte on the arrival pm, dinner onboard then to the Christmas market and stalls later in the evening. Back onboard watched part of the election results then next day back to Monte with camera and tripod for photography. 
All delightful. 
Derek. 

Delayed departure from Soton due to bad weather and fully informed by Captain to reasoning. Eventually left 6.15 am Saturday 9 Dec, informed we were missing La Palma but overnighted in Madeira. Channel and Biscay were rough but life was sweet on QV. 
Derek. 

Spinnaker2

Thanks for posting this question.

I am in the UK next June to photograph Puffins on the Farne Islands and will travel for a few miles in an open boat with photo gear.  Found the following article from  Shutterbug magazine online.  

"Photo Bag Reviews June 3, 2015, The Best Dry Bags to protect your camera gear".

Have a nice holiday.

Derek.  

Lanky Lad

further to my earlier comments. Macys is useful for a drink and sit down after walking around NYC and whilst waiting for the bus to return to QM2. Macys has 2 cafes, 3 eateries and as Bigmike 911 states it will be warm especially if NYC has cold winds and  or snow.  

It will be a long day especially if you rise early to see QM2 sailing under the Verrazano narrows bridge at 4am then breakfast and early into NYC. I attach a photo of QM2 sailing under the bridge - just!

BW

Derek. 

Lanky Lad

we did this recently. Early start 7.30am, at Macy’s by 8.30am and collected at 2.30pm nearby. Cost was $50 each (I maybe wrong) bought on board. 
We walked from Macy’s to Flatiron building then up 5th Ave to Central Park and through CP, back via Times Square to Macy’s. Feet hurt afterwards and I was wearing trail shoes. We enjoyed the visit. 
Have a great time.

Derek. 
 

Se1lad

useful info regarding price of a UK sparkling water, especially as this is my local supermarket,  thanks.  

Were you able to carry on board? if so, how many as a 2l bottle is bigger than a 0.75l bottle. Are they sold in a pack ?

Thanks. 

Slight variation on the theme.

I want to bring onboard 3x 6 pack of sparkling water as I do not drink alcohol nor tea nor coffee etc but prefer water. Will drink in the room only so no corkage problem.  Plan on carrying onboard on a 2 wheeled collapsible  cart.

On board 750ml of sparkling water is £5 approx. and in  our local supermarket is £0.70, a considerable saving when I drink 2x 750ml per day.  

I am happy to pull the cart, have done a test run and it works. 

Any comments?

Derek. 

Coming up to flu season in the northern hemisphere, maybe all should have flu and pneumonia vaccination? 

Dear Hattie

My wife and I sailed on  Queen Victoria, voyage V919 in late July / August 2019 the only difference we visited Lerwick. I have written an "Iceland Photography" July / August 2019 V919 in the Photo and Camera Discussions (P and C D forum). I did think of posting on the Cunard forum but very few articles on photography in Iceland so the P and C D forum gained.

Have a great time.

Best wishes

Derek.  

Thanks for posting the early am arrival of QV into the River Tyne. I will post a picture of QV leaving at 7pm later that day.

North East is wonderful with castles on the Northumberland coast, the Roman wall from Segedunum Roman fort, Benwell Roman Temple and the Roman wall out towards Chester's and Housesteads, Beamish open air museum, architecture of Newcastle, and shopping at the Metro Centre.       

Hope Cunard return in future years. 

For everybody reading this review and particularly tommui987 and ski ww.

This is a boiling mud pool just outside Akureyri an area called Namaskaro - yes it was boiling so extremely dangerous as I mention in my original article.  

Ken

thanks for the question. Used the D5 with 70 200 F2.8 in DX 1.5 mode so 300mm F2.8 equivalent. Looking at the picture on the computer - I cropped it. No it was not long enough. I have a Nikon afs 300f2.8 but it is heavy and only use for motor sports with a monopod, it causes biceps insertion pain after a few hours of hand holding. Whale watching excursion was 3 - 4 hours duration. 

I will use the 70-200 F2.8 on DX mode lowest ISO I can get away with and crop in post processing to maintain quality. 

Just a comment about the whale watching boat - at the bow with a good position but people were packed in behind me, monopod was not physically possible to use, just wanted a fast reasonably lighter lens with camera on DX crop and shoot fast.   

I thought about taking my 300mm F2.8 esp as we were not flying so no weight restrictions but opted for the above.  

Derek. 

This is my photographic experience on an Icelandic cruise sailing from and returning to the UK, including weather, equipment, techniques, practicalities, and potential problems. 

We have just returned from a 2 week Iceland cruise on board Cunard Queen Victoria, July / August 2019.

Iceland is stunning with many photographic opportunities including wildlife (puffins, whales etc), volcanic scenery, geysers and waterfalls.

We visited the Icelandic ports of Akureyri,  Isafjordur, and Reykjavik.   

Weather was warm and sunny 20C, we had been told the weather could be variable including rain, wind, sleet, snow etc and we prepared for bad weather with Gore-Tex boots and jackets, gloves, hats etc and rain jacket protection for the camera and lens. You are just south of the Arctic Circle and when crossing the Arctic Circle sailing from Akureryi to Isafjordur becoming a "Blue Nose". We were informed that summer of 2018 Iceland had 4 days of sun and was cold at 4c but in 2019 it has been sunny and warm since May to early August.  Be prepared for all weather.   

Equipment - Nikon D5 with 24-70 and 70-200 F2.8 zooms, Nikon circular polarising filter, Lee graduates and little stopper. Electronic cable release, kirk ball head, kirk quick release camera base plate, kirk quick release lens plate for 70-200 zoom and a Gitzo 4554t tripod capable of holding 50lbs of equipment. I use Lowe pro street and field bags and sad to say on arrival at home discovered my Toploader AW 75 had frayed at a corner, and was coming apart, sadly not repairable - great performance since 2005 and it has travelled the World! 

Techniques - due to potential wind I used my heavy Gitzo 4554t tripod being able to hang my camera bag and lens pouch from the centre hook to aid camera lens stability. Manual mode, using circular polariser,  2 - 6 second multiple exposures with differing focus points for depth of field and used an electronic cable release. F11 never smaller as danger of lens diffraction and for the 6 sec exposures I used the little stopper. My base ISO is 100 and used this for all tripod photography. 

Practicalities - we visited on separate days Godafoss waterfall (Akureryi), Gullfoss waterfall (Reykjavik), and Dyandi waterfall (pictured below) (Isafjordur). Some are a short walk from the car park, whilst Dyandi is a 15 min hike up the side of a hill, but the problem is the time limits at each location especially when composing long exposure and or multiple exposure images. At Dyandi the fog covered the top half of the waterfall, decided to photograph a lower waterfall, reasonably happy with the compromise and just as we were leaving the fog started to lift and opportunity lost to photograph the whole of Dyandi waterfall. The Strokkur Geyser on the Golden circle tour (Reykjavik), erupts every 5 mins allowing you to frame the geyser as it erupted 90ft into the air, 12 frames per second on the camera, needing large buffer capacity and fast write speed on your memory cards. As part of the Golden circle tour we visited Thingvellir national park and this is living geology with plate tectonics enlarging Iceland by 2cm per year. It is the separation of the Eurasian and North American plates but with many people walking the separation zone but if you wait at a place you want to photograph the people disperse, and the geology is more evident. We went whale watching from Reykjavik but only saw minkie whales and porpoises, someone forgot to invite the humpbacks and killer whales for a portrait session. That is life.

Potential problems - as mentioned previously time constraints and it was not a photographic tour so when your time is up you move on. We visited boiling mud pools, and waterfalls these have a rope with a do not cross sign, any human from small child to adult could easily cross with danger of serious injury or death. Be very careful at the edge of hot mud pools do not stray off the path or cross the rope as you may sink into the earth and it is hot. Wildlife - major problem is Artic Terns if you approach their nests they attack and dive bomb you. Our guide at Isafjordur told people to stay away from the beach and we did not have a problem. If you are doing coastal bird photography this maybe a problem. Develop a level of fitness as you are walking with equipment up hills and over rough terrain, I had upped my gym training prior to leaving the UK, used the stairs and the gym on board to maintain my strength and aerobic fitness. You do not want to be gasping for breath as you are taking an image - it is uncomfortable and danger of camera shake when composing your shots (should be using your electronic cable release for the exposures).         

Conclusion - we enjoyed Iceland and I tried to prepare for bad weather photography with protection for myself and my camera lens combination. The good weather was a pleasant surprise and the waterfalls are stunning. Be prepared for any type of weather but usually cold as you are just south of the Artic Circle. I am happy with my images within the time constraints and yes I would go again.     

We are cruising QV v928 Atlantic coast adventure returning to Soton then QV v929 to the Canaries. Can we stay on board or do we disembark and go through security etc? 

David and Toad

I do not use hand sanitizers as they dry my skin but very happy to use the hand washing facilities next to the sanitizers. Where have your hands been? only you know and are you comfortable with skin, urine and faecal debris on your hands as you eat. Sad to say eventually someone will become very ill with a bug and blame everyone but themselves. Whilst we are on this subject I was pleased to see the chefs happy to cook steak "medium well done" for me in Kings Court as I do not like undercooked food. Please oh please will people wash hands and reduce the chance of cross infection and we may all have superb holidays on Cunard's 3 Queens. Happy healthy sailing.

PhotoAndy.

Returned from a B to B on QM2. Very happy and excited so wrote a review according to rules on CC. It has not been posted on CC to date. Stated I would receive an email when posted. This probably about 5 days - how long does it take to be reviewed and then posted?

Thanks in anticipation

Photo Andy.

Sailing on QM2 back to back leaving Southampton on 13 July. The final is Sunday 15 July - where is the best place on board to view the match? Any chance of big screen anywhere? or is the ship a football free zone!

Probably only interested if England is in the final.

Thanks in anticipation.

Photo Andy