QM2 Delay

Apparently bad weather in Germany means she won't depart Hamburg now until Monday, 24 hours later than scheduled.

The full text from Cunard

We regret to let you know that bad weather conditions on the River Elbe in Northern Germany, mean the departure of Queen Mary 2 from Hamburg tomorrow (Sunday) has had to be delayed by 24 hours, until Monday. We are currently contacting guests asking them to delay their arrival at the port until Monday morning, as well as making new plans for those due to disembark the vessel on Sunday. The precise arrival of the inbound sailing is expected to be delayed by between 12-24 hours. We will give further updates when we have firm news.

Presumably that means they will have to modify the itinerary for the upcoming voyage where the planned calls are to Stavanger on Tuesday and Oslo on Wednesday before returning to Hamburg on Friday. Any word yet on changes to that itinerary (such as possibly dropping the call to either Stavanger or Oslo)? I suppose that falls under the "We will give further updates when we have firm news".

Hope they will be able to play all planned concerts with David Garrett. As I know the next voyage of QM2 is a charter for „Stars at sea“ agency.

An extra day at sea is a dream or a nightmare depending on whether or not you should be back at work or have made your own travel plans for getting home on Sunday.

AIS indicates she (QM2) is travelling at around 8.5 knots in the North Sea. AIDAPRIMA appears to have departed Hamburg this evening bound for Sou and is now out in the North Sea.

AIS indicates she (QM2) is travelling at around 8.5 knots in the North Sea. AIDAPRIMA appears to have departed Hamburg this evening bound for Sou and is now out in the North Sea.

she is currently NW of Heligoland sailing into the wind at 7/8 knots. Shipping forecast for this area German Bight is NW 10 confirmed by sea state on her web cam biggest problem will be pilot boarding pilot boats all currently at mouth of Elbe off station

From Cunard -

Queen Mary 2 is now safely on the River Elbe and on track for the 9pm (local time) arrival tonight in Hamburg.

Can truly and fully understand your disappointment! Harbor, the banks and streets were flooded after the heavy storm flood. I am usually down at the banks when QM2 is coming in - all flooded as well. And the Elbe was still a bit like a ghost area this afternoon as usually you see boats, yachts, vessels etc.

*** Please note that some trains will not be up running until tomorrow afternoon. So in case you are coming by train to Hamburg, please double check your connection is working! ***

Have a safe trip and all the best from Hamburg!!

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/herbststurm-herwart-baeume-entwurzelt-hafen-landunter-fotostrecke-154207-2.html

Hoping all is okay for those effected by this storm. Looks nasty. Just seen on http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:9.2/centery:53.6/zoom:10 QM2 on her way into The Elbe now.

Hope they will be able to play all planned concerts with David Garrett. As I know the next voyage of QM2 is a charter for „Stars at sea“ agency.

Partial quote from the Cunard facebook page:

"For those joining the vessel, rest assured that the full entertainment programme, including David Garrett, will be going ahead as scheduled."

The latest from Cunard on facebook:

"Queen Mary 2 has now arrived in the port of Hamburg, and is readying for guests for voyage M740 to Scandinavia, departing at 5pm tomorrow (Monday), due to Storm Herwart.

Guests should now arrive on Monday, at the time printed on their tickets, for the new voyage, which will first call at Oslo. Those joining the vessel will be able to enjoy the full entertainment programme, including performances by star rock violinist David Garrett, which will be going ahead as scheduled."

My guess is the call to Stavanger is being scrubbed since this message indicates they are heading to Oslo as their "first call" instead of Stavanger. That is certainly open to interpretation though, since the term "first call" would tend to indicate a "second call" somewhere.

Regards, John

The latest from Cunard on facebook:

 

"Queen Mary 2 has now arrived in the port of Hamburg, and is readying for guests for voyage M740 to Scandinavia, departing at 5pm tomorrow (Monday), due to Storm Herwart.

 

Guests should now arrive on Monday, at the time printed on their tickets, for the new voyage, which will first call at Oslo. Those joining the vessel will be able to enjoy the full entertainment programme, including performances by star rock violinist David Garrett, which will be going ahead as scheduled."

 

My guess is the call to Stavanger is being scrubbed since this message indicates they are heading to Oslo as their "first call" instead of Stavanger. That is certainly open to interpretation though, since the term "first call" would tend to indicate a "second call" somewhere.

 

Regards, John

M740 calling points were

29 Oct M740 Hamburg, Stavanger, Oslo, Oslofjord, Hamburg

Can truly and fully understand your disappointment! Harbor, the banks and streets were flooded after the heavy storm flood. I am usually down at the banks when QM2 is coming in - all flooded as well. And the Elbe was still a bit like a ghost area this afternoon as usually you see boats, yachts, vessels etc.

*** Please note that some trains will not be up running until tomorrow afternoon. So in case you are coming by train to Hamburg, please double check your connection is working! ***

Have a safe trip and all the best from Hamburg!!

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/herbststurm-herwart-baeume-entwurzelt-hafen-landunter-fotostrecke-154207-2.html

I have just looked at the 17 photos you have posted on here and the flooding is awful. What a frightening event!