tom_uk Posted January 5, 2011 #1 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I can't help thinking that it would be fun to be in Southampton today. No less than four ships are leaving on either a world cruise (a circumnavigation) or a grand voyage: Arcadia (world cruise), Balmoral (world cruise), Black Watch (grand voyage) and Queen Elizabeth (world cruise). I know that at one level they're just departures, and in the summer these get pretty routine, but surely there's something special about embarking for and then sailing on a long voyage such as these - there must be a special feeling in the air. Especially on a cold January day. It would be good if they all left together in line astern, but I see that the Fred Olsen ships are scheduled to leave at 8pm, whereas the other two are leaving earlier. (Saga Ruby is in port, and is also leaving but not on a world cruise/grand voyage.) I've been having a look at the itineraries. Of them all, the one that appeals most to me is Black Watch's grand voyage around South America: 77 nights, and (as far as I can see) 36 days in port, including multi-day stays at Rio, Buenos Aires and Callao. That would be a wonderful voyage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyBarlow Posted January 5, 2011 #2 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Queen Elizabeth is there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted January 5, 2011 #3 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Queen Elizabeth is there as well. I think you meant Vic? 6 in port today. Two queens, two freds, Arcadia and Saga Ruby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyBarlow Posted January 5, 2011 #4 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Whoops yeah Queen Vic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianI Posted January 5, 2011 #5 Share Posted January 5, 2011 On BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-12117599 Think the 20,000 passengers is a bit on the high side Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyBarlow Posted January 5, 2011 #6 Share Posted January 5, 2011 For a great photo of them all. http://www.solentwaters.co.uk/JAlbumnews/Recentnews/slides/sixcruiseships376.html#picttop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_uk Posted January 5, 2011 Author #7 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Matty - thanks for the update. I'd been looking at Southampton AIS web site, and I hadn't spotted QV all the way down at the QEII terminal by herself. Wow - 6 ships in one day. I know they're smaller ships, but that must be as many as Southampton can handle at once, isn't it? In fact, I'd guess that in summer, with the big boys in port, the maximum number of ships would less: with a selection drawn from QM2, Ventura, Azura, IoTS, Celebrity Eclipse, plus side-plates of Oriana, Aurora, Oceana, Arcadia, QV, QE, etc, surely there wouldn't be room for more than five? (The number of passengers would be higher with five of those ships, of course.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted January 5, 2011 #8 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Yeah I notice that the two Fred Olsen vessels are sharing the city cruise terminal 101, showing as East and West. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rum Rat Posted January 5, 2011 #9 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Took my daughter and son in law to Southampton and Arcadia this afternoon. The docks were very well signposted. Queues at Mayflower were pretty long because the coaches had come in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thejuggler Posted January 5, 2011 #10 Share Posted January 5, 2011 The idea of a longer cruise for part of the World (such as South America over 77 days ) appeals more than just a circumnavigation in 90ish days. I understand there is one company who do a 365 day world cruise and every evening has a different menu! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rum Rat Posted January 5, 2011 #11 Share Posted January 5, 2011 The idea of a longer cruise for part of the World (such as South America over 77 days ) appeals more than just a circumnavigation in 90ish days. There is a satisfaction in doing both types of cruise, a circumnavigation and a 'destination' cruise. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elderflower Posted January 6, 2011 #12 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Also, it's exactly a year until we leave for the world cruise on Oriana. Wonder if there will be as many ships in port in 2012? Already started shopping for it :D Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rum Rat Posted January 6, 2011 #13 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Also, it's exactly a year until we leave for the world cruise on Oriana. Wonder if there will be as many ships in port in 2012? Already started shopping for it :D Pat Have you read my notes and tips on preparing for a World Cruise? Lots of things you don't think of if you haven't done one before :):) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elderflower Posted January 6, 2011 #14 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Have you read my notes and tips on preparing for a World Cruise? Lots of things you don't think of if you haven't done one before :):) Mike Yes, thankyou Mike. I printed it out before we booked and also used your tips for our trial P&O cruise last October. It was very helpful. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzaw Posted February 16, 2011 #15 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Within two days of departure on Arcadia - we had Force 12 (gusting) and big "uppies and downies" (40ft). I heard that two of the smaller ships had to turn back - dont know what their ultimate fate was - for us we missed the Azores and had a 7 day voyage to Barbados. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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