Queen Mary 2 world voyage 2024….Red Sea?

[tjunmin]

44 minutes ago, SilverHengroen said:

it would be nice if they could run the ship closer to its design speed again

As someone new to Cunard and unaware of its history, why QM2 cannot run closer to its design speed anymore?

[Winifred 22]

52 minutes ago, SilverHengroen said:

Stephen Payne mentioned in one of his on board lectures that they were looking into burning bio-ethanol in the GTs - I don't know how the price compares to the usual fuel, but it would be nice if they could run the ship closer to its design speed again, including mixing more regular 6 day crossings into the schedule. I see they have a few 6 day crossings available this year in June and July? None for 2025 though annoyingly 😕

The 6 day crossings have been reduced from 7 because of the un availability of a berth in NY on the day she was due to arrive. They are not by design just a work round for a situation that arose this year hence none in 2025. 

[exlondoner]

13 minutes ago, tjunmin said:

As someone new to Cunard and unaware of its history, why QM2 cannot run closer to its design speed anymore?

Economy.

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, Ocean_Liner_Traveller said:

Would the space behind the funnel and in front of Boardwalk Cafe be large enough to accommodate them? (Incidentally, I think there are already gas machine installations near the funnel.) Just curious.

If you put 3 20' diameter by 40' long cylindrical tanks up there (not sure if they would fit), you could power the gas turbines at full load for maybe a day's steaming.  Then you'd have to fight the "ocean liner" purists about the ugly tanks up top.  Also, the weight of the tanks and LNG up there would likely not be good for stability.

[Guest SilverHengroen]

3 minutes ago, tjunmin said:

As someone new to Cunard and unaware of its history, why QM2 cannot run closer to its design speed anymore?

QM2 was designed for a 6 night crossing, which I believe requires her to maintain an average speed of about 26 knots. Using her 4 diesel engines (like most cruise ships use), I believe she maxes out at 24 knots, so one of her two extra Gas Turbine engines must also be used for a 6 night crossing. Shortly after entering service, the price of the fuel the GTs use (effectively jet fuel/ kerosene I believe) jumped massively, and Cunard responded by cutting Transatlantics to 7 nights (needing <24 knots so just the cheaper diesel engines could be used). 

2 minutes ago, Winifred 22 said:

The 6 day crossings have been reduced from 7 because of the un availability of a berth in NY on the day she was due to arrive. They are not by design just a work round for a situation that arose this year hence none in 2025. 

I see, that's disappointing, but it does explain why they disappeared again next year. Hopefully one day...

[chengkp75]

QM2's gas turbine engines run on Marine Gas Oil (MGO), which is essentially home heating oil for those from the US, or truck diesel fuel.  All marine gas turbines run on this fuel.  The two gas turbines account for 40% of the installed power on the ship.  So, the four diesel engines provide 67 Mw of power, and could likely squeeze out 24 knots.  To get the remaining 6 knots of her speed, requires the addition of both gas turbines, or another 48 Mw.  Power to speed relationship is exponential, so the last few knots costs a lot of power.  And, power equals fuel, so the last few knots of speed costs a lot of dollars.

[bluemarble]

27 minutes ago, SilverHengroen said:

... I see they have a few 6 day crossings available this year in June and July? None for 2025 though annoyingly 😕

 

Yes, there are several 6 day westbound crossings this year. Most of them are offset by 8 day eastbound crossings. That's because MSC Meraviglia took over some of the dates QM2 had originally planned to be in Brooklyn. Cunard adjusted QM2's schedules to be in Brooklyn a day earlier than originally planned on most of those dates making several westbound crossings one day shorter and the corresponding eastbound crossings one day longer.

 

Notice it's the westbound crossings that have been shortened to 6 days. Westbound crossings are 10 hours longer than eastbound crossing with the +/- 5 hour time zone difference. That way they don't have to speed up QM2 as much as they would have to for 6 day eastbound crossings.

[Guest SilverHengroen]

1 hour ago, bluemarble said:

 

Yes, there are several 6 day westbound crossings this year. Most of them are offset by 8 day eastbound crossings. That's because MSC Meraviglia took over some of the dates QM2 had originally planned to be in Brooklyn. Cunard adjusted QM2's schedules to be in Brooklyn a day earlier than originally planned on most of those dates making several westbound crossings one day shorter and the corresponding eastbound crossings one day longer.

 

Notice it's the westbound crossings that have been shortened to 6 days. Westbound crossings are 10 hours longer than eastbound crossing with the +/- 5 hour time zone difference. That way they don't have to speed up QM2 as much as they would have to for 6 day eastbound crossings.

At least Cunard remember the ship is able to make the crossing in 6 days, 7 has been the standard so long now they could almost be forgiven for thinking that's what the ship was designed to do! I suppose from a revenue perspective they'd need to be able to offer 7x6 night crossings in place of 6x7 night crossings, and for each crossing to cost the same regardless of length to make a gain - assuming the new fuel is more economically viable. 

[chengkp75]

27 minutes ago, SilverHengroen said:

assuming the new fuel is more economically viable. 

Fossil ethanol is currently running 40% more than low sulfur bunker oil, and 10% more than very low sulfur MGO.  Waste based bio-ethanol is expected to be 2-3 times more expensive.

[Solent Richard]

On 1/20/2024 at 1:47 PM, sail1658 said:

 

This actually happened after a high speed run in a Force 11 storm from Quebec in an effort to reach New York on time. As Captain Oprey said "This has been a very interesting day!" Fire emergency alarm at 27.52

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, I remember it well. We were onboard and it was Captain Kevin Oprey's first drive of the Queen Mary 2.

 

The video is a bit long but I was amused at the caption at point 29.23 minutes which read 'Fire out - back to the party'.

 

Some of us of course hadn't left the party - Senior Officers it was - and remained in the Queens Room, standing socialising and drinking champagne while the orchestra continued playing. Indeed, at minute 30.28 on the video Solent Richard and his good lady are clearly visible at the videographer's return to the Queens Room. And a few seconds later it again records yours truly in the company of that greatest of Cruise Directors, Ray Rouse.

 

Happy days.

[rog747]

Apologies for staying OT re QM2's speeds and her performance.

I had it back in my mind that the QM2 was actually designed and capable for 5 night crossings, then once in service, this was increased to 6 nights, and now 7 is the norm.

The 5 day crossing necessitated an average 28.5 knots service speed, and required using both the main Diesel engines, and the Gas Turbines.
QE2 was a 5 night crossing IIRC. 

I'm pretty sure QM2 did 5 night crossings at the start of her career - Yes/No ?

[bluemarble]

10 minutes ago, rog747 said:

Apologies for staying OT re QM2's speeds and her performance.

I had it back in my mind that the QM2 was actually designed and capable for 5 night crossings, then once in service, this was increased to 6 nights, and now 7 is the norm.

The 5 day crossing necessitated an average 28.5 knots service speed, and required using both the main Diesel engines, and the Gas Turbines.
QE2 was a 5 night crossing IIRC. 

I'm pretty sure QM2 did 5 night crossings at the start of her career - Yes/No ?

 

According to my itineraries, QM2 never did 5 night crossings. From 2004 through 2009 all of her crossings between Southampton and New York were 6 nights. During 2010 she did a combination of 6 night and 7 night crossings (most of the eastbound crossings were lengthened to 7 nights while most of the westbound crossings remained 6 nights). 2011 was the first year QM2 did all 7 night crossings in both directions. In 2013 they first introduced a couple of 8 night crossings.

[hols09]

Hi everyone

 

Just a thought, I wonder has anyone booked any ship tours for the ports from Singapore to Southampton? What is the situation re; refund if you have and they are cancelled? not travelled with Cunard before.  thank you for any info

[exlondoner]

9 minutes ago, hols09 said:

Hi everyone

 

Just a thought, I wonder has anyone booked any ship tours for the ports from Singapore to Southampton? What is the situation re; refund if you have and they are cancelled? not travelled with Cunard before.  thank you for any info

All refunded. They are always cancelling ports for less world shattering reasons like bad weather.

[watsonbeau]

If Cunard cancel it either before you travel or onboard you get 100% back. If you cancel before you go then all refunded, however if you cancel it onboard then I think they deduct a small amount maybe 10% - somebody else on here can maybe confirm.

[hols09]

Thank you, I’m just not sure about booking for Petra, as it may be that we don’t visit this port, but also don’t want to miss out if sold out 🙈

[Easybimble]

I’m not booking anything until I know if the Singapore segment is going to be something we will be accepting instead of the original itinerary 

[watsonbeau]

If you book it and the port is missed so Cunard cancel excursions there then Cunard will refund it 100%.

[exlondoner]

11 minutes ago, watsonbeau said:

If you book it and the port is missed so Cunard cancel excursions there then Cunard will refund it 100%.

Though you may still lose out as a result of currency fluctuations.

[NannaJan]

Somehow I think the dye is cast… but they just haven’t told us! Cunard selling balcony cabins Singapore-Southampton 36 nights for under £100 per night. Princess Grill for just over £200 ,( less than we’re paying for our balcony from Hong Kong)and Queens Grill for £300 per night…. Butler included! No way would they sell stuff off cheap if the we’re doing the original itinerary! 
seem to be a lot of availability too, have some people managed to change their booking to next year?

[NannaJan]

Above prices per person ,not cabin !

[AuthBen3]

On 1/7/2024 at 9:25 PM, tjunmin said:

Oh, I totally got roscoe39's humor! My reply was in jest, but as you said, my attempt at humor did not come across well in written form.

 

I'll be on the QM2 world voyage from Singapore to Southampton, thus my interest in this thread.

 

I've cruised through the region previously, in 2019, through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea onboard the Celebrity Constellation, with no incidents. I have wonderful  memories from that cruise [photo album]. The cruise line had special measures in place on that sailing. I have confidence that Cunard will handle this situation appropriately and we'll be fine.

We are also booked on the Singapore to Southampton trip (with another couple).  At this point we are waiting for Cunard to update us on the trip.  Our guess is that they will reroute around Africa, which is very disappointing to us from our original plans (though understandable).  I assume there are no partial refunds for a completely different trip if we wanted to opt out from, say, Dubai (small print says they can change any ports if needed)?  It’s also a bummer to the whole world cruise group since they already are sailing around Africa right now.

[AuthBen3]

On 1/20/2024 at 12:40 PM, SaltyCroc said:

Hey Folks, Just to show you that the computers at Cunard are all 'at sea', so to speak, I have uploaded a message received yesterday from Cunard marketing.  We are scheduled for the Dubai to Southhampton to NYC leg of the cruise on the QM2 with boarding in on 7 April 2024.  It is very unlikely to proceed, but that didn't stop us from getting an automated email (see below) asking if we wished to bid for an upgraded room!  Clearly, there are a lot of rooms opening up, and some of the deals are pretty good.  Too bad the ship will not be stopping there in all likelihood.  I had a laugh over this.

 

 

We have been getting the same upgrade options (Singapore to Southampton), but they do not look like great deals (yet).

[AuthBen3]

3 hours ago, hols09 said:

Hi everyone

 

Just a thought, I wonder has anyone booked any ship tours for the ports from Singapore to Southampton? What is the situation re; refund if you have and they are cancelled? not travelled with Cunard before.  thank you for any info

Yes - we have booked all our excursions from Singapore (embark for us) to Southampton.  We assume that they will refund all cancelled excursions due to rerouting; can’t imagine them not doing that.  There will be new excursions to sign up for skirting outside Africa (probably much like the outbound cruise, currently heading from Tenerife to Namibia and S Africa).

[ChrisMV]

I am on the Singapore to Dubai segment.  What is the general consensus as to how that segment will most likely play out?  
 

Get on in Singapore as originally scheduled (March 23, 2024) but then off in Cape Town instead of Dubai . . . with the itinerary staying as planned up until Sri Lanka (March 31, 2024), then skipping Doha and Dubai and instead going straight to Cape Town from Colombo)?

 

Would this proposed detour likely add days to what is supposed to be a 15 night voyage?