Christmas Markets cruise on QE2
Day 1 We left home at 6.30am and arrived at the pick up point for about 7am. When we arrived a couple of friends where there. We knew they would be on this cruise, but did not know they were also taking the coach transfer. The coach took the long way around as it had to pick people up on the way. We went via Bolton, Burtonwood Services and Telford. We got to Southampton at about 2.15pm, Mum and I went to the priority check-in, whilst Alan joined the short queue for the normal check-in. We got through security with no problems and went upstairs to the waiting area, as boarding had already started we did not need to wait and went straight onboard. The luggage had not arrived, so we went for afternoon tea. When we returned to the cabins, the luggage was there, but it was almost time for lifeboat drill. I did a bit of unpacking and then the alarm sounded so it was off to the muster station. After returning my lifejacket to my cabin, it was time to get up on deck to watch the sailaway. For some reason the captain did not use the whistle. Then back to the cabin to finish unpacking, and change for dinner. Day 2 The sea was very choppy today but it did not put us off our food. :lol: Major disaster at afternoon tea as most of the sandwiches ended up on the floor :shock: when the trolley rolled down the stairs and fell over. I think they forgot to put the breaks on. We were due to pick up the pilot for Hamburg at 11.30pm, but the see was rough and the ship was rolling quite a lot so he could not board. I went to sleep but was awoken at about 2am by the motion of the ship, she was pitching and rolling. Day 3 Well we should have been in Hamburg, but instead we spent the day sailing north trying to get out of the bad weather. At 9am the captain made an announcement about Hamburg and said that at 2am the winds had reached storm force 10 :shock:, no wonder it woke me up. By about lunchtime the sea had calmed down. We had the restaurant cocktail party tonight so we all got dressed up and went to meet the captain Day 4 We had been told we would be in Oslo at 1pm, but then the captain said it would be 5.30 so we spent most of the day going around in circles waiting for Artemis to leave so we could dock in Oslo. So we effectively had 3 days at sea before we saw land. As we were sailing into Oslo we passed Artemis on her way out. Lots of whistles (video to follow). Day 5 A lovely day in Oslo, we had a nice walk and saw the Royal Palace, the Parliament building and the city hall, where they were presenting the Nobel peace prize at 12 noon. The stalking spot on the bridge was only about 20 minutes walk around the harbour from the ship. We stood on the bridge with the flag and got some very strange looks from people in an office close to where the camera is located. :lol: Day 6 Another lovely sea day spent doing nothing much  Day 7 We arrived in Rotterdam and docked in the container port. We went up on deck and got a good spot to watch Queen Victoria as she sailed by. We got a really good view of her and there was lots of whistle blowing. Once we had watched her sail past, we got the shuttle bus into Rotterdam and then walked down to have a look at Queen Victoria, she is a lovely looking ship. My mum asked a couple who had got off QV what they thought of her and they said she was “beautiful”. We were back on the ship by lunchtime and spent the rest of the day just relaxing onboard. Day 8 We took a tour to Ypres and Flanders Fields, which was very interesting and informative. We arrived back at the ship at 2pm, and went to the Pavilion for burger and chips (french fries). Then moved to the Queens Room to wait for afternoon tea. The is was time to pack :cry: Day 9 An early breakfast 7am. The ship was a little late docking so we did not get off until 9.45. Coach went back the same way it had come and got stuck in traffic so it was just after 5pm when we got him. Comments The entertainment was good on the whole, but the shows done by the singers and dancers was the same as it was last year so it was the third time I had seen it. The food and service were up to their usual high standard.

Stephen Day 8 2pm Burger & Chips, then Afternoon Tea (4pm ish) :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: 'Bless your stomach.'

Thanks for the review Stephen. I bet you were surprised to have "your" Queen pitching and rolling. :D

It sounds like you had the "usual" QE2 great cruise :lol:

Great review, Stephen :D :D Can't wait to see and hear the videos :!: :lol:

A good idea to put things on the floor in rough seas, before the fall down. :lol: Christmas is coming :) Midships lobby Yacht club Grand Lounge Golden Lion Queens Room

This is the type of trolley that fell down the steps :(

QE2 and the Norge in Oslo Can you see the stalk cam? I could not find it

Here is the first video :) QE2 passing Artemis

That was a magic moment but how cold were we? Cannot remember being so cold for a long long time but it was worth it :lol:

Here is the video you have all been waiting for QE2 meets QV in Rotterdam :) http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=6jwhz44&s=1