Rotterdam, august 4th: Cruiseship "Queen Elizabeth 2" in port

[etanguero]

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On fridazy 4th of august the luxury cruiseship "Queen Elizabeth 2" ["QE 2"] will be visiting "Rotterdam Cruise Terminal" here at Rotterdam harbour.

 

Allthough on quite short notice [it wasn't clear until now wether I could be off work that day' this might be a chance for an 'user meeting west'.

 

The "QE 2" [http://www.qe2.org.uk/] of Cunard [http://www.cunard.com/] is one of the most beautiful and elegant cruiseships of the world ... since allready 25 years! In former times it served also Cunard transatlantic route, but this has been taken over by the newer "Queen Mary 2".

 

In 2004 the "QM 2" visited also here in Rotterdam, and at those still 'preleicaic' times for me I organized a meeting for some users of the german Pentax user site "digitalfotonetz.de'. But perhaps also in this forum there might be some cruiseship enthusiasts ... and a chance for an "user meeting west".

 

According to the officical website of portofrotterdam.com the "QE 2" will be portside from 7oo through 17oo hours. Also after leaving the city there will be nice photo chances down where the river Maas meets the north sea at "Hoek van Holland".

 

It would be nice to add some faces to the forums members and meeting a couple of you on august 4th.

eT/Christian

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[Guest hammertone]

Hi Christian,

 

Please count me in. This sounds like a great opportunity. I noticed that we have quite some members living in the Netherlands. Hope to see many of them in Rotterdam.

 

Best, Joachim

[norbertnl]

Hi Christian, Joachim,

 

I think I'll have time on Friday. When will you guys be there, and what would be a suitable meeting point?

 

Best,

Norbert

[etanguero]

Hoi Norbert,

 

great to hear that you wanna come as well. We slowly get a "group" together ...

 

I think I'll have time on Friday. When will you guys be there, and what would be a suitable meeting point?

Well, that depends on some factors:

- what time of the day will you be ready to go?

- what parts of the stay of the "Queen Elizabeth 2" do you want to witness?

- what else do you want to see that day in Rotterdam? [ie. take a harbour (tourist boat) excursion?]

- due to my work (the night before) I do not know yet (and only will know that very morning) wether I'd be ready to join you right from the beginning or wether I'd first need a nap, or a nap in between ... so we'd need to be somehow flexible (exchange mobile phone numbers beforehand (through private messages / e-mail, not open in the forum))

 

Concerning the timing given by the boat itself:

Refering to the Port of Rotterdams website the "QE 2" will arrive at 7 am and leave at 5 pm. That's downtown, at the 'cruiseterminal', right beside the 'Erasmus bridge'. But these times are allways a bit vague: according to the Rotterdams port ships of interest webpage the "QE 2" is "Expected berth (port side) 06.30. ETD 16.00". Why those differences? First the boat will arrive from another port, timing my vary because of the sea conditions during the voyage. Concerning departure: This may vary was well ... as some passengers allways tend to arrive/board late. There might also be a contributing factor of the tide at the port of Rotterdam (allthough the "QE 2" is not as big as the "QM 2").

But if you'd want to witness the arrival I'd suggest to be earlier than the official scheduled time! If the authorities of the port and Cunard shipping line will do as they did the last time with the "QM 2" (and other cruiseships) the boat will be turned around on arrival in a part of the port called the "Waalhaven" (near to downtown) and then towed backwards to her final destination. That way the "QE 2" will be able to leave on her own power in the afternoon (somehow more 'in style', I'd say). But: this procedure may be changed if ever the boat will be arriving late (as it is somehow time consuming and passengers on board do not want to miss out on their planed day excursions [Amsterdam, Delft, Kinderdijk, ... ].

What I want to propose is that I will contact port authorities the day before and try to find out about the up to date plannings.

If you want to be around that early in the morning please inform me asap: I will then put together the information you'd need for some good 'photo shooting points'. (don't forget to bring a tripod!)

 

During the day (when the ship is portside): stroll around the area of the cruise terminal and enjoy the boat in the harbour. As mentioned above: I might be able to be with you or I might have to take a nap. If you strongly plan to take a harbour cruise tell me beforehand: I am not too much interested in this myself, so I can schedule this time 'off' for myself. [Also I will probably not be available from around 14h30 through 16h30 due to two colleagues marriage service. (luckily not too far away from the harbour side)] We might also consider to have a light meal together in the midday times. One further possibility for (photographic) activity during the day is Rotterdam richness of modern architecture all in more or less walking distance from the berth of the ship.

 

When it's time for departure a couple of spotting points will be interesting. I think we should discuss those together that very day.

 

Depending on your interest there is also the option to follow the boat on it's path towards the ocean: a couple of spotting points might be interesting, depending on light and weather. I will also give you directions for those that friday. (but you'd need a car!) The last time when I did this (when the "QM 2" left) I enjoyed it very much and got some nice shots when the boat hit the north sea at "Hoek van Holland".

 

 

On friday 4th I'd provide you with some printouts of local maps for better orientation. If you are planning to watch the boat hitting the sea as well please tell me beforehand, then I can also provide you with route descriptions for this part.

 

 

So much for now. As you can see: it depends a lot on your interests!

eT/Christian

 

 

P.S.:

Before I forget I'd want/have to point out a sad but necessary general warning:

if you come by car never leave anything behind in your car! Even leave the glove box open to show that there's nothing in there. This is a general police advice!

[norbertnl]

Hoi Christian,

 

Thanks for the detailed info! As I'll be busy in the morning I could be in R.dam in the afternoon, say, at 3p.m. Looking at the location via google earth, the ligth would be good at this time of the day to take pictures from shore, with the Erasmus Bridge and the buildings as surroundings. Later in the evening I'd continue to Amsterdam. I'll send you my mobile no. through private message.

 

Groetjes,

Norbert

[abrewer]

The QE2's grand inside, too. Unless I miss my guess you can ask Cunard for a tour while she's tied up and get a look, if you wish.

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

[norbertnl]

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Allan,

Thank you, that would definitely be worth checking!

Best,

Norbert

[etanguero]

The QE2's grand inside, too. Unless I miss my guess you can ask Cunard for a tour while she's tied up and get a look, if you wish.

Great idea! Allthough when the "QM 2" was here two years ago no onboard visits were possible. But it might be that security for the "QE 2" won't be that crazy was for the "QM 2" at the times. Also I just recently learnd that not in every part of the Rotterdam port visits to ships are allowed due to port/immigration legislation, in most of the port prior written agreement and legitimation is necessary. [well, btw also good to know for foreign participants of the meeting: in the netherlands you are obliged to carry personal identification papers at any time! (otherwise fines starting at 50 euros will apply!)].

 

But your suggestion is otherwise great. I will try to find out how to get in contact with "Cunard Line" to check wether we could arrange something.

 

eT

[etanguero]

As I'll be busy in the morning I could be in R.dam in the afternoon, say, at 3p.m. Looking at the location via google earth, the ligth would be good at this time of the day to take pictures from shore, with the Erasmus Bridge and the buildings as surroundings.

True. Actually the maps I'd provide you with would have 'north' assigned, so the direction of the sun at 1 pm (local summer time) and also 6 hours later for sun from the west will be easy to identify. That's why for taking pictures of the boat leaving the river Maas [or 'Nieuwe Maas'] I would have suggested to be south of the river, from the Europort / Maasvlakte side. (this advice is theory and practical experience wise based (from the "QM 2" visit in 2004).

 

Later in the evening I'd continue to Amsterdam.

So you should consider the "leaving the river to the sea part" as well!

I guess you'd come along by car?

 

BTW: good nieuws from the roadwork-side: the schedule repairs on the A16 from Ridderkerk to Rotterdam will not start that weekend but later ... so the motorway will still be easy to pass.

 

eT

[Guest hammertone]

Norbert: great you are joining. Christian: Thanks a lot for all your efforts! I am very much looking forward to this. Most likely I will arrive early afternoon. We can discuss details on Thursday or so.

 

Best, Joachim

[etanguero]

All right, final info:

 

1st:

There's no possibility for an onboard visit. This is due to security issues.

[welcome in the 21st century ]

[i 1st contacted Cunard through the cunard.co.uk website: no answe within more than 3 days. Yesterday I contacted them through cunard.com ... reply within about 24 hours! (allthough negative)]

 

2nd:

Timing: (all estimated! - according to Port Authority today at 17.30)

3 am: "QE 2" at "Maasmond", the place (on sea) where the pilot will go on board.

4 am: "QE 2" entering the "Nieuwe Maas" at Hoek van Holland.

6.oo/6.30 am: "QE 2" at Cruise Terminal, downtown.

 

4 pm: departure from Cruise Terminal

6/7 pm: "QE 2" leaving the "Nieuwe Maas" seabound at Hoek van Holland

 

There's no evidence yet when and where the boat will be turned around. This could be allready in the morning (as they did with the "QM 2" two years ago, and also quite regulary with other cruiseships as ie. the "Golden Princess" which comes in quite regulary) or only when the "QE 2" will be leaving. To my experience the turn arounds take place in the "Waalhaven", some towing time downriver from the center. I'd guess that the preference is to turn around the ships allready in the morning ... as I'd judge the boats leaving the Cruise Terminal on it's own motors much more powerful and presenting more pride.

 

For those arriving last minute:

Nice viewing points along the route to the sea will be Rozenburg/Maassluis (south/north of the river), and finally Maasvlakte/Hoek.v.Holland (S/N).

 

 

And interesting side point:

Appearantly tomorrow afternoon around 5 pm at Hoek v. Holland the world's biggest/largest containership is to be expected: "Sin Los Angelos", of China Shipping Lines, coming in from sea. Could be a nice contrast meeting: "QE 2" and "SLA".

 

 

For departure viewing / pictures: remember that the sun will be shining from the west a around 6.20 pm local time. [5 degrees east of Greenwich]

 

Also remember to bring waterproof clothing. GoreTex or similar is the best choice as umbrellas tend to flip over in the windy conditions at and near the sea. Even GoreTex-trousers might be a good option.

 

eT

[etanguero]

There's no evidence yet when and where the boat will be turned around. This could be allready in the morning (as they did with the "QM 2" two years ago

I just had a look at the webcam: WPC Webcam | fotopaulmartens.nl

"QE 2" has allready been turned around this morning! Therefore the departure this afternoon at 4 pm won't take too much time, and the sea will be reached perhaps even early enough to have both ships ("QE 2" and "Sin Los Angelos") at sight at Hoek van Holland/Maasvlakte.

 

eT

[andybarton]

Looks like "Rainy-dam" not "Rotterdam" today

 

[etanguero]

Just back from the Rozenburg dam, where we saw the ship meet the sea again. [just last minute arrival down there, due to some of this very steady drivers in front of us [steady as in "if the speed limit is 60 km/h they do 70, if it's 80 they still do 70" ... it was 80! ]

 

Looks like "Rainy-dam" not "Rotterdam" today

Your're in the smiley mood / mode?

Well: we had everything today, from heavy showers to clouds with some sun!

 

I shot one and something roll of digital film (the medium long one: 1 GB / card) . But all in RAW, I still have to convert. And as I am invited for a wedding party of some collegues tonight ...

 

Pity not more Leicanian showed up ... but perhaps next time: december 12, 2007!

The "Queen Victoria" will pass Rotterdam on its maiden voyage. Rotterdam will be the first port after her home port of Southampton! Who nows: perhaps even with some snow! *bg* Therefore: mark up your agendas!

 

eT