According to Nakheel, the real estate company in charge of building the development in Dubai where QE2 will end up in November, the former ocean liner will serve as the anchor of a luxury marina development on the eastern trunk side of Palm Jumeirah.

Purchased last year by Nakheel's parent organization Dubai World, QE2 will embark on her ultimate journey from Southampton, England to Dubai in November. Nakheel will commence construction on her eventual home in September.

Plans for the QE2 include its transformation into an ultra-luxury floating hotel, featuring public promenades, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, as well as a heritage museum displaying artifacts from the QE2 and maritime history.

It will be interesting to see how much of the current QE2 surives the conversion into a "ultra-luxury floating hotel".

“The arrival of QE2 is one of the most anticipated events of the year and Nakheel is proud to be the custodian of such a historic treasure. The world's most famous ocean liner will form the focal point of an exciting new development that will be a must-see attraction on Palm Jumeirah,” said Johann Schumacher, Director of Palm Jumeirah.

Reclamation for the pier is expected to finish by the end of 2008, with the entire project scheduled for completion in 2011.

(From Cruise News www.tarvelpage.com)

This shot was taken using my Canon telephoto lens from a rather secluded spot (I say secluded but by the look of things this place is very popular among fly tippers) behind a disused warehouse. I have to admit I'm very pleased with this shot which, incidentally, is pretty unique as I seemed to be the only person exploring in that area for good vantage points. So, its quite unlikely you will find a photo even remotely similar in that the photo is taken at a perpendicular angle to the ship.

I captured this shot from the Shields ferry entrance ramp, again using my Canon Telephoto lens. This is more of your 'classic' composition of a ship and most likely my favourite.

This shot is my pride and joy. Taken from the midway point between the Customs House and the Shields Ferry landing (trusty telephoto lens again) at around 8pm, I used a long exposure of 13 seconds to nail this shot. I shoot all my work in RAW mode to give myself more creative control although for this shot, I didn't really need it having merely converted to black and white with a little dodging and burning to emphasise the detail.

For Sale...

The above three shots are all available to buy from myself. If you are interested, please email me at: purchase@jrmarnie.co.uk, stating the name of the photo (hover over with your mouse) you'd like. Prices and available sizes as follows:

6 x 4      = £10
7 x 5      = £12
8 x 6      = £14  
10 x 8    = £16
12 x 10  = £18
12 x 16  = £20

All sizes in inches and the price includes p+p. Photos will be printed in either gloss or matt finish (please inform of your preference in your email). Note that due to the sizes of the photos, prints will be on a best fit basis. Prints will be posted as soon as payment has been received. When purchasing a print, you are purchasing a print only. I, John R Marnie, still hold all applicable copyrights to the image and thus you may not reproduce or distribute any photograph without my express permission. 

I accept payments through paypal but if you are unable to use this method, please email me and I'm sure we can arrange a different method.

If none of these photos are to your fancy, let me know as I have many more available...

The below image isn't for sale with the 'aged' border (due to copyright issues with Digital Photo magazine) however, if this shot does interest you, let me know and I'll upload a version minus the border effect.

Serving as flagship of the Cunard fleet for 35 years, QE2 has logged 5.9 million nautical miles, carried more than 2.5 million passengers and sailed 25 world cruises. In 1982, she was requisitioned by the British government for military service in the Falkland Islands. With a top speed of 32.5 knots, QE2 is the fastest passenger ship in the world.

After her final voyage to Dubai, QE2 will complete her service to Cunard. She will then be refurbished to become a luxury hotel, entertainment destination and floating museum in the emirate.

Yesterday saw the final visit of the QE2, one of the worlds most famous and loved ships to the Tyne. The final visit saw the QE2 sail into the River Tyne before later embarking on its voyage to Dubai where it is to become a luxury floating hotel.

The QE2 arrived in the Tyne early 7:00am on Wednesday and berthed in Northumbrian Quay before setting sail again 10:00pm the sameday.

A huge firework display marked the exit of the world famous ship.

On Thursday, October 16, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) will bid farewell to America during a celebratory call befitting of the company’s longest-serving ocean liner. The historic occasion will mark the iconic ship’s 706th and final call to New York. Escorted by FDNY fireboats and flotilla of pleasure craft, the beloved QE2 will depart the Westside Terminal at 5 p.m. to meet her sister ship, Queen Mary 2, for a Cunard Royal Rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty as both renowned ocean liners embark on a tandem voyage to Southampton, England - marking QE2’s 806th and final Transatlantic Crossing.

 Recognised as the most famous ship in the world and for 35 years, flagship of the Cunard fleet, QE2 was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967. During nearly four decades at sea, she has logged 5.9 million nautical miles (equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 13 times), carried more than 2.5 million passengers and has sailed 25 World Cruises. With a top speed of 32.5 knots, QE2 is the fastest passenger ship in the world. As a true ocean liner she can sail backwards faster than most cruise ships sail forward. Her service, however, has not only been one of romanticized ports and luxury ocean travel. In 1982, she was requisitioned by the British government for military service in the Falkland Islands and thus joined the ranks of such great Cunarders as Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth who were also called upon to serve in times of conflict.

 "It is most fitting that QE2’s farewell to America be celebrated in New York, the city Cunard has called our North America homeport since 1847. She will always be remembered as the best loved ship in the world and we are delighted that she will be cherished by future generations of travelers at her new home in Dubai,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “Her mantle as flagship of the British merchant fleet has proudly been bestowed upon Queen Mary 2, a ship recognised as the grandest ocean liner ever built and surely destined to continue Cunard’s legacy,” Marlow added.

 During her arrival in the early morning of October 16, QE2 will fly a traditional Paying-Off Pennant, a maritime flag signifying the ship’s length of service to the fleet.  The pennant will be presented as a commemorative gift to a local dignitary during a reception onboard the ship.

 Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather at ideal New York harbour viewing locations including:

 · Battery Park: On the southern shoreline of Manhattan, www.thebattery.org. Map link: http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/map/map.php

· Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park:  Overlooking the Hudson River with great views of the Statue of Liberty.  Getting there: Just south of the Museum of Jewish Heritage.  By subway: 4 or 5 to Bowling Green, or N or R to Whitehall.

· The Esplanade: Running the entire length of Battery Park City, along the Hudson River from Stuyvesant High School on the north end all the way south to Battery Park.

· Hudson River Park:  550 acre park extends for five miles along the Manhattan shoreline from Battery Place to West 59th Street.

 To celebrate this historic occasion, a pipe and drum corps will perform in Battery Park as a fitting salute and final “Bon Voyage” to Queen Elizabeth 2. 

 QE2 completes service to Cunard in November after sailing a final voyage to Dubai where she will be refurbished and become a luxury hotel, entertainment destination and maritime museum.

Source: Cunard

Need help? www.CruiseTravelEscape.com or (877) 897-SAIL

On arrival, the liner will mark several milestones since entering service in 2004 including:

• 711,288 nautical miles sailed, of which 316,729 nautical miles were on Transatlantic crossings
• More than 229,000 guests and 450 pets carried across the North Atlantic
• 97,000 pounds of lobster, 2,700 pounds of caviar and 206,200 bottles of champagne served
• Enough tea served onboard to fill nearly 5 Olympic-sized swimming pools

Following her crossing, Queen Mary 2 will cruise on the east coast of North America before returning across the North Atlantic to Southampton. She is the largest ocean liner ever built and her onboard facilities include 15 restaurants and bars, 5 swimming pools, a casino, theatre, ballroom and a planetarium for up to 2,592 guests.

As of this writing there is a dispute between the French shipyard and NCL so there is some question as to whether these vessels will be built.

MSC Fantasia
MSC's contribution to this wave of change is not only its European on board atmosphere on board, enlarging industry choice, but with its MSC Fantasia and her sister, a new Yacht Club concept.that will include Butler service in the best suites on the ship.
The largest ship ever built for a European cruise line, MSC Fantasia will be the first to have an exclusive VIP area with 99 suites, a bar, solarium, two hydro-massage pools, a skydome swimming pool, a reserved observation lounge with bar, concierge and an observation lounge forward where huge clear glass windows will provide passengers with amazing forward views.
A forward view is now something that a lot of ships don't offer as their owners' concentrate on trying to get passengers to increase their on board spend.
Disney's New Ships
Although not due for delivery until 2011 and 2012, the artist's impressions of these two ships show a development of the present Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, but with two more decks.
While Disney have extended its terminal lease at Cape Canaveral to 2022, the new ships can also be expected to introduce new itineraries, possibly once more from Marseilles in connection with Disneyland Paris or from Los Angeles with Disneyland Anaheim, or even from Tokyo in connection with Disneyland Tokyo.
No further details have yet been announced but they will be 1,082 feet long.
Celebrity Solstice
The grass is greener on Celebrity as it introduces what it calls its Lawn Club, a half-acre country club-style venue featuring real grass on the top decks and a lounge called the Patio on the Lawn for those who enjoy quiet. Activities will include lawn bowling and a putting green,
Elsewhere, the ship will have its own new Aqua class, where, along with a Solarium and Persian Garden, guests will have access to the Aqua Spa included in their package, complete with assigned seating in their own dining room called Blu and an AquaSpa Cafe.
Carnival, Costa and Princess
Of the twenty-four 1,000-footers, only three will belong to the Carnival Corp: RMS Queen Mary 2 and the new Carnival Dream and Carnival Wonder, However, the rest of the world's 100,000-tonners, which number twenty-six ships of between 892 and 952 feet in length, are owned by Carnival, Costa and Princess. Mickey Arison was once quoted when asked about RCCL's huge new ships, "we're comfortable with our size of ships," and Bob Dickinson, then Carnival president, responded "we're not in an arms race."
Carnival Cruise Line's biggest and newest ship, the 130,000-ton 1,004-foot Carnival Dream, due to enter service in September 2009, will be the first to join the 1,000-footers club.
Originally reported at 982 feet but now longer, she will cruise year-round from Cape Canaveral. Her claim to innovation will be a new entertainment concept called The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue.
However, in a fascinating quotation from a recent release, it seems that unlike RCCL and NCL who are going for more bells and whistles, Carnival is going more traditional.
"Carnival Dream will take the traditional cruise ship promenade to new heights with a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5. Here, guests can take a stroll while enjoying spectacular ocean vistas, read a book, or just take in the sun from one of the many deck chairs that will line this unique open deck area."
This sounds very unlike Carnival, whose Carnival Destiny, the first 100,000-tonner, had promenades with just two doors and no deck chairs at all.
Where The Market is Going
While RCCL have been heading the parade on hardware features, NCL has concentrated more on software, adding greater choice of venues.
RCCL's Royal Parade, rock climbing, ice skating, boxing and surfing venues will compete with NCL's array of clubs and restaurants, both attracting a much younger cruiser.
Meanwhile, RCCL, with its Loft Suites, NCL, with its Uber Bar, and MSC, with its Yacht Club, are all inventing a new class system in an effort to retain their higher-spending clientele as well.
Traditionalists will probably look in on these ships and go back to where they were, while younger first-time cruisers, the future lifeblood of the industry, will return, meaning more new customers.
And the lines hope to please families as well.
RCCL's activities particularly are attractive to both the younger market and the family market - who will get the rock-climbing wall? The 17-year-old or the 30-year-old? At least we know there will be multiple routes.
Meanwhile, it is interesting that Carnival is not part of this sea change and in fact even seems to be getting a little more traditional in its approach.
But it is also interesting that, with its concentration on brands rather than gimmicks, Carnival remains the most profitable cruise organization in the world.

(Source: By Mark Tré - Cybercruises.com)

As of this writing there is a dispute between the French shipyard and NCL so there is some question as to whether these vessels will be built.

MSC Fantasia
MSC's contribution to this wave of change is not only its European on board atmosphere on board, enlarging industry choice, but with its MSC Fantasia and her sister, a new Yacht Club concept.that will include Butler service in the best suites on the ship.
The largest ship ever built for a European cruise line, MSC Fantasia will be the first to have an exclusive VIP area with 99 suites, a bar, solarium, two hydro-massage pools, a skydome swimming pool, a reserved observation lounge with bar, concierge and an observation lounge forward where huge clear glass windows will provide passengers with amazing forward views.
A forward view is now something that a lot of ships don't offer as their owners' concentrate on trying to get passengers to increase their on board spend.
Disney's New Ships
Although not due for delivery until 2011 and 2012, the artist's impressions of these two ships show a development of the present Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, but with two more decks.
While Disney have extended its terminal lease at Cape Canaveral to 2022, the new ships can also be expected to introduce new itineraries, possibly once more from Marseilles in connection with Disneyland Paris or from Los Angeles with Disneyland Anaheim, or even from Tokyo in connection with Disneyland Tokyo.
No further details have yet been announced but they will be 1,082 feet long.
Celebrity Solstice
The grass is greener on Celebrity as it introduces what it calls its Lawn Club, a half-acre country club-style venue featuring real grass on the top decks and a lounge called the Patio on the Lawn for those who enjoy quiet. Activities will include lawn bowling and a putting green,
Elsewhere, the ship will have its own new Aqua class, where, along with a Solarium and Persian Garden, guests will have access to the Aqua Spa included in their package, complete with assigned seating in their own dining room called Blu and an AquaSpa Cafe.
Carnival, Costa and Princess
Of the twenty-four 1,000-footers, only three will belong to the Carnival Corp: RMS Queen Mary 2 and the new Carnival Dream and Carnival Wonder, However, the rest of the world's 100,000-tonners, which number twenty-six ships of between 892 and 952 feet in length, are owned by Carnival, Costa and Princess. Mickey Arison was once quoted when asked about RCCL's huge new ships, "we're comfortable with our size of ships," and Bob Dickinson, then Carnival president, responded "we're not in an arms race."
Carnival Cruise Line's biggest and newest ship, the 130,000-ton 1,004-foot Carnival Dream, due to enter service in September 2009, will be the first to join the 1,000-footers club.
Originally reported at 982 feet but now longer, she will cruise year-round from Cape Canaveral. Her claim to innovation will be a new entertainment concept called The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue.
However, in a fascinating quotation from a recent release, it seems that unlike RCCL and NCL who are going for more bells and whistles, Carnival is going more traditional.
"Carnival Dream will take the traditional cruise ship promenade to new heights with a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5. Here, guests can take a stroll while enjoying spectacular ocean vistas, read a book, or just take in the sun from one of the many deck chairs that will line this unique open deck area."
This sounds very unlike Carnival, whose Carnival Destiny, the first 100,000-tonner, had promenades with just two doors and no deck chairs at all.
Where The Market is Going
While RCCL have been heading the parade on hardware features, NCL has concentrated more on software, adding greater choice of venues.
RCCL's Royal Parade, rock climbing, ice skating, boxing and surfing venues will compete with NCL's array of clubs and restaurants, both attracting a much younger cruiser.
Meanwhile, RCCL, with its Loft Suites, NCL, with its Uber Bar, and MSC, with its Yacht Club, are all inventing a new class system in an effort to retain their higher-spending clientele as well.
Traditionalists will probably look in on these ships and go back to where they were, while younger first-time cruisers, the future lifeblood of the industry, will return, meaning more new customers.
And the lines hope to please families as well.
RCCL's activities particularly are attractive to both the younger market and the family market - who will get the rock-climbing wall? The 17-year-old or the 30-year-old? At least we know there will be multiple routes.
Meanwhile, it is interesting that Carnival is not part of this sea change and in fact even seems to be getting a little more traditional in its approach.
But it is also interesting that, with its concentration on brands rather than gimmicks, Carnival remains the most profitable cruise organization in the world.

(Source: By Mark Tré - Cybercruises.com)

Guest: Ms ________Ref: 0029004616A
Cabin: ________ Booking#: _________ Added-Changed: 09/22/08 - 09/22/08

SCARED BY DRIVER.

Ms. _____ came to the purser's desk today. Ms. _______ requested to speak to the cruise director or shore excursion manager. Purser asked what her concern was and guest said that they had been on the Pisa by Trolley Tour and the bus driver had driven so fast that she had been scared the whole time. Guest said the tour was excellent but the driver of Brown 2 bus should not be allowed to drive so fast. Purser apologized and said her comments would be passed to cruise director and shore ex manager. Tasked to shore ex.

Before I start………..and no, I am not making this up. We give the guests a colored number and sticker which refers to the bus they are on….have a look at the colour and number again of hers……..quite appropriate.

In Italy you sometimes get the impression they'd rather lose the Pope than lose the right to drive like complete and utter maniacs. The question, though, is why?

I mean, we are talking about a country that thinks an emergency plumber is someone who can fix your now flooded kitchen within the next two months. That’s one month to process the order and one month arguing with the suppliers. However, the actual drive from his workshop to your house 25 miles away is done in five minutes..........why, then, are Italians like this on the road?

My friend Claudio told me that the problem in Italy is that as soon as the road users get used to one set of rules applied by a prime minister he will get fired for sleeping with a porno star or because he had been a little too close to men with no necks and a sack full of horse heads........ And another prime minister comes along and changes all the rules. Remember that Italy has had 348 different governments this year.

Then, of course, when the rules are set out they are done so with the unwritten law that they are indeed just mere suggestions and are never enforced. One such law is the seatbelt law.........next time you are in Rome or Naples has a look...........no bugger wears a seat belt. I can imagine the Italian’s saying, "If I wear a seat belt it shows others that I am not a good driver, therefore I must not wear one because I am a driving god.......and that's the women."

So here we have a country where people don't obey rules that aren't enforced anyway, a country that loves cars and self-image. All Italians dream of owning a Ferrari.......and until they get one, they will pretend their Fiat Panda or their 50-seater Tourist Coach is a purring V12 Ferrari Enzo.

It's all a question of style and no matter what Paris, London, or New York says..........we all know it's Milan that wins the gold medal. On a hot day, British ladies are quite happy to wander the streets wearing a tank top with their big bra straps showing. In Paris, the women have long dark hair..........hanging from their armpits ...........sometimes braided.

However, in Italy the whole country is one big catwalk. Even the police have their uniforms styled by Georgio Pradaversachemani. I will never forget a police officer I saw standing on a podium thingy in the middle of a busy street in Naples. He was like a trained dancer, every move, ever gesture choreographed as he pranced about in a crisp white shirt and blue pants and, of course, the standard mirrored Ray Ban glasses.

It meant nothing to him that every single car was ignoring everything he was doing. Looking good in Italy is more important than looking where you are going. And, of course, Italy is a laugh-out-loud country. The men are the most egotistical people on the planet and there is no translation for “political correctness” in Italian.

To be born an Italian man is like winning the lottery of life……… I can only imagine what it must be like for women with principles and moustaches to live there.

Good evening and as you can tell we are in Livorno, Italy today, the gateway to Florence, Pisa, Cinquaterra, and Tuscany. And that is where the majority of people went on this last day of the cruise, although surprisingly quite a few actually never go ashore at all. ......... not just here but in all the ports. That always makes me wonder. Is it because they just love how quiet the ship is when everyone is ashore?..........Is it because they have been to all the places and just love the Carnival experience or is it that taking excursions or exploring on their own is not in their budget?............I wonder.

Well, while most were ashore I attended another plaque ceremony as the great and good of Livorno came to pay their respects. This included a man who had an Italian sash draped over his body like he had just won the national fishing tournament and a harbor pilot who had was very brave and had been awarded a medal every time he docked a vessel. Still, as Captain Pagano is from this area there was an extra sense of pride in his voice ..............by the way, I will be posting his interview very soon.

After this I attended a lunch for various dignitaries and it was a lot of fun. This lunch had once again given our chefs a chance to create something that was different and off the cuff.............and it was fabulous. It included some homemade burgers, a beautiful Dover sole dish and some apple caviar............brilliant. It's a shame we don't utilize their skills more and I think we are crazy not to at least once a cruise allow them to design a special menu for our supper clubs..........honestly, they are absolutely talented and we should be allowing them to share their skills more.

As I mentioned there was homemade burgers on the menu. I had asked for these to be added as I really fancied this and so it seemed did one of the dignitaries ........I felt stupidly British, though, as I used my knife and fork instead of the hands on method used by others. It was a super lunch and just what I needed after a tough week..........thanks to those who joined me.

OK, time for some photos. Tomorrow I will be posting some beautiful photos of Tuscany and Cinquaterra............today, though, I want to add some more of the ship in Cannes from yesterday. Here we go.

Hope you are still enjoying all the photos.

OK, time for some a special video. I will tell you about the man who took it in a moment.

First, let's set the scene.

A reception for 150 travel agents, dignitaries and community officials was held aboard the Carnival Fascination in Jacksonville, Fla., commemorating the ship’s new four- and five-day program from JAXPORT which began Sept. 20. The 2,052 passenger Carnival Fascination is the largest cruise ship ever homeported in Jacksonville on a year-round basis.

At the reception, Carnival Fascination Captain Placido Tumminello (left) received a plaque from Dr. William Mason, JAXPORT’s incoming chairman of the board in recognition of the ship’s new Jacksonville-based schedule.

On its new program, Carnival Fascination departs Thursdays on four-day cruises to Freeport and Nassau, Saturdays on five-day sailings to the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau, and Mondays on five-day voyages to Key West and Nassau.

Carnival Fascination will sail on 78 voyages annually from Jacksonville, carrying an estimated 170,000 passengers annually.

And now we can see video of the Carnival Fascination looking spectacular as she sails into Jacksonville, Florida, for the first time.

This great footage was taken by a man who has hung outside more helicopters than a Delta Force commando...............professional photographer Mr. Andy Newman of Carnival’s outside PR agency, NewmanPR in Miami. Many of the great photos you’ve seen of Carnival Corporation ships have been taken by the man with bionic eye. I want to thank him most sincerely for sending me this great footage. Maybe I can encourage him to send me some more of his great work from the past years?

OK, as promised, let's meet someone very special. Last year I spent a night on the Queen Victoria and it was there that I met a living legend. ..............Alistair Greener, entertainment director extraordinaire. He was obviously very busy that night as host to lords, ladies and gentlemen but we did get to spend some brief time together. I was very impressed with his dedication to everything Cunard and everything Cunard stands for can be seen in him.

Well, it seems that the blog phenomonan.......phenomaminoun..........pher..........thingy has arrived at Cunard as Alistair has started a brilliant blog. .........rather than me tell you about him and his blog, lets have a look through the keyhole and find out what it is like to be the Entertainment Director of the incomparable Queen Victoria.

1. Can you please tell us about your career so far?

Probably the best way to describe my career would be to attach my official Cunard bio:

Alastair was born and raised on his parents’ farm in Cornwall, in the South West of England. He first got the travel bug when he traveled throughout Europe as a student before deciding to start a three-year Hotel Management course. Following his graduation, and a few years in the sales and marketing industry, he started to realize his dream to perform when he was chosen to present and host major sales conferences and trainings. This encouraged him to begin acting, initially as a hobby, but after training at workshops and working with a personal tutor, this soon became a new career following his first successful audition.

Within three years he had become a full member of Equity (The British Actors Union), and had played many diverse characters in Theatre from “Buttons” in pantomime to “Don John” in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Other roles, to name a few, included “Clive” in the classic Ben Travers farce Rookery Nook, “Constable Hackett” in the thriller Write me a Murder and “Henry Pargiter” in the original London cast of The Thieftaker. He appeared on UK television in a number of programmes including The Bill and the BBC’s House Of Cards, and was cast in the Warner Brothers classic film Black Beauty. As well as featuring in many commercials for products from paint to cough medicine he has also been a presenter for training films, road shows and conferences.

Yearning to travel again, he saw an advertisement looking for actors and presenters to audition for work on Cruise Ships. An opportunity to travel the world and continue his love for performing seemed too good to be true, but soon he was accepted in the position of Cruise Staff with the British line, Sun Cruises. Within two years he had risen through the ranks to become an Assistant Cruise Director also covering as Cruise Director.

He joined Princess Cruises in November 1997, initially as a member of the Cruise Staff team but was soon promoted to an Assistant Cruise Director. In 1999 he became a Cruise Director on the Sea Princess and went on to serve on eight ships within the Princess fleet. He was proud to be part of the inaugural teams on four ships including the Golden Princess in Italy, the Sapphire Princess in Japan and the Island Princess in 2003, which was built in the same French shipyard as the Queen Mary 2.

In 2005 he was very honoured to be offered the position of Cruise Director with Cunard Line, and was proud to have the opportunity to be a part of the historic Cunard tradition on Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and now to serve as the Entertainment Director on the Queen Victoria during her maiden season.

In his role as Entertainment Director on board, Alastair heads a department of over a hundred staff comprising entertainers, musicians, lecturers, production team, children’s staff and social staff. He hosts shows, lectures and special events including his own daily TV show where he has interviewed many celebrities from the stage, screen and prominent politicians including Roy Hattersley, Jane Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, the Duchess of York, Carol Thatcher and Lenny Kravitz.

In addition to his career on board, Alastair has been a presenter for training videos for Princess Cruises, P&O and Cunard’s famous White Star Service. He was also pleased to be asked to represent the “Cruise Lines International Association” (C.L.I.A. – the organization representing all the major cruise lines including Cunard), as a spokesperson on different media tours along the east coast of the United States, appearing on network television and radio, promoting the cruise industry. You may recognize Alastair as the host of the Queen Victoria Virtual Tour on the Cunard website, and he is also currently featuring on U.S. television, on the Veria Network, as the presenter for The Genesis Of Healing.

When at home, he now lives in a 250-year-old thatched cottage near Marlborough in England, which is proving to be a long-term renovation project. In his spare time when not renovating his home, Alastair enjoys cycling as well as being a keen skier.

2. Before we talk about what it means to work for the most famous Ocean Liner company in the world, can you tell us about your job as a Cruise Director? I know there is no such thing as a "typical day," however, maybe you can tell us your responsibilities and how you spend your time on board.

Firstly I should explain that on Cunard we are called entertainment directors. The role is the same as a cruise director, which you will be familiar with on other ships, but the change came about when we realized that as Cunard does voyages (as opposed to cruises) the name cruise director no longer really made much sense. Also on these large ships, long gone are the days where the job would involve other non-entertainment related roles, such as shore excursions. Therefore the title entertainment director made sense and as they say - I do exactly what it says on the can! As an entertainment director the primary roles are being the head of the entertainment department and the main host for the voyage. As a result I try to have as higher profile amoungst our guests as possible, without being intrusive. It’s a matter of time management really, in that while our guests are on board (during the sea days and evenings), I try to be out and about as much as possible, which will mean hosting shows, events and activities or just spending time with guests around the ship. Like most ships I host a morning TV Show every day which is a great way to communicate in a lighthearted yet informative way. During port days and in between activities, I try to find time to catch up on the paper work, and with a department of over 100 and numerous activities and shows to schedule there is a fair bit of that! There are also quite a few meetings to go to, as we interact very closely with other departments, but fortunately though I have five key managers who are a huge asset to the smooth running of the department. They look after areas such as the entertainers and lecturers, the resident cast of singers and dancers, social activities, music, behind the scenes production work and the youth programme.

3. Cunard is very special. Simple question: Why?

There’s no doubt that a true family atmosphere exists on our ships and I think that is probably one of reasons why we have so many loyal Cunarders who keep coming back. They tell me they look forward to seeing familiar faces amoungst the officers and crew as well as fellow guests. There are also the Cunard signatures such as the tradition, heritage and elegance associated with a Cunard voyage. We do have what I like to call comfortable formality, in that we offer a higher level of formality than most other companies, where guests enjoy the opportunity to dress up and soak up an atmosphere of relaxed elegance, where they can dance in real ball rooms or listen to classical music in a variety of lounges. Our White Star Service, (stemming from our merger with White Star Line in 1934), is another part of our product that guests recognize as a level of personal attention they can expect to receive from our crew. Another way to explain what makes Cunard special is the fact the guests have an opportunity to experience something very different and truly unique.

4. The Queen Victoria is a ship I will never forget and I was only on board for 1 night. You must be so proud to be her Cruise Director. What are your favorite areas of the ship and do you have a favorite place just to sit and enjoy those precious moments of pause and reflection?

I don’t need to tell you John, that bringing out a new ship is very special. As crew you feel you are really part of something where the team spirit is incredible especially as the company takes delivery of the ship. However Queen Victoria was more than that and definitely different, which although she was my fifth new ship, she was a new Cunarder and this made me feel especially proud and honoured. It may sound a little dramatic, but I realized I was part of history; a new Cunard liner which was going to join the history books with such names as Queen Mary 2, QE2, Queen Elizabeth, Mauretania and all the way back to the Britannia in 1840. I was fortunate enough to see Queen Victoria 3 months before delivery and helped host a press visit to the ship which helped me appreciate all the thought and attention to detail that had gone in to her design. I love the idea of having precious moments of pause and reflection, though I am not sure I have ever managed to do that in a guest area! Having said that there are some great venues on Queen Victoria including the Golden Lion Pub (a real local) and the Chart Room with Cunard memorabilia, but other than the Royal Court theatre (which I will tell you about later), my favourite has to be the Commodore Club with its commanding panoramic views over the bow which really feels like a club.

5. The Queen's Room is extraordinary. For those of us who have not had a chance to see this stunning area, can you tell us what happens in this room and describe its magic?

This is a signature venue for Cunard which plays host to a resident orchestra, vocalist and gentlemen dance hosts and it’s fantastic to see how busy it becomes every night with all age groups enjoying an opportunity to hone ballroom dancing skills they acquired at the dance class earlier in the day. What makes this venue special on Queen Victoria (apart from the fact it was inspired by Queen Victoria’s favourite residence on the Isle of Wight called Osborne House), is that it has become the hub of the ship. With a two deck high ceiling, a balcony reflecting the QE2’s Grand Lounge, original etchings by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and rich furnishings it fulfills many roles. Traditional afternoon tea with white gloved waiters and traditional finger sandwiches is a must (whether you are hungry or not!) In addition to the dance classes, classical concerts, believe it or not guests can try another Cunard first – fencing. Although I doubt anyone’s going to become the Zorro of the high seas in the two beginners’ lessons we offer, it’s still a great opportunity for our guests to try something new.

6. Obviously, I have to mention the showroom, the most unique at sea. What is it like to work on the stage looking up at the private boxes? Also, can you tell us about the diverse entertainment to be found during a Cunard voyage?

I love hearing people talking about this venue. Of course being the main focal point of entertainment on board, I feel a real pride that the Royal Court Theatre is our work place. Inspired by a Frank Matcham design (a prominent Victorian architect), guests can easily forget they are on a ship and not in London’s West End. It’s a truly stunning 835-seat theatre, spanning three decks with 16 private Theatre Boxes. Yes I did say private theatre boxes; another Cunard first. And these are exactly how they would look in a West End theatre, complete with privacy curtains. They are available on a first come first served basis on regular nights, but when the Royal Cunard singers and dancers perform production shows, we offer a special programme ($50 per couple). Guests are met by our White Star Bell boys and offered Veuve Cliquot champagne with finger desserts in an exclusive lounge area before being shown to their boxes where a half bottle (per couple) of Veuve Cliquot champagne and more chocolates await. At the end of the show guests are given an exclusive souvenir photo of the show they have just seen so they have a lasting memory of a unique experience. In addition to our shows, we have a great variety of cabaret acts providing comedy, music and magic on a nightly basis. Apparently the word on the guest entertainer circuit is “Have you worked on the Queen Victoria yet? No ……..well you wait till you see their theatre……..it’s incredible”. From the stage it’s wonderful because there are clear sightlines and despite the lights you can still see people feeling rather special in the boxes with extra attention focused on the Royal Box which Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited when they came on board. In addition to the evening entertainment we also use the venue for movies and our Cunard Insights Lecture Programme. In a typical sea day we’ll have three lectures which vary in content from destination information, the arts, history and of course being Cunard we have our fair share of celebrity speakers.

7. You must have met some wonderful characters during your time as cruise director. Can you tell us some of your favorites?

I do like longer voyages which give you the opportunity to get to know guests better than you can on shorter itineraries. This year the world cruise was not only the first for Queen Victoria, but also for me and although I will admit some apprehension on my part (a slight understatement) I really enjoyed it. You can imagine there were some great characters, especially the true Cunarders who had completed many world cruises before who were delighted to show me the ropes! Hearing stories from guests from all over the world was great and then there were the guests who had spent their lives looking forward to retiring and going on a world cruise and here they were fulfilling their dreams. There are also so many members of the crew who are great characters as well, with many having spent a good proportion of their lives on board Cunard ships, having experienced amazing milestones in the company’s history. As I mentioned earlier I have also been privileged to meet some well-known people and it’s difficult to single out anyone in particular, whether they have been on board as a guest or a lecturer. Mind you I have to say for someone growing up in the 60’s and 70’s watching Norman Wisdom films; to meet the man himself was a huge honour. I interviewed him on the QE2 a couple of years ago and what a pleasure it was to meet this great man who had overcome such adversity to become such a national institution. He even showed me how to do the famous walk – there’s a photo of that here. Others include, Richard Dreyfus, the Duchess of York, Bill Conti, Kathy Reichs, Sir Roger Moore, Lenny Kravitz and, of course, I have to mention the incredible Jane Russell who amazed us with stories of her days working with Marilyn Monroe and how Bob Hope had described her as “The two and only, Jane Russell”.

8. I have heard the expression: “We are Cunard “a lot recently and I think it is brilliant. In your own words, what does “We are Cunard “mean?

When we brought out the Queen Victoria last year, the phrase “We Are Cunard” somehow sprung up as a something which encapsulated the feeling amoungst the team, that we were a close-knit family and were part of something very special. Having been at sea for thirteen years I had never known such loyalty and pride, until I came to Cunard three years ago. To be honest I am often humbled by crewmembers who have dedicated so much of their lives to Cunard and all it represents, having been through tougher times as well as milestones in the company’s history but what is fantastic is that it doesn’t take long for new crewmembers to feel like a Cunarder. It may sound a bit of a cliché but we really are a family, one which includes our shore side team, officers and crew as well as our guests. With just three ships you come back from leave knowing almost everyone, and very quickly guests get to know you as well and I think that is probably one of reasons why they keep coming back. After all they are also very much a part of Cunard.

9. Your journeys on board must have taken you to some extraordinary places. Can you choose a Queen Victoria voyage this year or next that you are most looking forward to and tell us why?

I have been very lucky to have traveled all over the world. In fact last time I was on leave my godson asked me how many countries I had visited and like so many of us who have been at sea a while – it took some time. Eventually I think I got up to about 85, but amoungst them I do have my favourites such as Japan, China and Australia. In fact I don’t think you can beat sailing in to Sydney Harbour which for me ranks along with Venice and New York. As I mentioned, I loved the world cruise and am looking forward to our second in 2009, going to lots of new ports over the 107 days including my first opportunity to go to Jordan. I love discovering new places and am delighted that the Queen Mary 2 is going to South Africa in 2010 for the first time so I may have to ask if I can go across to our big sister for that one!

10. Congratulations on starting your weekly blog. I think this is wonderful and I am sure anyone who loves the world we work in will be regular readers. What are your aspirations for your blog?

That’s a very good question because firstly I have to come clean and admit I have not really got into blogging until we started this. It seemed a great idea and I hope that not having many preconceptions will be a good thing, because I would like the blog to shape itself, so our bloggers feel part of the development process. I do hope that for anyone who is part of the Cunard world, it helps guests crew and visitors to the site feel even more a part of this very special family.

11. And finally, and as is tradition, it is time for you to chose your ultimate Cruise Director table.
Please fill in the spaces, choosing your favorite things and favorite people:

Appetizer – Seafood Salad
Main Course – Filet Mignon au Poivre (rare) & steamed vegetables
Dessert – coconut and mango crème brulee

Guest List:

Someone from the cruise industry – Micky Arison
Someone you consider a hero – Bob Hope
Someone to make you laugh - Billy Connolly
Your favorite musician – Phil Collins
Your favorite actress – Cameron Diaz
Someone from history, you wish you had met – William Shakespeare
Your favorite Cruise Director, not working for Cunard, who is English and has a blog – Now let me think ……. the only one I know is….. You, John!

Now, let's share in some of Alistair's photos.

Alistair with famous British screen and stage star Norman Wisdom

The Royal Family

Alistair with singing star Tony Christie at a charity auction for Children In Need

Thanks, mate, and what a wonderful interview. So, let’s all check in every Friday morning to www.wearecunard.com to see what has happened onboard and in the life of someone who is......Cunard. Good luck, mate, and see you on Friday along with all of us at the blog.

Well, another cruise is nearly over. We head now to Civitavecchia and our only Grand Med cruise. The guests this week have been great. They started of a bit quietly and I wasn't sure what was going to happen. Now though everyone seems to have had a great voyage. Vigo was a surprise star and a port we should go back to if we can. The Russians provided us with much laughter and money and even though they may not follow the rules............they have a great time Russian style............and as someone asked me today..............yep.............they all buy the bathrobes.

We had someone fired by Donald Trump and I nearly fired myself following a few less than favorable comments that suggested I was a racist and needed to go to the gym more. I was bollocked because a lady won bugger all at bingo.....asked to move the island of Gibraltar a little to the left..........barked like a dog at a guest...........and laughed at when I suggested two people may like to not lay down on a sofa, dressed in shorts and T-shirts and no shoes on elegant night inches from the captain. We had two people miss the ship, two guests left the vessel on medical grounds, and one musician who had to leave due to a family emergency..........we wish him well.

I wrote 12 blogs which were read by 50,000-plus people. I said a prayer for those who had suffered in Texas and congratulated those at Carnival who did wonders for our guests.

I was in the doghouse three times with Heidi, got of the ship just once in 22 days and performed five morning shows, three travel talks, one debarkation talk, one marriage show, one welcome aboard show, one talent show, one bedtime story and three variety shows. I met guests who had sailed with me before and one guest who said he will never sail with me again because of my sexist jokes and the skimpy costumes. We had 3,022 guests, 1209 who had sailed before and all in all............it's been a great 12 days.

Here is a photo taken by the ship's Italian agent Senora Anita Acupuncto of our home sailing from Livorno towards more adventures at sea.

I wonder what will happen next.

Goodnight

Your friends
John and Heidi

With last minute notice, three members of SSCC met on the pier behind Castle Island on the morning of September 18th, 2008 to watch the QE II make its final voyage into Boston Harbor. We met several other local photographers and reporters there that morning, and even got interviewed by WBZ Radio, which led to The Patriot Ledger asking us if we would like to set up this photo blog! Small world indeed!

The iconic ocean liner will depart on her 100th Transatlanticvoyage on September 21 from Southampton, England arriving in New York on September 27. On arrival, she will have logged 711,288 nautical miles since her debut with 316,729 nautical miles on Transatlantic voyages alone.

"Perhaps more than any other voyage, a Transatlantic Crossing captures the imagination of the most intrepid travelers," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "A Transatlantic voyage recalls a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. For many, it is on par with the world's most storied travel experiences."

Queen Mary 2's regularly scheduled Transatlantic service forms the cornerstone of her annual itineraries, which also includes her second World Cruise in 2009 and forays into the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norway. 

Since the ship entered service in 2004, Queen Mary 2 has made dozens of maiden calls around the world, including San Francisco - where thousands lined the shores of the City by the Bay to witness her sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and her overnight visit caused gridlock traffic on the Embarcadero; along with great port cities such as Boston and Ft. Lauderdale. She has provided a glamorous backdrop for a myriad of high-profile events, including The Britannia Ball (a charity gala benefitting the New York City Opera and Brooklyn Academy of Music) in 2007; the PBS TV Concert Special: Carly Simon: A Moonlight Serenade on the Queen Mary 2; an onboard event honouring George Lucas at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival; as well as several Cunard Royal Rendezvous events in New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Long Beach, California and Sydney, Australia with her sister ships, QE2 and Queen Victoria. Queen Mary 2 even played a role in literary history, transporting the first author-signed copy of the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to its U.S. debut. 

In addition to logging nearly three-quarters of a million miles, Queen Mary 2 will mark other milestones on her 100th Transatlantic voyage, including:

·                     More than 229,000 guests crossing the North Atlantic

·                     450 pets crossing the North Atlantic

·                     97,000 pounds of lobster served

·                     2,700 pounds of caviar served

·                     206,200 bottles of Champagne served

·                     Enough tea to fill nearly five Olympic-sized swimming pools

Queen Mary 2 has welcomed many notable guests, including Barbara Walters, Katie Couric, Uma Thurman, John Cleese, Richard Dreyfuss, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Tina Brown and Harold Evans, Terrance Howard, Donald Trump, and Dame Shirley Bassey. Her eminent visitors have included HRH Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Noor, Former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Hillary Clinton.

In 2009, Queen Mary 2 marks her fifth year of service with an extended Transatlantic season of 6-, 8- and 9-day Crossings. In total, she will sail 25 Transatlantic Crossings, including classic six-day voyages between Southampton and New York, two eight-day voyages between Hamburg and New York, one eight-day voyage from Boston via New York to Southampton and one nine-day Crossing from Southampton via New York to Halifax and Boston.

Need Help?  www.CruiseTravelEscape.com

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will make a farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth 2 in Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008 - the ship's last day in the UK before leaving on her Final Voyage at 19:15 QE2 will depart for Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.
The most famous ship in the world, and for 35 years the flagship of the Cunard fleet, RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was launched by Her Majesty The Queen at Clydebank on 20 September 1967 - forty years ago last year. His Royal Highness was also in attendance.
Since then QE2 has travelled almost 5.9 million nautical miles, more than any ship ever; has carried 2.5 million passengers; has completed 25 World Cruises; and has crossed the Atlantic 804 times.
As well as being present at the launch, His Royal Highness has visited QE2 five times since her Keel Laying - on 14 July 1967 during construction; on 1 May 1969, immediately prior the Maiden Voyage; on 29 May 1969 for the Council of Industrial Design Awards; on 19 June 1991 for a Royal Ball in association with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and on 27 July 1990 to mark Cunard Line's 150th anniversary.
Details of the visit on 11 November will be announced shortly, but Cunard's President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, comments:
"We are delighted and honoured that His Royal Highness has agreed to visit QE2 on her last day in the UK. The Duke of Edinburgh has taken a close interest in the ship over the last forty years, and I am certain this will be a memorable occasion for all involved".

Guest: Mrs. _________ Ref: 002804459A
Cabin: _____ Booking#: ___________ Added-Changed: 09/16/08 - 09/16/08

WHY ARE WE PLAYING CHILDREN’S BINGO?

Purser received comment card from Mrs. Johnson. It read as follows,

"Bingo- Why are we playing children bingo? Why not play some that would let us play more than five numbers at a time? We are adults, play making. 1- M-N-K-X 2 eight pack, two four-pack - Don’t treat us as children. What you play... 5 year olds do. We are older than that. I have played three times and won nothing because the games are too simple. I demand a full refund of $30 as there is no chance to win. I expect this to be done today.

[9/16/2008 3:24:48 PM LEES]
Purser tasked cruise director, informing of the comments made. Letter thanking for comments sent to cabin.

Or, translated into English this letter reads.

Dear John:
I have won bugger all and I want my money back.....now.

Well, of course, she is not going to get it. I spoke to her though this morning in person. Sometimes, I wish I could secretly film these conversations but, obviously, I can't. I especially would have like to have done that this morning as I was threatened with a lawsuit and, while the threat was being made, I got a good look at her index finger, which was being wagged in my face.

She probably wondered why I was bobbing around like a boxer moving my head from side to side, something I had to do in order not to be covered in her spittle, which was flying out of her mouth like a venomous cobra.

I told her that each bingo game was explained before the cards were sold and I casually asked if she knew what the games were and if she didn't like them, why did she buy the card? Ooops..........she didn't like that -- and her finger now went into warp speed and the spittle became a river of phlegm.

By the time we had finished the conversation, my blue blazer looked like it had been given the good news by a flock of birds, all of which had been drinking prune juice.

Well, as we speak Mrs. Bingo is playing our afternoon “nine games for $10 session,” for which I gave her a free card. When I told her this she turned from Judge Judy on speed to a character from Little House On the Prairie.......it was all she had wanted ...... something for free. I was now her best friend and she now finished the conversation by praising her stateroom steward and the dining room servers...........oh well, at least she is happy. If she does win bingo with her free card............... maybe she will pay for my dry cleaning bill.

Good morning, everyone, and hope today's blog thingy finds you well. We are at sea today and, tonight around 9 pm, we will sail through the Strait of Gibraltar. I informed the guests of this yesterday, as did the captain in today's noon announcement and this was the response from one guest.

As yet, neither the captain nor I have spoken to this guest. I think we are both secretly hoping the other one will do it. Right now ....I would rather jog naked through today's art auction than speak to him as I am just recovering from Mrs. Bingo.

I know he is disappointed and, of course, if he asked I am sure we could find him dinner at the main sitting or he could eat at our many alternative dining areas. I suppose it will be down to me to take care of him. Obviously, the speed required to make Malaga on time tomorrow -- and lots of other equations -- have been calculated and passing through this busy strait cannot be manipulated by what time we serve dinner.

Let me call the guest.

OK, he wasn't there; I will try again in a moment.

Let’s pause, then, while we look at the last photos from yesterday's call in Lisbon and some letters from our guests.

Sailing Away from the Port of Lisbon

Let me try to call Mr. Gibraltar again and, while I do, this let me leave you in the company of a very special gentlemen, sometimes guest blogger, and our man in London, Peter Shanks, Carnival UK’s chief commercial officer.

Hi John:

Have not been in touch for a while - but I hope all is well with you and all of your bloggers. I saw that you rightly mentioned the terrific victory for our friend, Lynn, and her UK Carnival Cruise Lines sales team for being voted 'The Best Travel Sales Team in the UK.' I was there at the ceremony and have to say it was well deserved. And talking of awards - two other marvelous things have happened to us at Cunard Line this week.

Firstly - at the very same UK Travel Awards there was a very prestigious award for 'The Best Cruise Line in the UK.' Everybody was there - our own sister brands P+O Cruises and Princess, both of whom have had a very strong year. As usual, the team from Royal Caribbean were there and as over confident as ever – well, it was a big year for them as they launched the 'Probably Far Too Big To Be Much Use At All to Anybody With Any Taste At All Of The Seas' this year. And, of course, it has been a big year for Holland America who showed off their marvelous new ship Eurodam to the UK market. And I have to mention Carnival Cruise Lines, and your own showcasing of Carnival Splendor to our market in Dover earlier in the summer. So competition was tough.

I have to be honest and say I thought one of the big boys would win. Imagine my delight when Cunard Line was named 'Cruise Line of the Year' for the UK market. Excellent - lot's of applause, rush up to stage, look excited, accept award and the next thing I knew I was in the press area being asked 'So Peter why do you think Cunard Line won?' That is the moment I stopped in my tracks. Although I had been excited to go up to the stage - I realized it was nothing to do with me, the only reason we had won the award was because of all the people who work on the Cunard Liners. You have heard me say it before - but they and the White Star Service they deliver is just awesome. So that is what I said - and that was the content of the note we sent out to every member of our ship's company the following day. The most valuable thing about these awards is being able to share them with the people that make it happen.

The fact is - we won because 'We are Cunard!' And if any of your bloggers have not yet heard of what is so special about 'We are Cunard' - just go on to youtube.com, type in 'We are Cunard'. And watch the video.

So I thought that was a pretty cool end to our week. That was until I read The Sunday Times Today. They have undertaken a survey to define the top 500 Super Brands in the UK as defined by their readers and a panel of experts. I was a little disappointed to see that there were only 15 travel brands within the top 500. But really pleased to see that Cunard Line was the only cruise brand, and, of the 15 travel brands, Cunard was 7th. Those above Cunard were British Airways, Virgin, Thomas Cook, Disneyland Paris, Eurostar, Qantas, and then came Cunard! So we are in pretty impressive company.

So now I am really proud of the brand, I looked at the criteria for being voted - by consumers - a Super Brand. They defined it as follows;

'Cunard Line has established the finest reputation in its field. It offers customers significant emotional and tangible advantages over other brands which customers want and recognize' - As says 'The Sunday Times.'

Clearly these two awards mean just one thing - your bloggers need to come and experience the magic of Cunard Line for themselves. As do you John, and we need to fix up the voyage for you and I to undertake our 'joint blog.'

Needless to say I have been brought back down to earth by my family. I had to take the Labrador for a two hour walk (which involved an argument with a golfer - how was I meant to stop the dog picking up his ball and dropping it in a river), had to clean up the garden, ferry my daughters to different sporting events and when boasting about Cunard's recent achievements my daughters said - 'Dad - get a life it's the weekend!

Best Regards

Peter Shanks
Chief Commercial Officer
Carnival UK

Thanks, Peter, and I know how proud you are of the Cunard brand. We are proud to be associated with them, as well. And on a personal note, I will never forget my night onboard the Queen Victoria and my day onboard the leviathan of vessels, Queen Mary 2.

Don't worry about the golfer. I am sure he and his Rupert the Bear trousers (sorry, you will have to Google a photo of Rupert the Bear) will get over it. Please keep the reports coming, our best to everyone at Cunard, and congratulations to you on the awards. Oh yes.........Peter, I know November 11 marks the Queen Elizabeth 2 final voyage..........can you tell us about the plans for this special occasion?

OK, still no sign of Mr. Gibraltar, I will keep trying.

Many years ago I met a cruise director called Bill Panoff, who wore leather pants and did the most fantastic Tom Jones tribute act. Bill is now the publisher of the finest industry glossy magazine .........Porthole. Well, Bill has just published a two-page article about you and me. It's a brilliant article and features some interviews and photos with some old friends from the blog. To find out more I invite you to check out the October issue. I am honored that Bill has recognized the blog for what it is, a community of friends – a fun celebration of cruising and life. Oh, by the way, we just raced past 2.9 million........3 million is just a few weeks away.

Lets just pop back to the Carnival Conquest where 380 guests are on their way to Houston. I know the guests are enjoying the ship and I am also sure they will be very happy to get home. Then, the ship will start cruising from Houston and boarding her will be Cruise Critic Host Mac (Gregg), and all our friends from the Cruise Critic group. I know they have been very concerned about what’s been happening and I am so happy that their voyage is going ahead.

I received an e-mail from Greg asking if there was anything we could all do for the port of Galveston? Well, firstly let’s say thanks mate for your concern and I agree, we should do something. Let me see how the next few days pan out and then I will chat with you.

Meanwhile, if any of your group of 100-plus has any concerns or questions about your forthcoming Carnival Conquest or Carnival Ecstasy cruise, please direct them to me and I will be happy to help. Maybe you can slap this on the board thingy. Anyway, just to confirm .............here are the new itineraries for the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy.

Itineraries (changes shown in bold italics):
CARNIVAL CONQUEST:
7 Day Western Caribbean Cruises from Houston:
On Sunday, Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 2008
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Sun. Houston (Bayport) 4:00 PM
Mon. "Fun Day" At Sea
Tues. "Fun Day" At Sea
Wed. Montego Bay 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Thurs. Grand Cayman 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
Fri. Cozumel 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
Sat. "Fun Day" At Sea
Sun. Houston (Bayport) 9:00 AM

CARNIVAL ECSTASY:
4 Day THURSDAY Western Caribbean Cruises from Houston:
On Thursday, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, 23, 2008
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Thurs. Houston (Bayport) 3:00 PM
Fri. "Fun Day" At Sea
Sat. Cozumel 10:00 AM 5:00 PM
Sun. "Fun Day" At Sea
Mon. Houston (Bayport) 9:30 AM

5 Day SATURDAY Western Caribbean Cruises from Houston:
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, 18, Nov. 1, 2008
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Sat. Houston (Bayport) 3:00 PM
Sun. "Fun Day" At Sea
Mon. Cozumel 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
Tues. Progreso, Yucatan 11:00 AM 7:00 PM
Wed. "Fun Day" At Sea
Thurs. Houston (Bayport) 9:00 AM

5 Day MONDAY Western Caribbean Cruises from Houston:
On Monday, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, 27, 2008
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Mon. Houston (Bayport) 3:00 PM
Tues. "Fun Day" At Sea
Wed. Progreso, Yucatan 7:00 AM 3:00 PM
Thurs. Cozumel 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Fri. "Fun Day" At Sea
Sat. Houston (Bayport) 9:00 AM

Still no sign of Mr. Gibraltar.

It's about that time when people who have been with us since the beginning of the inaugural season start to leave. This cruise marks the last one for Ron Pass, our piano man who has made the Grand Piano bar his own. I know many of you have enjoyed his entertainment and fun. After a well-earned break, he will be heading to the Carnival Valor. I have also requested he join us for the Bloggers Cruise in 2009 and I hope he will be back in Europe with us next year. Well done, Ron, and thanks for everything you do. Now, as for his replacement .............well.............there may be a last-minute change, so I will let you know who it is as soon as possible.

This afternoon I hosted the Marriage Show, which is always something I look forward to. On this occasion, I had a couple on stage from Hong Kong and there was as cute as basket full of puppies. Married for only three weeks, they traveled all the way to Dover to join us for their vacation. I asked him to show us a Chinese proposal and he sang the most beautiful love song complete with gestures and signs.............there were some wet eyes in the room and at the end 500-plus people gave the couple a standing ovation.

OK, I finally got to speak to Mr. Gibralter. He truly does not understand why we would dare to pass by the rock during his dinner. I apologized and explained that the ship needs to sail at a designated speed to reach the port of Malaga on time tomorrow. He told me basically the same stuff he had written in his letter. He could not understand why the Something of the Seas had managed to pass through the strait in such away as not to interrupt his grazing schedule.

Anyway, I gave him some dining options and I think, in the end, food is the most important aspect of his cruise because he refused each one of them.

As for the amenities and toilet paper......well, all I could do was apologize that the soap, etc., was not to his liking. As for the toilet paper, I agreed with him........and......I suggested he do what I do...........use the shower curtain.

Goodnight

Your friends
John and Heidi

So here we are on the Grand Canal with dozens of tourists and locals, floating past markets and galleries, hotels and bridges, starting with the Bridge of Sighs.  At the Rialto Bridge we hopped off, took some pictures and walked through to St Mark's Square.  Of course you don't actually buy anything there because the price of everything doubles as you approach within 100 metres of the place.

We passed several tourists dragging cases up and over the little bridges.  Later we discovered that these poor people had booked into Venice's hotels, and of course were unable to get within access of their destination - so they just had to struggle.  Note to self - never book into a hotel in old Venice!!

Walked round the waterfront to pick up the return waterbus. (You just hold your ticket in front of the little scanner things - tell that to an older American guy who couldn't understand why nobody had checked his ticket! Modern technology - pah!)  Travelling the entire length of the Grand Canal was a rare privilege we were very grateful for, and which we wouldn't have experienced had I not been so parsimonious!

I should add that one of the waterbuses we rode on had an all-woman crew - I called them Cagney and Lacey.  I'd really like to tell you about how great they were but I know I'll be accused of something or other - so I'll just leave it there!

Back on board Queen Victoria, it was time to 'let go aft' and set sail.  What a feeling as the massive ship manoeuvred unaided from her berth out into the lagoon.  I understand the ship has a modern electric propulsion system which makes a tug more or less redundant - but more of that later. 

We sailed very sedately along the waterfront heading for St Mark's Square, with the best imaginable view of the low-rise city Venice from the deck ten storeys high.  It was breath-taking.  As we passed the Doges Palace the crowds lining the water watched us watching them.  Slowly out towards the Gulf of Venice and the Adriatic.

Next stop Dubrovnik.

Sue and I have been married for forty years.  Yes I know it's unbelievable!  I find it incredible that she's put up with me that long.  So anyway we decided to mark the occasion with a 'once in a lifetime' experience we will always associate with this anniversary.  Only problem of course was, as always, it was going to be expensive. 

But still we committed.  We booked a cruise around the Mediterranean on the new Cunarder 'Queen Victoria', as novices to cruising and certainly unused to receiving 5-star treatment.  Sue deserved it of course - I had never been good at red roses and champagne so this made up for forty years of neglectfulness.

The trip was always going to be breathtaking - and so it turned out.  On Wednesday August 13th we flew to Venice and with the absolute minimum of effort found ourselves stepping into the air-conditioned embrace of Cunard and the most beautiful ship I could have imagined.  Our cases arrived unobtrusively in our 'Stateroom', and from our private balcony we had a view over the city of Venice. 

That night we ate in the luxury of the ship's sumptuous Britannia Restaurant and planned what we would do tomorrow.

Would you like the opportunity to sail round trip from New York for the Holidays in 2009? If you were offered a FREE pre-cruise package** to enhance the experience would that make it all the more reason to take advantage of the opportunity? Cruise Freek Forums and Ambiance Travel have teamed up to offer you a superior Christmas Cruise experience in 2009.

**Free pre-cruise package is available for those who book and deposit between now and September 30, 2008.
The itinerary is a follows:

December 2009

20 Sun New York, New York Depart 6:00 pm

21 Mon Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

22 Tue Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

23 Wed Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands 8:00 am -1:00 pm

24 Thu Road Town, Tortola 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

25 Fri Cruising the Caribbean Sea

26 Sat Willemstad, Curacao 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

27 Sun St. George's, Grenada 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

28 Mon Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

29 Tue Castries, St. Lucia 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

30 Wed Roseau, Dominica 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

31 Thu Basseterre, St. Kitts 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

January 2010

1 Fri Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

2 Sat Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

3 Sun Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

4 Mon New York, New York Disembark

And the pre-cruise package features:

* Includes 1 night at the Hyatt Grand Central
* Transportation to Dinner at Bobby Van's
* Transportation to Radio City Music Hall for "Christmas Spectacular"*