Docking in Manhattan

[Cruise_Princess]

I totally agree Cunard Queen

QE2 Whistle....No I won't be phoning Cunard re the Lizzie dates.... Diamond Members do not come down to their level!! ( If you know what I mean!!)  It's up to them to always get it right.....as they used to in the past......there are no excuses!    ...but on top of the fiasco over the maiden voyage it just rubs salt into the wound............just means we have to take our money  elsewhere...as annoying as that is....seems the old QE2 lot are out in the cold when it comes to the new  Cunard Cruise ships....
(I will never forget 2 weeks ago on QV meeting an older ex QE2 crew member who was in a very prominent position on board now downgraded to night steward ....and when asked if he liked it... without speaking....he  just shook his head and his eyes just filled up......( says it all eh?)   We couldn't speak either....)  of course they are NOT allowed to mention QE2 as we know on board the new ships unless a pax brings it up...technically he didn't speak his reply...but his actions said it all...)     Sorry for veering off the topic  here....

  QE2 Whistle ....  Maybe we will meet up when we dock in Manhattan again....   ooooooo..just saw a pig fly past the window!!!!LOL

But wouldnt that be  just LUVERLY!!!

[Twynkle]

Sadly, it will be the two Vista sisters in Manhattan and Queen Mary 2 in Red Hook in January from what I have read elsewhere, but has this been officially confirmed?  Too bad they could not arrange for all three to be lined up in Manhattan.  When was the last time there were three Cunarders lined up at the Manhattan piers?

From a different perspective - January 13th could turn out to be quite an interesting occasion!
If sailing in to New York Harbour on either Queen Victoria (or Queen Elizabeth), and mooring at one of the piers in Manhattan, then round to Red Hook on four wheels (shame it won't be by ferry), then embarking on Queen Mary 2 before joining the Vista Sisters with the Statue of Liberty in sight, as well as the possibility of fireworks and a few waving onlookers  - mightn't this be quite a positive experience?! 

[Rob Lightbody]

Please be more up-beat people, I'm depressed enough here as it is!!  

[highlander0108]

Please be more up-beat people, I'm depressed enough here as it is!!  

Here's something upbeat Rob!    Looking at the New York Cruise Terminal online schedule to confirm where QM2 is scheduled to dock in January 2011, I looked ahead to see if there were any other interesting ships on the schedule.  For instance, we're getting an appearance of the Vista Queens kissing cousin the Arcadia in Manhattan for two days at the end of September 2010. But most interesting is this......

Queen Mary is scheduled to return to Manhattan May 17, July 1, and also on July 6 in 2011.  The Caribbean Princess is scheduled for Red Hook for May 17th and July 1st.  July 6th is open on the Red Hook schedule.  Perhaps Cunard decided just to return to the same terminal for the scheduled July mini cruise to avoid problems since Manhattan was open.  Red Hook can accommodate only one ship at a time presently.

The bad news...Queen Mary 2 docks in Red Hook while the Vista Queens dock in Manhattan on January 13, 2011, according to the schedule.http://www.nycruise.com/2010scheduleNYC.html

[cunardqueen]

If sailing in to New York Harbour on either Queen Victoria (or Queen Elizabeth), and mooring at one of the piers in Manhattan, then round to Red Hook on four wheels (shame it won't be by ferry), then embarking on Queen Mary 2 before joining the Vista Sisters with the Statue of Liberty in sight, as well as the possibility of fireworks and a few waving onlookers  - mightn't this be quite a positive experience?!   

Rosie,
  Coming from your angle l would say Yes     

[Cruise_Princess]

All that money to NYC to 'see' 3 ships miles apart in the dark???

not positive for me...

I can see the Arran ferry lit up outside my door every night.....spectacular!  and I don't add to the Cunard coffers......

Why always New York?  How about  the 3 Queens sailing down the Clyde??   and wee waverley leading the way.... Now.....I would be first in the queue for THAT one.  but lets be sensible....it would HAVE to be in daylight,. 


 ARE YOU LISTENING CUNARD?   ( they are not REMOTELY interested)

[Rob Lightbody]

Do other ships, the same length and height as QM2 ever dock in Manhattan?

[highlander0108]

Do other ships, the same length and height as QM2 ever dock in Manhattan?

The last ship of equal size was the Epic. 

[Cruise_Princess]

of course they do Rob..think thats the point of this 'argument',....thats' why we get annoyed.... and lets face it not too many new ships now are smaller than Qm2 anyway...only difference would be the draft. and thats not their 'argument' its all concentrated on length and the turn into the dock.

[highlander0108]

From what I have just heard from a tugboat captain, it is not the length that is the problem, but the width of the newer ships, compounded with the 50 foot extensions of the Manhattan piers that were added to aid in the loading of the ships in a more efficient manner.  It's a tight fit to get two large ships between the two piers and have tugs in between.

On a side note, yesterday when I spoke to him on this subject, he commented that the newer ships really do not need the tugs anymore, but they have at least one to standby in case of a problem.  He jokingly said that one tug, like the one he operates, would not be that effective on a ship with the sail area of say the QM2 or the new Epic.  He also said that Cunard was very particular, insisting on coverings over the tug bumpers to protect the paint from scuffs.

[QE2 Canuck]

Come on now guys.!!! Has everybody forgotten the 3 Queens in Manhattan back on January 13, 2008.   QM2 was docked in Red Hook Brooklyn of course and the QE2 and QV were up in the Manhattan docks... but they all got together in the harbour down in front of the Statue of Liberty for a celebration of fireworks.......I was there.... and Bill Miller's recent book about the 3 Queens covers it nicely...... I imagine that will be the plan again for this upcoming January 13, 2013....sure would like to take part again....

Linda C

[Cruise_Princess]

Had friends there specially for it....stood in the freezing cold with a few dozen other folks as one of the ships was late in leaving....said they shouldnt really have bothered.....so dark...the fireworks were good and being there of course...but unless you live near the docks its a long way to go for a firework display....
Its not a one off occasion now...over the years there will be plenty more 'Queens' in New York harbour....maybe Ill wait until the 10th Queen is built in a few years time  and they all meet up in Manhattan!!  (Would be like a traffic jam on the river!)  LOL

thats just my opinion and my friends...I'm sure there are plenty of folks who loved it...and wish them well to see it again should they wish. Its just not for me to travel 3000 miles for that.

[QE2 Canuck]

No, I wouldn't travel that far for a fireworks display either... but I wanted to take my family on  QM2 for a trip to the Caribbean and when I discovered that all 3 ships would be there... that was the date I chose.   Yes, it was cold and it started to rain.  QM2 staff had the nice warm plaid blankets out on deck for her passengers... and I of course wanted to see my beloved QE2 one more time.   

Linda C

[Cruise_Princess]

SO did you REALLY need the blanket or did QE2 give you the cosy feeling anyway?  LOL!

[highlander0108]

I can confirm that coming into New York on QE2 for the first time in January 2008, getting up to see the funnel pass under the Verrizano Narrows Bridge with Ted Scull narrating, seeing the New York skyline in the early morning, and seeing the Statue of Liberty all lit up, was all worth freezing my hands at the grip of my camera.  It was bone chilling cold and completely worth it to experience it all.  The only downside for us was the realization we would never get to experience this again on QE2.   There was something special about sailing up the Hudson ever so slowly and docking at the piers that QE2 and her predecessors traditionally have used throughout Cunard's years of Transatlantic service.