Archive through February 2008

[Kyle Johnstone]

Hello Joe,

The security at the port in L.A. has always been like that, it seems. Try going to the parking for the Lane Victory instead, and then just walk over to the QE2. It's worked for me.

Plus, have you done the harbor cruise out of Ports O' Call? Very nice photos opps of QE2 that way, and, I suppose for QV as well.

QV isn't the media sensation that QM2 was, so things may be a bit more quiet around the port when QV comes in this week.

 

[John Clifford]

Sad, but in 1997, after the THS Convention, at the Queen Mary, some of took a few members over to the Port of LA, where they got on a post-Convention Mexican Riviera Cruise.
A week later, two of us picked up both Ed & Karen Kamuda and Millvina Dean. At that time one could park in the main parking lot, even though we could get on board the ships, unless special arrangements were made. That was before 9-11.

I recall the option of parking near the Lane Victory, but that is problematic when you have anyone with you who is eldery; my parents encountered that in November 2006 when they hoped to meet some family acquaintances (people related to spouses of my cousins), from Connecticut, coming out for a Cruise: having the car parked at a distance, with no good place to wait, made for an unpleasant experience (especially as the coach from LAX was delayed; forutnately the ship was able to wait for them).
I figured that some closer spaces could have been opened, something I did get to mention to LA City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (her brother is the former mayor), whose district includes the Port area.

Anyway, I will probably drive near the ship, and maybe stop off at the patio area at Ports of Call, in the morning hours, to try and take pictures.

The ship is then set to depart at 5:00 PM, on Wednesday evening, if anyone wishes to see it then (yes, I am saving up vacation time for a QE2 trip).

 

[John Clifford]

QUEEN VICTORIA was at the Port of Los Angeles today.
However, there was not the fanfare or observers there, like there was then QUEEN MARY 2 was here, in 2006. I also noted that no special parking arrangements were made.
Perhaps the QUEEN VICTORIA did not capture the imagination of people like the QUEEN MARY 2 did.

I drove by the Port of Los Angeles around 8:00 AM, so I missed any late-morning, afternoon, and/or evening spectators.

 

[John Clifford]

I will be sure and post my photos, taken at the food court patio at Ports of Call (a great place to see the ships departing), along Harbor Drive, and in front of the Cruise terminal: I pulled over and took some quick pictures, not getting out of my car as I was at a red curb area.

 

[John Clifford]

Here are some of the pictures: Taken from the Ports of Call Patio:

 

[John Clifford]

Here are pictures: Taken from Harbor Drive:

 

[John Clifford]

Here are pictures: Taken from in front of the Cruise Terminal:

 

[John Clifford]

I hope Kyle, Joe, and others out here also got a chance to head down to San Pedro and see the ship.

 

[Joe Russo]

Hey John, looks like you were there early. I was there about 2pm. See the link and the photos are near the bottom of the web page. you can see my pics of the QE2 last year as well. Look at the name of the barge that was alongside the QV. I've shrunk the pics for easy viewing.

http://homepage.mac.com/joserus/PhotoAlbum29.html

 

[Jason Schleisman]

Thanks John and Joe for sharing your images. I used to live in your neck of the woods, but no longer. For those of us who are now 'landlocked' in body (but not in spirit), it's a real treat.

 

[John Clifford]

Hi Joe.

Yes, I drove by the Port Of LA between 7:45 and 8:00 AM; had to, then, head to work (am saving up for a QE2 trip). The angle of the sun in the bow shots indicates the time, as one is facing south-east when facing the Terminals.

Now I am looking forward to Sunday, March 30th, when the QE2 will be in Los Angeles for the last time. I predict there will be quite a crowd there, that day.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Peter Knego's blogspot on the Queen Victoria and Queen Mary at http://maritimematters.blogspot.com/2008/01/queen-victorias-maiden-visit-to-los.html

Some nice photos there.

 

[Martin Owen Cahill]

QV visited Wellington NZ today after a rough trip from Napier. A 3 metre ground swell made for an interesting entrance. especially when the captain apparently slowed the ship where I never would in a following sea [ref. Wahine].

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/103633/ppuser/1557

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Unfortunately Martin, you have to be a registered member of that particular forum to view the image gallary.

 

[Martin Owen Cahill]

Darn,

I just hate murdering my work to make it fit on a postage stamp.

Michael, Given your background you'd quite enjoy SN. Pop in and have a look. You do have to rgister but it IS free unlike so many things on the internet that say they are but aren't.

If you do I look forward to seeing you there. That goes for anyone else who has served at sea or has passion for ships and their stories..

cheers

Martin