Queen Mary vs. Fleet Week
The arrival in San Francisco “will be an event like the Blue Angels,” said Capt. Tom Miller, the bar pilot who will bring the ship into port. The Navy Blue Angels flying team typically attracts thousands of spectators to the San Francisco waterfront during Fleet Week in October.
From SF Chron last week.
Hm, maybe not so much.
Walking back from the gym along the Embarcadero, about 20 minutes ago, it was by far the prettiest evening in a while- the sky was light lavender, the ocean was a kind of inky blue, and the lights of the new pier near 1-1/2 were reflecting on the water- it was just gorgeous. Earlier I’d been at the Ferry Building and saw the Queen Mary go near Treasure Island, but down at Pier 27 (or 29?), there was a small crowd in front of its gate. Nice folks, but not the hordes of military and family having a massive tailgater, which was Fleet Week.
Overheard/Asked
As I have 411-Face, someone of course asked me within 2 minutes standing there if QM2 was arriving later because of the tide. I didn’t know. Other conversation was about the Panama Canal and if they would widen it or not. Someone else was guessing what it would be like to be on deck now, or if that area was the gym. Or if it would fit. Seemed like it was a big curiosity.
An hour before at the Ferry Building, there was a larger crowd gathered around- not sure if they were just regular Ferry Building visitors or special for the QM2. It was very odd looking at the huge ship in front of Treasure Island, and it was so close to the Bay Bridge and obviously didn’t have clearance. It did a kind of turn while I stood there- in super slow motion. I couldn’t really believe that the bay was even deep enough there.
Earlier post from Joann on Queen Mary’s arrival. And I wonder whether the QM2 guests enjoyed the Naked Pirate Salute?
Looking at QM2, I kept on thinking of David Foster Wallace’s essay in “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again”, where he goes into detail about all the wasted food and trash that’s generated on leisure cruises.
Related posts:
The Emarcadero was not the place to see the QM2 arrive. As with Fleet Week, the place to be was either along the shoreline (from the Presidio to Pier 39) or better yet on the water with the other scores of boats.
I was lucky enough to be on a boat and followed the QM2 into the bay. The shoreline was packed from our viewpoint. The cliffs and GG bridge were standing room only. When we go as far as Chrissy Field and Fork Mason, the crowds were elbow-to-elbow… It being a Superbowl Sunday and everything, i was not expecting there to be nearly the turnout that I witnessed.
Wow! thanks for commenting- I saw a few boats out there but never suspected they were sf-metblogs readers!
no photos of that beautiful sky tonight? some of us out here are homesick ya know :-)
My camera is in the shop! I’m really missing it. It’s also probably not good enough to get the sky too.
ouch! life in The City without the camera. Tough!
I was on the GG Bridge, then rode down to Crissy Field and the Marina Green. I thought there were more people than watch the Blue Angels
Queen Mary 2
I was out on the San Francisco Bar Pilot’s boat and the event looked a lot like Fleet Week, if not better. I think all the action took place around the bridge as everyone wanted to see that juxtaposition. Every bluff on the approach to the Golden Gate Bridge was covered with people. The ocean, outside the bay had more boats than I’ve ever seen at one time.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t spot the naked pirates but it was beautiful anyway.
Have a look at some picts:
http://flickr.com/photos/ballena/sets/72157594519204253/
I just watched on the television and on the internet..having sailed on her sister twice the QE2 across the Atlantic from the UK to New York.It is very expensive and yes you dress for dinner every night.Tux or a suit for men and evening gowns for the woman,dressy dress’s etc.There are several classes..and to really do the crossing,you have to spend the money and go Grill Class,either Queen’s or Princess.On the QE2 there is Caronia,which is 1st class,then there is Tourist Class which is for the majority of the passenger’s on both ships.The difference is the price you pay for the cabin you occupy and its amenities.I always went Caronia,or 1st Class,as that is the prefered way most went around the world on the QE2.It is one seating at your restaurant,same table,waiters,and items from both Brittania[Tourist Class dining room and Grill Dining Roomss],better crystal,service,etc.The difference in cost is roughly $2,000 per person,between the classes on the QE2.On the QM2 it is more expensive another several thousand dollars because she is a newer ship,and there are bills to be paid off,and she has more frills like a planaterium,several name restaurants and frills,etc.Plus,there is another ship,the Queen Victoria coming out soon..later this year,early next,to possibly replace the QE2,and she is also more in the mold as the Queen Mary2.I would love to go on the QM2 but I would not want to be in Tourist/TransAtlantic Class,dining in the Brittania with its two seatings[early,and late] and being looked on as an American being sucked into traveling in style..when it is actually like being in steerage on the older ships as far as attitude goes from the crew and amenities.There is a difference..just like on a plane between first class and coach.It is that clear.Yes you can walk in grand rooms afloat,but it all comes at a cost.In the Brittania dining room a diner is charged for cappuchino,in Caronia and Grill Rooms,a diner is not.The room service menu is much more extensive.Toiletries in the upper Class cabins and suites are of a higher grade,and bottled water is free.There are bottles of champagne waiting in the cabin from Cunard for you.You get upgraded to business class or fly free in business class.There are perks for all the cruise lines for being a frequent traveler with them..and I have traveled with them all quite frequently.I like Cunard.It is World Class.But only in 1st Class or Grill Class.
I fail to see the appeal. A ship came into port. It was, by most accounts, kinda big, but so what?