Sydney Arrival

The Sydney Arrival.

We had been advised that there was no room at any of the docks for the QM2 because of it's size. y had to move two ships from their base to make room. As the ship was too tall to go under the bridge, the pilot had to achieve a “Three Point Turn”to park the ship!

The last time the QM 2 arrived in Sydney 120,00 people turned out and the city stopped! This time we crept in at 5:30 am As this was a navel base we were told we would have to be bused with our luggage about 8 miles to Darling harbor to go through immigration.

I do not know what Cunard did but we walked off the ship, they took our immigration forms and directed us to a row of cabs. Many people like us had to wait for station wagon style cable because of the number of cases. When every night requires a jacket and there are 10 formal night you need a few suitcases.

Before I go any further I would like to rate the cruise. Please understand that Cunard is a line unto itself, like no other. When a Cunard ship arrives in a port especially one with a British heritage it is like Royalty. They have a strong following of passengers who enjoy dressing for diner, attending masked balls, listening to lectures about royalty, attend Shakespearian plays, play in bridge tournaments Etc. Etc. Etc.

The QM2 IS A MAGNNIFICENT liner. It is not a cruise ship. It's design is completely different. Apart from a few minor Cunard quirks we had a wonderful trip. We spent 16 days traveling half way around the world in the most elegant surroundings being waited on hand and foot. “What is not to love?”

On Sunday March 1st there will be 5 Cruise ships in Sydney harbor Two of them will have to anchor and tender in the passengers. The town of Sydney has declared a through way day which restricts parking all over the city. The city fathers understand that each cruise ship passenger spends $400 per day. Those on the QM 2 even more. The QM2 was in every local news paper discussing the cost of the world cruise and the size of the ship. Australia's top fashion designer held a fashion show aboard the ship which was also covered by all the news agencies along with the news that on this sailing we ended up raising $100,000 AU for the Red Cross Fire relief fund.