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Post by Departure Bay on Oct 12, 2018 13:11:22 GMT -8
I was surprised this morning to see a cruise ship much closer to the mouth of Departure Bay than the usual route out of Vancouver. It's the Ruby Princess, doing sea trials in the Strait after being in drydock at Esquimalt. From MarineTraffic, it looks like she's been buzzing around the Strait for the last day or so and will continue to do so until tomorrow. Then she heads for Vancouver and a cruise to LA.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Oct 12, 2018 15:59:56 GMT -8
Off Hornby a few minutes ago. According to Marine Traffic, now turned around and heading south again. Was very odd to see a cruise ship out there this time of day- they're usually up there around 9pm or so.
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grk
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Post by grk on Oct 13, 2018 14:16:00 GMT -8
No passengers aboard, but still just over 1,000 contract workers finishing up interior refurbishments.
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grk
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Post by grk on Oct 13, 2018 21:24:39 GMT -8
On Saturday evening Ruby did much the same route. She had to sail from Canada Place about 18:00, but can not tie up in Victoria until 07:00. Ships loitering in the shipping lanes is discouraged, as is holding off Victoria's waterfront because of all the traffic at the Pilot boarding area. Upon clearing English Bay The ship headed north out of the busy traffic areas, doing a loop, before heading south towards Victoria. All this is done at the most economical slow speed possible.
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John H
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Post by John H on Nov 19, 2018 20:57:20 GMT -8
A new vehicle processing centre is coming to Nanaimo. Not sure why this was mentioned on the radio today, maybe construction has started recently. Sounds like new European-manufactured cars destined for Western Canada will soon be shipped directly to Nanaimo. Previously, they were shipped to Halifax and transported across the country from there, I'm assuming mostly by train. It seems Nanaimo will become the new distribution point for Western Canada. Interesting that they built it on the Island. Does anyone have any insight on how the cars might be transported to the mainland, since I'm sure most of them are not ultimately destined for Vancouver Island? www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/construction-proceeding-on-nanaimo-vehicle-processing-centre/
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 19, 2018 21:52:00 GMT -8
Does anyone have any insight on how the cars might be transported to the mainland, since I'm sure most of them are not ultimately destined for Vancouver Island? The processed vehicles will leave Nanaimo the same way that they arrived; by car-carrier ship, other than the few (relative to the total for the overall Canadian market) that are destined for Vancouver Island dealerships.
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John H
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Post by John H on Nov 20, 2018 22:02:41 GMT -8
Does anyone have any insight on how the cars might be transported to the mainland, since I'm sure most of them are not ultimately destined for Vancouver Island? The processed vehicles will leave Nanaimo the same way that they arrived; by car-carrier ship, other than the few (relative to the total for the overall Canadian market) that are destined for Vancouver Island dealerships. Do you know what will be going on at the processing centre? Just wondering what needs to be done in Nanaimo that necessitates offloading and reloading cars.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 20, 2018 23:19:24 GMT -8
Do you know what will be going on at the processing centre? Just wondering what needs to be done in Nanaimo that necessitates offloading and reloading cars. It sounds simple, but it is preparing European manufactured vehicles for Canadian market regulations: from HEREAnother way of looking at it is that a huge boat-load of cars will arrive in Canada, direct from a European manufacturer. They can't just go direct to dealerships. They need an official importing offload procedure, especially for a consumer-good as highly regulated as an in-Canada automobile. Also this: from HERE...and in my research on this tonight, I saw mention that after processing work is done at Nanaimo, the mainland-bound vehicles will be transported by barge.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 4, 2019 23:30:57 GMT -8
I was surprised this evening when a friend told me he was doing an Alaska cruise in May on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth. I'm not aware of Cunard sailing from Vancouver in recent years... does anyone know if they were visitors in these parts further back? Looks like Cunard might be testing the waters for future business. They're doing two ten day cruises in May, two in June, and then a departure at the end of June. Unfortunately, for such a storied name in maritime history, their current Queen Elizabeth doesn't look much different than all the other behemoths in service these days.
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 5, 2019 8:57:34 GMT -8
Cunard was a player in the Alaska cruise market back in the 1980's, albeit a smallish one. There were vessels like the Cunard Princess, Cunard Countess, Cunard Adventurer & even Sagafjord (after Cunard acquired it). But somewhere along the line Cunard was swallowed up by Carnival Corporation who also owned Princess Cruises, Holland America, P&O, and a host of other lines including the ships actually branded as 'Carnival'. I assume that Carnival Corp decided that they had enough of their 'brands' working the Alaska market without adding Cunard into the mix.
But Cunard has a storied history of the big trans Atlantic liners with names like Queen Elizabeth & Queen Mary. The new ships bearing those names have never operated in the Alaska market & I guess Carnival Corp has decided to 'test' that market. I think Carnival might do fairly well with this test. We will see what the future holds. PS: Carnival's 'presence' in the Alaska market got a little bigger last year when the purchased the White Pass & Yukon Railway. Now, when you cruise to Alaska on a non Carnival brand, Carnival will still make a little bit of money off of you if you do a WP&Y route excursion trip from Skagway.
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grk
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Post by grk on Feb 5, 2019 18:54:46 GMT -8
The test did very well! Cunard is sending Queen Elizabeth back in 2020 season, not just a few sailings like we see in 2019, but a full season. I think she is positioning to the Alaska market from her season in Australia via the Orient. The Elizabeth and Victoria should look familiar, as they are the same basic platform as the Holland America vessels we see on our coast (except Zaandam, Amsterdam and Volendam); there were a few minor changes to suit Cundard. Carnival also pulled out Costa and their aging vessels (Costa Riviera and Daphne). 2020 will be interesting, as several smaller top end lines are going to test the market, too many in my mind. Also Vancouver is loosing out to Seattle, as the Lions Gate bridge and power lines at Seymour Narrows pose a problem This season 3 vessels can not base in Vancouver owing to their air draft (height); the Norwegian Joy will join her sister Norwegian Bliss, and Royal Caribbean is sending over Quantum of the Seas. Rumour has it that Carnival will send one of their mega ships to Seattle for the 2020 season. How things have changed since it was Princess Patricia almost owned the Alaska market out of Vancouver!
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 5, 2019 19:11:22 GMT -8
I was surprised this evening when a friend told me he was doing an Alaska cruise in May on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth. I'm not aware of Cunard sailing from Vancouver in recent years... does anyone know if they were visitors in these parts further back? Looks like Cunard might be testing the waters for future business. They're doing two ten day cruises in May, two in June, and then a departure at the end of June. Unfortunately, for such a storied name in maritime history, their current Queen Elizabeth doesn't look much different than all the other behemoths in service these days. Cunard hasn't done regular Alaskan cruises in the past as far as I can recall. However, 2019 is just the beginning of Alaska cruises for Cunard. In 2020 the Queen Elizabeth will sail on 10 round trip cruises to Alaska during June and September. It is quite fitting that the Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden appearance into Vancouver harbour on Tuesday, May 21st., Her Majesty's unofficial birthday. She will arrive at 0700 hrs., docking at Canada Place West and sail for Alaska at 1700 hrs. 'Neil', I can't agree totally with you that the most recent version of the ' Elizabeth' presents a 'behemoth' look as compared to some of the ugly, top-heavy, glass and plastic vessels that are also greater in tonnage. No aerial peddle cars, rock-climbing walls etc. to be found on this fine ship. At 90.901 GRT she lags behind most of the new Carnival, Princess and NCL newbuilds that register GRT's in the 110-120 range. The largest, and (ugliest) cruise ship to squeeze under the Lions Gate bridge on Friday, May 3rd will be the 168,028 GRT Norwegian Bliss for tie-up at Canada Place East at 1230 hrs. If anyone is interested, there is a 2-part series on YouTube of the building of this latest Cunarder, at Fincantieri's yard at Venezia Italy. From hull-plate cutting to sail-out for sea trials the total build time was 15 months! Now just imagine if we could build ferries locally at that pace!
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 6, 2019 15:04:17 GMT -8
Cunard was a player in the Alaska cruise market back in the 1980's, albeit a smallish one. There were vessels like the Cunard Princess, Cunard Countess, Cunard Adventurer & even Sagafjord (after Cunard acquired it). But somewhere along the line Cunard was swallowed up by Carnival Corporation who also owned Princess Cruises, Holland America, P&O, and a host of other lines including the ships actually branded as 'Carnival'. I assume that Carnival Corp decided that they had enough of their 'brands' working the Alaska market without adding Cunard into the mix.
But Cunard has a storied history of the big trans Atlantic liners with names like Queen Elizabeth & Queen Mary. The new ships bearing those names have never operated in the Alaska market & I guess Carnival Corp has decided to 'test' that market. I think Carnival might do fairly well with this test. We will see what the future holds. PS: Carnival's 'presence' in the Alaska market got a little bigger last year when the purchased the White Pass & Yukon Railway. Now, when you cruise to Alaska on a non Carnival brand, Carnival will still make a little bit of money off of you if you do a WP&Y route excursion trip from Skagway.
I had forgotten about these 'little' white wonders from Cunard back in the '80's. Somewhat surprised that Princess Cruises albeit being part of the Carnival conglomerate didn't pick up the White Pass & Yukon Railway. And here we thought that these mid-80's vessels were big by comparison to the likes of the Princess ships of yesteryear. Would still do a cruise on the old Princess Patricia in a heartbeat.
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Post by terrybc on Mar 17, 2019 11:20:57 GMT -8
Going on the Royal Princess in a few weeks for the Mexican Riviera. Does anyone have the scanner frequencies for the Royal Princess?
Packing my VHF Marine Radio as well & was wondering what Marine Channels the ship will be using out of LA down to Puerto Vallarta & then up the coast to Vancouver? I know Ch 11 is used from the Victoria Pilot Station until Sandheads then Ch 12 into Burrard Inlet.
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grk
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Post by grk on Mar 17, 2019 12:12:05 GMT -8
Channel 5A for traffic in Juan de Fuca to Race Rocks. Channel 17 for Victoria Pilots.
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grk
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Post by grk on Apr 15, 2019 5:46:42 GMT -8
Most cruise vessels departing Vancouver are headed off to Alaska, a few to Hawaii, some back to the Caribbean, and the occasional voyage across the Pacific to Japan or Australia. Today April 15 sees Emerald Princess sail from Vancouver arriving in Rome on May 25. Now if I had more money and time.......
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Post by northwesterner on Sept 12, 2019 17:35:01 GMT -8
Island Princess has a propulsion issue and has cancelled their call in Juneau, to be replaced with a call in Prince Rupert on 9/14. We have any photographers in Prince Rupert?? WettCoast ??
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 15, 2019 19:49:08 GMT -8
Island Princess has a propulsion issue and has cancelled their call in Juneau, to be replaced with a call in Prince Rupert on 9/14. We have any photographers in Prince Rupert?? WettCoast ?? I don't live in Rupert. I am in Kitimat which is close, but its still almost a two & a half hour drive. So I don't travel there more than a few times a year.
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Thor's Echo
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Post by Thor's Echo on Dec 21, 2019 13:17:25 GMT -8
In case anyone has not seen this yet. The Legend is usually on the Alaska run in the Summer.
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Post by Kahloke on Dec 21, 2019 14:02:14 GMT -8
In case anyone has not seen this yet. The Legend is usually on the Alaska run in the Summer. Nice drivin'!
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Post by Starsteward on Dec 22, 2019 10:29:19 GMT -8
In case anyone has not seen this yet. The Legend is usually on the Alaska run in the Summer. Nice drivin'! 'Apparently', weather was a factor in the collision however I assume that with pilots aboard both vessels, there's going to be some 'splainin' coming up in the investigation. There were some minor injuries as a result of the mishap but this accident only points out that one never knows when misfortune can befall one at any time, passengers, crew etc. need be mindful of their surroundings.
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grk
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Post by grk on Dec 22, 2019 13:13:49 GMT -8
Legend was fully secured to her berth with all lines in place. Glory lost control in a stiff gust of a cross wind, reported to be a gust of 35 knots. Glory has no pods so was reliant on stern thrusters to hold her sideways movement. I bet someone has been demoted or lost their command!
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Thor's Echo
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Post by Thor's Echo on Dec 22, 2019 13:43:13 GMT -8
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 11, 2020 19:57:17 GMT -8
Has anyone been following the Coronovirus situation with the Diamond Princess in Yokohama Japan?? I am wondering what Princess will do next when this Quarantine is over what is gonna happen with the ship I wonder?? I think they will need to pull that ship from service and really need to clean every single area on that ship really well. I am not sure I would want to cruise on that ship after an outbreak like is happening right now. It looks like the earliest cruise on this ship I can see is March. Also the Westerdam is sailing around with no where to go cause of this virus but she has no confirmed cases on board but they did stop in Hong Kong I think. It is crazy what is happening over there right now and cruise ships seem to be worst place for spreading illnesses like this. I am not sure I would want to be going on a cruise right now.
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 12, 2020 19:32:18 GMT -8
Has anyone been following the Coronovirus situation with the Diamond Princess in Yokohama Japan?? I am wondering what Princess will do next when this Quarantine is over what is gonna happen with the ship I wonder?? I think they will need to pull that ship from service and really need to clean every single area on that ship really well. I am not sure I would want to cruise on that ship after an outbreak like is happening right now. It looks like the earliest cruise on this ship I can see is March. Also the Westerdam is sailing around with no where to go cause of this virus but she has no confirmed cases on board but they did stop in Hong Kong I think. It is crazy what is happening over there right now and cruise ships seem to be worst place for spreading illnesses like this. I am not sure I would want to be going on a cruise right now. Yes, some of us are following the situation very closely.
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