Norway Journey Begins

Chicago to London

click images to enlarge

Anticipation was at its peak as we got in our car to head to O'Hare Airport.  The Chicago weather was cooperating so we had figured there shouldn't be any delays in our departure.

Even though our flight wasn't scheduled to depart until 6:45 PM we arrived at the airport around 4 PM. after dropping our car off at a local parking lot.

Since we were on an international flight, we weren't able to print off boarding passes in advance.  That meant we also could not get our seat assignments for our second flight (more about that later).   We checked in our bags, and headed for security check-in.   One of us had TSA pre-check and the other didn't so we split up at the check-in.  All the electronic gear went to the pre-check line which made things very nice.  It took a bit to complete the check in but we were now headed towards the gate.

We decided to get a couple of burgers and fries from McDonanld's which was conveniently across from our gate.  Despite knowing we'd have dinner on the plane, we knew it would be awhile before we'd be served and this light meal would hold us over.

AA Flight 86 (ORD / LHR)

We boarded our flight and stowed our hand luggage by our seats.  We always like to have a carry-on with a couple of days worth of clothes so we don't need to open our big suitcase in the pre-cruise hotel.  It is also comforting to have some clothes for each of us, should our luggage not get to our destination at the same time we do.

We had an aisle and window seat on the right-hand side of the plane in the last cabin of the B767.   There were plenty of empty seats, and boarding was completed, so we spread out.   The plan was for me to lay down in the middle section of seats once dinner was over and try to get some sleep.  Shortly after dinner, I would put that plan in motion, but it wasn't a sound sleep.

Looking out the window, as you can see in the picture above,  it was a clear night over Chicago as we took off.  We bid good-bye to the lit up checkered city below.  Gazing out the window, the moon was reflecting off the wing.    We thought that that these were good signs of things to come.

We had dinner which was a choice of pasta or chicken, typical for an AA flight over the pond.   Our selection was one of each - the chicken was the better choice for the record.  One and a half hours before landing in London, we had a light breakfast served to us.

Good Morning from London

Opening the window shades we got glimpses of the England countryside and a clear blue sky.

Our flight arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule and we had to park until our gate was freed up.  After deplaning, we followed the signs for connecting flights.  It wasn't necessary to claim luggage or go through customs in Heathrow.  We did have to go by bus from terminal 3 to terminal 5 for British Airways.

British Airways to Oslo

While we didn't need to collect our checked bags, it was necessary to go through security.  There are two checkpoints - at the first one, they checked our tickets & passports and gave us hand-bag tags for our luggage.

The agent said that our plane was small and said the we needed to check one of our rolling bags as it wouldn't fit.  We weren't happy about that because there went our safety net of having some clothes if the other bags weren't in Oslo when we got there, but we couldn't argue.   It turned out that the plane wasn't small by our standards and the bag would have fit especially since the plane was almost empty.

Since we had made this slight detour to drop off our bag, we weren't sure where to go next.  We were directed up the lift to the security checkpoint.  Here, all large electronics needed to be removed and put in bins along with coats, shoes, belts, and 3-1-1 bags.  Even the bag itself had to be put in these large bins to go through the screening.   We collected our bins and headed off to find out what gate we were at - all we knew so far was we were departing from the "A Gates".

Our next flight would be boarding after 10 AM.   Signs indicated that it was a ten minute walk to A gates from where we were at, but the departure board still didn't have a gate posted - instead it had a time when it would be posted.  That time came and went and still no posting, then finally it appeared. We headed off to A21 where we found seats in the departure lounge.  

The plane boards by rows, but since we had status on American Airlines, we were able to board with the first group. Recall that we didn't know what our seats were for our BA flight until we checked in at Chicago.   You could pay $30 per person if you want a specific seat or you can wait until 24 hours in advance and get a seat assignment for free.   We opted for the latter.  Once again, the flight was pretty empty, so there certainly wasn't a problem with waiting until day of departure to get seats assigned.

We took off on time and shortly after that we were served  a light breakfast and beverage.  

The story continues in our next post.  Be sure to bookmark our Diary Hurtigruten Classic Voyage Bergen
 page so that you can easily navigate the entire journey.

Keeping Watch on Iceland Volcanic Activities

Monitoring Bárðarbunga and Holuhraun 

You might recall the major air traffic woes in 2010 and 2011 across Europe when ash from erupting volcanoes in Iceland grounded or diverted airlines.   This had a ripple effect on the travel industry, including the cruise segment.

When the Bardarbunga Volcano eruption over the weekend created lava fountains more than 50m (165ft) high, the Met Office in Iceland raised its ash warning for aviation to red, the highest level.  The level was later reduced to the second highest, orange.

Icelandic Met Office

Bárðarbunga - updated information 

Aviation colour code map

Because of the current seismic activity in nortwestern Vatnajökull, IMO has been allowed to publish the chapter Bárðarbunga System, an extract from a much larger work in progress.

Should Volcanic Ash clouds form, the following additional resources will be helpful:

Nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) around the world are responsible for advising international aviation of the location and movement of clouds of volcanic ash.

Current Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAA) from London and Toulouse

• London VAA: Issued advisories (London) | Issued graphics
• Met Office Volcanic Ash Supplementary products: Concentration charts  | Annotated satellite images
• Toulouse VAA: Issued advisories (Toulouse)

 More information from NOAA about volcanoes.

Ash from the eruption of Grímsvötn (Credit: Icelandic Met Office)

London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

The London VAAC is an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designated centre, responsible for issuing advisories for volcanic eruptions originating in Iceland and the north-eastern corner of the North Atlantic.

Cambridge scientists and PhD students are at the forefront of monitoring the activity of the Bárðarbunga volcano in Iceland.
Watch some amazing footage of the lava flows of the two active volcanic eruptions in Iceland.



   

 

Ethiopian 787 Dreamliner Fire Closes Heathrow

Ethiopian Dreamliner Fire at LHR      Courtesy Sky News

London Heathrow Suspended Flights Temporarily

According to London Heathrow airport website, a fire broke out on a parked Ethiopian Boeing 787 Dreamliner causing a suspension in flights in and out of the airport.  As of this writing, there is a resumption of flights, but they are advising you check with your airlines for possible delays.

The good news is that noone appears to have been injured as there were no passengers onboard at the time of the incident.   Several fire brigades responded to the scene and runways were closed while the fire was contained.

UPDATED: 12 July 2013 - 1:45 PM Eastern The runways are now fully re-opened, following an earlier internal fire on-board an aircraft. All arrivals and departures were earlier temporarily suspended while airport fire crews attended to the incident. Flights are now operating, but will be subject to delay. Please check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to Heathrow. The Metropolitan Police Service have advised that there were no passengers on board and no reported injuries. You can keep up-to-date by following Heathrow on Twitter and Facebook or receive individual flight status updates on the move by using our mobile app or our SMS text service.

Boeing Dreamliner Plagued with Problems

This just adds to the string of problems that have been reported with the new aircraft developed by Boeing.  Earlier this year, the FAA grounded all Dreamliners operated by U.S. companies until they could be deemed safe following problems with the batteries onboard.  Boeing found what it believed was a solution to the problem and flights resumed.

Learn More: Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Tower of London

Things to Do Around London - Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

Founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England, the Tower had many uses including that of a grand palace and royal residency. For many centuries it served as a prison, although that wasn't its primary purpose. Other roles included serving as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom (still housed there to this day).

Planning Your Visit

Allow 2-3 hours for your visit. Roam on your own or join a guided tour led by one of the Yeoman Warders (pictured above).   Looking at his picture, doesn't he look like he's just full of information and loves to talk?   If you think so, you are correct.   At some point in time, you might want to deviate from the tour if you've had your fill of history.

Your ticket includes access to the Tower and the Crown Jewels display plus Yeoman Warder guided tour and talk, live historical re-enactments, White Tower tour, children's activity trails, entry to the Fit for a King and Prisoners of the Tower exhibitions and much more!

Visit Traitors' Gate where prisoners accused
of treason are supposed to have passed through,
including Queen Elizabeth

Must See Sights

The White Tower
Crown Jewels
Yeoman Warder tours
Ravens
Medieval Palace
Royal Beasts
Torture at the Tower
Tower Green
Family fun activities

 Are you enjoying this special series on London?  We'd love to hear from you.  Our Facebook Fans are getting a treat to some additional images, so be sure to Like us.

How to Get There 

By London Underground  

Nearest station: Tower Hill underground station

Directions: Use District or Circle lines to Tower Hill station. Follow directional signage to the Tower. The main entrance is a five minute walk from the station.

By train  

Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street or London Bridge stations

From Fenchurch Street: Exit on to Mark Lane. Turn left on to Byward Street, which will lead you to Tower Hill and the Tower of London.

From London Bridge: Cross the bridge over the River Thames and turn right on to Lower Thames Street. After a 15-minute walk the Tower is located on your right.

By Docklands Light Railway (DLR) 

Tower Gateway Station is located adjacent to Tower Hill station.

Follow directional signage to the main entrance of the Tower.

By bus 

Bus routes: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1

The Tower is also served by all major sightseeing bus tours.

By riverboat 

Nearest river access: Tower Pier

Directions: Riverboats for Tower Pier depart from Charing Cross, Westminster and Greenwich.

Thames Clippers' fleet of hi-speed catamarans operate daily with departures every 20 minutes from both London Bridge Pier and Tower Pier.

Additional Information (consult official website)

Special Series on London 

 Here and on our Facebook Page

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. 

Venturing Further from Central London

Continuing our series on What to do in London, if you are only there for two days, we'll head out by train to Windsor Royal Station for a visit to one of the queen's residences, Windsor Castle. 

Working Royal Residence

More Photos on our Fan Page

The Queen uses the Castle both as a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as a Royal residence at which she undertakes certain formal duties.  In the springtime, she takes up residence for the entire month around Easter (March - April).  This is known as the Easter Court during which she holds several 'dine and sleeps' events for guests, including politicians and public figures.

Windsor Castle is often used by The Queen to host State Visits from overseas monarchs and presidents. Foreign Heads of State enter the Castle in horse-drawn carriages through the George IV Gateway into the quadrangle in the Upper Ward, where a military guard of honour is drawn up.

Many Royal weddings have been celebrated in St George's Chapel, as well as funerals such as those of Princess Margaret and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, have also taken place there. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother lies buried in the Chapel with her husband, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, her younger daughter.

Visitor Information

Many parts of the Castle are open to the public, including the precincts, the State Apartments, Queen Mary's famous dolls' house, St George's Chapel, and the Albert Memorial Chapel.

When The Queen is in official residence, Changing the Guard provides a colourful spectacle in the quadrangle.  At Horse Guards Arch, Changing the Guard takes place daily at 11.00 am (10.00 am on Sundays) and lasts about half an hour; it is normally held on Horse Guards Parade by the arch of Horse Guards Building.   The Guard Mounting is held daily May - July.

How to get there

By train: To Windsor from London Waterloo or London Paddington (National Rail Enquiries Service 08457 484950 (UK)).

By coach: Green Line operates daily services from Victoria Coach Station, London.

Tour companies operate excursions to Windsor Castle from many London hotels. For details, please ask your hotel concierge.

By road: M4 to Exit 6. M3 to Exit 3.
For more information about Windsor and parking, please visit www.windsor.gov.uk.

Special Series on London 

 Here and on our Facebook Page

Buckingham Palace Changing Guard Ceremony

The Queen’s Guard 

& Band

What do you do in London if you only have two days ?

Assuming that you are flying over to London from the United States, you'll arrive at London Heathrow Airport around 8 AM.   Gathering your luggage and clearing customs will take some time.  Depending on where you are staying in London, you'll take a cab, train, tube, or prearranged limo to your hotel.   Check-in isn't until 2 or 3 PM, and they really mean that in most cases.  They may take your name, but in all likelihood, they won't have a room cleaned for you yet.

The hotel will check your bags, and off you go to start your London adventure !

Buckingham Palace

If you've never been to London, we'd suggest going to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the
Guard Ceremony.   We suggest you head their directly from you hotel so that you can find a good vantage point for the ceremony. 

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. 

 

Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard.  Guard Mounting takes place at 11.30 am. It is held daily from May to July, and on alternate dates throughout the rest of the year.  For exact schedule, see the official site of the British Monarchy.  If you've seen the ceremony here before, you can also see it at Windsor Castle.  We'll feature that in another article.

The Guard which mounts at Buckingham Palace is called The Queen’s Guard and are made up of soldiers  drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.

The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from films and musicals and even familiar pop songs. 

When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building. When she is away there are two.

State Rooms - Summer Opening

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors every year. For visitor information, please visit the Royal Collection website.

You could easily spend an entire day at Buckingham Palace, especially if you tour the State Rooms.  If you have limited time, you may want to visit some other London attractions.   We will give you several selections and the fun will be planning your visit in advance.    You may want to have alternatives in mind in case the weather doesn't cooperate.   The ceremony is not held in extreme wet conditions.

How to get there

By train: London Victoria. (National Rail Enquiries Service 08457 484950 (UK)).

By Underground: Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.

By bus: Numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.

By road: Buckingham Palace is within the London Congestion Charge zone. Please visit www.cclondon.com for further details.

By coach: Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.

All Eyes on London Summer 2012

Olympians of the World

Assemble in London

Olympic Games 27 July - 12 August 

With just 70 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, a major milestone has been reached.  As is tradition,The Olympic Flame has been handed over to the London 2012 delegation, headed by President of the British Olympic Association HRH the Princess Royal, in a Ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Greece.

Torch Handover

The ceremony was attended by President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Karolos Papoulias.  During the Ceremony there were addresses by President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos and Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG) Seb Coe, before the Olympic Flame was handed over to Her Royal Highness.

Panathenaic Stadium - Athens, Greece

‘The Handover of the Olympic Flame is a key milestone for each Olympic Games as the Torch Relay rallies the world’s athletes to make their final preparations.

'After a fantastic eight-day Torch Relay around Greece we wish London and the whole of the UK well for a successful 70-day Torch Relay and Olympic Games.’

~ Spyros Capralos

Olympic Torch Relay

The Flame will be leaving Athens on Friday 18 May to arrive into the UK at RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, Cornwall at approximately 7.30pm.

On the morning of 19 May the Olympic Flame will travel to Land’s End ready for the start of the 70-day London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. It will travel 8,000 miles across the UK to within 10 miles of 95% of the population before reaching the Olympic Stadium on 27 July.

The Olympic Torch Relay will be covered on the London 2012 site in multi-media.   Complete with maps, photos, videos, and even its own Facebook Page, visitors will be able to trace the relay across the UK.

Tomorrow We Begin a Special Series on London

Here and on our Facebook Page

London Violence Concern to Cruisers

Riots in London

"We needed a fightback and a fightback is under way"

BBC News is quoting the prime minister saying "We needed a fightback and a fightback is under way"  after four days of riots in London and surrounding areas.

The violence broke out over the weekend following a police shooting death of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old father of four who was gunned down in Tottenham on Thursday under disputed circumstances.

Prime Minister David Cameron said every action would be taken to restore order, with contingency plans for water cannon to be available at 24 hours' notice.   On Tuesday night London was quiet amid the increased police presence, but unrest spread to cities including Manchester, Salford, Liverpool, Nottingham and Birmingham, with shops being looted and fires set.

Update:  Saturday 13 August:

London and surrounding areas are trying to get back to normal following the past week's riots.  Courts stayed open on the weekend to process more than 1,000 cases related to the violent spree.  The PM and others speak out about what's wrong and what's right in Britain.   Events like this tend to bring out the best and worst in people.   We hope that things will remain calm and that a rebuilding can take place.

For latest information on the Riots, see BBC News: 

• England riots: Fightback under way, says PM
• England riots Live
• England riots: Map and timeline 

From other news sites

• Telegraph David Cameron: It's time for a zero tolerance approach to street crime

• Daily Express PM forced to deny rift with police 

• Guardian.co.uk UK riots aftermath: live updates 

• Mirror.co.uk Parliament to debate disturbances 

• Financial Times* Focus of rioting moves beyond UK capital  

Concern to Cruisers

London is in proximity to three cruise ports: Dover, Harwich, and Southampton, with cruise passengers often extending their cruise vacations with pre-cruise or post-cruise stays in London.  In our post, London - A Favorite Pre-Cruise Destination, we talked about some of our adventures in London prior to our cruise vacations.

August is the height of European cruise vacation season with several ships embarking from one of those ports of calls or stopping there during their journeys to the British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, or Mediterranean.   If violence continues, there will be an impact on cruise vacations to this area.

Ships, such as Holland America Line Maasdam, offer shore excursions to London while docked in Dover. It isn't known at this time whether shore excursions were impacted on its current voyage. Cruise lines monitor situations like this and adjust their schedules as needed.

The U.S. Department of State has not posted any travel warnings at this time but is monitoring the situation.  The following resources should be monitored by anyone planning on visiting the London area at this time.

Tips for Traveling Abroad 

Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts

This is yet another reason for travelers to purchase Travel Insurance. What would happen if you were in London, and the riots broke out, and you were injured?  What if you couldn't get to the port because the streets were blocked by the police in response to the violence?   Our advice is to plan for the unexpected.

Common travel problems like flight delays, travel injuries and illnesses, unpredictable weather, and lost or stolen luggage are some reasons why we recommend you travel with the Travel Companion plan.  Consult your policy for specific coverages.    

We hope that the violence will stop soon without any additional loss or injury, so that cruise vacationers' plans won't be impacted.   We will monitor the situation and bring you any significant developments.

All Eyes on London for Royal Wedding

London & the World Watching

The Royal Wedding

Prince William & 

Catherine Middleton

Friday 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey

The wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton will be available to watch on the Royal Channel Live Stream, accompanied by a live multi-media blog put together by St. James's Palace.   Read more       Visit The Official Royal Wedding Website

Those in United States will have to get up early in the morning to watch the festivities live.  Of course there will also be rebroadcasts and news highlights, so you will have every opportunity to watch history in the making.

If you are on a cruise ship, there are many lines celebrating with special screenings and also parties.  

We featured one of them in a past blog post:  Cunard Celebrates Royal Wedding At Sea

Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Royal Wedding-themed "special dining events" on its vessels that come with an extra charge:

• The Prince and Princess Brunch, at $15 per person, will include eggs poached in champagne and served on English muffins, kippers, scrambled eggs with grilled lamb, toast with marmalade and fruit salad with clotted cream.
• Royal High Tea, at $10 per person, will include an assortment of sandwiches such as the classic cucumber, scones with jam and cream, lemon curd sponge and a selection of cakes.

Royal Caribbean International  offered an exclusive Royal Caribbean wedding package for couples looking to tie the knot at sea.

MSC Cruises will be broadcasting the Royal Wedding in English across the MSC fleet (excluding MSC Sinfonia and Opera, which will not be sailing in European waters).   Bars on board will be serving a great selection of champagnes and prosecco together with a special commemorative Royal Cocktail (sparkling wine, cognac and grand marnier).

Princess Cruise Line will be airing the Royal Wedding on the Movies Under the Stars giant screens. Also, onboard viewing parties will add a celebratory flair to the event with British-style refreshments and special royal-themed cocktails. Passengers can also test their knowledge with royal wedding trivia competitions and participate in a William and Kate look-alike contest.

Several cruise ships will be docked in Southampton, England.  The ships include Ventura, Independence of the Seas, Saga Pearl II, and Vision of the Seas.  CruiseSouthampton.com has posted a special day planner for cruisers that will be in port on the Royal Wedding day.   Southampton City Council has designated the newly refurbished Guildhall Square to be the venue to hold a free mass Street Party for everyone between 10am - 4pm.  Additional details are available on the site.


The world anxiously awaits the joining of this happy couple in the wedding event of the century.  There hasn't been this much excitement since Princess Diana and Prince Charles wed 30 years ago.  We'd love to hear your stories about how you celebrated this Royal Wedding, especially if you were on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean 2012 Harwich England

An international port located on the estuary of the rivers Stour and Orwell in northeast Essex, Harwich is one of England's busiest coastal towns. It's also just 69 miles from London. Throughout history, the town has been a crucial port, providing a sheltered anchorage for many ships. The old town of Harwich is a conservation area, where you'll discover many historic buildings. The neighboring town of Dovercourt is a bit more modern, but equally quaint and fascinating to explore.

2012 – Summer Europe & Transatlantic Sailings 


 JEWEL of the SEAS®

Ship Profile | Itineraries & Pricing   Deck Plans | Dining Menus | Wine Lists | Kids Programs | Ship Reviews | 360 Tours | Photos 

On May 3, 2012,  JEWEL of the SEAS® sails a 12-Night Eastbound Transatlantic from Miami, Florida to Harwich, England which will serve as its home port for the Summer 2012 season.   On August 31, 2012, the ship will sail a 16-Night Westbound Transatlantic from Harwich to Boston, Massachusetts.

12-Night Scandinavia and Russia

Harwich, England • Cruising Gothenburg, Sweden • Cruising • Tallinn, Estonia
St. Petersburg, Russia (overnight) • Helsinki, Finland • Stockholm, Sweden • Cruising
Copenhagen, Denmark • Cruising Harwich, England

12-Night Fjords and Iceland

Harwich, England • Cruising • Bergen, Norway • Flam, Norway • Geiranger, Norway
Lerwick/Shetland, Scotland • Klaksvik, Faroe Islands • Cruising
Reykjavik, Iceland (overnight) • Cruising • Harwich, England

2012 EUROPE CRUISETOUR DEPLOYMENT

 Get a local's view of the great cities and sights of Europe, as well as its hidden treasures. 

16-Night Paris & London Cruisetour #6EB

Featuring an 12-Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise
& 4-Night Pre-cruise Escorted Paris & London Land Tour

May 11, 23; June 4, 28; July 10, 22; August 3, 15; 2012

Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Paris
Day 3: Paris/London
Day 4: London
Day 5: London/Harwich
Days 5-17: Jewel of the Seas®
12-Night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise

16-Night Paris & London Cruisetour #6EB

Featuring an 12-Night Fjords & Iceland Cruise
& 4-Night Pre-cruise Escorted Paris & London Land Tour

May 11, 23; June 4, 28; July 10, 22; August 3, 15; 2012

Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Paris
Day 3: Paris/London
Day 4: London
Day 5: London/Harwich
Days 5-17: Jewel of the Seas®
12-Night Fjords & Iceland Cruise

Cunard Celebrates Royal Wedding At Sea

Three Queens to Celebrate Royal Wedding at Sea

Prince William and Kate Middleton are to be wed 

on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

After a week of speculation, the royal couple have
announced their wedding plans.

Prince William's private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton,
said the couple chose the 1,000-year-old abbey in central
London because it has a sense of intimacy.


The wedding day will be a national holiday in Britain,
known there as a bank holiday, and has been described
as a semi-state occasion. It's also the feast day of St.
Catherine of Siena, whose name Middleton shares,
though that is a coincidence.

Engaged at last

On Nov. 16, the royal family announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton were engaged. The prince had popped the question to his longtime girlfriend during an October 2010 vacation to Kenya, it was revealed. William and Kate pose for the media at St. James's Palace in London on Nov. 16, after they announced their engagement. The couple are to wed in 2011. (Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP) 

"The wedding of Kate and William will be a happy and momentous occasion," said Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday. "We want to mark the day as one of national celebration, a public holiday will ensure the most people possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day."

Three Queens to View Royal Wedding at Sea

Guests on board Cunard's three ships - Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth - on 29 April 2011, the day of the Royal Wedding, need have no fear of missing one second of the historic union of the future King and Kate Middleton.

Each of the three ships feature Royal Court Theatres - West End in style and West End in size - where the wedding ceremony will be broadcast live. 

• Queen Mary 2's Royal Court Theatre (capacity 1000)
• Queen Elizabeth's Royal Court Theatre (capacity 800)
• Queen  Victoria's Royal Court Theatre (capacity 800)

 Additional venues will be used, such as Queen Mary's Planetarium and lecture room, Illuminations, which seats a further 450 passengers, should demand exceed seating capacity in the theatres.

A Day of Celebration

The day will also be one of celebration on all ships, with that evening's dinner featuring a commemorative menu and a champagne toast.

"Cunard is a company with an enviable heritage and unparalleled links to the Royal family - our ships were named either by Her Majesty The Queen or by her apparent successor, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard. "It follows then that our passengers are likely to have an above average interest in the pageantry of a Royal wedding. We intend to cater for that and ensure they do not miss one minute.

"Royal weddings don't happen that often and with our impeccable Royal connections we intend to ensure that our red ensign ships lead the British merchant marine in marking this momentous day." 

At the time Queen Elizabeth will be at sea heading for Southampton, Queen Victoria will be at sea in the Mediterranean, and Queen Mary 2 will be on a seven-night Transatlantic Crossing.

Congratulations to the Royal couple and to Cunard Lines for quickly responding to the announcement and assuring that their guests have an opportunity to participate in this festive occasion.

Flights Resume in UK Airspace

UK Civil Aviation Authority

Allows Flights to Resume 

After careful evaluation, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), working closely with aircraft manufacturers and other agencies, has recommended a gradual reopening of UK airspace.

So after six days of ash, Why is it Now Safe to Fly?   This BBC News article, Flights resume as ash fear recedes, says it better than I could.  This was uncharted territory, as the previous time this volcano exploded  was before the dawn of aviation as we know it today.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK’s independent specialist regulator with oversight of aviation safety, today issues new guidance on the use of airspace. This is issued in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and covers the Anglo Irish Functional Airspace Block (FAB).

The new guidance allows a phased reintroduction from 2200 tonight of much of the airspace which is currently closed due to the volcanic ash plume over the UK. There will continue to be some ‘no fly zones’ where concentrations of ash are at levels unsafe for flights to take place, but very much smaller than the present restrictions. Furthermore, the Met Office advise that the ‘no fly zones’ do not currently cover the UK.       Read More

The airlines and airports are working closely together with CAA to resume flights while maintaining passenger safety.  Despite the reopening of the airspace, passengers are encouraged to contact their airline prior to going to the airport.  

British Airways issued the following statement:

UK airspace reopening

We are very pleased that the aviation authorities have opened UK airspace to enable us to begin the task of bringing our stranded customers home, as well as working towards normal operations.

As we have many aircraft and crew out of position, it will still take some considerable time before we can restore our full flying programme. We are working hard to see how many flights we can operate in the days ahead to help our customers.

At this stage we are looking to operate all longhaul flights departing from Heathrow and Gatwick on Wednesday April 21.

Please check your flight status before departing for the airport.

Check the status of your flight

DO NOT GO TO THE AIRPORT IF YOUR FLIGHT IS CANCELLED.

There will be shorthaul cancellations to and from London airports until 1300 (UK time) on Wednesday 21 April, and possibly beyond that time. We hope to have further updates soon.

BAA Airports BAA owns and operates a number of airports in the UK.

• London Heathrow
• London Stansted
• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Aberdeen
• Southampton
• Naples

Please consult the following websites for the latest updates:

MetOffice      EUROCONTROL      NATS    CAA      Track Flights Live Over Europe

Related Blog Posts:

Consult the following for links to Airports, Cruise Line Announcements and other Agencies

Ash Continues But Some Planes Fly

Hopes Rise for UK Flight Resumption

Europe Travel Woes Continue

Erupting Volcano Grounds Flights

Weather 

BBC News:  Scientists assess flight risks from Iceland volcano ash

We will continue to monitor this situation and bring you updates on significant events.   Between posts, please use the links provided for latest information.

Ash Continues But Some Planes Fly

North America & Europe Flights   Courtesy: BBC

Limited Flights Allowed

The picture above, courtesy BBC, shows a snapshot of the airspace between the U.S. and Europe.   The red zone is the predicted ash cloud pattern which is still blanketing much of the region.   Some flights were permitted to take to the skies, mainly flying above the ash cloud or in areas not currently in the wind patterns.

Classifying  the situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland as "dynamic" NATS made the following statement:

Based on the latest Met Office information, part of Scottish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1300-1900 today, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.

Overnight the CAA, in line with new guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decided flights above the ash cloud will be permitted in the UK; between 1300-1900 this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace.

Please consult the following websites for the latest updates:

MetOffice             EUROCONTROL          National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats)


BBC News Article:   Europe starts to resume flights

While there was good news for a few airports across Europe,  London's Heathrow International Airport, the main hub in Europe, remained closed posting the following notice on their website:


Flights suspended until further notice
Last updated: 09:55 BST, Tuesday 20 April 2010
Based on advice from NATS, all flights to and from Heathrow remain suspended until further notice.

EU Officials continue to work on a solution for this growing problem.   Every day the planes remain grounded costs millions of dollars and further extends the recovery period.   

The Cruise Line industry has also been impacted by this natural disaster in many ways.   Passengers have been stranded at airports and unable to join their cruises;  others have not been able to return home following their cruises;   crew members have also suffered the same fate;   there have been long hours for everyone involved in keeping the cruise ships moving.  This is a logistical nightmare not seen in this magnitude since the September 11th terrorist attacks.  

This time of year is typically when the cruise lines reposition their ships from the Caribbean to Europe.   Some have departed already for those journeys while a few will be leaving in the next several days.   Cunard has regularly scheduled crossings between New York and England.   As of this past weekend, there had been some availability on those cruises, and the cruise line's reservations systems were flooded with calls, both from people seeking passage as well as passengers looking for assistance.   Most Trans-Atlantic crossings in the next month are currently sold out and wait-listed.    Cunard indicated that the wait-list had over 1,000 names for example.

Related Blog Posts:

Consult the following for links to Airports, Cruise Line Announcements and other Agencies

Hopes Rise for UK Flight Resumption

Europe Travel Woes Continue

Erupting Volcano Grounds Flights

Weather 

We will continue to monitor this situation and bring you updates on significant events.   Between posts, please use the links provided for latest information.

Erupting Volcano Grounds Flights

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Erupts (ICELANDIC COAST GUARD/AFP/ICG)

 Iceland's Volcano Disrupts Flights

Latest Updates:  Europe Travel Woes Continue

Dangerous ash spews from Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, in this photo courtesy of Icelandic Coast Guard, causing widespread flight cancellations across Europe.  Not since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has there been such a major disruption in air traffic.

Non-emergency flights in Britain were canceled, and most will stay grounded until at least midday Friday. Authorities in Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Belgium also closed their air space. France shut down 24 airports, including the main hub of Charles de Gaulle in Paris, and several flights out of the U.S. had to return, others were canceled or rerouted around the ash cloud.

Current Volcanic Events - Iceland (Credit: NOAA)

It isn't known when flights can resume. According to scientists in Iceland, the erupting ash cloud could continue for days. The ash plume drifted at between 20,000 feet and 36,000 feet towards Northern Europe 1200 miles away. 

Nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) around the world are responsible for advising international aviation of the location and movement of clouds of volcanic ash.

Current Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAA) from London and Toulouse 
London VAA: Issued advisories | Issued graphics     Toulouse VAA: Issued advisories

Ash Plume across the North Atlantic (Credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

Volcanic ash consists of microscopic rocky particles that pose a threat to aircraft  because they can affect the pilot's visibility and get sucked into airplane engines, causing them to shut down. The ash can also clog other vital instruments, such as air speed indicators, which control the aircraft.

More information from NOAA about volcanoes.

Flights Canceled

Impact on Major European Airports

Flights between Iceland and the rest of Europe as well as between the United States and Northern Europe are greatly affected due to safety closure of extensive airspace between Iceland and mainland Europe to avoid airborne volcanic material from this large eruption in Iceland.

Latest Updates:  EUROCONTROL Air Traffic Control
Also consult individual airports and airline carrier's websites.

Keflavik International Airport is not closed. Flights to North America are scheduled, but many flights to Europe have been delayed or cancelled.

London's Heathrow International  Airport halted flights stranding tens of thousands of passengers as a result of the billowing ash cloud.  All non-emergency flights in British airspace have been canceled until at least 7 A.M. Friday, 16 April.  Volcanic Ash Advisory from London VAAC

Copenhagen Airport also closed all inbound and outbound traffic from late afternoon today until at least 12 P.M. Friday 16 April.

The Irish Aviation Authority has indicated that restrictions in Irish airspace will continue until 11:00 A.M.  tomorrow at a minimum, effectively stopping flight departures and arrivals at Dublin Airport and the 3 other international and 7 other regional airports.   IAA Lifts Restrictions on Shannon and Cork

Oslo Airport   has canceled all flights to and from Oslo, Norway until further notice. Based on weather forecasts, they don't anticipate a change in conditions for 16 April.

Air traffic at all Swedavia airports is now canceled. The forecast is that the situation will be the same during Friday. Most likely there will be very large disturbances in air traffic then as well.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport   came to a complete standstill at 19:00 15 April as all air traffic in and out of the Netherlands came to a gradual halt.

Belgian airspace closed due to the volcanic ash.  All flights in and out of Brussels Airport were suspended from today Thursday 15 April at 16:30 until Friday 16 April at 18:00.

Air traffic is restricted in all 25 Finnish airports operated by Finavia. Practically, the air traffic is completely shut down.  As of the latest update, the restrictions are approximately valid until Saturday 17April, 3 pm.  Information about the situation on other airports in Finland: www.finavia.fi. Airlines contact information can be found at Helsinki Airport website.

Poland's Krakow International Airport is now included in the no-fly zone, so flights are canceled.   This brings great concern to Polish Officials awaiting arrivals of many world leaders for Sunday's state funeral of President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, in the southern city of Krakow.   President Obama is among the dignitaries expected to attend the funeral.  

Some flights are taking off from Moscow's airport, but not those to Northern Europe. 

This list of airports is not complete - there are just too many impacted by this eruption

The closures are causing a cascading effect on air traffic across the world.   Cruises will be impacted as passengers become stranded due to the flight cancellations and delays.   We will post updates from the major cruise lines as information becomes available.  Contact your travel insurance company if your flight is impacted by this grounding.

United  Airlines has canceled all flights on April 15 from the United States to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels and Moscow. United flights from those cities to the United States have been canceled for April 16.  Waivers have been issued allowing for flights to affected countries.  Other Airlines have done likewise - check with your carrier if you are scheduled to fly to or from Europe.

Cruise Line Announcements

• Celebrity Cruises: UK Airport Disruption
• Cunard is unaffected as both ships are mid-cruise 
• Holland America is working directly with affected passengers
• Norwegian Cruise Line:  UK airport disruption due to Icelandic volcanic eruption
• Princess Cruises: Update on Flight Cancellations Due to Volcanic Eruption 
• Royal Caribbean Important Updates 

UPDATED INFORMATION:  Europe Travel Woes Continue


Cruise lines with passengers affected by the flight delays are monitoring the situation.  In some cases, such as Royal Caribbean, rebooking fees are being waived.  In other cases, departure times may be adjusted to allow air-sea passengers to arrive before departure.  Continue to monitor links provided here for updates on conditions and any itinerary changes.   

Your travel agent or cruise line may need to contact you directly, so be sure they have your contact information.




Stay tuned for more on this developing story.