Photoclubalpha

Three cruise ships leaving Southampton last Saturday late afternoon/evening. They are in Southampton Water heading for the Solent and are about 1 hour's sailing time from the port.
The Shieldhall a former sludge carrier, is a preserved steamship that offers daytrips. It blew its siren in salute to all three cruise ships as it passed them and received a salute in return from each vessel.

Ossie

Each of them has a different tint. Were they taken at different times? Just curious.
Nice shots.

Sury

sury wrote:Were they taken at different times?

Hi Sury

Thanks for viewing them. They were taken over a period of just over an hour in the late afternoon.

All with the A77 and SAL 70-300mm G

Ossie

Ossie, Thank you. Very interesting sky variations (colors wise) within an hour.

Sury

Wow - what monster ships! I'm sure if you like cruises these look great, but to me it brings on the feeling of claustrophobia

Nice series Ossie... I've been on a cruise before, and those ships are truly impressive.. I envy the person on the jetski.. That must have been awesome to be that close to one of those behemoths on such a small craft..

Andy.. It wasn't so claustrophobic outside of the cabin, but the smallish cabin that we could afford at the time was a pretty darn small...

Latest arrival at Southampton.
Based at Southampton for 2015 season and relocating to New Jersey for the 2016 season.

This is a very large vessel of 167,800 Gross Tons with 18 decks (16 passenger-accessible) with a capacity of 4,905 passengers (maximum occupancy)

Ossie

Nice shot Ossie. But as for the ship, it seems to lack the elegance. It reminds me
of a container ship.

Sury

Great picture of the gigantic liner, Ossie.

If "hell is other people" this ship must be a floating nightmare when fully occupied!

Sury and Birma, Thank you

Sury: Good description. A People container ship

Birma I agree entirely with your sentiments.

Ossie

Great shots of the ships! You folks have so many interested things to photograph. I'm jealous! I guess it's time to move out of the frozen north. Now if I could just get the wife to agree it would be a done deal. Although I did get this sail boat on Mackinac Isle in northern Michigan last fall.

Ah, now - that boat is more like one I'd want top travel on

Earlier this month Cunard celebrated their 175th anniversary. The three queens were in the port of Southampton to start the celebrations. Led by Queen Mary 2 the three ships sailed out of the port in formation, line astern, passing Calshot they saluted the waiting crowd by blowing their sirens.

The weather was unkind with a dull grey sky and together with the high winds making it feel like the middle of winter.

Here is my image as they approached Calshot.
Strictly speaking the QM2 is not a cruise ship but an ocean liner.

I was using a Sigma 50-500mm on a monopod a combination that in the wind made a passable weather vane. Although the lens has an excellent IS capability the dull conditions and the need to help counteract the wind meant using a high (for me) ISO.

Ossie

Really like the last one showing all three. Never been on a cruise.

I say the dark clouds add to the scene Ossie, IMHO. The middle one certainly looks like a container ship with that grey
looking like a big rectangle. I agree a bit more sunshine would have made the "crease" appear.

Sury