City gets ready for The Grand Event (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton ready for visit of seven P&O ships in The Grand Event
10:41am Monday 2nd July 2012 in News
City gets ready for The Grand Event
IT is set to be the most spectacular sight of the summer.
Southampton’s “magnificent seven” will make it a day the city will never forget as they proudly sail into port for the biggest party ever.
From first light the seven cruise ships, which form P&O Cruises’ entire fleet of vessels, will arrive at the Eastern and Western Docks.
The seven will be meeting together for the first time as thousands turn out to line the shores and catch a glimpse.
The historic arrival will be greeted by former ballerina Darcey Bussell, godmother of Azura, before Princess Anne takes the salute as she reviews the fleet as they sail out of Southampton in the late afternoon.
As the fleet prepares to leave the Solent in the evening, the RAF’s aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, will perform a daring display before a dramatic fireworks display lights up the sky.
Organisers are keen to stress that the air display will not be visible from Southampton’s Mayflower Park or Hythe but the best locations will be at Calshot, Lepe and Hill Head.
Council and police chiefs are urging residents to plan their journeys well as heavy traffic and delays are expected in the city centre and surrounding areas throughout the day. They say “unprecedented numbers”
of about 29,000 people will disembark and embark the ships between 8am and 10.30pm.
Roads around the Ageas Bowl in West End are also expected to be congested as people are taken there when they disembark.
Southampton City Council said employers should factor in flexibility with starting and opening times to allow for delays. They are suggesting people wanting to watch the free event should use public transport to minimise congestion.
City centre car parks South Quay, North Quay and The Marlands will be open but are expected to be busy.
Key times at a glance
First light: The “magnificent seven”
will arrive one by one and take up position on the Eastern and Western Docks for the day of celebrations.
Morning: Former world-famous ballerina Darcey Bussell will be on board Azura, the ship to which she is godmother.
11.45am: The Red Arrows will perform a flypast with smoke trails over the fleet
Afternoon: The Princess Royal will arrive and will board Oriana to meet seven captains and crew.
From 5.15pm: The fleet will prepare to depart in convoy
7.18pm to 7.45pm: Aerial display by the Red Arrows flying in sevenplane formation and fireworks.
Comments(48)
Shoong
says...
11:03am Mon 2 Jul 12
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
The Salv
says...
11:09am Mon 2 Jul 12
.
It is great for Southampton to have these cruise ships and events like this make up for the loss of the Air Baloon festival.
.
I will try and get out on my bike and see what I can, fingers crossed the Red Arrows will go ahead.
-stiv-
says...
11:10am Mon 2 Jul 12
saint61
says...
11:12am Mon 2 Jul 12
Shoong wrote:you dont need to be rich to cruise - you just need to be hardworking
-stiv- wrote: Congratulations rich people! Congratulations cruise operators! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!It's called 'business'. It tends to keep the economy going.
andysaints007
says...
11:42am Mon 2 Jul 12
-stiv- wrote:What a plum you are!!!!
Then go and have a party outside Tesco's.
Propercynic
says...
11:55am Mon 2 Jul 12
saint61 wrote:Exactly. I am going to be on the Oriana. It's a 4-night booze cruise up to Amsterdam and Zeebrugge for the princely sum of £300. Rich? I wish. I am a temp!
Shoong wrote:you dont need to be rich to cruise - you just need to be hardworking
-stiv- wrote: Congratulations rich people! Congratulations cruise operators! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!It's called 'business'. It tends to keep the economy going.
Wish the dire forecast would improve, though. :(
OSPREYSAINT
says...
12:00pm Mon 2 Jul 12
-stiv- wrote:Don't worry, the weather is going to wreck the occassion, just like it has virtually every other event this year.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
bigfella777
says...
12:06pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
allsaintsnocurves
says...
12:13pm Mon 2 Jul 12
G0Rf
says...
12:25pm Mon 2 Jul 12
bigfella777 wrote:Exactly! Shame the red Arrows will be canceled again tho
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
Solomon's Boot
says...
12:36pm Mon 2 Jul 12
-stiv- wrote:Jealous!
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
12:36pm Mon 2 Jul 12
-stiv- wrote:If you were offered an all expenses paid freebie would you take it, or would boycott it in a show of protest?
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
12:41pm Mon 2 Jul 12
G0Rf wrote:Forecast is low viz early on, low cloud and heavy rain most of the day, lighter rain and cloudy later, not much prospect of anything happening in the air sadly. Perhaps Mother Nature dosesn't approve of all of this oppulence!
bigfella777 wrote:Exactly! Shame the red Arrows will be canceled again tho
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
Mewling Quim
says...
12:56pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Shoong
says...
1:05pm Mon 2 Jul 12
bigfella777 wrote:Can you actually see more than 1 hour into the future?
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
We should be proud of this, a shame you can't take any pride in the city you live, I'm sure you have your reasons.
Employment, what a terrible thing.
The Phantomerer
says...
1:17pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Shoong wrote:You don't seem to have tackled any of bigfella777's reasoning. Why would some big, massively polluting, boats that weren't built here be a source of pride?
bigfella777 wrote:Can you actually see more than 1 hour into the future?
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
We should be proud of this, a shame you can't take any pride in the city you live, I'm sure you have your reasons.
Employment, what a terrible thing.
bigfella777
says...
1:44pm Mon 2 Jul 12
The Phantomerer wrote:Here here.
Shoong wrote:You don't seem to have tackled any of bigfella777's reasoning. Why would some big, massively polluting, boats that weren't built here be a source of pride?
bigfella777 wrote:Can you actually see more than 1 hour into the future?
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
We should be proud of this, a shame you can't take any pride in the city you live, I'm sure you have your reasons.
Employment, what a terrible thing.
ohec
says...
1:57pm Mon 2 Jul 12
flatulence hero
says...
2:04pm Mon 2 Jul 12
P & O has a long maritime history in the UK.
Yes its ships are all built in foreign yards.
But then another company that a lot of people have "pride in" British Airways, only has foreign built aircraft.(some components do originate from the UK, but that is it, it is built in Europe).
It is the sign of the times that the UK cannot compete in today's world in certain industries.
I am very proud and have a lot of pride when l see a P & O ship.
Good luck tomorrow and l will be there full of pride.
-stiv-
says...
2:04pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Shoong wrote:I took pride in all the volunteers that mucked in with the Skyride yesterday and allowed thousands of people to have a great day.
bigfella777 wrote:Can you actually see more than 1 hour into the future?
Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.
-stiv- wrote:It's called 'business'.
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
It tends to keep the economy going.
We should be proud of this, a shame you can't take any pride in the city you live, I'm sure you have your reasons.
Employment, what a terrible thing.
The bloke that fixed my bike and the fireman that let my little boy have a look round the fire engine.
Also, all the people that worked hard to set it up.
That made me proud to live in the city.
Not staring at some cordoned off boats that we're not allowed near. Cruise ships have always been for the rich.
Although as above £300 seems like a pretty good deal.
The Music Man
says...
2:06pm Mon 2 Jul 12
And the fireworks are going to be set off in the daytime, according to the council website:
"A short firework display (no more than 2 minutes) will take place as each ship approaches Moorhead Buoy (in-between Weston Shore and Hythe). The first display will take place at approximately 6.30pm and the last one at approximately 7.05pm".
flatulence hero
says...
2:08pm Mon 2 Jul 12
You really are a plank.
Security, does it mean anything to you?
There are nutters out there who would love to blow up a cruise ship.
Get real for goodness sake.
The Salv
says...
2:14pm Mon 2 Jul 12
The Phantomerer wrote:This is a very good point, I must admit I dont have the feeling of pride when I see these ships, as you have mentioned they were not even built here.
Shoong wrote:You don't seem to have tackled any of bigfella777's reasoning. Why would some big, massively polluting, boats that weren't built here be a source of pride?bigfella777 wrote:Can you actually see more than 1 hour into the future? We should be proud of this, a shame you can't take any pride in the city you live, I'm sure you have your reasons. Employment, what a terrible thing.Shoong wrote:How does it benefit the economy if all the crew are from overseas and paid a pittance (75p an hour) and not taxed in the UK. Also P&O have their own bank based in the far east where they put all their money tax free.If anything the chaos it will cause tomorrow will probably cost the local economy money,while its all going on most of us Sotonians will be at work,its not for us at all.-stiv- wrote: Congratulations rich people! Congratulations cruise operators! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!It's called 'business'. It tends to keep the economy going.
.
But I really do enjoy seeing them and I think it is great that Southampton is the chosen city to be used as the turn around ports. It's a nice attraction to have. I even quite like seeing the huge container ships come in and out of port. The size of those vessels is a real sight themselves - but no nuclear subs please, as one mistake and all this will be lost.
drakey
says...
3:10pm Mon 2 Jul 12
I look forwards to it all the same!
X Old Bill
says...
3:23pm Mon 2 Jul 12
ALSO; Before anyone mentions it - All the ships are registered in Hamilton, but they are registered there as 'British' ships and are permitted, indeed obliged, to wear an un-defaced red ensign.
arizonan
says...
3:46pm Mon 2 Jul 12
There would, however, be a lot more positive comment if this event was being held there.
Fatty x Ford Worker
says...
6:14pm Mon 2 Jul 12
SOULJACKER
says...
6:34pm Mon 2 Jul 12
ohec wrote:I think this is the highlight of their day......The words "Life A Get" spring to mind for these guys & not necessarily in that order, lol ;)
Bl**dy hell there are some sad miserable b*stards about and some are that thick its unbelievable.
allsaintsnocurves
says...
6:36pm Mon 2 Jul 12
arizonan wrote:you are making the assumption that everyone who comments on here is a) from Southampton and b) likely to find something positive to say on anything in the world.
Again, why mention Liverpool in the comments section, when this has nothing to do with that city? There would, however, be a lot more positive comment if this event was being held there.
I can tell you that there is a lot of people commenting that fall into both categories. If polled around Southampton there would be a lot of recognition for the contribution the cruise industry brings to the cities local economy something that was built up over many years from it's own private investment.
rightway
says...
6:53pm Mon 2 Jul 12
X Old Bill wrote:When entering port some costs are unavoidable like the ones you have mentioned, but by registering ships in Hamilton P&Os are having their cake and eating it, in the usual tax dodging way.If they could get away with not paying GB rates they would hence the Hamilton registration.
To the naysayers - Do you imagine that Ship owners get FREE berthing, pilotage, bunkering, provedore service, baggage handing, and all the other ancillaries? No, of course not, and those companies providing these things pay wages at British rates to local people, together with all the other costs involved. ALSO; Before anyone mentions it - All the ships are registered in Hamilton, but they are registered there as 'British' ships and are permitted, indeed obliged, to wear an un-defaced red ensign.
Also do they foot the bill for the Red Arrows or do they merely contribute.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
7:00pm Mon 2 Jul 12
The Music Man wrote:It rather depends on the cloud base and visibilty, they do have a low level display but subject to the constraints prevalent at the time. The Fly-past may be possible but don't be surprised if it is pulled for safety reasons, it's no ones fault.
so, we won't actually see the Red Arrows from Southampton then? And the fireworks are going to be set off in the daytime, according to the council website: "A short firework display (no more than 2 minutes) will take place as each ship approaches Moorhead Buoy (in-between Weston Shore and Hythe). The first display will take place at approximately 6.30pm and the last one at approximately 7.05pm".
memush
says...
7:20pm Mon 2 Jul 12
freemantlegirl2
says...
7:37pm Mon 2 Jul 12
-stiv- wrote:Come on now.... sour grapes is never attractive!
Congratulations rich people!
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!
Cruises aren't the huge expensive holiday they used to be! and for once I agree with Shoong, it is the lifeblood of this city - if you don't like it you don't have to look do you!?
dadofmy3sons
says...
7:50pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Stop griping you miserable b4str4ds !
There are quite a few other cities that look on with envy as this trade continues to employ a large portion of our local workforce. And no one has even mentioned the tourism dollar!!!!!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
8:24pm Mon 2 Jul 12
memush wrote:Is that unreasonable in your opinion? The weather forecast is slightly worse for the a.m. but slightly better for the evening. If listened to them you wouldn't go anywhere.
Again, to repeat the shipping companies usual small print---"Weathe
r and other circumstances permitting"
stid..
says...
8:27pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Jackie56
says...
9:47pm Mon 2 Jul 12
The Music Man
says...
10:21pm Mon 2 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:The display is only visible from Calshot and Lepe. The people of Gosport and possibly Portsmouth will get a good view.
The Music Man wrote:It rather depends on the cloud base and visibilty, they do have a low level display but subject to the constraints prevalent at the time. The Fly-past may be possible but don't be surprised if it is pulled for safety reasons, it's no ones fault.
so, we won't actually see the Red Arrows from Southampton then? And the fireworks are going to be set off in the daytime, according to the council website: "A short firework display (no more than 2 minutes) will take place as each ship approaches Moorhead Buoy (in-between Weston Shore and Hythe). The first display will take place at approximately 6.30pm and the last one at approximately 7.05pm".
The flypast, if weather permits, might be seen from Southampton.
The fireworks are being set off in broad daylight.
Mewling Quim
says...
10:52pm Mon 2 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT
says...
11:23pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Mewling Quim wrote:?
Another success, The troll.
Poppy22
says...
1:05am Tue 3 Jul 12
saint61 wrote:You can buy cruises with Tesco clubcard vouchers now so the cost is probably cheaper than the average package holiday!
Shoong wrote:you dont need to be rich to cruise - you just need to be hardworking-stiv- wrote: Congratulations rich people! Congratulations cruise operators! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!It's called 'business'. It tends to keep the economy going.
Hope the weather forecast is wrong for this as we've looked forward to this for ages and the Cunard event was spoilt by the weather. Fingers crossed.
Hope the Red Arrows can do their display too this time.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
10:27am Tue 3 Jul 12
Irate Wintonian
says...
11:00am Tue 3 Jul 12
Would've been more polite to say 'world-famous former ballerina' if you ask me (and I'm sure you won't).
Nutstrangler
says...
11:33am Tue 3 Jul 12
vag
says...
3:08pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Nutstrangler wrote:They aren't registered in Southampton, but they do count southampton as their home port.
"Southampton's Magnificent Seven".....how does that work then, they're registered in Bermuda, are they not ?
Mewling Quim
says...
11:27pm Tue 3 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:No, Butlins is the 21st century Butlins. Cruising is where the Poncy play.
Is Cruising the 21st Century replacement for Butlins?
Reach over and pass my slippers darling.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
11:54pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Mewling Quim wrote:Jealous?
OSPREYSAINT wrote:No, Butlins is the 21st century Butlins. Cruising is where the Poncy play.
Is Cruising the 21st Century replacement for Butlins?
Reach over and pass my slippers darling.
-stiv- says...
10:59am Mon 2 Jul 12
Congratulations cruise operators!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze at a minor royal from afar and observe people going on expensive holidays!