Southampton Sailaways

**Solent Richard, Lee on the Solent** · 5th June 2011, 11:31 AM

Saturday's High Five in the Solent

Having spent a pleasant afternoon in the New Forest yesterday we decided to watch the Five ship sailaway from a different vantage point than our cabin balcony.

On one of the southern tips of the New Forest is the old seaplane base of Calshot, now popularly known as Calshot Spit.

There was a good turnout of families and friends waiting for the years first big sailaway though many vantage points were available.

First out of 'the traps' was MSC Opera, recently featured heavily in the news...

...followed by Celebrity Eclipse

Third in line was Grand Princess...

followed by P&O's Azura...

and finally, last but not least, P&O's Oceana.

I hope members and visitors to this Forum enjoy the pictures, maybe even had someone you know onboard.

**spartan, kent** · 5th June 2011, 11:38 AM

Thanks Richard that is the first pic I have seen of the Grand without her shopping handle

**Solent Richard, Lee on the Solent** · 5th June 2011, 11:42 AM

While waiting for the 5 cruise ships to approach Calshot Spit the Southampton Harbourmaster's launch pulled into Calshot and disembarked a small camera crew...

Little did we expect the following display of waterborne manoeuvrability and 'handbrake' turns...

Great show guys.

**PM, SW** · 5th June 2011, 12:34 PM

Great Pics.

PM

**Delboy, Essex** · 5th June 2011, 12:36 PM

Richard, a fantastic set of photo's, much appreciated.

**cruzpete, stevenage** · 5th June 2011, 01:02 PM

top photos m8, 10 out of 10

**Millis Glashaus, Bad Saeckingen/Germany** · 5th June 2011, 02:45 PM

Thank you, Richard, very much for sharing these moments.
Makes us even more looking forward to our tour in 3,5 months

even though there won't be sooo many shipspotters, I believe

Happy Count-Down also for you.

**Southwinds, South Devon** · 5th June 2011, 03:10 PM

Theres a great web cam on Calshot... thanks for the photos

Calshot.. is also an adventure centre.. used by Hampshire CC for the children of the county.. In the old hangers are a cycle track.. archery and other sports courts..The old accommodation block as used by the RAF is now dormitories for visiting children.. How do I know this?
because I was one of them on several occasions... we did orinatering in the New Forest...as well from there.. Happy Days
I always make sure I see it from the deck as we sail out... fond memories..
There is also a lifeboat station there... and one of our teachers was called out in the dead of the night to a rescue..
I was so impressed ... I have been a Shoreline member ever since..
great place

**Solent Richard, Lee on the Solent** · 5th June 2011, 05:01 PM

QUOTE:

Thank you, Richard, very much for sharing these moments.
Makes us even more looking forward to our tour in 3,5 months

even though there won't be sooo many shipspotters, I believe

Happy Count-Down also for you.

Good afternoon Millis.

I was only mentioned you earlier this morning on the Cunard/Hamburg thread.

http://www.cruises.co.uk/109-cruise_...tml#post263201

Rest assured, when QM2 sails there are treble that amount and the sailaway party will still be in progress considerably further down the coast.

**Solent Richard, Lee on the Solent** · 5th June 2011, 05:21 PM

QUOTE:

Happy Days
I always make sure I see it from the deck as we sail out... fond memories..
There is also a lifeboat station there... and one of our teachers was called out in the dead of the night to a rescue..
I was so impressed ... I have been a Shoreline member ever since..
great place

Good afternoon Southwinds

The Calshot lifeboat is moored in the foreground of the MSC Opera in the OP.

It's name is RNLB Alexander Coutanche