We visited the Charter Bar for an aperatif before dinner. (Girls the mojito didn't compare with the mojitos in Benhavis!) All guests looked resplendent in their black and white.
We sat at our assigned dinner table. Dinner is the only time one has to sit at the assigned table as formal dinner is served in the Britannia and most guests dine there at night. There are two sittings 1830 and 2030 - one has to choose the sitting when one books. There is however an option to dine less formally in Kings Court, which at night subdivides into areas offering various dishes from around the world or for a supplement one can dine at other restaurants such as The Verandah (French) or the Pizzeria.
The fact that we haven't met our dinner companions all day gives one an idea of the scale of the ship. We did however meet the politician again!
After dinner, we adjourned to The Royal Court, where Stephani Parker, who has her own show in Las Vegas, thrilled us with her rendition of Whitney Houston songs. She was a consummate entertainer and involved the audience in the show.
From there we went to the Black and White Ball. I managed to get CC to dance once!!
After the Ball, we retired, exhausted It's hard work being a guest on QM2 !!
This morning, we awoke early. (The captain is putting the clocks back one hour each night to prepare us for arrival in NYC.) We again breakfasted in the Britannia.
Yesterday, breakfast service was slow. This morning the same waiter was all apologies and we received super service.
Breakfast over, we went out on deck to walk a few rounds of the ship - 2 rounds is 1.1 Kms! It was bracing! The crew were on emergency manoeuvres.
I hope we won't need their evacuation services - the water this morning looks most uninviting! The force 7 winds
We're making progress!
resulted in the Bridge and the swimming pools being closed to passengers.
White horses were to be seen everywhere. I wouldn't fancy evacuating into that sea!
Not having been tempted to sign up for a fashion workshop or a flower arranging session (CC wasn't too keen), we decided to get the audio tour of the ship to learn if its history. Unfortunately, the audio system is being updated after the ship's recent refit but we self toured.
Later having had a coffee at Kings Court, we adjourned to the Library. QM2 has an extensive library. It is peaceful and relaxing as I look out onto the ship's Bridge
while reading Ian Rankin's Even Dogs in the Wild.
Lunch followed. We eat in the Britannia as the quality of the food is better. It tends to be more fast food - pizza and burgers etc in the Kings Court.
We returned to the library as it is a real haven. At 1530 hrs we departed for the Queen's Room, where afternoon tea is served by black and white liveried, white gloved waiters and we were entertained by a chamber orchestra.
In true British fashion, we were treated to a variety of finger sandwiches, hot scones and a selection of mouth- watering cakes together with Twinings tea - the tea of choice on board.
The cakes hadn't arrived as I
photographed!!
The cake selection
It was a pleasant interlude. It takes place each afternoon.
At 1630 hrs, we returned to our cabin (state room) having left it this morning at 0900 hrs. We need a rest before the Captain's cocktail party followed by dinner and the show Apassionata, featuring the very professional Cunard singers and dancers.
As I am now 48 hours on board, I will give you an account of the QM2. I'm as yet not entirely au fait with the ship - having to frequently consult the map distributed to each passenger and the maps displayed in the stairways!!
QM2 dwarfs most tall buildings on land
It has 13 decks and 4 stairways ABC and D The main common areas are on decks 2 and 3 - here are located most of the restaurants and bars and in addition each deck has bars, lounges and/or restaurants.
The Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar
The ship had a refit in May/June of this year and designer carpets and lighting are de rigeur! Designer shops abound on three decks.
The Upper Lobby
The Lower Lobby
One of the many hallways
The above represent only a tiny fraction of the luxurious surrounding of QM2
The ship is at full capacity with 2,700 passengers yet one is unaware of such numbers I took the above photos at all times of the day and one can see how uncrowded it is. Dinner is the only time one sees people in any great numbers. The QM2 is the essence of luxury, efficient service and decorum.
Cunard"s Queens have welcomed royalty, army generals, writers and celebrities:
Can you name the above?
The ship commenced its return voyage in Hamburg, sailed up the fjords of Norway, before arriving in Southhampton, where we boarded. The age profile puts us in the younger category!! Many are infirm. The passengers are all extremely pleasant and friendly and enquire as to your level of enjoyment of the voyage.
The fashion and style is not as impressive as I thought it might be. There are alternating formal and informal evenings. On formal evenings black tie is required but if one does not wish to dress formally, one may eat at Kings Court and remain in its environs - one must not attend at any of the other venues!! The rule is strictly enforced!! On informal evenings, a jacket is required.
I must dress now for the Captain's cocktail party, followed by dinner and Inpassionata, a show performed by the very professional singers and dancers ....... more tomorrow.
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