As we are at sea today, I think it is time to consider using the pool facilities. We are lucky that the weather is in the mid 20s when at sea because unlike the Queen Mary, there is little to occupy one’s self on board, other than sunbathing, though the casino appears to be a major attraction!!!
For your delectation, I have just completed a tour of the ship:
First stop the Central Area the focus of the ship’s activities on 3 levels:
Central area
It is located mid ship on decks 3, 4 and 5.
On Deck 3 one finds the Guest Relations and opposite Shore Excursion desks.
On level 4, the more affordable shops.
Deck 4
At every turn there are shops to tempt you to part with your money. Numerous promotions are available with something to suit every pocket. This morning there was an art auction in progress as I passed. I heard a bid of US$28,000! Every type of promotion is used to entice you to buy, including raffles for free gifts - their value negligible.
Deck 5
On deck 5 are the more exclusive shops including leading watch brands Breitling and Omega and designer handbags including Prada, Gucci, Michael Korrs and many others.
Thirteen Bars are well placed all over the ship.!!
On Decks 3 and 4 is the main restaurant , the Grand Cuvee located on the two levels
Grand Cuvee Restaurant
which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Attendance at breakfast and lunch is low but very busy at dinner.
Dinner menu had 6 starter choices, 6 main courses and 6 desserts in addition to what were termed classics eg salmon, chicken and pork plainly cooked and New York Cheese Cake, Creme Brûlée and Assorted Ice Creams for dessert.
Starter: spinach and ricotta cheese with fruit coulis.
Main course: Tailipi fish with pasta and tomatoes.
Dessert: New York Cheese cake
Assorted fruit pastry with vanilla ice cream.
The alternatives are a number of small restaurants and bars, 15 in all, dotted around the ships - serving anything from a healthy lunch in the Spa to burgers on Deck 13.
Lawn Tennis Grill
Most people appear to frequent the Ocean Grill open from 0600 hrs - 0100 hours as it is conveniently located next to the interior and exterior pools.
Here every type of food is available on a self service basis - Italian, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, British, German and Japanese and much more. The desert bar is enticing and the ice- cream bar irresistible !!! The photographs do not do justice to the vast array of good served here.
Indian
Salads
Desserts
There are 4 Speciality restaurants Japanese, Italian, French and Qsine (described as uniquely extraordinary) that warrants an extra cost carying from $50 - 90 pp excluding wine. We had anticipated sampling one but a guest we met wasn’t impressed so I think we’ll forego the opportunity this time.
The theatre on decks 3 and 4 is located towards the front of the ship adjacent to our stateroom. Here each night is the venue for the entertainment that I’ve illustrated earlier. There are two shows each evening. We chose the late sitting for dinner at 20.30 hrs. and we attend the 19.00 hrs show before dinner. The early sitting for dinner is 18.30 hrs and the early diners attend the 21.00 hrs show.
A film is shown each day but the titles are not familiar.
The library is located on. Decks 10 and 11 with a reasonable selection of books.
A floor below is the card room
On Deck 7 is the Hideway, where the teenagers congregate.
This afternoon, the weather has changed and as we adjourned to the Ocean Cafe for afternoon tea, lights rain was falling!! The crowded deck I photographed this morning was abandoned. The temperature has also fallen - it must be in preparation for our home coming!!! So tomorrow is the last day to take the sun if sun there is??? The sea has become very choppy and our balcony floor is wet!!
Afternoon tea consists of scones, clotted cream and jam. There are no finger sandwiches nor is there an ensemble playing as on the Queen Mary. An American lady and her daughter asked us what clotted cream was - we explained and encouraged them to try it !!
It’s the show and dinner. I go to the show more hope than expectation!
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