Day 67 Good Lord! Just 11 days left!  20791 nm ex- Southampton. 

Another gorgeous morning following, this time, a dodgy night, probably over anxious about the nightmare that awaits back home. Several hundred are on their last day already as M.V. Queen Victoria steams towards what is now its final port of call, Fort Lauderdale, before eventual arrival at Southampton. As I commenced my breakfast of porridge topped with yoghurt, followed by grapefruit, Jo was deck walking. She was soon to catch up with me outside on Deck 9, and like conversations I had overheard, we resolved to make the very most of the fine weather, and the fortunate position we find ourselves in for the time- being.

The Captain has delivered another inaudible noon-day address. His heavy Irish accent makes it difficult to hang on to his every word. When, however, he updates his passengers about Brexit (sorry, that should be Coronavirus!) he is perfectly clear, even if his message can be a tad ambiguous. But that has more to do with his being in the dark almost as much as we are. The organisation on board is so very well carried out that it is difficult to believe the crisis we believe we might be heading for. Food (and toilet paper) remain plentiful. But I am told the next QV cruise to Hamburg and Amsterdam and itineraries in the immediate future are cancelled. The entire Carnival fleet, it is rumoured, is coming out of service. I have had a Cunard letter expressing the intention of Cunard to resume cruises from April 11th . Few countries, even those we have called at recently, will accept cruise ship passengers.

I am on Deck 3 having completed four laps. Time for lunch, then the Grand Voyage Country Fayre.

Back in Buenos Aires, you will remember my writing about the Cunard Gala staged ashore for all those on the complete tour. The proceedings started with a horse display outside at the massive venue where tapas dishes would be offered during the entire event. Drink would flow, and Tango performances would be continuous throughout the late afternoon/ early evening event. The “QV South America” logo had been reinterpreted into a colourful and attractive Argentinian style design especially for this huge occasion, which was staged twice over the two days we were in port there. An oil poster of this special logo from which postcards were produced, as well as part of the waitresses uniform, was displayed prominently at the event on both days. This original painting had my name on it! It was to be auctioned, today, for charity at the Cunard Country Fayre, a kind of on board garden party, to raise money for charity, usually towards the end of the “World and complete Grand Voyages. Today, at that fayre, several interesting items were auctioned off, many fetching several hundred dollars, though no item reached four figures. The item I was after, but didn’t expect to “win” was the penultimate one at the auction. There were determined bidders. I raised four fingers to the Neil Kelly who was a splendid auctioneer expecting my bid of $400.00 to be beaten. Quietness fell in the Queens Room as Neil very slowly, trying to attract a higher bidder pronounced “going…….going………..GONE!!!! The Art Gallery are packing my painting for transfer to my collection in Buxton. Lauren will frame and glaze it with museum glass. I spent the rest of the day delighted!

I am told the BBC ‘s News Website reports that M.V. Queen Victoria is heading to Southampton empty. I certainly hope not! I need more than an afternoon to pack.

Tomorrow, we shall arrive at Ft. Lauderdale/Port Everglades at around 06.00hrs. We should hopefully be on our way to Southampton at lunch time. One grand final departure then, assuming the BBC has got it wrong again. What I am informed is that the QM2 World Voyage has been curtailed near Perth, QE, has disembarked its passengers elsewhere in Australia and I understand both those are indeed on their way to Southampton “empty stock.” Passengers from both voyages would be flown home.

That’s all so far today. Many thanks for reading, David 12.50hrs Mon 16th March.

Ammended 23.54 hrs 16th March 2020