Days 2 and 3/29 Blog 694 Friday and Saturday, 14th and 15th January 2022

We are on our way. Since Monday, Queen Mary 2 had been berthed in Southampton being “deep cleaned” instead of cruising to Hamburg and back.

It’s hard to tell actually, how full the ship is. There was no fanfare leaving Southampton, no crowds at the quayside, no band, no streamers. This isn’t QM2’s pandemic maiden voyage. It isn’t even its first sojourn to the Caribbean. After almost two years of various types of lock-down, and other continuing restrictions, being on board QM2 will feel both exciting and weird simultaneously. As at home, everybody is wearing a face mask inside the interior public areas, no surprise, but, nonetheless strange. Tables in the King’s Court, and seats in the Royal Court Theatre, and presumably elsewhere are marked to prohibit people sitting there, to enable social distancing.

So far, I have no problem wearing a face mask. I doubt I shall be too bothered even after four weeks.

Continued 15th January 2022, 08.27 hrs

A few things are different on this “pandemic voyage.” While I was, and remain excited about being on board Queen Mary 2 once again, I have a strange feeling that somehow, I have slipped back in time, but taking with me, much less hair than I once had! I was impressed by the new style boat drill, which if followed diligently, is excellent, and much more convenient. A short explanatory video explains clearly how to locate your muster station, how to don your life jacket, and gives other essential information. All one has to do now is, any time prior to departure, go down to your muster starion (mine is located amidships, Deck 7, in the King’s Court eatery), and have your key-card scanned. The Captain, just before departure, broadcasts his safety brief over the ship’s loudspeaker system. This is far better than all the passengers being summoned at around 5pm to be given a live boat drill. I well remember the comment at my first such occasion when, struggling with my life jacket; somebody quipped, “women, children, and David first!” That was my first ever cruise, a three day party cruise on QE2 in December 1988! In those days, my hair was plenteous and black!

Also different (and this appears to be new Cunard policy) are the reservation arrangements for those in Britannia Class who have opted for second sitting dinner. I think that, for both First and Second sitting, open dining applies. Those who opted for First, can arrive at the Britannia Restaurant between 6 and 6.15 pm (obviously!) while I have to book a reservation between 7.45 and 9 pm (again, obviously!) These instructions are printed in a glossy guide My Voyage. Your ‘ ‘how to’ guide. I think this replaces the huge folder with similar content.

Still in my cabin on Deck 12

Today is the first of several sea days. We have set a course for Lisbon. Apparently, forecast weather conditions prevented our original first port of call, Funchal, Madeira, being tenable. I don’t think the Reid’s Palace Hotel are going to be too pleased; they always do good business when the cruise ships call by!

It’s just after 9 o’clock and I am still in bed, writing this blog. I shall get up now and enjoy the first full day of this Eastern Caribbean cruise, and shall continue writing later.

I have just enjoyed my first Cunard breakfast at a window table overlooking the sea, as illustrated. Outside, hardy walkers, dressed for cool January weather, take their exercise, walking or (occasionally) jogging along the Boat Deck. Three times around equates to 1.1 miles. I shall join them soon for this rare opportunity for fresh sea air.

Despite restrictions due to the continuing pandemic, much remains familiar, and at last night’s show time in the Royal Court Theatre, I did get that feeling of “Cunard entertainment deja vue!” I did enjoy it ‘though, with predictable cruise humour et-al. Live music is “all around the ship” in the evenings – another comforting reassurance. Marks out of 10, so far, 15!

More later.

Now, to put on some further warm clothing for that wonderful sea air! (11.25 hrs) I can access Deck 7 outside from where I am, quite easily on Deck 12, where further walking can take place.

12.30 hrs. Out on the open decks, one would say it is “bracing.” A strong wind from the South is only marginally warmer than the southerly breeze in Harpur Hill. The skyscape changes like an entertaining light show, and a storm cloud can obliterate subtle greys, blues and whites with the dexterity of a light switch. 16 degrees Celsius is assured for Monday afternoon in Lisbon; better than the parcemonious 2s and 3s of North Derbyshire.

I had a look in at the “souvenir shop” on Deck 3. There were the usual t-shirts, and other QM2 clothing, mugs, fridge magnets and the like. I usually buy items relating either to the voyage I am on, or to the particular year it took place. The mugs are very nice and tasteful, but are no longer dated. This, of course means that, stock left over is valid the following year. Restaurant menus used to be dated, even in the early days of QM2. But, these minor irritations do not detract from the joy of this type of travel. And I have enough of this stuff to open a museum! Now (13.01 hrs) I need to get down to where the computer centre is to establish Internet connection.

My first lunch at sea was at table 360, three tables away from Richard Faber’s chosen breakfast, lunch and dinner location immediately to the right hand side of the restaurant staircase down from Deck 3. The spectacular Britannia Restaurant would undoubtedly have been the reserve of those travelling Cabin Class in the 1930s and early 1940s, before being designated First Class after WW2., when Cabin became the 30s Tourist, and 3rd Class was reinvented as Tourist Class. I suppose it gave someone a job!

I got to know Richard Faber as an avid seller of ocean liner memorabilia on eBay, sometime around 2005, maybe later, eventually meeting up on a transatlantic crossing and thus becoming one of his many friends. Although no longer with us, he remains highly respected as not only a collector/dealer, but as an eminent maritime historian. I miss his sharp New York humo(u)r enormously – even now. I enjoyed a lunch of leek and potato soup, ravioli, and a dessert of fresh fruit in the beautifully laid out restaurant. It’s never a heavy lunch in there, but always pleasant and relaxing.

Thinking it was about time to sign up for my complimentary WiFi, I went down to Connexions forward on Deck 2. It seems half the ship’s passenger manifest had the same idea.

I’ll try again tomorrow.

23.58 hrs

As I mentioned previously, dinner arrangements for second sitting, are changed. No longer are passengers assigned a table for the entire cruise; one now has to book a time between 19.45hrs and 21.00hrs. As with open sitting, you are shown to your table, and you have the choice of dining alone (not a good idea) or with a small number of fellow travellers. Tonight was the first of just four Gala (formal) nights, this evening being a “Black and White Night.” Tuxedos (or dark suit) was the dress code, and thankfully, I was still able to get into mine. I joined two couples, one of whom I met on the 2020 South America voyage. And it was a very convivial evening, with the suggestion that we should meet for dinner on a future occasion.

After a fine meal, with special black napkins and a complimentary drink, I ventured with two from our table to the Royal Court Theatre. The Captain addressed the audience in much the same way as he would address a cocktail party. If I remember rightly, he confirmed that the ship was just over half full. The comedian, who I have seen before, was superb, extremely funny (most of the time) with no repetition of previous material, which was a pity, because that too was most amusing also. He coined the term Mixed Grills for those passengers in Princess and Queens Grill Class. Tonight, those in the Queen’s Grill did get some “ribbing!”

I rounded off the evening in the Queen’s Room where the ballroom dancing was drawing to a close – rather abruptly as it turned out. I’m not at all sure what occurred, but the band didn’t get to the end of The Last walz. But, I, at long last, have got to the end of this blog

Many thanks for reading, David, 00.24hrs 16/1/22.