Ye Gods! There’s less than a week to go. Nevertheless, it’s still possible to exercise on the open decks in shorts and t-shirts, ‘though many are donning something a little warmer to protect themselves from what is given as a slight easterly breeze (F1). As we are steaming west, this feels quite strong on the outer decks.
Thoughts of how to reorganise my luggage next week cross my mind occasionally. When eventually I do disembark QM2 in March, I will be travelling home by train, with possibly a lift or taxi from Macclesfield. Thus there will be short distances whwre I shall have to manhandle my baggage, a fine art, which even after all these years, I have not really mastered!
Saturday 5th February is still a nice day with little, if any threat of anything unpleasant. And there is still one more day before we dock in Santa Cruz. I purchased my Lumix camera there in 2018….I might just take it back! My only administrative task is to sort out the covid requirements for coming back into the U.K. I haven’t a clue what it’s all about, bit it does occur to me that departing “this green and pleasant land” just five days later may incur some head scratching!
Today, again, will be one of whist and walking. There are, of course, numerous other activities available on board, and I do like the routine of going to a show after dinner each, and even staying up to watch the masked ballroom dancers glide their way around the “largest ballroom at sea.”
For some reason, debate continues in various conversations which is “the best ship.” For me, it’s a no brainer, QM2. But, I usually keep my opinions to myself. I have been extremely fortunate enough to thoroughly enjoy long voyages on both Queen Victoria (general favourite) and Queen Elizabeth (coming a very close second). I like QM2 because of its main raison d’etre, to maintain a timetabled service across to New York, and has been designed with this in mind, and is (usually) extraordinarily stable in tempestuous waters. I have experienced “mal de mer” in the Bay of Biscay, and the North Sea, on board QM2. There’s nothing worse! Cunard does come in for some stick over its “extras” which other cruise lines include in their (usually higher) tariff. I don’t drink, and I don’t generally have a problem with paying for my clothes to be beautifully laundered, or being shown around an island or city where I would see far less if I explored by myself. However, I did do quite well in Lisbon, rattling around that city in a tuk tuk whose owner was seeking business! (10.40hrs 5/2/22, in a bay window at the King’s Court, port side)
David's Cruise 