This is the second of four sea days as we steam in a slightly less south-westerly direction, according to the positional updates on the stateroom TV. Outside, the air temperature is 13 degrees Celsius, far warmer than I was expecting on this crossing. And the Captain, in his address to the audience in the Royal Court Theatre, announced temperatures of 20C in New York. If he is right, this will be more of a sunshine cruise than I was anticipating. He also joked about two people he met in the Commodore Club, annoyed that QM2 had been diverted away from the far worse weather than we were encountering; they had booked this particular crossing specifically for the rough seas expected at this time of year. Such people do exist, but I took his tale with a bit of a pinch of salt!
For the first time, sunshine flooded (intermittently) into the sheltered balcony of my cabin….which I am delighted with. This is situated not quite as far as one can go back on Deck 4, port-side, almost opposite Inside Cabin 4198 which I occupied on QM2’s maiden voyage in January 2004. Those who wish to experience the wrath of the North Atlantic to the full could do worse than to take up accommodation in this “least popular” part of the ship…or at the very front, high up!
In my cabin, one case remains as left in Southampton. This will be dealt with when I feel like it…quite soon, as my shirts for the last weekend and couple of days are sent to the laundry as required. I still stay away from the launderette on board, from where unsavoury stories and gossip, I am given to understand, emanate!
I have just finished my regular breakfast of porridge, banana, yoghurt, and a decaff coffee. Complimentary lunch has been booked in the Verandah Restaurant aft on Deck 8. Jo ( QM2 World Voyage 2018 and QV South America 2020) will join me for, maybe, an afternoon of reminiscing.
Although breezy outside, I shall try to improve on yesterday’s miserable attempt at deck walking. The sea still appears rough, and the ship responding to the vagaries of the ocean. To say I am delighted with being able to spend so much time on board is an understatement. The changing appearance, and characteristics of the sea and sky continue to impress, like hearing wonderful music one never tires of. 11.19hrs GMT -2. There is no time change tomorrow morning.
Lunch, with in Steakhouse at the Verandah today was one of the benefits offered by Cunard to their World Club Diamond level members, which Jo and I decided, last night to avail ourselves of. Steakhouse at the Verandah is an alternative dining area on all three Cunard ships which attract an extra charge. Other such extra charge eateries are in an area of the King’s Court set aside for themed dining. I was slightly underwhelmed this afternoon. There’s absolutely no doubt as to the presentation of the food. But somehow, Steakhouse lacks flexibility apart from how well or rare you choose to have your steak prepared. I asked for sugar free ice cream as a dessert. Being told that I should have informed them I was diabetic struck me as a poor example of customer care…nobody asked when I made the reservation. Service in the main restaurants is exemplary where off-menu dishes can be arranged with notice, and small variations on what’s offered with no notice. This is my fifth week on QM2 in 2022, and although there must be a pattern in the main menu, I have yet to discern any obvious repetition.
For our few hours in New York, I am considering taking the shore excursion to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. I have seen both many times from afar. I have no intention of crawling out of bed at silly o’clock to witness passing under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and seeing the now familiar Statue of Liberty, which I hope to visit.
Outside, only the very hardy could tackle deck walking. The wind across the decks was as strong as any I recall, and perhaps even just that bit too risky to battle. I managed just half a lap, yet again! The raging sea is magnificent, but difficult to portray on video. We are promised more of the same turbulent conditions where, on board, walking straight is an impossibility. We are assured of calmer seas after lunch tomorrow. Storm Eunice, set to batter the UK was the weather system QM2 was marginally affected by. “Marginally” is somewhat of an understatement. I retreated into the Carinthia Lounge where I managed to answer just four of the quiz questions, not actually taking part, but seated quietly, writing this blog in an isolated corner. (Around 4.30pm)
Tomorrow, we remain 2 hours behind GMT, and I assume the remaining three hours’ adjustment will take place on each of the three remaining sea days.
THE NEXT DAY, The 3rd of 6 sea days to New York, Friday 18th February. (around 8.15am)
Last night, movement in the ship was more severe than I remember, and it was exciting watching a virtuoso pianist as the Royal Court Theatre bounced around, juddered and vibrated as if in one long earthquake. I found myself contemplating booking another winter crossing until the need to take a motion sickness pill suddenly manifested itself. I was soon fine again! The pianist, Mac Frampton is described in the Daily Programme as America’s Most Electrifying Showman. Cunard are not given to exaggeration…! Nevertheless his flawless performance, occasionally drowned out by the equally talented Royal Court (8 piece) Orchestra, was spectacular, and I would place him up there with Russ Conway, Richard Claderman, or even Liberace. He invited the audience to suggest a medley of melodies for his grand finale. There were about 10 suggestions (or requests) from those on both levels. Al suggestions were then merged into the most brilliant bit of improvisation I have ever heard. Reluctantly, this unique work drew to a close and attracted a much deserved standing ovation. (I am NOT a music critic!)
This morning, blue, but cloudy skies are what I look out to from my still bouncy stateroom. The televised Navigational Information tells me we are continuing very slightly south westerly as we pass north of the Azores later in the day. Air temperature is an acceptable 11 degrees Celsius and thankfully, the wind across the decks, last night reaching the mid 80s knots, is about half that this morning. The sun streams more abundantly into my sheltered balcony (08.51 hrs)
Time for my breakfast. Many thanks for reading, David 08.55hrs in my cabin.
David's Cruise 