As we passed over the Gulf Stream yesterday, high winds (between F9 and 11) prevented any opportunity of enjoying the unnaturally high temperature of 18°C. Movement in the ship is much less today, but also, it is not quite so mild. Three severe weather systems, Eunice, Franklin and an un-named one from Canada made for a very rough and bumpy crossing. Only on the last sea day before New York (today) are things back to “normal.” Gone are the massive swells waves and spray which characterised much of this turbulent crossing. The good news is that our arrival tomorrow is delayed by around three hours. No having to be up early tomorrow morning after all. We draw alongside at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at around 10.00hrs. And we depart for the Caribbean at 19.30hrs.
At last, I was able to, late in the afternoon, enjoy some deck walking in bright cool sunshine, and make up for some of the walking I wasn’t able to do previously. I caught up with Jo, and in the evening, dined as usual, in the Britannia Restaurant just after 8 o’clock. At last, the Royal Court Theatre Singers and Dancers were able to stage one of their signature productions, “Be My Guest” based on music from The Greatest Showman. This proved a fitting finale to what was described as “The Worst Crossing QM2 had encountered.” I’m not sure that is accurate but it will certainly go down in history. After the show, it was time for sleep. But typically, I was awake at 5am after just under six hours’ sleep. (06.20 hrs, Tuesday, 22/2/22 or 2/22/22.)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
06.22 hrs.
How annoying! I was overjoyed when the Captain Aseem A. Hashmi announced yesterday that we would arrive at Redhook (Brooklyn Cruise Terminal) three hours late, meaning my not having to be up early in order to see the ship’s dramatic arrival into New York, passing under the Verrazano Narrows Suspension Bridge and also, by a short distance, The Statue of Liberty, before berthing at the Terminal. I awoke at around 5am, never to return to sleep. Was this because my body clock says that it is still 10 o’clock (GMT)? Surely not after seven nights! I rested my eyes until something past 7 o’clock, had a shower, and then joined the “throngs” on 12 and 13 Deck just in time to video QM2 pass (comfortably) under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, I believe, opened in 1964. Jo joined me for breakfast, this time in the Britannia Restaurant.
At least, we were in plenty of time for the Cunard shore excursion to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I had dreaded freezing temperatures well below Zero. The day did start cool, around 6°C but was acceptably bright and sunny. I didn’t really believe the forecast for rain, but sure enough, from perhaps two hours into the trip, it rained for the rest of the day, right until we were back on board and on our way south.
I suppose that I can say that I have visited the Statue of Liberty, and the very new museum close by, on Liberty Island. We had around an hour and twenty minutes at each place, and having been awake since 5am, that was plenty of time. However, both “attractions” require far more than eighty minutes to do justice to visiting them. But I felt the excursion provided an excellent opportunity to get a good feel of both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. (00.04hrs, 23/2/22.)
Yet again, not much historical detail in this account of my visit. I do have an official illustrated guide book from which I hope to add interesting detail to my visit; the same applies to Ellis Island. I came away with the intention and hope of spending far more time in both places.
Many thanks for reading. David, 09.03hrs, 23/2/22, having enjoyed a good night’s sleep!
David's Cruise 