Today is our fourth of six sea days on the final leg of this glorious 56 days on two voyages from the U.K. to the Caribbean, by way of Lisbon on the first voyage, and New York (in both directions) on the second crossing. The beauty of crossing the Atlantic is the ample opportunity to relax during those six uninterrupted sea days. There is always plenty of choice to keep one occupied and entertained during the crossing. Cunard Insights will provide up to three lectures during each day, e.g. maritime historian Bill Miller addressing the audience at 11 am. This afternoon, I enjoyed a piano recital of music by Schubert, Gershwin, Chopin, and Mozart. While I like classical music, and enjoyed the performance, a few others were understandably less enthusiastic and made polite exits during the concert. Classical music is rarely one of instant gratification, but perhaps the programme could have been more popularist, but then that would have detracted. There is always a movie, shown twice, in Illuminations. This is a classic art-decor multipurpose cinema, doubling as a planetarium, as well as an excellent lecture theatre. Numerous quizzes, bingo, dancing, sports and other activities are available throughout each day. Jazz is featured nightly in the Chart Room on Deck 3, while Cameron and Shane entertain in the Golden Line with mainly Irish and Scottish folk music for violin, guitar and banjo. And I have had all these options for almost eight weeks….on the Greatest Ship in the World.
There was a fabulous view of the turbulent ocean from where we had lunch in the Britannia Restaurant
Down on Deck 2, where I chose the best place to film the stormy seas, I, at last, got to have a brief word with Maritime Historian and author, W.H. Miller. I attended his third of four lectures on the ocean liner scene of the 1950s and 60s, marking the advent of jet travel across the Atlantic and the inevitable demise of regular sea crossings between the Old and New Worlds.
But now, any thoughts of turning around for a third trip have all but evaporated. However, in around six weeks, I shall be off again, this time on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, two voyages, back to back, from Southampton to Vancouver, then to Alaska, and finally, back to Vancouver where I shall chill for a couple of nights before travelling by Amtrak (US Rail) to various U.S. cities, the Grand Canyon and to New Orleans, Washington and New York.
And as this journey slowly draws to a close, I have every reason to feel grateful, maybe privileged, and definitely, extremely fortunate. Before January, I had hardly left the vicinity of where I live, due to the restrictions caused by the onset of covid-19 in February 2020. All of a sudden, I was in Lisbon being shown around on a tuk tuk.
Looking back, I have been pretty amazed at the experience enjoyed on board Queen Mary 2. The only irritation for me was the need to keep a face mask on during shows, lectures, concerts and movies in Illuminations and the Royal Court Theatre. Dance enthusiasts also resented having to wear a mask while oiling their way across the dance floor. I would forget frequently to put on my face covering…almost daily! When walking anywhere inside, the mandatory wearing of masks was enforced with friendly courtesy. On the whole, the shore excursions were well organised, enjoyable and worth taking part in. I just loved those journeys up various mountainsides, into rainforests (where it would rain!) and along scenic coastal roads, in old minibuses.
The evening draws to a close as soft jazz in the Chart Room soothes the anxieties of this holiday coming to its Southampton conclusion in just over 2 days.
Many thanks for reading, David, Chart Room, QM2, 23.25 hrs.
David's Cruise 