Day 1 always feels long and drawn out, more so today as my time for checking in for the mandatory covid-19 test and embarkation was 3.15 at the ultra modern but somewhat utilitarian Ocean Terminal, a far cry from the long since demolished fabulous art deco Ocean Liner Terminal which I have only seen in pictures, with a steam-hauled boat train in view, as well as a gigantic Cunard liner.
I could have quite easily travelled by train this morning, and all being well, been at Southampton with still ninety minutes to spare. Far easier it remained, however, to venture down the day before, stay in a nice hotel and not have to worry at all about severe delays or possible train failures. I enjoyed the journey yesterday, particularly the diverted non-stop run from Basingstoke to Southampton Central, over a substantial piece of railway I don’t remember having ever travelled over, the non-electrified section via Andover and Romsey. The undulating countryside in early to mid spring was a joy to behold.
My sleep at the Novotel was fine, albeit waking up several times.
(Time to board, 16.23hrs). (Settled in my balcony cabin, home for the next 34 days, 17.00hrs.)
It’s not a bad day in Southampton, thankfully not overly hot, quite important when slightly overdressed and with baggage to manhandle. For the first time, I left all of my luggage to be delivered to my stateroom, and would go through the embarkation procedure “hands free!” My “paperwork” was neatly folded into a large dark blue wallet, the kind once issued by Cunard to house travel documents in days gone by. It’s now common practice to print your own tickets and other relevant paperwork, or even carry the those same documents digitally on one’s mobile phone, or other such device.
The crew have to be all aboard by 17.00hrs, i.e. they should all be on board by now (17.05hrs). Even checking in at 15.15 hrs, there was still a substantial queue for the mandatory covid testing. Needless to say, my result was negative. My baggage had already been delivered, and in fact, I cannot really fault the checking-in arrangements, even if it still felt a long and slightly tedious process. I would later find out that some who had arrived earlier had been queuing for at least an hour.
My cabin is at the front of the ship, port-side on Deck 8. I chose to treat myself, once again, to accommodation with a balcony, anticipating day upon day of pleasant warm weather, as summer approaches, and we steam southerly to begin with.
I don’t really think that the late checking in time for embarkation was the best of ideas. I thought that by 3.15pm, most people would have already boarded and thus, embarkation would be smoothe without having to wait in line. Even staying the night in Southampton, today felt long, and by the time I was settled in my cabin, I just needed to chill out. Annoyingly, no refreshments appeared to be available in the Lido, which stopped serving before many people had settled on board. It could be said that the late embarkation time was a wonderful opportunity for the shipping line to save money on catering for those coming on board today! Not only that, but I didn’t manage to get my card scanned to confirm I knew where the muster station is.
I did make it (just) to dinner in the Britannia Restaurant at 8.30, and was shown to table 360 (for 6 people) where two ladies had already arrived. One, Ronda, recognised me straight away, and I seemed to recall seeing her before. She then reminded me that she had attended my birthday celebrations on the Queen Victoria South America 2020 voyage. I then was able to recall her clearly. Also arrived at the table before me was a lady from Colorado, returning to her “condo” in Florida. We were then joined by a lady from the far east, Thailand I think. Our first dinner was a most convivial occasion. It must have been; we didn’t adjourn until 10.45-ish.
But, this is the start of an astonishing journey. Originally, I was going to fly to Tokyo, sail around some Japanese Islands, as well as to Bussan in South Korea, and on to Vancouver. Covid put paid to that bit. Plan B was to fly to Vancouver to where I would now, start my main travels. However, Mr. Evans, a former work colleague and shipping enthusiast informed me that Cunard were “transferring” Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to Vancouver for a series of Alaska cruises. Being retired and bereft of other commitments, swapping a (maybe) ten hour flight for a 34 night voyage seemed like a “no-brainer.” I shall now be away for 75 days!
This is roughly the itinerary:-
Southampton-Vigo-Florida-Panama-Costa Rica-Mexico-Los Angeles-San Francisco- Vancouver-Alaska- Vancouver- Seattle – Chicago- Grand Canyon-Los Angeles- New Orleans-Washington DC- New York-Southampton.
TUESDAY 3rd MAY, 11.20hrs SHIP’S TIME.
I slept well, maybe too well, for the first night of my voyage. On Queen Elizabeth, breakfast in the Lido on Deck 9 closes at 10.30. Travelling to Vigo in Spain, we had been instructed to advance our watches 1 hour. I slowly woke up thinking it was around 8am, “annoyed” at the chatter outside my stateroom door. I watched part of a movie “6 Minutes to Midnight” thinking I had all the time in the world. I made it for breakfast with just three minutes to spare.
Outside, as we are now just clear of the English Channel, following the coastline of North West France, the sea remains almost millpond calm.
The new on board WiFi arrangements are incredibly complicated especially when one is used to the system that was in place before. Nevertheless, I have got my head around paying up front, and being reimbursed as I go along! I chose to delete an extremely lengthy explanation of the now, not particularly relevant details.
I am (as probably everybody else is) coming to grips with my new ocean going environment. This first sea day, while still cold, is bright and, thankfully, calm. My balcony is sheltered from the cool breeze. However, I have yet to meet my cabin steward. I need proper soap in my bathroom, rather than the irritating liquid version so fashionable these days.
I attended the port lecture on Vigo, our first port of call tomorrow. He spoke well and seemed to “know his stuff.” I was at odds with his use of the phrase “almost unique,” a grammatical error so often used by supposedly educated people. I really must put these irritations to one side as I also am not qualified to “cast the first stone!”
I remain determined to be offered a place on the maiden voyage of Cunard’s new addition to the fleet, Queen Anne. However, I just did not feel like joining a lengthy queue for the Future Cruise consultants.
My first lunch was upstairs in the Lido, similar to the Kings Court on QM2. So far, this doesn’t seem to work as well as on Queen Mary 2. Where the Lido on both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria come out on top is during the warm weather when food and drink can be enjoyed in an outside extension. This will be the case for almost all of this voyage.
Much to my brief chagrin, over lunch, I suddenly remembered that I had not packed any cufflinks. Thus a need for retail therapy was established! While looking around where souvenirs were sold, I was disappointed to find very little of interest. However, I had not visited the Port Shop where the main souvenirs and memorabilia is sold. But I did get the cufflinks.
It has been a beautiful relaxing first day, and in total, there are another 43 to go, including ports of call. I have walked, but not as far as I would like to have done. Apparently, the fatiguing effects of covid can linger for much longer than one might imagine. However, I did eventually reach my personal target, and enjoyed the first leisurely sunny (but not yet warm) day at sea.
Tomorrow, I plan to “take it as it comes.” I may see if there is a spare place on one of the excursions. Or I may just take a walk along Vigo’s waterfront. Today, I met a couple from one of the Caribbean Trips I enjoyed this year. But, I have also derived pleasure meeting more people for the first time. Today, the Bay of Biscay was not its usual tempestuous self. Even in my forward-end cabin on Deck 8, there is minimal movement, and absolutely no vibration. It’s as if the engines have shut down. It’s a different story at the aft end, perhaps not the best location for an expensive suite!
Tonight was the first of several “Gala Nights”, the theme being Black and White. Sure enough most people, especially the ladies, had turned out in their appropriate black and white finery. Apart from a small glass of something like champagne at dinner, the evening didn’t really come across as anything out of the ordinary, although the meal itself was enjoyable. Ronda and I adjourned to the Commodore Club on Deck 10 for a non-alcoholic nightcap. I still slept well enough for a second night.
Many thanks for reading, David 09.14 hrs in the Spanish port of VIGO where a fine warm day is assured.
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David's Cruise 