The day (Day 10, Wednesday 11th May) started with an e-mail from Cunard regretting that “owing to staff shortages”, I had my booking for 10 days in Alaska, immediately after this present cruise, cancelled. Wow! That was a turn- up. The voyage to Alaska from Vancouver isn’t actually cancelled; my guess is that those who were booked on that cruise alone were selected to have their holiday curtailed. On paper, I, too, am booked on that cruise alone. I look forward to the result of my visit to Customer Services!
In the afternoon, the Queens Room hosted another post-pandemic first, the first guest choir concert, usually a feature on these longer voyages.
This was an outstanding and enjoyable performance of an eclectic selection of well known songs, popular with the respectably sized audience who came along. Their response was enthusiastic and noisy!
This final sea day before Port Canaveral has been and still is glorious, not too hot but lovely and sunny with azure blue white crested seas, and an interesting skyscape. Fifty shades of grey, swirling rain and off-white sea mist should be well behind us for the time being. And I remain ahead in my steps challenge for Christian Aid. Time to continue walking!
I continued my deck walking today in beautiful not too hot weather. I would stop to admire the magnificent seascapes I miss so much at home. Very occasionally, I miss the rolling hills of North Derbyshire when so far away from home.
After some more laps of the Promenade Deck, I adjourned to my stateroom where the laundry I had sent off yesterday had arrived beautifully washed and folded. It was soon time to change for dinner. Champa (not from Thailand as I thought originally) suddenly showed up for dinner, shortly after 9 o’clock. Three of us ventured to watch Mr Doyle’s final stand-up comedy routine before leaving us tomorrow. Again, his observational sketches were very funny.
It’s such a beautiful evening tonight. In six hours’ time, we shall be in Port Canaveral. We called here during the South America voyage. It was bitterly cold that day. Tomorrow, a pleasant 23°C is predicted. U.S. Immigration law requires every passenger to be examined, off the ship. I need now to return to my stateroom for some sleep. And, remember to put my watch back an hour.
THURSDAY 12th MAY in PORT CANAVERAL
What a beautiful day. Temperatures in the mid seventies Fahrenheit and a nice cool breeze, albeit a bit strong when walking against it on the beach ⛱. I could easily have stayed on the ship. However, a complimentary bus ride to Cocoa Beach not too far away and a stroll towards the pier along the sands was for me a special treat. To be fair to those less than impressed than I was, it’s not the paradise beach with sophisticated bars and umbrella covered sun loungers one might yearn for. I met up with my “table companion” for al fresco lunch. She had crab cake, me a fine chicken sandwich. I enjoyed the shopping part of the day, although she was unable to find what she was looking for in various malls and department stores (for want of a better word).
Although very far away, it is possible to discern the Space Center and its unmistakeable massive infrastructure silhouetted on the horizon. I’m going there tomorrow on a full day guided tour.
Dinner tonight was, as usual, in the Britannia Restaurant. I never tire of Cunard tomato and pepper soup. This preceded rack of lamb and trimmings. Two scoops of allegedly diabetic ice cream made a nice change from the water melon fruit plate, the only dessert available which doesn’t contravene my “strict” diet.
But, it’s an early start tomorrow. I shall try to write more about Port Canaveral in tomorrow’s blog.
In the meantime, many thanks for reading, David 23.38hrs in my stateroom.
David's Cruise 