Written on 3rd June.
This was a day to relax. Outside, it was not overly cold, but one did need a layer or two if out walking. What was interesting, and rather lovely, were the intermittent fog banks which would creep up during an otherwise clear day with almost calm seas. At times, we were in the thick of a pea-souper, but still with the sun penertrating gaps in the mist and reflecting off the gentle ripples of the sea. In compliance with Maritime Law, the ship’s siren sounded approximately every two minutes as a warning to vessels near by. I think there was the occasional whale sighting, albeit the momentary flash of a black triangle in the sea!
I only just achieved 10,000 + steps in my new quest to increase my total to 1.4 million by the end of the last full day of my travels. Averaging 10k/day will achieve this revised target – only just!
Rarely does anything disappoint me on a cruise save for the occasional dodgy shore experience! 70 years ago, on the death of her father King George VI, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, and remains Sovereign Monarch to this day. Her Coronation was on 2nd June 1953 and the first of her big jubilees was the Silver Jubilee of 1977. I remember it well as a 28 year old. Even our Lane held a street party with food, sports and other celebrations. My house did not win the best decorated on the Lane, but I was asked to declare the Street Party open! There have been several jubilees since; only the Diamond Jubilee of 2012 came anywhere close to 1977. Back then, I celebrated on board Queen Mary 2 having sailed to and from New York, and on to Northern Europe.
Now, for the real biggie, I am on board Cunard’s third ship to bear the name Queen Elizabeth as she steams towards Vancouver. I think all on board were expecting a huge build-up to a massive celebration with the entire ship decked out with bunting everywhere one went. To be fair, an effort was made, and perhaps with the difficulties of operating a cruise ship still during the pandemic, any more may not have been viable or possible. It’s all too easy to criticise. Special menus were printed and Coronation Chicken was part of a chef’s suggestion at dinner.
It was the final Gala Night of this 33 night section of the voyage from Southampton to Vancouver. Black and White being the suggested theme for formal wear. I chose the black tuxedo which I usually wear in colder climes. After dinner, and returning briefly to my stateroom to archive the commemorative menu, I slipped into the white tuxedo for after dinner drinks in the Queens Room. One of my table companions “spoke her mind” about something she had “never known before”. It was hard to tell whether this was tongue in cheek, or whether in fact I had seriously violated some etiquette I was unaware of. It was, after all, Black and White dress code, and I took it literally!
During the day, an American professor from a University in Hawaii gave an impressive account of events in the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Her material was very well researched and I only detected a couple of slight mistakes. Sadly, her presentation was not very assured, both yesterday and today.
After this morning’s lecture, I treated myself to a hair cut and some kind of therapeutic treatment which exfoliates the head and face. It all felt magnificent! Then, I joined Petra and Stefan for lunch in the Golden Lion. As usual, I opted for chicken curry.
Today is my last in stateroom 8006. From tomorrow, I will have a similar cabin towards the back of the ship. The present cruise ends tomorrow in Vancouver, and the next begins the same day at 5 pm. There was very little celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee today, just the lecture at 11 am that I have just written about. Instead, I spent the entire afternoon packing in readiness for transferring to a new cabin, again with balcony. I invited my two table companions for pre-dinner drinks as one was leaving the ship tomorrow. I should still have company for the Alaska leg of my journey; thereafter, I’m on my own. That should be interesting!
Many thanks for reading, David, 00.35hrs 4th June 2022.
David's Cruise 