All yesterday afternoon and early evening was spent gathering my belongings together in bags and suitcases. By around 9am this morning, all was ready for transfer to my new cabin, still on Deck 8 on the port-side, but much further back. At lunch time, Michael, my new cabin steward introduced himself to me and checked the time I would like my room prepared for both day and night configuration. Alex and Larry during the voyage so far were both excellent, and preempted my requirements before ever I had to ask.
It feels a tad strange in Vancouver today. I was here in 2019, and already this morning, I have checked out the Cathedral and the Hotel Vancouver where I shall stay at the end of this voyage on 14th June. It’s quite warm outside but somewhat cloudy. Quite why I wake up just in time to photograph an important bridge or famous landmark, I don’t really know. I took a peek through the curtains this morning just in time to take pictures of what I think is the Lions Gate Bridge. This connects Vancouver with the districts of North and West Vancouver. The bridge opened in 1938, and cast concrete lions were installed at both ends a year later. In fact, the “Lions” I believe, are a couple of hills or peaks in North Vancouver.
I was required to attend both Canadian and U.S. immigration procedures along with all other passengers carrying on to Alaska. Having handed in my Canadian documents, I found my way into the city and headed towards the Cathedral and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, once part of the Canadian Pacific empire, along with numerous other Canadian Pacific hotels along the rail route to Quebec City. I think there are around ten such hotels; I will have stayed at two of them by the end of this holiday, The Royal York in Toronto, and Hotel Vancouver. I returned to the ship at around 11.10 to attend U.S. immigration, and have checked out my new stateroom. I shall take another walk into town before sail-away.
The plan was to locate a camera shop in the hopes of replacing my now unserviceable Lumix Camera. With just 90 minutes before having to be on board, the port staff advised me not to return to the city centre; U S. Immigration which I would have been required to go through again, might have created further hold-ups due to three ships being in port and several thousand passengers needing to be processed.
The three cruise ships in Vancouver were Holland America’s Koningsdam, Majestic Princess and our ship, Queen Elizabeth.
Holland America’s Kiningsberg was the first cruise ship to depart with a continuous blast on its siren as she positioned herself for the voyage to Alaska, followed by our ship, Queen Elizabeth, and finally, playing some kind of melody on its siren, Majestic Princess.. Passengers lined the decks of their three ships waiving joyously across to those on the neighbouring cruise ships. Gorgeous varying backdrops, high rises, futuristic architecture and snowcapped hills made for a spectacular sail-away. There was a definite sense of excitement as the new compliment of passengers watched from the open decks as we headed once again past Stanley Park and under the Lions Gate Bridge. Queen Elizabeth would then pass through the Strait of Georgia with Vancouver Island to the port-side, then making her entrance pass Cape Mudge into Discovery Passage which separates Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. Today, we continue along the Inside Passage towards Glacier Bay where we arrive at noon tomorrow. There is much detail here, gleaned from Sunday’s Daily Programme as well as the Navigational Channel on the stateroom T.V. There was little to see in the evening, bar various distant lights, and few close up which were buoys illuminated, marking out the channel through the ‘First Narrows’ over which is the Lions Gate Suspension Bridge.
Tonight was the last of the “first nights” where passengers embarked for their chosen voyage. Our table, 505 remains the same, with just two or occasionally three of the six “original” table companions still on board. Just two of us dined last night which I think we both enjoyed. I listened to some music in an almost empty Golden Lion before getting my head down for a decent sleep.
Many thanks for reading, David, Blog completed Sunday 5th June, 11.50, after Church.
David's Cruise 
Hi David,
our Vancouver trip was not as interesting as yours as we were on our way home. We enjoyed the highlights tour, the precurser to being dropped at the Fairmont Hotel at the airport. It was nice of Cunard to arrange for the use of a day room to rest and kill time before our flight to Heatrhrow. The room was specatular and our Queen Elizabeth stateroom would have been swollowed up three times I guess. Airports are not for the fainthearted these days for as smoth as they try to make it there is always a tripup along the way. The whole process from arrival to actually sitting on the aircraft is tiring. The Airbus A380 is a fine aircraft. I mused at the way they lead you past the first class seating to whet your appetite before entering the sardine seating area where we had our seats in the middle row of four. This was to be our space for the 9.5 hour flight. It was cramped with little room to move and the only joy was the tiny interactive screen in front of me. We were fed and watered and I must say the chichen meal was very good although not a patch on the Britania Restaurant offerings. I did manage to sleep on and off but the confinement left me feeling very uncomfortable. Off the plane was a very smooth tranision the only bugbear was waiting at the carrosol for our luggage that took an age. It’s a dull drizzly day in London and no better as we were driven into Northamptonshire. At home, no afternoon tea here and no milk in the fridge until I go shopping tomorrow.
Keep up the good work David and huge congratulations on achieving 1000000 steps. I love the blog
Best wishes, Bob (of Bob & Kate fame).
Long live the Queen
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