Blog 850. Is this How it’s Going to Be?

Day 2 of 102. Black and White Gala Night.

Today, 12th January, marks the 19th anniversary of the first day of the maiden voyage of RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004.

Don’t be fooled by the title of today’s blog; I am having a great time!  Queen Mary 2 is ploughing through a severe gale (force 9),  and my cabin looks straight out on to the mountainous frothy waves outside.   One such wave crashed against my window with a frightening thud!  At home, for some reason, I had forgotten about the joyous and exhilarating sensation of being tossed around in high seas, beneath menacing grey skies, in the pouring rain.  So beginneth the QM2 Centenary World Voyage, and so far, the atmosphere on board is generally one of contentment.

  It’s only me who, so far, has a couple of moans!   Paint is pealing at the window surrounds of my otherwise excellent stateroom, and the washbasin empties with the stopper plugged in.  Originally, it was hinted that both QM2 and QV would call at some places visited on Laconia’s historic voyage a hundred years ago.  While MV Queen Victoria will happen to call at a small number, especially in the Pacific, RMS Queen Mary 2, I think, will just call at Columbo and Singapore, where the celebratory dinner will take place.  Nevertheless, a journey to the other side of the world remains a phenomenal and privileged prospect. 

As you can imagine, we are not allowed on the open decks today.  This is not a problem; I don’t feel overly inclined to traipse around the Boat Deck against the harsh winds outside.

This morning, after trying to photograph the rough seas from my stateroom, I headed for a light breakfast in the Kings Court buffet area on Deck 7.  I had slept well, and it had become somewhat late in the morning.  No longer is there a team of serving personnel in the Kings Court.  You now help yourself.  I had my usual breakfast of oatmeal with banana and plain yoghurt.  Jo caught up with me. We compared notes, especially on how far we had progressed with the unpacking.  It’s gone 3 pm now, and I still haven’t started unpacking the big suitcase.  I’m in no hurry. And tonight, I’m not exactly anxious to change into formal wear for Cunard’s Black and White Gala/Ball.  I still refer to these evenings as formal rather than gala nights.

This morning, when getting dressed, I lamented how dirty my stateroom window had become, presumably with salt deposits from the sea.  Much to my astonishment, two tiny waterjets sprayed water onto the window, clearing said window of the salt deposits, which I assumed I would have to put up with until maybe the end of the cruise. 

So, what are the changes and differences between now, and my voyages in 2022.  So far, there doesn’t seem to be any leaflets or paperwork covering the shore excursions/experiences.  Details are on an inconvenient website, which so far, is fairly easy to navigate.  Last night, no newspaper was delivered. I ask myself, “Is this an administrative error or a further money-saving exercise?”  The Daily Programmes are formatted differently, but do seem better laid out than in the past.  None of this really matters.  My cabin is fabulous, more like a small boutique hotel room than a typical stateroom on a ship.  Nevertheless, in rough seas, it rolls around just the same.  But it’s in the least turbulent part of the ship, midships, and low down.

Tonight, I will not be donning my tuxedo for the Black and White themed Gala Night, opting instead to choose to dine in one of the venues where formal attire is not mandatory, perhaps in the Kings Court buffet on Deck 7.  My feeling is that with still over a hundred days to go, there is more than enough time to get into the routine of things.   It is now early evening, 17.40 hrs, and almost dark.  My stateroom takes on a sophisticated ambience as evening falls.

Tonight’s Weather Information still indicates severe gales, force 9. We are steaming at 19.6 knots in rough seas. Winds over the deck are 40 – 43 knots, and still, passengers are not allowed out!

As between January and July last year, when I attempted 1,000,000 steps in aid of that year’s Christian Aid Week, I am doing the same this year, this time both at home as well as on my travels, between January 1st and May 31st, in support of Christian Aid Week 2023.

Tomorrow (Day 3) will be our second at sea, prior to our first port of call, Lisbon. The weather should have calmed down a little, and with luck, the open decks will be available, enabling some outside exercise.

Many thanks for reading, David, 19.10 hrs, 12/1/23.