David's Cruise

Tuesday 8th February 2022.

It is yet another lovely bright day, but deck walking now requires warmer attire.  The sunny side, is very pleasant, the shaded side, the harbinger of the winter towards we are headed.

Following my usual breakfast of porridge, banana, yoghurt, and a cup of tea, I headed to the Purser’s desk to attempt to arrange for the bulk of my luggage to be kept on board for the four days the ship sails to Hamburg and I drive to Buxton.  I don’t particularly want to have to manhandle three bags, two with wheels, on a 410 mile round trip by car, train and taxi.  Cross Country,  whose trains call at Southampton, take a dim view of passengers with bulky baggage clogging up their inadequate trains.  This is not a swipe at Cross Country, but at the rail industry in general where in the past, each train had a guard’s van, with ample storage capacity – even on local commuter trains.  The nice people in the Purser’s Office explained that because of covid, this may not be possible, but later contacted me confirming that the luggage I don’t want to haul around the country will be taken care of and delivered to the cabin eventually assigned to me from 15th February. That is a huge weight off my mind (er…and my wallet!) I am now wondering how much it would cost to have them couriered to Buxton on 15th March!

I have been reminded that whist sessions resume in the Atlantic Room, forward on Deck 11.  Thankfully, this is a convivial couple of hours (usually less).  I hear horror stories of the Bridge sessions elsewhere on board. But that’s all they are, stories – I think!  I also stay away from the launderette.  Right now, I am in my favourite public area, The Carinthia Lounge. Laura was in the middle of an on-board general knowledge quiz, which as ever, remains very popular and well attended. I have come across Laura from Fleetwood on previous Cunard voyages and her dry Lancashire presentation and humour goes down well. By myself, I am usually lucky to answer 3 or 4 out of 20 questions correctly, although on a previous trip, I did assist a team to a full 20 – just once, I think.

Cunard may have missed another trick. Unless I am mistaken, I believe the name of the new Cunarder is being announced at 13.00hrs.  Gala Night, I feel, should have been tonight, thus allowing a welcome extra day to pack the dinner suit. Complimentary drinks could have been offered to each passenger, especially in lieu of the pandemic affected cocktail parties, and also, a general celebration over dinner with souvenir menus might have been quite fitting.  There is not even a mention of this announcement in today’s Daily  Programme.  “Caronia” has been suggested as a contender for name of the new ship.  That would make it the fourth Cunarder to bear the name, the first entering service in 1905, the second, the year of my birth, 1949, and the third in 2000, being the former  Vistafjord of Norwegian American Line which entered service in the early 1970s,  acquired shortly afterwards by Cunard as a First Class only ship.  While in the company of Dean and Julie as well as Alan and Sue, in the Carinthia Lounge, Captain Hall, right on the dot of 1pm addressed all passengers and crew, announcing the name of Cunard’s new ship, QUEEN ANNE.  I do hope I can  be on its maiden voyage at the end of 2024, when I shall be 75. (Unbelievable!)  Cunard will then have a fleet of three cruise ships and one Ocean Liner.

The title of this blog, The Beginning of The End is appropriate. There is now that sense of at least, planning the packing. I have done very little walking today, having already exceeded my cruise target for this voyage. Nevertheless, there’s an hour or two before dinner, and I really should get some walking in.

The laundry has been delivered, with all items folded ready for the dreaded packing.

I shall write again tomorrow. Many thanks for reading, David, 17.57hrs cabin 12053, QM2. There is definite gentle movement of the ship, felt especially on the upper decks.

7

Even now, there remains just one hour until we set sail from the final port of call on this magnificent winter cruise to The Sun.  Calling at Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Cunard’s shore excursion programme provided a nostalgic opportunity to go back to the town where I experienced summer heat in the bitter February of 1981.  I would return several times, more lately by ship, the only disadvantage of that being staying just for the day rather than for a couple of weeks.  I don’t think, however, I have been here since Queen Mary 2’s  2018 World Voyage. (I might be mistaken.)   Returning today brought back a rush of memories.  In 1987, I was approached by a strange (not at all young) lady who asked if she could show me a good time. I replied “You’re too late, I’m already having one!”  I went to the very spot that particular encounter occurred, 35 years ago!  Today, I could see why I was so taken with Puerto de la Cruz all those 40 years ago.  Although still dampened by the continuing pandemic, the town remains colourful and vibrant.  The under four hours allowed were not nearly enough to re-explore everywhere, and there’s always that danger that when time is almost up, you then cannot find the bus to take you back to the ship.  Although last back to the coach, I was just one minute early, and the last on board. I’m not sure if I could detect irritation among my masked travelling companions, all who looked as if they had been sitting there for half an hour or more.  Until then, I figured the 3 and a half hours we were there was nowhere near long enough.  I did enjoy a good pizza however, the first “biggie” since being confirmed as Type 2 diabetic in 2010.

I recognised much of the town, but by now, its geography was unfamiliar, and felt that I would like to get to know this town again.

The coach was parked at the Atlantis Hotel which I remember from the 1980s. I got to look around a little, and use the facilities. All very smart and still futuristic, except the hot water tap was no longer fixed to the sink unit!  It did work, nevertheless.  I meandered around shopping areas and streets off the beaten track, not really looking for mementoes. I had the feeling I would be here again, perhaps not long from now.  I think we may call here again. (1,564 nm to Southampton).  Up to 5m swell.  29 degrees in the Caribbean, 2 degrees in Southampton,  21 degrees in Tenerife.

Queen Mary 2 has been a good place to be.  Most facilities have been open, but the ship was only half full, and thus very comfortable.  Strict social distancing operates in the public rooms with alternate tables in the King’s Court eatery “out of bounds.” Seats in Illuminations and The Royal Court Theatre are socially distanced and therefore limited. Masks still must be worn in any inside area, except when partaking of food or beverage. However, the pools, gym, and spa*  are open and very much in use.  The Daily Programme seems pretty much the same as usual.  I have not missed the now non-existent cocktail parties; others have, and are not pleased! *I am not a spa or gym person.  However, I shall try and ascertain if these facilities are affected by the covid restrictions.  We leave in six minutes; everybody is on board. Second sitting dinner is open dining between 7.45 and 9.00pm. On non Gala nights, no jacket and/or tie is acceptable in the main restaurants. This relaxation of traditional protocol is welcome, but word is that these comfortable arrangements may well not last. Wearing a mask through a movie or show is uncomfortable, but it’s far better than no holiday at all. Only one annoying thing. If you wish to purchase water for a shore excursion, Cunard explains that they are “delighted” that water will be on sale at one of the bars which are open, not at the assembly point of the tour, as was the case previously. I had to “leg it” to the Carinthia Lounge on Deck 7 from the meeting point on Deck 2, to be served a great heavy glass bottle of water for a couple of quid! Catching up with the group was a slightly anxious moment, but not as bad as when the toilet door lock failed on Queen Victoria and it took ten agonising and scary minutes to get the mechanism to engage. I was on a private tour that day, and those in the party still delight at my “misfortune!”

All the Cunard excursions I took on this trip worked out very well. A beach tour in Tortola was not so successful, but I had merely taken what I believed to be a standard trip around the island, which I enjoyed.

The Captain has announced our imminent departure and confirmed an unremarkable and reasonably comfortable sailing to Southampton with a maximum swell of 5 metres, F4-5 North and Easterly winds. 

I hope that my writings have described this voyage adequately.  Comments are welcome and if possible, can be replied to.  This is not my final blog of part 1 of my 2022 travels.  That will be on Friday from home in Buxton.

Many thanks for reading, David, 18.03hrs on board QM2. The siren has just blasted, we are off!

I have just revised this blog which I am sending out now, at 23.46hrs GMT. Yep, from yesterday, we were back to the UK time zone.

Ye Gods!  There’s less than a week to go. Nevertheless, it’s still possible to exercise on the open decks in shorts and t-shirts, ‘though many are donning something a little warmer to protect themselves from what is given as a slight easterly breeze (F1). As we are steaming west, this feels quite strong on the outer decks. 

Thoughts of how to reorganise my luggage next week cross my mind occasionally.  When eventually I do disembark QM2 in March, I will be travelling home by train, with possibly a lift or taxi from Macclesfield.  Thus there will be short distances whwre I shall have to manhandle my baggage, a fine art, which even after all these years, I have not really mastered!

Saturday 5th February is still a nice day with little, if any threat of anything unpleasant.  And there is still one more day before we dock in Santa Cruz.  I purchased my Lumix camera there in 2018….I might just take it back!  My only administrative task is to sort out the covid requirements for coming back into the U.K.  I haven’t a clue what it’s all about, bit it does occur to me that departing “this green and pleasant land” just five days later may incur some head scratching! 

Today, again, will be one of whist and walking.  There are, of course, numerous other activities available on board, and I do like the routine of going to a show after dinner each, and even staying up to watch the masked ballroom dancers glide their way around the “largest ballroom at sea.” 

For some reason, debate continues in various conversations which is “the best ship.”  For me, it’s a no brainer, QM2.  But, I usually keep my opinions to myself.  I have been extremely fortunate enough to thoroughly enjoy long voyages on both Queen Victoria (general favourite) and Queen Elizabeth (coming a very close second).  I like QM2 because of its main raison d’etre, to maintain a timetabled service across to New York, and has been designed with this in mind, and is (usually) extraordinarily stable in tempestuous waters.  I have experienced “mal de mer” in the Bay of Biscay, and the North Sea, on board QM2. There’s nothing worse!  Cunard does come in for some stick over its “extras” which other cruise lines include in their (usually higher) tariff.  I don’t drink, and I don’t generally have a problem with paying for my clothes to be beautifully laundered, or being shown around an island or city where I would see far less if I explored by myself.  However, I did do quite well in Lisbon, rattling around that city in a tuk tuk whose owner was seeking business!  (10.40hrs 5/2/22, in a bay window at the King’s Court, port side)

If I recall clearly, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, I am showing my age. You do the maths, I was 28 then, having moved to my present home outside Buxton less than two years earlier. I bought a commemorative souvenir from The Danbury Mint, and despite never having needed to purchase from them again, I still hear from that same company 45 years later! Actually, I am rather glad that they continue to produce quality memorabilia for which there is, obviously, a market.

And back in 1977, not even the Orient Express was running, being introduced in 1982 to enormous fanfare at London’s Victoria Station. If I have done the maths right, that high-end service celebrates its big 40 I think, in April this year.

Today is the final at sea before arrival at Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 08.00hrs tomorrow. Again, it is slightly cooler, and the ocean no longer like a millpond. Being Sunday, interdenominational worship was taken by Captain Hall in the Royal Court Theatre, re-purposed as a place of worship.

The Future Cruise Office, just opposite the Royal Court Theatre, was open, and with the assistance of one of the representatives, I was able to progress much of the paperwork in preparation for coming on board the week after next. I can communicate with my travel agent from Tenerife tomorrow.

Yesterday, although slightly under the weather, I just about managed to keep up with my self imposed walking regime. And today, I achieved my target for this voyage, 300,000, leaving a further 700k until the end of this year’s travels in July.

Sunday 6th February marks, as we all know, the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s Accession to the Throne following the early death of her father, King George Vl. In 2012, I wasn’t on my own contemplating the possibility of a Platinum Jubilee. I will not be in the country for the huge Platinum Jubilee celebrations, but hope there will be something very special on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth as we head towards Vancouver. Captain Hall made an appropriate announcement over the ship’s P.A system during the morning.

I joined Alan and Sue for lunch in the Britannia Restaurant at a large table by the window, but we all had commitments and skipped dessert. Eventually, I would draw at whist with the lady winner. That’s the second time I have come out on top. Alan then joined me as I walked around the Promenade Deck, completing another 10,000 steps (around 3.5 miles).

Tomorrow is the final port of call for this voyage before Southampton. I have chosen to take an organised coach trip to Puerto De La Cruz where I shall spend the day exploring old haunts. When I am back on board, the packing will begin, in an effort to avoid last minute panic!

Many thanks for reading, David, 19.10hrs, 6/2/22

Is there such a word?  I think this is Day 4 of 6 sea days between Tortola and Santa Cruz de Tenerife; I’m beginning to lose count! 

My intention of continuing my “marathon” walking was somewhat thwarted this morning, which is a pity.  Answering texts and sending e-mails, and waiting for replies, despite being up at around 08.00hrs, took up the entire morning. I did finish off yesterday’s blog, also, and sent a huge long reply to a WhatsApp message from my sister which appears to have just vanished into the ether… Sorry Mary!  I think I have just about managed to co-ordinate the delivery and assembly of a cabinet to St.John’s Church to house the existing sound system. This has meant liaising between the cabinet supplier and the churchwarden by e-mail, and eventually by phone @ £1.88 / minute!  Doing most of this from inside my cabin made me feel I was back home in Buxton. (surrealism). But a small lunch and a bright day has brought me back to this temporary reality.  Now to lose at whist again!

And I did; the cards did not fall like they did yesterday. Having had a smallish bit of something to eat at lunch time, I followed the whist session with my now famous mini afternoon tea. Then, it was time to walk…with difficulty at first, but somehow, I managed (throughout the day) approximately four miles either inside or on the Promenade Deck. Alan (who informed me about the bargains on the next cruise) joined me and made sure I got several laps in. Walking is somehow much easier with company.

I had joined Jean, Joan and Jack for a spot of afternoon tea, then for dinner, and later in the Queen’s Room where the combined Queen’s Room and Royal Court Orchestra provided big band music for dancing. Masks still need to be worn when on the dance floor. It was this restriction or instruction which caused an unpleasant kerfuffle at the beginning of this voyage, which now feels an age ago. Masks are still required to be worn inside the ship, except when eating/drinking. Now, I have to check the covid regulations for disembarkation next Friday. There are two more sea days before arrival at Tenerife. I shall ascertain all of this sooner rather than leaving it to the last minute. I remain incredibly comfortable on this massive liner, and I’m rather glad to be starting this all over again in 10 days’ time. Now, it’s the next day, 00.34hrs GMT-2.

Thanks for reading, David, 00.36hrs GMT-2, 5th February 2022; the year is going quickly.

Another magnificent morning, albeit just that little bit cooler, 22 degrees Celsius.  The sea remains almost like a millpond, few clouds in the sky, and a few early sun worshippers on the open decks, bronzed like tarnished pennies!  The Promenade Deck is congested with walkers getting their steps in.

I called my travel agent this morning, who completed arrangements for my next sojourn on QM2 from 15th February.  The thought of heading for another (unplanned) dose of Caribbean sunshine is awesome, freezing in New York, perhaps, less so. The inspiration for this “decadence” was (a) meeting a couple for whom this was their second of two consecutive Eastern Caribbean cruises, and (b) Alan from Kent, who, with his wife, Sue announced at the dinner table, the almost give-away cost of staying on board for another 32 days (including sailing to Hamburg to pick up passengers travelling from there).  Immediately, I was sorely tempted. Even with the (annoying) supplement for solo travellers, this felt too good an opportunity not to, at least, consider.  Having “considered,” I now have a little rearranging at home, to do in the four days between arrival a week on Friday, and departure on the following Tuesday. 

I have set a steps target in anticipation of a possible Christian Aid fund raising event, 1 million steps on board ships, and during land travel between January 14th and July 15th.  This, actually, is not as impressive as it might look. Already, I have completed over 250,000 in the first 20 days.  Previously, my sponsored walking was in the scenic confines of Derbyshire, Cheshire and a tiny bit of Staffordshire, all within 18 miles of home.  This time, the area is much wider, taking in bits of Europe, as well as Central and North America including Alaska and Canada.  The blog will make for much more interesting reading (I would think) than my efforts in 2021.

The cards fell a little better for me at the whist drive this afternoon, which followed a light lunch in the King’s Court. ( I won!) I had completed some deck walking this morning, and would attempt to exceed my record for this voyage. During my rambles, mainly around the Promenade Deck, I had the opportunity to gaze upon a vast and still ocean. Although there was nothing to see but water, that never ending expanse was so spectacular in its oily calmness.

There was another fiery sunset tonight as the Sun battled with a few clouds for supremacy and was partially successful.

Dinner tonight was in the form of a private party in the Verandah Restaurant.

This morning, I awoke early, with another glorious sea day ahead to look forward to.

Many thanks for reading, David 08.40 (GMT-2) 4/2/22.

Perhaps not!  I awoke after another decent sleep, to be reninded over the ship’s P.A. system that the ship’s crew would be undertaking their regular safety drill, and that the Promenade Deck should be avoided.  I would take some exercise on the open upper decks instead, except that outside, it was raining cats and dogs.  I ventured down to the Carinthia Lounge and, after a fruit salad for breakfast, and enjoyed convivial conversation with a couple I had met previously when my Lumix camera was misbehaving. (It seems OK now.)   So engrossed was I in the conversation that, apart from the small dish of exotic fruit salad, I skipped breakfast, no bad thing perhaps, although rarely do I need to indulge in the varied cooked cuisine always available.  

There is a disappointing slight deterioration in the weather, with heavy rain this morning. However, 23 degrees Celsius is still a vast improvement on what’s on offer in North Derbyshire. Apparently, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, our next port of call, is sporting temperatures of 18 Celsius.

Lunch in the Britannia Restaurant with good sea views starboard side is, again tranquil and relaxed with “Mozart-esque” music piped gently through the restaurant’s sound system.  I tried the spiced rice pudding as a dessert, assured of its low sugar content. In just over an hour, I anticipate losing at whist for a second day!  A mini afternoon tea afterwards should keep me “sustained” until dinner from 19.45hrs.  I now have regular table companions at their chosen table 404, between the Captain’s Table and the Grand Staircase to the Upper Britannia Restaurant on Deck 3.  

This afternoon, I have an “appointment” with the Future Cruise people.  I remain not quite decided whether to indulge in a re-run of what continues to be a fine and relaxing voyage, with day after day of wonderful fresh sea air.  An unplanned second helping of Caribbean sunshine remains a most appealing prospect. Also, calls at New York in both directions (even in February) are an attractiveprospect. 

I did slightly better at whist this afternoon but didn’t come anywhere near the top scorers. I think twelve joined the whist session this afternoon, as ever, in the little used, but attractive Atlantic Room.

At afternoon tea, this afternoon, the resident harpist entertained gently in the Queen’s Room. I then kept my appointment with the Future Cruise people. Yes, I have decided (perhaps impulsively) to do this all over again, this time calling at New York, St. Thomas, and St. Lucia. We also revisit Philipsburg-St. Maarten, Roseau-Dominica, Bridgetown-Barbados, and Basseterre-St. Kitts. A former work colleague has secured a slightly better deal than that available on board. Thankfully, therefore, arrival at Southampton on February 11th isn’t the end of the story. I plan to leave most of my stuff on board, taking home just enough to get through the four days before setting off again.

After visiting the Future Cruise Office, and texting friends back at home, I continued my quest to achieve 300,000 steps during this 28 day voyage. Tonight, the famous 2nd February 2022, the night is still balmy. I am well fed and entertained. Perhaps, time for nocturnal walkies. Because of attending tonight’s show in the Royal Court Theatre, two virtuoso cellists from Poland, who were quite extraordinary, I missed the 22.22hrs time of sending this blog, (2/2/22, 22.22hrs) My phone still tells me it’s 22.14 hrs.

The sea breeze, while admittedly cooler, is still warm enough to enjoy in summer attire. Day 2 at sea was most pleasant throughout. I shall write further tomorrow and will do a couple of laps right now, before getting my head down.

Many thanks for reading, David 23.22hrs, 2/2/22 (22.22hrs on my ‘phone)

Still Day 1 at sea with the sun now setting on the horizon at the stern of the ship. The evening breeze still allows for shorts and t-shirts, although I wonder for how many more evenings this will be the case. I have achieved my 10,000 steps target in good time, after losing miserably at whist earlier this afternoon. The organiser, Michael invited me to join him and Sandy for formal afternoon tea in the Queen’s Room. A string trio played for the guests, recreating something that might well have occurred in the days of regular timetabled steamship travel. The sea has been calm, flying fish came into view on many occasions, one falling victim to a bird which must have hitched a lift on QM2! Now, it’s time to don the white tuxedo for a Gala evening. What I do like is not having to wear a jacket for dinner on casual nights. I have heard nobody complain that standards have dropped, the usual comment on a sea voyage!

Thanks for reading, David, 19.19 hrs 1/2/22. It might be difficult to post a blog tomorrow at 20.22hrs, 2/2/22, but I will try at 22.22hrs tomorrow!

You couldn’t make it up! A gorgeous calm sea, a slight wind, and summer-esque temperatures. Sunloungers and steamer chairs are “at a premium” as passengers soak some still much welcome sunshine. Former acquaintances on the South America voyage are on board today. Whist sessions thus resume in the Atlantic Room forward on Deck 11, one time domain exclusive to those travelling on a full World Voyage. This is one area where the Queen Victoria/Elizabeth scores one-up on the revered Queen Mary 2. World Cruise exclusive areas on QV and QE are in much more airy and open spaces where plenty of light gets in. Back in 2020, I did have misgivings about devoting a couple of hours to playing cards, particularly on a glorious afternoon in a windowless but substantial room on Queen Victoria. However, I soon got to enjoy this routine, occasionally winning! The whole covid 19 pandemic separates then from now. Now, I am so very thankful to be where I am right now, once again dodging the cold and winds of the U.K. in February. In 2020 (from 28th March) I hardly left the county. Nevertheless, opportunities opened up to explore the local countryside in lieu of more exotic travel. This was no bad thing, and in fact, some of the more difficult walks in the vicinity of home, stood me in good stead for the rather difficult scenic coastal walk in St. Maarten.

Last night, after a bone rattling afternoon riding around the British Virgin Island of Tortola on a primitive open van (see yesterday’s pictures) it was time to bid farewell to the group of subtropical (I think!) islands in the Caribbean and North Atlantic. Already, we were informed that the next day (today) clocks would be advanced one hour, not at 2am, but at midday when noon becomes 13.00 hrs. This is one of my very few irritations with Cunard. I have never understood what is to be gained changing the hour at noon. Tonight is Gala Night, at one time more elegantly announced as Formal Night. Out will come the white tuxedo and a freshly laundered dress shirt. My diminishing hair will be combed into place, and I shall speak in BBC English, lapsing (inadvertently) into my more usual northern dialect, which I did not get from my parents to whom BBC English came naturally!

Yesterday was the second during which I failed to achieve 10,000 steps (around 3.5 miles). I wasn’t far off at 8,713, but the energy to walk the remaining c1,300 just wasn’t there. I “slept for England” last night and awoke rejuvenated and still debating whether to splurge on a repeat trip, this time via New York in both directions, instead of Lisbon and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Being served delicious porridge and fresh fruit each morning with a sea view is (as the song playing over the P.A. right now) Irresistible!

In just under twenty minutes, noon becomes 13.00 hrs.

Many thanks for reading. David, 11.41hrs The Carinthia Lounge, Deck 7 port side. Time4walkies!

7

Lunch in the Britannia Restaurant, again at a window seat, consisted of a kind of beef soup, followed by a strange but delicious chicken dish for which a soup spoon was required for the sauce which I was unfamiliar with. Fruit plate and a decaff latte left me with plenty of time to collect my things for this afternoon’s shore excursion.

It seems that Road Town is the unlikely name of the settlement where its port can, nevertheless, accept at least two major cruise ships, without the need to tender from an anchored position outside.  The final shore excursion The Best of Tortola more or less delivered “what it said on the tin,” and provided participants with a decent tour of the island, including a one hour break at a marina/restaurant complex which was very pleasant.

So endeth, obviously sadly, our all too brief time in the North Atlantic and Caribbean.  Yesterday, I was very enthusiastic about doing this all over again, four days after we arrive in Southampton.    (We have just set off!  18.23hrs).  Theoretically, it’s possible. I just have to work out how practical this might actually be. At least, I now have year-round travel insurance to cover any world-wide travel completed in under thirty-two days. The lights of the Virgin Isles fade into the horizon as R.M.S. Queen Mary 2 steams west towards Tenerife.

Many thanks for reading, David, on the open decks of Queen Mary 2, 19.10hrs. The Thos would be “quite amused!”