January 10th,11th,12th.

We had cruised 952 nautical miles south from New York to Fort Lauderdale where we began our disembarkation on Wednesday, January 10th, at 10.15am. We were escorted off the Queen Elizabeth 2 and through US Customs!!! There’s a story to tell – but need I say more? Then identifying our baggage before it was loaded onto the Queen Mary 2 was a bit of a hassle searching for each suitcase while Alan looked after those retrieved. Eventually, although we did have a (useless) assistant, Alan located a baggage handler who quickly, at a price, took our baggage to the loading bay whilst we were escorted to the shuttle bus. Then boarding procedure began - of course we got the trainee on her first day!! After four photo attempts for our ship’s cruise card – having to tell her how to receipt our passports – explaining that as UK citizens we did not require a Brazilian visa – asking her to return our credit card (which is now logged for the shipboard account at boarding station) I think I was about ready to explode. Alan had already flopped and was sitting nearby on his scooter! After a short walk up the gangway pushing the wheelchair containing two suitcases (I had let the assistant go) we were greeted by a cheerful, smiling ship’s crew and taken to Deck 9, Suite 9057 – I actually cried with relief! I felt as though I was home at last! Our suite was gorgeous with a welcoming bottle of champagne, and we have a whirlpool bath too! The sun was shining with temperature at 20 degrees – bliss!

Our butler, Victor, from Equador, arrived and introduced himself, he said he wanted to be just as efficient and helpful as our butler at home! (I must get Alan some white gloves to wear with his Ascot Suit when we return!) Our steward is a very nice young man too. (I didn’t think I would use the butler service, but have since enjoyed his presence for serving my breakfast in our suite, sorting out our other needs and fetching tickets etc for us)
We went straight to the restaurant for lunch and chose a very good table in a corner with views. The first two men we met were Americans, Warren and Ed, (David and John, you will no doubt know of Ed Richard, the producer of Summer and Smoke, by Tennessee Williams, now playing at, I think he said the Appollo). They were seated nearby and chat most evenings during dinner. After lunch we decided to unpack properly and put everything in its place for the next 72 days. I have the dressing room and Alan has three wardrobes, so enough space for everything. It was a very tiring day and we were looking forward to departure at 5.00pm. We were moored next to QE2 and there was a flotilla of small boats cruising around waving etc. while the band played on deck awaiting the start of our Maiden World Cruise. BUT – we did not depart until 8.00pm – many of the US citizens who boarded did not have their Brazilian visas and the ship was not allowed to sail until they had been acquired by the ship’s staff! There are 1700 passengers on this first segment who will leave at San Francisco, and 500 like us on the world cruise- we are finding many extra advantages available to us, which is very nice indeed! We had dinner and met our other diners seated close by, it was a relaxing evening and we went to bed early.
Wednesday, January 11th, our first day at sea - with 4527 nautical miles ahead of us before Rio. Time to relax, but we managed to be busy all day! Alan had a swim, I went to the laundry (might ask Victor to do it next time) we went to the Planetarium show, the shopping mall and I logged on for 32 hours Internet use at a cost of $479 (that’s with 50% discount for prepaid) so that should see us through to the end of March. (Do keep in touch) We sailed past the Bahama Islands during the day with temperatures of around 23 degrees so it was lovely to be out on the balcony enjoying the beautiful blue ocean. The Queens Grill restaurant is absolutely wonderful and the food is amazing (I am having the calorie counted dishes at this stage.) At the evening black and white ball the elegance on board was far superior to that on our transatlantic crossing. We enjoyed the glamour of the variety show and are so looking forward to everything ahead of us.
Clocks went forward one hour on the morning of Friday, January 12th (we are 4 hours behind you.) Alan had been up and in the pool and Jacuzzi before 6.00am and I awoke to brilliant sunshine, 28 degrees (80 f) to spend the morning on the balcony breathing wonderful fresh air while he went to a Fabergé show and lecture. At this time we were passing between the islands of Peurto Rico and Hispaniola followed by Culebra and St Thomas. By lunch time we were 3500 nautical miles away from Rio. The ocean was one mile deep at this point, but we haven’t seen any sea life yet! Throughout the afternoon we were in the 18 mile passage of the Caribbean Sea between Guadeloupe and Dominica in the Leeward Islands. (Are you marking your maps Eloise, Thomas, Abigail and Emma?) I haven’t had time to play on the Xbox in our suite, with 73 games to choose from – but I will at some time. The interactive TV is great we can order, book, view our account or watch many other programmes at a click of a switch. The evening was another formal occasion and another glamorous dress. We are looking out for the Gaugles and O'Hanlans.