Alan and Marion's World Cruise

Saturday, January 06, 2007

January 4th,5th,6th

On the afternoon of Thursday, January 4th, I found my way to the gym, which was way down in the bowels of the ship! Not a lot of equipment and therefore a need to book ones time on each machine. I was delighted that on this occasion I was able to exercise my needs there and then, probably because most passengers were suffering the effects of the rough sea. The pool was closed at this time, but looked inviting. Another formal evening and delicious dinner, with more guests appearing around the ship as they found their sea legs! We had quite a laugh in the Golden Lion pub watching the karaoke until midnight when we put our watches back for the third time, after which we relocated to the Yacht Club for the 60’s rock n’roll dance. The sea continued to roll us about when we awoke on Friday, January 5th, and the Captain announced that it was unlikely to change for the next 24 hours. Alan had been out and about since 5.00am and had dared to venture out on deck for some fresh air, finding a sheltered corner where he wouldn’t get blown overboard! We strolled around the ship’s shopping mall (not without spending) as there was a jewellery show prior to a talk on ‘gem stones’, which we attended before lunch. In the afternoon Dr Terry Waite, CBE, gave his first of three lectures about his experiences as a hostage in Beirut. Alan stayed for Ted Scull’s lecture specialising in New York’s railway and maritime subjects and I returned to the gym before our black and white formal evening. The ships dress code has to be strictly adhered to from 6.00pm daily, but in comparison to the Queen Mary 2 I do not think that female guests dress as elegantly, there are far fewer glamorous gowns! The Queen’s Grill lounge offers superb canapés with drinks pre dinner so we found a pleasant seat and enjoyed the moment. Our evening entertainment was opera singer JC Fisher, an interesting hour, one of many choices. However, choosing between pianist, harpist, two vocalists, dancing or karaoke gave us little to get excited about. I think this ship is for classical music enthusiasts. The theatre company are still rehearsing as they embarked at Southampton, so as yet they have not put on a show! I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to boarding Queen Mary for their entertainment schedule! I haven’t been to the casino so that pleasure has yet to come and the films showing are not of particular interest to me.
After putting back our watches again we awoke just south of New Foundland on Saturday, January 6th, to a calmer sea and thick fog, but at least we felt little of the ships movement, the squeaks were greatly reduced, our picture now hung still and our doors did not need to be secured. Alan had his first early morning swim as the pool was now open. I am enjoying late breakfasts in our suite whilst Alan eats in the Queens grill every morning. We were invited to the Captains World Club member’s cocktail party at 11.30am where we were introduced to Mrs Muller, who has been a resident on the ship for 13 years! The Captain was unavoidably detained due to the thickening fog. Air temperature outside was 3degrees and the fog was caused through the cold water coming south from the St Lawrence River and meeting the relatively warm air of the Atlantic. (It had been 12 degrees all the way across the ocean from the UK) We were several miles north of where the Titanic went down, but very confident in the Queen Elizabeth2! After lunch a leisurely afternoon before exercising the calories away and preparing for the evening red, white and blue ball.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home