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.

January 8th & 9th

Monday, January 8th and we arrived in New York at the Brooklyn cruise terminal at 6.00am after travelling 3124 nautical miles (3592 statute miles) from Southampton in some of the roughest seas we have experienced. The Captain announced that we had cruised in force, 7, 8 and 9 gales throughout our six day transatlantic crossing. It was raining and warmer than expected at 8 degrees centigrade when we moored. Mist hovered around the sky scraper buildings hiding their enormity from view, but we were within sight of the Statue of Liberty as she stood out in all her beauty on the dismal landscape. We disembarked for immigration at 9.45am and went quickly through the fingerprint and passport check (although I don’t appear to have any finger prints at all!) Nevertheless the nice man let us through for the 10.00am transfer to Manhattan and after travelling through the Battery Tunnel under East River we were at the Sheraton Hotel on 53rd Street by 10.30am. I had hoped that we would have been taken over the Brooklyn Bridge - but not on this journey! Alan had his wheelchair but he walked all the way to Saks on 5th Avenue at the junction of 50th Avenue (about 30 minutes). At this time the temperature was 16 degrees centigrade and it was raining, so we decided to have lunch. The restaurant on the 8th floor was very elegant and we both enjoyed our $50 lunch. From there we descended floor by floor admiring the amazing designer fashions – not to be beaten I did try on a few and settled for a little chiffon number by Fuzzi (I desperately wanted a Saks bag!!) The rain had stopped by 2.00pm and we decided to stroll back along 5th Avenue to pick up our shuttle bus at 3.00pm. En route we popped into H. Stern the jewellers and browsed!! Of course we can buy on the QM2 from the H Stern shop if we choose so I decided not to purchase the earrings at $20,000!!!! Here we are on 5th Avenue…….

We boarded the QE2 at 4.00pm disappointed that we hadn’t gone over the Brooklyn Bridge (our reason to return?) Our departure time of 5.00pm was delayed until 6.45pm when we set sail for Fort Lauderdale in Florida, where we will disembark from this ship and embark on QM2. After dinner we watched JimTavare, a talented musician with his double bass comedy act. He was unique and very amusing.
We awoke on Tuesday, January 9th to a brilliant blue sky, sunshine and a perfect blue calm sea. The temperature was 12 degrees in a strong breeze. Alan and I started our packing and then took a break to go to the Thallasso Spa for a massage in the mineral water baths, it was wonderful. After lunch we did more packing and then I popped into the cinema to see The Devil Wears Prada while Alan rested before our second visit of the day to the Spa. We were looking forward to the evenings entertainment because it was the first of the Cunard Theatre Company’s shows. (midnight) Just come out from the show and it was great!! The theatre company join the QM2 in Sydney so we can cath up with the rest of their shows then!

January 7th.

Last evening’s Ball, which followed our exceptional dining experience in the Queens Grill, was most enjoyable because there was also a dancing demonstration by two professionals. The ocean was quite rough again over night but by Sunday morning, January 7th, it had calmed, although there were strong winds. We are currently heading south west toward New York at 24.3 knots and have received our immigration cards to complete for arrival. Apparently, everyone, including crew, will have to disembark for immigration inspection regardless of nationality. We have purchased tickets on the shuttle bus to Midtown Manhattan ($15 each) for our shopping and sightseeing day because we were informed that the city taxi drivers do not pick up fares for journeys to our mooring at the Brooklyn cruise terminal on East River. This morning we had a lazy morning with breakfast in our suite then Alan went to a lecture by Captain Les Evans, who flew Concorde between 1999 – 2003. I watched it on the TV channel after my film, King Kong, had ended. (All lectures are repeated on the TV so we don’t miss any). Unfortunately, on his way back the lift doors trapped him on his scooter as he was leaving, so much so that another passenger had to prize them open! Alan’s arms were badly bruised and he was taken to the medical centre where he was checked over and given Ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation. I had to tighten up screws on the scooter arm rests and polish scratches to the base - is this the beginning of our holiday? He was quite shaken (or shaking actually) but gradually settled down over lunch when we and our fellow passengers made light of it. He then went to another lecture, the second by Ted Scull on the history of New York, which I later viewed on TV. I went to a ‘hot spot’ to log on for my emails and then we met to watch the Talent Competition!! (The first variety show of our cruise - and it was fun!) Alan had invited two couples from near by tables to have pre-dinner champagne with us in the Queens Grill lounge because Dick and Joann Hemp, from Reno, Nevada, were to disembark the next morning. Here we are before our parting…. After dinner I caught the late showing of Superman Returns at the cinema and Alan went to the variety show to see Jeri Sager, JC Fisher, Vincenzo Gentile and Suzanne Godfrey before we retired to prepare for our early start in New York.