March 23rd, 24th, 25th On the QM2 Bridge
Friday 23rd March. Was the morning that it hit us how close to home we were! Oh dear, all good things have to come to an end and I began to pack a few things in readiness. Alan went to his lecture by Captain Dick Routledge about the Concorde disaster over Paris and we met up later for lunch. During the morning we had started our transit through the Straits of Gibraltar and the sea was calm. This day was the first of the QM2 Charity Days and we were going to attend the World Cruise Charity Fair at 2.00pm. All monies raised will be divided between Shelter Box, Pegasus Children’s Trust Vision and Each – East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Alan announced that he had spoken to the Queen’s Grill Maitre D’ for permission and that he would be doing a sponsored minimum 40 length swim in the pool (where he exercises each morning at 4.30am) to raise money for the c
harities with only the Queen’s Grill guests participating! I was shocked – but had to applaud him and took a photo of him on is scooter to attach to the sponsor sheets that the Maitre D’ had offered to take to each table as he paid his usual visit during dinner. The afternoon fair was great fun and we happily tried out our skill at darts, throwing the bean bag where I won a bottle of Becks, hoop la where I won a bottle of champagne, and hugging and kissing where I paid $2 to kiss three of the crew, one being Victor, our butler! Alan kissed the girls and had his photo taken with one of the Russian dancers. There were many other games that made it most enjoyable for all who attended. The world cruise map was auctioned and raised $3,300 and many of the individual ‘cancelled’ maps were sold for around $100 each. By now we were clear of the Straits of Gibraltar and on a northerly course followi
ng the western shoreline of Portugal towards Cape Finisterre and the Bay of Biscay. After all this excitement we returned to our suite to dress in style for the Ascot Ball. Before dinner Alan waited at the dining room entrance whilst I had a quick Kir Royale in the lounge, but his intention was to be seen and recognised for his sponsorship. Most guests know each other now but he thought it would be good PR. After dinner we went to the Ball and joined a few friends until the theatre. The show was excellent as usual, and the Cunard dancers, mostly Russian, performed wonderfully as they showed us many of their traditional dances. Alan called into the dining room to see how his form was going and had a big surprise because it had already amounted to US$1,200 and there was all tomorrow to go! What a lovely end to the day.
Saturday 24th March. Alan came back to our suite at 9.00am and announced that he had achieved a swim of 60 lengths for the charity at 4.15am this morning that had been verified by the housekeeper on duty. An official notice was printed and posted in the dining room for all guests to see. I must say I was very proud of him and particularly pleased for him! Need I say – I spent most of the morning packing (all ten suitcases!) Anyway at 11.30am I went to the White Elephant Auction, this was where any guests who had bought something whilst away and then decided they didn’t want it, could donate to the charity auction. It was fun and I saw a Versace World Cruise tie go for $130! (We will keep ours.) There were all sorts of clothing and souvenirs passengers didn’t want, but I decided I had bought enough anyway and was keeping all mine! The total amount raised was US$20,108 during the two days. As usual Alan went to a lecture and this time it was ‘Safety and Seamanship’. After lunch we got an invitation from the Commodore to go and visit the bridge!! Well that was a pleasant surprise as no one is allowed up there, even by request so we felt quite privileged. It was amazing and I thought how much Andrew and Mark would have enjoyed it too, but they will have to suffice
with photos of us!!
We had all the computers and radar explained to us and much, much more. It really was a treat to stand and look out from the bridge window just like all the Officers in charge. We both took a hold of the ships steering wheel as you can see, but I think she was on autopilot at the time! What a memorable occasion this was. Following evening cocktails with a Lancashire couple we had befriended throughout the world cruise, we wandered around to say our ‘good-byes’ to some of the crew because shops would be closed until after the ship sailed from Southampton. We had also arranged that we would dine with friends, Pam and Jerry, from Australia, and Bill and Karen, from Wales, who dined at the table next to us in Queen’s Grill, so a special table for six was organised; (the staff are so obliging and nothing is too much trouble.) It was a most enjoyable and entertaining meal and we were the last to leave the dining room! Then Alan was delighted to hear from the Maitre D’ that all his hard work had paid off (literally) and the final amount he had raised was US$11,840.! Well done Alan, I say!! Tonight clocks had to go forward one hour before we arrived in France.
Sunday 25th March We had arrived in Le Havre at 5.00am where we were berthed for the day. This morning when Alan was having breakfast, as arranged the Maitre D’ gave him the monies and documentation and informed him that the Commodore had invited us to meet him on the bridge at 10.00am when he could make his presentation. We were very pleased to hear that we could present the Commodore in person and were escorted by Beniamino, our Maitre D’, and Anja, the Social Hostess, to the bridge. When Alan announce
d the amount he had raised 
Commodore Warner was in shock! Eventually, when both he and his Staff Captain could speak, they were full of praise and gratitude. Alan looked so proud. Photographs were taken and then the Commodore presented Alan with a framed photograph of the QM2 on her maiden call into Southampton.
We returned to our suite delighted with his response and generosity only to receive a telephone call from him five minutes later asking if he could drop in to our suite and sign the photo for us. Whilst Commodore Warner was with us we were able to chat informally having all recovered from the obvious astonishment at the sum donated. Then Alan and I went ashore at Le Havre and hired a taxi for a few hours that took us to Honfleur, a very pretty little port where the streets were lined with old properties dating back to the 17th century. We found a nice restaurant for lunch to celebrate Alan’s very successful achievement and enjoyed a couscous and seafood platter accompanied by a bottle of St. Emilion Grand Cru, 2000, and the buzz of the French enjoying their Sunday lunch. After a walk around the picturesque town and the purchase of some local Calvados we found our taxi and returned to the ship. Our last evening dinner on board was highly charged with enthusiasm when we were thanking everyone in the dining room that had looked after us for three months, they were a great team and we will miss them all. Then farewells to our fellow passengers, after which I left Alan to enjoy a last drink in their company whilst I returned to finalise our packing!! The weather has been chilly and reminded me of home so I am ready now to return to a normal routine and the company of family and friends. We will have to put our clocks back one hour this evening to agree with British Summer Time upon our arrival at Southampton in the morning.
What an amazing World Cruise this has been for us - on the Maiden World Cruise of the Queen Mary 2 - ending March 26th 2007. I hope that you have enjoyed sailing with us.
harities with only the Queen’s Grill guests participating! I was shocked – but had to applaud him and took a photo of him on is scooter to attach to the sponsor sheets that the Maitre D’ had offered to take to each table as he paid his usual visit during dinner. The afternoon fair was great fun and we happily tried out our skill at darts, throwing the bean bag where I won a bottle of Becks, hoop la where I won a bottle of champagne, and hugging and kissing where I paid $2 to kiss three of the crew, one being Victor, our butler! Alan kissed the girls and had his photo taken with one of the Russian dancers. There were many other games that made it most enjoyable for all who attended. The world cruise map was auctioned and raised $3,300 and many of the individual ‘cancelled’ maps were sold for around $100 each. By now we were clear of the Straits of Gibraltar and on a northerly course followi
ng the western shoreline of Portugal towards Cape Finisterre and the Bay of Biscay. After all this excitement we returned to our suite to dress in style for the Ascot Ball. Before dinner Alan waited at the dining room entrance whilst I had a quick Kir Royale in the lounge, but his intention was to be seen and recognised for his sponsorship. Most guests know each other now but he thought it would be good PR. After dinner we went to the Ball and joined a few friends until the theatre. The show was excellent as usual, and the Cunard dancers, mostly Russian, performed wonderfully as they showed us many of their traditional dances. Alan called into the dining room to see how his form was going and had a big surprise because it had already amounted to US$1,200 and there was all tomorrow to go! What a lovely end to the day.Saturday 24th March. Alan came back to our suite at 9.00am and announced that he had achieved a swim of 60 lengths for the charity at 4.15am this morning that had been verified by the housekeeper on duty. An official notice was printed and posted in the dining room for all guests to see. I must say I was very proud of him and particularly pleased for him! Need I say – I spent most of the morning packing (all ten suitcases!) Anyway at 11.30am I went to the White Elephant Auction, this was where any guests who had bought something whilst away and then decided they didn’t want it, could donate to the charity auction. It was fun and I saw a Versace World Cruise tie go for $130! (We will keep ours.) There were all sorts of clothing and souvenirs passengers didn’t want, but I decided I had bought enough anyway and was keeping all mine! The total amount raised was US$20,108 during the two days. As usual Alan went to a lecture and this time it was ‘Safety and Seamanship’. After lunch we got an invitation from the Commodore to go and visit the bridge!! Well that was a pleasant surprise as no one is allowed up there, even by request so we felt quite privileged. It was amazing and I thought how much Andrew and Mark would have enjoyed it too, but they will have to suffice
with photos of us!!
We had all the computers and radar explained to us and much, much more. It really was a treat to stand and look out from the bridge window just like all the Officers in charge. We both took a hold of the ships steering wheel as you can see, but I think she was on autopilot at the time! What a memorable occasion this was. Following evening cocktails with a Lancashire couple we had befriended throughout the world cruise, we wandered around to say our ‘good-byes’ to some of the crew because shops would be closed until after the ship sailed from Southampton. We had also arranged that we would dine with friends, Pam and Jerry, from Australia, and Bill and Karen, from Wales, who dined at the table next to us in Queen’s Grill, so a special table for six was organised; (the staff are so obliging and nothing is too much trouble.) It was a most enjoyable and entertaining meal and we were the last to leave the dining room! Then Alan was delighted to hear from the Maitre D’ that all his hard work had paid off (literally) and the final amount he had raised was US$11,840.! Well done Alan, I say!! Tonight clocks had to go forward one hour before we arrived in France.Sunday 25th March We had arrived in Le Havre at 5.00am where we were berthed for the day. This morning when Alan was having breakfast, as arranged the Maitre D’ gave him the monies and documentation and informed him that the Commodore had invited us to meet him on the bridge at 10.00am when he could make his presentation. We were very pleased to hear that we could present the Commodore in person and were escorted by Beniamino, our Maitre D’, and Anja, the Social Hostess, to the bridge. When Alan announce
d the amount he had raised 
Commodore Warner was in shock! Eventually, when both he and his Staff Captain could speak, they were full of praise and gratitude. Alan looked so proud. Photographs were taken and then the Commodore presented Alan with a framed photograph of the QM2 on her maiden call into Southampton.We returned to our suite delighted with his response and generosity only to receive a telephone call from him five minutes later asking if he could drop in to our suite and sign the photo for us. Whilst Commodore Warner was with us we were able to chat informally having all recovered from the obvious astonishment at the sum donated. Then Alan and I went ashore at Le Havre and hired a taxi for a few hours that took us to Honfleur, a very pretty little port where the streets were lined with old properties dating back to the 17th century. We found a nice restaurant for lunch to celebrate Alan’s very successful achievement and enjoyed a couscous and seafood platter accompanied by a bottle of St. Emilion Grand Cru, 2000, and the buzz of the French enjoying their Sunday lunch. After a walk around the picturesque town and the purchase of some local Calvados we found our taxi and returned to the ship. Our last evening dinner on board was highly charged with enthusiasm when we were thanking everyone in the dining room that had looked after us for three months, they were a great team and we will miss them all. Then farewells to our fellow passengers, after which I left Alan to enjoy a last drink in their company whilst I returned to finalise our packing!! The weather has been chilly and reminded me of home so I am ready now to return to a normal routine and the company of family and friends. We will have to put our clocks back one hour this evening to agree with British Summer Time upon our arrival at Southampton in the morning.
What an amazing World Cruise this has been for us - on the Maiden World Cruise of the Queen Mary 2 - ending March 26th 2007. I hope that you have enjoyed sailing with us.
posted by Alan & Marion @ 10:21 AM
0 comments
