The haircut now out of the way it was time to pack the car for the 45 minute drive to the Ocean Terminal. It was a bit of a squeeze, with 4 large suitcases, a couple of suit carriers, dress carrier and hand luggage. We were there just after 12:15 and pointed at the priority queue for embarkation. Less than 30 minutes later we were in cabin 5149, with Jane eyeing up the Pol Acker. I steered her away from that with the promise of lunch. By this time the bags had arrived, so we rescued them from the corridor
Month: December 2019
The muster drill was later than normal at 17:00, which messed up our usual five o’clock drinks an the Commodore Club. At least we didn’t need to take our life jackets back to the stateroom as they aren’t required at muster anymore. Jane was happy to get a Cosmopolitan once the drill was finished, we only had one though before heading back to to get changed for dinner. It was very nice to see we had a full table for dinner, usually there’s a couple of absentees, overcome by the travelling. Of the ten of us, six are on the
The clocks went back an hour last night so we got an extra hour in bed. Much appreciated since the Cunard beds are so comfortable. I went to the gym for a run at 7am, which was surprisingly busy, followed by kippers for breakfast in the Britannia dining room. Today’s first lecture was Penny Legg’s history of Southampton where Jane had a nice nap. Next came Chris Frame and his lectures on Cunard. I really enjoyed his lecture, and will return for more if the are at a sensible time. Lunch in the Britannia was nice, mackerel pate and feta
The clocks went back an hour overnight, which made getting ready for breakfast very leisurely. We breakfasted with a French couple on their first cruise, they were loving it so far, but she was very worried about the Masquerade ball tomorrow and wether she had enough of a “fancy dress” but we explained that it wasn’t obligatory and she could get as involved as she wanted with the theme. The first of the insights lectures in Illuminations today is Chris Frame’s Cunard chat. It’s very well attended, I suspect quite a few are here to claim a seat for David
Dress code for dinner was casual, so no penguinification but I did end up wearing a tie, plain white shirts are a bit boring. We popped into the Chart Room for a pre dinner cocktail and met up with the final couple from our table. We sat diagonally opposite them on the previous two evenings, so they joined us and we found out that they too are on the same itinerary as us leaving the ship post Caribbean. I am pleased to confirm that contrary to opinion, canapés are still served in both the Commodore Club and the Chart Room
Yet another day for the clocks to go back, so another lie in, which made my 7am gym session almost seem civilised. The gym is very busy at this time, not full, as there were free treadmills, but not far off. The swell was minimal this morning, which made my run more pleasant, I only had to hold on with one hand to maintain my balance. After a shower it was off to the MDR for breakfast, muesli followed by kippers and poached eggs. There are fewer insights lectures today, the first was at 11am, so we went to the
It’s a shock when the alarm goes off and you’re missing an hour because the clocks didn’t go back, even so I dragged myself out of bed and off to the gym for the next session in the futile battle over my ever expanding waistline. 45 minutes later I was back at the stateroom with a morning cup of hot chocolate for Jane and a beetroot and ginger smoothie for me. There’s a special on at the moment – 20 items laundered for $40, which seems very good value to me, especially if I don’t have to battle my way
I had a lie in today, I’ve done the gym five days straight, and it was very bumpy at 6:30 so I thought I’d give it a miss. We went to the buffet for breakfast and the selection there is very good so requested an omelette from the egg fairy. We thought we’d sit in the Carinthia Lounge for a while via a trip to the Pursers desk to get a statement. We’ve about halfway through our OBC, which isn’t too bad as that also includes the service charge. The sun is out, we haven’t seen it for a couple
Today it’s the final sea day of the crossing, we arrive in New York at 06:30 tomorrow. Last night was extra bumpy, so much so, I was almost bumped out of bed at 03:30. It was slightly better for breakfast, but the weather screen on the cabin tv was still reporting Hurricane Force 12 (70kts)with rough seas. On the way to breakfast, Jane wanted to check a Spa offer, various massages for $129, and was hoping that she could use CC the $40 voucher we’d been given for this. Alas no, she couldn’t use it, so she wasn’t going pay
Who’s idea was it to get up and experience the approach into New York, it all happened very early and it was a bit fresh stood out on the viewing platform on deck 13. It was all pretty spectacular though and probably worth the effort and we has excellent weather for it, a crisp and clear November morning. After the excitement was over it was back to the room for a lie down before heading off the ship and into Brooklyn. Immigration was painless, but a bit tedious with all the booths manned initially, but then for some inexplicable reason