Unlike our first crossing, westbound, in 2018 this eastbound crossing we have had mostly flat seas, and several days of sunshine, and only one day of wind and rain. It has been very nice to sit on the balcony and enjoy the sounds of the sea, and sunshine. The weather has been so nice I even left the patio door open overnight, once. That hasn’t happened since the Caribbean.
All in all, it’s been a very enjoyable crossing. With the
exception of the laundry incident, and the first day bizarre coffee treatment, and having to pay for internet service.
The food has been mostly good. There was a off night where
the short ribs were nasty, and the venison was as tough as shoe leather.
But the lamb! There has been lamb on the dinner menu almost ever night. From rack of lamb chops. Leg of lamb. Korean roasted lamb. (I think the fellow that roasted it was Korean). Lamb Curry, And finally last night herb encrusted rack of lamb. Ok it could have all used more garlic, but the kitchen gets high marks on the food.
One thing that I think could have been handled better is. We had Covid cases on board. There were never any announcements about the cases on board. Never any announcements to take extra precautions. The crew was masked the entire trip, but only a few passengers were. There were crew with hand sanitizer stationed outside of the dining room and the buffet, so I guess that counts for something.
On the last evening at sea the captain came on the pa and
announced that a passenger was critical ill and was going to have to be air
lifted off the ship by helicopter. Maybe that explains the two military aircraft
that strafed us early in the afternoon?
Unlike on princess where everyone was invited to watch the helicopter in action Cunard locked all the outside doors and wouldn’t let anyone out on any deck.
To watch the action. They also sprayed the deck down with
fire fighting foam so when the helicopter did land, foam was flying past our patio,
creating quite a visual.
The captain did announce several hours later that the
mission was a success, but we had long ago ventured out on our balcony to
inspect and analyze the foam.
It was a night of anticipation and being restless as we
glided slowly across the water towards Southampton.
The pilot boarded around 3:15 and we continued stealthy into
port.
Whoever was at the controls, skillfully spun the Queen
around and pulled up to the birth right on schedule at 6:00 am
Most ships once the gangway is in place there are announcements
to leave. To go away go. And on most ships, you are supposed to gather in the theater,
or bar or some other common area and wait with people that have the same time
to disembark as you do.
Usually, these mass gatherings are watched over by snarly
crew members who wish they were going home but aren’t and so they make loud announcements
when it is your time to go away go.
On Queen Mary II everyone got a letter along with their baggage
tags. The letter said to have your luggage out the night before, like most
ships, but after you enjoy breakfast please return to your cabin and wait until
your time rolls around.
We did and our time was 9:20. At 9:20 we took the lift down
to deck 2. It wasn’t crowded, unlike other ships where nasty crew members are
cattle prodding feeble seniors to move faster. We strolled right off the vessel,
into the cavernous building where all the luggage had been laid out according
to the color of your baggage tag. It was so smooth, and easy, and we were in a
taxi heading to our guest house in no time at all.
We will see if getting on the Sky Princess next week is as smooth.
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