rafinmd

Day 7, Thursday, July 7, 2022, At Sea, Queen Mary 2 By morning the winds across the deck had diminished from over 40 knots to under 20 but it was still a chilly breeze. The highlight of the day would be packing but there were also 2 Crystal Visions morning programs, Seth Gopin at 10 on the life of Thomas Paine, and a Q&A at 11 with Neil Leifer. I followed both on TV as packing progressed. In his noon update Captain Hall indicated we would reach the midway point of our return journey about 1PM and the afternoon weather will be very pleasant. We will pass under the bridge about 4:45 and be alongside by 7, with very warm temperatures on Friday. I had a totally al fresco lunch with skim milk and hot dog from Chef’s Corner, taken to the one place that could be reached without manually opening a door; Deck 12 near the closed Boardwalk Café, accessed by the B elevators and automatic sliding doors by the Pavilion Pool. No tables out but there were several loungers. There were 2 program items of interest in the afternoon. Caroline Oltmanns held her final piano performance at 2 in the Queens Room. I skipped that but dropped in on Venus Tsai’s violin performance at 3 in the Royal Court Theater. I was not really a fan of her style. https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2022/07/tsai.jpg I’m thinking a long time Cunard Tradition has likely ended. There was no auction of the Navigation Chart to raise money for the Prince’s Trust. I wonder if it is becoming difficult to get charts as electronic navigation takes over. Perhaps there will be an auction as QM2 approaches Southampton, the end of the 21 day version of the voyage but I fear this tradition may have run it’s course. I did not attend afternoon tea but did stop by for goodies at Kings Court after the Venus Tsai concert. While I love the scones my real weakness is the Oatmeal Raisin cookies. Our final dinner was once again just 2 of us. My choices for the evening were the Duck Consume, Roast Beef, and Ice Cream. I did go out on deck about 9 for a final dusk shot, with sun not yet down but producing some nice colors as I watched from the Starboard Promenade Deck. The big bag went out about 9:20 although it seemed early since it is still light out I hope to be in bed early as well, https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2022/07/bagout.jpg My parting shot will be a practical one. Friday will be a long day leaving the ship before 8:30, and arriving in Maryland about 4:40. After buying groceries it will be after 6 when I get home. I do plan to report on the disembarkation day but it may not happen until Saturday or even Sunday. Roy

The weather might have something to do with our more abbreviated sailaway. Roy

Today's sunrise is from the stern of Queen Mary 2 this morning on the way from Halifax back to New York: Roy

Today's sunrise is from the stern of Queen Mary 2 this morning on the way from Halifax back to New York: Roy

Today's sunrise is from the stern of Queen Mary 2 this morning on the way from Halifax back to New York: Roy

Good morning from a lovely but chilly day at sea. I love chocolate and forgiveness but don't have a daughter. The quote sounds kind of fatalistic. I've driven by Corner Brook but never been there, although I was booked there on the Zuiderdam in 2020. Cobb is not a favorite salad of mine. My alternative is Oxtail Consume, Braised Lamb Shank, and Ice Cream as served on Queen Mary 2 July 6, 2022. I will probably take a day off on the lists tomorrow as disembarkation will be hectic. Today’s care list: StLouisCruisers DH awaiting biopsy result StLouis Cruisers Sister and BIL with covid Buddy entering Hospice Covid in Durango shelter staff Heartgrove brother discharged with extremely poor prognosis From the rotation: Strength and healing for Kazu StLouisSal with weakening legs and covid Cruzin Terri with continuing health problems Tana with persistant cough Celebrations and Shoutouts: aliaschief in Oregon Seasick Sailer in Hawaii Volendam caring for refugees 2 days for Cat in My Lap (Zaandam 7/9 to 8/13) 3 days for dobiemom (Rotterdam 7/10 to 7/17) jimgev in Alaska new bookings for me and Marshhawk rafinmd (QM2 to July 8), Mister Boston (Celebrity Summit to July 10), Crazy for Cats (Zaandam to 7/9), GTVCRUISER (Carnival Panorama to July 9) and ski ww (Oosterdam to July 16) at sea Vacationing Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Day 6, Wednesday, July 6, 2022, Halifax, Canada It was a very nasty weather. We were late into Halifax due to traffic near the port and later still getting cleared as a small number of guests hesitated to show up for immigration. The original plan of the gangway opening at 8:30 was delayed until 9:30. I have a relative in Halifax and we had originally considered meeting for the day. When we talked he indicated that he is on along list for cataract surgery and that his partner who does the driving had a medical appointment of his own so my only meeting with Ron was on the phone. I really did not feel like going out into the weather and opted instead to visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration which shares the building with the cruise terminal. I spent about an hour in the museum before returning to the ship. The terminal itself is currently a huge open space. There are lots of market kiosks but they are currently vacant. I believe they are due to open later this summer. Lunch was a lovely slice of ham steak, fruit salad, and skim milk from Kings Court. It became a fairly expensive afternoon. I first met with Cruise Sales and am now booked for the first Caribbean Cruise on the new ship Queen Anne in February 2024. I also booked a transfer to Penn Station at the end of this cruise. There were again just 2 of us at table 302. My choices were Oxtail Consume, Braised Lamb Shank, and Ice Cream. We were finished before 7. The featured entertainment was the Royal Cunard Singers and Dancers with Rhythm of the Night. I passed but did go to an encore of comedian Tom Briscoe at 9 in the Queens Room. The weather started clearing as we left Halifax but the evening was marked with gale force winds. Conditions are much better this morning with a beautiful sunrise over the Terrace Pool. My parting shot is from a display at the Pier 22 museum. It’s a salute to all who served on D-Day, (some units sailed from Pier 22) and especially those who did not return. https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2022/07/heroes.jpg Roy

@StLouisCruisers prayers headed for you, Buddy, Your twin and BIL. Roy

Never left the terminal complex today. It's now 5:40PM (All aboard is 6) and the rain has finally stopped but still not a nice day. Roy

It's a nasty rainy day in Halifax and it was foggy yesterday evening so I'm posting another view of the July 4 sunrise, this one with great colors before the sun came up. Roy

It's a nasty rainy day in Halifax and it was foggy yesterday evening so I'm posting another view of the July 4 sunrise, this one with great colors before the sun came up. Roy

It's a nasty rainy day in Halifax and it was foggy yesterday evening so I'm posting another view of the July 4 sunrise, this one with great colors before the sun came up. Roy

Just now free to go ashore. Roy

Sitting in Halifax waiting for one guest to report for immigration. Just now released to go ashore (9:34 local time). Roy

Thank you for the Hump Day report, Rich. Greetings from Halifax, which I think is where Zaandam will be tomorrow. Rainy here but will be too windy for an umbrella, much like @Crazy For Cats in Sydney. Been to several Norway ports but not Geiranger. Interesting selection of days and I like the Emerson quote. The meal sounds quite nice. My alternative is Carrot and Mandarin Salad, Medallions of Pork Filet, and Carrot Cake as served on QM2 July 5, 2022. Today’s care list: StLouisCruisers DH awaiting biopsy result Melinda with stage 4 cancer StPeteCruiser recovering from Appendicitis Covid in Durango shelter staff Heartgrove brother about to be discharged with extremely poor prognosis From the rotation: Tana with persistant cough HAL Sailer DH Nephew Curt undergoing rehab after serious mowing accident Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Bennybear DH with melanoma Celebrations and Shoutouts: aliaschief in Oregon Seasick Sailer in Hawaii Volendam caring for refugees 3 days for Cat in My Lap (Zaandam 7/9 to 8/13) 4 days for dobiemom (Rotterdam 7/10 to 7/17) jimgev in Alaska rafinmd (QM2 to July 8), Mister Boston (Celebrity Summit to July 10), Crazy for Cats (Zaandam to 7/9), GTVCRUISER (Carnival Panorama to July 9) and ski ww (Oosterdam to July 16) at sea Vacationing Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Day 5, Tuesday July 5, 2022, At Sea, Queen Mary 2 It was a lovely but chilly sea day. I did not take a lot of photos but will start off with some of my room. It’s far forward on deck 6, and I have just a rather small porthole. When I boarded the ship the beds were combined into a queen with pretty narrow spaces on each side. Looking forward from near the porthole there is a desk and the bathroom on the left side and a sofa and closets on the right side. There is a mini-fridge under the TV and 2 US and 2 UK power outlets at the desk. A double US outlet behind the TV has one free plug as well. While I was at dinner my room steward separated the beds. While the porthole is small it’s nice to have space where I can look out. It was a fairly decent day for walking with probably about 2 miles total on the promenade deck. Nothing like what I would have done in my prime but still very nice. There were 2 Cunard insights presentations, both in the morning. Historian William Fowler started things off at 10 with a presentation on Schooners. For many years they became the workhorses of communication, transport, and cargo hauling. The 11AM presentation was photographer Neil Leifer sharing some of the stories behind his photographs. In his noon update Captain Hall indicated we were 90 miles off the coast of Maine with 138 miles sailed since Boston and 248 to go. We will start our approach to Halifax at 6:45AM, be alongside at 8, and time in port will be 8:30 to 6. Rain is expected in Halifax (It’s falling as I type this) and a high temperature of 62. I managed go through lunch without eating anything inside Kings Court, taking pizza out to a lounger on the Promenade Deck and a bowl of soft serv to deck 8 aft. The afternoon was quiet as well but I did go down to the Queens Room at 2 for another recital by Caroline Oltmans, this time works by Schubert and Beethoven. It was just 2 of us again at dinner with the complainer in chief nowhere in evidence. My choices for the evening were Carrot and Mandarin Salad, Medallions of Pork Filet, and Carrot Cake. Service was quick and easy and I was out in plenty of time to have watched a sunset but there was light fog. The featured entertainment was comedian Tom Briscoe. I passed but may attend a followup July 6 in the Queens Room. I did go to the Queens Room at 9 where the Royal Court Orchestra combined with the Queens Room Orchestra for an Big Band evening featuring the Great American Songbook. It was an early bed time since we lost an hour moving to Halifax time. Today’s parting shot. They say into every life a little rain must fall. It looks like it is falling on our day in Halifax this time. Just breaking. We are behind schedule and Captain announced our arrival will be about a half hour later than planned with the gangway out around 9. Heaviest rain expected around noon. Roy

Captain Beverly Bass from AA Flight 49. "On final approach we're coming into runway two-two and I'm thinking 'Where am I going to park this thing? There are planes lined up like sardines'". I wonder, was it DD or ground crew that figured out all the parking arrangements. Roy

Any luck on Pat's medicine? Roy

I reached milestone 50 on Crystal and am Diamond on Cunard, nearly all of it in standard Britannia. The menus in Britannia and Britannia Club are very much the same, coming from the same galley. The prime real difference is that Britannia Dinner is 2 fixed seatings, much like Crystal before 2018 while with Britannia Club you have the same table and waiters for all 3 meals and can arrive anytime between about 6:30 and 9. If at a large table the tablemates will try to agree on a time to show up. I sailed Britannia Club for 8 days on QM2 in 2010 but everything since then has been in straight Britannia on all 3 ships. I haven't missed it. If you feel you would like to try Britannia Club and it becomes available sure go ahead and try it. One additional Cunard quirk. I believe there are some "always available" selections but they are not publicized. If in doubt you might need to be a bit persistent to ask. Roy

I've taken the opposite approach. While these incidents are far too frequent I think in the scheme of things they are relatively rare (but with some sensible measures they should be much more rare). Part of the problem is that the press thrives on them. I wonder if there would be as many of these people if they didn't consider it a ticket to instant fame. Since I got dumped off QM2 in Perth 28 months ago things have changed for me with a heart valve issue which has affected my stamina and my ability to do things. While a repair restored much of what I lost, I can no longer do the long strings of cruises that I used to love and am staying closer to home. I would like to put off cruising until covid is totally controlled but expect by that time I may be unable to cruise so I'm doing it now. I know there's a risk but people are getting sick at home so I'm just accepting a little extra risk to continue living the best life I can while I can. The protocols are annoying but they are minimizing my risk and it's a compromise that I think is right for me. Roy

My visit to Stockholm was on the Prinsendam in 2015, I had a rather unusual tour that day, "Sensational Rooftop Walk". Here's a link to my blog post that day: https://serenitytokiel.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/day-p10-saturday-may-30-stockholm-sweden/ Roy

Thank you for the Tuesday report Rich. Not a work-a-holic, not suited to a Bikini, but I love apple turnovers. I'm not quite sure what to make of the Rowling quote. I've been to Stockholm on the Prinsendam. The meal sounds nice. My alternative is Rack of Lamb and Key Lime Tart as served on Queen Mary 2 July 4, 2022. Today’s care list: Highland Park, Kenosha, and Sacramento (All with deadly mass shootings July 4) Melinda with stage 4 cancer StPeteCruiser recovering from Appendicitis Covid in Durango shelter staff Heartgrove brother about to be discharged with extremely poor prognosis From the rotation: Bennybear DH with melanoma Strength and healing for Kazu StLouisSal with weakening legs and covid Cruzin Terri with continuing health problems Celebrations and Shoutouts: aliaschief in Oregon Seasick Sailer in Hawaii Volendam caring for refugees 4 days for Cat in My Lap (Zaandam 7/9 to 8/13) 5 days for dobiemom (Rotterdam 7/10 to 7/17) jimgev in Alaska Welcome home Norseh2o rafinmd (QM2 to July 8), Mister Boston (Celebrity Summit to July 10), Crazy for Cats (Zaandam to 7/9), GTVCRUISER (Carnival Panorama to July 9) and ski ww (Oosterdam to July 16) at sea Vacationing Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

On QE and QV I think there's a burger place on the aft pool deck but in any case it's easy to pick up food in the buffet and carry it through the automatic doors to aft pool deck to enjoy. I think there's also semi-open space in Winter Garden forward of the buffet and then some tables on the pool deck. Pretty sure I've done all 3. I expect Queen Ann will be much the same. QM2 is more problematic. I especially notice it now since I prefer to eat outdoors for greater safety from a covid standpoint. If you're looking at a Caribbean cruise the Boardwalk Cafe MIGHT be open but I think the odds are against it with the crew being saddled with other covid prevention duties (like actually serving all the buffet food). The options I've tried require some real desire to get outside, and willingness to compromise on food that is easy to carry while dealing with heavy doors. 1. There are several chairs with little tables on Deck 8. Access is from the stairs next to the Queens Grill: 2. There are about 3 proper tables aft on the promenade deck that might work for breakfast items but the tables are almost sure to be taken by lunch time. Finally, you could take very selected items like pizza, a sandwich, or bowl of ice cream out to the promenade deck and use either a lounger or sit on one of the big boxes where they store lounger cushions. No really good options but where there's a will there may be a way. Roy

Today's sunrise is from the forward deck of QM2 on her way to Halifax Roy

Today's sunrise is from the forward deck of QM2 on her way to Halifax Roy