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I don't have any cruise sunrises for October 17. This is from my morning walk October 17, 2020.: Roy

I don't have any cruise sunrises for October 17. This is from my morning walk October 17, 2020.: Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. I'll pass on the Gaudy but probably enjoy pasta at dinner. I had 3 bosses, the first was a tyrant but the other 2 were great. I've been to Fakarava just once, Crystal Symphony in 2018. A great day in communications history. I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Coconut Nutmeg Soup, Grilled Turkey Breast, and Mixed Berry Tart as served on MS Amsterdam October 17, 20173 Roy

Really not a lot to report. A couple of things I noticed: The second song at sailaway. I remember Reflections used to start out really thick at the beginning of the cruise and gradually get slimmer. Now it's a uniform 6 pages every day. Not sure if this is new management or evolution but you don't get paper reflections unless you request it. Unrelated and I can't remember who brought it up but I filled out my QAP today and mentioned the lack of Clotted Cream at Tea Time. Roy

Thanks. I see I did mention it in the blog for that day but no photos of it. Roy

Is your device a Mini Guardian. My experience is that it held it's charge for several days so if San Diego is at the start of the trip I might take it. It would be dead when you got home but mine recharged enough to work really quickly. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2015 QM2 Transatlantic., taken October 16, 2015: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2015 QM2 Transatlantic., taken October 16, 2015: Roy

One major bonus for me. I had taken my Medical Guardian device with me. It does not work at sea or in Canada but I used it in Portland and Newport, but I mistakenly packed the charger in the Luggage Forward bag. The battery had gone to zero early this morning but it was the first thing I unpacked and charged for a while. Roy

Just got word that my big bag shipped Friday by Luggage Forward is ready at the UPS Store. Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann. A chilly Monday morning here. Global Cat Day will be very popular here. I have a dictionary but with online access it is rarely used. I'm personally happy with my credit cards. Interesting quote by Smith. I don't think I've ever heard of Kaikoura. I have enjoyed a lot of Disney Cartoons over the years. I prefer to keep my meat and my pie separate. My alternative is Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast and Blackberry Sundae as served on MS Amsterdam October 16, 2017: Roy

I have one more cruise on the books, November 12-24 on MS Rotterdam into the Panama Canal through the new locks. I have added some entries to the collections of menus and programs with the disembarkation copy of Reflections, and for the lunch and dinner menus for October 13. Menus: https://morethangetaways.wordpress.com/crystalmenus2023/ and Programs: https://morethangetaways.wordpress.com/programs-canada-2023/ Roy

Day CS8. Friday, October 13,2023, Bayonne, Disembark and home I will start with a couple of photos from the ship, first from embarkation in Quebec: And from the Crystal Society event with Captain Vincent Taillard: Queen Mary 2 is in Brooklyn I was up just about 5 and headed up to deck 13 as we passed under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Just about 7 we started backing into the Port Liberty Cruise Terminal in Bayonne, passing “The Tear”, a monument in memory of the 9/11 attacks, a gift of Russia in a time when we had a better relationship. As we started settling into the berth the sun came up ahead of us somewhat to our port side. My final breakfast was an omelet with some additional items. I had booked a Crystal private transfer to Penn Station New York, and I was given an estimate of 8:45 to leave the ship and headed down to the Crystal Cove about 8:30. It was almost 9 when the call to leave came and a series of Concierges and port people escorted me into the terminal and secured a porter for my waiting big bag. We proceeded through the terminal to the exit where a Luggage Forward representative was waiting, and then my carryons were loaded into my car. It was kind of a wild ride to New York with the driver apparently talking on his phone with an imprisoned relative and made some rather scary moves in traffic but we arrived at the Moynihan Train Hall just before 10. I was on a regular train but had booked a day pass to Amtrak’s Metropolitan Lounge, normally reserved for the most premium of passengers. On arrival I was asked if I would like a Rec Cap and I thought it a good idea. My train was scheduled for 2PM and I asked if It was possible to get an earlier train. They couldn’t do it and after I called the Rewards line we determined that it was not possible, but the Metropolitan Lounge is very comfortable and I also enjoyed snacks and a primitive lunch. By about 1:45 the Red Cap group for my train was assembling, and we headed down a back elevator to the platform. It was a long walk to Business Class at the back of the train and a bit fast for my comfort but it generally worked well and I settled into my seat. The train stayed very close to on time and we arrived at the BWI Amtrak station at 4:48. It was a short walk to the elevators to cross the tracks to the station and then on to my car. I made a stop on the way home for groceries and walked into my front door around 6:30.

Day CS8. Friday, October 13,2023, Bayonne, Disembark and home Queen Mary 2 is in Brooklyn Getting back to my QM2 Experience, I don’t really expect to be able to return but I return at least in principle a dedicated Britannia passenger. It’s not a really simple decision and everyone will have their own answer. For one thing, there are 2 “grading” systems that have some effect on the experience, grade of cabin and World Club (past passenger) level. With respect to the physical facilities, there are only 3 areas of the ship that are not open to all passengers. I did enjoy the Deck 11 Grills Deck but there is ample open aft deck space on other levels of the ship. The Grills Lounge was nice but I equally enjoy the lovely Queens Room and many other lovely public spaces on the ship. I hardly used the Concierge Lounge. The other aspect is some other perks. The main ones are priority boarding, and I can remember from my early years some LONG queues but as World Club Diamonds that is no longer the case. Almost all cruise lines have priority boarding for their top cabins so Cunard is right in the mainstream there. In many other areas Cunard is among the most egalitarian of the mainstream with very few (I think less than 10) suites getting priority tendering, and don’t have many of the differences you see on some cruise lines like reserved sections in the theater. I enjoyed the chilled soups as a special request but dining in Britannia is perfectly fine. In summary, Britannia on Cunard is one of the top experiences among mainstream cruise lines and I see no need to go beyond it. Your mileage may vary. Roy

But he did put up an interesting experience on his Youtube channel. Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2015 QM2 transatlantic to Southampton. On October 15 we were just past the midpoint of the crossing: Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2015 QM2 transatlantic to Southampton. On October 15 we were just past the midpoint of the crossing: Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. Best wishes @NextOne. 3 Great days today. Interesting that we have 2 entries featuring French exile today, Iles de Salut and St Helena. I;ve been to Devils Island on Prinsendam and Maasdam, and St. Helena on Amsterdam. I love the Emerson quote. I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Chilled 3-berry ministrone, Beef and Vegitable Soup, Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, and Peach Crisp as served on MS Amsterdam October 15, 2017: After a very wet Saturday today looks nicer. Roy

Today's sunrise is from yesterday, from the deck of Crystal Serenity in Bayonne,' Roy

Today's sunrise is from yesterday, from the deck of Crystal Serenity in Bayonne,' Roy

Things to catch up on home but I'll be back as soon as I can. Roy

Thank you Rich for the Saturday report, and Thank you Ann, Vanessa, Debbie, and Dixie. 3 good days but my favorite is National Desert Day. I resemble the Letterman quote. I'm glad Scotland again has a relationship with the UK, and remember so often using Eastman's invention. I have visited Victoria many times but only once on a BHB. Lot's of catching up on things before life returns briefly back to normal. Meatloaf is ok but I'm not a fan. My alternative is Chilled Arjou Pear soup, Prime Rib Au Jus, and Apple Crisp as served on MS Amsterdam October 14, 2017 Roy

Actively headed home o; Train 93. In NJ and have already gotten past the port and in Newark. Roy

Oops. Not 2:40 but 2:02 and just started moving. Roy

Now in Moynihan Train Hall, NY, hoping to move to an earlier train. Currectly scheduled for 2:40. Roy