Capnpugwash is on the QM2 to New York, May 10 2011

[Bispham Boo]

Hi Cap'n,

have a wonderful crossing and have a Ginger Cosmo for me in the Commodore! Thanks to NE Girl for the recommendation.

Some friends of ours have just booked the November B2B - I'm not remotely jealous :mad:

[north east girl]

Hi Capn, How good to get a invite to sit at the Captains table this evening. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

 

Catherine

[north east girl]

Hi Cap'n,

have a wonderful crossing and have a Ginger Cosmo for me in the Commodore! Thanks to NE Girl for the recommendation.

Some friends of ours have just booked the November B2B - I'm not remotely jealous :mad:

Hi Bev, Have you got any cruises in mind for the future?

 

I think once we have the wedding paid for, we will be able to have a good look into next year.

 

Catherine

[capnpugwash]

Now had that been me I'd not have had a clue who he was. Even if he had a name badge on.

 

I'm afraid I'm underwhelmed. I'd have been more impressed had you seen young Peppern!!!!

 

WD

 

How nice of you to share your apathy with me, I had a beer with pepperrn at lunchtime today... thanks for asking, I am sure that he will be so pleased.

[capnpugwash]

Update No 3

 

The noon announcement was made about 45 minutes ago and the forecast is for calm seas all the way, with the chance of some sunshine and then some fog for a few days towards the end of the week, we have covered about 450 nautical miles since our departure and have about 2700 left to run.

 

I have an overwhelming urge for a cheeseburger so I have just ordered one from room service with a pot of coffee, it is early enough in the day I think so I should not be too full this evening, at least that is the plan.

 

The burger arrived and it was ok, but not great although it did fill the hole. When the waiter arrived I moved the ice bucket from the table to make some room for the tray, unfortunately I stood it by the TV set and as I opened the door to admit her it crashed to the floor, the lid stayed on but the melted ice poured out over the carpet, leaving a very suspicious stain on the floor. The cabin steward will probably hate me for causing him extra work or maybe he will just plug in one of those floor drying fans when I go out to dinner this evening.

 

The meeting of the CC took place and there were about 12 members there, the conversations were many and varied but mostly involved ships, cruising and airlines. It was a pretty normal meeting really.

 

The rest of the afternoon passed swiftly as I finished off listening to a book by Ken Follett, it is just gone 6pm and I am starting to get ready for dinner this evening. It is the first formal of four in the next four days, interrupted by one semi formal and followed by an elegant casual evening as we finish the westbound part of this trip. But that is five nights away and I don’t really want to think about it other than I hope to meet up with an old friend of 20 years, in New York for a few beers and a bowl of chilli or something similar. Boys will be boys after all.

 

More later

[Bispham Boo]

Hi Bev, Have you got any cruises in mind for the future?

 

I think once we have the wedding paid for, we will be able to have a good look into next year.

 

Catherine

 

Hi Catherine

I'm quite keen on the idea of the autumn escape on 23/10 but I've also seen a P&O one in December to Bruges & Hamburg and as I love Christmas markets, that appeals too!

We've got the Oceana in August with the boys & I"m looking forward to that as well, even though I'm sure it will be very different to Cunard!

[north east girl]

Hi Catherine

I'm quite keen on the idea of the autumn escape on 23/10 but I've also seen a P&O one in December to Bruges & Hamburg and as I love Christmas markets, that appeals too!

We've got the Oceana in August with the boys & I"m looking forward to that as well, even though I'm sure it will be very different to Cunard!

We are trying RCI next year, I keep thinking I hope I havn't spoilt myself by starting with Cunard first. Will just have to see, will be keeping an open mind.

 

Catherine

[capnpugwash]

Update No 4

 

I went to the Chart Room before dinner and met a very nice CC member from Ottawa called Rob; he had been feeling sea sick for some reason but after a couple of glasses of Merlot was feeling much better. I had a couple of Bombay Sapphires with tonic water and made my way to the desk of the Maitre D’ to be escorted to the Captain’s Table. What a nice man Paul Wright is, utterly charming and a really pleasant host. There were a mixed bunch of guests at the table and conversation flowed very nicely. It was a very pleasant event. He is retiring this summer although he looks too young to be contemplating that action. I wish him the very best in the future, whatever that holds for him.

 

After dinner I went up to the Commodore Club and got talking to Roger Daltry, he is apparently looking to sing with Chris Difford, who formed the band called Squeeze back in the day. This show will take place on Friday in the theatre so I will have to go to see them as it is music from my youth. Of course Roger is getting on a bit now but he still has the sharp wit and humour of someone from London. He was telling me that he regrets retiring as he hasn’t had to work so hard since he did.

 

Later this evening I then was chatting to Paul O’Loughlin who is the Entertainment Director, he has spent 30 odd years in the business and is vastly experienced on a lot of different cruise lines, a very pleasant individual although I am not sure about the Jack Daniels and diet coke, but each to their own.

 

We currently have seas which are a little lumpier than before at 7 to 8 feet, with a headwind of force 5, the barometer is rising, which I think is good. We have travelled 763 nautical miles and have 2427 miles to go.

 

We gain another hour at 2am tonight so it is now 1.20am and I am heading for my bed. Tomorrow is another formal evening and the first cocktail party of the trip, I might go to it, but I am not too sure.

 

More later

[camelotcats]

It sounds like you are having a wonderful time! I am very jealous of you having the opportunity to chat up Roger Daltry. Enjoy yourself and have fun!

 

On a side note: I hope I get the opportunity to chat YOU up on the crossing June 10. :)

[DKNYC]

Hi Capnpugwash

Glad you are on the high seas again. Another Captain heading towards retirement...who is going to drive the ships? :) Everyone seems to be doing that here on my job as well. I still have to wait a few years, but I am planning. I hope the weather here in NY remains good in anticipation of your arrival. Wow, Roger Daltry....have fun.

 

Denise

[north east girl]

Hi Capn, Great posts so far, have lovely to chat to Roger Daltrey. One of the Who songs is used for the programme CSI which I watched last night. Great music, please tell what he sings when you see the show.

 

I love live music. thats why I love to go to the theatre in London.

 

Catherine

[capnpugwash]

Update No 5

 

Overnight the ship started to roll slightly from side to side due to the swells of the sea, which created a wonderful rocking motion as I lay in bed and it was really soothing, like being in a cradle I imagine. It has now reduced somewhat and the sea looks exactly the same colour as it did yesterday, a lovely shade of blue. We have travelled 880 nautical miles and 2309 remain. The sea state is moderate, we have a force 5 headwind and the barometer is steady, the temperature is 11/51. It looks like it could be a lovely day, if only it warmed up a little.

 

Having had breakfast I ventured out onto deck 7 and stood in the sunshine but the 45 knot breeze took whatever warmth that the sun had generated and after about 10 minutes I gave up and came back to my cabin. I then got changed and headed to the spa where I stayed for a couple of hours; it was so relaxing and peaceful that I almost felt guilty, but not quite. It is now about 11.45 so I will wait and listen to the noon announcement by the Captain before I decide what to do next.

 

In the end I decided to have a quiet afternoon watching the sea through the windows of the ship. There were some porpoises early on off our starboard side but after they passed I was left with the slight swells as the ship made her way west. It is now 6.45pm and the sea condition is slight with small waves of less than 4 feet, the barometer is steady and we continue into a force 3 headwind. The air temperature is 52/11degrees. We are ahead of schedule so we have reduced our speed to 19 knots to bring us in on time.

 

Tonight is another formal evening and is also the Welcome Aboard cocktail party for those of us travelling in steerage, I will probably not go to it as it is going to be a fairly crowded event.

 

More later

[bearpwr29]

Loving the updates Capn! Can't wait for our Eastbound TA July 6!

[missfrankiecat]

Can't wait for 24.6 - my documentation arrived today and Captain's Pug's log is also getting me in the mood.

[rgaudet]

Update No 4

 

I went to the Chart Room before dinner and met a very nice CC member from Ottawa called Rob; he had been feeling sea sick for some reason but after a couple of glasses of Merlot was feeling much better.

 

capn, it was a combination of drugs from the purser, a nap (in that order), smoother seas, wine and then good conversation that cured me. It was poignant when you pointed to the window and said "It's much worse now" and I felt fine. Thanks for that! And today I felt great, and had a fantastic day. Of course, the seas were like a mirror so I don't know how anyone could be sick.

 

And for those that thought that you never get nice weather on a transatlantic, I ordered breakfast in my room and drank my coffee on my balcony with the sun shining on me. Fantastic!

[capnpugwash]

Though I know you are unlikely to drink them, can you tell me if the "new" juice/smoothie bar is in the Winter Garden on the QM2

 

I read this was to be a new feature, but have not read any reports on further developments.

 

Thank you

 

Lynn

 

Speaking to those on board, there is no news on a juice or smoothie bar, the Winter Garden is apparentl due to be converrted to a cafe but there is no firther information other than repainting and carpets etc,

[capnpugwash]

Update No 6

 

Today is Friday May 13th and as I woke this morning I heard the ship’s whistle sounding as we make our way through some fairly dense fog, it is a really lonely sound but it never fails to make the hairs on the back of my neck rise each time when I hear it. The force 4 breeze has shifted from a headwind to a tailwind from the east, the barometer is falling and we are doing 18 knots. We have travelled 1414 nautical miles and only 1776 remain.

 

I have booked Todd English for lunch today which will be followed by champagne tasting at 2pm. unfortunately this tasting will probably coincide with Roger Daltrey who is being interviewed in the theatre starting at 3pm, I will try to get there as early as I can.

 

The missing tablemates were present last night and seem to be a very pleasant trio from Ohio, having ordered and consumed a dish comprising scallops two of them insisted on ordering a further main course, one had pasta and the other turkey, no real problem other than the fact that it totally delayed the progress of the remainder of the meal for the rest of us, it seems a little inconsiderate in hindsight but hopefully it won’t be a regular occurrence. It is now just after 8am and I am heading down to Britannia for breakfast shortly.

 

More later.

[bkecky]

.

 

The missing tablemates were present last night and seem to be a very pleasant trio from Ohio, having ordered and consumed a dish comprising scallops two of them insisted on ordering a further main course, one had pasta and the other turkey, no real problem other than the fact that it totally delayed the progress of the remainder of the meal for the rest of us, it seems a little inconsiderate in hindsight but hopefully it won’t be a regular occurrence. It is now just after 8am and I am heading down to Britannia for breakfast shortly.

 

More later.

 

At least it's a vast improvement! If you see Oscar Esman (not quite sure where he is working), bar waiter from Argentina, say hello from me!

[keela1eva2]

Great to read your posts. I am enjoying them and recalling my time on this wondership Ship on a T/A. Loved it

Now after my QE cruise I am looking for my next. As ever Celebrity is in the frame but I am also very open to Cunard if the price is right. There is an offer for early July on the QV which has 2 grades of guar balcony at reasonable price.

I would not be wary of booking a guar other than I would book a A4 as opposed to a A7. I would prefer to go late July or August and wonder if there is any point in waiting?

Continue to enjoy your Crossing!

 

Sue

[hollihedge]

Really enjoying reading your updates - please keep them coming. We have just got off QM2 after doing Southampton, Hamburg, Oslo, Southampton and wished we could have stayed on her to do the crossing. I hope they don't change the Winter Garden too much - I actually really like it in there.

 

Have a great trip!

[capnpugwash]

Update No 7

 

I think that some people must be born stupid, having finished in the spa this morning I was getting dressed in the changing room and two American guys came in. Let me explain how the lockers operate, the instructions are printed on each door. Having put you valuables in the locker you shut the door and insert a four digit code and then press a lock button. The lockers are initially unlocked until you need to lock them. This pair tried to do it the other way round; they locked a door by inserting the code and then tried to pull it open. This was repeated 3 times by each of them until someone explained to them that the doors are already open and by putting the codes in they had rendered the lockers unusable. It really isn’t rocket science but maybe men don’t read instructions well after all.

 

I went to Todd English for lunch and the food was excellent, personally I dislike the location of the restaurant on here as it overlooks the Terrace Bar and pool. This means that people are sitting outside the windows looking in at you as you eat. Not exactly what you would expect on a luxury liner, but of course the sa me situation exists in the Grills restaurants. The food was certainly as good as the TE on QE but seriously way too rich.

 

After the meal I went too the Champagne Bar and met up with James and Beatrix who were presenting the Veuve Clicquot tasting. There were only 4 passengers taking part and normally they would cancel it, however they did continue with it and it was really very good. It was such fun that it lasted over 2 hours, which is unheard of. This meant that I missed Roger Daltrey who actually was singing for about 90 minutes of the 2 hours that the show lasted. I really hope that he repeats the show before Tuesday. But I am not too confident that he will.

 

More later.

[lord of the seas]

Capn,

do you think that Roger will smash up his suite and throw the telly overboard,like the old days of the Who?

[north east girl]

Really enjoying reading your updates - please keep them coming. We have just got off QM2 after doing Southampton, Hamburg, Oslo, Southampton and wished we could have stayed on her to do the crossing. I hope they don't change the Winter Garden too much - I actually really like it in there.

 

Have a great trip!

Hi hollihedge, I nearly booked this one, decided on QE instead. How was it going into Hamburg, have been told everyone comes to greet the ship.

 

Catherine

[William Dean]

as the TE on QE.

 

Still watching, still noticing. Wondering if you're testing me? :D

 

WD

[Norfolk Brit]

Capn,

do you think that Roger will smash up his suite and throw the telly overboard,like the old days of the Who?

 

That was Keith Moon and (sometimes) Pete Townsend. I am reliably informed that Mr Daltrey spent his evenings crocheting.

 

Sir Martin