6.03.2019 update from the North Atlantic

We boarded the Queen Mary 2 Friday afternoon about 2pm, after a 2.5-hour bus ride from London.  About an hour was getting out of the London traffic. 

When we got to our cabin, there was a bottle of champagne welcoming us back.  We have never cruised with Cunard before.  We thought we would have no perks, as we are new timers.  Our stateroom is nice; it has a small sofa and a larger bathroom and shower.  The ship is much more ornate than the Princess ships we have been on.  The employees have nicer uniforms and seem a bit stiffer, a bit proper.  We had selected a cabin right at the center elevator bank, so that will be nice.  We also selected a ‘restricted view’ balcony cabin.  There will be nothing to see until we get to New York next Saturday, so felt a restricted view would be fine.  We have a balcony, so can still open the door and have some fresh air.  Hopefully there is a photo attached of our view. 

The dining room askes for men to wear jackets to dinner every night.  John was told three times that jackets are required before entering on the first night.  He was allowed in for the first night, as an exception.  Dinner is at 6 pm, a better time than the beginning of the first leg of our last cruise, which was at 5:15pm.  Our table mates, Priscilla and Peter from Florida, who are Greek Americans have cruised Cunard many times. The other couple, from London, will transfer to late seating, so will not be with us for the rest of the cruise. They have been replaced with two women, friends, from Bristol, England.

Saturday night was our first of three formal nights.  The Captain hosted a cocktail party, and the Brits REALLY dress up!  We saw dozens of hats, on men as well as women.  There were tails of many colors, including purple, and quite a few kilts.  After dinner we went to the theatre.  There was a vocalist who had been in many musicals including Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and others.  He was very good.

John did laundry on our first sea day.  He met a woman whose son is the cruise director.  She waited a long time for one of the machines, so we talked each time we were both in the room.  Apparently, a male passenger came in after she put her laundry in the dryer.  He had wet clothes that only needed drying and was angry at her for going before him.  She was right and he was wrong.  Later we met her son the cruise director and he said “If there’s a fight on board, it’s in the laundry room”.  He also said that the laundry room is where rumors start. 

The buffet and dining room foods are more varied than on Princess and a bit fancier.  Special sauces and preparations that we haven’t seen before.

All in all, we are having a good time.  We think that we prefer the more relaxed atmosphere of Princess though.

John & Colleen