DAY TWO

We were tired or better exhausted. Tom was feeling nauseated because we had some really strong winds! All outside areas were blocked off and inside, especially in the front of the ship, the motion was intense. The Queen was, and still is, creaking in her seams. Nevertheless we did so some walking, sitting outside later in the day and Tom after some Dramamine took a nap on deck and later we took another nap inside before getting ready for dinner. After dinner we stayed in one of the theaters for some good old Motown tunes.

Our information about the dress code had a glitch. The Black & White event tonight was listed as an informal event. Well, it wasn't informal. I believe other people didn't know it was formal either. I did not feel out of place after all.

As Tom was getting ready for the event is got a little stressful. I’m pretty sure that he packed his cuff links but they are nowhere to be found. So, I assume as soon as we go and buy some new ones the old ones will magically turn up.

We are having some trouble with the time change at one hour per day since our cell phones will not change until we are in fact at the next time zone. Good that Tom has his wrist watch.

The service on the ship is excellent and so far all the food and the variety of it is phenomenal. The waiters are very attentive and right there when needed. Room service comes twice a day the check the room and make sure it’s all clean and we have everything we need.

All hallways are heavily carpeted and the ship seems to be very well insulated since we don’t hear what is going on outside of our room. 

DAY ONE

We had a smooth ride to New York. A friend of mine travels to NY twice a month and had given me her favorite route. We really appreciate her suggestion. There was traffic, but it was always moving at a decent speed all the way to Brooklyn, NY. The transaction with Enterprise Car Rentals also was a great experience. Everything went without a hitch. We loaded our luggage in front of our home and unloaded it right in front of the terminal onto provided luggage carts. We arrived about 30 minutes early and proceeded through the check-in line without delay. There were minimal waiting times and everything seemed to be very organized and coordinated.

Once in our State Room, our luggage was delivered and we were able to store some in the closet, and the big ones under the bed. By now we were hungry and visited the buffet on the 7. floor.  Delicious food and plenty variety. We now had some time to do first exploration of the ship. It had turned very windy and we needed 2 tug boats to keep the Queen at the pier. At 4:00 pm we gathered for safety drill and instructions. It took place in the gym since it was too windy and rainy outside.

We were supposed to leave at 5:30 pm and we decided to go out on deck to watch. There was not much to see today. Lower Manhattan was hidden in thick clouds and the financial district was not much better. Even the Statue of Liberty was fogged in. The wind, the rain and the fog made the Captain skip the Lady Liberty drive-by and finally, at about 6:15 pm, we headed out to see. With the Ship picking up speed the wind and rain increased and we had to go put some more clothes on, but came back outside just in time to pass under the Verrazano Bridge – with only a few feet to spare.

While sitting on deck we already met some people from Hamburg, Germany on their way home. Now it was time to get ready for dinner. The first night was an informal night. We were ready early and went for a walk to see what all we can do in the next 10 days. The ship is beautiful!

Dinner was scheduled at 8:30 pm and we were assigned to a table with a British couple and two gentlemen from Ohio. Both parties are experienced cruisers. We were informed that we are not on a cruise or on a cruise ship but on a crossing – to be specific, on a transatlantic crossing. The Queen Mary is very different from other cruise ships. The hull is V-shaped to cut deep into the water while cruise ships have a somewhat flat bottom.

It was difficult to decide what to select from the dinner menu. We decided for a Liver Pate with honey glazed cranberry onions and bread as the appetizer. As the Entrée I chose portabella mushroom with chicken and Tom had a seafood fettuccini. Caramel Pecan pie with vanilla ice cream completed the meal for me.

Now we are rather tired and will not indulge in available activities but get some sleep.