April 23rd, 2023
Southampton
Well we are still on board. It’s weird, it’s almost like nothing happened. We had drinks with our friends who had been on the Queen Victoria world Voyage, and it was fun hearing about all of the excitement on their voyage, and we filled them in on the events of Queen Mary 2’s voyage.
Kim had heard that the issue was a problem with the fennel, but none of us unmechanical folks had any idea what that was. Apparently it takes a long time to repair, so the break in service of up to 2 weeks is not unusual.
At dinner we discussed whether we should stay in the UK for a week, or accept whatever flights Cunard had chosen for us. I am having a good time, and if I could stay on the ship and use it as a hotel for a week I would be happy, but I doubt they would let us do that.
A friend stopped by and we discussed the needed repairs. She said the funnel was what the problem was. Ah ha – FUNNEL, not FENNEL. Somehow that got lost in translation. That sounds serious, but who knows if even that report is accurate. The important thing is that there is something wrong with this beautiful ship, and she cannot sail across the Atlantic in her current state.
Personally, I would prefer that we disembark in Southampton rather than come to grief in the middle of the Atlantic.
When we returned to our stateroom we were hoping that there would be information on our flights home. It will take a while to pack up, so we would like to know when to start packing. So hopefully we are not leaving tomorrow and have another night on board. There was no information about our flights, only a copy of tomorrow’s daily program.
This would be good if we can stay on for another day because according to the daily program, there are several really interesting insight lectures tomorrow, and best of all, it is the Black and White gala evening. It feels so surreal, here we are sitting on the dock in Southampton with the programming going on as if all is well, and people’s lives have not been disrupted by the needed repairs.
When we woke up this morning we really didn’t think that yet again we would not be able to complete the 2020 world voyage. By lunch time I never dreamed that we would be having a black and white gala evening tomorrow night, I thought I would be squashed into a middle seat on British airways flying across the Atlantic. We live in interesting times. At least I got to visit my ancestor’s graves in Portsmouth. That was something really meaningful. I looked out onto the balcony. The car parks are still there. I really should be looking out into that dark velvet of nothingness of a north Atlantic night.
I just don’t know what to say. In the middle of reading your Day 17, Part 1 post I had to just stop reading and get up and walk around. How extraordinary! It does sound like Cunard is trying to do the right thing.
When we booked our crossing for last May and registered on Roll Call, I saw that you were also going to be on that cruise. I was delighted with the prospect of meeting you. Later, you moved to a different voyage. Now I’ve come to think I might be best just to share your adventures vicariously through you. Just kidding. All the best to you and Brian over the next few days. I have no doubt you will weather the storm and make getting home another adventure, perhaps with a little help from some Veuve Clicquot.
It has been very disappointing, but it is a sunny day today in Southampton, and I am on board with friends, so I really can’t complain! Hopefully we will get an update soon on when we will be flying home 🙂
Fingers crossed for the remainder of your trip home being uneventful! 🤞Keep us posted please! X
Thanks! No sign of our flights home as yet, but I am very happy about that. I’ll live the dream as long as I can 🙂
You are such a seasoned traveler you have the knowledge and resiliency to get through this. I feel for the people who really are in a mess, especially those with animals. Drink the Veuve and keep us posted.
I feel so sorry for the people who are really affected by this cancellation, it is so sad for them. Quite honestly it is really OK for us, just another blip on the adventures of life. For others it is a huge disaster. I feel for them. Should my writing become more and more incoherent, don’t worry, it’s just that I have a whole weeks supply of bubbly to drink in one day. Not an easy task!
I have confidence in your ability to finish off several bottles of Veuve. You are up to the task I’m sure.
I’m doing my best……………………….
“It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
From a fellow temporary resident of Perth in 2020.
This voyage was to help me get over the trauma of that day. It hasn’t worked 🙂