May 5^th, 2024

La Coruna, Spain

It was cold and raining when we woke up, but the weather forecast showed sun later so we decided to spend the morning on board in the Commodore Club and venture ashore after lunch.

We had lunch in the Pavilion. There is a burger and hot dog restaurant there, across from the gelateria. The burgers and fries are cooked to order, which is great, but you have to wait a while for them to be ready. The buffet is right next door, so if you don’t want to wait for your meal to be cooked, you can get your food there and then eat in the pavilion.

After lunch we decided that we should explore the ship and make sure we have been everywhere.

With 14 decks there is a lot to look at, and we realized that it had taken us so long to explore the ship, that there wasn’t any time to go ashore. I was disappointed, but we will be back in La Coruna next week.

So we stopped by the Golden Lion for a drink. The pub is very airy with big windows, and a pleasant space. However, it’s not as nice as the pub on the other 3 ships.

It was time to find out what all of the complaints about the promenade deck were all about so we walked around.

It is narrow and the views are blocked by the life boats. There are benches along the way, but nowhere to sit otherwise.

Not that you would really want to sit because there is nothing to see. So I see it as a purely functional area, one to truly promenade and enjoy the sea air while walking, or for those with energy, somewhere to run off all of that energy. But it is not somewhere to sit with a good book wrapped up un a blanket enjoying a mug of bullion. It is purely a functional space, it’s there for a reason but not a place to linger.

The only advantage I can see for the life boat placement is that they do not obstruct the view of the deck 4 cabins too much, and they may be easier to launch. I suppose that is more important than lying on a teak deck chair watching the ocean go by. However, I do miss that.

The view of the balconies above the deck really does look like you are seeing a block of flats.

The sail away was wonderful. We were accompanied by 2 fire boats and crowds came down to the waterfront to see us sail by.

There was much blowing of our whistle, which I loved.

I am very fond of funnels, and despite Brian’s concerns that it is untidy, I think it is beautiful. It is tall and sleek, proudly displaying its Cunard colours.

What’s more, it sounds good. Now there will probably never be a whistle as lovely sounding as that of the QE2 again. I used to have it as my ring tone, but when I got my new phone I failed to be able to install it again.

Queen Mary 2 also sounds good, but Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are somewhat pathetic in my estimation.

When they were designing Queen Anne I wrote to Cunard requesting that they ensure that she has a whistle that is fit for a Queen. Not a half hearted sound, but a real reverberating throaty whistle. They did not write back, but maybe they did listen to me.

Queen Anne’s whistle is rather pleasant, and they certainly made use of it as we left La Coruna.

I love the steam that comes out as they sound the whistle. I know it’s probably fake, and will stop working in a few years, but it’s a great sight to see.

I took videos of the whistle until my phone battery died and I could take no more.

I am unable to access You Tube with the essential wifi package, but once I have real wifi I will put together a video of it.

As we sailed off into the ocean it was time to get ready to watch Noir, the show at the Bright Lights Society. There are 2 shows a night, and you have to book in advance, but there is no extra charge.

It is a murder mystery play with audience participation. I always worry about the audience participation bit, however as we were a bit late arriving at the show we ended up sitting near the back. Phew.

Well that didn’t work. As soon as they actors caught site of Deirdre she was immediately asked to participate. Well, maybe I should always have Deirdre with me when there is audience participation on the horizon.

The show was fun, we all had a great time, and I think Deirdre did an excellent job of playing the villain.

Then it was time for dinner in the beautiful Princess Grill restaurant.

It was still light outside.

Thank goodness they still have a cheese trolley

And petit fours. Well they really weren’t true petit fours, they are all you can eat chocolate truffles. The perfect way to end a meal.