So when we were thrown off the Queen Mary 2 in Fremantle in March of 2020, I absolutely couldn’t face the idea that my dream of a full world voyage on Queen Mary 2 was over. How could this happen?
We flew from Perth back home to Idaho, aware that the world around us had gone through major changes since we had set off on this voyage. Could it ever be the same?
I was hopeful. As soon as we got home I booked a 2021 the world cruise on Queen Mary 2. Yay for future cruise credits.
But then the 2021 world voyage was cancelled. Not to worry, there was always 2022. Convinced that this would happen, I eagerly awaited, so looking forward to being back on Queen Mary 2 again.
Well, wouldn’t you know it, 2022 was cancelled, and our booking was transferred to 2023. I thought I was safe. Wrong! When we were waiting to board Queen Victoria in Southampton in June 2022 Brian just so happened to pick up a magazine on cruising. How dangerous could that be?
There on a full page spread in the magazine was an advertisement for the November 2023 Fred Olsen round Africa cruise. I must admit, I really didn’t give it a second thought when I first saw it. Brian did give it more than a second thought, and before we were sailing down the Solent, he was already set on doing this cruise.
I quite honestly had never thought about sailing on Fred Olsen, but I had to admit the itinerary looked intriguing. The Queen Mary 2 2023 world voyage didn’t really have a very exciting itinerary, nothing new and exotic. To me that is OK, I don’t care about where we go, I just want to relish being on board. Brian is more adventurous. He loves new and different experiences.
Before we reached the Bay of Biscay it had become very obvious that financially we could not sail on the 2023 Queen Mary 2 world voyage in January, and then join the Fred Olsen Bolette for a 3 month trip around Africa in November. Something had to give.
A compromise was reached. The Queen Mary 2 voyage was changed. Instead of joining her in New York in January, we would join her in Cape Town in March, and then in November we would embark on the Bolette for a circumnavigation on Africa. Not exactly what I had dreamed of, but I was getting more and more excited about the Africa trip. It would certainly be something completely different.
So there was the plan:
Spend time with friends and family in South Africa
Travel on Rovos Rail from Durban to Pretoria
Enjoy 2 brief safaris
Join Queen Mary 2 in Cape Town on April 7th, and sail back to New York.
No, it’s not the world cruise alas, but going on a train, doing a safari, and sailing on Queen Mary 2 sounds wonderful.
Our bags are packed, over-weight, and we are off. Africa here we come!!!!!!
Looking forward to following both of your adventures … as internet permits since we will be traveling at the same time that you are. We’ll actually be departing Cape Town after you join QM2.
That sounds great! Where will you be traveling to?
Sounds like an adventure worthy of the name! I will happily jump in your metaphorical pocket and come along for this ride. Thanks so much for sharing
I was so upset about having to disembark from QM2 in 2020, it is so good to think that we will be completing this trip (hopefully), with the added South African adventures!
Two great adventures – I look forward to reading about them. I sailed on the QE2 from Cape Town to New York and loved the regal days at sea, interspersed with fascinating Africa ports. Americans don’t seem to know much about Fred Olsen ships/voyages so I will be curious to hear your thoughts, esp in comparison to Cunard ships. I’m off on a two week TA on HAL in April (using up the final Covid-related cruise credits) followed by a week in Basel. Then two weeks on QM2 in August and back on QM2 again in November for the Literary Festival at Sea – 2023 is the year of sea travel for me!
Yay! It sounds like you have some wonderful trips planned for this year. It is so good to be traveling again 🙂
Excellent, looking forward to cruising along with you, albeit vicariously!
Can I ask if you’ve cruised with Oceania? Seen a cruise we like the look of on Regatta in October 2024 but I don’t know anyone who has tried them. Thanks
We have not sailed on Oceania as yet, but clients who have absolutely love the “country club” atmosphere and the food. We are trying out Sirena on the Med in June – I look forward in finding out what Oceania is like.
thanks for the reply. We’ve taken the plunge and booked for Japan in October next year on Regatta. I’ll look forward to your Sirena feedback. QE and Alaska seems a long time ago now! We’re also booked on Queen Anne June next year to the Fjords, looking forward to that.
Have a wonderful time on Regatta 🙂 It will be interesting to see what Queen Anne is like – she is rather large, but the photos of her look lovely.
You’re always on some amazing adventure with Brian.
Where does the train go for 3 days – any stops ? – the accommodations look luxurious.
Short safari’s ? Send pictures.
Please. Safe travels. Lynda
The journey is from Durban to Pretoria with 2 stops Pietermaritzburg and Ladysmith, and 3 tours. It’s sort of like doing a river cruise, except you don’t get to explore the towns you stop in!
Hope you enjoy the Rovos Rail as much as we did
From the trip so far, we are really enjoying Rovos! – what route did you take?
Great to be able to follow you as you sail again. I’ll also be interested in your take on Fred Olsen, but your British background might affect you thoughts.
I’m working toward taking our kids and grandkids (7 total) to Kruger in 2024.
It will be interesting to see if we like Fred Olsen or not – they certainly have great itineraries, and the ships, although old, are ones we went on with HAL and loved. Time will tell! I am so excited that you will be taking the family to Kruger. I would love to hear how your trip goes. We would like to do something similar when our grandson is a bit older 🙂