March 18th

Finally a Sea Day

I couldn’t get these photos of Hiroshima to upload yesterday so I am going to try again:

Also, especially for St Patrick’s Day:

It’s not that I don’t enjoy exploring ports, but I do so love lazy days on board where there is no pressure to do anything but simply enjoy what the ship has to offer.

The morning talks were on Japanese art, and Maureen Ryan’s talk on those great liners, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. I had wanted to go to both talks, but suddenly by the time I had got organized and had breakfast it was too late, so we headed up to the Commodore Club to work on our computers and watch the waves go by. There was a ship on the horizon that looked just like QE2, but of course it wasn’t – Brian got out the binoculars, and although there certainly were similarities we had to accept that a miracle had not occurred and we were not sailing in tandem again.

I had been looking forward to a pub lunch all week, so after the noon announcement (which was very dry and factual, I do miss the fun announcements of other captains in the past), we went to the Golden Lion. It was absolutely packed, and we had to wait ages for a table. I was anxious to order my cider, but horrors, no Strongbow, Dry Blackthorn, or Mangers. They did have Aspall and 3 other ciders I didn’t recognize. I suppose I just have to get with the times, but I do miss the more traditional ciders. The Aspall is 500ml, so I was ready for a nap after lunch, but the Captain was doing a book signing and I didn’t want to miss out on her signing my logbook. The Daily Progamme very clearly stated that she would only sign books bought on board at the book shop, so I was a bit anxious that she may not sign my book bought on board QE2 in 2008. I should not have worried, she enjoyed reading the messages of all of the other captains who had signed it, and then took her time deciding what color pen to use, picking a rather vibrant shade of green in the end, so her message really does stand out.

Everyone else in the queue was Japanese, and in fact 90% of people in the Golden Lion for lunch were also Japanese. It will be interesting to find out the number of each nationality on board at the Welcome on Board party tonight. I have not seen or heard any other Americans around the ship; maybe they are all in hiding somewhere.

However, I have seen several people who were on QV last year, including Terry Waite who is planning his next duckling party.

Tonight is our first formal night, and we always try to get in to the spirit of the evening and make an attempt to recognize the theme, although we don’t actually dance at the balls. They would throw us off the dance floor if we did. Brian had a Cunard red and black bow tie, and I wore my red (but not really Cunard red) long dress and black shawl.

We went to the Welcome on Board cocktail party. There was a huge queue of people wanting to meet Captain Inga, so we decided to slip in through the back entrance and head for the sparkling wine. Trays of sparkling and red wine greeted us, so we were happy. We spent our time chatting with a couple of officers, who were very interesting, and I think glad to have us to talk with as just about every one else at the party was Japanese. They commented on our Cunard colors, so our efforts had not gone unnoticed. When Captain Inga finally finished greeting everyone, she introduced the senior officers and major players on the ship, and then it was time for dinner.

Everyone we saw was following the formal dress code, and the Japanese ladies looked spectacular in their kimonos. It was so nice to see all the bright colors, usually we are all dressed in black or subdued colors (well apart from my red dress). It gave the ship more of a festive atmosphere, I love it!

I had a shrimp and crab appetizer, chateau briande, and lemon soufflé for dinner washed down with a superb French wine – for me it doesn’t get much better than that, especially as I knew there would be a Godiva chocolate waiting for me on our bed when we got back to the cabin.

There was indeed a chocolate waiting for me, but also information on the daily programme that they are currently in the process of removing the bust of Queen Elizabeth in the Queens Room, the personal standard of the Queen Mother, the silver model of QE2 (which they described as the silver model of Queen Elizabeth ll) in the Yacht Club, and the QE2 bell and builders’ plaques near the Commodore Club. They will be packed up and transferred to QM2 in Hong Kong. These items are on loan from Dubai Ports, and must now be returned to them.

I do wish they could stay on QE, but I suppose if Cunard did sell them together with QE2, then they do need to be returned. I am still very upset, especially about the silver model. I have loved it ever since I first saw it on QE2; I think it belongs on our ship.