Saturday, November 06, 2004
New Yawk New Yawk
Got up promptly at 5AM, showered and we were just in time to see the Veranzano Narrows bridge pass over.
We rushed up to the Promenade Deck, and braved the cold! winds to see the Statue of Liberty pass by on the port side.
Saw Battery Park and the financial district slip by, then - too damn cold! - we went back in side for a leisurely breakfast while they docked the ship.
We're sitting in the Queens Room waiting for the crew to call our deck for disembarkation. But - we're in New York!
"Start spreading the news...."
We rushed up to the Promenade Deck, and braved the cold! winds to see the Statue of Liberty pass by on the port side.
Saw Battery Park and the financial district slip by, then - too damn cold! - we went back in side for a leisurely breakfast while they docked the ship.
We're sitting in the Queens Room waiting for the crew to call our deck for disembarkation. But - we're in New York!
"Start spreading the news...."
Friday, November 05, 2004
In spite of sea sickness
isn't Andi looking great! A six day transatlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2 will do that.
Land ho!
Maybe. We just saw two boats - the first we've seen since leaving Southampton Sunday, October 31st.
So we're close to NYC, about 120 miles in fact. We'll be passing the Statue of Liberty at about 6AM which is a little disappointing but we'll still get our butts outta bed to take a gander.
Think about it : one hundred years ago the only way to travel to The New World was by boat, and as America absorbed hundreds of thousands of European immigrants, the Statue of Liberty was the first thing they saw of their new life.
Makes your pulse quicken.
So we're close to NYC, about 120 miles in fact. We'll be passing the Statue of Liberty at about 6AM which is a little disappointing but we'll still get our butts outta bed to take a gander.
Think about it : one hundred years ago the only way to travel to The New World was by boat, and as America absorbed hundreds of thousands of European immigrants, the Statue of Liberty was the first thing they saw of their new life.
Makes your pulse quicken.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Best. Hat. Ever
Sited in the Queen Mary 2's casino.
Drinks with the Captain
We must have done something right; Andi and I got invited for drinks with the Captain and his senior officers!
Incredible storm!
It is really, really stormy today; one of the ships staff said it's the worst crossing she's ever experienced.
We've seen several waves totally engulfing windows on the lower decks, and earlier today I almost got douched by a wave while standing on our balcony.
Amazing!
We've seen several waves totally engulfing windows on the lower decks, and earlier today I almost got douched by a wave while standing on our balcony.
Amazing!
Another stormy night
Amazing artists aboard the QM2
Food artists, to be specific. Absolutely amazing!
Where are we today?
Unlike air travel (boring!) every day you move a little closer to your destination while travelling at sea.
The Queen Mary 2 has an excellent entertainment system in every suite, one of the functions is, of course, a position indication.
We check it every day when we wake up, and this morning found ourselves off the coast of New Foundland.
Two more days to New York. Start spreading the news...........
The Queen Mary 2 has an excellent entertainment system in every suite, one of the functions is, of course, a position indication.
We check it every day when we wake up, and this morning found ourselves off the coast of New Foundland.
Two more days to New York. Start spreading the news...........
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Another wonderful show
One of the things that's great about the Queen Mary 2 is the large - and eclectic - number of things you can do while onboard.
If you'd like veg out and read a book, fine. If you want to pig out and gorge on sweets, fine. If you'd like to booze up the entire trip, fine. And the shagging you ask? Loving mens, loving womens, loving all God's creatures aboard the QM2!!!
We did our share of all of the above, but also took in as many of the fantastic shows as we could!! All of them were free, and were the equivalent of - and in some cases better than - a production you pay to see in New York or London.
This show was a tribute to Richard Rodgers' first (and largely forgotten) partner, Lorenz Hart. We enjoyed this production before dinner, and it was absolutely wonderful!
If you'd like veg out and read a book, fine. If you want to pig out and gorge on sweets, fine. If you'd like to booze up the entire trip, fine. And the shagging you ask? Loving mens, loving womens, loving all God's creatures aboard the QM2!!!
We did our share of all of the above, but also took in as many of the fantastic shows as we could!! All of them were free, and were the equivalent of - and in some cases better than - a production you pay to see in New York or London.
This show was a tribute to Richard Rodgers' first (and largely forgotten) partner, Lorenz Hart. We enjoyed this production before dinner, and it was absolutely wonderful!
Belle of the ball
Well, someone besides myself and every man (lusting looks) and every woman (dirty looks) noticed how hot Andi dresses - we got invited to eat at the Food and Beverage Managers table!
Elevator babes on the QM2
One of the hot babes you'll meet riding the elevators aboard the Queen Mary 2. I'm gonna invite her back to cabin 4095 and show her some real up and down action....
Time travel
Some folks emailed and asked how they handle the time changes aboard the Queen Mary 2.
Just a reference point : New York is five hours behind London. As the ship travels across the Atlantic (a six day voyage, coincidentally enough), they move the clocks back one hour per day.
So you arrive in New York without any jet lag - nifty, eh?
Just a reference point : New York is five hours behind London. As the ship travels across the Atlantic (a six day voyage, coincidentally enough), they move the clocks back one hour per day.
So you arrive in New York without any jet lag - nifty, eh?
Rough seas ahead!
Gale force winds, seas that rate a six on a scale of one to ten, and a heavy rainstorm all indicate rough seas ahead! The crew is looking worried and we're seeing more and more of the bridge staff getting drink in the bars! Ahh, what's the use?" they mutter, tossing back shots of strong rum.
Andi got a seasickness shot Monday night, so these rough seas aren't fazing her much this time around.
Andi got a seasickness shot Monday night, so these rough seas aren't fazing her much this time around.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Morgan
our sommelier for the evening. An excellent gentleman and like everyone on the QM2, someone who goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable.
Speaking of dinner...
Another amazing meal!
Every passenger gets a reserved seat in one the top notch restaurants. This was ours for the 8:30PM seating.
Andi's meal.
And a wonderful bottle of Penfolds.
Every passenger gets a reserved seat in one the top notch restaurants. This was ours for the 8:30PM seating.
Andi's meal.
And a wonderful bottle of Penfolds.
Meet the Captain
This evening there was a wonderful event where you could actually meet the Captain and some of the QM2's bridge crew. It was held in the spacious Queens Room, and this pic doens't do its magnificent size justice - it's huge!
The House always wins!
Well, I switched from Routlette to the slots and my luck changed as well! A little fun before dinner.
Another formal dinner
On the six night crossing, no fewer than three of the dinners are real swank, formal affairs! Sorta fun to dress up but even so if you're not into it, about a dozen of the restaurants will serve you in casual clothes.
Here we are all dressed up with someplace to go - DINNER!
Here we are all dressed up with someplace to go - DINNER!
Incredible model
Andi took this pic in The Atlantic Room; a bar located at the bow of the ship. It features this enourmous scale model of the Queen Mary 2.
Monday, November 01, 2004
UhOhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
Well, poor Andi succumbed to seasickness. She tried but the ship was really, really rocking from side to side in the storm and although the band played on (whoops! there I go with another Titanic reference!), the wine flowed and the food sizzeled, she grabbed her mouth and FLED from the dining room!
We immediately went to the ships surgeon who administered a jab (in that tight ass) that put Andi to sleep.
She felt much better the next day. Although the storm had passed so we're not really sure how much good the jab was.
We immediately went to the ships surgeon who administered a jab (in that tight ass) that put Andi to sleep.
She felt much better the next day. Although the storm had passed so we're not really sure how much good the jab was.
No penny spared
Cunard really went overboard (no pun intended) to build this ship; first notch materials throughout, in addition to being really spacious.
Andi took these pix in the large common areas on deck three, right outside of our dining room (while we were on our way to dinner).
Andi took these pix in the large common areas on deck three, right outside of our dining room (while we were on our way to dinner).
Formal dress on the Queen Mary 2
Three of our nights on the QM2 were designated "formal"; tuxedos or dark suits for the men, and evening dresses for the women.
We tried hard and here is the end result; as usual, Andi is stunning and I - well, words fail when trying to describe some terrible things.
We tried hard and here is the end result; as usual, Andi is stunning and I - well, words fail when trying to describe some terrible things.
The terrible ocean
Well, our attendant was certainly correct - the waves really, really started to pick up. It got so rough that folks were walking about covering their mouths. And you had to hold onto all of those railings they've got all over the ship - now we know why there were there!
Andi took these pix off our balcony, shortly before we changed for the first (of three) formal dinners.
Andi took these pix off our balcony, shortly before we changed for the first (of three) formal dinners.
They won't look so good tomorrow!!!
So Andi and I headed out for a breakfast and another tour of the ship this morning.
We had a nice lunch and some drinks in this English Pub. I gambled more and ended up flat - I'm still up $23 for the trip on a $50 purchase of chips.
The seas got noticably rough. From the time we left Southampton they were a category two in roughness (out of a ten point scale). I bought Andi some wrist thingies that you wear on each arm to activate accupuncture points. They seemed to help.
On the way back to our cabin we ran into our attendent, Stine, who told Andi some shit she definitely did notwant to know. In a characteristically northern European bluntness Stine shared that the crew had already been briefed the seas were going to get nasty - maybe a six on the ten point scale - and that "the passengers were not going to look so good tomorrow".
Can't wait!
We had a nice lunch and some drinks in this English Pub. I gambled more and ended up flat - I'm still up $23 for the trip on a $50 purchase of chips.
The seas got noticably rough. From the time we left Southampton they were a category two in roughness (out of a ten point scale). I bought Andi some wrist thingies that you wear on each arm to activate accupuncture points. They seemed to help.
On the way back to our cabin we ran into our attendent, Stine, who told Andi some shit she definitely did notwant to know. In a characteristically northern European bluntness Stine shared that the crew had already been briefed the seas were going to get nasty - maybe a six on the ten point scale - and that "the passengers were not going to look so good tomorrow".
Can't wait!
Morning on the QM2
We stayed up pretty late last night, had a wonderful three course dinner, took in a show and I won $23 at the casino!
Even so we checked the in-cabin position system before sleeping, and hadn't even passed Devon, Cornwall after some ten hours underway.
Slept really, really well. Woke up and while Andi showered I went out on our private balcony and took these nifty shots of the wake the Queen Mary 2 kicks up in the North Atlantic.
Wow!
Even so we checked the in-cabin position system before sleeping, and hadn't even passed Devon, Cornwall after some ten hours underway.
Slept really, really well. Woke up and while Andi showered I went out on our private balcony and took these nifty shots of the wake the Queen Mary 2 kicks up in the North Atlantic.
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Wow!
Ughhhh...long night out and about QM2's clubs and pubs
Slapper and I had a great night out, and she was as stunning as ever - check out the newly acquired cleavage! Boots is exiting the breast augmentation biz, and I treated her to a clearance special!
I, however, look like Ozzie or some aging rocker
I, however, look like Ozzie or some aging rocker
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Sculptures of butter...
And chocolate (both dark and light!) and bread and lobster and pretty much any other edible substance that you could care to imagine.
with no fewer than fifteen restaurants on the QM2, there is plenty of scope for the more artistically inclined food preparation staff to express themselves.
Slapper and I picked up some whipped cream and made a sculpture of our own...but she won't let me post the pix!
with no fewer than fifteen restaurants on the QM2, there is plenty of scope for the more artistically inclined food preparation staff to express themselves.
Slapper and I picked up some whipped cream and made a sculpture of our own...but she won't let me post the pix!
Damn!
We left the Hilton at about 1PM and arrived at the docks around 1:30PM. There was an awful lot of security and processing.
After about thirty minutes of forms and such, we were issued with two Cunard Passenger ID cards :
They are used for everything on board; drinks, meals, chips in the gambling casino and even entry into your cabins.
I certainly hope they ain't gonna ask for these back when we get to New York, 'cause mine "fell overboard".
The QM2 left port at about 6:30PM GMT. We're now moving at a good clip, although you can still see lights from shore.
Andi is showering now, and I'm sitting in a nice restaurant with a glass of Moet, updating this blog (wireless on the QM2!) and getting ready to head off with her to dinner.
Sweet.
After about thirty minutes of forms and such, we were issued with two Cunard Passenger ID cards :
They are used for everything on board; drinks, meals, chips in the gambling casino and even entry into your cabins.
I certainly hope they ain't gonna ask for these back when we get to New York, 'cause mine "fell overboard".
The QM2 left port at about 6:30PM GMT. We're now moving at a good clip, although you can still see lights from shore.
Andi is showering now, and I'm sitting in a nice restaurant with a glass of Moet, updating this blog (wireless on the QM2!) and getting ready to head off with her to dinner.
Sweet.
This picture sez it all
Sunset from our private balcony, a lone seagull chasing the QM2 and we're just chilling...
Nice day before departure
Wow it was such a beautiful day, we wandered about for hours outside before departure. This pic was taken on the top deck, and the ships name is well lit after dark.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Slapper reveals many new shoes for the cruise!
Wow! Andi brought along six new pairs of shoes for the cruise, including a most bodacious pair of bitch boots and these lovely red slingbacks!
She unwrapped them all after dinner and drink at the hotel. We had to turn in early, as they'll take us to the docks for boarding at about 11AM.
She unwrapped them all after dinner and drink at the hotel. We had to turn in early, as they'll take us to the docks for boarding at about 11AM.
Leaving London!
To reduce the stress and hassle of travel we wanted to get to Southampton Saturday, the day before the QM2 leaves port.
Cunard offers a special deal for cruise customers at The Southampton Hilton.
Since it not only included a nights lodging in a nice suite, but also dinner, breakfast and transportation to the docks the next morning, we decided to stay there for the evening.
Much better than rushing about Sunday morning, trying to get to the coast before the Queen Mary left port!
Cunard offers a special deal for cruise customers at The Southampton Hilton.
Since it not only included a nights lodging in a nice suite, but also dinner, breakfast and transportation to the docks the next morning, we decided to stay there for the evening.
Much better than rushing about Sunday morning, trying to get to the coast before the Queen Mary left port!
