Cruising with Royalty: the Queen Mary II
She is absolutely majestic, beautiful, with classic lines. She’s long and slender. A frontal view shows her upturned head, the image of confidence with a regal bearing. No wonder she is so admired and adored. Her presence commands awe and respect. If she were human, she would be the envy of many. If she were a living monarch, her countrymen would love her. As it is, the Queen Mary II rules more than one country. The most amazing ocean liner ever built, her following is international. After a recent transatlantic crossing, I am another devoted subject, and devoted to my friend Joanne for inviting me to join her.
Part of the Journey is Just Getting There…
Our arrival though was less than auspicious. I’ve dragged my suitcase all over the world, so what could be hard about getting my bag and myself from our South Kensington hotel to the Victoria Bus Station? If there is any city in the world with an extensive, user-friendly underground transit system it is London. Except there was a problem—my shopping in Notting Hill meant I now had two bags instead of one. And where did all those stairs come from? I’m sure they weren’t there when I arrived from New York. If not for some very friendly and well-muscled Brits, Joanne and I might still be slowly climbing up through the underground.
Once at Victoria, a comfy Greyhound bus ride to Southampton and a short taxicab ride to the pier were all it took to wait for our turn to board. The wait was not long, but finding our cabin was another matter. An ocean liner is not built like a cruise ship. The Queen Mary is long, very very long, especially when one’s cabin is at the far end of the hallway. An ocean liner is narrower than a cruise ship—she has to be to get through the often rough waters of the North Atlantic. Space is allotted to ample corridors (a good thing when the ship is listing and everyone on it), and generously sized cabins. Even our inside cabin had more storage space than we could possible use. There are no rock-climbing walls or ice-skating rinks or bowling alleys. Instead there is a fabulous library, and wonderful lounges. My favorite is the Chart Room (below), with large windows and delicious martinis. The popular Lion Pub is conveniently located alongside a moderate casino. The central jewel though is a striking lobby with its upper level ringed by shops such as Hermes and Swarovski, jewelry glittering from several window displays. Plus there are places to buy last minute wardrobe additions incase one did not bring enough for the three formal nights, two semi-formal and one “casual”.
On Board Antics
After all the initial wow factors had registered, panic started to set in. I rarely “cruise”. I usually subject my body to brutally long flights for the privilege of taking tours that require living out of a suitcase, changing rooms every other night, if not every night, long days of sightseeing, and trying to stay up long enough to enjoy dinner with hopefully a glass of something drinkable. So what am I going to do on a ship for six nights with no port stops? Taking a swim in nasty North Atlantic water is not my idea of recreation.
Shortly after embarking, still in my workaholic mindset, I signed up for the Canyon Ranch exercise program. I vowed to go every day and later out Joanne is really good at reminding me of my “obligations.” We got tickets for the Planetarium shows. We noted dates and times of the theatre and musical performances. We made plans to meet for Afternoon Tea. I purchased an Internet package, assuming I would keep up with my email (wrong). Joanne planned on attending the acting workshops (right). I made a note to borrow the headset for the history tour of the rich and famous who traveled the first Queen Mary, in the wonderful picture gallery (never accomplished). I made a pledge (silently, of course, so Joanne would not hear) to not overindulge (hah!)
By the end of the week I was amazed at how busy we had been, at all the things I had not managed to do, and at how much weight I had gained. I was also pleased to have survived with minimal motion sickness, unlike a substantial portion of the passengers and crew. (We had a very rough crossing, one of the worst our Chief Electrical Engineer had every seen). We settled into a nice routine, beginning with an early morning walk (weather permitting, and I do mean weather) around the deck, room service for a light breakfast and all-important coffee. Joann would shower and go to her workshops or lectures while I took off to have either Shaun or Michelle try to push my lazy muscles into shape. After my shower, it was time for lunch. Did we want to eat at one of the ethnic theme buffets or in the main dining room? Then to another Planetarium show, or a performance in the theatre? Afternoon tea couldn’t be missed, unless there was a wine tasting or reception instead. Afternoon trivia games? A little shopping?
Oops, time to get ready for another evening of glitter and glamour. Time to see Jojo, our charming waiter. By the second night Jojo knew I wanted the dark roll, salad dressing on the side, and extra steamed vegetables with my fish. Would I like the Salmon and Shrimp Ceviche for my starter, or the Crab Baby Shrimp Thermidor in a Parmesan Brioche? And the broiled Lobster Tail with Shrimp Feuillantine for my entrée? Definitely the Warm Chocolate Pudding with Chocolate Sorbet, Manjari Pudding and Chocolate Shortbread. Plus coffee to give me enough energy to waddle to the show.
A Parting Thought
The Queen Mary II is a class-conscious holdout in this age of egalitarianism. There are separate dining rooms and lounges for passengers in expensive suites. Joanne and I ate in the Britannia Restaurant, not the Princess or Queen’s Grill. We were in a cabin so low it wasn’t even numbered on the deck plans. To the staff and the friends we made none of that mattered. When we celebrated Joanne’s birthday, our wait staff and the chef made it a very special evening. The Queen is an elegant hostess, with manners and upbringing that makes everyone feel like royalty. I can only hope there will be a return visit.
Donna is Sharing Travel Experience's travel concierge. When she's not out scouting new dream destinations for STE readers, she's at home with her two cats in sunny Ohio.
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