This last installment of our 2018 Cunard World Cruise Blog, was a couple of weeks late in coming, and I apologize.

When last we left David and Ricki, they were on the last days of their “World Voyage” (as Cunard calls it) on the Queen Elizabeth. It was a sad time...Saying so long to our dear friends was very hard. We seem to live all over the world: the UK, Japan, the Philippines, Romania, India, the US, etc. Fortunately, there is FaceTime and Facebook, plus emailing to stay in touch. There is nothing like a long ocean voyage to cement friendships, and I would be remiss if I said there were no tears.

Fortunately, we have 2020 on the Queen Victoria with so many of these friends!

Our task the last two days of the cruise was to perform magic---getting everything into 10 suitcases, a tote, a camera backpack and a tote. As I mentioned before, the small suitcase I bought for $1.00 at the Queen Elizabeth Country Faire came in very handy. The task was made doubly hard, because we had to pack for a week on the Queen Mary 2 returning to the U.S. Although the suitcases were packed much like the clown car in the circus, we did it!

We had a priority departure with our Diamond status, and we hoped to be on board the Queen Mary 2 in time to drop our valuables in our cabin and go ashore. This was not to be. Although we located our bags quickly enough and uneventfully went through Customs and Immigration (truly a non-event), the transfer to the QM2 was totally disorganized. We had been told we could drop our luggage at a “cage” by the exit from Customs and Immigration. Instead, we were forced to push trolleys with our luggage teetering on top, more than a city block to the coach. Even at the coach, we were told that 1. The luggage would be put on board the coach. 2. The luggage would not be put on the coach, rather it would be transported by van to the QM2. All of this was done in a chaotic manner. One woman on the coach was positively apoplectic at the thought of leaving her luggage and kept running of the coach and back on again. Finally, we were dropped off at the QM2, and told to wait. Nobody told anyone that they could embark first because they were World Cruisers. I went to the information desk to ask about it and the person manning the desk was totally flummoxed! Fortunately, she ran off in search of a supervisor who personally escorted us on board. We couldn't find our friends Bobby and Randell, who continued their voyage on the Mary, and assumed they had already boarded.

Our cabin, 8096, on deck 8, was a balcony, with an unobstructed view between two lifeboats. Although one does not really need a balcony cabin on a crossing, it's nice to be able to step outside. We found our cabin easily and deposited our valuables in the safe. At this point, it became moot to try to go ashore in Southampton. The whole transfer had taken so long, that we just squelched the idea and went off in search of lunch.

The QM2 has gone through a major renovation in the last few months, and there are some pluses and minuses. Our cabin was in great shape, with new carpet and soft goods. I was especially pleased to see the size of the shower was much larger than the trash-can sized one on the Elizabeth. All in all, the ship looks more modern, lighter and brighter. The Kings Court, the Mary's answer to the Lido, has undergone some major renovation. I want to say that it is much better, but it still is difficult to navigate and very crowded. We were, however, really impressed with the food selection—much more lavish than on the Elizabeth. Our favorite was the cheese station, where a “chef” was hand slicing cheese from a selection of at least 15 cheeses. The cheese was served with a selection of nuts, chutneys, dried fruit, etc. We thought it was so crowded because it was the only location for lunch for Britannia passengers, but each time we visited it, it was very crowded. The food stations are much more attractive, and the furniture is light wood with chairs upholstered in a light blue fabric.

Next to the Kings Court is the Carinthia Lounge—this is room unsure of what it is supposed to be. Is it a dining venue? Is it a lounge to have a drink and listen to music? Either way, it doesn't quite work. The space is the entire width of the ship, so it loses the intimacy of a lounge. We tried to meet for drinks there, and it was like meeting in a hotel lobby. This area used to be the Garden Lounge, which was also a confused location. It serrved to hold a spillover from the Kings Court, so tables often had dishes on them, and it was rather dark and dated looking. At least it is much brighter and there are attractive furniture arrangements. We were used to the Cafe Carinthia on the Elizabeth, that was one of the most beautiful rooms on the ship. The QM2 version is cold and unwelcoming compared to the Elizabeth one. There is a nice touch. Where Cafe Carinthia on the Elizabeth served a small, nicely presented light lunch plate, there are chefs on the Mary preparing an assortment of sandwiches, salads, quiches, desserts, etc., if you just wanted a light bite.

We explored the ship a bit to see the changes. This is our 6^th crossing (and one cruise) on the Queen Mary 2, and it serves a variety of purposes. First of all, an inside or ocean view cabin is less than business class and one gets the enjoyment of a 7 or 8 day cruise. You find many people who need to get to the UK (or Germany—some leave from Hamburg) or the US and prefer not to fly—that's me! I will fly, but I don't enjoy it. There are the traditionalists who love sailing on an iconic ocean liner, the only one still plowing the seas. Plus there are wonderful touches of history including the Quest, a self-guided tour with photos and narratives about the Queens, photos of the famous who have sailed her in one of her incarnations, and historical memorabilia on display. There are passengers who do a crossing and turn around and head back across the sea. We met some people who use it to commute between the US and the UK for business. They have 7 uninterrupted days to work. We've also met ex-pats returning home, or going abroad to relocate or work.

There is something very special about the sail away on the QM2, whether in New York or in Southampton, that thrills! We joined about 200 others on the aft decks, quaffing champagne and waving our UK flags. She sailed before 5 pm, so it was light outside. It was all very exhilarating!

Our Captain was the illustrious Christopher Wells, and there is some talk that he is in line to be Cunard's next Commodore. We have sailed with him often and found him approachable and eager to chat. He proved his worth as a Captain, as he guided the Mary through storms in the Atlantic that even caused her to shudder, buck and rock.

Of course, my first stop after food is the library, which was located forward on deck 8. I chose 2 books to read on the crossing, one of which I returned unread, and one I devoured: “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi.

Our Muster Drill station was in Kings Court, and the drill was mandatory, and held at 4:30 pm, before sailing.

A westbound crossing is delightful, because we turn our clocks back 6 times before arriving in New York. How nice is that—an extra hour of sleep! Because Cunard is a traditional cruise line, the seating is fixed in the Britannia Restaurant, with two seatings: 6 pm and 8:30. There are 3 formal nights and 4 informal nights on this crossing. The Daily Program clearly states what is required in terms of dress:

Formal: Dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with tie for gentlemen. Evening or cocktail dress for ladies.

Informal: Jacket required, tie optional for gentlemen. Cocktail dress, stylish separates or equivalent for ladies.

The options for those not wishing to dress for dinner is to dine in Kings Court or have room service. The alternative restaurants require the same dress code.

Amanda Reid, the Entertainment Director, was also on the Elizabeth and it was nice to see her again. Cunard is noted for their enrichment series of lectures, and there are at least 2 and sometimes 3 lectures per day. The notable speakers were:

Sir Michael Parkinson, Celebrity Speaker

Brian Hawley, Maritime Historian

Dennis Molnar, Historian

Robert Neal Marshall, Actor/Filmaker/Writer

General Simon Mayall KBE CB, Geo-Politics and Military History.

The Queen Mary 2 has the only planetarium at sea—and it is a not miss experience. We were fortunate that Bobby and Randell got up early and got us tickets, because this is the first time we have gone to a show. Our first attempt on this crossing was canceled due to rough seas. A dome comes down over the audience, and they were unable to use it because of the seas. Fortunately, on the 4^th day, the seas had calmed and we were able to go. It was extraordinary! Thank you Randell and Bobby!!

We met Randall and Bobby for drinks in the Commodore Club before dinner. Due to the rough conditions, we didn't return to that location during the crossing. Even after the seas improved on the 4^th day, we had fallen into a pattern of meeting them and other friends in the Champagne Bar, next to the re-located Chart Room. Lovely friends of Randell and Bobby's, Perry and Gordon, joined us every night and with them new friends, Liz, Antony and Lee. Also, our friend, Barbara, from the QE stopped by most nights.

We had elected for a table for 2 on this crossing. We had a good location on the bottom level close to the Captain's Table—perfect! Dinner was very good every night, and, indeed, we think the food is better on the QM2 than on the QE. Our Headwaiter, Abdul, could not have been more helpful and always offered his arm and escorted me to our seats. He knew our favorite Headwaiter, Ionel, from the QE.

We had a standing order for a fruit plate and cappuccino every night for dessert, and it was always remembered.

One of the very nice features for World Cruisers transferring to the Queen Mary 2 at the end of the cruise, is that we have access to the World Cruise Lounge on the QM2. We found it nicer than the QE, albeit smaller. It was in the Atlantic Room, very far forward, which precluded many from using it during the rough seas, but we were fine with it. There was a World Cruise Concierge with limited hours, but a dedicated waiter almost all the time. There were food presentations: fruit, pastry, etc for breakfast, and a very lavish tea presentation. Best of all were tables for cards with green felt toppings. It was nice to meet some of the cruisers who had “gone all the way” on the Mary. David and I spent a lot of time here. We used it for breakfast, to read and play cards.

Entertainment was a mixed bag, Many guests attended the themed balls in the Queens Room. There was music of all genres in multiple locations every evening. We saw comedian John Joseph, who also appears on Crystal. Maybe because we've seen him before, but his humor seemed dated.

We were invited to several cocktail parties: A Captain's with Senior Officers for Platinum and Diamond guests, and a World Cruise Cocktail Party that was small and quite nice. It was for those guests who had done the full World Cruise. We had an opportunity to chat with Captain Wells for quite a bit at this party.

I keep mentioning the rough seas, and we did have 25-30 foot waves and wild winds for the first 4 days. We must have our sea legs by now, because it didn't bother us. There was more movement than I have experienced on the Mary, but certainly tolerable.

All too soon, our crossing was ending, and our bags appeared along with luggage tags. Departure was easy, and we found a helpful porter who pushed our luggage through Customs and Immigration. He took us down to the sheltered Pick-Up location. David took an Uber to pick up our rental SUV. I waited and chatted with the wife of the man who shared David's ride. In about 45 minutes, David arrived with car, we loaded up and headed out.

We delayed our journey out of Brooklyn to take a tour of David's old home and neighborhood. We were surprised to see that the Sunset Park/Borough Park neighborhood is all Asian, primarily Chinese. The shopping street was cheek to jowl with Chinese restaurants, Chinese markets, Chinese travel agencies, Chinese medicine/western medicine pharmacies. We drove past the apartment building where he grew up, and then stopped in the Orthodox area of 13^th Avenue to pick up bagels for the ride.

We crossed over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, that we had sailed under only hours before and headed from Brooklyn to Staten Island and then down the I95 toward Washington, DC. Traffic in and around New York and D.C was so slow, due in part to the rain and the overwhelming amount of cars! We had hoped to get further the first night, but stayed just outside of Richmond, VA.

The next morning, we got on the road early, picked up our Starbucks and took turns driving to Sarasota. We made it home by midnight.

I want to write than I was happy to sleep in my own bed that night, but I went to sleep thinking about our next cruise...