July 24th, 2024.

I slept pretty well on the final night of the second of three voyages covering the first 35 nights in the history of Cunard’s gorgeous new cruise ship M.V. Queen Anne.  I can, just about find my way around after 21 days on board.  But I have not yet enjoyed all that there is available.  And I doubt that I will even in the next and final 14 nights on board.

During my “condensed” shore leave, I was treated to a magnificent lunch in Bournemouth by a long-term friend and former neighbour in Buxton, now living in Bournemouth.  One plan was to post the bulk of my souvenirs from there back to my home in Buxton.  After lunch, time was limited, and I decided that I wanted a portable phone charger.  Paul, my friend agreed to pack the items when time was more plentiful.  My visit felt far too short, and all too soon, I was in a taxi from Southampton Central back to the ship.  For a third time, a warm sun penetrates a cool breeze as I relax outside on Deck 9 to the strains of a saxophonist accompanied by a backtrack of a gentle disco beat.   While in Bournemouth, I had my phone “serviced” and treated myself to a posh new phone case, which I was assured would last longer than the present one, which occasionally obscured pictures I was trying take.

Of course, there’s a ship load of new passengers for this Festival Cruise around the British Isles. The highlight will be the naming ceremony in Liverpool, referred to frequently as Cunard’s spiritual home.  Will I know anybody on this voyage?  Will table 349 be set aside for solo travellers as on the previous two voyages?  Who knows.

There’s no doubt about it. Cunard’s Queen Anne is extremely luxurious and expensively fitted out.  Opinions on that last statement may differ widely from mine.  The taxi driver asked me what my favourite ship was.  My reply is the same when asked this, “the ship I am on at the moment.”  But if asked on “Desert Island Discs” what ship would I choose if I only had one choice.  Queen Mary 2 would just pip Queen Anne into first place.

It was a beautiful sail-away from Southampton under gorgeous sunny skies.

I thought I was right on time for dinner at the table, usually reserved for solo travellers.  Seven of us, including a married couple from Vancouver, squeezed quite nicely onto a table for six.  We seemed to enjoy each other’s company, and I rather hope we can last the two weeks of this third voyage.   Service was fine until the dessert course.  We would miss so much of tonight’s show that it wasn’t worth attending.

Towards the end of the last voyage, I had read about the flower moon, which would occur from 23rd May.  I saw it tonight during a nocturnal ramble along the Promenade Deck.  It looked magnificent in its unusual shade of very light gold.  My attempts to photograph it failed miserably! 

The next day, Saturday 25th May.

I was awake fairly early this morning after yet another respectable sleep.  I have more or less mastered the interactive all singing, all dancing telly in my stateroom.  I peeked through my stateroom curtains to reveal a rain-soaked balcony, grey skies, and sea-mist.  My incomprehensibly complicated telly promised a forecast of cloud, rain, lousy temperatures, and little in the way of blue skies until well towards the end of next week.  Nevertheless, I am enjoying yet another chilled out brekkie on Deck 9 in the section designated Tramonto where in the evening,  fine Mediterranean cuisine can be enjoyed (for a small supplement).  As with all Cunard ships, it doesn’t really matter if the weather is occasionally inclement.  There are plenty of activities from which to choose inside.  This morning, Midge Ure of Ultravox fame will be addressing an audience in the Royal Court Theatre at 11 am.  Cunard really is aiming at a younger demographic than I am a member of.  And so they should.  However, at 75, I am still able to feel relatively at home. 

12.07 hrs.

Prior to that, I attended (for the first time) a port presentation covering Greenock and Belfast.  Emily, the Port Presenter, gave an interesting and comprehensive account of each port of call detailing the shore excursions available as well as independent options.  And, I have succeeded in locating a list of shore excursions on My Voyage.

This afternoon, I have (or did have) a choice.  It’s 14.51 right now.  The choice, afternoon tea, or a guided tour of the ship. 

I didn’t do either!  Perhaps walking off a delicious turkey lunch might not be a bad idea.  There’s a movie on tonight in the Pavilion,  The Edge of the World. This is 1937 film relating to the evacuation of the Isle of St. Kilda. 

I’m not sure that the Pavilion with its midships swimming pool makes for a good cinema.  Perhaps it was the sound quality of this almost 90  year old film, which made it difficult to follow.  However, the monochrome photography and the setting were magnificent. I think only three of us watched the movie. 

Many thanks for reading,

David, 15.28 hrs.

Updated  20.05 hrs.